Scan

Scan #1

by Walter Jury, Sarah Fine

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

All Tate knows--like how to make weapons out of oranges and lighter fluid--may not be enough to save him as he’s plunged into a secret inter-species conflict that’s been going on for centuries. Aided only by his girlfriend and his estranged mother, with powerful enemies closing in on all sides, Tate races to puzzle out the secret behind his father’s invention and why so many are willing to kill for it. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Aliens, Thriller, Dystopia, Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Walter Jury works in the film industry. SCAN is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Emily Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! When I heard I had won Scan in a giveaway, I was so excited. Scan is by two FANTASTIC authors: Sarah Fine, author of Sanctum, and Walter Jury who worked on Divergent! Thankfully, my expectations were met :)

Scan has an awesome main character. Tate is smart, talented, and still has faults like a normal teenage. His relationship with his father is strained, to say the least. Tate doesn't understand why his dad wants him to learn seemingly useless, but difficult, skills. Hmm... :)

Of course, there turn out to be aliens and lots of fun stuff!

Thankfully, this book was more of an action novel than a romance. However, I still loved that Tate has a girlfriend, Christina, and the two of them were awesome together. Scan showed a relationship that had already begun before the first pages, and was still intact in the end!

Also, I loved the cool plot. I won't say much, for fear of spoilers, but, well, the two authors waved together an amazing, action-packed story fraught with interesting questions for the readers. Like, what if you weren't human? What if you were, in fact, the enemy of humans? Also, we saw large cases of discrimination that made me frustrated!

One of my only complaints is that Scan isn't a book that will stick with you after reading. While the book is addicting and exciting while I was flipping pages, I promptly forgot about Tate's story once I put it down. There wasn't enough emotional investment I tell you!

Overall, Scan was a fun read that shouldn't be missed. I can't wait for the next book!

3.5/5 Stars

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review can also be found on my blog Collections.

Before I started reading Scan, I expected it to have action and suspense. But I wasn't fully prepared for just how nonstop the action would be! There was car chases and crashes, explosions, gun fights, and so much more. It was nerve-racking yet exciting, and I could not wait to find out what would happen to the characters and how the book would end.

Throughout the majority of his life, Tate's had to endure rigorous training in combat and master as many subjects and languages as he could all because that's what his father wanted. Tate doesn't know why his father puts him through this, and since both of his parents refuse to tell him, it unsurprisingly causes tons of friction between them. Once Tate finds out the truth, though, he has to use all the knowledge and skills he's learned in order to survive and protect his loved ones.

I couldn't help but to be just as frustrated as Tate was with his parents. I didn't feel like they had been fair to him, keeping all kinds of secrets and information from him that would have been really helpful to know as soon as the chaos started. But as the story went on and things became more and more dangerous and complicated, I began to realize right along with Tate that it was necessary and for his own good. He probably would have been blinded by his beliefs and wouldn't be as good of a person as he is now had he known everything from the very beginning.

If you're wondering what Tate's father had been hiding from his son, well, it was lots of things. But what it all involved was...ALIENS! Aliens that arrived on Earth about 400 years ago and look exactly like humans. But what started off the unfortunate chain of events was a small device, a scanner, Tate stole from his father that can reveal who is a human and who is an alien. Both sides wanted it badly, and while you would think the aliens were the evil ones, it wasn't that simple. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda, and like Tate, I didn't know who to trust! Even by the end, I still didn't know who the real enemy was, which was something I really liked because not all humans were good just like not all aliens were bad.

One other thing I would like to mention is the importance of the women in Tate's life. I'm glad that Tate's girlfriend Christina and his mother were involved with the mission of protecting the scanner. Tate's skills and resilience helped him a lot, but I don't think he would have made it without them at his side. They were tough, smart, and resourceful, and together they made an awesome team! I especially adored Christina. She didn't have the training Tate and his mother had, but she knew how to hold her own. I loved how much she was willing to help them, even when she was hurt or terrified. As for Tate and Christina's relationship, it was sweet and obvious that they cared deeply and felt strongly for each other. But because of what they were going through, they also had plenty of tense and uncomfortable moments. I hope they are able to overcome whatever issues they may have because I really want them to stick together.

Walter Jury and Sarah Fine have a written a truly thrilling and suspenseful story that had me on the edge of my seat till the very end. I have no idea what's in store for Tate, his mother, and Christina in the next book, but I can't wait to find out. If you're looking for a smart, action-packed book, you need to get your hands on a copy of Scan!

[Brina · Rating 1 out of 5]

„SCAN: Im Visier des Feindes“, der erste Band der „Tate Archer“-Reihe aus der Feder von Sarah Fine und Walter Jury, stand bei mir schon lange Zeit auf der Wunschliste, sodass ich mich sehr gefreut habe, als ich das Buch endlich am Erscheinungstag in den Händen halten durfte. Leider kam hierbei jedoch auch mindestens genauso schnell Ernüchterung auf, denn leider hat mir das Buch gar nicht gefallen, sodass ich dieses nach etwas mehr als 250 Seiten abgebrochen habe.

Dabei waren die Ansätze hierbei gar nicht mal schlecht und es gibt es auch den ein oder anderen packenden Moment und viel Action, doch leider wollte das Buch für mich nicht funktionieren, da ich die meisten Ideen bereits in anderen Büchern zuvor entdeckt habe und ich von der Geschichte somit nur sehr selten überrascht werden konnte. Hierbei habe ich mich besonders häufig an die „Endgame“-Trilogie von James Frey erinnert gefühlt.

Zwar ist die Grundidee, dass Tate von seinem Vater Frederick gedrillt wird, indem er nicht nur diverse Sprachen und Kampfsportarten erlernen muss, ganz nett, allerdings hat mir die Umsetzung nicht wirklich gut gefallen. Gleiches gilt auch für die Außerirdischen, die in dem Buch eine Rolle spielen und plötzlich Jagd auf Tate und dessen Freundin Christina machen.

Problem ist auch, dass ich mit Tate absolut nicht warm wurde, da dieser mir weder sonderlich sympathisch war, ich noch mit ihm mitfiebern konnte, da mir einfach das gewisse Etwas gefehlt hat. Seine Freundin Christina war mir dagegen sympathisch und ich mochte ihre ganze Art, doch leider hat dies nicht für mich gereicht, um die Geschichte weiterhin verfolgen zu wollen.

Somit habe ich die fehlenden knapp 150 Seiten nicht mehr gelesen und habe auch nicht den Eindruck, noch irgendwas verpasst zu haben. Manchmal soll es einfach nicht sein.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine
Book One of the Scan series
Publisher: Putnam Children's
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

All Tate knows--like how to make weapons out of oranges and lighter fluid--may not be enough to save him as he’s plunged into a secret inter-species conflict that’s been going on for centuries. Aided only by his girlfriend and his estranged mother, with powerful enemies closing in on all sides, Tate races to puzzle out the secret behind his father’s invention and why so many are willing to kill for it. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.

What I Liked:

I am three for three, when it comes to LOVING Sarah Fine's books! That's talent right there - the fact that I've really, really liked three separate books of hers, of two different series. I have her fourth full-length novel, Of Metal and Wishes, and I'm pretty excited about reading that one.

This book is completely in Tate's point-of-view (first person), and I truly enjoyed reading from his perspective. The book begins with Tate losing in the semifinals of wrestling tournament, and dreading the weight of his father's anger and disappointment. Tate wants to spend time with his girlfriend and scale back a little with the insane workout and education regimen that his father has him doing. A stupid mistake is what brings hell on earth. Tate goes into his father's lab, steals a piece of technology, and brings it to school. It's not long before Tate, his girlfriend, and his mother (whom he hasn't seen in quite some time) are on the run from people who want the scanner back.

This book is extremely science-fiction-based, and I absolutely love this. Tate's father is a scientist, his mother is a scientist, and Tate himself is a science genius. Of course, Tate uses his science knowledge to play silly (but brilliant) pranks in school. Tate's extensive educational training comes in handy many, many times in this books, and I loved that Jury and Fine included them in the scenes.

This book is also considered a thriller, which I think is highly accurate. I love the fast pace of the story, the way the plot kept moving and moving. No one part of the book was particularly slow or extremely fast - the overall pacing was excellent. When books drag in places, it makes it hard to keep reading. I had no such problem with this one.

I really like Tate, as the protagonist and hero of the story. He is very intelligent, as well as loyal, cautious, and headstrong. I feel like I would totally crush on him, if I knew him in real life. Athletic, muscular, wicked, AND brainy? That's one toxic combination - my favorite.

I also liked the supporting characters - Christina, Mitra, George, and several others. Jury and Fine did a great job of developing each character, as well as keeping the amount of characters low, so that readers wouldn't get insanely confused with names and personalities and whatnot. I liked Christina and Tate together, even if they have things they need to work out.

The overall issue of this book deals with aliens who look like humans. The human population is about one fourth of what it is right now, and the rest are aliens. However, most of the human-looking aliens on the Earth don't know that they're aliens. So that makes it difficult to completely hate the aliens - most of them have no idea that they are aliens. How can you annihilate a species, when everyone (including many of them) think they are the same?

Overall, I am seriously happy and impressed with this book. The alien theme is quite catchy this year and last year, but I'm okay with that, because I LOVE science fiction, and you can't do aliens without science fiction. I love that Jury and Fine make this book very, very realistic, instead of playing it down and making it seem more paranormal or supernatural (NOT contemporary, basically). I have been so excited to read this book, and I'm pleased that it turned out to be amazing!

What I Did Not Like:

There wasn't much that I really didn't like in this book. It flies by and I was interested the entire time. There were questions that I had as I was reading, and at the end, like why exactly the scanner was THAT important, if all it did was... well, what it did. But I'm hoping that my questions will be answered in the sequel, so I'm not going to worry about it too much!

Would I Recommend It:

If you like science fiction novels, then I would highly recommend this book! Don't miss it if you are a science fiction fan. If you're not a science fiction person, I would still recommend it. The story is fast-paced and quite intriguing, so it's easy to get caught up in the craziness, and want to know what happens next. I was really excited to read this book for months, and I'm glad I was not disappointed! Yay for that.

Rating:

4 stars. What a fun ride! I definitely cannot wait to read the second book in the series.

[Maja (The Nocturnal Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
For a fast-paced, action-packed book, Scan was unusually difficult to get through, at least for me. The endless string of action scenes that was supposed to be captivating and entertaining was actually pretty tiresome and emotionally flat. In the end, I had to give myself a very stern talking to just to finish reading it.

In many ways, Scan was a pretty big disappointment. It lacked any real emotional depth, especially of the level I’ve come to expect from Sarah Fine. Fine usually uses her background in psychology to give us great characterization and believable emotional moments. To be fair, the tempo of this story didn’t allow for strong character development since things constantly progressed at a rapid pace. The focus was on the action and Tate was the only character that got any attention, and even that wasn’t enough. I’d say Walter Jury’s background in film industry unfortunately prevailed in this one.

The most interesting part of this story – Tate’s overly complicated relationship with his father – wasn’t explored nearly enough. There was so much potential there and I kept hoping it would lead somewhere, but unfortunately, a rarely mentioned sense of regret is all I got from Tate.

I recently read a pretty good article about female characters that are portrayed as strong, but that are essentially pointless. They are there, they are fierce, but they don’t actually do anything. The article itself was mostly about Hiccup’s mother in How to Train Your Dragon 2, but the same applies to our Christina. One can’t find any real fault with her character, but I felt that she was mostly there as a prop, to make the story look better and satisfy readers that are more femnistically inclined.

Despite an interesting (if a bit overused premise), this story didn’t resonate with me at all. When you add to that a rather vicious cliffhanger, I think it’s safe to say I won’t be continuing this series. However, those of you who appreciate non-stop action that is reasonably well done might enjoy this one much more than I did. Perhaps read a sample first and go from there.

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Fast-paced, tons of action, male point-of-view, an interesting spin on aliens. I just did not like the way Tate treats his girlfriend, Christina, when he finds out that she is a descendant of the alien race that may want to take over the planet. It's obviously not her fault, yet he treats her cruelly at times. This especially stings because otherwise he's an awesome main character and has really sweet moments with her. By the end this personality defect of his was pretty nonexistent, so I have high hopes for the sequel.

This review can also be found at Love at First Page.

[Biena Magbitang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossposted @ The Library Mistress

Before my proper review, let me tell you a little story about my time with this book. About a couple of months ago, I saw a red thing that looks like a book lying beside my office desk. Out of curiosity, I picked it up to inspect. I clearly have no idea it was for me (it wasn't on my desk, for starters!), I can't remember when I signed up to review the book, I definitely did, but I really can't recall so I left it there after clinging unto it for a while. I don't know about you, but books are like magnet to me, a certain gravitational pull always draws me into them, like this instance. Seeing it's an advance reading copy, I had an inkling that maybe, it was for me. I'm not saying that my officemates are not readers, but I'm the notorious bookworm in the gang. But still, I left it where I found it. I realized, if it was from any of the tours I signed up for, it must be wrapped in courier packaging with my name on it. I was just informed by tour organizers days afterwards that yes, that red and blue book Scan was for me.

And I was like.... BOOK!!! YESSSS!!!



If you have been reading my reviews, you won't be surprised when I tell you that I rarely read blurbs. Why? Because most of the time, blurbs are the best kind of spoilers, they tease you and tell you the story until page 50 and Scan's blurb did just that.



Scan started off with a masculine tone that made me realized that I've never read any novel written with a male voice. But then Percy Jackson smack me in the head and the boy from F. Sionil Jose's Tree hit me in the gut. Okay sorry, what I meant with the male voice is a book as masculine as this. Even just on the first page this book just emits too much testosterone.



Having said that, I realized that this is not the kind of book I usually read, I leave books like this to my lovely boy buddies who sometimes hate me for my girly choices. But since, I believe that life is short and I must seize every opportunity at once, I continued reading this and I can say that I really did enjoy it and it opened my mind into including books like this in my to-read pile.

Scan is the story of the incredible Tate Archer who aside from being a skilled mixed martial arts artist, is also a descendant of Dmitri Mendeleev, no, I was just kidding, he is the offspring of two chemists, a dire situation compelling him to memorize the periodic table of elements since God knows when. His training as a scientist, a fighter and a linguist is somehow doubtful -- I mean, come on, who in the world needs to be trained like that? His father, Fred also feeds him with numbered meals complete with the daily nutrition he needs. I inferred from what was happening at first that maybe, Tate was the alien and that's why he needs to eat a precisely measured meal every time because his body needs nutrients to live on Earth. But I was dumbfounded when I learned that that wasn't the case, as stated in the blurb.

I open my door in the morning and find my breakfast on a tray. Meal Number Six. Two cups iron-fortified cereal, banana, eight ounces milk, eight ounces orange juice, blue vitamin pill.

We will later learn that Tate's Dad dies and he is left alone with his estranged mother and (the scion of Venus, herself) his girlfriend, Christina (who can attract everyone with x-y chromosomes in this book except for Tate's father). Yes, also found in the blurb which I only discovered after reading almost a hundred pages. And why am I too naive not to realize that the scanner they've been talking about would be the object at the center of this story, it's freaking called Scan, Biena. Why. You. So. Oblivious???



I'm telling you, the whole book is good if not for a certain minute detail. I can't understand why Tate brought the scanner out in the open, when he knows that there can be consequences. WHY? Tell me a good answer, you, and I will change my rating into 5 stars! - And oh, yes, this again is not a spoiler because... yes, you got it, it was on the blurb. (So, maybe yes, just read this book after the 100th page and you'd still get it)



Still, I'd totally sell this book to anyone anytime. Yes, I'd definitely recommend it. Because, aside from the issues I addressed above, Scan is what I can call a good read. It is action-packed and when I say action-packed, it's action every other page. However, there is more to Scan than the constant adrenaline rush. Reading this feels like a theme park ride where in the characters throw emotions at you and there is no way to dodge. There are definitely strong moments and powerful conversations that will make you think, yes, that is possible, and yes, that is you know, very human.

Just a warning though, this is a series. If you've read any series before you'll know what I mean.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meine Meinung:

Als ich den Klappentext des Buches gelesen habe, war ich wirklich gespannt darauf, denn bisher habe ich nur eine Reihe gelesen, in der es um Aliens ging und diese hat mir eigentlich wirklich gut gefallen, weswegen ich in der Hinsicht wirklich gespannt war, ob mir das Buch genauso gut gefallen wird. Ich hatte zwar ein paar kleine Startschwierigkeiten, aber diese legten sich schnell und ich wurde von dem Buch auf jeden Fall nicht enttäuscht und freue mich jetzt schon auf den zweiten Band.

Das Cover finde ich eigentlich ganz schön, ich muss sogar sagen, dass ich mir Tate durchaus wie auf dem Cover vorstellen kann. Aber auch Christina finde ich soweit ganz gut, auch wenn ich mir sie dennoch ein wenig anders vorstelle. Allerdings ist es bei diesem Cover nicht so schlimm, wie bei vielen anderen, auf denen Menschen abgebildet sind, denn die meisten passen einfach nicht zum Buch. Hier allerdings finde ich die beiden doch gut getroffen. Natürlich stelle ich sie mir immer noch ein wenig anders vor, das stört mich hier aber - wie schon gesagt - nicht. Demnach finde ich das Cover soweit ganz gut gelungen.

Der Schreibstil hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, ich fand schnell in das Buch und dann ließ es sich auch sehr flüssig und schnell lesen. Anfangs hatte ich allerdings kleine Startschwierigkeiten, was nicht an dem Schreibstil lag, sondern an einer Szene, die beschrieben wurde und die ich irgendwie nicht ganz verstanden habe, da es - für mich persönlich - einfach seltsam beschrieben wurde. Ansonsten war der Schreibstil aber wirklich angenehm zu lesen und es hat mir gefallen, das Buch aus der Sicht von Tate zu lesen, da es doch seltener Bücher aus der Sicht eines Jungen gibt, als aus der eines Mädchens.

Die Charaktere fand ich auch super, vor allem Christina hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, da sie auch viel Mut bewiesen hat. Aber natürlich hat nicht nur sie das, sondern auch Tate, denn das Leben der beiden wurde von dem einen auf den anderen Moment vollkommen auf den Kopf gestellt und die beiden haben es trotzdem geschafft weitestgehend einen kühlen Kopf zu bewahren, was mir wirklich gut gefallen hat. Manchmal hat mich allerdings Tates Art ein wenig gestört. Er war mir zwischendurch ein wenig zu aggressiv und manche Gedankengänge habe ich deswegen einfach überhaupt nicht verstehen können. Ansonsten haben die beiden mir aber wirklich gut gefallen. Die Charaktere wurden insgesamt gut herausgearbeitet, auch die Nebencharaktere. Generell konnte ich mich eigentlich mit allen Charakteren anfreunden, natürlich nur nicht mit denen, die nichts Gutes im Sinn hatten, aber das dürfte eigentlich klar sein.

Die Handlung an sich hat mir auch wirklich gut gefallen, nur zwischenzeitlich bei etwas kleineren Szenen fehlte mir ein klein wenig die Spannung oder sie war ein bisschen zu überladen für meinen Geschmack. Das Buch ist generell sehr actionreich, ein Ereignis folgt dem nächsten und dadurch wird natürlich auch die Spannung gehalten. Mit einigen Wendungen hätte ich auch überhaupt nicht gerechnet und die haben mich wirklich sehr überrascht und meistens auch geschockt zurückgelassen. Gerade das letzte Stück des Buches quoll vor Spannung nur so über und man fieberte richtig mit den Charakteren mit. Mir hat es wirklich gut gefallen, wie alles langsam seinen Lauf nimmt und die Ereignisse aufeinander aufbauten und so zu dem Ende führten, denn so war es wirklich gut gestaltet. Dass das Ende natürlich mit einem Cliffhanger enden wird, war mir eigentlich schon klar und es war schon vorhersehbar, allerdings hat es mich in einer Hinsicht dann doch überrascht, weil ich damit nicht gerechnet hätte, aber ansonsten konnte man sich schon denken, wie es ausgehen wird. Dadurch bekommt man natürlich auch große Lust darauf, weiterzulesen. Ich für meinen Teil möchte jetzt unbedingt wissen, wie es weitergeht und wie das Ganze noch so seinen Lauf nimmt, da am Ende ein paar Dinge enthüllt wurden, auf die es noch keine Antworten gab, sodass man mit einigen Fragen zurückgelassen wird und diese auch endlich beantwortet haben möchte. Ich möchte aber natürlich auch wissen, wie das ganze schlussendlich ausgehen wird, ob gut oder schlecht. Generell hat es mir hierbei wirklich gut gefallen, wie die Aliens in das Ganze Geschehen mit eingebaut wurden und vor allem möchte ich auch wissen wie es mit denen weitergeht. Deswegen bin ich auch schon total gespannt auf den zweiten Teil und kann es kaum noch abwarten diesen anzufangen.

Fazit:

Wer auf Action und Aliens steht, der ist bei diesem Buch genau richtig. Aber auch Verschwörung spielt hier mehr oder weniger eine Rolle. Wer ist gut und wer ist böse? Wem kann man wirklich trauen? Ein wirklich spannendes Buch, mit einem flüssigen Schreibstil und einigen Wendungen, die man nicht erwartet hätte und definitiv Lust auf mehr machen. Ich vergebe dem Buch 4/5 Sternen.

[Das Bücherwunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Von der ersten Seite an war Spannung drin. Was mir gleich positiv aufgefallen ist, war der flüssige, einfühlsame und detaillierte schreibstil. Ich hatte nie das Gefühl aus der Handlung rausgekommen bin so, dass ich mal eine absichtliche pause gemacht habe, weil ich keine Lust mehr hatte. Ich war immer zu 100% bei der Sache und konnte den Handlungen immer gut folgen und nachvollziehen.

Was ich super fand und immer noch finde ist das die beiden Protagonisten schon ein paar waren so, dass es nicht diese Geschichte gibt das sie sich erstmal kennenlernen usw. Aber ich hätte das aber auch nicht schlimm gefunden, wenn es so wäre, hätte mir dennoch gefallen. Aber dezutrotz, dass sie schon Zsm. waren, kam es mir nie so Kitsch sich rüber also so übertrieben Kitsch sich.

Die beiden Protagonisten waren einfach super toll. Ich habe mich einfach sofort in Tate verliebt, er war so einfühlsam und verständnisvoll, noch dazu super Schlau und unter Druck auch noch so professionell.

Auch Christina war mir sympathisch. Sie war einfach nicht das typische hatte Mädchen, was man sonst so kennt und liest. Immer wieder hat sie gezeigt, wie stark sie ist und auch wie locker sie manchmal sein kann, aber trotzdem war sie ein Mädchen, eines das sich mal nicht gescheut hat ihre Emotionen und Gefühle zu zeigen. Die haupt- so wie die neben- Charaktere sind super ausgearbeitet. Der Handlungsverlauf war super spannend, während ich das buch gelesen habe hatte ich nie wirklich nie das Gefühl das ich wusste was zum Schluss passiert. Jede neue Seite war unerwartet.

Auch die chemischen Verläufe waren sehr interessant. Ich habe mich ehrlich manchmal gefragt „was will Tate mit den zeug?“, aber dann überraschte mich Tate damit das er zb. aus einer Orangen und einer Wasserpistole eine gefährliche Waffe machen kann. Allgemein hat es mich fasziniert wie man aus so unscheinbaren alltags Gegenständen so Krasse Waffen bauen konnte.

Ich finde dieses Buch echt super und mache mich gleich ans lesen von band zwei. Wenn der band auch so ist wie dieser hier super spannend ist. habe eine große Erwartung an band 2.

Fazit
Scan ist einfach klasse es hat mich von Anfang überzeugen können von der Spannung bis zu den Personen und deren Charakter. Es war ein super tolle Geschichte die auf jeden Fall von jeden gelesen werden sollte freue mich schon auf den 2 band und gebe dem Buch schonmal ein highlight Hut

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sarah Fine's Guards of the Shadowlands series, so when I found out she was co-authoring a sci-fi novel, I perked up and paid attention. SCAN is the story of Tate, whose genius inventor father has high expectations he can't quite meet. He loves rebelling in little ways, including sneaking his girlfriend into his father's lab for a makeout session. But when he takes an invention out of the lab . . .

SCAN is basically an extended chase scene with lots of explosions and double crosses. There are also aliens, and I love aliens. The cover did make me expect a more futuristic novel, perhaps one even set in space. But the aliens and their technology are the main things that make SCAN science fiction. The novel is generally set in normal, twenty-first century America otherwise. Of course, SCAN is focused on one of the great sci-fi questions.

One of the best aspects of SCAN were the relationships, which added stakes and pathos to the constant chases. Tate's relationship with his father obviously looms large, but his relationship to his mother (who left his father) is also important. She's a woman who struggles to be strong for her son in an impossibly dangerous and painful situation.

Then there's Tate's relationship with his girlfriend Christina. They're obviously very much in love (and have trouble keeping their hands off of each other), but they still get into fights because they're in a tough situation and have no room to cool off. In addition, Tate asks for forgiveness after being a jerk, and they talk about their problems when they get the rare quiet moment.

These relationships are so important to the focus of the novel, which is what makes us human. The chase is just set dressing. SCAN is a fun novel with surprising hints of depth, but it isn't entirely satisfying. There's a cliffhanger ending, and far more questions than answers. I look forward to what comes next in this series, but I'm a bit miffed that SCAN doesn't really stand on its own.

[˙⋆✮ Anny ✮⋆˙ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had to sum this book up in one word, it'd be action movie (ok that's two words, but you get the point). It read like one of these action films that make absolutely no sense but yet you watch them. It's what I'd call a filler book - not bad, but not outstanding either.

The story is simple and I'm not gonna talk about it because you can read the synopsis. This book is very fast paced and in almost every chapter there's an action scene - a car chase, a shooting, a fight - you name it, it's there. While I love action packed books, this was almost too much. But it was easy to read and I didn't have to concentrate very much, it was simply entertaining - like a movie, I've said it.

Tate as a MC is likeable enough, he's smart and tries to make the best of the situation, even though he sometimes doesn't know what to do (and he mentions way too often how good his girlfriend smells, ugh). Christina, said girlfriend, was mostly confused (but hey, I'd be too if I found out what she had to deal with), but she stayed strong and helped Tate in the best way possible. Still I couldn't establish a connection with the characters, they felt flat in a way.

The side characters (both the good and the bad guys, although you sometimes can't tell who's who) weren't really that developed. I liked Tate's Mum though.

Scenes I especially enjoyed were the ones in which Tate does some weird yet pretty cool things - like, building weapon systems out of chemicals and tennis balls. It was super entertaining to read about. And the ending was really good too - until that awful cliffhanger! And when I say awful I mean it! The whole time while reading this book I wasn't so sure whether I should continue with the series, but after that ending it's almost impossible not to. Great, thanks very much Walter Jury and Sarah Fine. So since these books are available in the library, I'll probably one day read the sequel - when I'm in the mood for another action 'movie'!

[21 Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

In reality, I picked this book up because I thought the cover looked good. And when I read the summary, it didn't sound too bad. It was a typical story of a teenage boy who really distastes his family. It is the typical story of the protagonist unknowingly causing mass destruction to epic proportions.

And then I read it.

Let it be known that the only thing that I have ever cared about is characterization. It doesn't matter how wonderful and twisted the plotline is, if the characters aren't satisfactory or had amazing development, there is no point in reading it. There is no point in its existence.

I never realized how annoyed I was at the idea of everything being one character's fault. In the truth of the matter, a battle between the alien forces and the remaining human resistance was bound to explode regardless of the protagonist. On top of that, it's easy character development that immediately backtracked within the chapter. More so than anything, that was annoying.

Surprisingly enough, there were good aspects of Ms. Fine's story as well. She wrote amazing moments, like how Tate realizes and sorts out his own emotions about his girlfriend being an alien, and the way way the father suffered before death. However, all of these scenes were shortly followed by intense character angst or the character back-tracked over their experiences and completely ruined their character development.

Overall, I would not recommend this book at all.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

this is beyond idiotic and, yes, I only needed to read 50 pages to know this as a fact

[Anna Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tate has been training all his life for something. His father seems to go on and on and on about some family responsibility that is just so important. What family responsibility? All Tate wishes for is an answer to the question.Mad at his father, Tate steals a seemingly innocent scanner from his father’s not-so-secret lab. And then his wish comes true. Now he’s thrown into a war against aliens, and the scanner can bring it either all to an end, or destroy all.
The premise of the book, aliens’ disguise and invasion of Earth was interesting –hey, people don’t realize that they are aliens and you can sympathize with the enemy –you don’t really know who the enemy is! Even at the end, I still didn’t know.

This is action-packed –car chases, government secrets, karate, gun fights –all a bit too much. Tate has a girlfriend. Still, the action needed to take a break or at least have some emotion/conflict. Once you put a book down, you forget all the actions. Were it to have more emotional conflict, I would’ve remembered more of it.

Or a better idea would’ve been to make the book a little realistic, what with the super-hacking skills, speaking many languages, and being resourceful. Tate could make weapons out of ordinary household items. Give him some oranges and a lighter, and he can set cars on fire from a distance.Still, he is immature at times and his decisions questionable.

Overall, the book didn’t blow me away –I wanted more emotion. But I love YA sci-fi and will continue the series.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good if not better than the last time I read it.

[Completely Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVx_n...

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Also posted at Oops! I Read A Book Again*

Thank you to Sami of JKS Communications and Putnam Juvenile for the review copy! This in no way affected my views of the novel.

OH FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, let me just breathe for a second here. Whew. That was a thrilling ride and I haven't caught up my breath just yet. I read this book in one sitting because there's no other way to read it but all at once, foregoing sleep and eating. Ever since I heard about Scan back in June of 2013, I was so excited for it. I remember marking it as to-read on Goodreads and hounding everyone I know so I can read it in advance. And holy smokes, it did not disappoint. It was awesome beyond my expectations. Now, let me tell you why.

Four Reasons Why You Should Buy and Read SCAN Now

1. Scan is like ALEX RIDER. Is anyone familiar (or as in love as me) with Anthony Hororwitz' Alex Rider series? Or maybe watched the film Stormbreaker? If you know me, I love that series. So who the heck is Alex Rider? Alex Rider is this teenager who didn't know that his uncle was training him to be a spy. So he's so adept in different kinds of martial arts and he knows and speaks so many languages. When his uncle dies, he then learns the truth and succeeds his uncle. The same can be said about Tate Archer, only he and his dad are way cooler. First, Tate's dad has a laboratory where he researches and invents. Second, Tate is a more conflicted and dimensional character than Alex Rider. Right from the start, you can feel the tension, resentment and under all of it, the respect and awe, that he feels for his detached father. All his father says is for him to train for the family responsibility he doesn't even know what but then all comes crashing down and he learns too many too fast when his father dies. *cue my heart being all squished from all sides*

2. Scan is like Alex Rider with ALIENS. GUYS. ALIENS. Everything is better with them. What's better than Alex Rider? Alex Rider with aliens. Tate Archer totally kicks Alex Rider's ass to the curb and I LOVE IT. We get to unravel bits and pieces on the history of how the H2 (the aliens) arrived. We get to read firsthand all the conflict the presence of two species who both think they are superior than the other. Oh the good stuff. Who's right? Who can Tate trust? Can he even trust his own mother? His girlfriend? OH BY JOVE, PLEASE, I LOVE ALL THE QUESTIONS.

3. Scan is like Alex Rider with aliens with SO MUCH ACTION. Have I said that Tate Archer can pretty much make explosives out of nothing? Well, not nothing, but household materials. He's such a chemistry geek and I turned giddy every time he spouts off some chemical compound. Sexy. I like a guy talking shop. Haha! But seriously, discount the fact that I'm a science nerd, Tate Archer just owns it. He's a bit arrogant but totally whipped by his girlfriend, Christina. He's just an amazing character and you want to get to know him and read all about his adventures. But getting right to the action. The first chapter involved a jiu-jitsu match. Adrenaline and action junkies will love all the chase scenes, the negotiations and all that make James Bond so enjoyable in this novel. Not only is Tate great at martial arts and all types of fighting, he's smart and strategical. But he's also driven by his emotions, which makes relating to him and rooting for him so darn easy.

4. Scan is like Alex Rider with aliens with so much action with THAT GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER. I know some of you who have read the book are groaning because of that cliffhanger and I know lots of people hate cliffhangers. But guys, this is the best kind of cliffhanger. It's the kind which will make you anticipate and counting down the days until Burn is out next year. That ending made me WHAT THE HECK WHY IS THIS ENDING NOW WHEN IS BURN COMING OUT IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A COVER I WILL SHRIVEL UP WAITING FOR IT. And maybe quite a few choice words to express my want, my NEED, for more. It's just what this book will do to you.

With gut-churning action and tension, palpable and conflicting dilemmas, and a dimensional ensemble of characters, Scan will have you wishing you can be Tate's sidekick as he launches fireballs made up of orange to his enemies. I highly recommend it to action lovers and I think even reluctant readers might start loving reading if they get to read this. Scan is one hell of a ride!

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

View the full review here:
http://www.iswimforoceans.org/2014/05...

It's always a bit of a risk when you fall for a novel before you've ever read it. It's also a bit risky when that novel doesn't have nearly the hype you might expect it to have. Scan, however, is the type of story that doesn't really need the hype or the know-how surrounding it. Rather, it does better, slowly building, burning and consuming your mind as the action and adventure course through your veins. Co-authors, Walter Jury and Sarah Fine, knew what they were doing when they crafted this novel, and they gave all readers a story in which it's almost a little too easy to lose yourself in its world.

The alien vs. human conflict is an age-old one in literature, but it's one I've never failed to continue to be interested in. Scan was pleasantly surprising in this regard, paying homage to previous such stories but offering up its own take on intergalactic battles, as well. I found it refreshing that, rather than focus on everything but the drama, the authors focused heavily on the alien vs. human conflict. However, they did so in an incredibly powerful manner that wasn't as black and white as you might think from the premise. Just like you might imagine, not everything is simple. Not all humans are good, and not all of the aliens were bad, so it made the enemy difficult to pinpoint from start to finish...making you question whether there was really any one guilty party.

Tate was the perfect protagonist for a story like this. He exuded much of the confidence, demeanor and cockiness that you might expect from a teenage boy. However, there was also a dark void in him that left him frustrated with his parents and with the adults in society. Until events unfold, Tate doesn't know what he's being trained for, and though his life is devoted to his training, he can't help but wonder why, and whether there is more to life than he experiences every day. I could appreciate that Tate was fighting an internal battle throughout the novel, and I loved that, through the events of the novel, we watch as he grows into his own person and evolves into a powerhouse worthy of his father's pride.

I did have some questions throughout the Scan though - some of which were left unresolved at the end. While this could easily have been a setup for the next novel in the series, it didn't help that the questions were nagging throughout the novel. I also must say that I wanted a bit more of the secondary characters in the novel. I felt as though Tate's mother and his girlfriend, Christine, were often mentioned but mostly overlooked. While I feel as though these character dynamics and relationships could have heightened the story significantly, I felt as though those relationships were simply touched upon and cast aside. I can appreciate that the story didn't revolve around a romance, but a simple mention begs for more detail.

Overall though, despite a few little issues, I really enjoyed Scan. It's the perfect novel for Trekkies and science fiction junkies like myself, rife with the possibilities of greatness in future novels. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy classic science fiction and alien stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

[Barbara (My Book&Serie&Movie Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buchinfos:
Buch: 398 Seiten
Autor: Walter Jury
Sarah Fine
Verlag: cbt - Random House Verlag

Das Buch kann man auch als e-Book kaufen.

Die Tate Archer-Reihe:
SCAN - Im Visier des Feindes
BURN - Der Anfang vom Ende







Vielen Dank an den Verlag fürs das Rezensionsexemplars.

Klapptext:

Der 16-jährige Tate wird von seinem Vater strengt gedrillt: Er trainiert Ju-Jutsu und paukt Waffenkunde und Chinesisch. ->Für die Familie <- so begründet sein Vater das. Tate aber hat längst die Nase voll und stiehlt aus dem Hochsicherheitsbüro seines Vaters einen vermeintlich harmlosen Scanner. Mit fatalen Konsequenzen. Plötzlich sind Tate und seine Freundin Christina auf der Flucht vor Menschen, die in Wahrheit Aliens sind - und nichts weniger als das Schicksal das Schicksal der Erde hängt von ihnen ab ...


Meine Meinung:

Achtung Spoiler Gefahr

Wie ich das erste Mal den Klapptext gelesen habe. Da dachte ich schon "Das Buch würde mich sehr gefallen". Ich habe gleich bei Random Hause Verlag Homepage eine Anfrage zur dem Buch gestellt. Und ich hatte Glück das ich das Rezensionsexemplars bekomme habe.

Ich bin schon sehr früh in das Buch eingetaucht. Die Story an sich ist sehr gut umgesetzt geworden. In der Story geht's um ein Teil über Aliens. Ich dachte mir dabei ich hoffe das Buch wegen den Aliens Teil mir schon gefällt. Weil ich habe bis jetzt über Aliens nur ein Buch gelesen. Das eine Buch war "Seelen" von Stephenie Meyer. Deshalb hat das Buch "SCAN - Im Visier des Feindes" an das Buch "Seelen" ein bisschen erinnert.

Die Story an sich hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Zur erst sind der Tate und seine Freundin Christina sehr ahnungslos durch ihr Leben gegangen. Aber nach den Vorfall in der ihre Highschool wurde sie direkt mit der Wahrheit konfrontiert. Das es Aliens gibt seit Jahrhunderten von Jahren. Tate Archer und sein Vater sind die letzten von den Archers. Familie Archers ist wiederum einer der Menschlichen 50 Familien auf der Erde.

Tate Archer ist von der Person her irgendwie ein zweiter MacGyver. Wenn es in einer Situation etwas chaotischer wird. Bastelt der Tater von einfacher Dinge wie z.b. einer Organe & Chips und einer Plastik Flasche zur einer Waffe um. Deshalb hat er von mir der Spitzname der 2. MacGyver bekommen.
Christina (Tate's Freundin) erfährt das sie ein Alien ist. Sie muss sich mit sich kämpfen aber sie akzeptiert wie sie ist. Tate ist erst sehr überrascht darüber. Er macht kein große Sache daraus.


Der Schreibstil von den Autoren findet echt super. Die Schreiben einfach so erfrischen und flüssig. Ich hoffe das die Beiden mehre Bücher noch schreiben.


Mein Fazit:

Das Buch hat großes Potenzial. Der erste Band ist ein guter Auftakt zu der Zweiteiler Reihe.


https://mybookseriemovieblog.blogspot...

[Kayla Beck Kalnasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Bibliophilia, Please.

Okay, YA writers, the line has been drawn in the sand. If you're going to write about aliens, Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine is what you're going to need to aspire to. Holy shit, is this book a wild ride! I literally stayed up all night reading it because it wouldn't let me go. Seriously. There's no stepping away from it, so be sure you don't have to feed your kids or anything. (Put food on the bottom shelves of the refrigerator or scatter cereal on the floor if so. Whichever.)

Scan gives us a little bit of character development in the beginning. Teens will think Tate's dad is an overbearing prick. Adults, we'll know that Tate is a petulant brat who is getting a little too big for his britches. No matter, he'll have to grow up pretty fast because the ride starts early in the book. (You better go use the bathroom before he takes the scanner to school unless you don't mind taking a book with you.) Of course, Tate is going to do exactly what Dad really doesn't want him to do. Then Hell breaks loose. Oh, by the way, the bad guys are mixed in with everyone else, they don't know they're bad, and maybe they aren't bad after all. Are you confused yet? Good, so is Tate.

On the back of my ARC (advance reader copy), it says:

MACGYVER MEETS WAR OF THE WORLDS IN THIS EXHILARATING ADVENTURE

That pretty much sums it up. Tate can do All The Things because his dad was seemingly über-paranoid and had Tate on an intense training schedule since forever. Unfortunately, those things aren't the hugest help in the world when you don't know where the heck you should go. It sucks when you don't have that wise, elderly character with all the answers ready to show the way, doesn't it?

You obviously have nothing better to do if you're reading my review. Got a few extra dollars? Go buy Scan , and stop reading the damn review. You'll thank me later. Now excuse me while I see who I need to schmooze to get my hands on the sequel.

- 4.5/5 Stars -

To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance copy of the book for reviewing purposes through JKS Communications in exchange for an honest review. The book was likely provided by the publisher or author, which has in no way affected the outcome. All opinions expressed are rambling, honest, and completely my own.

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance galley copy of this book. The proof says this book is appropriate for ages 12 and up, but I would disagree. I think with the amount of swearing (mostly f-bombs) and some heavy make out moments, this is more for older teens. And while I understand why the main character, Tate, swore at his mom, I think this should not be presented to younger kids who may not be able to distinguish the setting differences.

The book is being described as “MacGyver meets War of the Worlds,” and this would be a very apt description. The book read very cinematically, and fast-paced would almost be an understatement for the story flow! I really enjoyed the read. However, the end was such a bummer! I keep reading books that leave you hanging at the end! And since I received an advanced copy, its going to be forever until “Burn,” book 2, comes out (2015??? Really?). So just be aware that the end will leave you hanging.

I liked the concept, the technology, and the ingenious problem solving/”MacGyver” moments. All these elements added to a very intelligent storyline. However, despite the continuous movement of the storyline, I felt the romantic interludes/goo-goo eyes/make-out moments slowed things down. Or perhaps because the action is so intense, the Tate-Christina moments felt like molasses, and the occurrences were too frequent. His tenderness towards her is enduring, but I think the amount of those scenes could have been cut in half. I would have preferred more exploration of Tate’s father’s lab, especially the 14 anomaly.

Tate goes through a lot of growth in the story. He has to find a way to forgive himself, to begin trusting himself and what he knows, and to let others help him. This isn't your typical humans versus aliens or good versus evil. The villains aren't obvious in “Scan,” and like Tate, readers won't know who to trust. So there is a great suspense factor. The book presents a lot about what it means to be human and the damage caused by individuals who live by prejudice.

Tate is strong, smart, and resourceful, but I think without the addition of his girlfriend and his mother by his side, he would not have been resilient to all that he lost and had to face about himself. So this book does a great job balancing the action and heart of the storyline. The other characters also represent different sides to the argument about what makes us human? Our differences? Our tolerance? Our love? There are lots of great viewpoints presented. Everything was well thought out and developed. I really liked this book, can’t wait for the next, and am going to be reading more by these authors until then!

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tate has lived his life on a strict regiment under the careful watch of his father; so strict, that it’s as though he lives in a military barracks instead of the place that he calls home. He’s always known that he’s being trained for something; he just didn’t know what. He’d silently rebelled by reciprocating his father’s coldness. Through his minute rebellion, he found a way to break in to his father’s heavily secured study where he stores high grade weapons of his invention. It was during one of his break-ins that he finds a hand-held device that would serve as a catalyst for a discovery of an alien invasion years in the making.

For hundreds of years, these aliens have lived amongst us; undetected and indecipherable. As the invasion continues on over the years, the human population is quickly and subtly being eradicated. That’s what a group of “pure” humans are trying to protect. Aside from working to conserve the remaining known human population, they are also trying to find ways to take Earth back. But with so many of them perfectly concealed, and entrenched in numerous government agencies, the group is practically a dying breed. This is when Tate learns about his role and what he needed to do to keep the fight alive. And with the help of his estranged mother and his girlfriend, they will do what’s needed to be done to keep “them” from obtaining a technology that is sure to exterminate human civilization.

The tag team writers of Walter Jury and Sarah Fine penned a Sci-Fi book palatable enough for non-readers like me. It was action from the get go that did not relent until the end. With a tagline like “Mac Gyver meets War of the Worlds”, this book was impossible to resist – and it did not disappoint either. For the romance reader in all of us, this book presents one that is not really forbidden but dangerous for all parties involve. I’m curious to see where it’s headed, but from what I’ve read so far, it looks to be a bumpy ride.

Tate made a very convincing boy-genius. I appreciated the fact that his intelligence did not all came from text book; at least, the authors didn’t make it seem so. He was book smart, street smart, and yes, smart aleck. He was emotional when it calls for it, fierce and explosive. I enjoyed his point of view. There’s still a lot to be gleaned about the invaders, but nothing is at seems. I feel like a huge twist is in the offing, and I’m really excited to find out.

All in all, this initial offering to what proved to be “Sci-Fi for the masses”, is undeniably solid. A true page-turner in all sense of the word, it features (somewhat) realistic characters and truly engrossing plot.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright- not exactly a ringing endorsement. It was good enough, but I felt throughout that the story was lacking in some ways and wasn't sure it was something that I would want to continue on in. Imagine my great annoyance then when I found out the whole bloody thing ends on a cliffhanger! A cliffhanger can be alright in a book series, can even be really important and help with the story, but it needs to be further along. Once you have starter the story going, fostered the interest and trust of your readers, established the characters, then it can make sense. But to throw it in the first book here? It makes it into a blatant grab to get you to read the next book and that just makes me angry more than anything.

The story itself had an interesting idea; aliens on Earth, for quite a long time, in essence taking over by accident. I simply didn't understand both the science and the psychology they tried to present. These aliens are taking over the world by living with humans, breeding with them, and being entirely undetectable as anything but human. In fact, most don't even know they aren't, they all believe they are human. Which some of the remaining humans are angry about. But why? These people act exactly the same as everyone else, even descended from humans by grace of the whole interbreeding thing. I didn't really see a purpose for the anger. Further, it didn't really work that all these people would be straight alien. It was mentioned that when a human and H2 get together, their children are all H2, no hybrids. That doesn't really work. By grace of the whole two donors bit they should be half and half but no, they are H2, and they immediately are the enemy. It made the whole thing a bit illogical as it ran on.

The one good thing is that Tate and Christina spend the whole book working through this idea just the same as the reader. It irked me that Tate often got angry at H2s, but he would realise it himself and see that it was in an abstract sense, that he was actually angry at the people coming after him. It was a lot to work through and I felt that it was done pretty well considering. Christina had to work through things as well and I sort of wish that sometimes the book was told from her perspective, but I guess for what the story was it worked out.

I feel a bit like abandoning this series since I wasn't overly interested throughout my reading of this book. But, as I said, it ends on a cliffhanger. It was just enough that I would like to know what happens, and I can hope that the series gets a bit better in the next book.

[Michele at A Belle's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review and interview with the authors at: A Belle's Tales.

*4.5 stars*

16-year-old Tate Archer is fed up with his dad’s irrational expectations and the demanding schedule he has to adhere to. The extra studies, the perfectly proportioned nutritional meals, the intense training, and the protein supplements – all because he must prepare for something important… his purpose. But that’s the only information he can get out of his father. It’s hard to care about your “purpose” when you don’t know what it is. So when Tate broke into his dad’s lab and stole his latest invention, some kind of wand scanner… he could have never imagined the kind of mayhem he was about to create. Thus begins a terrifying journey that has Tate on the run and unable to trust anyone.

This was a very different read from my usual fare, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The book is being described as “MacGyver meets War of the Worlds” -- and how apt that description is! I’d also throw in Abduction because, aside from the discovery of H2, Tate and Christina are now two teens on the run; and everyone they come face to face with appears to be untrustworthy or potential adversaries. Though the comparisons to the works above are fitting, make no mistake this is an original story that stands on its own. There is serious heart-pounding action in this first installment!

Tate is a great MC. He’s very relatable, and I love how brilliant this young guy is! His MacGyver-like inventions are so much fun to read about (I'll never look at oranges the same way again)! Tate’s relationship with his parents, especially the intense one he shares with his father, is heartbreaking at times. He starts out as a seemingly angry young man but really experiences tremendous character growth along the way. I love how tender he is with Christina, and his inner thoughts are especially endearing.

Scan is a thrilling, action-packed read with a boy genius who is not only strong and capable, but can turn on the charm and isn’t afraid to show his sensitive side.

[Vaughn Ohlman · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, to agree with a lot of the other reviews: Yes a non-stop guy action adventure with aliens and kisses.
That said, some issues I think the others might have missed. Some... inconsistencies...
1) It should be noted that if two creatures can interbreed, they are the same species, regardless of different genetics. Thus H1 and H2 are the same species.
2) There is a great deal of 'much ado about nothing' in this book. If the differences between H1 and H2 are so small that no one seems to be able to figure them out, then who cares? Why would they care? The book seems to be making some sort of wierd anti-racist point, but the whole issue in racism is that you CAN see some differences!

3) How do they figure out how many H1 and H2 are there? Taking statistics is difficult in the best of circumstances, but here we have two groups that are impossible to tell apart, but somebody is able to count them??
4) Assuming that the rest of the book is correct, there is a huge hole in the whole 'fifty families' ethos. In addition to promoting marriages among humans, they would also be strongly promoting having a lot of children. In this light the breakup of the father's marriage makes no sense, nor does the fact he only had the one child. Staying with, and having more children with, one's wife would be a prime goal, not some modern extra.
5) The genetics of the book don't work. I suppose this falls under the ageis of 'suspending disbelief', but the idea that every combination of H1 and H2 produce and H2 fails the genetic test. Even assuming that H1 is recessive, after a couple of generations the mixed genetic pairs would start throwing recessive recessive combinations.
6) I don't believe that the isolated group in the book would have time to devolve into inbreeding, but the book itself solves the problem: the arranged marriages between groups would quickly fix this. There is no way, in the short amount of time that the book mentions, you would have such huge genetic problems.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a grab you by the throat, action packed book then look no further! I received this book through as a giveaway and I am so happy I did because I was nothing but impressed. First let me commend the author for casting a boy as the main character which is something that is missing in a lot of YA fiction lately. And secondly let me commend the author on a fantastic job of creating a thrill ride of a book.

Tate Archer has grown up with an overbearing father who asks nothing but perfection from him. At times Tate feels little more than an experiment his father is working on. But when Tate steals a scanner from his father’s lab, the world turns upside down and suddenly armed men are coming out of the woodwork to hunt Tate down and steal the scanner from him. Tate discovers that maybe his father was preparing him for a future that Tate never saw coming. With the help of his girlfriend and his mother, Tate must figure out why the scanner is so important and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

An excellent read for young and old alike!

[Amanda Northrup · Rating 3 out of 5]

An action-packed YA alien thriller. Scan focuses on a device that reveals who among us is human and who is alien. A great many chase scenes, gun fights, and explosions occur alongside awkward teen romance, no-one-understands-me angst, and overly convenient MacGyver skills.

This action-packed book will make great summer reading for the high school set (lots of cursing and making out), but the plot holes and thin world development left me unsatisfied.

[Melanie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was kinda sad that it only had two books, but the story is really interesting. I like the different alien view this has than the normal alien books you read. I can't wait to start the next book and find out what the third color the scanner picks up means. And ppl need to stop dying around Tate in this book or he is going to have no help at all.
Great book. So would recommend this to ones.

[Tandie]

I read a 62 page sneak peek, which is available on Sarah Fine's Facebook page. It's told from a male POV, with lots of futuristic weaponry and gadgets. From the way the last chapter ended, I'm expecting lots of action. I need to order the book & read on!

[Kimberly Francisco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I spent 7 hours listening to a book where nothing happened.