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Bloomsbury (2012), Kindle Edition, 272 pages
Description
Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. HTML:New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda's heart-wrenching debut�??a hauntingly beautiful story about what it means to truly live. Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine�??despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it? Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more fright… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
After Delaney falls through the ice and nearly dies, she awakens with the power to feel when others are about to die.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked it enough to finish it and it definitely had its creepy moments, but I guess I needed more of a reason behind Delaney's new ability and
I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked it enough to finish it and it definitely had its creepy moments, but I guess I needed more of a reason behind Delaney's new ability and
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more of a resolution at the end. The romantic tension between two longtime best friends is nicely developed and doesn't overpower the book (I wouldn't call this a paranormal romance). I'd recommend this to fans of Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy and Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookishDame
Megan Miranda may have meant "Fracture" to be for young adult audiences, but anyone will be eye-locked to this book, taken us up in a heartbeat, and kept sucking up air and holding your breaths while Delaney Maxwell struggles in freezing water to keep from drowning. It's a minor miracle how Miranda
Megan Miranda knows her way around hospitals, but more than that she knows her brain functions well enough to tell us how they are supposed to work. I appreciated that initial knowledge which made her story authentic and suspenseful throughout. Like a waiting game we were suspended with her...was Delaney's brain going to lose its delicate hold on clarity and fall back into a coma/unconscious state at any time? There was that option; and Megan left that possibility open to the reader in several subtle ways throughout the novel. Genius!
Delaney, who was dead, but somehow revived, and woke from her coma, is plagued by her "pullings" and proddings. Without giving the story away, these bring her in tandem with the strange young man who is either is shrouded in darkness or light, Troy. It's through Troy that Delaney must seek how she really feels about her "immortality," her recovery from the coma and her "death," and whether she believes that others have a time and place that death calls on them. This push~pull creates the suspense and thriller mechanism of Miranda's novel, and it's one that will keep you up at night until you have an answer.
I appreciated Delaney's relationships with her parents, her doctor, and her best friend cum love interest, Decker; all of which, along with the ambiguous Troy, lead her to find herself in the new maze of her mind and feelings. What she learns about trust and believing in her own instincts is central to the novel. Although she has to fight through powerful resistance, Delaney is able to overcome the obstacles that hold her back from becoming the strong, new person she needs to be. Her discernment and powers of persuasion become her greatest tools, and Megan Miranda makes us applaud these womanly traits.
Without a doubt this is a coming-into-one's-own book, but it is much more than that. It is beautifully and masterfully written by a woman of intelligence and character who has a message of survival and honesty for us. Her characters are well~developed and believable, struggling with issues that matter. The message is in learning to trust ourselves, to live life seeing the "beautiful moments" in every day, and learning that love is what it's really all that matters. The suspense and the dilemmas Delaney faces make us question some important issues we may have now and in the future. What would you do if you only had one more day to live?
I highly recommend "Fracture" to readers of all ages.
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can describe the panic that overtakes one who is sure they won't make it to the surface, who is feeling the drag downward to an icy death, and who is facing dark waters with lungs that sting with a foreign intake of disaster. I was completely at her mercy from the first chapter on.Megan Miranda knows her way around hospitals, but more than that she knows her brain functions well enough to tell us how they are supposed to work. I appreciated that initial knowledge which made her story authentic and suspenseful throughout. Like a waiting game we were suspended with her...was Delaney's brain going to lose its delicate hold on clarity and fall back into a coma/unconscious state at any time? There was that option; and Megan left that possibility open to the reader in several subtle ways throughout the novel. Genius!
Delaney, who was dead, but somehow revived, and woke from her coma, is plagued by her "pullings" and proddings. Without giving the story away, these bring her in tandem with the strange young man who is either is shrouded in darkness or light, Troy. It's through Troy that Delaney must seek how she really feels about her "immortality," her recovery from the coma and her "death," and whether she believes that others have a time and place that death calls on them. This push~pull creates the suspense and thriller mechanism of Miranda's novel, and it's one that will keep you up at night until you have an answer.
I appreciated Delaney's relationships with her parents, her doctor, and her best friend cum love interest, Decker; all of which, along with the ambiguous Troy, lead her to find herself in the new maze of her mind and feelings. What she learns about trust and believing in her own instincts is central to the novel. Although she has to fight through powerful resistance, Delaney is able to overcome the obstacles that hold her back from becoming the strong, new person she needs to be. Her discernment and powers of persuasion become her greatest tools, and Megan Miranda makes us applaud these womanly traits.
Without a doubt this is a coming-into-one's-own book, but it is much more than that. It is beautifully and masterfully written by a woman of intelligence and character who has a message of survival and honesty for us. Her characters are well~developed and believable, struggling with issues that matter. The message is in learning to trust ourselves, to live life seeing the "beautiful moments" in every day, and learning that love is what it's really all that matters. The suspense and the dilemmas Delaney faces make us question some important issues we may have now and in the future. What would you do if you only had one more day to live?
I highly recommend "Fracture" to readers of all ages.
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LibraryThing member Dukiebri
If you only had one day left to live, what would you do?
Delaney Maxwell never got a chance to answer that question. In the span of eleven minutes, she found herself trapped underneath ice, unable to breathe, and eventually dies. However, against all odds, her heart starts to beat again and she
My favorite thing about this book was how deep it was. It delves into the complexity of the human mind, and it really made me wonder. The brain requires ~20% of our daily energy, and it basically controls all functions and senses, so how is it we use so little of it? How it is possible for people to see feelings as colors or have a sense of when someone is about to die? There is so little known about the brain, and I like how Miranda asks these questions and made me think. Something else I loved was how Delaney thinks about what it really means to be alive. By defying all odds and surviving her accident, she constantly wonders why she is alive and what it means to really die. No one knows what awaits us after death, but instead of fearing the unknown, we should live every day like it was our last. Miranda expresses these thoughts and ideas magically, and I loved reading them. There was also a wide range of emotions present in this book: guilt, love, fear, sadness, happiness. These emotions were deeply compelling, and they moved me beyond words. They were clearly expressed, and this book was all kinds of beautiful and heart-wrenching.
I have two (minor) problems with this book: the ending and the character development. I liked the characters for the most part, but I did not fall in love with any of them. I feel like Troy especially got the short end of the stick. Mysterious, depressed, captivating Troy was the most interesting character in the book, in my opinion. However, I did not like what happened to him in the end. (view spoiler) Also, Tara was not needed. Her sole purpose in the book was to serve as a love interest/rival wedging her way between Delaney and Decker. There were plenty of other characters with that role, so her presence was more of an annoyance than an addition. Now onto the ending. I felt like it was too abrupt, and I still have quite a few questions. (view spoiler) The book ends (view spoiler), but there were so many other issues that were never resolved. I would have liked something a little more conclusive, but I will have to take what I can get. There has been no mention of a sequel for this book, but I am hoping for one!
Overall, this was an excellent debut from Miranda. This book is thought provoking, original, and intelligent, and even without strong characters or romance, it is thus far one of the better reads of 2012. You should not miss out on it! There is also an exclusive tie-in story out, called Eleven Minutes. It is told from Decker’s point of view, and I am excited to check out his version of the story!
Delaney Maxwell never got a chance to answer that question. In the span of eleven minutes, she found herself trapped underneath ice, unable to breathe, and eventually dies. However, against all odds, her heart starts to beat again and she
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regains consciousness after six days in a coma. But she has not emerged completely unscathed. She now has the ability to tell when people are going to die. In fact, she is drawn to them. She eventually meets a boy, Troy, with abilities similar to hers, and he has her questioning her mentality and morality of life and death. All the while, relations with her family become strained, and her friendship with Decker turns rocky as they try to sort out their feelings for one another. All these problems have Delaney really examining her own life and what it means to be given a second chance. My favorite thing about this book was how deep it was. It delves into the complexity of the human mind, and it really made me wonder. The brain requires ~20% of our daily energy, and it basically controls all functions and senses, so how is it we use so little of it? How it is possible for people to see feelings as colors or have a sense of when someone is about to die? There is so little known about the brain, and I like how Miranda asks these questions and made me think. Something else I loved was how Delaney thinks about what it really means to be alive. By defying all odds and surviving her accident, she constantly wonders why she is alive and what it means to really die. No one knows what awaits us after death, but instead of fearing the unknown, we should live every day like it was our last. Miranda expresses these thoughts and ideas magically, and I loved reading them. There was also a wide range of emotions present in this book: guilt, love, fear, sadness, happiness. These emotions were deeply compelling, and they moved me beyond words. They were clearly expressed, and this book was all kinds of beautiful and heart-wrenching.
I have two (minor) problems with this book: the ending and the character development. I liked the characters for the most part, but I did not fall in love with any of them. I feel like Troy especially got the short end of the stick. Mysterious, depressed, captivating Troy was the most interesting character in the book, in my opinion. However, I did not like what happened to him in the end. (view spoiler) Also, Tara was not needed. Her sole purpose in the book was to serve as a love interest/rival wedging her way between Delaney and Decker. There were plenty of other characters with that role, so her presence was more of an annoyance than an addition. Now onto the ending. I felt like it was too abrupt, and I still have quite a few questions. (view spoiler) The book ends (view spoiler), but there were so many other issues that were never resolved. I would have liked something a little more conclusive, but I will have to take what I can get. There has been no mention of a sequel for this book, but I am hoping for one!
Overall, this was an excellent debut from Miranda. This book is thought provoking, original, and intelligent, and even without strong characters or romance, it is thus far one of the better reads of 2012. You should not miss out on it! There is also an exclusive tie-in story out, called Eleven Minutes. It is told from Decker’s point of view, and I am excited to check out his version of the story!
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LibraryThing member skstiles612
Wow! Intense, Emotional, Wonderful are the first words that come to my mind after reading this book. Megan Miranda has written a book that will stay with the reader a long, long time after reading it. She has created a setting that was so well written you could feel the cold. If you have never
When it comes to evil and creepiness, Megan has done a wonderful balancing job. We are introduced to Troy who has some of the same “gifts” or “curses” depending on how you look at it, as Delaney. She thinks he can help her and others. She quickly realizes he is not who she thought he was. This book kept me reading from page one to the end. You just didn’t want to put it down. It is amazing that this is a debut novel because this author writes like a seasoned pro. This is a must read by everyone who loves a little bit of romance, a little bit of paranormal wrapped up with in a mysterious tragedy. I don’t re-read books very often but this one I definitely will re-read.
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fallen through ice, even up to your knees you can only imagine how it feels. The main character Delaney falls through the ice and her description of it is spot on. I know, I have fallen through ice. It is not fun. I loved Delaney for several reasons. When she miraculously wakes up in the hospital and realizes she has been in a coma for six days and she is going to live, her first thoughts were of school and how much she had missed. I was that nerdy girl in school. Decker, her neighbor and best friend is one of those guys you want to slap upside the head and scream, “open your eyes”. It seemed to take him forever to acknowledge they had feelings for each other. When he dated her friend, I remembered my boyfriend and I breaking up, and we dated each other’s best friends. As you can see this book is relatable to teens on so many levels.When it comes to evil and creepiness, Megan has done a wonderful balancing job. We are introduced to Troy who has some of the same “gifts” or “curses” depending on how you look at it, as Delaney. She thinks he can help her and others. She quickly realizes he is not who she thought he was. This book kept me reading from page one to the end. You just didn’t want to put it down. It is amazing that this is a debut novel because this author writes like a seasoned pro. This is a must read by everyone who loves a little bit of romance, a little bit of paranormal wrapped up with in a mysterious tragedy. I don’t re-read books very often but this one I definitely will re-read.
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LibraryThing member myeclecticbooks
I wasn’t all too sure about this book when I started it…and I honestly was worried that I’ve been reading a bit too much YA lately. But slowly the characters grew and the story developed and I found myself fascinated by the situation that Delaney woke up to and the mystery surrounding her,
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her “ability,” and Troy. I needed to know what was going on and where Megan Miranda was leading us.I found the characters of Delaney and her childhood friend Decker not only completely believable and charming but also very loveable. The romance that blossomed between the two…despite the usual teen angst setbacks was sweet (and I always root for the “best friend.”)The character of Troy was also compelling as well as a bit creepy. What exactly was his deal? What was Delany’s connection to him? Was he a hero, was he misguided or was he actually evil?And ultimately what does it mean to be human, what does it mean to be alive and what would you do if you knew that you or a loved one only had one day left to live? This book leaves you pondering these things… And deep down…at the end of it all…we all have a need to find these answers within ourselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member mt256
Delaney Maxwell died. She died and through the miracle of modern medicine she also lived. However things are different than they were before. Many strange unexplained things start to happen to her. At first she thinks it might be from the trauma she suffered but things don't add up. Everyone around
Fracture by Megan Miranda has a slow start. It wasn't until a few chapters into the book when I really started connecting with the characters and story. This story is different from a lot of the books for young adults out there. Delaney comes back from the dead. That evokes a whole thought process of 'why me?', and 'What does it mean?'. Fracture also covers themes such as death, letting go, relationships and more.
Delaney has a great deal to think about in this novel. She goes through quite a bit trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. If she can change what's meant to be. There is an interesting and deep aspect to this book. It really speaks to the heart and conscious. However I can't tell you more without spoiling it for you.
The story line has a slow start but picks up and then takes off. There is also mystery, romance, and a little teen angst included in this book. The mystery aspect really made this book a page turner. Overall I like this book and would recommend it.
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her is acting differently since her accident including her best friend, Decker Phillips. Everything really starts getting complicated when she meets a strange boy named Troy.Fracture by Megan Miranda has a slow start. It wasn't until a few chapters into the book when I really started connecting with the characters and story. This story is different from a lot of the books for young adults out there. Delaney comes back from the dead. That evokes a whole thought process of 'why me?', and 'What does it mean?'. Fracture also covers themes such as death, letting go, relationships and more.
Delaney has a great deal to think about in this novel. She goes through quite a bit trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. If she can change what's meant to be. There is an interesting and deep aspect to this book. It really speaks to the heart and conscious. However I can't tell you more without spoiling it for you.
The story line has a slow start but picks up and then takes off. There is also mystery, romance, and a little teen angst included in this book. The mystery aspect really made this book a page turner. Overall I like this book and would recommend it.
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LibraryThing member AnnieMod
Meet Delaney Maxwell - she is 17 years old, on her way to become the valedictorian of her class and to have her bright future. Until the day she dies.
No, it is not a novel about zombies, ghosts or anything like that. Delaney falls in the lake after the thin ice crumbles and spends 11 minutes in
So she manages to make the usual mistakes - goes out with the wrong guy (except that he is dangerous), alienate the boy she loves, scare her parents and behave as any other 17 years old girl. She is the narrator of the novel and we see things from her eyes which accounts for a lot of the things that a more mature person would recognize immediately and she does not - maybe even for not recognizing the pull. And if coming back with the freaky powers is not enough, someone actually tries to make her look even worse. And with her naivete she allows him. A dead friend brings everything back into focus - and allows the story to unravel.
The rest of the main characters are almost the same age - somewhere there between the innocence and the adult world. Of course the parents are also there and then there is Troy (mysterious and unknown) - but even if they are central to the plot and the action, it is Delaney and Decker and their friends that are the protagonists here.
And at the end of the day, it is the good old story about first love - sweet, innocent and at the same time tainted by what had happened. It's the old dance we all had seen - girl loves boy, boy loves girl but something is in the way. And at the same time it is a story about friendship and about the transition between childhood and adulthood - under weird circumstances but all of the characters need to grow up.
A bit naive, a bit predictable (as most YA books) - but the style pulls the book through. Way too often it was clear what will happen but I kept reading for the details. I suspect that someone in their teens will appreciate it a bit more - because the experience coming with the years is adding a layer of understanding that robs a bit of the charm of the novel. But despite that I still recommend it - if you are in the mood for a light read (and you do not mind death and a touch of supernatural in your reading)
No, it is not a novel about zombies, ghosts or anything like that. Delaney falls in the lake after the thin ice crumbles and spends 11 minutes in
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the icy water. Luckily for her there is someone, her childhood friend Decker, that does not give up on her so she is pulled back and revived. And all seems normal... except the strange pulls she is feeling. It takes her a long time to figure them out (longer than I would have expected - it was clear what was going on very fast) but when she does, she is scared. And she is 17. So she manages to make the usual mistakes - goes out with the wrong guy (except that he is dangerous), alienate the boy she loves, scare her parents and behave as any other 17 years old girl. She is the narrator of the novel and we see things from her eyes which accounts for a lot of the things that a more mature person would recognize immediately and she does not - maybe even for not recognizing the pull. And if coming back with the freaky powers is not enough, someone actually tries to make her look even worse. And with her naivete she allows him. A dead friend brings everything back into focus - and allows the story to unravel.
The rest of the main characters are almost the same age - somewhere there between the innocence and the adult world. Of course the parents are also there and then there is Troy (mysterious and unknown) - but even if they are central to the plot and the action, it is Delaney and Decker and their friends that are the protagonists here.
And at the end of the day, it is the good old story about first love - sweet, innocent and at the same time tainted by what had happened. It's the old dance we all had seen - girl loves boy, boy loves girl but something is in the way. And at the same time it is a story about friendship and about the transition between childhood and adulthood - under weird circumstances but all of the characters need to grow up.
A bit naive, a bit predictable (as most YA books) - but the style pulls the book through. Way too often it was clear what will happen but I kept reading for the details. I suspect that someone in their teens will appreciate it a bit more - because the experience coming with the years is adding a layer of understanding that robs a bit of the charm of the novel. But despite that I still recommend it - if you are in the mood for a light read (and you do not mind death and a touch of supernatural in your reading)
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LibraryThing member elissajanine
I am completely fascinated by brain science, so I was hooked on this novel by concept alone. The concise prose and interesting plot kept the book moving, and I really enjoyed the ending.
LibraryThing member DamarisGCR
Fracture was a very good read. I really enjoyed it and wish that it was a little bit longer. But for such a small book, it is packed with lots of things. At the very beginning Megan Miranda manages to make my mouth hang. I am not sure if we can say Fracture is really paranormal or more mystery
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suspense, but it will definitely give you goosebumps and keep you at the edge of your seat. I guess you can say it's a little bit of both.Delaney should have died, but she didn't. She was under water way longer than normal and still managed to survive and snap out of it as if nothing happened. Only she didn't come back the same. She feels different and some how drawn to certain people. Her whole family believes she is losing her mind but they refuse to admit it. Delaney can't really explain what is happening to her because she has no clue. Not even to her best friend Decker, who saved her life that day. I truly feel that Fracture was a well thought out story. Everything made sense and not once did I find myself lost or wondering how this or that happened. Megan Miranda also has a way with words when it comes to describing emotions. I felt so bad for Delaney's best friend, Decker. I can feel his pain through the pages and all his guilt and blame. I also really liked Delaney. She was just your average teenager, only she hung with the popular crowd and got the attention of popular guys. That was a nice change for me. The only issue I had was the ending. It just seemed sort of rushed and to EASY. It ended on a good note and left room for possibly a second book, but I would have liked a little more. Fracture is very suspenseful and unpredictable. I am very eager to see what Megan Miranda has in store for us next. I really like her writing style and way of story telling. I can easily see Fracture becoming a series. I definitely recommend this story.4 out of 5 Stars! Show Less
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick and Dirty: This book is not what you expect, and left me pleasantly haunted by the reality Miranda brings to the character of Delaney Maxwell.
Opening Sentence: The first time I died, I didn’t see God.
The Review:
I really enjoyed Fracture, Megan
Not only does this novel have an interesting premise, but it also has the writing to back it up. The characters felt very real, and the story is still haunting me in a good way. I know I like a book if I want to immediately reread it as soon as I finish.
The character of Delaney is handled very well. This is a girl who has gone through a life and death experience and out the other side, only to experience a shocking and frightening new ability that has no solid medical explanation. She is obviously traumatized, but still strong enough to deal with her new death sense without completely dissolving into madness. Not only does she have her recent death to deal with, Delaney is also stuck in a bit of a love triangle with her best friend Decker. Having known enough teenage guys, I also feel that Decker is well written. He is confused by his emotions and does not always make his intentions and feelings clear to Delaney, hurting her in the process by choosing another girl over her. Decker and Delaney have grown up together, and Delaney is interested in him as more than a friend if he ever noticed enough to acknowledge it. Their relationship has depth and meaning, and reminded me of the various social interactions that shape all relationships in their own way. What I mean is that it felt very real to me to read about Delaney and Decker growing apart, and how that affected them both.
Delaney meets another person who has the same extra sense as her. The character of Troy is an interesting twist to the story because finally Delaney finds one person who can actually understand what she is going through, but he also has a warped sense of what is right and wrong in the world. The first time I read this story, I felt that Troy changed quickly, but the second time through, all the warning signs of his mental instability were there. As I was reading the book again, I felt just as betrayed as Delaney did when she finds out the truth about Troy. This book was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, which goes to show how well written it is.
The novel itself is fairly short when compared to other books of the genre, but the pacing felt very real, almost as if the reader is living along side Delaney. My only comment on that is how quickly Troy inserts himself into Delaney’s life without calling too much attention to himself. One could almost say he leaves her life as quickly as he entered it.
Another thing that I liked was how Megan Miranda includes instructions on how to save someone who has fallen through ice. Having never lived somewhere that got cold enough to have lakes or ponds freeze, this information was very useful to me personally. I like learning something new from any book I read. This also drove home just how lucky Delaney was to be saved from the icy depths of the lake.
I enjoyed Fracture, and am looking forward to what Megan Miranda writes in the future.
Notable Scene:
Dad came home way before dinner in a very un-Dad-like move. There was a lot of whispering and slamming of cabinets while I attempted to teach myself the last two weeks of precalculus. It wasn’t going well.
There was a knock at my door and both my parents came in and sat on my bed. I spun my desk chair around. “We want to talk about last night, honey.” Mom looked to Dad for reinforcement.
“Okay.”
“What were you doing at Mrs. Merkowitz’ house?”
“Nothing. I just saw something, so I went to see what it was.” And my brain itched and my fingers twitched and I just had to be there.
Mom and Dad exchanged a bit of mental telepathy. I could guess what they were saying. At 2:00 in the morning? In her pajamas?
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury Books provided me with a copy of Fracture. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick and Dirty: This book is not what you expect, and left me pleasantly haunted by the reality Miranda brings to the character of Delaney Maxwell.
Opening Sentence: The first time I died, I didn’t see God.
The Review:
I really enjoyed Fracture, Megan
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Miranda’s debut novel about a girl who has unexplainable sensations about those who are near death. Delaney Maxwell is a normal teenager, average on all counts. That is, she was a normal teenager before falling through thin ice on a lake and technically died before being pulled out by her oldest and best friend, Decker. When she wakes up from her coma, Delaney starts experiencing a strange phenomena that leads her to people who are about to die. If this isn’t odd enough, her brain also appears to be damaged, but she is able to function as well as she did before the accident. What makes this particular plot interesting to me was that the author, Megan Miranda, was a scientist and also interested in scientific mysteries that focused on the brain. Not only does this novel have an interesting premise, but it also has the writing to back it up. The characters felt very real, and the story is still haunting me in a good way. I know I like a book if I want to immediately reread it as soon as I finish.
The character of Delaney is handled very well. This is a girl who has gone through a life and death experience and out the other side, only to experience a shocking and frightening new ability that has no solid medical explanation. She is obviously traumatized, but still strong enough to deal with her new death sense without completely dissolving into madness. Not only does she have her recent death to deal with, Delaney is also stuck in a bit of a love triangle with her best friend Decker. Having known enough teenage guys, I also feel that Decker is well written. He is confused by his emotions and does not always make his intentions and feelings clear to Delaney, hurting her in the process by choosing another girl over her. Decker and Delaney have grown up together, and Delaney is interested in him as more than a friend if he ever noticed enough to acknowledge it. Their relationship has depth and meaning, and reminded me of the various social interactions that shape all relationships in their own way. What I mean is that it felt very real to me to read about Delaney and Decker growing apart, and how that affected them both.
Delaney meets another person who has the same extra sense as her. The character of Troy is an interesting twist to the story because finally Delaney finds one person who can actually understand what she is going through, but he also has a warped sense of what is right and wrong in the world. The first time I read this story, I felt that Troy changed quickly, but the second time through, all the warning signs of his mental instability were there. As I was reading the book again, I felt just as betrayed as Delaney did when she finds out the truth about Troy. This book was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, which goes to show how well written it is.
The novel itself is fairly short when compared to other books of the genre, but the pacing felt very real, almost as if the reader is living along side Delaney. My only comment on that is how quickly Troy inserts himself into Delaney’s life without calling too much attention to himself. One could almost say he leaves her life as quickly as he entered it.
Another thing that I liked was how Megan Miranda includes instructions on how to save someone who has fallen through ice. Having never lived somewhere that got cold enough to have lakes or ponds freeze, this information was very useful to me personally. I like learning something new from any book I read. This also drove home just how lucky Delaney was to be saved from the icy depths of the lake.
I enjoyed Fracture, and am looking forward to what Megan Miranda writes in the future.
Notable Scene:
Dad came home way before dinner in a very un-Dad-like move. There was a lot of whispering and slamming of cabinets while I attempted to teach myself the last two weeks of precalculus. It wasn’t going well.
There was a knock at my door and both my parents came in and sat on my bed. I spun my desk chair around. “We want to talk about last night, honey.” Mom looked to Dad for reinforcement.
“Okay.”
“What were you doing at Mrs. Merkowitz’ house?”
“Nothing. I just saw something, so I went to see what it was.” And my brain itched and my fingers twitched and I just had to be there.
Mom and Dad exchanged a bit of mental telepathy. I could guess what they were saying. At 2:00 in the morning? In her pajamas?
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury Books provided me with a copy of Fracture. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member PaigeB
OMG! I'm only 15 and i'm pretty sure i just had my first heart attack. Well not exactly my first because this book gave me many! To start off i'd just like to say i really liked the book and i couldn't put it down but man did it hurt. I'm the kind of reader that feels the pain of every character.
At first i wasn't exactly sure like what kind of plot the book would have but I'm glad that she wasn't in the hospital in a coma the whole time because that would of just been really boring. Delany was a really strong character i mean come on she survived falling through the ice into a lake and she was under for 11 minutes!! That's a miracle right there! But she stayed incredibly strong throughout the whole book even when she thought she couldn't handle it anymore because she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her she was still strong and made it through!
Now there a three guys in this book that at times i loved at times i wanted to just kill and times i just wanted them to shut up and kiss Delany! First there's Mr. Hero Decker. Now I'm just saying i wanted Decker and Delany to be together from the start and i didn't change my mind fully throughout the whole book. I might have had some stray thoughts and moments where i just wanted to punch him in the face but i knew that he was the only one for her no matter what. Troy i did like him even though i didn't want them to be together partly because i wanted her to be with Decker and partly because Troy is just plan crazy i mean look what he does at the end! There were times when i said to myself it's okay he's just helping he's being a good guy and then there were times where i just felt like going into the book and pushing him in the lake myself. Lastly theres Carson =( Now in the beginning chapters he doesn't seem like much but people seriously pay attention to him while you read because before you know it he'll be gone and you'll be missing him. What happened to him i won't say because it's a spoiler but i have to say but that one part got a lot of tears out of me.
Now on to the few girls in the story Delany's mom. I'm not quite sure if i really liked her just because she didn't seem to be all there i mean yeah i know you're parents were horrible and you almost lost your daughter but jeez i felt like she was just plan mean sometimes like when Delany dropped the sauce on the floor she freaked out on her and i felt so bad it was an accident =/ Next theres Kara may i just clarify this now I HATE HER!!!! thats all i have to say. Lastly Janna she was a really good friend to Delany the whole book and even though she kind of lost it in the end she was still a very good person.
Well i'm really glad i got a chance to read Delany's story and i hope everyone out there does because it's really an amazing story it might not be truly written about someone but it felt real and thats all i need for a book to be good. Which is why i gave this book a solid 5 stars i overlooked the heart attacks because this book how can i say this? I guess it just really touched me and no other book has before. I know cheesy right? I think i've been reading too much!
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There was so much pain in this book and i felt every bit of it. Megan Miranda i have to say is a fantastic writer because i only cry over a few books and this book broke me down to tears a few times. At first i wasn't exactly sure like what kind of plot the book would have but I'm glad that she wasn't in the hospital in a coma the whole time because that would of just been really boring. Delany was a really strong character i mean come on she survived falling through the ice into a lake and she was under for 11 minutes!! That's a miracle right there! But she stayed incredibly strong throughout the whole book even when she thought she couldn't handle it anymore because she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her she was still strong and made it through!
Now there a three guys in this book that at times i loved at times i wanted to just kill and times i just wanted them to shut up and kiss Delany! First there's Mr. Hero Decker. Now I'm just saying i wanted Decker and Delany to be together from the start and i didn't change my mind fully throughout the whole book. I might have had some stray thoughts and moments where i just wanted to punch him in the face but i knew that he was the only one for her no matter what. Troy i did like him even though i didn't want them to be together partly because i wanted her to be with Decker and partly because Troy is just plan crazy i mean look what he does at the end! There were times when i said to myself it's okay he's just helping he's being a good guy and then there were times where i just felt like going into the book and pushing him in the lake myself. Lastly theres Carson =( Now in the beginning chapters he doesn't seem like much but people seriously pay attention to him while you read because before you know it he'll be gone and you'll be missing him. What happened to him i won't say because it's a spoiler but i have to say but that one part got a lot of tears out of me.
Now on to the few girls in the story Delany's mom. I'm not quite sure if i really liked her just because she didn't seem to be all there i mean yeah i know you're parents were horrible and you almost lost your daughter but jeez i felt like she was just plan mean sometimes like when Delany dropped the sauce on the floor she freaked out on her and i felt so bad it was an accident =/ Next theres Kara may i just clarify this now I HATE HER!!!! thats all i have to say. Lastly Janna she was a really good friend to Delany the whole book and even though she kind of lost it in the end she was still a very good person.
Well i'm really glad i got a chance to read Delany's story and i hope everyone out there does because it's really an amazing story it might not be truly written about someone but it felt real and thats all i need for a book to be good. Which is why i gave this book a solid 5 stars i overlooked the heart attacks because this book how can i say this? I guess it just really touched me and no other book has before. I know cheesy right? I think i've been reading too much!
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LibraryThing member thenightbookmobile
Fracture is a quick read and is sure to please anyone who enjoys a darker YA novel, but this debut is most certainly not without its flaws. For this review I'm going to break the positives and negatives into sections.
Positives: Fracture tells a gripping story and the story is fast paced enough that
Maybe that appeals to some people but certainly not to me. I liked that he wasn't really romanticized or made to be the hero, and I applaud Megan Miranda for that decision. It's nice to see the stalker not turn out to be the main character's true love. I think it's unfortunate that books ever go in that direction.
Negatives: My main gripe is that Delaney was inconsistent as a character. One minute she is hiding from Troy in a locked room shaking in fear. The next she is hopping into cars with him. One second she is making sure her window is locked because she knows he is outside stalking her. The next she follows him alone on to thin ice. I'm glad that her decisions weren't based on romance (elated!) but it still seemed off to me. Delaney was also very inconsistent in her interactions with Decker. Her reactions to things often felt melodramatic and frustrated me. I mean, she did have brain damage, but a lot of the drama felt unnecessary. Another thing I took issue with was the character of Tara; clearly created to be your typical pretty/evil nemesis of our nerdy heroine. I had the same problem with The Body Finder, and I thought the stereotype was handled at least a little bit better here, but not by much. I thought her character was a bit cliche, and do not like to see slut shaming in novels. I wish she would have been given more depth or not been included at all. In fact, most of the side characters, even Janna (who the author clearly tries to give more depth to but doesn't include much of an ending for her character), were pretty flat. The ending of the novel felt abrupt, with too many characters left dangling, and the main issue of the novel (Delaney's mysterious new power) is never really explored. It felt a bit like wasted potential.
Fracture was an enjoyable read even if it leaves a little bit to be desired. I thought that as far as the romance was concerned it was a breath of fresh air for the YA genre. I'm glad this was my first choice for the Debut Author Challenge and can't wait to read more debut books this year.
Recommendation: Those longingly searching for an enjoyable standalone novel in a sea of series.
Positives: Fracture tells a gripping story and the story is fast paced enough that
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it is never boring. Megan Miranda's writing flows nicely and is enjoyable to read. She approaches some darker questions pertaining to whether or not it's ok to end someone's life if they're suffering, and even goes so far as to question whether or not it's ok to make that decision for someone. I like that the novel focused on these questions and didn't get so bogged down with romance that it distracted readers from the issues it was exploring. I like the use of "To love another person is to see the face of God." throughout the story, and thought the relationship between Delaney and Decker was sweet and genuine. I loved Delaney's mother's story. I also liked that Troy wasn't made to be a sexy bad boy type. I imagine him being played by Ian Somerhalder and acting just like Damon on The Vampire Diaries; messy hair, abusive personality, pouty emo face and a death wish. Maybe that appeals to some people but certainly not to me. I liked that he wasn't really romanticized or made to be the hero, and I applaud Megan Miranda for that decision. It's nice to see the stalker not turn out to be the main character's true love. I think it's unfortunate that books ever go in that direction.
Negatives: My main gripe is that Delaney was inconsistent as a character. One minute she is hiding from Troy in a locked room shaking in fear. The next she is hopping into cars with him. One second she is making sure her window is locked because she knows he is outside stalking her. The next she follows him alone on to thin ice. I'm glad that her decisions weren't based on romance (elated!) but it still seemed off to me. Delaney was also very inconsistent in her interactions with Decker. Her reactions to things often felt melodramatic and frustrated me. I mean, she did have brain damage, but a lot of the drama felt unnecessary. Another thing I took issue with was the character of Tara; clearly created to be your typical pretty/evil nemesis of our nerdy heroine. I had the same problem with The Body Finder, and I thought the stereotype was handled at least a little bit better here, but not by much. I thought her character was a bit cliche, and do not like to see slut shaming in novels. I wish she would have been given more depth or not been included at all. In fact, most of the side characters, even Janna (who the author clearly tries to give more depth to but doesn't include much of an ending for her character), were pretty flat. The ending of the novel felt abrupt, with too many characters left dangling, and the main issue of the novel (Delaney's mysterious new power) is never really explored. It felt a bit like wasted potential.
Fracture was an enjoyable read even if it leaves a little bit to be desired. I thought that as far as the romance was concerned it was a breath of fresh air for the YA genre. I'm glad this was my first choice for the Debut Author Challenge and can't wait to read more debut books this year.
Recommendation: Those longingly searching for an enjoyable standalone novel in a sea of series.
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LibraryThing member theepicrat
The number 11 seems to be a magical number, and when Delaney miraculously survives 11 minutes of ice-cold death, surely nothing would ever be the same. Her best friend Decker keeps his distance, even though it is obvious that their friendship had been on the edge of something more. Her parents,
Fracture is a feast for the curious and those who enjoy a big, bad bump in the night! It might have started with a medical anomaly, but Megan Miranda spiced it up with the perfect dash of weird that will leave readers frantically turning pages to unravel the mystery of Delaney’s survival and Troy's strange presence. The writing might have felt a little slow at times, but picture it like the ice pond that Delaney must have been standing on. One thin crack may seem harmless enough, but when it leads to more cracks to the point of one BIG crack in the ice, be prepared for an cold and dangerous dip in the pool! Fracture reminds me of choker - I went into it without knowing too many details and was simply blown away with its simple yet unexpected story concept.
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still in shock of almost losing their daughter, keep a close eye on Delaney to make sure nothing else goes wrong. And all Delaney wants is to feel normal again, but something dark haunts the recesses of her mind. Is Delaney dreaming, or does death seem to be following her footsteps? No one seems to be listening to her except the mysterious Troy Varga, but desperate as Delaney is to figure out the truth, should she place all her trust in Troy?Fracture is a feast for the curious and those who enjoy a big, bad bump in the night! It might have started with a medical anomaly, but Megan Miranda spiced it up with the perfect dash of weird that will leave readers frantically turning pages to unravel the mystery of Delaney’s survival and Troy's strange presence. The writing might have felt a little slow at times, but picture it like the ice pond that Delaney must have been standing on. One thin crack may seem harmless enough, but when it leads to more cracks to the point of one BIG crack in the ice, be prepared for an cold and dangerous dip in the pool! Fracture reminds me of choker - I went into it without knowing too many details and was simply blown away with its simple yet unexpected story concept.
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LibraryThing member lilcrickit
Fracture grabs hold of your heart right from the beginning, and I enjoyed it. This book was so emotional, and it shows how one event can have a ripple effect on others lives. Delaney comes out the coma, different broken, fractured pieces of herself, no longer the Delaney that they once knew but the
Favorite Quote: "Death is finite. Unless it's not. In which case it wasn't death in the first place. Just an absence of life."
Cover Review: Absolutely love it! I love reflections in photography.
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Delaney that is yet known. She is alive but wrong at least to her family, and even to herself she is changed from her life and death situation. She has these tremors that she realizes is death drawing her near, which sounds like some sort of seizure. Troy,was a scary character, he was so lost in his own grief and believed what he was doing was justified. Delaney's mother made me angry at times in how she dealt with the Delaney. However, my favorite part of the book was the friendship between Decker and Delaney, it was true, heartwarming and very believable. Overall, this was an great read that will make you feel many emotions about love, loss, hope, friendship, death and life.Favorite Quote: "Death is finite. Unless it's not. In which case it wasn't death in the first place. Just an absence of life."
Cover Review: Absolutely love it! I love reflections in photography.
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LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
I must say that this book had a whole other take than what I thought. I was able to step into the world easily and finding myself piecing together clues before I knew it.
What I liked most about this book is the plot line. Filled with a great plot that keeps the reader hyped up and eager to read
I like that the main character started off naive but quickly caught on to the real story. She is strong yet resourceful. Delaney is one of those girl who is smart and beautiful. I loved that she didn't think about herself but she thought of others as well.
The love interest is quite complicated but soon it all made sense. I knew something was off at first and well I'm sorry it ended that way.
Fracture is a great story that has many secrets, desires, and what is expected to do. The breaking of rules, changing of others people lives is overflowing on this book. Consistent with great characters, plot and a paranormal trait that holds the reader, Fracture is an amazing read!
What I liked most about this book is the plot line. Filled with a great plot that keeps the reader hyped up and eager to read
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more. I love that it is also weaved in with a realistic looked at death. Not many of have us have experience death and live to tell the tale. I liked that it gave a whole new picture to what happens if you come back.I like that the main character started off naive but quickly caught on to the real story. She is strong yet resourceful. Delaney is one of those girl who is smart and beautiful. I loved that she didn't think about herself but she thought of others as well.
The love interest is quite complicated but soon it all made sense. I knew something was off at first and well I'm sorry it ended that way.
Fracture is a great story that has many secrets, desires, and what is expected to do. The breaking of rules, changing of others people lives is overflowing on this book. Consistent with great characters, plot and a paranormal trait that holds the reader, Fracture is an amazing read!
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LibraryThing member suz.haugland
Fracture is an amazing highly intense, heart pounding novel that is incredibly heart-wrenching. The simple range of emotion explored in this book, is so real and palpable that reader's can almost experience what the main protagonist (Delaney) is going through, when she wakes up from her horrifying
It is incredibly hard not to feel for Delaney as she struggles with survior's guilt, at times becomes a bit self-destructive, and is dealing with the fact that she is brain damaged. She isn't the same as she was before, yet there's the question of is this a miracle or is this some sort of paranormal experience? Miranda does a wonderful job of marrying the two idea's and blending them quite well. The emotion Miranda packs into this novel, is powerful and quite palpable enough that the reader experiences things as Delaney goes through the motions of figuring out what to do next.
There is a gripping and chilling fear palpitating through Delaney's veins as she tries to figure out whether or not she can trust the dark and mysterious Troy Varga. He seems to possess a very different outlook on their similar situations. Delaney, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily agree with him. In a moment, he becomes something much more frightening to her. Yet, there seems to be this strong magnetic pull towards him, that she can't quite stop herself from feeling. She is attracted to him and in a way, I personally think that scares her a bit.
Miranda pens a beautifully poingant story of deep love and loyal friendship, with just a hint of paranormal mystery flourishing. Though, there is but a hint of paranormal mystery involved, this book doesn't possess demons, witches, or any supernatural beings of any kind. It does, however, beg the question of whether what happens to Delaney is a miracle or if it actually is a bit paranormal than most would like to believe. Fracture is wonderfully written and developed psychological thriller that is equal parts engaging, as it is suspensful, touching, and spectacular.
The writing style is clean and cripst and the story is tightly written, but Miranda tackles the medical aspects of this novel in such a realistic way that her attention to detail is absolutely spot on and almost flawless. The way in, which, some of the scenes have been written are quite entrancing and I've no doubt that reader's will be enraptured as the story continues to unfold. The concept of Fracture is absolutely gripping and will be sure to keep reader's engaged until the last page has been turned.
In short, Fracture is a wonderfully written novel that is incredibly memorable and should definitely be added to everyone's "to-be-read" pile. I'm sure that fans of Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, and Deb Caletti will be sure to love this incredibly touching and mystical novel.
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accident. Miranda writes simply from the heart comprised of simple structure, that the journey and questions asked and answered and not answered for Delaney, are so emotionally compelling that you can't help but ache with her given the situation she's woken up to. It is incredibly hard not to feel for Delaney as she struggles with survior's guilt, at times becomes a bit self-destructive, and is dealing with the fact that she is brain damaged. She isn't the same as she was before, yet there's the question of is this a miracle or is this some sort of paranormal experience? Miranda does a wonderful job of marrying the two idea's and blending them quite well. The emotion Miranda packs into this novel, is powerful and quite palpable enough that the reader experiences things as Delaney goes through the motions of figuring out what to do next.
There is a gripping and chilling fear palpitating through Delaney's veins as she tries to figure out whether or not she can trust the dark and mysterious Troy Varga. He seems to possess a very different outlook on their similar situations. Delaney, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily agree with him. In a moment, he becomes something much more frightening to her. Yet, there seems to be this strong magnetic pull towards him, that she can't quite stop herself from feeling. She is attracted to him and in a way, I personally think that scares her a bit.
Miranda pens a beautifully poingant story of deep love and loyal friendship, with just a hint of paranormal mystery flourishing. Though, there is but a hint of paranormal mystery involved, this book doesn't possess demons, witches, or any supernatural beings of any kind. It does, however, beg the question of whether what happens to Delaney is a miracle or if it actually is a bit paranormal than most would like to believe. Fracture is wonderfully written and developed psychological thriller that is equal parts engaging, as it is suspensful, touching, and spectacular.
The writing style is clean and cripst and the story is tightly written, but Miranda tackles the medical aspects of this novel in such a realistic way that her attention to detail is absolutely spot on and almost flawless. The way in, which, some of the scenes have been written are quite entrancing and I've no doubt that reader's will be enraptured as the story continues to unfold. The concept of Fracture is absolutely gripping and will be sure to keep reader's engaged until the last page has been turned.
In short, Fracture is a wonderfully written novel that is incredibly memorable and should definitely be added to everyone's "to-be-read" pile. I'm sure that fans of Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, and Deb Caletti will be sure to love this incredibly touching and mystical novel.
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LibraryThing member MaryinHB
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
****some spoilers****
Delaney has a near death experience when she and her best friend Decker are out on thin ice and she falls under. In all reality, she should be dead, but except for some brain damage that is only apparent on MRIs, she is fine. Now, she can sense when others
Troy is a strange character and as Delaney starts to find out about him and his background, she discovers that he, too, has survived a coma and really should be dead as well. I truly got the creeps from Troy. He would show up in Delaney's life just when she was having a crisis and it seems that there is something sinister linking the two of them together. I was furiously reading this one just to find out what was going on between them. I also kept waiting for something truly paranormal to happen and explain why Delaney always seemed to show up just at the time of someone's death. The big twist is something you have to figure out on your own by reading this one. You won't regret those few hours it takes.
I really enjoyed the breakneck pacing in this psychological thriller, it was a quick and easy read. The characters were all well thought out and believable. I really wish there was more to go on about Delaney's life before her accident. We just know little things like she was a geek, somewhat of a social outcast and possible valedictorian. The only thing I can pin on Troy is that he was a psychopath and has some strange pull over Delaney, maybe just the fact they shared a similar near death experience. You also are kept wondering if the sparks of romance between Decker and Delaney will survive to see another day. Overall, those who enjoy creepy, possibly paranormal mysteries will love this one.
LOVED IT
****some spoilers****
Delaney has a near death experience when she and her best friend Decker are out on thin ice and she falls under. In all reality, she should be dead, but except for some brain damage that is only apparent on MRIs, she is fine. Now, she can sense when others
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around her are going to die. Decker, in a weird way, has survivor's guilt and even though her rescued Delaney, he knows she should be dead after 11 minutes under the ice. When a college student, Troy, approaches her in the library claiming to have read about her in the paper, Decker knows something is not right with him since there was never anything written about her accident anywhere.Troy is a strange character and as Delaney starts to find out about him and his background, she discovers that he, too, has survived a coma and really should be dead as well. I truly got the creeps from Troy. He would show up in Delaney's life just when she was having a crisis and it seems that there is something sinister linking the two of them together. I was furiously reading this one just to find out what was going on between them. I also kept waiting for something truly paranormal to happen and explain why Delaney always seemed to show up just at the time of someone's death. The big twist is something you have to figure out on your own by reading this one. You won't regret those few hours it takes.
I really enjoyed the breakneck pacing in this psychological thriller, it was a quick and easy read. The characters were all well thought out and believable. I really wish there was more to go on about Delaney's life before her accident. We just know little things like she was a geek, somewhat of a social outcast and possible valedictorian. The only thing I can pin on Troy is that he was a psychopath and has some strange pull over Delaney, maybe just the fact they shared a similar near death experience. You also are kept wondering if the sparks of romance between Decker and Delaney will survive to see another day. Overall, those who enjoy creepy, possibly paranormal mysteries will love this one.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Megan Miranda has made an impressive entry into the young adult genre with the debut of her first novel, Fracture. I picked it up intending to read a chapter or two before bed but devoured it in just a few hours.
Having been revived after eleven minutes trapped under the ice, Delaney wakes from a
The premise of Fracture is intriguing and Miranda grabs the attention of the reader in the very first pages as Delaney struggles beneath the frozen ice. What I found so appealing about Fracture was the contemporary setting paired with simmering suspense and the lightest touch of ‘other’. There is a slow build up of tension through out the novel, the faintest scent of menace surrounds Delaney from the moment she awakes from her coma.
The story explores interesting themes such as guilt, near death experiences and euthanasia without finding it necessary to resolve the complex issues. I like that Miranda has tackled such serious ideas in a way that teens can relate to. The element of the paranormal is well grounded, given Delaney’s brain damage, and is integral to the plot but does not overwhelm it.
There is, as to be expected, a romantic angle but I think the author handles it well. Delaney’s changing relationship with her best friend, Decker, is realistically complicated and her attraction to Troy an understandable reaction to her situation.
The only thread of the plot I had difficulty reconciling was Delaney’s changed relationship with her mother. I think Miranda was trying to show how sometimes loved ones withdraw from a victim after a serious incident, an unconscious self protective mechanism, that for Delaney’s mother was complicated by her own childhood issues. I just don’t think it quite worked and her mother’s withdrawal may prove largely inexplicable for some readers.
I have to admit Delaney is not the most likeable character, she is quite prickly with family and friends and somewhat self destructive in the wake of her guilt and confusion. It’s difficult to make that judgement though, as we really only get to know her after the drowning, which provides a credible excuse for her behaviour.
I do think the author was able to genuinely portray her protagonists complicated emotions, from Delaney’s frustration and fear to Troy’s pain and righteousness.
Fracture is a surprisingly absorbing novel with a unique premise, and fully realised characters. It will likely appeal to adult fans of YA as much as it’s intended audience and is a strong debut from a talented author.
Having been revived after eleven minutes trapped under the ice, Delaney wakes from a
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coma with her faculties seemingly unscathed. The doctors are baffled, but Delaney is simply relieved until an itch starts in the middle of her brain and her fingers start twitching. Returning home is not the triumphant moment she expected, her parents are anxious and watchful, her relationship with her best friend, Decker, has indefinably altered and Delaney is confused by her sudden fascination with the dying. Troy Varga knows just how she feels but while Delaney’s instincts are to try and prevent death, Troy believes he survived the crash that killed his parents and sister, to prevent suffering.The premise of Fracture is intriguing and Miranda grabs the attention of the reader in the very first pages as Delaney struggles beneath the frozen ice. What I found so appealing about Fracture was the contemporary setting paired with simmering suspense and the lightest touch of ‘other’. There is a slow build up of tension through out the novel, the faintest scent of menace surrounds Delaney from the moment she awakes from her coma.
The story explores interesting themes such as guilt, near death experiences and euthanasia without finding it necessary to resolve the complex issues. I like that Miranda has tackled such serious ideas in a way that teens can relate to. The element of the paranormal is well grounded, given Delaney’s brain damage, and is integral to the plot but does not overwhelm it.
There is, as to be expected, a romantic angle but I think the author handles it well. Delaney’s changing relationship with her best friend, Decker, is realistically complicated and her attraction to Troy an understandable reaction to her situation.
The only thread of the plot I had difficulty reconciling was Delaney’s changed relationship with her mother. I think Miranda was trying to show how sometimes loved ones withdraw from a victim after a serious incident, an unconscious self protective mechanism, that for Delaney’s mother was complicated by her own childhood issues. I just don’t think it quite worked and her mother’s withdrawal may prove largely inexplicable for some readers.
I have to admit Delaney is not the most likeable character, she is quite prickly with family and friends and somewhat self destructive in the wake of her guilt and confusion. It’s difficult to make that judgement though, as we really only get to know her after the drowning, which provides a credible excuse for her behaviour.
I do think the author was able to genuinely portray her protagonists complicated emotions, from Delaney’s frustration and fear to Troy’s pain and righteousness.
Fracture is a surprisingly absorbing novel with a unique premise, and fully realised characters. It will likely appeal to adult fans of YA as much as it’s intended audience and is a strong debut from a talented author.
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LibraryThing member TValeros
3.5 - 4 STARS
Fracture by Megan Miranda is an intense thought provoking story that boggles the human mind, and has you reeling in thoughts even days after you finished reading!
The story maintains a steady pace all the way through the end. It's like watching a drama-suspense movie unfolding between
The characters were easy to relate to. Not in reading the characters' actions that is to be expected and want to happen with them, but by reading the actions that most annoys you which in fact is realistic and believable. Prime example is how dense Decker is with how Deleaney feels about him even when her actions scream "I love you! Don't touch her!". It was also nice to read a few quips that lightened some intense scenes giving some light heartedness to the story.
The way Delaney accounts for her situations throughout the book made memorable impacts because it felt like you were drawn into the dilemma. Megan Miranda no doubt is skilled in putting depth into her writing. Nearing the end, it became a bit touching and I did shed a tear.
One thing though that strikes me wrong is the ending. I totally saw it happening differently in my mind, and really wished that's how it should have panned out. I can't really express what I mean by this because I would be putting in a major spoiler in my review and I don't do that. =D
I enjoyed reading Fracture by Megan Miranda and I'm sure you will too!
Another great rainy day read!
*Side Note: reminded me of Sublime (movie)
Fracture by Megan Miranda is an intense thought provoking story that boggles the human mind, and has you reeling in thoughts even days after you finished reading!
The story maintains a steady pace all the way through the end. It's like watching a drama-suspense movie unfolding between
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your hands. Fracture has you wondering what path would you take and which would you choose. Would it be easier to be the one who survived; the one awaiting to die; or the love one of the survivor? It has you questioning if the 'right thing' is RIGHT or could it be wrong; giving yourself an excuse to ending a life. I know, it makes my head hurt too but you just can't help thinking about it. =)The characters were easy to relate to. Not in reading the characters' actions that is to be expected and want to happen with them, but by reading the actions that most annoys you which in fact is realistic and believable. Prime example is how dense Decker is with how Deleaney feels about him even when her actions scream "I love you! Don't touch her!". It was also nice to read a few quips that lightened some intense scenes giving some light heartedness to the story.
The way Delaney accounts for her situations throughout the book made memorable impacts because it felt like you were drawn into the dilemma. Megan Miranda no doubt is skilled in putting depth into her writing. Nearing the end, it became a bit touching and I did shed a tear.
One thing though that strikes me wrong is the ending. I totally saw it happening differently in my mind, and really wished that's how it should have panned out. I can't really express what I mean by this because I would be putting in a major spoiler in my review and I don't do that. =D
I enjoyed reading Fracture by Megan Miranda and I'm sure you will too!
Another great rainy day read!
*Side Note: reminded me of Sublime (movie)
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LibraryThing member LauraMoore
Delaney Maxwell should have been dead, thats what medicine and science would say when she was pulled from the ice cold waters after being submerged for eleven minutes. Her heart had stopped, she had stopped breathing, and she did in fact die, but came back seemily unscathed. Delaney is thankful for
Let me start by talking about the characters in this book. I loved them all from Delaney to her best friend Decker, and even had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Troy. I wanted to hate him at times, but still felt sorry for him/his situation. The characters were well-crafted, and thought out. They all played a significant part in the overall tone of the novel. Delaney was relatable, and I feel like pretty much anyone (boy or girl) could relate to her and the emotions that she faced.
Megan Miranda created an absolutly outstanding book, I honestly loved everything from the storyline, the characters, the plot, everything. This book was hard to put down and captivated me from the get-go. They say if your a fan of If I Stay by Gayle Forman, then you'll enjoy this book and I agree. its emotional, and heartbreaking and overall fantastic. This book tugs at your emotions and I was on the verge of tears through a good part of this book. Megan's writing style was beautiful and I couldn't have thought of a better way for this story to play out.
I have a feeling this book is going to end up in my top 12 of 2012, I know it's early in the year, but I'm calling it right now! If your doing the debut author challenge or just like supporting new debut authors, or just need a good book!! then check this book out. It's one of the best debut novels i've read in a long time! I loved its uniqueness and it had a lot of good messages within the novel, a reminder that your alive, but never know when your time or the time of a loved one will run out.
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her life back but when a new guy Troy shows up who went through a similar trama she starts being drawn to people who are dying. Is she drawn to them or is she killing them? She feels like its her fault that she can't save them. Let me start by talking about the characters in this book. I loved them all from Delaney to her best friend Decker, and even had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Troy. I wanted to hate him at times, but still felt sorry for him/his situation. The characters were well-crafted, and thought out. They all played a significant part in the overall tone of the novel. Delaney was relatable, and I feel like pretty much anyone (boy or girl) could relate to her and the emotions that she faced.
Megan Miranda created an absolutly outstanding book, I honestly loved everything from the storyline, the characters, the plot, everything. This book was hard to put down and captivated me from the get-go. They say if your a fan of If I Stay by Gayle Forman, then you'll enjoy this book and I agree. its emotional, and heartbreaking and overall fantastic. This book tugs at your emotions and I was on the verge of tears through a good part of this book. Megan's writing style was beautiful and I couldn't have thought of a better way for this story to play out.
I have a feeling this book is going to end up in my top 12 of 2012, I know it's early in the year, but I'm calling it right now! If your doing the debut author challenge or just like supporting new debut authors, or just need a good book!! then check this book out. It's one of the best debut novels i've read in a long time! I loved its uniqueness and it had a lot of good messages within the novel, a reminder that your alive, but never know when your time or the time of a loved one will run out.
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LibraryThing member renkellym
Fracture starts off with a bang, hooking readers with the mystery of Delaney’s miraculous survival. The first half of the book is gripping and full of unique plot turns: almost every page is full of surprises. Fracture’s second half is where the story gets a bit fuzzy, focusing more on
Still, Fracture ultimately succeeds. The fresh concept holds strong through the course of the whole book, and there’s never any doubt that Fracture will continue to shock and delight. Megan Miranda is a master of plot twists, each one turning the reader’s preconceived notions on their heads. The main characters are consistent, and though at times they’re not exactly likable, they are strong. Delaney goes through some emotional turmoil, but she never comes off as whiny or obnoxious. Megan Miranda keeps it real with Delaney’s romantic endeavors: there are no soul mates in Fracture—things are complicated.
Fracture is a perfect read for anyone looking for a book with a fresh paranormal concept. Readers will be amazed at how easily Megan Miranda can shock them. Though at times the story becomes a bit inconsistent, Fracture is overall a fun, occasionally heartbreaking read. Fracture will make you think about what it means to be alive.
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questionable morality and a shady character named Tom. Things that occur in Delaney’s personal life are a bit unbelievable, and the relationships she holds with friends and family are suddenly blurred. It’s a bit disappointing to see a character’s life start off one way and then quickly become something completely different. It just doesn’t flow with Fracture’s momentum; instead making the reader jerk to a stop in confusion.Still, Fracture ultimately succeeds. The fresh concept holds strong through the course of the whole book, and there’s never any doubt that Fracture will continue to shock and delight. Megan Miranda is a master of plot twists, each one turning the reader’s preconceived notions on their heads. The main characters are consistent, and though at times they’re not exactly likable, they are strong. Delaney goes through some emotional turmoil, but she never comes off as whiny or obnoxious. Megan Miranda keeps it real with Delaney’s romantic endeavors: there are no soul mates in Fracture—things are complicated.
Fracture is a perfect read for anyone looking for a book with a fresh paranormal concept. Readers will be amazed at how easily Megan Miranda can shock them. Though at times the story becomes a bit inconsistent, Fracture is overall a fun, occasionally heartbreaking read. Fracture will make you think about what it means to be alive.
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LibraryThing member TheReaderBee
If you enjoy books that are a bit on the darker side, you will definitely enjoy Fracture.
The main character in the story is Delaney, who somehow manages to survive underwater in a frozen lake for eleven minutes. She should technically be dead, but somehow manages to survive, thanks to her best
Let’s start off talking about Delaney. Wow, what an emotional mess this girl is. You have to feel for her, she has been through a lot. And not only she was affected by her falling into the lake, it affected everyone around her. She was constantly worried that people would think she was crazy if she opened up to them, but she never came across as crazy to me. I actually felt really bad for what she went through, and also for her parents.
I really liked Delaney’s best friend, Decker. He seemed to be a good guy. I do wish that he had been around more, especially when Delaney really needed him. I really think that might have helped her more with coping with all that was going on. I also felt that at times he picked their group of friends over her, and that did bother me a bit.
Troy, who has also survived being in a coma, appears out of the blue one day and introduces himself to Delaney. She thinks that Troy is someone that will understand her, because he also has the pull towards the dead that she has. Well, Troy turns out to be a mess all in his own. Talk about mysterious… Troy definitely had me a bit paranoid. I never really knew what to expect from him, he was definitely a bit freaky.
The plot for this book was very interesting, and the book was well paced. I definitely had to keep reading just to see where the author was going to take us next in the story. I just never could quite figure it out. Kudo’s to Ms. Miranda for keeping me in the dark! I do wish that there had been more info in the book on Why Delaney was feeling pulled towards the dying. I really wanted to read more on that, but there wasn’t a lot of information about it in the book.
Overall, if you enjoy darker type YA reads, you will definitely enjoy this book. I found it to be a quick, mysterious, enjoyable read.
Happy Reading!
The main character in the story is Delaney, who somehow manages to survive underwater in a frozen lake for eleven minutes. She should technically be dead, but somehow manages to survive, thanks to her best
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friend, Decker, who pulls her out of the water and gives her CPR. After finally waking from a coma, she has a really strange side effect; she feels this constant pull towards people that are dying. Let’s start off talking about Delaney. Wow, what an emotional mess this girl is. You have to feel for her, she has been through a lot. And not only she was affected by her falling into the lake, it affected everyone around her. She was constantly worried that people would think she was crazy if she opened up to them, but she never came across as crazy to me. I actually felt really bad for what she went through, and also for her parents.
I really liked Delaney’s best friend, Decker. He seemed to be a good guy. I do wish that he had been around more, especially when Delaney really needed him. I really think that might have helped her more with coping with all that was going on. I also felt that at times he picked their group of friends over her, and that did bother me a bit.
Troy, who has also survived being in a coma, appears out of the blue one day and introduces himself to Delaney. She thinks that Troy is someone that will understand her, because he also has the pull towards the dead that she has. Well, Troy turns out to be a mess all in his own. Talk about mysterious… Troy definitely had me a bit paranoid. I never really knew what to expect from him, he was definitely a bit freaky.
The plot for this book was very interesting, and the book was well paced. I definitely had to keep reading just to see where the author was going to take us next in the story. I just never could quite figure it out. Kudo’s to Ms. Miranda for keeping me in the dark! I do wish that there had been more info in the book on Why Delaney was feeling pulled towards the dying. I really wanted to read more on that, but there wasn’t a lot of information about it in the book.
Overall, if you enjoy darker type YA reads, you will definitely enjoy this book. I found it to be a quick, mysterious, enjoyable read.
Happy Reading!
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LibraryThing member pollywannabook
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
The description compares FRACTURE to BEFORE I FALL and IF I STAY. I’d say it was closer to a mix of THE BODY FINDER and the Soul Screamers series. Delaney is a teen girl who, after surviving a tragic accident, discovers she has a morbid ability to
First off, it’s very well written. The storyline is not complex, but the way it is told makes it feel rich and satisfying for the most part. It’s on the shorter side (my ARC was 262 pages), and I think the story could have benefited from a few extra chapters. The semi side plot involving Delany and her mother didn’t come off quite as poignantly as I think the author intended. Likewise, while I loved the fragile romantic relationship that slowly emerged between Delaney and Decker, I wanted more of it. The author did a good job of weaving little stories throughout FRACTURE that showed how their relationship changed over the years, but I still felt like I was missing the part of it that would have completely pushed me over the edge with them.
I did love the many surprise twists that came about in FRACTURE. I was kept on my toes and caught up in the story from beginning to end, but I don't know what to make of the ending. I didn’t expect it, and I’m not sure if I ultimately liked it or not. The character of Delaney was very interesting as she struggled to adjust to her ability, and I found her struggle immanently believable, but given the questions she raised and the answers she had to accept, I think the ending for her was perhaps too simplistic. I have my own idea of what happens after the last page and it is coloring my impression of the ending. I can’t see there being a real happy ending for her, not ever. So it’s sad and a bit depressing, but a thoughtful read that I do recommend for fans of bittersweet stories.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
The description compares FRACTURE to BEFORE I FALL and IF I STAY. I’d say it was closer to a mix of THE BODY FINDER and the Soul Screamers series. Delaney is a teen girl who, after surviving a tragic accident, discovers she has a morbid ability to
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predict deaths, and relies on Decker, a childhood best friend who has evolved into something more than a friend, to help keep her sane and safe. FRACTURE is much more than that simple description though. First off, it’s very well written. The storyline is not complex, but the way it is told makes it feel rich and satisfying for the most part. It’s on the shorter side (my ARC was 262 pages), and I think the story could have benefited from a few extra chapters. The semi side plot involving Delany and her mother didn’t come off quite as poignantly as I think the author intended. Likewise, while I loved the fragile romantic relationship that slowly emerged between Delaney and Decker, I wanted more of it. The author did a good job of weaving little stories throughout FRACTURE that showed how their relationship changed over the years, but I still felt like I was missing the part of it that would have completely pushed me over the edge with them.
I did love the many surprise twists that came about in FRACTURE. I was kept on my toes and caught up in the story from beginning to end, but I don't know what to make of the ending. I didn’t expect it, and I’m not sure if I ultimately liked it or not. The character of Delaney was very interesting as she struggled to adjust to her ability, and I found her struggle immanently believable, but given the questions she raised and the answers she had to accept, I think the ending for her was perhaps too simplistic. I have my own idea of what happens after the last page and it is coloring my impression of the ending. I can’t see there being a real happy ending for her, not ever. So it’s sad and a bit depressing, but a thoughtful read that I do recommend for fans of bittersweet stories.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
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LibraryThing member yabotd
Fracture by Megan Miranda was compelling from the very first sentence. The ARC I received came with a note from the editor playfully warning readers that they may want to make sure they have some spare time ahead of them because they won't want to put this book down. I wish I had heeded that
I seriously couldn't stop reading Fracture. It wasn't the racing pace of an action based novel, like The Hunger Games, or even the high drama and urgency of something like If I Stay. Instead, Fracture had a steady pull throughout the entire story. Think of those heart rate monitors in hospitals. Most books would have a heart rate that is going ballistic. First it's steady, then it goes into shock. Just as it's steadying out again...another heart attack! Fracture's heart rate is much steadier, but it's beating at an elevated rate. The steady pulse of new, captivating information, keeps the reader glued to the page.
I rarely have an opportunity to say this about a book, but I loved ALL of the characters. There was no "bad guy." There were characters that did not act in the most flattering ways (sometimes, even horrific ways), but I could see why they did so, even if I didn't agree with it. This helped me connect to not just Delaney, but to her friends, family, and new people she meets. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for all of them as they dealt with the near death of Delaney, along with the other twists and turns Miranda had to offer.
Throughout the story, I felt as conflicted as Delaney. She didn't always act in ways I'd choose, but I couldn't fault her choices either. The most endearing and frustrating relationship was the one between Delaney and Decker. They both have profound experiences and need to work their way through them. Sometimes, getting what you want is harder than it should be. Life is hard. Miranda gave an extremely realistic look at relationships and how people relate to one another during difficult moments.
For me, reading Fracture was an experience. I got as much psychology and philosophy as I would in a textbook, but through the lends of a beautifully written story. It's a book that'll stay in my mind and my heart. The story is completely timeless. It asks the basic life questions about life and death and what it truly means to live. I imagine Fracture will be a book I'll periodically pick up throughout my life, just to relive the experience and see if my perspective on any of the issues or characters has changed.
Overall, Fracture is touching. It's emotionally and mentally stimulating. It's a book I'd recommend to anyone who likes to read.
Final thoughts: Buy it. Actually, buy two and give one to a friend.
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warning. Then, maybe I wouldn't have found myself staying up till three in the morning in order to finish. I seriously couldn't stop reading Fracture. It wasn't the racing pace of an action based novel, like The Hunger Games, or even the high drama and urgency of something like If I Stay. Instead, Fracture had a steady pull throughout the entire story. Think of those heart rate monitors in hospitals. Most books would have a heart rate that is going ballistic. First it's steady, then it goes into shock. Just as it's steadying out again...another heart attack! Fracture's heart rate is much steadier, but it's beating at an elevated rate. The steady pulse of new, captivating information, keeps the reader glued to the page.
I rarely have an opportunity to say this about a book, but I loved ALL of the characters. There was no "bad guy." There were characters that did not act in the most flattering ways (sometimes, even horrific ways), but I could see why they did so, even if I didn't agree with it. This helped me connect to not just Delaney, but to her friends, family, and new people she meets. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for all of them as they dealt with the near death of Delaney, along with the other twists and turns Miranda had to offer.
Throughout the story, I felt as conflicted as Delaney. She didn't always act in ways I'd choose, but I couldn't fault her choices either. The most endearing and frustrating relationship was the one between Delaney and Decker. They both have profound experiences and need to work their way through them. Sometimes, getting what you want is harder than it should be. Life is hard. Miranda gave an extremely realistic look at relationships and how people relate to one another during difficult moments.
For me, reading Fracture was an experience. I got as much psychology and philosophy as I would in a textbook, but through the lends of a beautifully written story. It's a book that'll stay in my mind and my heart. The story is completely timeless. It asks the basic life questions about life and death and what it truly means to live. I imagine Fracture will be a book I'll periodically pick up throughout my life, just to relive the experience and see if my perspective on any of the issues or characters has changed.
Overall, Fracture is touching. It's emotionally and mentally stimulating. It's a book I'd recommend to anyone who likes to read.
Final thoughts: Buy it. Actually, buy two and give one to a friend.
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LibraryThing member breakingdownslowly
This book wasn't what I expected in the slightest.
I'll be totally honest, I expected some really romantic, sweet book about how this girl comes to grips with death and dying and her new powers related to that and maybe there's a love triangle. Instead, I got a book where the characters and the
Delaney was just a character to me. Nothing special or extraordinary. The relationship she had with Troy were interesting, kind of creepy. It was one of the very intriguing parts of the book for me. The relationship between Delaney and Decker was also interesting, though at times annoying. It was a very back and forth relationship that left me frustrated yet happy, depending on where they were.
For me the best part was the thoughts it gave me. Troy and Delaney's new powers lead to arguments between the two, arguments that made me think. Both can tell if a person's going to die in the near future. Troy tends to help the process along, while Delaney wants to stop it. For me it raised the question on if we have the right to help someone die. Do humans have the right to decide somebody else is ready to leave earth? It was even more interesting that this discussion came up in my English class the day after I finished it.
The ending was really good. Very interesting, different, and unexpected. I was pleasantly surprised by most of it, though some of it was semi-obvious. I was glad to see it happen, though.
Overall, this could've just been any other book. But the relationships, the questions it raises, and the ending made it something else all together. If you want something a little darker, and thought provoking, this is definitely one to pick up.
I'll be totally honest, I expected some really romantic, sweet book about how this girl comes to grips with death and dying and her new powers related to that and maybe there's a love triangle. Instead, I got a book where the characters and the
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story don't stand out so much as the message behind it.Delaney was just a character to me. Nothing special or extraordinary. The relationship she had with Troy were interesting, kind of creepy. It was one of the very intriguing parts of the book for me. The relationship between Delaney and Decker was also interesting, though at times annoying. It was a very back and forth relationship that left me frustrated yet happy, depending on where they were.
For me the best part was the thoughts it gave me. Troy and Delaney's new powers lead to arguments between the two, arguments that made me think. Both can tell if a person's going to die in the near future. Troy tends to help the process along, while Delaney wants to stop it. For me it raised the question on if we have the right to help someone die. Do humans have the right to decide somebody else is ready to leave earth? It was even more interesting that this discussion came up in my English class the day after I finished it.
The ending was really good. Very interesting, different, and unexpected. I was pleasantly surprised by most of it, though some of it was semi-obvious. I was glad to see it happen, though.
Overall, this could've just been any other book. But the relationships, the questions it raises, and the ending made it something else all together. If you want something a little darker, and thought provoking, this is definitely one to pick up.
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Awards
Language
Local notes
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. However, pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying.
Started out strong, but was a bit fragmented and went downhill towards the end.
Started out strong, but was a bit fragmented and went downhill towards the end.