“Across Both Sides of the Mirror” is a wonderful novel exploring the dichotomy of life experienced by all of us – the reality we live in and the potential life in the realm of our dreams through the use of the enchanted mirror Nova purchases at the beginning of the book. The author did a great job exploring self-improvement, self-realization, forgiveness, processing trauma, and the danger of giving up and using the pleasures of life (the mirror in this instance) as a means for avoidance and escape.
We follow Nova as she navigates life with her lackluster job, lonely home life, and hefty dose of unhappiness and lack of satisfaction with her current state. After purchasing a new mirror from the local thrift store, things get a little weird. The mirror is a portal to an alternate reality where you become the person you most desire to be.
“You must remember that life on that side of the mirror is not real. The mirror can be a useful tool to show you the way to become who you have wanted to be”
I really enjoyed the back and forth between reality and the magical realm of the mirror, it was interesting to read how each different world panned out in the same situations. I really identified with Nova’s internal struggles and lackluster feelings about her current state of life. Her introspection and character development by the end was great to follow throughout the novel, and I also really enjoyed the dialogue, both internal and external between the characters. There was a rawness and vulnerability to it that captured the conversations we have throughout everyday life when things aren’t always going as we want them to.
I couldn’t put Across Both Sides of the Mirror down, and read it in 2 sittings! When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about what what going to happen next, and felt extremely invested in the character development of Nova. It left me with a fresh look at my own life and gave me the opportunity to have an alternate perspective on how I navigate life. Overall, I really enjoyed Across Both Sides of the Mirror by Bianca Pensy Aba and would recommend it to other readers.
Worthy of a re-read.
**This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review**
See what other books I think are worthy of a re-read here.
