The Miles Between [Hardcover]

I'm not going to tell you what this book is about, although, if I did, the review could very easily write itself as I could handily point out each and every clever thing the author did to craft their story. So, I will merely tell you that the book is wonderfully well written with the following supporting points:

1) The main character grows and blossoms in a meaningful and enjoyable way over the course of the book.
2) The dialogue is extremely well written, witty, and rich.
3) The characters are believable enough, and yet special as well.
4) The main character, Destiny, is delightfully sardonic, without being overdone. A delicate balance.
5) The author ties together many plot details throughout the book. The book is not just written, it is carefully woven. For example, by the end of the book the innocent "on my way" from the beginning has a much greater impact and meaning.
6) Mature readers may be able to guess the conclusion relatively early, but less sophisticated readers will enjoy the unfolding truth, as well as looking back over the previous chapters and remembering various clues that were left along the way.
7) There are no "cheap tricks" in the book. As you might expect of Juvenile Fiction, there is no gore, lust, or other heavy and overused devices. This book is well written enough for an adult to enjoy it, and safe enough for a juvenile. Which is, as we all know, a very hard feat to accomplish without helpings of gore, lust, or hate...
8) While unlikely things happen, the nature of the book and the way it is constructed allows you to accept these moments easily without having to put much effort into suspending your disbelief. Its all consistent.
9) The denouement is handled extremely well and leaves you feeling quite satisfied.

When the weight of the scenario hits you, its quite likely to make you cry like a baby. If you want a book that makes you feel something, then Pearson definitely delivers. You will feel sorrow, but oh so much enjoyment. Which is really what makes this book so magical. Pearson has hit a wonderful balance.

Destiny Faraday has perfected her presence at boarding school. She doesn't have friends, but she spends a little time in the company of a few people. She doesn't refuse to speak but keeps her talking to a minimum. Des has the boarding school life of predictability and routine down pat from her endless observations of those around her and from her number-one rule: Don't get attached. But things rarely go as one plans. When Des unexpectedly finds an abandoned running car, she realizes that although this day, October 19, is supposed to be bad, she can't pass up this opportunity. Somehow her party grows to four with the addition of three of Des' classmates, and they take off on an unauthorized road trip in search of one fair day where everything turns out just so. Along the way, Des finds out that someone has already broken her number-one rule for her--and that it might not be such a bad thing.

I'll admit the first novel by Pearson I read, Scribbler of Dreams, was not one of my favorites. However, The Adoration of Jenna Fox convinced me to give this author another try, which I'm glad I did because The Miles Between was absolutely fabulous. It's difficult to say what exactly about Pearson's writing that makes this novel come together so magically, but perhaps it is its thoughtfulness. There's something about the words on each page that makes each of the main characters so real and makes the reader wish he/she was on this random road trip. Both the characters and the plot are spectacularly formed, revealing the right amount of information at the right time to keep things well-paced but still interesting. I don't really know what else to say about the presentation of this story besides that the effect is wonderful and stunning. I was so connected to this book, the story and the characters, also because of how coincidence and fate were so central to the novel. These are just some of the things about life that have always amazed and fascinated me, and their inclusion in this novel made it all the more unique and interesting. The Miles Between is not an action book; it is mostly character- and thought-driven but still with plenty of surprises hidden within its pages. It is a wonderfully endearing novel that will cheer anyone up and make them feel not alone.

Fans of Pearson's writing, particularly in The Adoration of Jenna Fox, will enjoy The Miles Between. This sweet story will also attract fans of You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith, Crash Into Me by Albert Borris, Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern, and Sprout by Dale Peck.

I enjoyed `The Miles Between' far more than I anticipated. Told in first person by Destiny Faraday, we learn how she came to be enrolled at Hedgebrook Academy and how chance granted her wish. Her adventure begins when she meets a mysterious visiting professor who asks her simply what she wants--one fair day where the good guys win. Next thing she knows, she comes upon an idling pink convertible parked on the lawn with the driver's side door standing open and on a lark she decides to seize the day. What follows is a seventy-six mile "unauthorized fieldtrip" with three unlikely travel companions, a lost lamb, and a wad of cash.

Through deft writing, the story along with Destiny's personality unfolds gradually. I will admit, however, that I found it difficult to believe she was seventeen at times and a few of the other characters and situations seemed a bit contrived. But the unfolding of the story more than made up for those minor inconsistencies.

At its core, the story was a journey of love, acceptance, loss, and forgiveness. The more poignant scenes brought a tear to my eye, but had me laughing in the same breath. In fact, this book was hilarious in a quirky way--Destiny's obsession with numbers and coincidence, Mira's unfiltered cheerfulness, Aidan's uptightness, Seth's friendliness and easy smile, and a little lost lamb made for some comical moments on the road together. But they all learned that they weren't that different and grew to care about each other--there was even a bit of light romance. All the while, the true nature of the road trip sneaks up on you until finally, like Destiny, you're forced to face it head on.

*****MILD SPOILERS BELOW******

This book was like `The Five People You Meet in Heaven' mixed with `The Breakfast Club' rolled into a fairytale. There's an ethereal quality to the story which would make it a nice discussion piece. Although I'd recommend it to anyone, I'd mention that it deals with a very serious and weighty subject; it might cut close to the bone for someone who's still grieving the loss of a loved one.

*****END SPOILERS******

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