Jane Unlimited

Jane Unlimited
Kristen Cashore
Penguin, 2017 453 pages
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Mystery
Grades 9-Up

Jane, reeling from the death of her guardian aunt and at loose ends since dropping out of college, accepts an invitation from her former tutor, rich girl Kiran, to a spring gala at Kiran's Family's mansion on an island off the coast of Long Island. Here Jane encounters many interesting people from eccentric family members, mysterious servants, and suspicious guests, to the family dog, who immediately becomes a friend. After breakfast on Jane's first morning a bell chimes and she must make a decision: to follow the housekeeper, a mysterious little girl, Kiran, Kiran’s attractive brother Ravi, or Jasper the dog. At this point the book gets interesting, as it is broken into five parts, each one tracing what happens if Jane makes a different choice of whom to follow. Each part feels like a distinct book written in a distinctly different style and genre. The first choice lands Jane in a classic art heist mystery, which she must solve and save the day. The second choice leads to a spy ring in which Jane and Kiran find themselves getting involved. Choice three explores what happened to the missing stepmother, a tale involving the supernatural, creepy happenings and a tragic end for Janey. Following Ravi leads to an exploration of different parallel worlds where Jane travels to a different reality and meets another Janey. Finally, the fifth choice has Jasper the dog leading Jane through a painting to an alien world in which her greatest dream can be a reality. Five books wrapped into one with a common exposition show readers that our choices matter and one seemingly innocent decision can change the course of our reality.

This was a very unusual book, and I don't say that often. Cashore, author of the traditional fantasy “Graceling” series puts convention on its head by exploring the consequences of decision making and conjuring up five very unique and distinct scenarios. In an author's note Cashore admits to originally being inspired to pen a "chose your own adventure" type book, but it grew into something quite different and new to teen literature. The book starts out as a traditional Gothic-inspired mystery. References to Rebecca are obvious from the creepy housekeeper's name, Mrs Vanvers (Danvers), to the dog named Jasper. Jane's name is taken straight from Jane Eyre. Then Cashore throws a curveball by going from a traditional mystery to four alternative stories, each one more outrageous written with entirely unique moods and within different genres. I'm not sure which one I liked the best, they were all enjoyable and so different it is like comparing apples to oranges. The many characters are distinct and keep their personalities as they interact within different scenarios. Some constants remain in each tale, such as Jane's umbrella making, discovering something strange about the artwork, and certain characters repeating the same behaviors, tying the stories together into one cohesive whole. I knew nothing about this book going in, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise as different choices unfolded. Previous reviews are mixed. Readers who expect more along the lines of the Gracling series will be disappointed because this book is so different. Those with more of an open mind and a big imagination will be pleasantly surprised as I was. My favorite twist is that Cashore drop hints, such as the skies literally raining frogs, that show readers that the overall story takes place in a slightly alternative universe. A fun and inspired book that will fire up the imaginations of ambitious readers.