The Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni is a juvenile fiction book for 4-7th graders.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, there is an eighth day. It is a quiet, empty day, with few people and hardly anyone knows it is there. When Jax wakes up on this day, it takes him totally by surprise. Could it be a zombie apocalypse or worse? So when he runs into eighteen-year-old guardian, Riley Pendare, he is relived to learn of this extra day.
As Jax begins to navigate his new life as a Transitioner, he learns that some people–like himself–live all eight days, most live the normal seven, and a very few live only on the eighth day. And one such eighth day-er lives right next door.
Evangeline is in hiding. Decedent from a powerful sorcerer, there are those who wish to use her blood to alter the eighth day time table. Determined to become her friend, Jax doesn’t realize what is at stake and his ignorance could be the ruin of them all.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was unique and fun and I want to pick up the sequels right away.
There was this great balance between folklore, fantasy and science fiction. You aren’t really sure if it’s science or magic or something else at play here. And because of this, juvenile fans of all three genres will feel at home with this book.
I just really liked this world. I liked the factions of good guys vs bad guys, the hereditary aspects passed down from generations and the crests denoting them. The tradition and incorporation of myth and legend. This was all done very smoothly.
Overall, this was a fun read and I think my book club crew will really enjoy it.
That’s all for now!
-M-