Natalie Hibberd

n the world described in the novel Inside Out by Natalie Hibberd, society is divided into The Inside and The Outside. Other than a profound hatred towards each other, there is nothing in common between the two factions. Despite only having a barrier separating them, the lifestyles on each side couldn't be more different. Underlying the window-dressing of control and stability, fear and mistrust threaten silently to make everything fall apart. When everything collapses, you'll have to do your best to remain in place. I read the entire book in awe, completely immersed in this dystopian society. From the very beginning, this fast-paced story was like an adrenaline rush, making me turn the pages without even noticing. Every now and then, Hibberd drops small hints of unresolved mysteries that discourage you from stopping. However, even without them, I could not stop reading this book. Despite being concise and with barely any long descriptions, Hibberd manages to build a picture of the world in your mind. Each character's way of acting and the circumstances that surround them show the breathtaking contrast between The Inside and The Outside. Overall, the story was simply amazing. Inside Out has very well-written characters. They are flawed, complex with their struggles and fears. While reading this book, I felt the same hatred, pain, love, fear, and joy the characters felt. I found myself at times holding my breath or gritting my teeth. Natalie Hibberd made me live every page of her book and I will be counting the days until the next book comes out.