Imaginary Girls is one of those books that, when you finish it and close the book, it still makes you wonder. I think that Nova Ren Suma had a really great idea, but somehow, all the pieces didn't click together. The writing is absolutely beautiful, almost poetic in some parts, but I found myself with more questions at the end then when I was reading it.
The story is about Chloe and her older sister Ruby and a long-lost town called Olive, that was flooded decades ago. Living near the now flooded town, Ruby has a strange obsession with it, claiming that the people of Olive still live down in the murky, watery depths of the reservoir.
Two years ago, Ruby claimed that Chloe could swim across the reservoir. Chloe never made it, as she swam right into a boat containing the dead body of London, a troubled young girl.
Shaken by the death, Chloe moves in with her father for two years. When she returns to town, she finds out that London is no longer dead and no one seems to have any idea that something is wrong. On top of all of this, Ruby is able to make people do whatever she wants, whether it be something as simple as making a lasagna for her or making someone fall completely in love with her.
The many questions that are brought up in this book are never really truly answered. There is a very tiny supernatural theme in this book that is never fully developed, leaving a confusing storyline. It begins to fall apart about halfway through and when you reach the ending, it just isn't satisfying. The only good thing about this book is the writing and even that can't make up for everything wrong with it.
