The inbetween, the spiritual world between life and death, comes alive in this beautifully written novel. Zoe, stricken with unrelenting grief, joins Drake and Lexi, and baby Dawn, in a magical world where colors are glorious and manifestation of thoughts is an easy endeavor. While Drake and Lexi have enjoyed the many wonders of their twenty-year stay, Zoe’s sudden appearance has placed a timeline on their departure. Author H.K. Thompson creatively imagines a world with its own set of rules, fascinating characters, and animals of fantasy in her novel, The Inbetween. The bridge between life on earth and life after physical death is full of allegorical images and fantasies; yet, the connections across these two realities are realistic and poignant. Life lessons about love, commitment, failures, struggles and other vital topics are rich in meaning.

This book is vibrant with beautiful, as well as heart-rending scenes. While strong emotions are evident, the reader is drawn into, not repelled, by these feelings. As each character’s story unfolds, the joys and sorrows of life are portrayed in believable, intertwined events. Although there are moments when it seems all is lost, the lesson of enduring hope is always present. The relationships between the characters are revealed, providing mystery and some thrilling moments. In The Inbetween, H.K. Thompson has skillfully crafted an unforgettable story. It is a book that the reader will read quickly, as it flows smoothly, and the reader needs to see what decisions Zoe, Drake and Lexi will make. At the same time, it is a book to be re-read to capture all the subtle nuances.

The Inbetween is a spellbinding work of fantasy by talented writer H.K. Thompson who effortlessly weaves a poignant tale of love, loss and spirituality that will be sure to leave her readers reflecting on the deeper meaning behind life. As the story opens, Zoe stands in utter solitude before a stone wall, resplendent in her wedding gown. She is staring at the water below her, unaware of her surroundings. Without warning, she quickly gets up on the stone wall before hurling herself into the water’s murky depths, oblivious to the people around her. As her body hits the water, the angel Zadin swoops down to save Zoe’s spirit before whisking her to heaven where she’s denied entry because ‘she still has roads unwalked.’ A reluctant Zadin eventually leaves an unconscious Zoe on the shores of a beautiful beach, but not before slipping his wedding ring onto her finger. The beautiful beach is part of the world of the Inbetween, a world standing between the one departed and the next. Drake and Lexi, two inhabitants of this unique world, watch Zoe’s arrival with both awe and trepidation. She’s the first person they’ve seen in twenty years. Although they manage to wake Zoe up, her appearance is temporary and she disappears from sight as abruptly as she came. She reappears the next day in Lexi and Drake’s tree house and the two of them confess to Zoe that they died. She tells them that she had gone ‘back’ and, as the conversation between them heats up, strange things start to happen both inside the tree house and outside.

The wonderful thing about the fantasy genre is that it gives an author licence to create an alternate world limited only by the author’s own imagination. And what an imagination Thompson has! She creates a wonderful Utopian paradise in Lexi and Drake’s realm of The Inbetween where gel doors, glorious flora, vivid sky and crystal sands lend themselves to create a magical place where human maladies can be curtailed by ingesting the magical properties of a flower petal. Thanks to desire and some good old fashioned will power, Lexi and Drake are able to manifest anything their hearts desire, from clothing, to instruments to stages and even their daughter, Dawn. Theirs is a world inhabited by musical trees and fire, and water dragons and forces that neither one of them can rationally explain. Haunting, mystical and beautifully written, the author’s prose flows like a soothing stream, interspersed with dialogue that adds clarity to a complex story about spirituality, portals and dimensions not of our world. Once could say that at its most basic, The Inbetween is a story about love and loss, about spirituality and hope. However, still waters run deep and Thompson’s story is as much about choice and facing one’s fears and losses as it is about the other elements that drive the human psyche and feed our souls.

In The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson, Zoe felt that ending her life was the only solution to her sorrow. Maybe that way she would get to see Kadin again. However, her journey to the great beyond did not play out as she had hoped. Meanwhile, the day Drake and Lexi have longed for has finally come. For two decades, they have lived alone and lonely in the space between the two worlds, with just their imaginations to keep them going. They have longed for the day someone else will finally join them. That someone else turns out to be Zoe, who wakes up at a beach, disoriented, with no clue where she is. Her arrival, however, brings no immediate answers for Drake and Lexi, who have lived in limbo in the Inbetween. Instead, Zoe's arrival just brings more questions and lots of trouble too. Will Zoe finally move to the next realm and be with Kadin, will she go back to her previous life, or will she forever be trapped in the Inbetween like Drake and Lexi? To determine her final destiny, Zoe will have to make a very delicate choice and time is running out fast.

The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson is a multi-faceted fantasy story that will take you on a thrilling journey across realms. It explores the concept of life after death in a fresh, gripping, and very believable way. The brilliant narration will transport your imagination to places beyond this world so you can see it all come to life through a unique plot, an interesting cast of characters, and a memorable setting. The many twists and surprises keep the plot fresh and captivating to the very end. If you love fiction fantasy with thrilling adventure and a touch of romance, you will definitely love reading The Inbetween. Zoe's journey and everything she experiences on the way left me with an optimistic thought that, however troubled and painful one's path may be, there is always purpose to it.

“The story you tell is the one you live…or die in. Tell yourself a story of love and you’re filled with it. Tell yourself a story of loss…and that becomes all you have.” Drake Summers and Lexi Bridge woke up in the Inbetween, a world where one’s wishes and thoughts can be manifested. The lovers are happy but sad as well as they are the only occupants. When Zoe arrives, Drake and Lexi are hopeful about the new arrival as she could be the answer to their questions, and perhaps a way out. However, Zoe is in despair as she only seeks death and not a reason to live. Does her arrival mean the end for Drake and Lexi’s world?

The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson does a great job combining the elements of spirituality, reality and fantasy. The world where Drake and Lexi exist is wonderful and grim at the same time, as wishes can be manifested but as dark emotions. This is swiftly demonstrated when Zoe is upset for being in the Inbetween instead of the final destination where she could be with her dead husband, Kadin, again. The story carries heavy themes such as loss, grief, depression and suicide attempts, but I find Thompson handled them deftly and sensitively. So that the story never feels too dark, the author makes sure it is also balanced with themes such as love, forgiveness, acceptance and perseverance. On the whole, this is a good read and a beautiful story from Thompson, especially with the unpredictable ending.

I really liked all of The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson, but I especially liked the parts pulling it back to the real world by vividly describing love and explaining that love is what binds us, and connecting the dots to what the earthly connections of each character were. The magical world that Drake and Lexi find themselves in was indeed special. Zoe was unique in that she was able to explain all of the details to Drake and Lexi in a way that made sense and connected them all to each other and to the real world. The battle of the water and fire dragon, and the role they played in deciding the outcome of the story, added to the imagination of life in the Inbetween. I found myself wondering where Lilly fitted into the story and liked the place where she belonged. The Inbetween is most definitely a fantasy in a very amazing fashion. I found myself from time to time trying to compare it to what I expected heaven, hell and the afterlife to be like, but mostly I just enjoyed it for what I was reading.

The Inbetween is perfect for all fantasy lovers. It will stretch your imagination and delight you with images of a beautiful place with unbelievable descriptions. H.K. Thompson has written a book promising readers a reading experience that will take you on a journey that leaves all of your troubles behind, and puts you in a magical world of fantasy and imagination. This is a must-read for every fantasy genre reader.

An A++ book from beginning to end. Not only is the story captivating and imaginative, it also has deep emotional impact. Zoe feels live is not worth living after she loses the love of her life, on top of all the other losses she had endured. In the land of Inbetween, she learns so much more about life as her own thread to it hangs in the balance.

This story has so many wonderful descriptions of the land of Inbetween, where lost souls find themselves seeking a way back from the pain that brought them there. It gives you the impression that even in death, there is life. In the land of Inbetween, the elements themselves pulse with life.

"A fiery red substance burned through the veins of the mortar that held them, while the thick mud that swam within the rocks undulated in swirling pools of blackness. The movements both within and around the stones, gave the impression that the house itself was alive."

If you have ever felt the depths of despair, this story will take on its own meaning for you. It will wrench your heart to the breaking point, only to pull you back into the embrace of hope. Although so much in life is out of our control, our reactions to what life throws at us can make or break us.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A thought provoking debut novel from H.K. Thompson that crosses the boundaries between reality and fantasy. For such a complex story line it reads beautifully flowing from one chapter to the next. An incredible plot with well thought out round characters that you connect with immediately.

Thompson writes with a calm self-confidence that is often lacking in debut novels. Gone is that earnest but often misplaced vigour that can best be described as ‘trying too hard’. Instead, the author seems to sit the reader on her knee and engage us with the inviting familiarity of a fireside read from childhood. In this respect, I was strongly reminded of Stephen King’s 'The Eyes of the Dragon'. Thompson’s own story of dragons and a spiritual netherworld is skilfully realised and deeply allegorical. We believe in this world and care about the characters that populate it. Her descriptions are highly visual, and it should come as no surprise that she is also an accomplished filmmaker. Don’t be fooled into thinking this book is in any way cosy, however. There is genuine tension and urgency here, too; not unlike that found in Alan Dean Foster’s 'Into the Out Of'. That Thompson should find herself name-checked amongst such giants of imaginative fiction is well merited, and I predict that our feet will be warmed by many such fires in years to come.

“The story you tell is the one you live…or die in. Tell yourself a story of love and you’re filled with it. Tell yourself a story of loss…and that becomes all you have.” Drake Summers and Lexi Bridge woke up in the Inbetween, a world where one’s wishes and thoughts can be manifested. The lovers are happy but sad as well as they are the only occupants. When Zoe arrives, Drake and Lexi are hopeful about the new arrival as she could be the answer to their questions, and perhaps a way out. However, Zoe is in despair as she only seeks death and not a reason to live. Does her arrival mean the end for Drake and Lexi’s world?

The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson does a great job combining the elements of spirituality, reality and fantasy. The world where Drake and Lexi exist is wonderful and grim at the same time, as wishes can be manifested but as dark emotions. This is swiftly demonstrated when Zoe is upset for being in the Inbetween instead of the final destination where she could be with her dead husband, Kadin, again. The story carries heavy themes such as loss, grief, depression and suicide attempts, but I find Thompson handled them deftly and sensitively. So that the story never feels too dark, the author makes sure it is also balanced with themes such as love, forgiveness, acceptance and perseverance. On the whole, this is a good read and a beautiful story from Thompson, especially with the unpredictable ending.

The Inbetween is a spellbinding work of fantasy by talented writer H.K. Thompson who effortlessly weaves a poignant tale of love, loss and spirituality that will be sure to leave her readers reflecting on the deeper meaning behind life. As the story opens, Zoe stands in utter solitude before a stone wall, resplendent in her wedding gown. She is staring at the water below her, unaware of her surroundings. Without warning, she quickly gets up on the stone wall before hurling herself into the water’s murky depths, oblivious to the people around her. As her body hits the water, the angel Zadin swoops down to save Zoe’s spirit before whisking her to heaven where she’s denied entry because ‘she still has roads unwalked.’ A reluctant Zadin eventually leaves an unconscious Zoe on the shores of a beautiful beach, but not before slipping his wedding ring onto her finger. The beautiful beach is part of the world of the Inbetween, a world standing between the one departed and the next. Drake and Lexi, two inhabitants of this unique world, watch Zoe’s arrival with both awe and trepidation. She’s the first person they’ve seen in twenty years. Although they manage to wake Zoe up, her appearance is temporary and she disappears from sight as abruptly as she came. She reappears the next day in Lexi and Drake’s tree house and the two of them confess to Zoe that they died. She tells them that she had gone ‘back’ and, as the conversation between them heats up, strange things start to happen both inside the tree house and outside.

The wonderful thing about the fantasy genre is that it gives an author licence to create an alternate world limited only by the author’s own imagination. And what an imagination Thompson has! She creates a wonderful Utopian paradise in Lexi and Drake’s realm of The Inbetween where gel doors, glorious flora, vivid sky and crystal sands lend themselves to create a magical place where human maladies can be curtailed by ingesting the magical properties of a flower petal. Thanks to desire and some good old fashioned will power, Lexi and Drake are able to manifest anything their hearts desire, from clothing, to instruments to stages and even their daughter, Dawn. Theirs is a world inhabited by musical trees and fire, and water dragons and forces that neither one of them can rationally explain. Haunting, mystical and beautifully written, the author’s prose flows like a soothing stream, interspersed with dialogue that adds clarity to a complex story about spirituality, portals and dimensions not of our world. Once could say that at its most basic, The Inbetween is a story about love and loss, about spirituality and hope. However, still waters run deep and Thompson’s story is as much about choice and facing one’s fears and losses as it is about the other elements that drive the human psyche and feed our souls.

In The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson, Zoe felt that ending her life was the only solution to her sorrow. Maybe that way she would get to see Kadin again. However, her journey to the great beyond did not play out as she had hoped. Meanwhile, the day Drake and Lexi have longed for has finally come. For two decades, they have lived alone and lonely in the space between the two worlds, with just their imaginations to keep them going. They have longed for the day someone else will finally join them. That someone else turns out to be Zoe, who wakes up at a beach, disoriented, with no clue where she is. Her arrival, however, brings no immediate answers for Drake and Lexi, who have lived in limbo in the Inbetween. Instead, Zoe's arrival just brings more questions and lots of trouble too. Will Zoe finally move to the next realm and be with Kadin, will she go back to her previous life, or will she forever be trapped in the Inbetween like Drake and Lexi? To determine her final destiny, Zoe will have to make a very delicate choice and time is running out fast.

The Inbetween by H.K. Thompson is a multi-faceted fantasy story that will take you on a thrilling journey across realms. It explores the concept of life after death in a fresh, gripping, and very believable way. The brilliant narration will transport your imagination to places beyond this world so you can see it all come to life through a unique plot, an interesting cast of characters, and a memorable setting. The many twists and surprises keep the plot fresh and captivating to the very end. If you love fiction fantasy with thrilling adventure and a touch of romance, you will definitely love reading The Inbetween. Zoe's journey and everything she experiences on the way left me with an optimistic thought that, however troubled and painful one's path may be, there is always purpose to it.