Reviewed by Josh

When I first saw the title, something inside me made me think Aah... one of those good old horror stories with a deranged killer or evil monster! Should be interesting.

Instead, I got something very different altogether.

Oh, but that's not fair. Believe me, I liked this story, I really did. Still, some serious flaws nibbled at the back of my brain, crying out for recognition.

The basic idea of the whole story is that the narrator, who is nameless throughout, has some kind of 'sense' that her mother will be in a serious accident, or otherwise injured or killed. She has trouble coping with the sensations. This is all well and good. Often, as far as I know, relatives might have a strange, 'sense', that someone they love will be injured or killed.

The author, Tayja Dangel, 15, shows a great use of language, and a wonderful sense of purpose in arriving at the climax, or the conclusion. Or whatever. I sat on the edge of my seat, literally, leaning forward, waiting to see what would happen next. This shows spectacular writing ability. When the author can keep a reader interested, it proves there is great talent there, somewhere.

But then, with about 1/3 to 1/4 left in the story, it got a little weird. The ending, which was so built up, and the whole story seemed to be going strong, was completely dashed on the rocks. I question the inclusion of the haiku, or maybe the way they were used. Instead of someone feeling a great worry for her mother, I got the feeling these really were like some sort of demonic possesion. (As the author said) My attention faltered, and I began to question the narrative.

I can't really describe what I didn't like about this story, as a whole. It was very good. The author proves again and again that she is a capable writer, no, an extremely good writer, but, at the same time, the ending was weak, and the character got weird. I mean, why is she so sure that her mother will be hurt? What is the basis behind all this intense, insane fear she feels?

It does, of course, go back to the 'sense'. At first, as I said, I barely even noticed the 'sense' thing. This is a very normal reaction for someone to feel. Then, her sister (Zailey) felt it too. And she's doing yoga. And she's got one of those 'New Age' crystals in her room. All this forces me to believe she's very, very heavily into 'Mystic Crystal' revalations, and psychic readings. The Age of Aquarius. She is very spiritual. Her 'sense' becomes more than a sense, and turns into a psychic premonition. And by the end, her 'sense' is proven to be way off, and it seems as though the story was all for naught. Why? I don't know.

That's what I got out of it, anyway. Maybe it's just me.

All in all, this was an OK story. I liked the beginning, (Great opening paragraph!!!), but I found it difficult to concentrate on the ending, it being full of crazy ramblings and weird, insane haiku readings.