3 - by Gretchen McNeil (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From Possess and Ten author Gretchen McNeil comes a deliciously eerie science fiction-horror story in the tradition of Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy and the movie Sliding Doors--now in paperback!

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. And just when she thinks it can't get worse, she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time--3:59 a.m. Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and her boyfriend adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to see a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror. Except it's not her at all--it's Jo.

The two girls are doppelgängers whose universes overlap every twelve hours at 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to pass through the portal and switch places for a day. But Jo's world is far from perfect, and the stuff of nightmares lurks around every corner. And when Josie finds herself trapped there, her life becomes more dangerous--and more deadly--than she ever imagined.

From the Back Cover

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend, Nick, has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the people she trusts most, Josie thinks life can't get worse . . . until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo every night at 3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is perfect: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. Josie thinks she's just dreaming, until she wakes one night to see a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror--Jo.

Josie and Jo are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap twice a day at exactly 3:59. Fascinated, Josie jumps at the chance to cross through the portal and switch places for a day. But Jo's world is far from perfect. . . . Nick is not Jo's boyfriend, Jo's mom is missing, and at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there's a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she find a way home before it's too late?

Review Quotes

"This book is scientifically action-packed, complete with monsters and drama. Teens who are fans of the ever-popular Dr. Who television series will love this book." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"McNeil's movie-quick setup speed and humorously inventive language...make her a very welcoming author who succeeds at injecting fresh verve into some stalwart sci-fi concepts." -- Booklist

"Those looking for romance/adventures set in parallel universes will come away satisfied." -- School Library Journal

"A book that will set science geeks' hearts aflutter." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Praise for TEN: "Agatha Christie meets Gossip Girl in McNeil's throwback to old-school thrillers." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for TEN: "In the esteemed tradition of teen horror fiction, TEN hits all the high notes: a stormy night, illicit liaisons, cut phone lines, suspicious disappearances, double-crosses, secret histories, and plenty of twists." -- ALA Booklist

"Gretchen McNeil's TEN is my new number one! I jumped at every creaking floorboard in my house and on the page. This is sure to be a teen thriller classic!" -- Nancy Holder, Bram Stoker Award winning author of THE SCREAMING SEASON

Praise for TEN: "TEN is a real page turner! Gretchen McNeil knows how to plot a thriller: Her setup is flawless and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat." -- Christopher Pike, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the THIRST series and REMEMBER ME

Praise for TEN: "A breathless read." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for TEN: "A quick-paced thriller full of half-facts and red herrings that take readers through the twists and turns of a deadly weekend." -- School Library Journal

Praise for POSSESS: "A fantastic YA debut .... the humor and occasional twists will keep fans of the genre hooked and wanting to finish this book in one sitting." -- School Library Journal

Praise for POSSESS: "With demons, secrets, and a butt-kicking heroine, POSSESS is a whole lotta dark and twisted fun!" -- Kimberly Derting, author of the Body Finder series