When I heard about this collaboration I was so freaking excited. I've fangirled over both of these authors, a few times, and then to hear they were coming together to write a book about an invisible boy pretty much gave me something to anticipate highly. Andrea Cremer and David Levithan have very different writing styles and typical story structures, so I was curious to see how they'd blend their talents. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite work for me, and I'm a little devastated to say that I didn't really like this one.
Andrea Cremer is fantastic at writing paranormal and fantasy and David Levithan is extraordinary with contemporary and magical realism. But I feel like there was a bit of a miss where these two different styles should have met. The set-up was really great, when nobody really knows why Stephen is invisible, but once they start explaining why he's this way and Elizabeth finds out how she might save him I started to disconnect. I found the backstory unbelievable and a little undeveloped.
That said, both Andrea and David, are fantastic at character development and Stephen was definitely interesting to read about. I couldn't quite figure Elizabeth out and she isn't my favorite heroine, but I feel like there are definitely things within her character that you can easily connect with - like her fierce loyalty and her humor. Laurie, though, was the reason I kept reading this book. His character was fabulous. He has a history for being violently bullied for being gay, yet he's the most hopeful and light person in this story. He's always there to say what needs to be said and to support everyone. I almost wish this story had been more about him.
I'm really sad about this one, but I got my hopes up too high and it just didn't meet them. I wanted this collaboration to work so much, because how awesome would that be? I hope other people like this book, though, and I'm just crazy or was in a weird mood when I read it. Because I really do root for these authors and the idea for this story is so cool.
