PAST WORLD by Ian Beck

Interesting YA thriller told from multiple perspectives. Set in middle 21st Century where there's a theme park of Victorian London. There are people who live there and people who pay a lot of money to visit (called Gawkers). The laws of the area and time are closely enforced and are extremely arcane. Going into Past World, the visitor must give up anything from the present that doesn't fit with the time. That means no cell phones, no electric tooth brushes, nothing from the present.

Eve is a beautiful 17 year old girl who's memory only goes back two years. She's been raised and closely watched by her guardian, Jack, who's slowly going blind. Eve also has no idea that she's living in a theme park. Bible J, a pickpocket and assistant to a man who runs seances from his home and takes part Bible J's haul in exchange for giving him a place to stay. Caleb, brought to Past World by his father who was one of the original imaginers but who is almost immediately kidnapped in front of Caleb, who is also being blamed for Jack's murder. Chief Inspector Catchpole spends his time between the two worlds and is finally on the trail of The Fantom as well as information that is bigger than anyone could have imagined.

When Eve decides to run away to join the circus and learn about the real world, she sets off a series of events that not only put her in danger, but everyone she cares for or will care for. She's a child in a woman's body, but there's something in her past that's coming after her and she can't deny it's power over her. She also discovers she has abilities that most humans don't. She's extremely agile, fast and has no fear.

Once in Past World, Eve, Caleb, Bible J and Catchpole's lives intersect to bring them to a thrilling conclusion.

This story reminded me of a combination of a few things, Logan's Run, The Truman Show and Jack the Ripper. I'm not usually someone who enjoys material told from many different points of view, but in this case it served the story well.