In 1978, Shay Garrett - a 20-yr old woman - is introduced to an 'ugly' oriental mirror with secrets and powers beyond the imaginable. On the eve of her wedding, this mirror somehow transports her 100 years to the past, where she is now forced to inhibit the body of her grandmother, Brandy McCabe (who, in her time, is desperate to escape a marriage to a man she doesn't love).

Due to her wish for a change, Brandy turns to the mirror for 'help', but soon finds herself now inhibiting the body of her granddaughter in the future!

Two lives are switched in the most drastic of ways. How can each woman learn to live and cope in their new worlds, and how does their actions affect those around them (and generations to come)?

Romantics, those who enjoy historical dramas, and suspense.

The first-half of the book which deals with Shay adjusting to live at the turn of the 20th century. I felt the characters and setting was much more detailed, the situations engrossing, and the plot intense and emotionally wringing.

The second half which featured Brandy McCabe in Shay's time. Perhaps it's due to Brandy's upbringing and her manner of adjusting to modern times, but there were places where it felt too outrageous and extreme with her reactions. The characters felt a little flat and the events rushed toward the end as if the author needed to wrap things up in a way that was believable enough to the reader.

Let me slightly unsatisfied if not frustrated. The mirror - which might have been the central focus of the story - was not really elaborated on. It would have been nice to know where it came from and why it was able to have such 'powers', but it was never really addressed. All we know is the negative effects it has on people.

Maryls Millhiser

The first half makes up for the lackluster second. Intrigue, romance, drama and the thrill of the unknown is felt in Shay's every experience. You go through the journey with her; feel her every fear, worry, exhilaration, and eventual adjustment to an 'archaic' world.

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Created Oct 07, 2013 at 9:15am • Submit your own review...