The Opposite of Invisible

Reposted from my book blog http://www.book-spark.blogspot.com/

Review: Liz Gallagher’s debut novel, The Opposite of Invisible, is a captivating story of teenage love and friendship. Alice, who is the perfect example of a teenager trying to find her identity, is satisfied to spend all her time with her best friend, Jewel, until her crush, the popular Simon, starts to notice her. Jewel also wants to be more than friends. Alice suddenly goes from being invisible to being the talk of the school. Even though the plotline is familiar, the characters are very well portrayed. I felt as though I had known Alice for so long, she was so endearing; Jewel, Simon and Mandy are also very real characters. The first person, present tense tone is easy-to-read and unique. My only regret was that the book is so short; I wanted to read a little longer about Alice’s life.

Sensitive Themes: Having sex as teenager, Next to no profanity

Originally posted on my blog: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/

Reader reviewed by Brenda

This is a slim, but charming book. Alice is comfortable in the background, and she's really pretty happy with her life, she lives in Seattle (which she loves!), has great parents, and has her best friend, Jewel (a boy), who she can talk to about anything, and she has Dove Girl, her Picasso print. But she really wants a boyfriend, just someone to hold hands with and go to the school dance. Then Simon Murphy, a cute and popular boy begins to show some interest in her, and Jewel really doesn't like it. One day, she and Jewel are hanging out together as friends and Jewel kisses her. Soon after, Simon asks Alice to the Halloween Dance and she accepts. She was supposed to be going with Jewel, but they're just friends so she thinks he won't mind. He does and they have a big fight. Her relationship with Simon seems to be working out, but she really misses her old friend.

Some descriptions of this book make it sound like Alice tries on a "magical dress", but that's not really how to story goes. There IS a dress, but both Jewel and Simon were showing interest before the dress. I liked this book quite a bit, I wish there was more of it! The sense of place is fantastic, and I enjoyed Alice. She's a girl who has no clue how special she is, and I liked her "outsider, but happy with it" status. I also enjoyed the underlying ideas about when boys are friends and when they're something more.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

"Whats the difference between a crush and love? Between love and best-friendship? Alice is about to find out."

Alice has been best friends with Jewel for as long as she remembers. Jewel is her only friend. Alice doesnt think there is anything special about herself. She doesnt wear much make-up if any, likes to wear her hair in a pony tail and prefers jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she loves art and being creative, she doesnt think she posses the abilities to be a good artist, like Jewel is. So Alice easily blends into the background of her school population, which makes her feel invisible.

Alice talks to Jewel about everything, but she cant find the courage to tell him about her crush on, popular and cute, Simon Murphy. At least she has her Dove Girl to confide in.To her surprise, Simon waves goodbye to her at school, and then he happens to be at the same concert. And he comes over to talk to her instead of standing with his friends! Things are starting to look up. Suddenly Alice doesnt feel so invisible.

Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because it just so happens that Jewels feelings may be more than just friendship, because he also happens to kiss her . Alice likes that she doesnt feel invisible when she is with Simon, but she is worried that she will have to sacrifice her friendship with Jewel to stay that way.

I loved The Opposite of Invisible, because I remember feeling the same way! I mean not necessarily the whole guy thing, but the invisible thing, yes! Alices character seemed so real to me, like she could be someone that I know. She struggles with things that any teenager would, like love, friendship, and self discovery.

The message in this novel is that sometimes you just need to be yourself, even though you might not have it figured out who you really are yet.The Opposite of Invisible is a debut novel for author Liz Gallagher and I truly hope that it will not be her last. I encourage you to pick up your own copy.

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

Alice and Jewel. Jewel and Alice. Theyve always been best friends, or at least it seems that way. But lately, Alice has felt invisible, like without Jewel, she is nobody. Not that shed want to be without him. She definitely wouldnt. But, hes been acting different around her lately. Nothing seems as easy and comfortable anymore.

When the guy shes been crushing on suddenly becomes aware of her existence, Alice begins to explore the possibility that shes not as invisible as she thought&or at least she doesnt have to be.

There was no chance I wouldnt love a book that starts with the line, Some girls have journals. I talk to my poster.

Right from the beginning, Alices voice comes through loud and clear. Her uncertainty is real and it resonates with that part of me that feels the same way. Invisible.

Alice stretches the boundaries of her world. So does this author. Theres a cadence to her writing that brings life to the setting and to the deceptively simple plot. The rhythm and pacing of this book is unique. The structure is compelling. But most of all, its protagonist is familiar and interesting&a hard balance to strike.

A go-with-the-flow story that can be read in a couple of sittings&one for over-achieving readers with a free afternoon. To be enjoyed like a double tall vanilla latte. No sugar.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

"Whats the difference between a
crush and love?
Between love and
best-friendship?
Alice is about to find out."


Alice has been best friends with Jewel for as long as she remembers. Jewel is her only friend. Alice doesnt think there is anything special about herself. She doesnt wear much make-up if any, likes to wear her hair in a pony tail and prefers jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she loves art and being creative, she doesnt think she posses the abilities to be a good artist like Jewel is. So Alice easily blends into the background of her school population, which makes her feel invisible.


Alice talks to Jewel about everything, but she cant find the courage to tell him about her crush on, popular and cute, Simon Murphy. At least she has her Dove Girl to confide in.


Unexpectedly Simon waves goodbye to her one day, and then he happens to be at the same concert, where he makes an effort to talk to her. Suddenly Alice doesnt feel so invisible. Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because Jewel also happens to kiss her that very same day. Alice likes that she doesnt feel invisible when she is with Simon, but she is worried that she will have to sacrifice her friendship with Jewel to stay that way.


I loved The Opposite of Invisible, because I remember feeling the same way! I mean not necessarily the whole guy thing, but the invisible thing, yes! Alices character seemed so real to me, like she could be someone that I know. She struggles with things that any teenager would, like love, friendship, and self discovery. The message in this novel is that sometimes you just need to be yourself, even though you might not have it figured out who you really are yet.


The Opposite of Invisible is a debut novel for author Liz Gallagher and I truly hope that it will not be her last. I encourage you to pick up your own copy on January 8th 2008.