Switch

By: Allen Kent

Narrated by: Gryphon Corpus

Suppose, without any warning, you found yourself in another place and time? Zap. Just that fast! And even worse, in someone else’s body. Then, a month later, zap. You’re back where you were before, as yourself, trying to explain to people what had happened to you.

No one believes you because during that month, people didn’t think you’d been gone, at all. Just that you’d been acting really weird. Because, someone else had been there in your body, someone who claimed she was another person. Everyone would think you were completely nuts. Right?

I can promise you they would. Because, that’s just what happened to me.

Why do Alyssa (Ally) Wallis, a soccer-loving teen from Texarkana, Texas, and Emmeline Caywood, a prim, artistic British immigrant to South Africa's 1820s Cape Colony of Bathurst, suddenly switch places and bodies?

Has Emme been cursed by the local Xhosa chieftain for breaking a taboo, as her maid insists? Did a fall launch Ally into a world of hallucination where what seems so real is no more than a creation of a wounded mind? Or, does each have a role in rectifying a centuries-old injustice that will change forever both of their lives and the lives of those they love?

Switch is a pause-resisting journey into the lives of two young women whose bond over time changes who they are, who they become, and the lives of everyone they love.

©2019 Kent Farnsworth (P)2020 Kent Farnsworth

Very satisfying!

After a couple of chapters, although I was charmed by the concept of two girls, two hundred years apart and from different continents suddenly finding themselves in each other's body, I couldn't imagine how the author could sustain this narrative. No problem! The story of how these girls interacted with their new and baffled friends and neighbors—not to mention family—was enough in itself. Someone from each time frame had to be convinced that our heroines were not insane—or possessed, depending on whether it was now or then. And yes, there was a purpose to this mysterious body switch, made even more complicated by requiring that when they went back and forth—on a schedule of 28 days—they performed instructions that would be left behind by the other. Or, better yet, acted upon to ensure that the whole purpose of this exercise would be guaranteed for the future. It was all deliciously complicated and well narrated by Gryphon, who really pulled off the voices and accents that never confused me as to where we were. Or when.

Captivating storyline

Loved the book! The characters were so realistic and captured my heart early on. The details added so much to each time period and part of the world. I feel the author had spent a lot of time in research to make the historical background as accurate as possible. The narrator was excellent! Her ability to portray each character added so much to the novel. She made transition from character to character so easy to identify which character was which. The storyline is so intriguing that you will not want to stop listening until you have finished it! Great read! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Absorbing story from beginning to end!

A wonderful performance by the narrator- her narration perfectly reflects the tone and nuance of each character. The story line captures the attention and imagination. The transitions back and forth between the centuries and the women’s stories are smooth and flawless. The writer leaves the reader with a satisfying conclusion yet leaves you with one last mystery to mull.

An amazing look at life from the eyes of the past!

I really enjoyed listening to this book and Gryphon Corpus did an amazing job with all the different voices to make the book come alive! I think that Mr. Kent may have written this book to be a YA fantasy but I found it totally entertaining. Why this phenomenon took place has been given an excellent reason. The characters of Ali and Emmy come alive as they find themselves in each others bodies living in a time that is not their own. Emmy grows to love Ali's friends. This book has some suspense, mystery and romance but the thing I think I enjoyed most was the friendship between all the characters that happened over time and the benefit it was to them all. I totally recommend this story whether you are young or young at heart it has meaning for all of us.
I received a free code from the publisher to listen to this book on Audible.com. This review is my own honest opinion.

Outstanding Time Travel with a mystery to solve

I absolutely loved this book. The author has done an excellent job at story telling and describing the complete culture shock that each girl experiences from exchanging bodies in a snap when the unexpected and sudden switch happens. They swap places every 28 days.

I thought the descriptions of the immediate reactions of each girl was insightful. From complete darkness and absence of sound except sheep bleating and the smell of her stale nightshirt in South Africa 200 years ago, to the astonishment of the existence of bright ceiling light, cars, computers and other marvels of modern miracles. The social norms and discomfort of both girls with clothing is also very well done. The girls and their friends try to determine why these multiple switches are occurring.

Each girl undergoes tremendous culture shock and personal growth. Really well done. I've already been recommending this book. This book can be read and enjoyed by anyone.

I listened to the audible version and I thought the narrator was excellent. She did multiple voices and accents with perfection. Read this book if you want a completely enjoyable experience