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Review:
Breathe by Penni Russon
Random House Australia 2005
244p.
ISBN 174166098X
Age 13+ Breathe is a fantasy and continues the story of Undine and Trout from Undine. Undine has promised her mother that she won’t practise magic during her last year at school. However, on a holiday in Corfu with her father, she has to deal with extraordinary events and come to grips with her magic abilities. Meanwhile Trout has been traumatised by Undine’s magic powers and the image of what he thought was his death in the Bay. He is deeply disturbed by Undine’s withdrawal away from his friendship. He prowls the streets at night and meets Max who seems to have answers to questions about the chaosphere and parallel universes.
The author weaves together the dual stories of the two main protagonists to build an interesting story. Both Undine and Trout are on the edge of becoming adults, making decisions about their futures and adjusting to great changes in their beliefs and understandings. The mix of science and the magic that Undine wields is unusual. The settings of Hobart at night and Corfu are arresting and the minor characters are well developed.
Breathe will be enjoyed by readers who like fantasy and magic, although it is preferable to have read Undine to understand the background to the story.
Pat Pledger

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