Zen & Xander Undone

by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Zen and Xander are sisters—truly, madly, deeply sisters, and this is their last summer together. Zen is the "good" girl with a black belt in karate and a newfound penchant for kicking heads. Xander is a wild scientific genius with a self-destructive streak a light-year long. They have three things in they’re brown-eyed blondes, they’ve noticed the boy next door has turned into a hottie, and they miss their mom, who died almost a year ago. These sisters are surviving just fine—except Zen keeps getting into fights that are harder and harder to finish, while Xander spirals into a vortex of late-night parties, scary men, and drugs. What’s worse, Xander has scholarships to the most coveted universities in the country, but she’s about to ruin everything. Should Zen keep trying to protect Xander, or finally let her go?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Death, Teen, Chick Lit, Grief, Realistic Fiction

212 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Amy Kathleen Ryan earned her MA from the University of Vermont, and her MFA from The New School in New York City.

Amy only reviews books she thinks are excellent.

Proud to be included in this list of classic science fiction titles: https://media.bookbub.com/blog/2015/0...

Follow her on TWITTER!!
https://twitter.com/AmyKathleenRyan

Website:
http://www.amykathleenryan.com

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to reading Zen and Xander Undone for quite a while, so when I finally did receive a copy I was jumping-up-and-down ecstatic, which never is exactly a pretty picture. ;) Sadly, while there are good parts to Zen and Xander Undone, it left me feeling utterly disappointed at the end.

Zen and Xander Undone tells the tale of two sisters who are best friends. Xander is the wild and wickedly smart one, though ever since the death of their mother, she's been on a downward spiral to the life of partying too hard with alcohol, drugs, and sex, much to the dismay of Zen and their other best friend, Adam. Zen, on the other hand, is dealing with the death of their mother quietly, taking up karate to relax and talking to her mother in her head.

Don't get me wrong, the characters were decent and somewhat likable, but one of the reasons for me feeling disappointed about this novel was the characters. I never really felt emotionally connected or even a strong liking to either Zen and Xander, since I felt that their tale was a clichéd one that never really brought anything new to the table. Though, I really did like two of the secondary characters in this novel. Those two? Paul, Zen's love interested who was way too wise and cool for his age, and Adam, Xander's love interest who was sweet. Sadly, neither really had too many big moments.

The plot was entertaining and had dry humor to it that I enjoyed, but as said before it never really brought anything new to the table. Though it still was a good enough read for a rainy day in the summer. One of my favorite parts of the plot was the add-on of the mystery revolving Zen and Xander's mother's younger years. I felt it was paced well and the resolution to it well done.

I also liked how the author addressed the subject of grieving in this, showing that everyone has their own methods of it, and that you should never really judge one's over the other, since to that person that's the only way there is to help.

In all, Zen and Xander Undone is an okay novel that did have it's moments, though not one I really suggest you running how to purchase. Instead maybe you should pick it up at the library. But who knows, maybe you'll see the light in it I didn't. And the only question remaining: Will I be reading more by Amy Kathleen Ryan? Well, I do have another one of her books in my TBR pile so probably.

Grade: C-

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading and enjoying Amy's debut Vibes, I was really excited to dive into Zen and Xander Undone. This was an overall really enjoyable and well written sophomore novel that will definitely appeal to a variety of readers. While Zen and Xander were not necessarily "likable" characters, they are definitely realistic and well developed. The plot was also very original and kept me reading, enough that I finished this book in about 2 hours.

To elaborate, Zen and Xander are two sisters dealing with their mother's tragic death in different ways. Both act out, but Xander does it a little too crazily. She gets involved with bad boys, drugs, and partying and nothing Zen says to her will bring back the Xander she remembers. Their father has turned into such a recluse it's up to Zen to try and protect her sister, but Zen is having troubles of her own. The relationship between Zen and Xander was fantastic, you could feel their connection and how important it was to Zen that Xander stay safe. Even though the story was told from Zen's POV, I could understand Xander really well, both characters were really well developed and readers got a good look into the life they were living now that their mother was gone.

The plot was engaging and filled with a variety of sub plots that kept the story moving. The main focus of the novel was on Zen and Xander's relationship, but there was also romance. Their sweet neighbor across the street that Xander was falling for, and Paul, a witty photographer, that was perfect for Zen. There was also the mystery surrounding their mother. She had written letters to them before she died that were being delivered to the sisters at random intervals by a mysterious someone. I loved this idea and it made their mother's feelings for the sisters that much more real.

This was an overall engaging and well written novel, and while it had it's flaws I overall really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more by Amy Kathleen Ryan in the future!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Zen & Xander Undone. Amy Kathleen Ryan has written an amazing story about sisters and the things they share, from boys to grief. If her first book, Vibes, is anywhere near as good as this one it will be added to my list of favorites too.

Zen and Xander are sisters with very little in common. After the death of their mother Zen throws herself into her martial arts and Xander throws herself at every guy she meets. When Zen is forced to put her martial arts aside she starts to see what Xander is doing but she doesn't know how to stop it. Will she be able to save Xander from herself or will it be too late for these sisters?

The thing about Zen & Xander Undone that I loved the most was that it focused on the sisters. Sure it had some romance for both sisters but those were just subplots. The real story was about the relationship of the sisters and how it grew over their final summer together. They were such total opposites but you could see the love they shared for each other and how that helped them see past the mistakes they were making.

I didn't once want to put the book down. I literally read it straight through. It's a story about grief but it was so much more than that. I loved the letters their mom wrote them when she was dying and while they were heartbreaking, they also helped them grow. For a book so focused on someones death it was one of the happiest books I have read. The girls may have lost their mom but they still had each other and that is what helped see them through.

Overall, everyone should go out and buy a copy of Zen & Xander Undone. It's one of the best books that I have ever read adn it shoots straight to the top of my list of recommendations. I can't wait to read Vibes now!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so this isn't like the world's greatest novel or anything. It is, however, very good -- a fully fleshed story complete w/ interesting characters & a dash of mystery. A satisfying read that hit the spot.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zen and Xander lost their mother almost a year ago, and for that past year, they've been getting messages from her, sent by a mystery person on significant days. The girls are handling their grief in their own ways. Zen, who tells the story, buries herself in karate and trying to keep the family together. Xander goes out for drinking, wild parties, drugs, and dangerous men. When one follows her home, Zen kicks butt but throws out her back in the process. Can the Vogel sisters get it together before Zen paralyzes herself and Xander throws her future away completely? Will learning their mother's secrets help or hurt their already fragile bond?

A heartfelt and touching story with a lot of emotion. The girls have a hard time with their grief and struggle to overcome it in their own way. Emotional and well-written.

[L Be · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely have anything to say about this book, it's not a heavy read that I enjoyed thoroughly. It was just something I read to pass time without really caring much

[L Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely have anything to say about this book, it's not a heavy read that I enjoyed thoroughly. It was just something I read to pass time without really caring much

[Lilith B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely have anything to say about this book, it's not a heavy read that I enjoyed thoroughly. It was just something I read to pass time without really caring much

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book about grief and as such was a sad book, but also surprisingly an incredibly funny book.

[Jax O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan's May release Zen and Xander undone is one novel that packes one hell of an emotion punch. From the book description I anticipated a heart wrenching story of loss for these two girls that becomes their undoing. What I did not anticipate was that the true under lieing storyline of a young girl that is struggling with the loss of everything in her life. Because of the lifestyle and choices of poison it is an immediate concern for the future of Xander the older out of control eighteen year old, but the reader slowly learns that Zen is in more trouble than at first sight. Zen has not only lost her mother, but she is now facing the loss of her sister and her deeply depressed father. This book reminded me a lot of P.S. I Love You, because of the letters that Zen and Xanders mother prepares before her death. This was a careful crafted story line that is deeply emotional, and will pull the reader through by the heart strings. The amount of saddness and despair in the one small book is unreal. I especially felt sad for Xander when it becomes clear that Adam is in love with Xander. It seems as though this character is always being left behind. This is the first novel that I have ever read that has the main character doing all of the talking, but it is mainly about the side characters story. Everything seems to be about Xander, but you discover that under the story Xander feelings show through. The story then takes a definetly turn, to the mystery and mission of their Mother. After having stolen their mothers will records from the lawyer, they find that I may not really know their mother. This turns into a disasterious mission to discover their mothers secrets. Only what they find is that everyone has secrets, and when you don't know all of the details it is easy to make presumptions and judge unfairly; somethings are better left buried. As my first novel by Amy Kathleen Ryan I have to say that I am quite impressed by this authors ability. Such deep feeling is intertwined in her writing that it left me craving more. I look forward to seeing what she can come up with in the future. As for my cover note on this novel it was pretty self explanatory without reading the novel. Mine is the cover previewing two girls one with makeup, jewelry, and looking like shes on the prowl which my guess is Xander; while the other is innocent and sweet I perceived this to be Zen. Not a lot hidden in the cover, but definetly beautiful and will attract a lot of attention. [return]**Special Thanks to Houghton Mifflin for my review copy of this book!![return]

[Vanessa Ornelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I really enjoyed reading Zen and Xander Undone by Amy Kathleen her book has really moved me she has written a very impressive story about love and about sisters and about how they both cope with the loss of there mother at such young ages . The main reason why I choose to read this book was because of the other book that she wrote called Vibes. I have to say that Zen and Xander has much more depth it and I truly loved it. It has such a powerful message and I believe it’s one of the best books I’ve read.
Zen and Xander are sisters with very little in common and they both has different ways of coping with there mothers death. Zen throws herself into her martial arts she keeps her grades up and Xander well she decides to date around with guys and party at night and drink alcohol .There father is deeply depressed after losing his wife and is always locked up in the basement .Zen is the only one keeping there family together. Zen is forced to put her martial arts aside because she gets hurt by kicking a guy in the face after he was trying to hurt her older sister Xander after a while Zen starts to see what Xander is doing but she doesn't know how to stop it. Then there’s Adam he is in love with Xander and he really wants to help her like Zen does but it seems like Xander doesn’t care about anyone else but herself.
The thing about Zen and Xander Undone that I loved the most was that it focused on the sisters. There bond in the end of the story was just beautiful. No matter what they suck together and I was really proud of Xander for realizing that what she was doing was wrong and for finally changing her ways because her actions were affecting everyone around her. I’m glad that Zen was able to finally able to get over the fact that her sister was leaving to college and that she finally came out of her shell and meet a great guy to.
I literally read it straight through. It's a story about grief but it was so much more than that. I loved the letters their mom wrote them when she was dying and while they were heartbreaking, they also helped them grow. For a book so focused on someone’s death it was one of the happiest books I have read. The girls may have lost their mom but they still had each other and that is what helped see them through. In the end this story is a amazing book and it really taught me a lot in life and how it’s always good to let things go. Life gets better no matter how had it seems to be and the time.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Two sisters who are totally different join together to solve a mystery. After the death of their mother less than a year ago, Zen (Athena) and Xander (Alexandra) are looking for ways to carry on. Their father is hiding out in his new basement bedroom and pretty much ignoring the girls.

Xander is and has always been the wild one, but since their mother's death her behavior has become completely defiant and even dangerous. Zen is worried.

Zen is all about control. Her interest in martial arts is just one example. The discipline, the ceremony, and the rigid standards are perfect for her. The emotional upheaval of losing her mother has her searching for stability.

The girls begin receiving letters and packages from their mother, sent by a mysterious someone. The items arrive on special occasions like Christmas, Mother's Day, and birthdays. When Zen and Xander attempt to discover the identity of the mysterious sender, they stumble across a secret life their mother has hidden for years. Did she have an affair? How long did it last? Was their parents' marriage in jeopardy?

In an effort to uncover the secret, the girls question neighbors, relatives, and even the family lawyer. They are determined to find the answers they seek no matter the consequences.

ZEN & XANDER UNDONE is an excellent addition to any collection of books for teenage girls. Amy Kathleen Ryan takes readers on an emotional ride as her believable characters face the challenge of surviving the loss of their mother and finding a way to move on toward whatever the future might hold. She combines heartbreaking emotions with humor and a bit of fun to capture readers and take them into the lives of Zen and Xander.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zen and Xander are sisters who lost their mother a year ago. In his grief, their father removed himself from their lives, living in the basement and rarely talking to them. Each sister coped with the loss differently. Zen, narrator of the book, immersed herself even more in martial arts. Xander started more and more risky behaviors, coming home drunk or high with questionable guys. Zen found great pleasure in kicking one of those guys in the head, though it injured her back. It certainly did feel good though. As the two girls drift further apart, a mystery brings them back together. They discover that their mother left a valuable statue to a man they have never heard of. Now the two of them have to decide whether to solve the mystery or return to their grief apart.

A beautiful depiction of sisters who are best friends but very different from one another, this book also explores grief with an openness that is breathtaking. I particularly appreciated the intelligence of both of the sisters, both of them bright and filled with humor. Their complex relationship was depicted in a realistic way, never straying too far from the core of sisterhood that held them together.

Ryan’s writing is impeccable with a great ear for dialogue, a modern style without relying on any branding to keep it current, and a genuine appreciation for teens. She manages not to be didactic about grief at all, allowing both girls to find their own way not as examples for others but as individuals. Both sisters move through the loss of their mother in well rendered ways, even their mistakes making great sense.

A humor-filled book with great depth, this reads like John Green for girls thanks to the smart sisters. Appropriate for ages 15-18.

[Jan]

Two teenaged sisters try to come to terms with the death of their mother in very different ways. Xander is a brilliant student, but drawn to acting out to cope with her mother's death. Zen is more laid back and relies upon martial arts to keep her emotions in check. Their father is immersed in grief and unable to provide much in the way of support, but as the novel progresses, he does find his footing to some extent.

The narrator of the novel is Zen--appropriate as she is more of an observer. The interaction between the two characters is deftly told and very moving, particularly when Zen must decide whether to try to protect her sister or let her go.

It was strange that these teens would go on a road trip to discover more about their mother and not use a GPS or Google Maps. Another odd sort of anachronistic thing about the use of technology in the book--at the end of the book, Zen and Xander agree to email each other after Xander goes off to college. My immediate reaction was…email! Not Facebook or texting? That also did not seem how teens operate.

I liked the wit of Zen's narration and the strong characterizations. The horrible, stupid cover is very misleading. This is not a superficial chick lit novel, so why the dopey cover? The rhyming conceit employed by the dad and girls got on my nerves, as well. And would the mom, dying in agony from cancer, really be able to write all those letters and arrange for those post mortem gifts? That seemed a bit much. But the writing is strong and this is a great novel about coming to terms with grief and with learning to see that your parents are human and fallible, just like you.

[Yan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever since their mom past away, Zen and Xander have dealt with their grief in different ways. Zen turned to martial arts as a physical outlet while Xander turned to late night parties and drugs despite her exceedingly intelligence having been accepted to both CalTech and MIT. Zen although being the younger sister is watching out for Xander for her fighting skills comes in handy against unwanted men. Adam, however, Zen and Xander’s next door neighbor, is wanted. But ever so often a letter from their mother shows up and it breaks them even more.

There is nothing characteristically great about Zen and Xander Undone. It can be the fact that the novel is fairly short, clocking in at 200 some pages. It can also be because the novel focuses so much more on Xander that I lost Zen making the first person narration worthless. I do specifically recall her back pains for Zen—just a lot of back straining.

The various methods of grief—hidden from the world, physical violence, and destruction of oneself—are well done. The typical denial of death is not there, which is surprising considering the fact that letters and packages are being delivered to them. In the end, however, I still feel that the novel presented nothing wrenching or addicting to the reader making the novel feel longer than it truly was. It may seem like an oxymoron, a long short book, but it felt endless at times yet when it was done, it felt incomplete.

I do happen to like Paul, another male interest you shall meet. He added the extra oomph and comedic humor that every book needs.

[Reading Maven · Rating 4 out of 5]

". . . but the epitaph I wanted wasn't by a poet or a rock band. It was something Mom whispered to us herself on her last day alive. "Every moment with you has been wonderful." That's the kind of thing that should be carved in stone."

This is a coming of age style story that deals with the idea of losing a loved one, and the loss of identity that can come with that. Zen and Xander are teens and the book opens on their mothers funeral. In the style of P.S. I love you by Cecelia Ahern the mother has arranged to send letters to her daughters after her death. Now at this point I mentally groaned, I feared that this would be a poor imitation, but I was wrong. The letters from the mother are so inconsequential to the plot that it was almost unnecessary. In face, I feel like this was just a prop to get to the plot that the author really wanted to write about.

What makes this book one that you will not be able to put down is the search for identity that these girls undergo. In losing their mother they start to question their own identities, as well as their mothers. Was she really the person they knew, or did she have a secret life betraying the whole family? The idea that Mom may have also had an identity outside of the family, let alone a romantic life with someone other than Dad is one that most children find unthinkable. Without their mother to ground them they are also questioning their own identities, each others roles and their overall place in the world.

Read more at http://thereadingmaven.wordpress.com/...

[Anna N. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5

I won a copy of this book for an honest review. This will never effect how I like or rate a book.

Well this has certainly been a Amy Kathleen Ryan month. Having finished Glow and Spark I immediately went into this one since with how short it was I knew it'd be a fast read and in that it did deliver. Still even for a really short book in a way it felt too long. Or really to be honest I was just pretty bored when reading it. It wasn't horrible. The story had it's interesting moments and the plot wasn't too bad. I suppose maybe I just wasn't feeling the characters. Or mainly, Zen. I felt things would of been better if there had been a duel pov with Zen and Xander, instead of just telling it all from Zen's pov. To be fair though this book was made before the Sky Chaser series. So it's good to see that the author's writing has gotten much better, along with her story telling. This book though just wasn't really doing it for me. It could of taken more risks; been more interesting. I'm not sure if it made a difference that I had an Uncorrected proof version of the book but I doubt it.
Still it was short and sweet, and not too painful. In the end for me there's just not a lot to say about this one. I'd recommend to those that enjoy YA realistic fiction or for someone just looking for a quick summer read.

[Jessica Surgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book for free via a Goodreads giveaway*
I read this book in one sitting. It isn't long, but it's engaging and heartfelt, and I plowed through it very quickly. It is told from the point of view of Zen, who is the tamer of the two sisters. Having just lost their mother to cancer, this book is basically about how the sisters each deal with their grief, and how it affects their relationship with each other as well. I really loved the Vogel family dynamic- they are hilarious and complex. They all obviously love each other, but they are brutal to each other sometimes too. Just like a real family. That's what I loved most I think- everyone seemed real. I also liked that we saw everything through Zen even though Xander was the one going through the more turbulent emotions. Zen is more stable than her and it was fascinating watching Xanders self destruction through the eyes of her sister. All in all, this was a wonderful story about grief, family, first loves, and most of all- sisters. 4 stars. :-)

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. When I recieved it for review I wasn't really sure how interesting it was going to be. The names of the characters were nice and unique-how many Zens or Xanders can you think of? The two sisters fought as any sisters would, and loved each other underneath the outward tension exactly like siblings do. They were portrayed perfectly.
Xander's volatile nature drags the plot along, and if it weren't for her, there would not be much of a story. It is she that wants to find out about her mom's past and insists on getting involved with the wrong sort of people. Zen is sort of just along for the ride, but fighting to get off and take her sister off with her.
There was something about this book that was missing. I can't say what exactly, but it was lacking a little...Oomph. The extra bit that would make it amazingly memorable. As is, it's better than average.
'Zen and Xander Undone' gets 4/5 stars. I definitely recommend you read it.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mature eighth grade (spring) and up. Mom, Dad, Zen (Athena) and Xander are a close knit family. All brilliant. (Grandma is bitter crazy; Auntie, wonderful crazy; Friends loving crazy) Mom fades away with cancer, Dad removes to the basement (has been given a sabbatical- not always a good idea; note to employers) just can't stay in the room he shared with mom. Zen retreats from school and into teaching martial arts to kids, Xander uses her nubile looks to tease men for temporary distraction. At the edge of this swirl are good friends past, present and future.
This is a season of crisis grief as it passes, comes to a head, and resolves(sort of).
The theme?
We all grieve alone,no matter who we are with.

[Ilovereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zen and Xander are two teenage sisters who are growing up to find themselves slowly growing different and apart. With their mother gone from the world of the living, their father is distant. This is their last summer apart, as soon, they will depart for college. Zen is the responsible, selfless girl who has a black belt in karate and a crush on the boy next door, Adam, who has been their best friend since childhood. **Quick side note-while Adam loves being Zen's friend, the one he truly loves is Xander!** Xander is the wild, destructive one. When they come upon an intriguing secret, they are forced to drive across the country to find out the truth about their mother-was she an honest woman, or had she been having an affair with a mysterious teacher? Great book. Definitely recommended.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly compelling book packed full of sisterhood, family, cute/harmless boys on the fringes, and a family secret I couldn't decide if I wanted to know or not. The title characters, while each annoying in their own way (Xander obviously being infinitely worse), really stood out to me as incredible examples of how you can be be friends with and hate your sibling at the same time.

I ached at Zen's imagined conversations with her mother's spirit, enjoyed the aspect of the letters being mailed out months after her death, and was intrigued by pretty much every secondary character we met - it's rare to have such a well-rounded cast.

[(;Missy.Lala;) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book in a goodreads giveaway

This book I have never seen before.
Which is a surprise because I've been to a lot of libraries, have 8000 TBR books in my shelf, and have gone through stores (in and online) to find out that you are only to be given a copy of this book in a giveaway, or receive a copy from the author herself...

Which is why I feel so special right now :3


Anyway.... this was the perfect example of a book hat demonstrates what real sisterhood really is. And that was one of the things i liked about this book.

More to come soon ;)

[Brittney Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is really good it's about two sisters who live with their dad and Xander is the oldest one and she goes out with all of different boys and she's goes to this bar and gets drunk. Zen is the younger one and she stays at home and tries to look after Xander because she gets into trouble a lot. Then their neighbor Adam takes Zen to prom and Xander gets mad at her for going with Adam because she is in love with him. Their mother is not with them because she died. I would recommend reading this book it's so good.

[Alessandre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uh, wow. I picked this book up at the library because I liked the names 'Zen' (Athena) and 'Xander' (Alexandra - like me!), and I'm pretty glad I did. Do you ever have one of those books that you just kind of pick up on a whim and don't think you'll like it that much and you end up loving it? This is one of those books. It's very well written. At every moment I could see what was happening clearly, and feel what the characters were feeling. It was good. Woo!

[Cinnamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zen and Xander are falling apart after their mother's death. Xander has spiraled into bad relationships, drugs and drinking to forget about the pain of losing her. Zen has been pushing herself harder and harder in her martial arts until an injury forces her to take time off. This extra time leads the sisters to spend their summer investigating a mystery surrounding their mother's past that will change the way they see her.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After their mother dies from breast cancer, two sisters cope in very different ways. Xander drinks and takes risks, and Zen throws herself into martial arts. When they find evidence that their mother may have had an affair years before, they unite to find out the truth about what happened. Local author.

[molliekay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my doubts when picking up the book, but I must say I am amazed. Zen and Xander, two sisters trying to cope with the death of their mother and the mystery she left behind, each grieve in their own way. One sister through martial arts, the other through sex and drugs. In order to get answers, the two embark on a sisterly conspiracy and learn an awful lot about each other.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a freebie from a friend and I picked it up because I needed a light read. Meant for teenS- i enjoyed the storyline and the characters especially the portrayal of how teens and adults deal with loss. But I felt it was missing something to make it a truly awesome read- but cant quite put my finger on it.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that keeps one guessing. Zen is the narrator, so events happen from her point of view. She doesn't know what (she does know why) is happening to her sister, Xander, but Xander is coming unhinged. The story goes unexpected places and resolves after almost total communication breakdown. A good story, well told.