Title: Gemini
Author: Sonya Mukherjee
Published: July 26, 2016
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: Given as an ARC read for an honest review.
Summary: Seventeen-year-old conjoined twins Clara and Hailey have lived in the same small town their entire lives—no one stares at them anymore. But there are cracks in their quiet existence, and they’re slowly becoming more apparent.
Clara and Hailey are at a crossroads. Clara wants to stay close to home, avoid all attention, and study the night sky. Hailey wants to travel the world, learn from great artists, and dance with mysterious boys.
As high school graduation approaches, each twin must untangle her dreams from her sister’s, and figure out what it means to be her own person.
Readers Thoughts: I was asked to read and review this novel by the author for an honest review.
Let me start by saying that I was so excited to read this book. I wanted to see how the author portrayed conjoined twins, for this would be a first for me. I feel as though books on conjoined twins, or of people with a type of deformity is taboo. So I was hoping this would break the mold. But when I started reading this novel, I was sorely disappointed. You did get the POVs of the twins and see their struggle, but you don't learn much about them.
I am under the impression that this book is just high school drama. Typical high school, drama. Throw in the twins and you get high school drama told by two people that are EXACTLY the same. There are NO different perspectives at all.
Clara and Hailey seem to have fairly normal lives. Typical girls, really. Going to school, having crushes on boys and chatting with their friends. As I mentioned before, the POVs are no different. Throughout the novel you are reminded that they are different, but you can't see it. I felt as though I had to remind myself who's chapter I'm on, there wasn't much difference in persona of Clara and Hailey.
What saddens me the most is that the only true emotion about the twins is from their mother. Who is obsessed with reminding the girls that they are different and it's basically impossible for them to be separated.
In the end, I didn't learn anything about the conjoined twins. I didn't get the emotions of the characters. It was like they weren't even there. Like they didn't exist. Just narrators for high school drama.
Let me conclude by saying that I had high hopes for this novel. But I don't know how to feel about it.
I am under the impression that this book is just high school drama. Typical high school, drama. Throw in the twins and you get high school drama told by two people that are EXACTLY the same. There are NO different perspectives at all.
Clara and Hailey seem to have fairly normal lives. Typical girls, really. Going to school, having crushes on boys and chatting with their friends. As I mentioned before, the POVs are no different. Throughout the novel you are reminded that they are different, but you can't see it. I felt as though I had to remind myself who's chapter I'm on, there wasn't much difference in persona of Clara and Hailey.
What saddens me the most is that the only true emotion about the twins is from their mother. Who is obsessed with reminding the girls that they are different and it's basically impossible for them to be separated.
In the end, I didn't learn anything about the conjoined twins. I didn't get the emotions of the characters. It was like they weren't even there. Like they didn't exist. Just narrators for high school drama.
Let me conclude by saying that I had high hopes for this novel. But I don't know how to feel about it.
** I was asked to write a review for this novel.
It was not agreed for the review to be positive.
I'm not compensated for my reviews.**
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