The One Apart by Justine Avery weaves a fascinatingly intricate narrative that will captivate readers from beginning to end. Employing developed, well-rounded characters, The One Apart explores the interconnectedness of fate, spirituality, and purpose in life through a riveting chronicle of events. Avery’s work descriptively probes the complex nature of a soul reborn with daunting recollections of his previous lives. Forced to mitigate these overwhelming emotions and flashbacks, the main character must learn how to navigate a mature, educated mind trapped inside of his adolescent body. Even the very nature of his name proves confounding. While the main character’s soul identifies as Tres, his inability to communicate as an infant with his mother resigns his body in this life to accept the name Aaron. As the main character becomes older, he and his family quickly learn that something special sets this child apart from others. Only through deep psychological and metaphysical exploration can the main character begin to understand his deeper purpose or “mien” beyond this life within the large order of things. As Avery explains, “Mien is free-flowing: subtle but strong, adapting but steady. Mien is akin to what is termed ‘theme’ in your corporeality.” However, before he can fulfill and align with his true chosen position, he will first need to relinquish his role in the physical world and face his counterpart. 

This synopsis barely touches on the themes and ideas conveyed in The One Apart. Justine Avery beautifully entwines themes of love across relationships, as well as personal exploration and individual struggles, both of this world and metaphysically. Moreover, Avery touches on the difficulty of accepting death and removing oneself from dangerous situations. While some readers may find the size of the book intimidating at first, with each chapter readers will discover the ease with which Avery draws the reader in to learn and discover more. The end of each section will leave readers craving to know what happens to the main character and his family next or why a situation ended the way that it did. Readers of any age, from teenagers to those more seasoned, will appreciate the masterful narrative that Justine Avery has superbly developed in The One Apart. Her plot accomplishes significant development while not overwhelming the reader with too much information. The One Apart easily garners a five-star rating and will divulge more insight and perception each time readers explore its pages.

The One Apart is a reincarnation story with a difference: Tres has lived many lives before, and he remembers them all. As a newborn with an adult's memories, he finds himself struggling, along with his teenage mother Sancha, to adapt to a life that once again places him well apart from not only his peers, but every other human in the world.

It's rare to find a reincarnation story that begins in the womb, with the pre-birth thoughts of a boy who discovers (to his horror) that he is going to be born again, fully aware of his pasts and fully cognizant.

Justine Avery takes the time to fully explore Tres' experience, drawing readers into the idea of an old soul trapped in a new body's slow development: "Unable to reach, grasp, or even roll over, he was trapped by his own rotund, untrained form, even as his newborn brain rapidly developed. The limitations of cell reproduction, tendon growth, and even his small size stifled his physical ability while his brain charged with electric pulses, new synapses, and mental connections at an exceptional rate. His body grew unbearably slowly; his mind raced to adapt, process, and encompass the timeless, intangible knowledge contained in his consciousness."

It's her attention to such depth and detail that makes The One Apart more than just another story of living multiple lives, fully immersing readers in the growth experiences, struggles, and thoughts that shape Tres/Aaron's life.

As Tres/Aaron faces the usual challenges of peer relationships and growing up, he also faces the fact that there's a reason why he's being reborn time after time - and that reason involves a threat only he can perceive.

Tres becomes educated about  more than one realm, and begins to uncover not only his own purpose, but those of others around him who do not harbor his memories and special condition: "Aself selects corporeal life—the environment of a specific aspect—for the purpose of attainment, Fei imparted. Aself is inclined to seek experiences—situations, challenges, relationships—serving aself’s mien. It is... The Natural Order of Things. I chose... my life—this life? The people in it... everything that happens to me? Indeed—of a sense and to an extent—and for all of them, for each of aself’s corporeal lives."

Fans of Cloud Atlas and other similar stories of reincarnated lives and special purposes will find The One Apart offers special spiritual and psychological insights and a complexity that more casual approaches don't provide. Indeed, Cloud Atlas would be one solid comparison for readers who enjoy reincarnation stories that present insights into special purposes in and approaches to life.

From considerations of life purpose and evil to the realization that death is not a limitation or an end, but affords new beginnings, readers who follow Tres on his journey will find The One Apart an outstanding, well-detailed story that is hard to put down, evocative, thought-provoking, and filled with surprises and hope.

The One Apart is very highly recommended; especially for fans of reincarnation scenarios who can expect far more insight from this read than most, tempered with a purposeful saga to keep readers thoroughly engrossed to the end.

A metaphysical blend of story and truth as one individual considers how his actions will affect the world. A book that will stay with readers long after they put it down, an excellent piece of literature.

A perfect blend of realism, fantasy and deep spirituality awaits those who open Justine Avery’s novel, The One Apart. It is what readers bring to the novel – faiths, belief systems, philosophical dilemmas – that will influence and shape their perceptions of this fascinating and compelling read. Avery's book, like life, is full of instruction for those who want to be fully aware.

Aware of what? 

Everything—including awareness itself.

This is certainly the case for the main character, Aaron, a remarkable boy who lives with his mother, Sancha, and his grandmother, Maria. Although she'd planned to give Aaron up for adoption, Sancha bonds so deeply with her son at birth that she can't fathom life without him. His grandmother realizes his uniqueness, too, as the newborn communicates with her through blinking his eyes. He makes astonishing progress through developmental milestones, walking and reading within the first months of life.

As a toddler, he speaks with the wisdom of a timeless soul. Maria suspects that these physical and mental feats indicate that her grandson is chosen for a special purpose, but she hopes he'll live as normal a life as possible. He’s distracted, however, by a malevolence that only he can see.  As Aaron comes of age, he strives to act normal and blend in, but his very few close friends and girlfriend notice his preoccupation, his never being fully present in this world.

There's a reason for Aaron's constant distraction, for his never feeling a part of this life; he is connected to "the Apart," the other-worldly dimension that is both removed from human existence, "corporeality," but ever at hand. Since childhood, he has sensed that his true name is Tres and that his existence as Aaron is somewhat play-acting. His hyper-awareness alerts him to his "OnLooker," a sort of guardian angel who's a liaison between Aaron and the sagacious luminary beings of the Apart that consult and advise on Aaron's tutelage.

Much of the book involves Aaron learning, with the instruction of his OnLooker, how to fully experience awareness, to understand that every moment is this moment despite previous lives and the variety of life's experiences. At a critical juncture in the novel, Aaron is given a choice, one that will impact his own existence dramatically but also that of all other beings. The author adroitly merges Aaron's worldly existence and his relation to the realm of the Apart in a poignant and satisfying conclusion to the novel.

This is a quiet book, one that allows the reader the time and space to experience life with its main characters. The stillness is at times deeply peaceful, at other times eerie and ominous. The novel illustrates the power of compassion and empathy, but also the chilling consequences when power is exercised for self-serving purposes.

While the character of Aaron has similarities to various religious and mythic figures, the author has also imbued him with a uniqueness and a relevance to our times. This book will stay with you long after you finish it, a hallmark of excellent literature. Justine Avery's The One Apart inspires deep contemplation of self, community, and individual and collective purpose.

The One Apart: A Novel by Justine Avery is the intricate story of the reincarnation of Tres, who will be known as Aaron, for his final journey into the corporeal. The concept of the story is not like one that I have read before, and I was immediately drawn into the novel and felt a connection with the well-developed and relatable characters, particularly Sanch and Maria. The story begins with the rebirth of Tres into the corporeal Earth as he recalls every life lived before and ends with his ascension following his last earthly breath. Tres has unusually rapid development in his early childhood years that makes him seem like an oddity amidst others his age. He struggles through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood trying to seem "normal" but knowing that he's different. The unconditional love, acceptance, and understanding of his mother, grandmother, and closest friends and lover are interwoven into the story on multiple levels. Tres himself is an incredibly caring and loving man who relies on his past lives and knowledge to help others. He is trying to live his ordinary life while trying to uncover his master purpose--to find out what evil hunts him and why and how to stop it. The intricate dialogue between Tres and The OverSeer compels the reader to open his mind to understand the full depth of the story and the world beyond our reality here on earth. The themes of love, acceptance, true friendship, and kindness emanate throughout as Avery masterfully tells this unique journey.

In The One Apart by Justine Avery, Tres is born remembering all of this past lives and has been entirely aware and conscious of these memories and the world around him from the moment he awoke in his mother’s womb. Needless to say, he is not destined to live a normal life on Earth but instead is involved in several extraordinary adventures through the course of his current life on corporeal Earth. 

I was intrigued by the concept from the very beginning, and the story itself is fascinating. How does you live your life if you remember everything that ever happened for uncountable lives before this one? What is a child born like that capable of? I was caught from page one, and the pace never slowed, following through leaps covering years of Tres’s life with his mother and grandmother as he grows up, already mature, and tries to maintain some illusion of normalcy, at least for the outside world. The characters were also beautifully well constructed, and I believed all their motivations and emotions. 

... a unique perspective on the subject of what it is to be human, to grow up, and what comes after. I recommend giving this book a read and seeing for yourself how well Avery constructed this quiet, small-town family hiding the biggest secret in their corporeality.

This novel offers a very new and unusually mystical take on the idea that our reality is only the tip of the iceberg. It stretches the length of Tres/Aaron’s life, chronicling his childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood, with all the complex experiences that are a part of those periods of life.

The most striking thing about the story is the depth and realism of our hero’s relationships. There’s a realness to the love we feel from his mother and grandmother. You rarely see male relationships, whether it is friendship or rivalry, depicted so well in most modern novels as you do here. The weirdness of teenage attraction shows up in its awkward emotional immaturity, as does a more mature and very sweet romance with a realistic young woman.

The mystical element is interesting, too, though it does seem to interrupt the mundane part so the tale jumps rather awkwardly from time to time. This works in a way, however, as the true nature of reality and the overall plot becomes apparent. Just be patient with these interruptions and their odd concurrence with other events. The author took a big risk by choosing such an odd story and pulled off the ultimate explanation of how her complex world works pretty well. ...

The One Apart is a story heavy with emotion and there is some excellent writing that really carries it. Its seemingly awkward pacing is actually a bonus to its world-building, which is a very clever twist on an idea that often seems overdone. A unique tale that rewards readers who take the journey with Tres.

This is an ambitious, carefully plotted book that is, on one hand, the story of a small, close family and the trials and triumphs of daily life, and on the other, about a young man living a dual, paranormal life. It’s highly original with several unexpected twists. ... The author's careful attention to her characters’ trajectories and the unexpected turns not only in plot but in the development of authentic characters make this an engaging story that will have readers cheering for Aaron and his family.

 This book is A-MA-ZING!! It's for fans of The Age of Adaline and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I stand by that. If you loved any of the movies or books, you can’t miss this. Even if you haven’t watched or read any, you should still read this book.

 ... The end ... made me grab my pillow tight, pull my phone closer while grinning like a maniac. Very interesting. Can’t say more without spoilers.

I recommend this book to anyone who can read. It will make you laugh and smile. The nearly 500 pages are so worth it.

 First off, I must say that I was taken by the originality of the concept of the story and the plot is like nothing I have read anywhere. I enjoyed the bond between the young mother and her ageless little baby and from the moment I met the characters, I became very keen on discovering what their fate would be. Justine Avery breaks the laws of nature and lifts a veil, revealing a world that readers will become immediately curious to discover, a world of strange possibilities. From the deft treatment of the conflict to the sophisticated plot, to the masterful thematic development, The One Apart: A Novel reveals the work of a conscientious and gifted writer. Great plot, wonderful pacing, and memorable characters! You’ll feel a strange familiarity with the characters and will want to be part of their world. 

 There is much to enjoy in The One Apart and the concept behind the story is original and intriguing. An ageless adult, who barely understands his origins, reborn into a world that isn’t as welcoming as should be for any normal human being, Tres is an enigmatic character that readers will love to follow. Justine Avery’s treatment of themes is masterful, exploring the concepts of mortality and eternity, developing a powerful psychological conflict that draws the reader irresistibly into the world of the protagonist. The story is told in excellent prose and a gripping narrative voice. It is one thing to have a great idea for a story, but executing that idea is a whole different game. However, the author of The One Apart demonstrates great mastery, creating worlds that readers will love to explore. Good pacing, a complex plot, and sophisticated characters are things you’ll find in this enjoyable tale. 

Weaves a beautiful narrative into a tapestry of fantasy and wonder...

Readers familiar with author Justine Avery will be delighted to discover her latest work has moved beyond the scope of short story into a captivating and intriguing novel.  The One Apart explores the concept of reincarnation in truly unique fashion, complete with Avery's signature bait-and-switch style that keeps readers guessing until the last page.  The novel follows Aaron, an infant born with the  awareness of not only this life, but all those that he previously lived before.   Aaron is born into this world with the memory of his true name, Tres. With this knowledge comes an accelerated understanding and intelligence that makes Aaron a child prodigy, reaching childhood milestones in months instead of years. Maria, Aaron's grandmother recognizes his gifts and knows the child is destined for great things. Sancha, Aaron's mother, just wants to protect her child and make sure he doesn't grow up too fast.

Although this loving home provides comfort and security, Aaron knows there is more to existence than anyone around him can see. Tres is aware. He knows that evil lurks and life as they know it is in grave danger.

As Aaron grows older and navigates life with his family, his awareness expands until he becomes fully aware of an existence beyond the corporeality where he is Sancha's son.  This other-worldly dimension, he knows as the Apart, is constantly calling to him making it more and more difficult to stay connected emotionally to the world Aaron lives in. In the Apart, he is Tres.   As Aaron continues on his journey though life, as Sancha and Maria know it, Tres is also being groomed and guided by the luminary creatures of the Apart toward a profound purpose. What that purpose may be is the missing piece.

Justine Avery has succeeded in expanding her creative short-story style into a rich novel without the final result feeling padded or forced. The One Apart is a complete literary work that draws its readers in early and teases them along, delivering just enough to keep them guessing and turning pages. The  author's ability to weave a beautiful narrative into a tapestry of fantasy and wonder is apparent from the opening chapters. A complex story builds steadily around a cast that the author connects and laces together with expert care. Although the story is fantasy on the  surface, deep within lies a more dramatic and emotional core, slowly reeling in the reader.   Beyond this fantasy lies a deeply spiritual story that is as beautiful as it is sorrowful.

The most compelling aspect of The One Apart is it's uncanny potential to creep into the cracks of your psyche and plant the seed of hope without the reader ever being aware. Not until after I completed the novel and moved on to my next read was I completely cognizant of its affect on my pondering about, and subsequent questioning of, my own belief structure.  So much in fact that I felt it necessary to add   this personal experience to the review after its original completion.

The only critique I will offer is the dynamic perspective changes and how they relate to the pace. Often added deliberately to help differentiate between Aaron's corporeality and Tres' awareness of the Apart, the shift between the two created a break in the pace that felt clumsy at first. Once recognized and accepted however, the shift between the two perspectives became less cumbersome.   Some minor editing or reevaluating its impact on the story may have improved how this aspect was introduced.  I related this to watching a subtitled film; requiring more attention in the beginning but blending into the complete experience by the end and ultimately adding to the work's overall charm.

The One Apart is an emotionally charged and fantastical journey that takes its readers by the hand and transports them to a melancholy place where the tragic beauty of sadness gives way to the wonder of being connected. The narrative pulls them ever deeper into a tale that will leave them both hopeful and contemplative. Another masterful story from contemporary author Justine Avery.

 The One Apart: A Novel by Justine Avery is a very creative, interesting and dynamic story of a man named Tres. This novel had my heart racing. I literally became one with Tres; I felt what he felt and understood what he wanted. The element of mystery is very strong and very well handled by the author. Tres’s growth is exponential, in fact, everything is well timed and according to a set pattern that only the author knows. The reader keeps on guessing and being surprised at what the author comes up with. I was on the edge of my seat and enjoying every single moment! Gorgeous cover and amazingly well written.

This is the most thought-provoking book I have ever read. It has many messages that you can apply to your daily life. It reminds you to follow your purpose, to guide others with kindness and to be who you truly are. All of these messages are wrapped up in an amazing science fiction story of rebirth and second chances. Truly a wonderful read!

Something different

As a reader that is super interested by freaky sometimes even creepy books, this one caught my interest. It’s an interesting take on life..who we once were and who we become. It certainly provokes deep thought and takes a bit of concentration to follow. As an avid reader I appreciated the challenge. My heart felt heavy more than once throughout the novel. I think it’s not a story for the faint of heart, readers will experience heart break and confusion. None the less, it’s a neat take on life, coming to an understanding about ones purpose, and growth both physically and internally.

An emotional journey

Despite this book being 624 pages, this fantasy saga drew me in from page one and didn't disappoint. Aaron finds a new family in Sancha and Maria as he is brought into this world, yet again, bringing with him the memories of every previous life. We follow him from infancy through adulthood as he searches for who he is and why he is there. We watch as he struggles to be true to himself, knowing he is wise beyond his years, but also knowing he must act as expected for a 3-month old, 12-month old etc. for fear of alerting anyone to his uniqueness, but despite his infinite wisdom, he still yearns for answers which is something we can all relate to. This book is very philosophical and thought-provoking and the ending is pretty much spot on. It is a great tale that can be heartbreaking at times, and reassuring at others, and is a great read for any metaphysical fan.

So this book is definitely a lot different than the books I am used to reading. This book has many plot twists and turns. So in the book you are reading about two different character perspectives. The story surrounds an ageless adult trapped in an infants body and the dialogue between him, it, her and the mother. Overall its a great out of body experience type book. If you are a fan of sci-fi, mystery, drama, suspense thrillers then this book is definitely for you. It really messes with your mind and forces you to question your own existence in life.

Outstanding!

I received this book in a giveaway and I loved this book! I loved the way the author broke up the chapters and paragraphs, which allowed me to focus on what was happening. I couldn't put it down...I read it in 24 hours.

The One Apart in intriguing and thought-provoking. From start to finish, this book was compelling and heartfelt. I could not put it down. The author did an excellent job of formatting, which allowed me to focus and reflect throughout the book. This is a book I will read over and over again.

A lot of the stories I have read by Avery have been short works. I've grown extremely fond of each piece and the affinity I realise is similar to that I have for Ray Bradbury. More famous for his larger novels, but I always loved his short stories as well.

When I came across The One Apart and realized that it wasn't just a short story or even a series of short stories, but a full novel I was elated!

Knowing her style I was fully expecting to be whirled up and away into the plot and was not wrong. Avery once again delivers with masterful technique and style, digging deep into a psychological field trip.

The One Apart follows an ageless being, born again and again while retaining knowledge but no apparent history. He knows he is supposed to be doing something and it is urgent, but figuring out what exactly that is becomes the plot for this book. Born to a teenager recognizing something special in this babe, Tre the ageless child with the aid and protection of his newest mother is against the clock with a nefarious entity with ill intent to not only Tres but the world as known to us.

Definitely recommend The One Apart and any piece by Justine Avery, I have yet to be disappointed!

This book was so good! I was gripped from the very beginning and couldn't put it down!! It was a pleasant mix of adult struggles and situations and writing that was just the right amount of complex. I had to think about what was happening, but didn't have to wade through wordy, thick language; the perfect writing style for my before bed reading! Such a unique and compelling concept, too! I couldn't wait to start it when I read about one of the main characters remembering all his past lives, and zipped right on through, eating up every chapter! 10/10, would highly recommend!

A crazy good novel. The way Justine Avery switched between character point of views was fantastic. I've found that a lot of times this writing style can be very choppy and more frustrating to read constantly bouncing between characters every few pages. Avery wrote this book in a way that everything flows without interruption. Original and unique story that is gift wrapped with good writing!

The One Apart offers a compelling and unique view of reality and of how everyone — and everything — fits together in a beautifully unified way. Both philosophical and immensely powerful, this book captivated me from page one and held me completely entranced until the end. Bravo to Justine Avery for masterfully crafting an extraordinary and epic journey that will surely become a classic.

I have read several of Justine Avery’s short novellas. For the most part, I have enjoyed her writing style, plots and twists. Needless to say, I was excited to read Avery’s latest piece and happy to hear it would be a bit longer than her novellas.

The One Apart is an interesting tale that intertwines philosophy, the human condition, and the bittersweet moments that make life both beautiful and sad. I loved Avery’s portrayal of her characters in this and enjoyed her more enriched buildup of each one. Avery masterfully defines each person and the levels of thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams each holds so dear to their hearts.

As with all of her stories, the twist at the end of the book was well done, although beautiful in it’s sadness. I found I could not wait to read each page as I flipped through this book and would even bring my Kindle to work to read between meetings just so I could keep reading. The One Apart did not disappoint me in my Avery expectations.

I absolutely loved this novel! I was instantly hooked after the first few pages, and couldn't stop reading and stayed up way too late because I wanted to find out what happened next. The characters were very so interesting, especially the main character, Aaron/Tres. I fell in love with his personality right from the beginning of the novel.

I'm usually not drawn to sci-fi/fantasy books, but this one kept my interest through out the entire novel. It was such a unique premise, and nothing like anything I've read before. Overall, I really enjoyed being drawn into Tres' world and I'd recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a novel to challenge the way they think about life.

Full of plot twists and details that keep you on the edge of your seat, this book faces head-on questions people might find difficult to ask themselves. This book is thought-provoking and full of philosophical questions. The characters are well-developed and easy to connect with, no matter who you are. This is an incredible book that is full of emotion, suspense, and thrill.

This book from the beginning drew me in. It was intricately written and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it, always wanting more. The book promotes you to think about life and our space here on earth while telling a beautiful story, keeping the reader locked in. If you like psychological thriller meets a spiritual idea then I would highly recommend giving this book a read!!!

Reading about reincarnation puts a lump in my throat, especially when family and distance is involved. Science fiction describes reality in ways other stories cannot. There is less of a clever ploy and more of a story about being alive in Avery's "The One Apart." I love stories that fuse spiritual sort of creepy concepts into human reality.