"Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales."
(This is going to be a short review. Because I'm too busy and I want this review to be out of my way. Check it off of the list as soon as possible, yes.)
Well, I have been wanting to read this novel for a long time. About two years or so, every since I knew it was YA Fairy Tale and I was on a rabid hunt for fairy tale retellings (or some book similar in the trend). Now, I have finally checked it out of the local library and read it. (Cue "I have you now, my pretty!" moment/gif.) And I'm seriously finding it a little bit... underwhelming.
The story is split in two ways. One talks about the fairy tale itself that Oliver is "acting" in. The other shows Oliver and Delilah's attempts to get Oliver into the real world. The fairy tale itself is entertaining and simple in its elegance, and it's really good. Prince Oliver is a clever man. But the other plot tells the story behind the fairy tale, and Oliver (not Prince Oliver) is a much different person. It's definitely an interesting take, I have to admit.
If you really think about the world of Between the Lines, you'll get a headache. Prince Oliver is trying to retrieve a beautiful girl. But Oliver (the real character behind the facade of Prince Oliver) wants to get out of his story. And there is Delilah, who knows Prince Oliver but has yet to meet the real Oliver. And it is really weird when you begin thinking about how Delilah reads the story about Prince Oliver and how we ourselves read the story about Delilah, who is reading the story about Prince Oliver.
(See what I mean? Also, does this mean that there might be readers reading our story? Because that will be very messed up.)
The romance between Oliver and Delilah isn't very well-developed. In fact, it's as developed as this paragraph. But I hope they will go somewhere. (Instead of having a fizzle.)
In conclusion, Between the Lines, at most, is a mediocre story that is entertaining and interesting but forgettable. Good illustrations.
Rating: Two out of Five
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