http://tamaranth.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/201241-recycler-lauren-mclaughlin.html ( )

This is the sequel to Cycler, in which a girl (18 in this book) turns into a boy once a month. Her bizarre, not-entirely-sane coping strategy was to entirely separate herself from this guy form, so she's developed two distinct personalities. Jill and Jack.Now living with her roommate (and Jack's girlfriend) in New York City, she's like.. learning how to be an adult and figuring out her life and junk.By the end of it, I liked Jack better. Though Jill hadn't improved any in my eyes.But there still is not any of the resolutions I would like to see. It didn't feel like the book really ended, as a result. I'm like.. that's it? I don't even know if there's going to be another book or not.Possible resolutions I could live with:1) Jill and Jack integrate themselves into one person.2) Jill and Jack realize that, yea, being bi would solve all their problems and on some level they must be, y'know? So they both hook up with the boyfriend, or the girlfriend, or, ideally both.3) Jill or Jack disappears entirely, never to return.Or some other resolution that addresses the essential conflict here. And it's not about being small town kids who need to learn about life in the wider world (or new york city specifically). And it's not about sorta kinda liking their parents (who, seriously, locked Jack up, which, is, like, a felony. And morally wrong.).I won't feel happy about these books until one of those things I listed above happens. ( )

I thought this wasn't as inventive as the first installment, and i didn't believe Jack's interactions with the boys at all. ( )

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

The characters from CYCLER are back in (RE)CYCLER for a sequel. If you're like me, I was confused at first when I kept seeing (RE)CYCLER listed as a future release. The synopsis kept repeating the same blurb that was the CYCLER synopsis. But I finally stumbled across the book at the book store and realized that this was indeed the continuation of the story of Jill and Jack.

The total humiliation that was the prom has passed and Jill has graduated from high school. Her future is undefined. She has the option of traveling across country with Tommy or moving to New York City with Ramie. Jill is torn, but she chooses New York City, in part because it will benefit Jack, as well. Tommy is saddened that she won't join him, but he understands. So he sets off without her.

Jack is overjoyed at the prospect of having actual freedom. He's been confined to their bedroom for his entire existence. But now he has Ramie all to himself during his four days each month. But Jill is missing Tommy. With the help of Ramie, Jill is determined to get over him and her broken heart.

The story takes places in alternating Jack and Jill chapters during the course of the fall. Jill becomes more confident in herself while Jack faces some hard truths of what he thought and what is reality. During this time, Ramie seems to be pulling away from both Jill and Jack. Jill can handle the separation, but it is tearing Jack apart.

(RE)CYCLER shows more depth in the characters than was seen in CYCLER. Jill and Jack are learning to live within the confines of one body and are learning to accept each other. The two begin to interact with the world around them. Though most of the people they encounter still are unaware of the fact they are the same person, the two create unique situations that come to creative resolutions.

I am unsure if there will be another book in the series, but Ms. McLaughlin leaves some loose threads that could easily be woven into another chapter of the story. I for one would love to see how it actually plays out with the square that is Ramie, Tommy, Jack, and Jill.

***Note: There is a lot of frank discussion of sex, so this is best reserved for the more mature reader.*** ( )