Hardcover: 256 pages
Book from Publisher
This is not your everyday coming of age novel.
This story was supposed to be about Evie how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes and Evie's life is never the same again. (Source)
Review
THE SPACE BETWEEN TREES, by Katie Williams, is a unique tale of two teens outside of the normal cliques of high school. Evie is a loner who tends to make up stories to impress her school girlfriends, and Hadley is one of the "bad girls" who happens to be best friends with the recently murdered girl, Zabet. These girls become friends because of their common ground, Elizabeth/Zabet, and soon Evie is getting more than she bargained for with Hadley.
This book was unlike anything I have read. The title and cover did not reveal much about the actual story. At first sight, I had a feeling it would be a bit mysterious, and I was correct! Throughout the book I was wondering what the "bigger picture" was, and when time came for the big reveal, I have to say I was stunned. I have mixed feelings about how the book ended, but after thinking about it, I felt it was appropriate. The story steadily went and I was left expecting a huge surprise ending with big explosions and an "ah-ha!"moment, but that would not have fit with the overall "voice" of the book. It was definitely different and more low-key than I am used to, but not bad!
I did enjoy the fact that the main girls were outside of the normal groups that are usually explored in YA. Neither were popular and were content with that. Evie never took any chances until she met Hadley. And with this new relationship, Evie grew up a lot. With one little stretch of the truth, Evie entered a whirlwind relationship with Hadley that forever changed her. As a side note on characters, I have to say I did not know what to think about Evie's mother. Williams created a character that was strange, and quite entertaining. Every time her mother was present, I was eagerly anticipating what gesture or random thing she would come up with to make me shake my head a smile.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I stepped outside of my comfort-zone with this one and delved deeper into a coming of age novel. Williams has a great writing style and her characters are honest and inventive. I look forward to reading her future works.
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