Review: Off the Page (Between the Lines 2)

Off the Page is the sequel to the novel Between the Lines, which inspired my current musical obsession. Like Between the Lines, it is written by Jodi Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer. It does not work as a standalone or a direct sequel to the musical. For that reason, if you want to avoid spoilers, I would suggest not reading this review unless you've already read Between the Lines. I would also like to take this time to point out that whoever was in charge of marketing these books did a terrible job. The books are fun and entertaining, but they are both listed as YA with realistic-looking covers that do not represent the whimsical and fantastical stories within them. The original cover for Off the Page was better than the current one because it portrays characters coming out of a book. The new one is just some girl's back, which makes it look like a contemporary drama. These books are great fun, but they are very much juvenile stories. I have no idea why they are marketed the way they are. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, this is your last opportunity to stop reading this before I spoil the first book.

The first book in Between the Lines ended with a shocking twist that it was possible for Oliver to switch places with his real-life counterpart, Edgar, to leave the book he lived in. Off the Page continues these zany shenanigans by popping even more characters in and out of the book from both worlds. The rules are a little questionable, but it's all in good fun. Until it isn't. Much like Disney's Enchanted, this book focuses on Oliver's transition from a two-dimensional character into a real person. To do this, he must learn about all the ugly truths in life that don't exist in his fairy tale world including mortality and teenage drama. At times, Delilah feels more like Oliver's babysitter than his girlfriend, but that doesn't get in the way of her feelings toward him. Even when she questions his feelings due to a misunderstanding, she never stops loving him. The book places more focus on characters who were in the background of the first book such as Edgar, Jules, Seraphima, and Allie. We learn more about what makes them tick and all the crazy secrets hidden within the pages of the magical book.

While it had its darker moments, Off the Page is silly, whimsical and doesn't require much thought. Some of the more entertaining passages include Princess Seraphima's first trip to a real-life mall, Edgar's attempt to convert the fairy tale book into a sci-fi story, and Jules getting stuck in the role of a princess despite being a punk goth. The darker elements of the book felt out of place, especially a passage that was written with the help of a medical expert, but they were necessary to reinforce the themes addressed in the musical about the harshness of reality that the first book was lacking. Through their journeys in and out of the book, the characters learn a lot more about themselves, who they want to be with, and where they belong. The story is told from three different perspectives--Edgar's, Oliver's, and Delilah's. I found this a little confusing at times as I seem to have trouble keeping track of books with more than two perspectives.

The magical elements are a lot of fun, but they don't always make sense. For instance, in Between the Lines, Edgar changed the original manuscript of the fairy tale, but for some reason the book tried to change itself back without much explanation as to why it was doing so. The book also contained a magic portal that led to the author's imagination hidden and all kinds of other secrets that didn't always make sense. This sort of plot works fine for a children's story, so calling it YA is misleading. It was fun to discover all the wacky secrets of Oliver's world without ever knowing what was going to happen next. In the end, the story came down to valuing life and had a powerful message that it doesn't matter what kind of crazy chaotic world you live in as long as the people you care about are there with you.

Off the Page is a whimsical and fantastical sequel to Between the Lines, continuing the zany adventures of Delilah, Oliver, and their friends as they navigate both the real and fairy tale worlds. While it may not work as a standalone or sequel to the musical, it's a delightful read for those who enjoy juvenile fiction and are looking for a lighthearted, fun story. With its focus on self-discovery, magical elements, and the power of love and friendship, Off the Page is a charming tale that will transport readers to a world of wonder and enchantment. Just be aware of the misleading YA marketing and embrace the whimsy!