Strange and comforting. The words that could be used to describe this unusual book. Set in two worlds so drastically apart-the worlds of two races who loathed each other .The story of illusions, deceiving and lies. This story raises many unanswered questions; it leaves you on the edge of knowing the unknown and hoping for a sequel.
The story revolves around Jessamy Harrison, a girl who is strangely curious poetic and morbid for her age. As she is the child of a Nigerian mother and English father, she has no idea where she belongs. Ridiculed in school for being ‘half breed’ and different, a feeling of loneliness looms over her. She is prone to fits of screaming, which worry her friends and parents .She thinks she is underestimated and she is taunted by her ‘normal’ cousins. As a cure her mother takes her on a family holiday to be associated with the African culture. There she meets a wild girl called Tilly –Tilly who shows her things. She then dreams of strange things and wonders if she is someone else. She found a friend in Tilly –Tilly. Back in England she relapses until Tilly-Tilly comes. Apparently only Jessamy can see Tilly-Tilly. Tilly –Tilly reveals shocking secrets to Jessamy.Tilly–Tilly avenges Jessamy and gets carried away, hurting those close to her.Jessamy realizes that she has created a monster and she must end this .The book starts with a secret and ends with a secret.
The book combines both cultures beautifully. While reading you can see the story unfold in front of your eyes, feel Jessamy’s bewilderment as Tilly-Tilly forces her to disobey and so on.It portrays her confusion. Whether everyone was an enemy and Tilly -Tilly a friend or vice-versa. The story is riveting and mysterious until the very end. The end will shock and stun you as well as bring tears to your eyes, not because of the strange melancholy but by the way you are left hanging wishing for a non existent sequel.(there is a poem at the end of the story)
I sincerely enjoyed reading the book and hope you are moved by my review and read it too.
- Zahra Choudhury (13 years)
Please Note: This is a review sent in as an entry to the Chillibreeze Writing Bee Contest for kids. The review has not been edited. The views in this review are the reviewer’s own and not endorsed by Chillibreeze.
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