Don’t Look in the Mirror

Refraction by Naomi Hughes

Publication Date: November 5, 2019

Summary from NetGalley:

After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade—until he’s caught by the mayor’s son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realize their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.

With fast pacing and riveting characters, this is a book that you’ll finish in one sitting.

ARC provided by Page Street Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

This really was a hard book to put down. Whenever I did, I found myself itching to pick it back up, to find out what was going to happen next. Not only was the plot riveting though, but the characters were very engaging and likable, even with all of their faults. I found myself rooting for their survival. But the best part about this story was that there was no romance! None, nothing, not even a hint. So, YA can be done without romance and still be awesome!

Marty is the sole narrator of this tale. His is a bit of an ass, but his love for his brother and his need to get to him, is what drives him. He has OCD, which ends up having a major role in the story. His internal struggle with his OCD, seemed spot on to me. He mostly had it under control before he was exiled, but then as things go from bad to worse, the OCD comes back full force and sometimes puts his life at risk. But Marty has a good side too. He is braver then he thinks, and when things get tough he often pulls through with some amazing saves.

Elliot is also a bit of an ass at times. He is a bit self-righteous and his need to have his mother’s approval is what makes him do what he does. I often felt sorry for him, his relationship with his mother was so broken, but he kept trying to get her to accept him. There were a few times I thought he would leave Marty to his fate, but then he starts to accept him and his flaws. It was nice to see their friendship develop through out this harrowing story.

The plot of this story is what keeps you wanting more. It is dark and often terrifying. The monsters that come out of the mirrors are scary and come from some of your worst nightmares. The author really does a great job of keeping you guessing what is really going on, and it really throws you for a loop when you find out. This alien invasion is unlike anything I have read before, but it is very close to what would probably happen when and if others ever come to our planet. I loved the ending, and it was left a little bit open for perhaps a sequel? Although if there isn’t one, that is okay.

An amazingly well done alien invasion, end of the world story with a great twist. This is a story that you don’t want to miss.