Untethered by Katie Hayoz

A young adult novel about jealousy and obsession.

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin. In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it. But if there is one thing she’s sure of, it’s her love for Kevin Phillips. She’s willing to stake everything on it -- her family, her friends, and possibly her soul.

Junior year is off to a less than stellar start for Sylvie: Her parents are splitting up, her little brother is sitting at her lunch table, and she’s the target of the school bully. Plus, she accidentally astral projects, slipping out of her body again and again at all the worst times. Sylvie is cast as the class freak and a medical misfit. She wishes she were somewhere else. Someone else. But it's only when her best friend catches the attention of the boy Sylvie's loved in secret since the fifth grade that Sylvie makes up her mind to do something drastic.

Sylvie intends to get Kevin by any means possible -- even if it involves treachery, deceit, and the insidious side of the paranormal. After years of trying to ignore her ability to astral project, Sylvie finally decides to embrace it. But she also decides to embrace the shadows that accompany her on her out-of-body experiences. Opening herself up to the shadows and their evil, Sylvie comes up with a dark plan. She is positive her scheme will give her what she wants, but she doesn’t count on it all spiraling out of control.

Untethered by Katie Hayoz explores the intoxicating and dangerous world of jealousy and obsession when coupled with paranormal ability. It is a touching, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking novel that speaks to the self-doubt lurking in us all.

I received this book from The Books Machine in return for my honest review.


I must admit, I was drawn to this book by it's cover. It is beautiful! I'm wavering between 3 & 4 stars here. I thought the premise was really good but was a little disappointed in the actual book. Maybe it's because I'm no where near a young adult anymore. I still enjoy YA novels but this just kind if fell flat for me. I loved the character of Cassie but really didn't like Sylvie. I tried to like her. I really did. Her attitude had a lot to be desired. All in all, it was an ok book.  There was enough action in it to keep your attention as long as you don't let the character of Sylvie irritate you to the point of quitting. I give this 3.5/5 stars (mostly because of Cassie).
~Laurie