Mysterious Ways

MYSTERIOUS WAYS is a unique YA magical realism read about a teen that can read other people's minds. Maya begins the story in a mental hospital because of the voices she hears when she is reading minds. Later, when she goes to a new school, she begins to reevaluate her ability and the way that she relates to others and herself.

What I loved: This was a really interesting plot and the ability works in unique ways to tell a story that felt quite original. The story felt like a lot of short stories connected by a thread throughout which add to the unique feeling of the book. Maya's experiences color her views of the world, and she is considering what she knows and her ability in new ways throughout the story.

The story also does a good job of capturing the challenges and pressures the different characters are facing with insights into how they approach and view the world, shaped by things around them. The departure from typical writing styles also made them feel individualized with some poems, texts, and other things scattered into the story.

What left me wanting more: I struggled with some of the plot points, particularly early on where the writing is quite philosophical and a bit confusing. It felt like a very slow start. Once I began to view it more as vignettes than the traditional story, it did become more entertaining.

Final verdict: MYSTERIOUS WAYS is a unique YA magical realism that will work best for people who enjoy short story-style writing and slower burn stories.

The story begins with Maya, a junior in high school in a psychiatric facility. We learn that Maya has a gift of hearing other people's thoughts. It was the gift of hearing the overwhelming thoughts that caused Maya to suffer a mental breakdown, leading to her admission to the psychiatric facility.

The real heart of the story is when Maya is released and has to learn how to adjust to her life after the mental breakdown and how to use her gift for good. The story explores more than just teenage issues and challenges you to take a closer look at the workings of society and life itself.

What I Liked: The premise of the book is unique and intriguing. I often wondered how I would react to something if I was in that situation in Maya's shoes. From academic anxieties to college admissions to body image struggles and the relentless pursuit of athletic glory, Wendy Wunder does an excellent job conveying the overwhelming pressures teenagers face today. It certainly makes you empathetic to what Maya has to deal with.

What Left Me Wanting More: In the beginning, the story felt slow-paced. It took about fifty pages before the story began to unfold.  Additionally, the story juggles multiple character perspectives, which at times can feel overwhelming, but it is ultimately rewarding.

Mysterious Ways will appeal to readers seeking a novel that goes beyond your typical YA novel.