Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin

Title: Cycler
Author: Lauren McLaughlin
Age Group: Older Teens
# of Pages: 256
My Rating: 4/5

Having a period can be a pain for girls but for Jill, it is much worse. Once every month, she will become a male and stay as is for the duration of her menstrual period. With this unusual phenomenon that no scientist could figure out, Jill always stay home for those four days when she becomes "Jack". Jill just wants a normal life and go to prom but something as simple as that is impossible for her.

Jack is frustrated. Ever since Jill came of age, he had been cooped up in Jill's room with no contact with the outside world. When he finally decides to break free of this ridiculous routine, his parents take the matter into their own hands and lock him up!

Not exactly a girl, not exactly a boy, Jack and Jill try their best to cope. Except, life is full of surprises when they both get tangled up in hilarious and complicated problems!

This definitely one of most original and strangest plot in terms of the realistic genre within YA fiction out there. At the same time, it is quite entertaining to read about a character who is made up of both genders.

Jill dominates her life for the most part. Every time she has to change into Jack, she pretends that she needs blood transfusions and stays indoors. She meditates right after she becomes female again to erase Jack's existence from her reality. I found it amusing and desperate when she attempted to woo Tommy Knutson, a guy she likes at school, so they could go to prom together. She did things like, becoming "unattainable" by being stuck-up and cold. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her antics in attempting to ensnare Tommy but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Jack would have to be my favourite character. He is totally guy. It was hilarious when he talked about porn and how he needed more. I was glad that the author didn't censor things like that because in all truth, guys think and are dirty once they hit their teen years. The things he did once he got out of the house, pretty epic I have to say.

I do keep wondering about their condition though. Is it more of two different people within one body? Or more of one person with two different minds? It's quite debatable and I'm not sure which side I would land on.

Cycler takes Freaky Friday to a whole new level and gives the audience great fun! I recommend it to those who want a bit of comedy in their reading!

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