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Talent Chronicles #0.5
Impulse Control
In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a dangerous experiment has killed two young inmates and threatens others. Ethan, a shape-shifter, is reluctantly recruited by his best friend Karen, a telepath, and Elle, the unique Talent he has a crush on, to thwart the faculty's plans. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning."Impulse Control" is a SHORT STORY of approximately 12,000 words and contains some strong language.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2011
26 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Susan Bischoff
11 books346 followersI’ve got a thing for love stories and superheroes. I’m working on something I call the Talent Chronicles. This series began with my desire for more superheroes! More romance! More Superhero!Romance.
Talents are people born with supernatural abilities, trying to find their way in a world that fears and wants to control them. I like to explore how the things that make us different from each other sometimes make life difficult, and sometimes are the making of us. These stories are for people who love Buffy, wanted more romance in Heroes, and thought Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor should have worked things out.
Talents are people born with supernatural abilities, trying to find their way in a world that fears and wants to control them. I like to explore how the things that make us different from each other sometimes make life difficult, and sometimes are the making of us. These stories are for people who love Buffy, wanted more romance in Heroes, and thought Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor should have worked things out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 30, 2011
Um, can I say MOAR ETHAN PLEASE? Fun, quick jaunt into the dark world of the State Schools. A nice tide me over until Heroes Til Curfew. And seriously...Susan...more Ethan...
April 5, 2019
More exciting than I expected. This is a fun quick YA read that is part of a series. Kinda goofy, but I found myself really caught up in it.
June 2, 2011
I feel the need to justify this two-star rating. According to the Goodreads rating scale, two stars, while it may seem like a low rating, is okay--and that's just what Impulse Control was. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't particularly great, either.
The whole idea of Talents and their world was well done, in my opinion. I liked Elle's "fixing" Talent, one of the more unique powers, and the State School atmosphere seemed pretty realistic. Most of the plot, however, was too implausible for me.
The further into the story it got, the more it seemed to contradict the oppressive, all-powerful State School image that had been so convincing at the start.
But on positive note, the preview for Hush Money at the end was promising. It had the same type of good worldbuilding and characters, both of which hopefully will benefit from having more room to grow. The rest of the Talent Chronicles series is definitely on my "to read" list, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the Impulse Control characters will be involved in coming books.
The whole idea of Talents and their world was well done, in my opinion. I liked Elle's "fixing" Talent, one of the more unique powers, and the State School atmosphere seemed pretty realistic. Most of the plot, however, was too implausible for me.
The further into the story it got, the more it seemed to contradict the oppressive, all-powerful State School image that had been so convincing at the start.
But on positive note, the preview for Hush Money at the end was promising. It had the same type of good worldbuilding and characters, both of which hopefully will benefit from having more room to grow. The rest of the Talent Chronicles series is definitely on my "to read" list, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the Impulse Control characters will be involved in coming books.
March 21, 2011
Ok, so...yeah. I'm giving my own work 5 stars again. What did you expect, modesty? And what am I going to tell you? I wouldn't have put it out there if I couldn't recommend it.
This is a short story I originally wrote for the "Kiss Me, Kill Me" anthology, where you can find it with stories from 8 other great writers at a fantastic price. It's also available all on its own now, for those who are just collecting Talent Chronicles stories. Previous reading in the Chronicles isn't required for this one.
It was a fun story to write, and I introduce some characters who will have important stories later in the series. I hope you'll think it's a fun read, too.
This is a short story I originally wrote for the "Kiss Me, Kill Me" anthology, where you can find it with stories from 8 other great writers at a fantastic price. It's also available all on its own now, for those who are just collecting Talent Chronicles stories. Previous reading in the Chronicles isn't required for this one.
It was a fun story to write, and I introduce some characters who will have important stories later in the series. I hope you'll think it's a fun read, too.
August 31, 2016
Oh, yes, yes, yes! I really liked this! Great plot -- very unusual. And the romance (my favorite part) was sweet. It made me sigh :-)
Heads up that this is a VERY short book -- only about 50 pages. When I got it on amazon, it was free. Definitely worth the price LOL
Heads up that this is a VERY short book -- only about 50 pages. When I got it on amazon, it was free. Definitely worth the price LOL
March 19, 2025
I read Impulse Control and the rest of the available Talent Chronicle books back in the early 2010s. As a preteen whose parents bought her a Kindle so she would stop asking to go to the library and bookstore so often, I found a lot of either self-published or ebook only books that I probably would have never found otherwise.
My original pre-teen rating was 5 Stars, which is EXTREMELY generous. But I think i loved most of the stuff I read back then. I also knew nothing about writing styles, narrative arcs, on and on, and on. It was a simpler time.
I'll admit I did expect this to not hold up to my memories of it. But I still quite enjoyed the characters and their relationships. The story itself lacks realism, not that kids with superpowers is realistic. But it seems altogether too easy that this group of children could so early break into a top secret lab facility and then make it out unscathed and not get caught. It's a fun story, but the stakes just weren't there.
Last thing I'll say here: I'm rereading this series as a final goodbye to the characters before finally removing the forever unpublished third book from my TBR and giving it its metaphorical funeral. Honestly, I'm a little crushed still that I'll never see how the author intended the story to end. But I guess that's what fanfiction is for, right? 3/5 Stars for characters and nostalgia.
My original pre-teen rating was 5 Stars, which is EXTREMELY generous. But I think i loved most of the stuff I read back then. I also knew nothing about writing styles, narrative arcs, on and on, and on. It was a simpler time.
I'll admit I did expect this to not hold up to my memories of it. But I still quite enjoyed the characters and their relationships. The story itself lacks realism, not that kids with superpowers is realistic. But it seems altogether too easy that this group of children could so early break into a top secret lab facility and then make it out unscathed and not get caught. It's a fun story, but the stakes just weren't there.
Last thing I'll say here: I'm rereading this series as a final goodbye to the characters before finally removing the forever unpublished third book from my TBR and giving it its metaphorical funeral. Honestly, I'm a little crushed still that I'll never see how the author intended the story to end. But I guess that's what fanfiction is for, right? 3/5 Stars for characters and nostalgia.
November 3, 2018
A Short Introduction to the world of Tslents
A short but exciting glimpse into the world of Talents, individuals with super abilities that vary from physical strength to mind control . All kids being manipulated by the government for use as military weapons .
A short but exciting glimpse into the world of Talents, individuals with super abilities that vary from physical strength to mind control . All kids being manipulated by the government for use as military weapons .
January 23, 2025
A fun, quick, YA short story.
June 9, 2016
I have to admit, I was not such a huge fan of this series. I just didn’t feel much of a connection with the characters and I was confused with the prequel book because it literally had nothing to do with any of the characters in the actual series. It was just related to the Talents and the NIAC program but that was it. I actually liked the characters in the prequel much better than in the actual series and it was disappointing to find out that none of them made it to book 1 or 2. Maybe they’ll appear in book 3 but I somewhat doubt it.
While I did appreciate Joss and her badass self especially with those fighting skills she had developed sparring with her father, her aloofness in the first book made her hard to approach. So when Kat approached her and Joss suddenly had a group of friends, it just made things more unbelievable. When I was in high school, we didn’t just approach a loner and then suddenly all become friends with that loner. That’s just not typical high school behavior. Granted, they’re supposed to have Talents and therefore be “special” but teenage behavior is still teenage behavior. That doesn’t change things.
Also, can I just mention how dumb I found Joss to be at times? Especially when she knew there was trouble there and yet she would go head first into it and then things were going downhill, she would look back and be like “wait, why did I even come here in the first place?” How is that not pure dumbness? It literally made no sense to me. And Dylan, because of his feelings towards her, would run in after her as well and then they both get fucked. They never call for backup, they never plan ahead and then when they find themselves in a really bad situation, well. I just don’t understand. I really don’t.
The relationship between Dylan and Joss was just weird and awkward as well. But…I guess teenagers are awkward and weird so I suppose that’s just normal behavior. However, I still thought their relationship felt a little forced at times and the reason why it even developed was because of their friends - mainly Kat and Heather with her mind reading skills. Otherwise, neither of them would’ve grown a pair and then they wouldn’t have gotten together at all.
The side characters – Kat, Heather, Eric, Rob and the “bad” kids – Marco, Jeff, Tony, etc. definitely helped develop the story but I’m not sure if the author did a good job introducing them. This was especially true for the “bad” kids because the ones in the first book changed in the second. I’m not even sure where Marco got the kids from the second book from. They just randomly appeared with random Talents that would help Marco out with his criminal acts. I just really want to know where they came from. And how did Fairview, a seemingly small town, just suddenly have tons of teenagers with Talents. They’re just popping out of nowhere.
Overall, I felt that there were a lot of unanswered questions in both books and perhaps the third book will tie everything together but since I wasn’t impressed with either books, I think I’m going to drop this series. There are way too many better books out there for me to spend time on this one. I really wanted to like these books but alas.
To read more: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
While I did appreciate Joss and her badass self especially with those fighting skills she had developed sparring with her father, her aloofness in the first book made her hard to approach. So when Kat approached her and Joss suddenly had a group of friends, it just made things more unbelievable. When I was in high school, we didn’t just approach a loner and then suddenly all become friends with that loner. That’s just not typical high school behavior. Granted, they’re supposed to have Talents and therefore be “special” but teenage behavior is still teenage behavior. That doesn’t change things.
Also, can I just mention how dumb I found Joss to be at times? Especially when she knew there was trouble there and yet she would go head first into it and then things were going downhill, she would look back and be like “wait, why did I even come here in the first place?” How is that not pure dumbness? It literally made no sense to me. And Dylan, because of his feelings towards her, would run in after her as well and then they both get fucked. They never call for backup, they never plan ahead and then when they find themselves in a really bad situation, well. I just don’t understand. I really don’t.
The relationship between Dylan and Joss was just weird and awkward as well. But…I guess teenagers are awkward and weird so I suppose that’s just normal behavior. However, I still thought their relationship felt a little forced at times and the reason why it even developed was because of their friends - mainly Kat and Heather with her mind reading skills. Otherwise, neither of them would’ve grown a pair and then they wouldn’t have gotten together at all.
The side characters – Kat, Heather, Eric, Rob and the “bad” kids – Marco, Jeff, Tony, etc. definitely helped develop the story but I’m not sure if the author did a good job introducing them. This was especially true for the “bad” kids because the ones in the first book changed in the second. I’m not even sure where Marco got the kids from the second book from. They just randomly appeared with random Talents that would help Marco out with his criminal acts. I just really want to know where they came from. And how did Fairview, a seemingly small town, just suddenly have tons of teenagers with Talents. They’re just popping out of nowhere.
Overall, I felt that there were a lot of unanswered questions in both books and perhaps the third book will tie everything together but since I wasn’t impressed with either books, I think I’m going to drop this series. There are way too many better books out there for me to spend time on this one. I really wanted to like these books but alas.
To read more: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
January 28, 2012
After reading Hush Money and Heroes til Curfew, it was nice to see how the other Talents live! Special school is often brought up when the Talents in Bischoff's first Talent Chronicles book discuss the importance of keeping their Talents, or special powers, under control so they are not ripped from their normal world consisting of their families, friends, and freedoms, although their freedoms come with limitations. Although I loved the concept and the budding romance between Joss and Dylan in the frist two, I did find myself sucked into Impulse Control and growing fond of Ethan and Elle. I think Susan Bischoff has a gift of creating a different world that automatically captures you through her lovable characters, her avid imagination and her ability to leave you wanting more.
Impulse Control is a very short story tapping into the life of the Talents who were unfortunate enough to be captured and put in the Special School. We meet Ethan, a shapeshifter, who speaks in the first person about life in the school and his mission, along with his friends consisting of Healers, Mind Readers, Flame Throwers, etc. They band together to save the young Intermediate Talents who are being experimented on with mind control involving implantation of chips in the brain that allow the government to control their every move and influence their thoughts and actions. Although it is very short, it is a nice little start to whats to come in the future from Susan Bischoff and the remainder of her Talent Chronicle novels.
Impulse Control is a very short story tapping into the life of the Talents who were unfortunate enough to be captured and put in the Special School. We meet Ethan, a shapeshifter, who speaks in the first person about life in the school and his mission, along with his friends consisting of Healers, Mind Readers, Flame Throwers, etc. They band together to save the young Intermediate Talents who are being experimented on with mind control involving implantation of chips in the brain that allow the government to control their every move and influence their thoughts and actions. Although it is very short, it is a nice little start to whats to come in the future from Susan Bischoff and the remainder of her Talent Chronicle novels.
April 2, 2012
I feel particularly harsh rating this book a 3, but felt the need to as I currently rate on my blog out of 10, and the 7 I rated this book best converted into this middle of the range mark. Yet this is not by any means an average book!
Advertised as a short story, it is only 12,000 words long and I easily devoured it in one night. When reading the description I likened them to the Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, which I loved as an easy to read YA fantasy series, and was excited to find something similar. I was not disappointed by this short taster into this series but fear it may be targeted even younger than imagined. The titles of the second book 'Heroes before Curfew' saying a lot. This being said I did really enjoy getting drawn into the pubescent mind of young supernatural's, the pure escapism proving much more enjoyable than some more complex adult reads. The characters promised to be well developed and likeable whilst engaging in a action filled narrative with just the right amount of awkward romance. Ethan promises to be a perfect substitute for troubled Derek from the Darkest Powers, in a way that is teasingly familiar.
I can't say this book offers something new or revolutionary but it is a taster to a series I want to read more of. The first book in the series, Hush Money priced at just 77p has been downloaded and added on to my Kindle's TBR folder, so watch this space for the review!
You can read my full review here:
Advertised as a short story, it is only 12,000 words long and I easily devoured it in one night. When reading the description I likened them to the Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, which I loved as an easy to read YA fantasy series, and was excited to find something similar. I was not disappointed by this short taster into this series but fear it may be targeted even younger than imagined. The titles of the second book 'Heroes before Curfew' saying a lot. This being said I did really enjoy getting drawn into the pubescent mind of young supernatural's, the pure escapism proving much more enjoyable than some more complex adult reads. The characters promised to be well developed and likeable whilst engaging in a action filled narrative with just the right amount of awkward romance. Ethan promises to be a perfect substitute for troubled Derek from the Darkest Powers, in a way that is teasingly familiar.
I can't say this book offers something new or revolutionary but it is a taster to a series I want to read more of. The first book in the series, Hush Money priced at just 77p has been downloaded and added on to my Kindle's TBR folder, so watch this space for the review!
You can read my full review here:
July 20, 2012
Impulse Control (Talent Chronicles 0.5) this is an interesting starting to a series that has really piqued my interest. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the future adventures of Karen, Elle, Ethan and the other inmates of the State Schools.
Novels about superheroes are a new market to me. I haven’t found many books on the subject that aren’t graphic novels. Everything about this novel has the perfect ingredients to be an amazing novel.
Ethan’s power is the most interesting. It’s affected by his emotion something I never thought of when thinking about shape shifters. The darker component to his shifting ability makes him the most interesting.
The government policing people with abilities reminds me of the Ultimate Comics X-Men. Don’t start. I know the Ultimate Comics is a reinterpretation of an older storyline from the main Marvel universe. The Ultimate Universe has been accessible to me without all the previous history that comes with reading the main universe.
Even in this prequel I can’t wait for what Susan Bischoff has in store. Because for all the good the government says they are doing it’s always about control, power, and fear.
Novels about superheroes are a new market to me. I haven’t found many books on the subject that aren’t graphic novels. Everything about this novel has the perfect ingredients to be an amazing novel.
Ethan’s power is the most interesting. It’s affected by his emotion something I never thought of when thinking about shape shifters. The darker component to his shifting ability makes him the most interesting.
The government policing people with abilities reminds me of the Ultimate Comics X-Men. Don’t start. I know the Ultimate Comics is a reinterpretation of an older storyline from the main Marvel universe. The Ultimate Universe has been accessible to me without all the previous history that comes with reading the main universe.
Even in this prequel I can’t wait for what Susan Bischoff has in store. Because for all the good the government says they are doing it’s always about control, power, and fear.
July 26, 2016
I love the secrecy of the silhouettes as if your not aloud to see their true identity and must be hidden from the outside world.
I really enjoyed this short story that revealed to us more of the secrets surrounding the research facilities and their occupants. After reading Hush Money, there were many questions left unanswered including what actually happens at the facilities and why they appear to have left the surface of the earth with no way of tracking them.
I must say though, I got so into the story that when it ended I just wanted more. Making me hope that there will be more tales about the facilities in the second instalment. I also enjoyed hearing about all the different Talents everyone has and they how high the power behind them can affect and manipulate anything.
You can find my review for the first instalment, Hush Money here. The second instalment in this series; Heroes 'Til Curfew.
July 4, 2011
In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a dangerous experiment has killed two young inmates and threatens others. Ethan, a shape-shifter, is reluctantly recruited by his best friend Karen, a telepath, and Elle, the unique Talent he has a crush on, to thwart the faculty's plans. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning.
"Impulse Control" is a short story of approximately 12,000 words and contains some strong language. Concerned parents are encouraged to read for suitability before downloading this title for tween/younger teen readers.
My Review - This book was short, sweet and pretty good. I liked reading this because I couldn't put it down and that's what I'd been lacking in the last book I read. I've already started the second book in the series and I'm looking forward to getting into it.
"Impulse Control" is a short story of approximately 12,000 words and contains some strong language. Concerned parents are encouraged to read for suitability before downloading this title for tween/younger teen readers.
My Review - This book was short, sweet and pretty good. I liked reading this because I couldn't put it down and that's what I'd been lacking in the last book I read. I've already started the second book in the series and I'm looking forward to getting into it.
April 21, 2013
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
This was a great short story that takes place in the Talent Chronicles series. I've only read the 1st book (Hush Money) but I really liked it! I love the world Susan Bischoff created with all these different characters with different (but waaaay cool) supernatural abilities!
However, I kinda wished there would've been more of a clarification as to who had what "talent," as they call it, to spare me the confusion throughout the novella. I also had a hard time following the telepathic convo at the beginning...you know, who was saying what.
But besides that confusion, I thought the story was great! For being a short story, it kept my attention all the way through with it's cool talents and tons of action and even a little budding romance! I'm wondering how the characters from this prequel will tie into the rest of the series, or if they're even going to show up at all! Either way, I'm highly looking forward to reading the next book!
This was a great short story that takes place in the Talent Chronicles series. I've only read the 1st book (Hush Money) but I really liked it! I love the world Susan Bischoff created with all these different characters with different (but waaaay cool) supernatural abilities!
However, I kinda wished there would've been more of a clarification as to who had what "talent," as they call it, to spare me the confusion throughout the novella. I also had a hard time following the telepathic convo at the beginning...you know, who was saying what.
But besides that confusion, I thought the story was great! For being a short story, it kept my attention all the way through with it's cool talents and tons of action and even a little budding romance! I'm wondering how the characters from this prequel will tie into the rest of the series, or if they're even going to show up at all! Either way, I'm highly looking forward to reading the next book!
January 15, 2012
More awesome from Susan Bishcoff, although not enough to tie me over until book 3. We don't see any of Joss and Dylan but Emily makes a cameo which made me do a little happy dance.
I did like the new characters that were introduced as well as their respective Talents. It was interesting to finally peek inside the infamous State Schools but I was a little disappointed... I thought they'd meaner but it came off as being more like a strict military school. They were tough on them but nothing inhumane (except maybe the no boy/girl relationships rule :P ) like they were described. But then again, maybe that's just the tip of the iceberg. Of course the experimenting with mind control thing was pretty bad...
I want Ethan to yell HULK SMASH while in "beast form". Just once. ;)
I'm looking forward to seeing how these new characters will meet our more familiar ones (maybe in an attempt to bust out Emily) and where they'll go from there. So hurry up and write book 3 Susan!
I did like the new characters that were introduced as well as their respective Talents. It was interesting to finally peek inside the infamous State Schools but I was a little disappointed... I thought they'd meaner but it came off as being more like a strict military school. They were tough on them but nothing inhumane (except maybe the no boy/girl relationships rule :P ) like they were described. But then again, maybe that's just the tip of the iceberg. Of course the experimenting with mind control thing was pretty bad...
I want Ethan to yell HULK SMASH while in "beast form". Just once. ;)
I'm looking forward to seeing how these new characters will meet our more familiar ones (maybe in an attempt to bust out Emily) and where they'll go from there. So hurry up and write book 3 Susan!
February 25, 2016
Great short novella (49 pages) and available for free at the moment on Amazon as an introduction to the Talent Chronicles series by Susan Bischoff. Story works fine as a stand-alone. Young Adult (YA), but mature YA, with romance and superpowers in a world which fears and controls people showing Talent from a young age.
One of the best superpower stories I have read in a long time; complicated, with a large cast despite its short length, yet you don't get lost in who is who - each character is unique and had a unique voice and goal. The superpowers are both standard for some (mind-reading) and unique (fixing things) for others; everyone works well as a team even with the different motivations. In addition, the romance is sweet, the friendships strong, and the danger real.
Worth a read and I have made a note to pick up the actual series this short story feeds into because the author seems to write well. Looks like she did all of her writing around 2011.
One of the best superpower stories I have read in a long time; complicated, with a large cast despite its short length, yet you don't get lost in who is who - each character is unique and had a unique voice and goal. The superpowers are both standard for some (mind-reading) and unique (fixing things) for others; everyone works well as a team even with the different motivations. In addition, the romance is sweet, the friendships strong, and the danger real.
Worth a read and I have made a note to pick up the actual series this short story feeds into because the author seems to write well. Looks like she did all of her writing around 2011.
October 20, 2011
This is a short, free, intro to the Talent series. I - however - read it after Hush Money so it's very much stands alone story. Really enjoyed it. Very much worth checking out! I've reviewed Hush Money if you're interested in more about this indie author!
Goodreads summary: "In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a dangerous experiment has killed two young inmates and threatens others. Ethan, a shape-shifter, is reluctantly recruited by his best friend Karen, a telepath, and Elle, the unique Talent he has a crush on, to thwart the faculty's plans. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning."
Goodreads summary: "In the world of the Talent Chronicles, kids born with supernatural powers are taken from their families and forced into government research facilities called State Schools. At one such school, a dangerous experiment has killed two young inmates and threatens others. Ethan, a shape-shifter, is reluctantly recruited by his best friend Karen, a telepath, and Elle, the unique Talent he has a crush on, to thwart the faculty's plans. If they’re caught they face Detention, and Detention at a State School has a whole different meaning."
December 10, 2011
Part of Kiss Me, Kill Me. This is a side story to the Talent Chronicles, but with different characters so you can still enjoy it without having read 'Hush Money'. Just like with 'Hush Money', I absolutely loved it. This series has an X-Men sort of vibe to it, with the government taking children to a State School once they are know to have Talents so they can be "trained". It is unique to be able to develop a good world as well as characters in a short story, but I think Bischoff did a great job and I can't wait for the second book in this series! (I'm hoping the kids from this story will meet up with the ones from the first book, there was one character from the first book, Emma, but she just had a cameo).
June 14, 2011
I really enjoyed IMPULSE CONTROL (Talent Chronicles #0.5); Susan Bischoff’s free read on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/extreader/... .
What a great mini prequel to HUSH MONEY, the first novella in the Talents series. IMPULSE CONTROL is funny, well paced and insightful into what dangers lurk behind the NIAC (National Institutes for Ability Control). I loved getting an inside look into the institution that was a huge unknown fear focus of HUSH MONEY.
The new characters introduced (staff and students) are a great addition to the story and I look forward to seeing them again; as their fates mingle with those of Joss, Dylan and the other “Talents” from HUSH MONEY in the coming installments of the Talent Chronicles .
What a great mini prequel to HUSH MONEY, the first novella in the Talents series. IMPULSE CONTROL is funny, well paced and insightful into what dangers lurk behind the NIAC (National Institutes for Ability Control). I loved getting an inside look into the institution that was a huge unknown fear focus of HUSH MONEY.
The new characters introduced (staff and students) are a great addition to the story and I look forward to seeing them again; as their fates mingle with those of Joss, Dylan and the other “Talents” from HUSH MONEY in the coming installments of the Talent Chronicles .
January 1, 2012
So I wasn't sure about this book, I started reading it knowing that it was the very first part of a series I am going to read soon but I had no idea what it was about or anything. But though I did get lost a few times and feel like I skipped a page this was a really good short story! I quickly understood what was happening and found myself really getting into it and loving the characters. The first page had me addicted and from there I read as fast as I could to understand! I was completely addicted and didn't hear a word anyone said to me until I finished this book! I found the Talents really creative and interesting and the story was awesome! I am really excited to read the next book and see how good this series can get!
December 3, 2012
Since I read the first book in the Talent Chronicles, Hush Money, I was very curious as to what life was like for the kids that were taken away from their parents and placed into state schools. This short story focuses on a small group of teens living in a state run school and what life is like for them.
It's not a great place, not by any means. Many of the kids we meet have the same Talents the teens in Hush Money have, the only difference is they are being controlled and experimented on by the doctors and other officials that want to do more than teach them how to control their abilities. They want to control them and turn them into machines for the government.
It's a nice little glimpse into the world of state schools and the world behind Talents behind bars.
It's not a great place, not by any means. Many of the kids we meet have the same Talents the teens in Hush Money have, the only difference is they are being controlled and experimented on by the doctors and other officials that want to do more than teach them how to control their abilities. They want to control them and turn them into machines for the government.
It's a nice little glimpse into the world of state schools and the world behind Talents behind bars.
November 19, 2013
This novella is short but punchy. The author packs a lot of excitement and suspense. I look forward to reading the novel.
Ethan knows how the system works. He avoids trouble and keeps his head down. He's a shapeshifter.
His best friend is Karen, a mindreader.
His crush is Elle, who can heal anything – animate or inanimate.
These girls are both activists so Ethan gets roped into their adventures because he's a protector and he just wants to take care of everyone. It's really quite sweet.
This little novella is a fun showcase of original and nifty talents, a little romance and sarcastic friends who always have each other's backs. Perfect.
Ethan knows how the system works. He avoids trouble and keeps his head down. He's a shapeshifter.
His best friend is Karen, a mindreader.
His crush is Elle, who can heal anything – animate or inanimate.
These girls are both activists so Ethan gets roped into their adventures because he's a protector and he just wants to take care of everyone. It's really quite sweet.
This little novella is a fun showcase of original and nifty talents, a little romance and sarcastic friends who always have each other's backs. Perfect.
October 20, 2011
Impulse Control is a short story and prequel to Hush Money. I found it an enjoyable and informative read regarding the world and helpful in showing us what State Schools are all about. (Rather than just being some Mysterious Thing to be Avoided.) As a plus, it's also available on Smashwords to read for free.
I don't want to go too much into the plot and spoil all the fun.. but I will say it's a nice introduction to the series for newcomers, or as an add-on for those who have read the others.
I don't want to go too much into the plot and spoil all the fun.. but I will say it's a nice introduction to the series for newcomers, or as an add-on for those who have read the others.
October 31, 2011
The story follows Ethan and his friends in a special school/training center for Talented kids. The characters all seemed distinct, the action flew well, no boring exposition scenes, no unneeded transition scenes, it's fast and engaging. I'm definitely checking the first book in this series.
I didn't expect so much about Ethan's relationship with Elle - in such a short story especially, so that's a minus one star.
But this short story is surprisingly meaty and actually has stuff hapenning not just introduction to the series without much action, as many prequel shorts tend to be.
I didn't expect so much about Ethan's relationship with Elle - in such a short story especially, so that's a minus one star.
But this short story is surprisingly meaty and actually has stuff hapenning not just introduction to the series without much action, as many prequel shorts tend to be.
June 18, 2011
This story is included in Kiss Me, Kill Me.
Great story about the Talents in a State School. I can't wait for
Heroes 'Til Curfew.
Great story about the Talents in a State School. I can't wait for
Heroes 'Til Curfew.
August 29, 2011
Interesting. I read this before book 1. Fast read. There is only one character here that was mentioned in book1... Well actually 2 but the second one is a hunch because it wasn't clear who they were talking about. :p
Anyway, at some point I got confused on who was talking. Didn't matter though. Story is still good.
I was a bit disappointed though that the characters aren't the same in book 1. Good intro to the world though.
Anyway, at some point I got confused on who was talking. Didn't matter though. Story is still good.
I was a bit disappointed though that the characters aren't the same in book 1. Good intro to the world though.
August 28, 2014
i read this after i finished hush money and i can honestly say i am (almost) more interested in reading about the kids in State school than about the ones outside. This is a short story about what's going on with those kids that get caught by NIAC. I really hope Susan will somehow combine the story of the free kids and the ones locked in state school in the third book. This was a very good short story that i recommend to all the fans of the Talent Chronicles
October 3, 2011
A great intro to this series. Even though it was short, I connected to the characters and loved reading this story. It flowed really well, and you were swept up in this alternate universe, that could be quite scary.
The only drawback, as I said, was the length. It was too short, I felt like I was jerked from a world I didn't want to leave. Apart from that, a great start to a hopefully great series :)
The only drawback, as I said, was the length. It was too short, I felt like I was jerked from a world I didn't want to leave. Apart from that, a great start to a hopefully great series :)
January 10, 2012
I really like the idea of this series. The characters, the school, the bad-guys all remind me of X-Men and Maximum Ride (both of which I love). I enjoyed the story until the very end when it stopped so abruptly. I have to say that bothered me a bit. It also seems like the actual series has different characters than this short story. If that is true, I will be disappointed - but I will give at least the first one a try just for the idea of it.
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