Review: Prophase: A Present Tale by M. Street

An ever-expanding and engaging coming-of-age novel, Prophase: A Present Tale by M. Street takes readers on a wild ride past every boundary of our reality. A young girl with a mysterious lineage, and her heart firmly planted in the forest, must come to terms with an incredible destiny, while keeping her secrets safe and her family in one piece, in this magical, eye-opening story of growing up.

Piper Walker, the enigmatic protagonist of this imaginative story, may seem normal at first glance, with a solid core of friends, a steady boyfriend, and a busy schedule at school, but the circumstances of her life are anything but average. Still reeling from the death of her mother, Piper must cope with an alcoholic father who has given up on life, and look after her younger brother, despite still being a child herself. Hours after her relationship falls apart in betrayal, a terrible car accident brings Piper to the edge of death, but inexplicable powers of light emerge to save the day.

Waking up the next day, her world has changed: magical creatures have begun to appear, she can move quickly through time, and even see outside the visible spectrum to unknown worlds and into the aura of everyone around her. The narrative shifts from declarative and procedural to a descriptive wonderland, with the author finding creative and thought-provoking ways to demonstrate Piper’s new powers. Not only has she unlocked something inside herself, but she has gained access to a fantastic reality beyond ours, one with its own history and magical races, as well as ancient conflicts, prophecies, and a long-awaited heroine.

The rest of the book is a delicate and entertaining balance between the real world and this new magical realm, where Piper is tasked with saving the world, and even manages to fall in love. An exploration of imagination, friendship, and every individual’s untapped potential, this book is a creative feast. With a whimsical, youthful perspective to the narration, the fantastic elements of this tale are expressed with endless wonder, and an eagerness to explore and discover.

Throughout the book, Piper’s perceptions and emotional reactions are expressed in unique, almost synesthetic ways; her deep connection to nature and mysticism feels entirely natural. The plot on the magical side of things is closely tied to the environment, and evolution, which gives the book a decidedly allegorical feel. Incorporating environmental responsibility and social justice ideals is not a new trend for YA authors, but it is more important than ever, and much of this novel’s deeper meaning centers on such subjects. The power of controlling one’s emotions – a critical skill developed during our teenage years – is also a key point of the story, which will be highly relatable to both young and older readers.

On the technical side of things, there are some inconsistencies in spelling and grammar, as well as a good deal of unnecessary narration. A thorough editing sweep could pare down overly wordy passages, and compress short, choppy sentences into longer, more complex lines. The dialogue is also lacking, at times, failing to capture the rhythm and pace of younger speakers, and sometimes the author spoon feeds the significance of certain events.

Aside from these critiques, which don’t diminish the overall flow or impact of the writing, this is an exciting first installment of The Mitosis Series, with a nebulous ending that will leave readers hungry for what’s to come.