I picked up this book because I read an interesting quote from it on Twitter. It was a cute quote, one that made it seem like a romance novel, and I enjoyed those books. I read romances, not mysteries. Never in a million years would I read a mystery. And once I realized Jellicoe Road was a mystery, I almost returned it immediately. But I couldn’t, something drew me to it. Maybe it was that I wanted to find the quote or maybe something about the book, but I couldn’t return it.

To be honest, it sat in my backpack for about three weeks… And I know I was supposed to return it after three weeks but I couldn’t do it, even though I had only read about 20 pages and it was very confusing. Actually, for about the first hundred or so pages it’s bemusing, I didn’t know what I was reading, the story line, plot or anything.

I finally picked it up on my way to Boston during spring break and it was one of the best decisions I had ever made. As I kept going, and I understood more of the book, I was intrigued. Suddenly, everything came alive. Whether it was the names etched in the prayer tree or the old cat by Hannah’s house. However corny it must sound, this book takes its readers on an adventure through the time Taylor Marckham realizes who she really is. Taylor, the protagonist has a sad story, shocking. But her personality and surroundings are what revitalizes her.

In the midst of territory wars between three schools, this book takes readers on a journey much farther than a superficial layer. The realistic characters reflect the parts of human beings that want to be hidden and suppressed but nonetheless lie there. Around page 200 the assumptions start. I thought I knew how it was going to turn out, for sure, I couldn’t be wrong… But with this book, who knew?

This book is captivating; amidst a quiet airplane late at night, i was laughing, crying and staring at my book open-mouthed. I read for 3 hours, still craving more. This book was a splash of something I didn’t even know existed; it’s refreshing and original. Jellicoe Road, written by an Australian author gives a culturally new approach to universal problems and similarities. For anyone looking for a challenge with a rewarding prize, I would recommend this book. It requires some thinking, but what good book doesn’t get the reader involved? Amusingly, I don’t even remember the quote that drew me to read it. But the name of this book will forever be ingrained into my brain, so take a spin at it.