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The Parallel
“Show me where it says that some stories are forever and always off limits, just because of who we are.”
Recently out of foster care and diagnosed as a Dissociative Identity Disorder system, Yancey Love and his fellow alters are simply trying to navigate life day by day. However, Yancey can’t help yearning for a chance to be a part of something bigger than his own routines.
When a simple errand turns into a psychic-powered back alley brawl involving a telekinetic teen named River, Yancey gets way more than he wished for! River claims his sister has been kidnapped by a mysterious agency of espers seeking out people with powers. That really wouldn’t be Yancey’s problem—until he discovers he and his headmates have psychic powers as well.
And they might be just the sort of abilities River needs…
Hoping for answers, Yancey agrees to team up with River. With enemy espers hot on their tail, and a dangerous world of secret organizations brewing ahead, this unlikely friendship is put to the test as the two struggle to work together.
Sci-fi with a bit of superhero meets mental health issues in this YA adventure exploring friendship, teamwork, courage, and the power of meaningful healing.
Recently out of foster care and diagnosed as a Dissociative Identity Disorder system, Yancey Love and his fellow alters are simply trying to navigate life day by day. However, Yancey can’t help yearning for a chance to be a part of something bigger than his own routines.
When a simple errand turns into a psychic-powered back alley brawl involving a telekinetic teen named River, Yancey gets way more than he wished for! River claims his sister has been kidnapped by a mysterious agency of espers seeking out people with powers. That really wouldn’t be Yancey’s problem—until he discovers he and his headmates have psychic powers as well.
And they might be just the sort of abilities River needs…
Hoping for answers, Yancey agrees to team up with River. With enemy espers hot on their tail, and a dangerous world of secret organizations brewing ahead, this unlikely friendship is put to the test as the two struggle to work together.
Sci-fi with a bit of superhero meets mental health issues in this YA adventure exploring friendship, teamwork, courage, and the power of meaningful healing.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2023
4 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Kyra R. Croninger
1 book8 followersKyra R. Croninger is one of those rare people who lives in Kansas and actually likes it. From the vibrant sunsets, to the combines during harvest season, and the impressive enormity of grain elevators, she is constantly surrounded by inspiration and the nagging question of “what if I staged a fight scene in *insert boring, Midwestern location here?*”
With bachelor's degrees in History and Theology, Kyra enjoys putting her research skills to work in her fiction projects, and values the importance of story-telling in understanding the complexity and beauty of our vast human experiences. When she's not laboring over research and writing, she's probably out with her horses, recreating story locations in Minecraft, or bringing her characters to life through illustration.
With bachelor's degrees in History and Theology, Kyra enjoys putting her research skills to work in her fiction projects, and values the importance of story-telling in understanding the complexity and beauty of our vast human experiences. When she's not laboring over research and writing, she's probably out with her horses, recreating story locations in Minecraft, or bringing her characters to life through illustration.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 9, 2023
In "The Parallel", author Kyra Croninger has crafted a noteworthy, compelling, and can't-put-it-down Sci-Fi novel because, unlike the usual protagonist in such a story, hers --Yancey, a 19-year-old with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) -- has multiple psionic (ESP) abilities, one for each of host Yancey's fellow internal personas.
I was concerned initially, I admit, that the novel might go to heavily into some sort of soapbox dissertation about DID, but instead, I was pleasantly and gratefully surprised that Kyra worked the nature of his disorder seamlessly into the narrative, making it become second nature to the reader. Helping in this are the usual tropes -- a rescue mission, secret government and anti-government organizations, coming of age and coming into one's powers and abilities, with plenty of challenges to help develop them. All of it makes for an excellent fiction work that I highly recommend, and can't wait for the second installment! Brava!
I was concerned initially, I admit, that the novel might go to heavily into some sort of soapbox dissertation about DID, but instead, I was pleasantly and gratefully surprised that Kyra worked the nature of his disorder seamlessly into the narrative, making it become second nature to the reader. Helping in this are the usual tropes -- a rescue mission, secret government and anti-government organizations, coming of age and coming into one's powers and abilities, with plenty of challenges to help develop them. All of it makes for an excellent fiction work that I highly recommend, and can't wait for the second installment! Brava!
August 11, 2023
The parallel is an incredible start to a series that I can’t wait to continue to read as it comes out! I highly recommend this one. I found it so entertaining that I accidentally finished it in 3 days. The plot is well paced and intriguing, the dialogue is colorful and hilarious, and the world building is extremely interesting.
In my opinion however, the greatest strength of this book is the characters. They have so much depth, and their design is so intentional and unique that they stand out from the characters of other books I’ve read. I’m in love with the characters by themselves, let alone cast into the incredible world they’re in. One of the most compelling elements of this book is the main character’s involvement with Dissociative identity disorder. I found myself broadening my horizons, and learning about the disorder as I read. I’m grateful for the perspective I’ve gained from this book, and I can’t wait to read more!
In my opinion however, the greatest strength of this book is the characters. They have so much depth, and their design is so intentional and unique that they stand out from the characters of other books I’ve read. I’m in love with the characters by themselves, let alone cast into the incredible world they’re in. One of the most compelling elements of this book is the main character’s involvement with Dissociative identity disorder. I found myself broadening my horizons, and learning about the disorder as I read. I’m grateful for the perspective I’ve gained from this book, and I can’t wait to read more!
March 25, 2024
An actually decent adventure story written by an author in the past five years at long last.
Never felt like I had to flip through scenes because they were too boring or scandalous.
Apex writing for someone's first published book.
Also, really good job at writing a character with DID. It was both respectful and nuanced. Additionally, the DID trait actually added to the events occurring in the story as an integral part of the character arcs as well as the progression of the plot.
Overall, well done. Everyone please read because Kyra is an awesome person and she writes awesome things <3
Never felt like I had to flip through scenes because they were too boring or scandalous.
Apex writing for someone's first published book.
Also, really good job at writing a character with DID. It was both respectful and nuanced. Additionally, the DID trait actually added to the events occurring in the story as an integral part of the character arcs as well as the progression of the plot.
Overall, well done. Everyone please read because Kyra is an awesome person and she writes awesome things <3
June 3, 2024
amazing writing, amazing pacing, and amazing characters that I care SO much about. Suspense is built super well and you get super invested really quick. I need the other books in the series nowwww. Anyway yes go read this book.
October 16, 2023
Words cannot express how I feel about this book. I’m writing this review at 1:30 am because I just finished it and I can’t sleep!
I’ve had the hardest time getting back into reading since college, but reading The Parallel reminded me of why I love reading. I got to experience that feeling of wanting to stay up just a little longer to read just one more chapter, a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. The characters are engaging, the story is full of action and fun and twists and turns, and you really are invested in seeing the protagonists succeed. I love that the characters feel like real people, and I LOVE the well-researched representation of DID! Reading this book really gave me a clearer picture of what it’s like to have DID and makes me want to seek out first hand sources as well. Kyra is an incredible author, and you can really tell the love and care she puts into her work.
The Parallel is an experience I’m not likely to forget any time soon, and I am waiting anxiously on the edge of my seat for more in the series! If you haven’t checked it out yet, PLEASE do so! This book is such a wild ride on absolutely the best way possible!
I’ve had the hardest time getting back into reading since college, but reading The Parallel reminded me of why I love reading. I got to experience that feeling of wanting to stay up just a little longer to read just one more chapter, a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. The characters are engaging, the story is full of action and fun and twists and turns, and you really are invested in seeing the protagonists succeed. I love that the characters feel like real people, and I LOVE the well-researched representation of DID! Reading this book really gave me a clearer picture of what it’s like to have DID and makes me want to seek out first hand sources as well. Kyra is an incredible author, and you can really tell the love and care she puts into her work.
The Parallel is an experience I’m not likely to forget any time soon, and I am waiting anxiously on the edge of my seat for more in the series! If you haven’t checked it out yet, PLEASE do so! This book is such a wild ride on absolutely the best way possible!
September 3, 2023
Seriously such a stellar read. The characters are fun and memorable and the story is intriguing, heartfelt, and just dang good.
The actual writing is PHENOMENAL. Like, the descriptions and stuff are *chef's kiss*. The midwestern setting was such a fun choice that often gets overlooked in action/sci-fi, and Kyra's love for Kansas really shines though in her descriptions.
I really appreciated the care that went into describing DID and it seems to me like really wonderful representation for what is usually a villainized mental health condition. The POV switches really helped me get to know the main characters better and I loved seeing their individual personalities shine through in the writing.
Reading "The Parallel" made me laugh out loud, sit on the edge of my seat, and grin a whole lot. I feel like I could gush about this book for a long time, but still wouldn't do it justice. Just read it for yourself, and get excited for the next book in the series!
The actual writing is PHENOMENAL. Like, the descriptions and stuff are *chef's kiss*. The midwestern setting was such a fun choice that often gets overlooked in action/sci-fi, and Kyra's love for Kansas really shines though in her descriptions.
I really appreciated the care that went into describing DID and it seems to me like really wonderful representation for what is usually a villainized mental health condition. The POV switches really helped me get to know the main characters better and I loved seeing their individual personalities shine through in the writing.
Reading "The Parallel" made me laugh out loud, sit on the edge of my seat, and grin a whole lot. I feel like I could gush about this book for a long time, but still wouldn't do it justice. Just read it for yourself, and get excited for the next book in the series!
August 18, 2024
It took too long, but I finally finished reading The Parallel. This isn't a critique of the book itself, but timing on my end. Once I was able to sit down and focus enough to read, I devoured it. Also, for transparency, I know Kyra in real life, and this review is my own and not encouraged by the author in any way!
I love banter. Nothing takes me out of a book faster than characters that lack chemistry with each other and this novel has it in spades. River is by far my favorite sasshole. I also love the LOVES. My knowledge of DID is minimal and I appreciate the way Kyra writes it, by being very factual and debunking the mythos.
Every character in this novel is so different and have great personalities. They all feel individual and it makes the story so colorful and ugh, I just really really enjoyed reading this.
I love banter. Nothing takes me out of a book faster than characters that lack chemistry with each other and this novel has it in spades. River is by far my favorite sasshole. I also love the LOVES. My knowledge of DID is minimal and I appreciate the way Kyra writes it, by being very factual and debunking the mythos.
Every character in this novel is so different and have great personalities. They all feel individual and it makes the story so colorful and ugh, I just really really enjoyed reading this.
December 30, 2024
My sister made me read it. I can tell why you're friends.
This book is not at all my preferred genre, so why did I read it in 2 days? The characters are so well written, you can't help but root for the Loves and for River, and even for Bin Guy. Lovely balance of humor and empathy for mental health as well. Read this book. Read it.
This book is not at all my preferred genre, so why did I read it in 2 days? The characters are so well written, you can't help but root for the Loves and for River, and even for Bin Guy. Lovely balance of humor and empathy for mental health as well. Read this book. Read it.
August 24, 2023
The characters in this story are a breath of fresh air. Not only is the main character unique (after all the YA/MG books about twelve year old orphans who don't have any personality), but there are two fully fleshed out protagonists, creating a strong dynamic, which makes the story more compelling than the average YA/MG book you'd find. River is a realistic homeschooler you might expect to see at your church (a little arrogant, but smart, like Artemis Fowl with more dialogue), and Yancey being the opposite to him and learning to work with him makes the story entertaining. As they travel across Kansas and discover more about their powers, one of the most interesting layers is learning more about the characters themselves.
It's interesting to read the descriptions of Kansas. I vaguely knew what a grain elevator was, but never imagined a secret headquarters inside of one. I'll have to be more suspicious of them now.
There are also lots of good action scenes in this story, which is a satisfying road trip. The characters' psychic powers are also interesting to learn about, and described well. For example, the character who can sense auras uses colors to explain the feelings they have; and using Telekinesis is described as "like tugging on strings". This was a good way to show what ESP is like, an original explanation that made it unique. Made me wonder if the Parallel--well, never mind, I don't want to spoil anything right now.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, and wish this author good luck with her writing, because the world needs more inspired stories like this that come from the heart. Keep up the good work, and know we're looking forward to finding out more about these characters and what awaits them.
It's interesting to read the descriptions of Kansas. I vaguely knew what a grain elevator was, but never imagined a secret headquarters inside of one. I'll have to be more suspicious of them now.
There are also lots of good action scenes in this story, which is a satisfying road trip. The characters' psychic powers are also interesting to learn about, and described well. For example, the character who can sense auras uses colors to explain the feelings they have; and using Telekinesis is described as "like tugging on strings". This was a good way to show what ESP is like, an original explanation that made it unique. Made me wonder if the Parallel--well, never mind, I don't want to spoil anything right now.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, and wish this author good luck with her writing, because the world needs more inspired stories like this that come from the heart. Keep up the good work, and know we're looking forward to finding out more about these characters and what awaits them.
June 11, 2024
Finished this book a while back and absolutely loved it. You can definitely tell that the author put a lot of time into the world and especially the characters.
June 25, 2024
I found this book at my library and I really liked it. I read it within a few days because it was such a good book that keeps you interested
May 31, 2024
It's a remarkable experience when the writing itself becomes character, on its own, central to the cast. I mean, this is a novel where the intermarriage of the visual & written form and the content of the narrative is absolutely consummate: the writing is phenomenally crafted, thoroughly enjoyable, and entirely at ease in its delivery. The Parallel (book one of a series), concerns itself with the quiet, isolated life anticipations of Yancey Love following their diagnosis as a Dissociative Identity Disorder System following years of instability, turmoil, and anguish - that is, until River Kodai, an assertive 14-yr old with the world's most rampant case of Main Character Syndrome, practically teleports himself into their apartment and out into a high voltage search for his missing sister. There's a riotous range of ESP powers at play; a stunningly enchanting flight around Kansas; a gloriously contemporary pop culture savvy & soundtrack underlying the action; and a well-balanced, sincere portrayal of childhood trauma and personality disorder in the believably human character(s) it impacts.
Something I enjoyed was the profound sense of movement. The pace carries one through the corporeal (typically) mundane spaces of offices, labs, and apartments & complex innermost abstracts - snappy exchanges of dialogue - and even humorously adept chapter titles - with an absolute sense of proportionate and ease. It moves fairly quickly. Enough grounding information is delivered on these spaces, events, and places (heck, even goons are oft granted memorable monikers), that one can appreciate subtle details and tones without ever feeling like they're being spoon-fed information, or their attention wantonly wasted on word-salads. Characters set things and objects in motion and it can perpetuate out into the length of a scene or sequence in a way that can be described as filmic in nature.
The dialogue itself is a strength of the writing: it is dynamic, wickedly timed, (again) very pop culture savvy, and conveys a stupendous amount of character. The speaking differences & externalized personalities between the characters is a highlight, especially the Yancey & Co. alters, and humorously, thee uber confident self-appraising teen and a brooding nefarious Brit. A good deal of energy and tension is built up through the dialogue alone. It's quite believably human; outrageously funny; at times, heartbreaking.
It's a lot to pack into 350 pages of YA novel. The masterful weaving of aesthetics and sensibilities of multiple genres? Seamless and purposeful.
Making the American Midwest appeal as a genuinely exciting contemporary landscape? Accomplished with some real style.
Creating a believable, realistic, and informative, raw portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder and the far-reaching effects of childhood trauma While also keeping the protagonist(s) agency and growing heroism intact? I strongly believe that Kyra gets it right.
(She also does a fine job with the interplay of esp powers and the disorder without being crass, demeaning or clumsy about it.)
Overall, it's a powerful, euphoric way to story-tell, and the story it tells is a rich and rewardingly human one that benefits our moment in history. We need more like this, and fortunately, there is more of The Parallel to come.
Something I enjoyed was the profound sense of movement. The pace carries one through the corporeal (typically) mundane spaces of offices, labs, and apartments & complex innermost abstracts - snappy exchanges of dialogue - and even humorously adept chapter titles - with an absolute sense of proportionate and ease. It moves fairly quickly. Enough grounding information is delivered on these spaces, events, and places (heck, even goons are oft granted memorable monikers), that one can appreciate subtle details and tones without ever feeling like they're being spoon-fed information, or their attention wantonly wasted on word-salads. Characters set things and objects in motion and it can perpetuate out into the length of a scene or sequence in a way that can be described as filmic in nature.
The dialogue itself is a strength of the writing: it is dynamic, wickedly timed, (again) very pop culture savvy, and conveys a stupendous amount of character. The speaking differences & externalized personalities between the characters is a highlight, especially the Yancey & Co. alters, and humorously, thee uber confident self-appraising teen and a brooding nefarious Brit. A good deal of energy and tension is built up through the dialogue alone. It's quite believably human; outrageously funny; at times, heartbreaking.
It's a lot to pack into 350 pages of YA novel. The masterful weaving of aesthetics and sensibilities of multiple genres? Seamless and purposeful.
Making the American Midwest appeal as a genuinely exciting contemporary landscape? Accomplished with some real style.
Creating a believable, realistic, and informative, raw portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder and the far-reaching effects of childhood trauma While also keeping the protagonist(s) agency and growing heroism intact? I strongly believe that Kyra gets it right.
(She also does a fine job with the interplay of esp powers and the disorder without being crass, demeaning or clumsy about it.)
Overall, it's a powerful, euphoric way to story-tell, and the story it tells is a rich and rewardingly human one that benefits our moment in history. We need more like this, and fortunately, there is more of The Parallel to come.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews