Betwixt: The Call of the Void

After being taken to the world of Betwixt as a child, our protagonist finds herself dealing with a dual reality -- on top of the usual difficulties of high school. Betwixt (Book Two): The Call of the Void, is a dark fantasy novella that follows the life of a teenager dealing with high school as well as an alternate reality that pulls her through the depths of darkness. From the foreword: "When Meeshelle Neal asked me to write this foreword, I was honoured (and terrified). What could I possibly say that would reflect the powerful impact the world of Betwixt has had on me? Her story of self-discovery, self-acceptance and stepping into one's own power touched me to my teenage core. Filled with a rush of whimsy post-reading, I revisited my adolescent diaries and was awed by how accurately Neal had captured what it means to be a teenage girl. Though my own teenagehood was slightly less fantastical, those years of growing up have always held a magical place in my heart - despite the pain and frustrations.I found it amusing that I'd been asked to write a foreword about a coming-of-age story when most of my own coming-of-age years were spent looking forward. All I wanted was to be successful and tall and busty and to have clear skin. I'm sad to report that all of those years of looking forward did not bring about the life I had envisioned. They did, however, bring about regret that I didn't live in the moment. I look back on those fleeting memories and wish I'd absorbed more; more of the sights, smells and feelings of those formative years. Betwixt brought me back. It transported me to the fear and adventure, self-doubt and wonderment, passion and apathy. Those years where I was a walking contradiction. To those that are reading as adults, I implore you to revisit your adolescence and see if, you were, in fact, wiser and more tuned into the world than you may be now. Open your eyes with the same wonderment you had as a child seeing the beauty of the world for the first time, feel things with the same depth as when you first had your heart broken, when you first felt the sting of loss. If you're reading this as a young adult, I urge you to stop looking forward and enjoy the moments as they come. You will soon be re-reading words from your childhood and wondering why you didn't care for or nurture yourself in the way you deserved. And to anyone who passes by a teenage girl and is not afraid, I admire your bravery. I am convinced that teen girls are the most powerful beings on this planet, and we should treat them with the utmost respect. Bow at their feet, call them by their names and don't look them straight in the eye - they can see right through you. Now sit back, relax and enjoy this journey Neal is taking you on. You'll see very quickly what I mean about those teenage girls..." Zlatina Pacheva

• | Author: Meeshelle K Neal
• | Publisher: Independently published
• | Publication Date: Aug 15, 2019
• | Number of Pages: 173 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1999409221
• | ISBN-13: 9781999409227