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Jaden Baker
***GOLD WINNER 2012 eLit Awards for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller***Jaden Baker is unique, talented, special.And for a while there, things were looking up. Adopted by an upper-middle class couple of suburbia, Jaden believed he'd finally gotten that second chance everyone raves about. It came with potato salad.But something happened. Something always happens. The life he'd been living took a dark twist, taking him on a journey that exposed him to evil, and the power it wields.For those receiving it, patience is a deadly virtue.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2011
23 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 11, 2012
This book was terrifying and heart-wrenching. We meet Jaden Baker when he is a nine year old foster child, scared yet hopeful about his new family. We quickly learn he is not an average child, possessing telekenetic powers that not even he understands. Unfortunately, someone else does.
Jaden is kidnapped, studied and tortured for six years- all described with heart-pounding detail. His courage and will to survive practically leap off the pages. As a young adult he escapes and lives in anonimity...until an ironic love interest and freak occurence have Jaden and his soulmate clutched in far more danger than he ever was as a child.
It's hard to write a review of this book because I want to give so much away! Too good to put down...the evil present in the antagonist and "research" company that imprisions Jaden is astonishing yet believable...Jaden's pain and determination coexist so beautifully...the choice for his love interest would seem too contrived if the reader hadn't already suspended belief about everything else. In the end, you not only want Jaden to survive, you want him to have some peace and happiness.
Jaden is kidnapped, studied and tortured for six years- all described with heart-pounding detail. His courage and will to survive practically leap off the pages. As a young adult he escapes and lives in anonimity...until an ironic love interest and freak occurence have Jaden and his soulmate clutched in far more danger than he ever was as a child.
It's hard to write a review of this book because I want to give so much away! Too good to put down...the evil present in the antagonist and "research" company that imprisions Jaden is astonishing yet believable...Jaden's pain and determination coexist so beautifully...the choice for his love interest would seem too contrived if the reader hadn't already suspended belief about everything else. In the end, you not only want Jaden to survive, you want him to have some peace and happiness.
May 7, 2013
A horrifying, gut-wrenching story. Jaden Baker is a remarkable character, I became so emotionally invested in his story - I could not put this book down, even if I wanted too.
Jaden had never had an easy life, but when the Kauffmans became his new foster parents, he started to hope that maybe his luck was changing. We soon discover that Jaden has an extraordinary ability - one that unfortunately makes him a target, in the middle of the night he is taken from the safety of his new home to a research facility. Jaden is held captive for years by these people, the things this child endures are unimaginable. I personally had a very hard time reading parts of this, the torture he was subjected to was shown in graphic, soul-scorching detail. I do not know if I have ever hated anyone as much as I hated that sadistic bastard Joseph.
" The world had gone on without him, not caring that somewhere in the bowels of the earth, a boy was captive to men seeking power for themselves, to mine his power, they dug deep carving out his sense of humanity, leaving a shell of the person he had once been. Pride, dignity, even personality had been brutalized, torn from him and dissected under a microscope. Every inch of him had been flayed and destroyed. Scars that would never heal crawled like webs from the back of his neck to his calves."
I pulled for Jaden throughout his story, the courage and endurance he shows is remarkable. When Jayden finally escapes he is able to live a quiet life for many years, remaining hidden from the evil in search of him. After a chance meeting with a beautiful woman and a trip to the ER, Jaden may finally have a chance at a real life. Unfortunately he is also back on Joseph's radar, will he ever be free of those who want to control him and find the happiness in life he has always deserved.
I feel like the ending left some things unsaid, I would LOVE to read more about Jayden - hopefully Courtney will write more!
Jaden had never had an easy life, but when the Kauffmans became his new foster parents, he started to hope that maybe his luck was changing. We soon discover that Jaden has an extraordinary ability - one that unfortunately makes him a target, in the middle of the night he is taken from the safety of his new home to a research facility. Jaden is held captive for years by these people, the things this child endures are unimaginable. I personally had a very hard time reading parts of this, the torture he was subjected to was shown in graphic, soul-scorching detail. I do not know if I have ever hated anyone as much as I hated that sadistic bastard Joseph.
" The world had gone on without him, not caring that somewhere in the bowels of the earth, a boy was captive to men seeking power for themselves, to mine his power, they dug deep carving out his sense of humanity, leaving a shell of the person he had once been. Pride, dignity, even personality had been brutalized, torn from him and dissected under a microscope. Every inch of him had been flayed and destroyed. Scars that would never heal crawled like webs from the back of his neck to his calves."
I pulled for Jaden throughout his story, the courage and endurance he shows is remarkable. When Jayden finally escapes he is able to live a quiet life for many years, remaining hidden from the evil in search of him. After a chance meeting with a beautiful woman and a trip to the ER, Jaden may finally have a chance at a real life. Unfortunately he is also back on Joseph's radar, will he ever be free of those who want to control him and find the happiness in life he has always deserved.
I feel like the ending left some things unsaid, I would LOVE to read more about Jayden - hopefully Courtney will write more!
June 5, 2012
This novel blew me away. Following Jaden from the tender age of nine, the reader is given an in-depth glimpse into his life as he battles the system and attempts to gain his freedom from those who would use him as a science experiment, caged like an animal and treated horribly. Jaden is psychokinetic; he can manipulate matter with his mind, and though he attempts to hide this power as a child, he is found and taken, against his will, from the comforts of his foster home. This is a very powerful story that grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go. I was appalled by the treatment of Jaden throughout the novel, and readers should be aware that it’s a very heavy read, looking into the philosophical question of sacrificing one for the greater good. While it is easy to take a stance on this question, having now read the point of view of the one being sacrificed, I am definitely rethinking this age-old question.
Kirchoff is an amazing writer and storyteller, creating such real and vivid characters, even those that are despicable. Characters like Joseph Madrid made me cringe and seethe in anger, especially with his treatment of Jaden, and I found myself, on many an occasion, yelling at him through the pages, wishing for his horrible, bloody death. That sounds harsh, I know, but you’ll understand my feelings when you read this amazing novel. Madrid is the epitome of evil…
Of course, Jaden is an amazing character and I fell in love with him from the beginning. He is a very strong young man, surviving ill treatment and “slavery” for many years in his underground prison, and I am in sheer awe of his dedication and will to survive. I feel like many would give in much sooner than Jaden, and though his life is hellacious, I found him extremely inspiring.
Perhaps what I love most about this novel is the suspense and writing style. Krichoff begins the novel in the present with a creepy encounter and hospital visit that will leave the reader wanting more, and then it jumps to the past, explaining Jaden’s origins and full story until it comes full circle, bringing us back to the present. But the story doesn’t end there; much more suspense and intrigue follows as the reader now embarks on a quest with Jaden and those he’s friended along the way, and I just could not put down this powerful novel.
This is a novel I highly recommend, one of my top 10 of the year, and I hope everyone takes some time to read and enjoy this amazing book!
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
Kirchoff is an amazing writer and storyteller, creating such real and vivid characters, even those that are despicable. Characters like Joseph Madrid made me cringe and seethe in anger, especially with his treatment of Jaden, and I found myself, on many an occasion, yelling at him through the pages, wishing for his horrible, bloody death. That sounds harsh, I know, but you’ll understand my feelings when you read this amazing novel. Madrid is the epitome of evil…
Of course, Jaden is an amazing character and I fell in love with him from the beginning. He is a very strong young man, surviving ill treatment and “slavery” for many years in his underground prison, and I am in sheer awe of his dedication and will to survive. I feel like many would give in much sooner than Jaden, and though his life is hellacious, I found him extremely inspiring.
Perhaps what I love most about this novel is the suspense and writing style. Krichoff begins the novel in the present with a creepy encounter and hospital visit that will leave the reader wanting more, and then it jumps to the past, explaining Jaden’s origins and full story until it comes full circle, bringing us back to the present. But the story doesn’t end there; much more suspense and intrigue follows as the reader now embarks on a quest with Jaden and those he’s friended along the way, and I just could not put down this powerful novel.
This is a novel I highly recommend, one of my top 10 of the year, and I hope everyone takes some time to read and enjoy this amazing book!
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
October 3, 2014
*Spoilers*
Thought the first half set-up a storyline that the second half simply failed to live up to. The first part is a heart wrenching tale of Jaden, abducted as a child, imprisoned, and tortured because he is telekinetic. What he endures should have killed him, should have turned him into a bitter ruthless killer, but it doesn’t. He’s still compassionate, still yearns for a normal life, and after escaping and hiding for ten years, he even manages to fall in love.
And that’s where the story fell apart for me. Despite Libby’s true identity, their insta-love was a little hard to believe. I get Jaden, cut off from human affection for most of his life, falling for the first person who shows him compassion, but I didn’t really believe Libby’s attraction to him. Then there’s the ending which seemed a bit endless. How many family members can suddenly come out of the woodwork to help him? Why are Archcroft employees who watched him suffer for years suddenly so gung-ho to put an end to Madrid? And how convenient that the FBI just happens to be watching Madrid when the shit finally hits the fan! All of this was just a bit too choking of a spoonful to swallow.
How many times can Jaden be recaptured? I actually started to lose sympathy for him when he was so lenient on his enemies. He, more than anyone, knows the evil they are capable of, yet he does little to combat them. Even in the end, someone else does his dirty work for him.
Did anyone else feel like there were some skipped steps in this book? Like, when Libby figures out who Agent Gates is without the reader so much as getting a clue as to how? Did I miss something or did that come out of nowhere? Speaking of things that come out of nowhere, how about Alan showing up at the last minute to save the day when he’s been MIA for 12 years? Oh yeah, and while Psycho Madrid may have used a silencer, unlike how the movies show it, guns with a silencer still make a sound, so when Madrid shoots Alan, the others still would have heard something and not been taken completely by surprise.
And who the hell is Seth? Or should I say what? Is he really a multiple personality? Can he really take over Jaden’s body? That was never resolved or explained well enough.
I wish the end could have lived up to the potential of the beginning. The story was a bit too long, and I lost interest before the end.
Thought the first half set-up a storyline that the second half simply failed to live up to. The first part is a heart wrenching tale of Jaden, abducted as a child, imprisoned, and tortured because he is telekinetic. What he endures should have killed him, should have turned him into a bitter ruthless killer, but it doesn’t. He’s still compassionate, still yearns for a normal life, and after escaping and hiding for ten years, he even manages to fall in love.
And that’s where the story fell apart for me. Despite Libby’s true identity, their insta-love was a little hard to believe. I get Jaden, cut off from human affection for most of his life, falling for the first person who shows him compassion, but I didn’t really believe Libby’s attraction to him. Then there’s the ending which seemed a bit endless. How many family members can suddenly come out of the woodwork to help him? Why are Archcroft employees who watched him suffer for years suddenly so gung-ho to put an end to Madrid? And how convenient that the FBI just happens to be watching Madrid when the shit finally hits the fan! All of this was just a bit too choking of a spoonful to swallow.
How many times can Jaden be recaptured? I actually started to lose sympathy for him when he was so lenient on his enemies. He, more than anyone, knows the evil they are capable of, yet he does little to combat them. Even in the end, someone else does his dirty work for him.
Did anyone else feel like there were some skipped steps in this book? Like, when Libby figures out who Agent Gates is without the reader so much as getting a clue as to how? Did I miss something or did that come out of nowhere? Speaking of things that come out of nowhere, how about Alan showing up at the last minute to save the day when he’s been MIA for 12 years? Oh yeah, and while Psycho Madrid may have used a silencer, unlike how the movies show it, guns with a silencer still make a sound, so when Madrid shoots Alan, the others still would have heard something and not been taken completely by surprise.
And who the hell is Seth? Or should I say what? Is he really a multiple personality? Can he really take over Jaden’s body? That was never resolved or explained well enough.
I wish the end could have lived up to the potential of the beginning. The story was a bit too long, and I lost interest before the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2013
G&J 4.5 Stars Jointly review for Totallybookedblog.com
Gitte: Seriously, I don’t even know where to start with this review. I kind of just want to tell you all to go pick it up if you like a dark and very emotional read because this one is pure genius. It’s so well written, there are no other words for it….G E N I U S!! Yes I had a couple of issues which is why it is not a 5 Star BUT….
I do have to point out that this is not for sensitive readers, nor can anyone truly prepare for Jaden’s journey and I for one was not expecting anything like what I read. I was stunned into a tearful silence, feeling morose for days and unable to pick up another book, yeah it has that kind of effect.
I wanted to jump into my kindle and hurt and eradicate. But most of all I wanted to save Jaden; just hug him, feed him, show him love and humanity. I wanted to reverse time and pick this young boy out of my kindle and yeah save him from the inhumane slavery forcibly imposed on him.
This genre is not one I normally read. I haven’t even got a clue what you would call it. Thriller meets crime meets science fiction meets super natural with a dash of romance thrown in perhaps? Who knows! To be honest I don’t really care. All I care about is that upon finishing I felt exhausted both mentally and physically. My emotions were all over the place and I don’t think I let up crying at any one stage in this book. I was crying from the utter torture, from being scared, from having my heart beaten to a pulp by a little boy and his journey into adulthood.
This kind of journey was a first for me…it was incomparable…something I haven’t experienced before and I truly am lost for words.
So what is it about? It’s about a lost little innocent boy with a gift. A boy whose childhood and part adulthood is stolen by evil and experimented upon in the name of science for what is truly concealed as the greater good but truly is more like a weapon of desired ‘money talking’ destruction. It broke our hearts didn’t it Jenny?!
Jenny: It certainly did Gitte, in fact, I’d say it crushed us and we were speechless during a lot of this book that’s for sure. Once again though Gitte, we go into a book with no preconceived expectations and come out the other end having read something that has blown us away. Love it.
This was indeed a very different read and like you, it was so unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down and I find it impossible to put into one particular genre because it encompassed so many.
It was thrilling, suspenseful, with traces of science fiction, supernatural and yes, there was even romance, humor, heart stopping moments, gut wrenching scenes, with mystery and intrigue told in varying viewpoints to allow the reader to live every heart pounding moment. How often do you find that mixture in a book?
This was indeed a very different and unique reading experience but not one you can go into lightly because this book is dark, and there are times this book will completely test your resolve and have you questioning the state of the human race and what depths some people in society will plunge to in the name of “research”. Research? No, there is never a reason for what happened in this book. EVER!
Jaden Baker will steal your heart and your heart will break for him.
Young cheeky Jaden who has a unique way of dealing with adversity through sarcastic wit will have you wanting to protect him any way you can. His story and his journey will have you clutching your chest and feeling a sense of dread in your gut.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jaden’s story will leave you breathless…completely and utterly breathless. I know I was in tears many a time through this book as I was rallying for the witty and resilient Jaden whose resolve will make you ache for him in a way you can’t imagine and I was with him every step of the way.
“No matter how miserable or painful this got, he would not yield”
You will feel hatred on a level that knows no bounds towards the perpetrators of Jaden’s misery and have you weeping for this lost little boy whose inner strength will astound you. That these people would try to justify their treatment by referring to it as science and for the greater good will leave you shaking with anger!
“When it came down to it, Jaden was valuable to them.”
Gitte: So why not 5 Stars? Well I did have two issues with this story. It was too long and it really didn’t need to be. I completely got and understood the pure terror, the hatred, the violence and the despicable evil and thought some of it should have been cut out. The terror dragged, it felt over written at times.
Instead, I would have LOVED an Epilogue, and in my opinion NEVER has a story needed an Epilogue more than this one. The journey, I as a reader was put through, I definitely needed “an afters”. I needed that moment when I could BREATHE with relief that all was okay, that life was truly delivered to this amazing young man in all its Technicolor glory without the pain and the looking over his shoulder. I needed to know he got every damn thing he so deserved, that he got life back, experienced everything true love and happiness brings, so I felt a little bit cheated out of that breath.
Don’t get me wrong, this story does have a type of HEA; however, in my opinion it ends too abruptly after a bombardment of information and discoveries through a dramatic sequence of events. The momentum in the latter part of Jaden’s story is a ‘killer’…you have no time to breathe, it was absolutely brilliant!
I urge readers to pick this story up if you enjoy dark books. It truly was an experience. It humanizes every emotion and you feel every heart beat and every tear as you sit there unable to breathe. It was brutal, absolutely, but the message is clear. One human being does not own another. It shows that human nature is first and foremost instinctually self-protective and that in order for another to break that resilience all external stimuli and free-will must be taken away and conquered. However, it also shows the amazing capability of an individual’s resourcefulness and self-empowerment in the darkest hour. It is about survival, our innate instinct to protect and survive.
Jenny: There is no doubt that this book will leave you an emotional wreck. You will be enamored with Jaden, you will admire him for how he deals with situations that would leave a lessor person reeling. His sense of humor will brighten you, but you will ache and you will cry over the cruelty which is so brilliantly, yet disturbingly detailed in this book and you will be exhausted from the thrill of the ride this story will take you on as a consequence. I urge you to hang on because it’s a doozy!
The reveals when they come will extract an audible “wow” from you, I guarantee it. The author brings the story together in such a way that will leave you in awe.
This was indeed dark, you will witness the human spirit being crushed, but you will also revel in how the human spirit can triumph and how one person can prevail against all odds.
“This will end. No matter how bad it is, it won’t last forever. You’re strong Jaden. You’re a survivor”
I agree with you Gitte, in that I would have liked to have seen this story been slightly condensed in some parts, as at times the over explanation of scenes tended to slow the pace of the story. Had there been a more involved epilogue there is no doubt this would have been a 5 star read for me. Jaden’s treatment in incarceration was horrifying and by reducing that section of the story the reader would have still been profoundly affected by what Jaden endured without the lengthy detail.
We went through so much. We experienced everything Jaden did. All his hopes, dreams doubts and despair, his pain and torture. His triumphs, his sorrow and his devastation so we needed to know how he faired going forward. I did love the ending, and it was an HEA of sorts as you said and yes, it did give me a good feeling but I needed more.
I was emotionally wrought after this read and just felt I deserved to know how Jaden prevailed. Did he find the peace he so desired and so deserved without the constant threat that had pursued him for most of his life? In my heart I have to believe he did but I would have loved to have heard it from Jaden himself.
I definitely won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry that’s for sure. As avid readers, every now and then Gitte and I feel the need to read something that takes us out of our comfort zone, that tests us as readers and leaves us exhausted yet with that feeling of exhilaration when we’ve finished and Jaden Baker definitely delivered on all counts!
Gitte: Seriously, I don’t even know where to start with this review. I kind of just want to tell you all to go pick it up if you like a dark and very emotional read because this one is pure genius. It’s so well written, there are no other words for it….G E N I U S!! Yes I had a couple of issues which is why it is not a 5 Star BUT….
I do have to point out that this is not for sensitive readers, nor can anyone truly prepare for Jaden’s journey and I for one was not expecting anything like what I read. I was stunned into a tearful silence, feeling morose for days and unable to pick up another book, yeah it has that kind of effect.
I wanted to jump into my kindle and hurt and eradicate. But most of all I wanted to save Jaden; just hug him, feed him, show him love and humanity. I wanted to reverse time and pick this young boy out of my kindle and yeah save him from the inhumane slavery forcibly imposed on him.
This genre is not one I normally read. I haven’t even got a clue what you would call it. Thriller meets crime meets science fiction meets super natural with a dash of romance thrown in perhaps? Who knows! To be honest I don’t really care. All I care about is that upon finishing I felt exhausted both mentally and physically. My emotions were all over the place and I don’t think I let up crying at any one stage in this book. I was crying from the utter torture, from being scared, from having my heart beaten to a pulp by a little boy and his journey into adulthood.
This kind of journey was a first for me…it was incomparable…something I haven’t experienced before and I truly am lost for words.
So what is it about? It’s about a lost little innocent boy with a gift. A boy whose childhood and part adulthood is stolen by evil and experimented upon in the name of science for what is truly concealed as the greater good but truly is more like a weapon of desired ‘money talking’ destruction. It broke our hearts didn’t it Jenny?!
Jenny: It certainly did Gitte, in fact, I’d say it crushed us and we were speechless during a lot of this book that’s for sure. Once again though Gitte, we go into a book with no preconceived expectations and come out the other end having read something that has blown us away. Love it.
This was indeed a very different read and like you, it was so unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down and I find it impossible to put into one particular genre because it encompassed so many.
It was thrilling, suspenseful, with traces of science fiction, supernatural and yes, there was even romance, humor, heart stopping moments, gut wrenching scenes, with mystery and intrigue told in varying viewpoints to allow the reader to live every heart pounding moment. How often do you find that mixture in a book?
This was indeed a very different and unique reading experience but not one you can go into lightly because this book is dark, and there are times this book will completely test your resolve and have you questioning the state of the human race and what depths some people in society will plunge to in the name of “research”. Research? No, there is never a reason for what happened in this book. EVER!
Jaden Baker will steal your heart and your heart will break for him.
Young cheeky Jaden who has a unique way of dealing with adversity through sarcastic wit will have you wanting to protect him any way you can. His story and his journey will have you clutching your chest and feeling a sense of dread in your gut.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jaden’s story will leave you breathless…completely and utterly breathless. I know I was in tears many a time through this book as I was rallying for the witty and resilient Jaden whose resolve will make you ache for him in a way you can’t imagine and I was with him every step of the way.
“No matter how miserable or painful this got, he would not yield”
You will feel hatred on a level that knows no bounds towards the perpetrators of Jaden’s misery and have you weeping for this lost little boy whose inner strength will astound you. That these people would try to justify their treatment by referring to it as science and for the greater good will leave you shaking with anger!
“When it came down to it, Jaden was valuable to them.”
Gitte: So why not 5 Stars? Well I did have two issues with this story. It was too long and it really didn’t need to be. I completely got and understood the pure terror, the hatred, the violence and the despicable evil and thought some of it should have been cut out. The terror dragged, it felt over written at times.
Instead, I would have LOVED an Epilogue, and in my opinion NEVER has a story needed an Epilogue more than this one. The journey, I as a reader was put through, I definitely needed “an afters”. I needed that moment when I could BREATHE with relief that all was okay, that life was truly delivered to this amazing young man in all its Technicolor glory without the pain and the looking over his shoulder. I needed to know he got every damn thing he so deserved, that he got life back, experienced everything true love and happiness brings, so I felt a little bit cheated out of that breath.
Don’t get me wrong, this story does have a type of HEA; however, in my opinion it ends too abruptly after a bombardment of information and discoveries through a dramatic sequence of events. The momentum in the latter part of Jaden’s story is a ‘killer’…you have no time to breathe, it was absolutely brilliant!
I urge readers to pick this story up if you enjoy dark books. It truly was an experience. It humanizes every emotion and you feel every heart beat and every tear as you sit there unable to breathe. It was brutal, absolutely, but the message is clear. One human being does not own another. It shows that human nature is first and foremost instinctually self-protective and that in order for another to break that resilience all external stimuli and free-will must be taken away and conquered. However, it also shows the amazing capability of an individual’s resourcefulness and self-empowerment in the darkest hour. It is about survival, our innate instinct to protect and survive.
Jenny: There is no doubt that this book will leave you an emotional wreck. You will be enamored with Jaden, you will admire him for how he deals with situations that would leave a lessor person reeling. His sense of humor will brighten you, but you will ache and you will cry over the cruelty which is so brilliantly, yet disturbingly detailed in this book and you will be exhausted from the thrill of the ride this story will take you on as a consequence. I urge you to hang on because it’s a doozy!
The reveals when they come will extract an audible “wow” from you, I guarantee it. The author brings the story together in such a way that will leave you in awe.
This was indeed dark, you will witness the human spirit being crushed, but you will also revel in how the human spirit can triumph and how one person can prevail against all odds.
“This will end. No matter how bad it is, it won’t last forever. You’re strong Jaden. You’re a survivor”
I agree with you Gitte, in that I would have liked to have seen this story been slightly condensed in some parts, as at times the over explanation of scenes tended to slow the pace of the story. Had there been a more involved epilogue there is no doubt this would have been a 5 star read for me. Jaden’s treatment in incarceration was horrifying and by reducing that section of the story the reader would have still been profoundly affected by what Jaden endured without the lengthy detail.
We went through so much. We experienced everything Jaden did. All his hopes, dreams doubts and despair, his pain and torture. His triumphs, his sorrow and his devastation so we needed to know how he faired going forward. I did love the ending, and it was an HEA of sorts as you said and yes, it did give me a good feeling but I needed more.
I was emotionally wrought after this read and just felt I deserved to know how Jaden prevailed. Did he find the peace he so desired and so deserved without the constant threat that had pursued him for most of his life? In my heart I have to believe he did but I would have loved to have heard it from Jaden himself.
I definitely won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry that’s for sure. As avid readers, every now and then Gitte and I feel the need to read something that takes us out of our comfort zone, that tests us as readers and leaves us exhausted yet with that feeling of exhilaration when we’ve finished and Jaden Baker definitely delivered on all counts!
May 1, 2013
Jointly Reviewed on: http://totallybookedblog.com/2013/05/...
G&J: 4.5 Stars
Gitte: Seriously, I don’t even know where to start with this review. I kind of just want to tell you all to go pick it up if you like a dark and very emotional read because this one is pure genius. It’s so well written, there are no other words for it… G E N I U S!! Yes I had a couple of issues which is why it is not a 5 Star BUT….
I do have to point out that this is not for sensitive readers, nor can anyone truly prepare for Jaden’s journey and I for one was not expecting anything like what I read. I was stunned into a tearful silence, feeling morose for days and unable to pick up another book, yeah it has that kind of effect.
I wanted to jump into my kindle and hurt and eradicate. But most of all I wanted to save Jaden; just hug him, feed him, show him love and humanity. I wanted to reverse time and pick this young boy out of my kindle and yeah save him from the inhumane slavery forcibly imposed on him.
This genre is not one I normally read. I haven’t even got a clue what you would call it. Thriller meets crime meets science fiction meets super natural with a dash of romance thrown in perhaps? Who knows! To be honest I don’t really care. All I care about is that upon finishing I felt exhausted both mentally and physically. My emotions were all over the place and I don’t think I let up crying at any one stage in this book. I was crying from the utter torture, from being scared, from having my heart beaten to a pulp by a little boy and his journey into adulthood.
This kind of journey was a first for me…it was incomparable…something I haven’t experienced before and I truly am lost for words.
So what is it about? It’s about a lost little innocent boy with a gift. A boy whose childhood and part adulthood is stolen by evil and experimented upon in the name of science for what is truly concealed as the greater good but truly is more like a weapon of desired ‘money talking’ destruction. It broke our hearts didn’t it Jenny?!
Jenny: It certainly did Gitte, in fact, I’d say it crushed us and we were speechless during a lot of this book that’s for sure. Once again though Gitte, we go into a book with no preconceived expectations and come out the other end having read something that has blown us away. Love it.
This was indeed a very different read and like you, it was so unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down and I find it impossible to put into one particular genre because it encompassed so many.
It was thrilling, suspenseful, with traces of science fiction, supernatural and yes, there was even romance, humor, heart stopping moments, gut wrenching scenes, with mystery and intrigue told in varying viewpoints to allow the reader to live every heart pounding moment. How often do you find that mixture in a book? This was indeed a very different and unique reading experience but not one you can go into lightly because this book is dark, and there are times this book will completely test your resolve and have you questioning the state of the human race and what depths some people in society will plunge to in the name of “research”. Research? No, there is never a reason for what happened in this book. EVER!
Jaden Baker will steal your heart and your heart will break for him. Young cheeky Jaden who has a unique way of dealing with adversity through sarcastic wit will have you wanting to protect him any way you can. His story and his journey will have you clutching your chest and feeling a sense of dread in your gut. There is no doubt in my mind that Jaden’s story will leave you breathless…completely and utterly breathless. I know I was in tears many a time through this book as I was rallying for the witty and resilient Jaden whose resolve will make you ache for him in a way you can’t imagine and I was with him every step of the way.
“No matter how miserable or painful this got, he would not yield”
You will feel hatred on a level that knows no bounds towards the perpetrators of Jaden’s misery and have you weeping for this lost little boy whose inner strength will astound you. That these people would try to justify their treatment by referring to it as science and for the greater good will leave you shaking with anger!
“When it came down to it, Jaden was valuable to them.”
Gitte: So why not 5 Stars? Well I did have two issues with this story. It was too long and it really didn’t need to be. I completely got and understood the pure terror, the hatred, the violence and the despicable evil and thought some of it should have been cut out. The terror dragged, it felt over written at times.
Instead, I would have LOVED an Epilogue, and in my opinion NEVER has a story needed an Epilogue more than this one. The journey, I as a reader was put through, I definitely needed “an afters”. I needed that moment when I could BREATHE with relief that all was okay, that life was truly delivered to this amazing young man in all its Technicolor glory without the pain and the looking over his shoulder. I needed to know he got every damn thing he so deserved, that he got life back, experienced everything true love and happiness brings, so I felt a little bit cheated out of that breath. Don’t get me wrong, this story does have a type of HEA; however, in my opinion it ends too abruptly after a bombardment of information and discoveries through a dramatic sequence of events. The momentum in the latter part of Jaden’s story is a ‘killer’…you have no time to breathe, it was absolutely brilliant!
I urge readers to pick this story up if you enjoy dark books. It truly was an experience. It humanizes every emotion and you feel every heart beat and every tear as you sit there unable to breathe. It was brutal, absolutely, but the message is clear. One human being does not own another. It shows that human nature is first and foremost instinctually self-protective and that in order for another to break that resilience all external stimuli and free-will must be taken away and conquered. However, it also shows the amazing capability of an individual’s resourcefulness and self-empowerment in the darkest hour. It is about survival, our innate instinct to protect and survive.
Jenny: There is no doubt that this book will leave you an emotional wreck. You will be enamored with Jaden, you will admire him for how he deals with situations that would leave a lessor person reeling. His sense of humor will brighten you, but you will ache and you will cry over the cruelty which is so brilliantly, yet disturbingly detailed in this book and you will be exhausted from the thrill of the ride this story will take you on as a consequence. I urge you to hang on because it’s a doozy!
The reveals when they come will extract an audible “wow” from you, I guarantee it. The author brings the story together in such a way that will leave you in awe.
This was indeed dark, you will witness the human spirit being crushed, but you will also revel in how the human spirit can triumph and how one person can prevail against all odds.
“This will end. No matter how bad it is, it won’t last forever. You’re strong Jaden. You’re a survivor”
I agree with you Gitte, in that I would have liked to have seen this story been slightly condensed in some parts, as at times the over explanation of scenes tended to slow the pace of the story. Had there been an epilogue there is no doubt this would have been a 5 star read for me. Jaden’s treatment in incarceration was horrifying and by reducing that section of the story the reader would have still been profoundly affected by what Jaden endured without the lengthy detail.
We went through so much. We experienced everything Jaden did. All his hopes, dreams doubts and despair, his pain and torture. His triumphs, his sorrow and his devastation so we needed to know how he faired going forward. I did love the ending, and it was an HEA of sorts as you said and yes, it did give me a good feeling but I needed more. I was emotionally wrought after this read and just felt I deserved to know how Jaden prevailed. Did he find the peace he so desired and so deserved without the constant threat that had pursued him for most of his life? In my heart I have to believe he did but I would have loved to have heard it from Jaden himself.
I definitely won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry that’s for sure. As avid readers, every now and then Gitte and I feel the need to read something that takes us out of our comfort zone, that tests us as readers and leaves us exhausted yet with that feeling of exhilaration when we’ve finished and Jaden Baker definitely delivered on all counts!
G&J: 4.5 Stars
Gitte: Seriously, I don’t even know where to start with this review. I kind of just want to tell you all to go pick it up if you like a dark and very emotional read because this one is pure genius. It’s so well written, there are no other words for it… G E N I U S!! Yes I had a couple of issues which is why it is not a 5 Star BUT….
I do have to point out that this is not for sensitive readers, nor can anyone truly prepare for Jaden’s journey and I for one was not expecting anything like what I read. I was stunned into a tearful silence, feeling morose for days and unable to pick up another book, yeah it has that kind of effect.
I wanted to jump into my kindle and hurt and eradicate. But most of all I wanted to save Jaden; just hug him, feed him, show him love and humanity. I wanted to reverse time and pick this young boy out of my kindle and yeah save him from the inhumane slavery forcibly imposed on him.
This genre is not one I normally read. I haven’t even got a clue what you would call it. Thriller meets crime meets science fiction meets super natural with a dash of romance thrown in perhaps? Who knows! To be honest I don’t really care. All I care about is that upon finishing I felt exhausted both mentally and physically. My emotions were all over the place and I don’t think I let up crying at any one stage in this book. I was crying from the utter torture, from being scared, from having my heart beaten to a pulp by a little boy and his journey into adulthood.
This kind of journey was a first for me…it was incomparable…something I haven’t experienced before and I truly am lost for words.
So what is it about? It’s about a lost little innocent boy with a gift. A boy whose childhood and part adulthood is stolen by evil and experimented upon in the name of science for what is truly concealed as the greater good but truly is more like a weapon of desired ‘money talking’ destruction. It broke our hearts didn’t it Jenny?!
Jenny: It certainly did Gitte, in fact, I’d say it crushed us and we were speechless during a lot of this book that’s for sure. Once again though Gitte, we go into a book with no preconceived expectations and come out the other end having read something that has blown us away. Love it.
This was indeed a very different read and like you, it was so unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down and I find it impossible to put into one particular genre because it encompassed so many.
It was thrilling, suspenseful, with traces of science fiction, supernatural and yes, there was even romance, humor, heart stopping moments, gut wrenching scenes, with mystery and intrigue told in varying viewpoints to allow the reader to live every heart pounding moment. How often do you find that mixture in a book? This was indeed a very different and unique reading experience but not one you can go into lightly because this book is dark, and there are times this book will completely test your resolve and have you questioning the state of the human race and what depths some people in society will plunge to in the name of “research”. Research? No, there is never a reason for what happened in this book. EVER!
Jaden Baker will steal your heart and your heart will break for him. Young cheeky Jaden who has a unique way of dealing with adversity through sarcastic wit will have you wanting to protect him any way you can. His story and his journey will have you clutching your chest and feeling a sense of dread in your gut. There is no doubt in my mind that Jaden’s story will leave you breathless…completely and utterly breathless. I know I was in tears many a time through this book as I was rallying for the witty and resilient Jaden whose resolve will make you ache for him in a way you can’t imagine and I was with him every step of the way.
“No matter how miserable or painful this got, he would not yield”
You will feel hatred on a level that knows no bounds towards the perpetrators of Jaden’s misery and have you weeping for this lost little boy whose inner strength will astound you. That these people would try to justify their treatment by referring to it as science and for the greater good will leave you shaking with anger!
“When it came down to it, Jaden was valuable to them.”
Gitte: So why not 5 Stars? Well I did have two issues with this story. It was too long and it really didn’t need to be. I completely got and understood the pure terror, the hatred, the violence and the despicable evil and thought some of it should have been cut out. The terror dragged, it felt over written at times.
Instead, I would have LOVED an Epilogue, and in my opinion NEVER has a story needed an Epilogue more than this one. The journey, I as a reader was put through, I definitely needed “an afters”. I needed that moment when I could BREATHE with relief that all was okay, that life was truly delivered to this amazing young man in all its Technicolor glory without the pain and the looking over his shoulder. I needed to know he got every damn thing he so deserved, that he got life back, experienced everything true love and happiness brings, so I felt a little bit cheated out of that breath. Don’t get me wrong, this story does have a type of HEA; however, in my opinion it ends too abruptly after a bombardment of information and discoveries through a dramatic sequence of events. The momentum in the latter part of Jaden’s story is a ‘killer’…you have no time to breathe, it was absolutely brilliant!
I urge readers to pick this story up if you enjoy dark books. It truly was an experience. It humanizes every emotion and you feel every heart beat and every tear as you sit there unable to breathe. It was brutal, absolutely, but the message is clear. One human being does not own another. It shows that human nature is first and foremost instinctually self-protective and that in order for another to break that resilience all external stimuli and free-will must be taken away and conquered. However, it also shows the amazing capability of an individual’s resourcefulness and self-empowerment in the darkest hour. It is about survival, our innate instinct to protect and survive.
Jenny: There is no doubt that this book will leave you an emotional wreck. You will be enamored with Jaden, you will admire him for how he deals with situations that would leave a lessor person reeling. His sense of humor will brighten you, but you will ache and you will cry over the cruelty which is so brilliantly, yet disturbingly detailed in this book and you will be exhausted from the thrill of the ride this story will take you on as a consequence. I urge you to hang on because it’s a doozy!
The reveals when they come will extract an audible “wow” from you, I guarantee it. The author brings the story together in such a way that will leave you in awe.
This was indeed dark, you will witness the human spirit being crushed, but you will also revel in how the human spirit can triumph and how one person can prevail against all odds.
“This will end. No matter how bad it is, it won’t last forever. You’re strong Jaden. You’re a survivor”
I agree with you Gitte, in that I would have liked to have seen this story been slightly condensed in some parts, as at times the over explanation of scenes tended to slow the pace of the story. Had there been an epilogue there is no doubt this would have been a 5 star read for me. Jaden’s treatment in incarceration was horrifying and by reducing that section of the story the reader would have still been profoundly affected by what Jaden endured without the lengthy detail.
We went through so much. We experienced everything Jaden did. All his hopes, dreams doubts and despair, his pain and torture. His triumphs, his sorrow and his devastation so we needed to know how he faired going forward. I did love the ending, and it was an HEA of sorts as you said and yes, it did give me a good feeling but I needed more. I was emotionally wrought after this read and just felt I deserved to know how Jaden prevailed. Did he find the peace he so desired and so deserved without the constant threat that had pursued him for most of his life? In my heart I have to believe he did but I would have loved to have heard it from Jaden himself.
I definitely won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry that’s for sure. As avid readers, every now and then Gitte and I feel the need to read something that takes us out of our comfort zone, that tests us as readers and leaves us exhausted yet with that feeling of exhilaration when we’ve finished and Jaden Baker definitely delivered on all counts!
May 26, 2015
Well.
Shit...that was rough. Jesus.
Let me just go ahead and say that I would NOT categorize this as a romance. There is a love interest and whatever, but the first 60% of the book is Jaden's past. And it is the most horrible, gut wrenching, soul-crushing past. I just wanted it to end. No, I didn't just want it to end, I wanted him to be free and loved and those who took part in his abduction and torture to be killed in the most gruesome manner possible. Yeah, it was like that.
I enjoyed the writing. I was definitely feeling everything.
Seth was...confusing to me.
I think I expected...more somehow out of the second half, and don't misunderstand, I wanted that connection for Jaden, I wanted him to find love and all that, but...I just didn't...feel it. Maybe from his end, but from her end it was like...huh, really?
I think what I wanted was just a different kind of ending. One that would be more personally satisfying, but I'm not upset with the way it went. There were some surprises in there, definitely didn't see a few of those things coming.
I think Libby was the weakest part of it for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing and the characters and the way it all played out, but I will warn potential readers, its tough, there are parts that turly turn your stomach.
Shit...that was rough. Jesus.
Let me just go ahead and say that I would NOT categorize this as a romance. There is a love interest and whatever, but the first 60% of the book is Jaden's past. And it is the most horrible, gut wrenching, soul-crushing past. I just wanted it to end. No, I didn't just want it to end, I wanted him to be free and loved and those who took part in his abduction and torture to be killed in the most gruesome manner possible. Yeah, it was like that.
I enjoyed the writing. I was definitely feeling everything.
Seth was...confusing to me.
I think I expected...more somehow out of the second half, and don't misunderstand, I wanted that connection for Jaden, I wanted him to find love and all that, but...I just didn't...feel it. Maybe from his end, but from her end it was like...huh, really?
I think what I wanted was just a different kind of ending. One that would be more personally satisfying, but I'm not upset with the way it went. There were some surprises in there, definitely didn't see a few of those things coming.
I think Libby was the weakest part of it for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing and the characters and the way it all played out, but I will warn potential readers, its tough, there are parts that turly turn your stomach.
June 18, 2013
3.5 stars
Books like this are why I read mostly romance and YA these days. The unrelenting horror and depravity in Jordan Baker has given me a stomach ache for hours after I finished reading. If I'd known what it was really about, I never would have read it.
That being said, it's quite good, the drama is gripping and the character of Jaden Baker is one that stays with you. It will leave you emotionally wrung out and wanting to find a small child to give a hug to.
There is a rather large coincidence of the kind that only happens in books to move the plot forward, which I thought was a bit much, and the book is a tad overlong, but it moves and comes full circle quite nicely. The writing is strong, though there are several POV slips. I would have loved more from Libby's POV because I wasn't really sure I understand her draw to Jaden fully.
Overall, this was quite an emotional journey, it just took me to places I'm not sure I wanted to go.
Books like this are why I read mostly romance and YA these days. The unrelenting horror and depravity in Jordan Baker has given me a stomach ache for hours after I finished reading. If I'd known what it was really about, I never would have read it.
That being said, it's quite good, the drama is gripping and the character of Jaden Baker is one that stays with you. It will leave you emotionally wrung out and wanting to find a small child to give a hug to.
There is a rather large coincidence of the kind that only happens in books to move the plot forward, which I thought was a bit much, and the book is a tad overlong, but it moves and comes full circle quite nicely. The writing is strong, though there are several POV slips. I would have loved more from Libby's POV because I wasn't really sure I understand her draw to Jaden fully.
Overall, this was quite an emotional journey, it just took me to places I'm not sure I wanted to go.
May 2, 2013
Amazing!! A story of Jaden Baker which starts as gifted 9 year old boy kidnapped and imprisoned in an underground training facility. Its sometimes a difficult story to read because of the way he was treated by cold and abusive "scientists". Jaden's instict to survive had me captivated and the fact that despite him being locked away from the world for years and treated so badly, he didn't become the monster he could have been. I couldn't put it down and the ending was everything I'd hoped for!!
February 9, 2015
Jaden Baker is a 9 year old foster child who is suddenly captured from his almost adoptive parents and held for 6 years in an underground facility in San Francisco so his psychokinetic behavior can be studied and trained. The first half of the book was heart wrenching and appalling, a wonder the child lived under those circumstances. Jaden escapes and lives unmolested for ten years in Seattle. Books are his solace, comfort and teacher. The story starts to fall apart at this point and a lot was hard to imagine let alone believe and some matters left unresolved (like who is Seth?).
September 17, 2011
This book is not my normal genre, but I couldn't put it down. The only reason I managed to get any sleep is because my nook battery died. The author managed to make the antagonist truly evil and still believable. You get pulled in to the story and just can't stop reading until you find out what happens. Make sure you have plenty of time when you start this book, because you won't want to do anything else until the story is done.
May 24, 2012
Hooked me from the first page. Haven't done much since I started it. Definitely not a light read, though. Explores what some people are willing to do in the name of "science" and the "greater good" when what they are really doing is stroking their own ego. And just how much someone will endure before they give in to their captors.
April 19, 2013
I think that I should be pretty mad that I was zombie-style yesterday - I haven't sleep at all, I just HAD to finish it.
Jaden Baker... I wish I could hug you.
4 stars.
Jaden Baker... I wish I could hug you.
4 stars.
December 13, 2019
I hesitated to start this book as it was so long (700 pages on my tablet) but once I did I could not put it down. There were moments when I felt so horrified and devastated at what was happening to Jaden that I felt like I could not bear to continue reading. Yes there is a convenient plot device but even that did not diminish the impact of this book. I feel like I have been through an emotional wringer!
April 11, 2022
Not what I expected
To be honest I found parts of the book really hard to read so I did end up skimming through a few parts. I did enjoy the book, however, I do feel like it ended without a proper explanation of Seth which was disappointing and I would have liked to read about the meeting with Ethan.
To be honest I found parts of the book really hard to read so I did end up skimming through a few parts. I did enjoy the book, however, I do feel like it ended without a proper explanation of Seth which was disappointing and I would have liked to read about the meeting with Ethan.
October 18, 2023
Some of the content was difficult to read. There is detailed accounts of child abuse, and although the story is fiction it reads like it's true. This made certain chapters difficult. As the story went on I became more engrossed in knowing where the story would go. I'm glad there was a happy ending, because for a while I wasn't sure there would be.
January 4, 2020
Exciting and scary
Excellent book,definitely a 4.5 star. It is scary that some humans would exact their will on others for monetary gain. Only criticism I have is the use of the word smirk. Used way to much.
Excellent book,definitely a 4.5 star. It is scary that some humans would exact their will on others for monetary gain. Only criticism I have is the use of the word smirk. Used way to much.
December 18, 2021
there is a bit (a lot) of language, also french and german :)
April 4, 2025
Excellent tale
This story started slow but picked up steam along the way. With murder, back stabbing and a touch of romance it will keep you pulling for our heroes until the end.
This story started slow but picked up steam along the way. With murder, back stabbing and a touch of romance it will keep you pulling for our heroes until the end.
August 7, 2025
Science fiction. amazing book. Couldn't put it down!
February 23, 2013
You can also read my review here: http://thebookendreviews.blogspot.com...
I do not really read a whole lot of paranormal type books. Dark forces, Super natural Creature, the living dead, super human powers... I never seem to be able to get into the books, unless they have something that I can't keep away from.
Jaden Baker is something, someone, I couldn't keep away from.
The novel written by Courtney Kirchoff first introduces us to Jaden Baker at age 25 while in a drug store. He starts bleeding from the nose and has a seizure like symptoms. A girl in the same aisle rushes to his aid and calls 911. The last thing Jaden asks of the girl before he passes out is "Don't let them take me!"
We are taken back to when Jaden is 9 years old and living with his new potential family that is in the process of adopting him. Jaden has been living with them for a week, happy but frightened of what would happen when they discover who he is. Jaden is Psychokinesis (PK). One night his family learns of his powers and before Jaden can even explain what happened, he gets kidnapped. Taken underground and held as a prisoner while Dr. Dalton does experiments and tests on Jaden. Dalton wants to know how PK works. After 4 years there is a chance that Jaden can escape. He takes the opportunity but fails. Dr. Madrid then takes over and its horrifying. Madrid doesn't care how PK works, he's only concerned about making it work as an advantage. A weapon. Madrid doesn't stop at anything to get what he wants from Jaden.
Finally after 2 years of pure torture, Jaden at age 15 escapes. We are then brought up to speed after 10 years of Jaden hiding out and walking into a drug store one night where he collapses. Where he tells the girl (Libby) in the aisle "Don't let them take me!"
Libby helps Jaden and he soon decides that he will no longer run from them. He won't be afraid and he won't be held captive anymore. He's going to fight for his freedom. Fight for a life. His life.
Within the first two paragraphs, I was hooked. When I couldn't read, I would wonder what will happen next and couldn't wait for the chance to find out. I felt so bad for Jaden and there was nothing I could do to make it better. There were times when I was afraid for Jaden...when I was proud of Jaden and especially when I had hope for Jaden.
I suggest everyone else have hope for Jaden. Pick up a copy of Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff. Whether it is a genre that you are interested in or something that you stay clear from...The outcome will be the same result..
★★★★★ to Jaden Baker.
I do not really read a whole lot of paranormal type books. Dark forces, Super natural Creature, the living dead, super human powers... I never seem to be able to get into the books, unless they have something that I can't keep away from.
Jaden Baker is something, someone, I couldn't keep away from.
The novel written by Courtney Kirchoff first introduces us to Jaden Baker at age 25 while in a drug store. He starts bleeding from the nose and has a seizure like symptoms. A girl in the same aisle rushes to his aid and calls 911. The last thing Jaden asks of the girl before he passes out is "Don't let them take me!"
We are taken back to when Jaden is 9 years old and living with his new potential family that is in the process of adopting him. Jaden has been living with them for a week, happy but frightened of what would happen when they discover who he is. Jaden is Psychokinesis (PK). One night his family learns of his powers and before Jaden can even explain what happened, he gets kidnapped. Taken underground and held as a prisoner while Dr. Dalton does experiments and tests on Jaden. Dalton wants to know how PK works. After 4 years there is a chance that Jaden can escape. He takes the opportunity but fails. Dr. Madrid then takes over and its horrifying. Madrid doesn't care how PK works, he's only concerned about making it work as an advantage. A weapon. Madrid doesn't stop at anything to get what he wants from Jaden.
Finally after 2 years of pure torture, Jaden at age 15 escapes. We are then brought up to speed after 10 years of Jaden hiding out and walking into a drug store one night where he collapses. Where he tells the girl (Libby) in the aisle "Don't let them take me!"
Libby helps Jaden and he soon decides that he will no longer run from them. He won't be afraid and he won't be held captive anymore. He's going to fight for his freedom. Fight for a life. His life.
Within the first two paragraphs, I was hooked. When I couldn't read, I would wonder what will happen next and couldn't wait for the chance to find out. I felt so bad for Jaden and there was nothing I could do to make it better. There were times when I was afraid for Jaden...when I was proud of Jaden and especially when I had hope for Jaden.
I suggest everyone else have hope for Jaden. Pick up a copy of Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff. Whether it is a genre that you are interested in or something that you stay clear from...The outcome will be the same result..
★★★★★ to Jaden Baker.
May 8, 2013
This book is a solid 5 stars.
Never have I hated a character as much as I did Joseph Madrid, in fact hate is not a strong enough word.
Jaden has a special gift, he can move things with his mind. As a child he was kidnapped by an organization called Ashcroft, which was run by Joseph Madrid, who wanted to use his gift for their own ends. He was kept as a prisoner underground and tortured by the sadistic, sick and twisted Madrid. The torture was very hard for me to read because I can't bear any kind of cruelty to a child but I had to keep reading because I needed to know that Madrid would get what he deserved. Yet time and time again he emerged as the victor and my heart broke anew for Jaden.
Jaden finds love with Libby and I was glad for the epilogue, this book needed it, I had to know that Jaden was going to be okay.
Madrid does get what's coming to him, though not in the way I expected. This story gripped me from start to finish. It's now on my favourites shelf.
Never have I hated a character as much as I did Joseph Madrid, in fact hate is not a strong enough word.
Jaden has a special gift, he can move things with his mind. As a child he was kidnapped by an organization called Ashcroft, which was run by Joseph Madrid, who wanted to use his gift for their own ends. He was kept as a prisoner underground and tortured by the sadistic, sick and twisted Madrid. The torture was very hard for me to read because I can't bear any kind of cruelty to a child but I had to keep reading because I needed to know that Madrid would get what he deserved. Yet time and time again he emerged as the victor and my heart broke anew for Jaden.
Jaden finds love with Libby and I was glad for the epilogue, this book needed it, I had to know that Jaden was going to be okay.
Madrid does get what's coming to him, though not in the way I expected. This story gripped me from start to finish. It's now on my favourites shelf.
August 15, 2012
I have to say this was such an exciting book to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the reoccurring themes that I noticed in this book was that you are not owned by any human and that you should be free to live your life the way you want to. The Kirchoff showed this message constantly and strongly believes in it.
During one of the many scenes when Jaden is giving up on ever escaping, he's given hope in the form of himself. I think that this shows how Kirchoff believes that patience is and important key to living life. I recommend this book because it's enthralling as well as comedic. You get to see the different view points of some of the characters which allows you to see where they are coming from. I'd recommend this book to high schoolers and up due to foul language and thematic elements/very descriptive scenes that are violent.
During one of the many scenes when Jaden is giving up on ever escaping, he's given hope in the form of himself. I think that this shows how Kirchoff believes that patience is and important key to living life. I recommend this book because it's enthralling as well as comedic. You get to see the different view points of some of the characters which allows you to see where they are coming from. I'd recommend this book to high schoolers and up due to foul language and thematic elements/very descriptive scenes that are violent.
December 13, 2014
Couldn't put it down. Years later, and I'm still recommending it to people!
I read this over two years ago (I know, I've been remiss in reviews) and I STILL recommend it to anyone and everyone. It left that much of an impression with me. Kirchoff's talents abound and manages to successfully hook the reader with the first sentence. It has everything a perfect book needs. Action, an epic protagonist, a villain you despise, a touch of romance, plot twists and plenty more where it all came from. I'm still harboring suspicions that Jaden Baker was written specifically with me in mind. Love, love, love this book! Oh, and one last thing. It's clean. No sex! That is huge for me!
I read this over two years ago (I know, I've been remiss in reviews) and I STILL recommend it to anyone and everyone. It left that much of an impression with me. Kirchoff's talents abound and manages to successfully hook the reader with the first sentence. It has everything a perfect book needs. Action, an epic protagonist, a villain you despise, a touch of romance, plot twists and plenty more where it all came from. I'm still harboring suspicions that Jaden Baker was written specifically with me in mind. Love, love, love this book! Oh, and one last thing. It's clean. No sex! That is huge for me!
March 14, 2014
This book is seriously different from other books. It is a psychological thriller, which is heavy on the psychological aspect. It is one of those books that you read through as quickly as possible, and then regret going through the book so quickly. This book made me have visceral feelings for the main character and his plight, and then when it all came together, it shocked the heck out of me. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves thrillers and needs a well written story, that is unlike most.
July 1, 2012
Fast paced story that kept me interested. Could be a really good movie with the right screenwriter too in a Bourne Identity kind of way. I'm still a bit confused about Seth and I with the author had given some outside observer perspective to his interactions with Jaden. Some of the ways the characters end up being connected was kind of predictable and too tidy for me but overall I really enjoyed the story.
June 22, 2013
This book is difficult for me to rate, it's varies from two to five stars, at some point I seriously was thinking to quit because of so much gut-wrenching situations, my poor heart simply couldn't take anymore, but Jaden's wonderful character was strongly keeping me from abandoning him. My favorite part of this story is when Jaden meets Libby. I wish that we have more time with Libby and Jaden together, for me there was too much Joseph
June 16, 2012
Kirchoff's story is a must read, plain and simple. She's got great characters and a lively plot. I powered through the book in one sitting, and while some of the scenes were a little tough content-wise, Kirchoff handled the telling of them with aplomb and grace. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Kirchoff.
July 6, 2012
Wow. Brutal, but well-written. I love when an author's style doesn't draw attention to itself, but still draws the reader into the protagonist's world. I was right there with Jaden the whole time.
Made me think, which I love. Lots of language, so I'd hesitate to recommend it. Why do I keep reading books I'm ashamed to recommend??
I know.
The talent.
Dang.
Made me think, which I love. Lots of language, so I'd hesitate to recommend it. Why do I keep reading books I'm ashamed to recommend??
I know.
The talent.
Dang.
Read
May 19, 2013Taking a break...quite a long read!! Since it's taken me 3 days to get to 66%, I've decided to pick up something else and come back this one. So far, it's a very interesting read, totally love Jaden! I just feel like after a few days of reading about the same thing, I want a little change...but I will definitely come back to it!
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