Review – The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass by Leslye Penelope
Synopsis
For five years, Zahara Douglass has been haunted by her sister’s impossible disappearance. Now, in December 1999, with the world on the brink of chaos, Zahara sets out to find her sister no matter the cost in this twisty and compelling modern fantasy from Leslye Penelope.
In April 1994, Zahara watched her twin sister, Annica, get hustled into a stranger’s car and disappear—only to return to a world where no one remembers Annica ever existed. Not her mother. Not the police. No one.
Now, as the world braces for the looming Y2K crisis, Zahara finds evidence that proves her sister was real. Determined to uncover the truth, she hires a private investigator and begins digging into her family’s shadowed past. When the investigation leads to two charismatic men who once served with her father in Vietnam, Zahara realizes she and her sister may be pawns in a dangerous power struggle with unthinkable consequences.
To find her sister, Zahara must face the truth about her family, her memories, and the power lurking within her. But the sisters’ reunion comes at a price—one that could unravel reality and bring about the end of the world.
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Praise
“An intimate family story crossed with a conspiracy mystery and a wired late-nineties adventure, The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass is exhilarating and full of surprises.” ―Jared Poon, author of City of Others
“A moving story about sisterhood, lost souls, and our complicated and potentially destructive relationship with technology. Leslye Penelope broke my heart in the best way possible. I can’t remember the last time I loved a book this much or stayed up so late to finish it.” ―Hollie Overton, international bestselling author of Baby Doll
“With big reveals I didn’t see coming, The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass fuses heartfelt characterization with masterful world-building. Kudos to Leslye Penelope for crafting another captivating, unforgettable work of art.” ―Clarence A. Haynes, author of The Broken Hearts Agency
“Nostalgic and magical, The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass pulled me straight into the late nineties with a sweet sprinkle of apocalyptic hues.” ―Tlotlo Tsamaase, author of Womb City
Review
What if no one could remember your sister except you? Would you think you were crazy or there was something else at play?
This novel blends a thriller with magical realism and cultural myths, and the result is a story that kept me engaged and intrigued.
We don’t find out until about half-way through what exactly is going on for Zahara and her search for her twin sister Annica, but as the truth is slowly revealed, it reflects a deeper mystery to be unraveled. Throw in Y2K, and you have a situation that could explode or solve the ills of the world. Not only is there a search for Annica led by Zahara, it is also a time of growth for Zahara, and realizing that perhaps life isn’t what she thinks. She is still young (early 20’s), but that doesn’t mean that she understands everything in this world. She has room to grow, and discover who she is and what she is mean to do in this world.
There are engaging characters, tense moments, and flashbacks to those who lived through Y2K and if the world would end or not.
This was a very enjoyable book and we give it 4 paws up.
About the Author
Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance. Equally left and right-brained, she studied filmmaking and computer science at Howard University and sometimes dreams in HTML. She hosts the My Imaginary Friends podcast, co-hosts the Ink and Magic podcast, and lives in Maryland with her feline dependents.
