A review by oldandnewbooksmell
In-Between, by MJ James

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Alicia is a single mother to her eight-year-old son, Kenny. Lately, between the school accusing him of ridiculous shenanigans, like making a large pile of rocks, or disappearing in the middle of class, and her son’s principal is seemingly unconvinced she’s a fit mother because she’s on the autism spectrum.

Not sure entirely what’s going on with Kenny, Alicia tries to track down his father, but that’s easier said than done, she only saw him one night, nearly nine years ago, and it’s a night she’d rather forget. But now, Alicia has a man following her and claiming her son is the heir to an elvish throne. After a break in at their apartment, Alicia, Kenny, and the mysterious man go on the run. Alicia just wants to keep her son safe, but on their new adventure, she discovers they have to give up everything they’ve ever known to help a world they knew nothing about.

I liked that the author showed Alicia’s struggles, not only as an autistic parent, but also as a aromantic and asexual individual. Her conversations and reasoning were always thought out and I really respected Alicia’s character for being the badass that she was. Even with everything life is throwing at her, she would take it by the horns and throw everything she could into it. The author even wrote her coping mechanisms when she was overwhelmed and you don’t see that much in novels right now. 

Overall, I enjoyed this self published fantasy novel filled with adventure in a new world, the In-Between. This is also a good read filled with representation of characters with all types of identity types and disorders.

*Thank You MJ James and The StoryGraph for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review