While You Were Gone

June 1, 2015
The other half of the parallel-universe story begun in Now That You're Here (2014). No recap's given, as this story has the same starting point as the previous novel, just different narrators: the other Danny, who wakes up in a different dimension, and the Eevee native to it. This Eevee's a passionate artist instead of an academic; the daughter of the powerful governor, she nevertheless chafes against the widespread political censorship of art. Despite the big changes between worlds (this Phoenix is on the coast), the biggest shock for Danny is discovering that in this dimension his parents are alive. This Danny and Eevee are connected by fate and by this universe's Warren, still a supergenius and Eevee's friend but also with secret ties to various entities, including the anti-government group the other Danny was involved in prior to the explosion. Danny and Eevee have off-the-charts chemistry. The nonromantic storylines-Eevee's competition for a shot at a foreign art school placement and Danny's quick immersion in his parallel self's light rebellion via graffiti-allow the characters to develop outside of their romance. The overarching plot involves fighting the increasingly dystopian society's latest and most-intrusive-yet surveillance program, and it weaves seamlessly into the dimension hopping. The novel's tense and exciting throughout, but the ending is far too abrupt and will leave readers demanding the next installment promptly. Appropriately enough, lots of fun on multiple levels. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

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August 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-A sequel to Now That You're Here (Knopf, 2014) that reflects what happens in the parallel universe from which the original Danny dropped in. Danny is living his miserable life in the Phoenix desert when the unthinkable happens: he is dropped into a parallel universe where his parents are alive, he has friends, and girls are always after him. In this alternate universe, also known as Phoenix, there is no more desert, no California, and no privacy. The government surveillance system, known as Spectrum, keeps close tabs on the citizens yet rebellion still exists. To combat this, the government introduces Skylar, an even more intrusive personal-surveillance system. With the help of the governor's daughter Eevee, Danny and his friends attempt to break the system, but the other Danny keeps trying to break through and take his place back home. Told in alternating perspectives, Danny and Eevee learn more about each other and themselves as the government mystery unravels. Nichols is clever in reimagining characters in the alternate universe, keeping readers entertained throughout. A great modern-day science fiction novel for fans of time travel or the television show Fringe. VERDICT A fun great back-to-school series to introduce to students as they think about where else they could be and what their lives might be like elsewhere.-Stephanie DeVincentis, Downers Grove North High School, IL

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 8-11 In Nichols' companion novel to Now That You're Here (2014), two teens' lives entwine across parallel universes as love and global issues are drawn together through the Skylar systeman electromagnetic universal security net that keeps track of everyone's movements 24/7. Eevee is the artistic daughter of the Arizona governor, who is pushing citizens to register for Skylar; Danny, due to a glitch in the universe, is no longer an orphan, but a much-loved only child. Each time Skylar is tested, this Danny is pulled toward his former life and universe just as the other Danny is being pulled back into this one. Both boys inhabit different but equally puzzling and dangerous worlds, giving rise to interesting speculation as to whether each is better off now or in his original universe. Both Eevees are smart, daring, and attracted to the Danny in their universe. While science is not as prominent in this novel, the sci-fi backstory adds a thought-provoking undercurrent to a sweet love story that revolves around larger societal issues.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
In this second book (Now That You're Here), orphan Danny has "jumped" into an alternate Phoenix where the people in his life are the same, but circumstances are very different (e.g., his parents are now alive, he's an anti-government rebel). Nichols unveils a broader plot, as readers consider the impact context has on one's destiny.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)