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Anomaly #1
Anomaly
Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B008IMBGIM
Five years have passed since Caitlin Tierney was kidnapped from New Haven, a secret facility for gifted children. Deemed a threat to society by the government’s Anomaly Control Team for her empathetic and telekinetic powers, Caity was implanted with a chip meant to neutralize her abilities and keep her on the ACT’s radar.
Now Caity is trying to live the life of a normal 21-year-old but her nightmares are getting worse. She’s haunted by the past she can’t remember, the painful experiments she endured in New Haven and Chase Taylor, the love she lost.
When a mysterious letter arrives one day and promises Caity answers to her forgotten life, she suddenly finds herself thrown back into the world of New Haven…and into the arms of her old flame. For once it seems like everything will be alright, but how much has New Haven really changed? And how much has Chase changed?
While conflicted by the dark secrets she uncovers about New Haven and her beloved Chase, Caity stumbles upon a group of Anomalies who call themselves The Punks. They’re charming and unexpectedly, Caity finds herself drawn into their small family…and to their leader, the quiet, enigmatic Kismet.
Ultimately, Caity must decide where her loyalty lies: is it with her first true love Chase and the cloaked objectives of New Haven? Or is it with the peaceful, nomadic Punks?
And how far over the line will she be willing to go for either one?
Five years have passed since Caitlin Tierney was kidnapped from New Haven, a secret facility for gifted children. Deemed a threat to society by the government’s Anomaly Control Team for her empathetic and telekinetic powers, Caity was implanted with a chip meant to neutralize her abilities and keep her on the ACT’s radar.
Now Caity is trying to live the life of a normal 21-year-old but her nightmares are getting worse. She’s haunted by the past she can’t remember, the painful experiments she endured in New Haven and Chase Taylor, the love she lost.
When a mysterious letter arrives one day and promises Caity answers to her forgotten life, she suddenly finds herself thrown back into the world of New Haven…and into the arms of her old flame. For once it seems like everything will be alright, but how much has New Haven really changed? And how much has Chase changed?
While conflicted by the dark secrets she uncovers about New Haven and her beloved Chase, Caity stumbles upon a group of Anomalies who call themselves The Punks. They’re charming and unexpectedly, Caity finds herself drawn into their small family…and to their leader, the quiet, enigmatic Kismet.
Ultimately, Caity must decide where her loyalty lies: is it with her first true love Chase and the cloaked objectives of New Haven? Or is it with the peaceful, nomadic Punks?
And how far over the line will she be willing to go for either one?
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2012
46 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 6, 2012
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review and boy am I glad!
I am pretty new to YA books of this nature, but have read quite a few in the past two-three months, and Anomaly is right up there in my number 1 spot! I mean who wouldn't love a book with characters like Chase, Izzy, Dozer, Kismet (Kiz, Kizzy), Bubbles? I was in love with the fun names, nothing banal about this book!
Each character has a supernatural ability, some used for good and others used for not so good reasons. Caity, the female protagonist, receives a letter from someone in her family that she hasn't seen in years and she embarks on a journey to find this person. Her adventure takes her places that no one should ever have to "visit" and gives her experiences that no person should have! What happens between Caitlin and her family member is a tear-jerker. Perhaps I shouldn't say this as it's on a personal note, but I read the last 40 pages at my high school's main rivalry football game last night and with the band playing 20 feet away from me, the cheerleaders and spirit club right in front of me, sitting with my back against the wall of the announcers booth, I CRIED, not just choked up, but cried real tears. I was pulling for the characters in the book because of how I wanted it to end. There were times I was crying because I thought my hopes for the ending were coming to fruition; times when I realized maybe they weren't. Bottom line is this book had me emotionally because of the relationships aspect...rooting for certain characters to come together.
There is also some very sweet romance going on and, as so often is the case, a love triangle. The problem for me is that I couldn't decide on whom I wanted to finally get together. I won't say if I got my "wish" or not, but the ending was completely shocking to me! A twist I had not expected at all.
One of the characters is a singer, and women are lured by his singing. He is a favorite character of mine because of his heart. He belongs to a "found family" that Caity encounters. From this story line in the book, the reader is able to see what family is really all about. Sometimes we get to choose who our families will be; other times not.
My recommendation is for everyone to read this book, even if you aren't in to this book's genre. To me it read like a movie. I think this is one of the few books that I've read that I think could be made into a movie because the conflicts, action, and characters were just that good!
I am pretty new to YA books of this nature, but have read quite a few in the past two-three months, and Anomaly is right up there in my number 1 spot! I mean who wouldn't love a book with characters like Chase, Izzy, Dozer, Kismet (Kiz, Kizzy), Bubbles? I was in love with the fun names, nothing banal about this book!
Each character has a supernatural ability, some used for good and others used for not so good reasons. Caity, the female protagonist, receives a letter from someone in her family that she hasn't seen in years and she embarks on a journey to find this person. Her adventure takes her places that no one should ever have to "visit" and gives her experiences that no person should have! What happens between Caitlin and her family member is a tear-jerker. Perhaps I shouldn't say this as it's on a personal note, but I read the last 40 pages at my high school's main rivalry football game last night and with the band playing 20 feet away from me, the cheerleaders and spirit club right in front of me, sitting with my back against the wall of the announcers booth, I CRIED, not just choked up, but cried real tears. I was pulling for the characters in the book because of how I wanted it to end. There were times I was crying because I thought my hopes for the ending were coming to fruition; times when I realized maybe they weren't. Bottom line is this book had me emotionally because of the relationships aspect...rooting for certain characters to come together.
There is also some very sweet romance going on and, as so often is the case, a love triangle. The problem for me is that I couldn't decide on whom I wanted to finally get together. I won't say if I got my "wish" or not, but the ending was completely shocking to me! A twist I had not expected at all.
One of the characters is a singer, and women are lured by his singing. He is a favorite character of mine because of his heart. He belongs to a "found family" that Caity encounters. From this story line in the book, the reader is able to see what family is really all about. Sometimes we get to choose who our families will be; other times not.
My recommendation is for everyone to read this book, even if you aren't in to this book's genre. To me it read like a movie. I think this is one of the few books that I've read that I think could be made into a movie because the conflicts, action, and characters were just that good!
June 26, 2017
I got this book from the author to review. Boy, am I glad I signed up for this one!
I really loved this book, and had a hard time putting it down to take care of my kids. It was just wonderful, and well written, and such a great story. It is about a place called New Haven where kids/teens are taken because they have special abilities like super strength or speed. Caitlin is the heroine in the story, and her journey is a very emotional one. She was a very strong female lead; just the way I like them. Chase is kind of like her soulmate, and they haven't seen each other for 5 years, when they are finally reunited. This is a journey of choosing right from wrong, making your own choices, and meeting new friends like the wonderful Kismet, Spaz, Dan, Charlie, and Headset. I really started to love all these characters and can't wait to read more about them.
This book took me through many emotions. There were many smiles, a lot of anxiety, and a few tears shed along the way. It is very well written with just a few editing flaws. I don't want to give anything away, but the author did a wonderful job of building up the suspense and mystery of what was to come. Oh, and the ending! That is all I can say! I cannot wait for the sequel! I recommend this to everybody!
I really loved this book, and had a hard time putting it down to take care of my kids. It was just wonderful, and well written, and such a great story. It is about a place called New Haven where kids/teens are taken because they have special abilities like super strength or speed. Caitlin is the heroine in the story, and her journey is a very emotional one. She was a very strong female lead; just the way I like them. Chase is kind of like her soulmate, and they haven't seen each other for 5 years, when they are finally reunited. This is a journey of choosing right from wrong, making your own choices, and meeting new friends like the wonderful Kismet, Spaz, Dan, Charlie, and Headset. I really started to love all these characters and can't wait to read more about them.
This book took me through many emotions. There were many smiles, a lot of anxiety, and a few tears shed along the way. It is very well written with just a few editing flaws. I don't want to give anything away, but the author did a wonderful job of building up the suspense and mystery of what was to come. Oh, and the ending! That is all I can say! I cannot wait for the sequel! I recommend this to everybody!
November 2, 2012
4.5 stars
I was sorely tempted to give this five stars, but after finishing it and then sleeping on it, I figure (reluctantly) four stars is probably more fair. It wasn’t perfect, but who needs perfection? You read this and you are in for a ride. (Ugh, you know what, forget it. I’m switching this to a 4.5.)
It’s been five years since Caitlin Tierney was kidnapped from New Haven, a secret institute for children with superhuman abilities. Her kidnappers? The Anomaly Control Team, or ACT. Viewing the children there as a threat, they implanted tacking devices that would both allow the ACT to keep an eye on them and neutralise their powers. Now, Caity is still trying to fit in with normal life, and it’s (sort of) going OK…until she receives a mysterious letter. Tracing it back, it’s not long before she’s face to face with Chase, the guy she’s still in love with after all these years, and who she never thought she’d see again. But with Chase comes the new New Haven, and it doesn’t seem to have changed at all.
So much happens in this book, it’s unbelievable. That description I just wrote? That’s just half the book. But the amazing thing is that so much happens…and it never gets boring. I mean, OK, the beginning was a little slow, but after that it picks up and then you’re just zipping along. I had every scene in my head, I was feeling everything that was going on, whether it was physical or emotional, and by the time I reached 80%, was I going to go to bed at a reasonable time just to get a good night’s sleep? Of course not. Half-terms exist for a reason, that reason being lie-ins. (Any teachers reading this might just want to…um…ignore that.) But anyway, at no point did I start to lose interest and by the end I had my face just inches away from my Kindle.
Caity, my dear…can we be friends? No? Why not? Oh…yes. Well, if you were real, I can assure you we’d be besties. Sorry, Lexie. *turns attention back to reader* Ahem. Anyway. Caity was a fantastic protag. This girl was badass. This girl was strong. This girl was smart. Admittedly, her decision to jump on a plane as soon as she got that letter informing her she had a sister was somewhat questionable. No-one does that that quickly, no-one feels a sudden protective streak as soon as they get that kind of news. But apart from that, she was quite a believable character. Fine, apart from that and her powers, she was quite a believable character. Caity can both feel the emotions of other people and also move things with her mind, making her pretty unique. Seriously, you do not want to mess with her when she gets angry. Ask Bethany Stone, evil leader of New Haven. I also think she was quite smart when it came to Chase.
Chase is…adorable. At first. The thing is, he’s changed a lot since they got separated five years ago. He goes from adorable when we meet him to delusional and it was quite a sad thing to see. Sad for Caity especially, not to mention painful. I couldn’t believe what he was allowing to happen, what he had volunteered to be put through; quite honestly, he was turning increasingly crazy. Now, you know how there are some female protags who refuse to see what’s right in front of them and carry on mooning idiotically over the love of their life? Caity’s not one of them. There was a point in a key scene that I thought, ‘Uh-oh. Please don’t tell me she’s about to make that mistake.’ Thankfully, she didn’t, and she left. (That’s the other half of the book. She leaves and Stuff Happens.) That, in my book, made her quite sensible.
OK, so…I’m going to tell you something and you have to promise not to do anything drastic. Don’t now slam a wall between yourself and this book, don’t just say, ‘Forget it.’ Promise? Pinky swear? You as well, do you promise? OK. Good. So…there is a love triangle BUT.
But. This takes place after Caity leaves New Haven and stumbles across a makeshift family, of whom Kismet is the leader. Kiz for short. There is no insta-love. Kiz is honestly a really sweet guy. He’s very quiet. He has a power that would make any other guy arrogant and someone you’d want to slap, but he in contrast dislikes it because of how it makes people treat him. What is it, you ask? Well, . But seriously, the love triangle in this case makes perfect sense; it is well-written. And you know what, for me, it ends perfectly. Gilliland isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done, and if it had ended in any other way, I would have been outraged. But I was saved from that annoyance, and instead I got to carry on reading in satisfaction.
Aware as I am of how long this review is turning out to be, I’m going to stop here. There’s just too much to talk about. I will just quickly mention that I did have an issue with the tracking devices, it seemed that they were removed too late and so the ACT should have been down on everyone like a ton of bricks and yet they weren’t until a certain point. But other than that, this book was fabulous. Every character had their own unique power, their own individual personality; Benji (otherwise known as Headset) was adorable and 4 year old Izzy stunned me. So: a diverse set of characters, a highly compelling plotline, a great romance…why aren’t you reading this yet?
A big big thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
I was sorely tempted to give this five stars, but after finishing it and then sleeping on it, I figure (reluctantly) four stars is probably more fair. It wasn’t perfect, but who needs perfection? You read this and you are in for a ride. (Ugh, you know what, forget it. I’m switching this to a 4.5.)
It’s been five years since Caitlin Tierney was kidnapped from New Haven, a secret institute for children with superhuman abilities. Her kidnappers? The Anomaly Control Team, or ACT. Viewing the children there as a threat, they implanted tacking devices that would both allow the ACT to keep an eye on them and neutralise their powers. Now, Caity is still trying to fit in with normal life, and it’s (sort of) going OK…until she receives a mysterious letter. Tracing it back, it’s not long before she’s face to face with Chase, the guy she’s still in love with after all these years, and who she never thought she’d see again. But with Chase comes the new New Haven, and it doesn’t seem to have changed at all.
So much happens in this book, it’s unbelievable. That description I just wrote? That’s just half the book. But the amazing thing is that so much happens…and it never gets boring. I mean, OK, the beginning was a little slow, but after that it picks up and then you’re just zipping along. I had every scene in my head, I was feeling everything that was going on, whether it was physical or emotional, and by the time I reached 80%, was I going to go to bed at a reasonable time just to get a good night’s sleep? Of course not. Half-terms exist for a reason, that reason being lie-ins. (Any teachers reading this might just want to…um…ignore that.) But anyway, at no point did I start to lose interest and by the end I had my face just inches away from my Kindle.
Caity, my dear…can we be friends? No? Why not? Oh…yes. Well, if you were real, I can assure you we’d be besties. Sorry, Lexie. *turns attention back to reader* Ahem. Anyway. Caity was a fantastic protag. This girl was badass. This girl was strong. This girl was smart. Admittedly, her decision to jump on a plane as soon as she got that letter informing her she had a sister was somewhat questionable. No-one does that that quickly, no-one feels a sudden protective streak as soon as they get that kind of news. But apart from that, she was quite a believable character. Fine, apart from that and her powers, she was quite a believable character. Caity can both feel the emotions of other people and also move things with her mind, making her pretty unique. Seriously, you do not want to mess with her when she gets angry. Ask Bethany Stone, evil leader of New Haven. I also think she was quite smart when it came to Chase.
Chase is…adorable. At first. The thing is, he’s changed a lot since they got separated five years ago. He goes from adorable when we meet him to delusional and it was quite a sad thing to see. Sad for Caity especially, not to mention painful. I couldn’t believe what he was allowing to happen, what he had volunteered to be put through; quite honestly, he was turning increasingly crazy. Now, you know how there are some female protags who refuse to see what’s right in front of them and carry on mooning idiotically over the love of their life? Caity’s not one of them. There was a point in a key scene that I thought, ‘Uh-oh. Please don’t tell me she’s about to make that mistake.’ Thankfully, she didn’t, and she left. (That’s the other half of the book. She leaves and Stuff Happens.) That, in my book, made her quite sensible.
OK, so…I’m going to tell you something and you have to promise not to do anything drastic. Don’t now slam a wall between yourself and this book, don’t just say, ‘Forget it.’ Promise? Pinky swear? You as well, do you promise? OK. Good. So…there is a love triangle BUT.
But. This takes place after Caity leaves New Haven and stumbles across a makeshift family, of whom Kismet is the leader. Kiz for short. There is no insta-love. Kiz is honestly a really sweet guy. He’s very quiet. He has a power that would make any other guy arrogant and someone you’d want to slap, but he in contrast dislikes it because of how it makes people treat him. What is it, you ask? Well, . But seriously, the love triangle in this case makes perfect sense; it is well-written. And you know what, for me, it ends perfectly. Gilliland isn’t afraid to do what needs to be done, and if it had ended in any other way, I would have been outraged. But I was saved from that annoyance, and instead I got to carry on reading in satisfaction.
Aware as I am of how long this review is turning out to be, I’m going to stop here. There’s just too much to talk about. I will just quickly mention that I did have an issue with the tracking devices, it seemed that they were removed too late and so the ACT should have been down on everyone like a ton of bricks and yet they weren’t until a certain point. But other than that, this book was fabulous. Every character had their own unique power, their own individual personality; Benji (otherwise known as Headset) was adorable and 4 year old Izzy stunned me. So: a diverse set of characters, a highly compelling plotline, a great romance…why aren’t you reading this yet?
A big big thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
July 14, 2012
So when I got this ebook the very first day it came out, I won'tdeny that I was extremely excited! The prologue and the description just grabs you in and dumps you into a 5 hour reading session! What I really appreciated about this book is that it didn't over- do the story elements. Like it had some kind of dystopian feel to it but it also contained regular life issues. Also the romance did not over- do itself either, it was pin point perfect! Yes I have read books with simliar concepts but the sprinkle of originality and natural elemants, it made this book all the different.
"While conflicted by the dark secrets she uncovers about New Haven and her beloved Chase, Caity stumbles upon a group of Anomalies who call themselves The Punks. They’re charming and unexpectedly, Caity finds herself drawn into their small family…and to their leader, the quiet, enigmatic Kismet.
Ultimately, Caity must decide where her loyalty lies: is it with her first true love Chase and the cloaked objectives of New Haven? Or is it with the peaceful, nomadic Punks?
And how far over the line will she be willing to go for either one?"
What also struck my interest in this book was that everyone in the New Haven had special powers that aligned with their brain activity. Caity's, the protagonist, had the ability to move things with her mind. It was interesting to watch the characters develop their powers and it played a huge part in the story itself.
The relationship that Caity had with Chase literally took my breathe away, Chase is so loving, caring, and protective of Caity. He has the excessive ability of strong muscle. Thier relationship can definately relate to real life situations and they both seem so natural to it all. Kismet, on the other hand, is another story. he is introuced when you're in about 1/3 of the book when he meets Caity. Now in the biginning he didn't have that physical connection with Caity that Chase did, but Kismet was most certainly intimate at heart. I think Kismet's personality was the thing that really struck Caity to want to know him better, I mean who didn't love a guy with a power of voice seduction, a guitar groove, and a cool mellow tone? Kismet obviously becomes a key character in the book and plays a strong part in the plot.
You would definately want to read this book if you are into YA fiction and romance, this is definately a must-read ebook if you had to read one! This book delivers many emotional scenes and caress, heartpounding moments. In the tense parts the action is very fast-paced and descriptive. This ebook is the first in the series so there will be much more after this!
"While conflicted by the dark secrets she uncovers about New Haven and her beloved Chase, Caity stumbles upon a group of Anomalies who call themselves The Punks. They’re charming and unexpectedly, Caity finds herself drawn into their small family…and to their leader, the quiet, enigmatic Kismet.
Ultimately, Caity must decide where her loyalty lies: is it with her first true love Chase and the cloaked objectives of New Haven? Or is it with the peaceful, nomadic Punks?
And how far over the line will she be willing to go for either one?"
What also struck my interest in this book was that everyone in the New Haven had special powers that aligned with their brain activity. Caity's, the protagonist, had the ability to move things with her mind. It was interesting to watch the characters develop their powers and it played a huge part in the story itself.
The relationship that Caity had with Chase literally took my breathe away, Chase is so loving, caring, and protective of Caity. He has the excessive ability of strong muscle. Thier relationship can definately relate to real life situations and they both seem so natural to it all. Kismet, on the other hand, is another story. he is introuced when you're in about 1/3 of the book when he meets Caity. Now in the biginning he didn't have that physical connection with Caity that Chase did, but Kismet was most certainly intimate at heart. I think Kismet's personality was the thing that really struck Caity to want to know him better, I mean who didn't love a guy with a power of voice seduction, a guitar groove, and a cool mellow tone? Kismet obviously becomes a key character in the book and plays a strong part in the plot.
You would definately want to read this book if you are into YA fiction and romance, this is definately a must-read ebook if you had to read one! This book delivers many emotional scenes and caress, heartpounding moments. In the tense parts the action is very fast-paced and descriptive. This ebook is the first in the series so there will be much more after this!
November 27, 2012
I read this book as an Author Requested Review.
To me, the book is a combination of Spy Kids/Incredibles/Matrix.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book. I was perturbed by the huge spaces between each paragraph, which distracted me continually from the book. The overabundant use of "was/were" in place of active verbs also detracted from the flow of the story. Maybe that's my editor lens tainting my view of the book, but I can't help it; when a great book could've been excellent with more attention to the writing, it bothers me.
The more I read the book, the more I liked it. Thankfully, the ridiculous romance dies a down a little, the plot picks up, and the suspense and excitement carry the book through to the end.
By the time I finished reading, I realized I actually look forward to the next book in the series. Any book that makes me anticipate the sequel deserves at least four stars. With tighter editing, it could be a five star series.
To me, the book is a combination of Spy Kids/Incredibles/Matrix.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book. I was perturbed by the huge spaces between each paragraph, which distracted me continually from the book. The overabundant use of "was/were" in place of active verbs also detracted from the flow of the story. Maybe that's my editor lens tainting my view of the book, but I can't help it; when a great book could've been excellent with more attention to the writing, it bothers me.
The more I read the book, the more I liked it. Thankfully, the ridiculous romance dies a down a little, the plot picks up, and the suspense and excitement carry the book through to the end.
By the time I finished reading, I realized I actually look forward to the next book in the series. Any book that makes me anticipate the sequel deserves at least four stars. With tighter editing, it could be a five star series.
September 28, 2019
Interesting concept, odd pace
Anomaly is about a place where special people with, called "Anomalies," are taken to be protected and where their unusual abilities can be studied. But the main character doesn't trust that all is hunky-dory at Hawthorn House. I'll give you one guess whether she's right. Overall I give this book a good-not-great. The concepts and characters were interesting. Most of the anomalies displayed by the Anomalies were standard stuff ( super-strength, invisibility, etc.), but there were a few pretty inventive ones. My favourite is the little boy whose skin turns into whatever material he touches (the comic book science is strong with this one) and chooses to use this ability to turn his fingers into different-coloured crayons and colour with them. He is truly the hero we didn't know we needed. The pacing felt off, though, going very quickly at the beginning and end but very, very slowly in the middle, or so it seemed to me. There was a lot of the main character having the same basic conversations over and over, not moving those conflicts forward much. In the end one of the main conflicts never went anywhere at all. I found myself in the strange position of really wanting to know where this story was going because the characters and situations were compelling to me, even though I was often disappointed to discover that where it was going was nowhere new. I'll still probably read the sequel. There was some resolution, eventually, so I must believe I will learn the fate of these characters if I persist.
Anomaly is about a place where special people with, called "Anomalies," are taken to be protected and where their unusual abilities can be studied. But the main character doesn't trust that all is hunky-dory at Hawthorn House. I'll give you one guess whether she's right. Overall I give this book a good-not-great. The concepts and characters were interesting. Most of the anomalies displayed by the Anomalies were standard stuff ( super-strength, invisibility, etc.), but there were a few pretty inventive ones. My favourite is the little boy whose skin turns into whatever material he touches (the comic book science is strong with this one) and chooses to use this ability to turn his fingers into different-coloured crayons and colour with them. He is truly the hero we didn't know we needed. The pacing felt off, though, going very quickly at the beginning and end but very, very slowly in the middle, or so it seemed to me. There was a lot of the main character having the same basic conversations over and over, not moving those conflicts forward much. In the end one of the main conflicts never went anywhere at all. I found myself in the strange position of really wanting to know where this story was going because the characters and situations were compelling to me, even though I was often disappointed to discover that where it was going was nowhere new. I'll still probably read the sequel. There was some resolution, eventually, so I must believe I will learn the fate of these characters if I persist.
August 13, 2012
The New Haven Project had a bumpy start for me. The prologue drew me in, the first chapter or so had me losing some interest, and then the whole Las Vegas portion seemed a tad rushed and, later, unneeded. The thing that I didn’t really like about the Las Vegas detour was that it mislead me about the direction the book was going in. It made me think that a good portion of it would be spent towards finding Caitlin’s sister, Madison, and eventually that would lead us to Chase, etc. Instead, we meet Chase asap and the search for Madison is summed up rather quickly.
Another thing I wasn’t entirely happy with was the relationship between Caitlin and Madison. It wasn’t the dynamic of it. I was perfectly okay with Madison hating Caitlin. What bugged me though was the fact that Caitlin had gotten on an airplane without a moment’s hesitation to find her sister... and then seemingly didn’t make an effort with Madison once they met. I know, Caitlin recounts she’s been trying to reach out to her sister in a summary paragraph of time that’s passed, but we never really get to see that. Once Caitlin and Chase reunite, most of the time is spent focused on them and their somewhat mushy romance. I didn’t mind that really. What I did mind was that the sister drama seemed to get pushed aside in favor of couple time.
There were also small little things I questioned about the plot such as the tracking devices. I know that Chase later says they scrambled it, but...shouldn’t you scramble the device before you reach your final destination, not after? Caitlin was at New Haven for a good while before they took out her chip, so the reasoning in my mind says they should have been able to pinpoint that as her last location before she poofed off their radar.
However, after the whole Las Vegas thing, the pacing of the book evened out and the story became great. I loved the plot and half way through I couldn’t stop reading even if I wanted to. I was hooked on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what came next. The characters were also terrific. I especially wound up loving the Punks, better than the New Haven teens who’d become a bit bitter and jaded (understandably so). The Punks just had a refreshing feeling of hope and humor to them that won me over.
I also have to say that this is the first book I’ve read that was written by two authors. I’ve always been worried that a co-authored book wouldn’t be cohesive, but I’m glad to say that wasn’t the case with The New Haven Project. I was half way through before I noticed there were two names on the cover and I was surprised because there definitely wasn’t a trace of two different narrative voices.
Overall, the book was great. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this genre and will for sure read the rest of the series when it’s released.
Another thing I wasn’t entirely happy with was the relationship between Caitlin and Madison. It wasn’t the dynamic of it. I was perfectly okay with Madison hating Caitlin. What bugged me though was the fact that Caitlin had gotten on an airplane without a moment’s hesitation to find her sister... and then seemingly didn’t make an effort with Madison once they met. I know, Caitlin recounts she’s been trying to reach out to her sister in a summary paragraph of time that’s passed, but we never really get to see that. Once Caitlin and Chase reunite, most of the time is spent focused on them and their somewhat mushy romance. I didn’t mind that really. What I did mind was that the sister drama seemed to get pushed aside in favor of couple time.
There were also small little things I questioned about the plot such as the tracking devices. I know that Chase later says they scrambled it, but...shouldn’t you scramble the device before you reach your final destination, not after? Caitlin was at New Haven for a good while before they took out her chip, so the reasoning in my mind says they should have been able to pinpoint that as her last location before she poofed off their radar.
However, after the whole Las Vegas thing, the pacing of the book evened out and the story became great. I loved the plot and half way through I couldn’t stop reading even if I wanted to. I was hooked on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what came next. The characters were also terrific. I especially wound up loving the Punks, better than the New Haven teens who’d become a bit bitter and jaded (understandably so). The Punks just had a refreshing feeling of hope and humor to them that won me over.
I also have to say that this is the first book I’ve read that was written by two authors. I’ve always been worried that a co-authored book wouldn’t be cohesive, but I’m glad to say that wasn’t the case with The New Haven Project. I was half way through before I noticed there were two names on the cover and I was surprised because there definitely wasn’t a trace of two different narrative voices.
Overall, the book was great. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this genre and will for sure read the rest of the series when it’s released.
July 17, 2012
Undeniably a page-turner. I'm reading this book while walking, on my way home, waiting in-line and while working (don't tell my boss!). I can't stop reading! Every time I try to stop and rest my eyes, I could not stop thinking of Caitlin, Chase, Kismet and even Izzy. The characters are so adorable... all of them! I think this is even better than Xmen with the love story and all! The book is a perfect mix of action, heavy drama, romance and light comedy.
I really like Caitlin's character, she's not the typical damsel in distress heroine, she's strong and dependent. I really like her power- telekinesis and empathy. With the book written in her POV, I could see all side of the stories. Still, some mysteries are left. However, I'm quite disappointed that her powers were not put in good use at the right time. About the romance part, I'm really confuse who's she's really going to end up with- Chase or Kismet?? of course I'm rooting for Chase! I feel for Chase, why he has to do what he's doing. But does she needs to feel Madison as well??? Can't we just remove that part? I'm starting to hate Madison, and with Chase feeling her as well, it just lessen the sweetness of the soul mate part!
This book totally broke my heart, I did not end up crying but still, this book is full of emotions. And I'm so thankful for the last part, the teaser part I mean. At least now I would not spend my day crying for Chase. :)
Hands down to the authors!
I really like Caitlin's character, she's not the typical damsel in distress heroine, she's strong and dependent. I really like her power- telekinesis and empathy. With the book written in her POV, I could see all side of the stories. Still, some mysteries are left. However, I'm quite disappointed that her powers were not put in good use at the right time. About the romance part, I'm really confuse who's she's really going to end up with- Chase or Kismet?? of course I'm rooting for Chase! I feel for Chase, why he has to do what he's doing. But does she needs to feel Madison as well??? Can't we just remove that part? I'm starting to hate Madison, and with Chase feeling her as well, it just lessen the sweetness of the soul mate part!
This book totally broke my heart, I did not end up crying but still, this book is full of emotions. And I'm so thankful for the last part, the teaser part I mean. At least now I would not spend my day crying for Chase. :)
Hands down to the authors!
August 13, 2012
This is like a supernatural ‘Bourne Identity’ novel - - full of mystery, action, super-secret government agencies, and romance….ah, the romance. A young girl with special powers is kidnapped and sent to a secret facility where doctors test – and torture- in order to find out where the powers come from. Caitlin Tierney, called ‘Caity’, has no memory of her childhood before she was brought to New Haven, but she does have nightmares about the events that occurred there. She has a special friendship with another gifted adolescent named Chase, but when the pair is ripped apart, Caity doubts she will ever see him again. Able to leave the facility as an adult, she is trying to have a normal life, but struggles to fit in and keep her special abilities in check.
When a letter arrives out of the blue, telling Caity of a troubled sister she never knew she had, Caity throws herself head-first into a search to save her sister…where the path leads straight back to New Haven. Has the facility really changed? Has the head doctor Dr. Stone mended her ways? Or is this new facility worse than the one before it?
I greatly enjoyed this novel and was captivated until the very end! Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, to find out what REALLY happened at the end….the story left some really intriguing cliffhangers!
When a letter arrives out of the blue, telling Caity of a troubled sister she never knew she had, Caity throws herself head-first into a search to save her sister…where the path leads straight back to New Haven. Has the facility really changed? Has the head doctor Dr. Stone mended her ways? Or is this new facility worse than the one before it?
I greatly enjoyed this novel and was captivated until the very end! Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, to find out what REALLY happened at the end….the story left some really intriguing cliffhangers!
September 5, 2012
3.75 stars book.
In other words: very good :)
Though... I had a bunch of feelings about it and that's probably why my review it's a collection of ramblings!
It felt like I read 2 books instead of one, the beginning was great, then it became a little difficult to me to get into the story but after 50 percent, when she runs into Spaz, Dozer, Headset, Charlie and Kismet, the book turns amazing again.
The story goes around Caity and her friends, which all have special abilities and awesome powers!
Her abilities are simply amazing and she is really funny, she made me laugh and also made me cry and feel her pain. Talking on the phone while using her power to pack might be the coolest thing ever! I could use some of that! lol.
Chase... well, he puzzled me. Couldn't connect with him and didn't like him at all. I never understood his motives. Kismet is probably one of my favorite characters along with Izzy and Caity.
The end is somehow SHOCKING, I can't say I felt sad, actually I kinda like were the story might be heading in the second book, though I'm pretty sure I'll be surprised!
Great start for a series!!
In other words: very good :)
Though... I had a bunch of feelings about it and that's probably why my review it's a collection of ramblings!
It felt like I read 2 books instead of one, the beginning was great, then it became a little difficult to me to get into the story but after 50 percent, when she runs into Spaz, Dozer, Headset, Charlie and Kismet, the book turns amazing again.
The story goes around Caity and her friends, which all have special abilities and awesome powers!
Her abilities are simply amazing and she is really funny, she made me laugh and also made me cry and feel her pain. Talking on the phone while using her power to pack might be the coolest thing ever! I could use some of that! lol.
Chase... well, he puzzled me. Couldn't connect with him and didn't like him at all. I never understood his motives. Kismet is probably one of my favorite characters along with Izzy and Caity.
The end is somehow SHOCKING, I can't say I felt sad, actually I kinda like were the story might be heading in the second book, though I'm pretty sure I'll be surprised!
Great start for a series!!
August 17, 2012
Wow! What a great read! Caity is a 21 year old with some awesome supernatural abilities who finds herself in the middle of a war against the government and ultimately in the middle of a love triangle. She is the type of female I like reading about: strong, brave, and not afraid to breakdown without looking too weak. The setting was beautiful and all the characters were likeable which in my opinion is a very hard thing to achieve in this genre. The two love interests were very swoon worthy and though one made mistakes I found myself unable to choose which one was right for her. In some way or another both were right for her so when it came to the end I was happy with the choice that was made even if my heart broke right alongside with Caity.
A huge thank you to Jessica Gilliland and Kimberly Gourgon for gifting this in exchange for my review. I will definitely be reading more of their books!
A huge thank you to Jessica Gilliland and Kimberly Gourgon for gifting this in exchange for my review. I will definitely be reading more of their books!
November 2, 2012
3.5 Stars.
I really enjoyed this.
I love stories that jump straight into it without any of the usual slow build. It got right to the intresting stuff as quickly as it could and the X-men style powers were fun to read about.
The only thing I wasn't sure about is that this comes dangerously close to other female leads in YA fantasy. In other words, no matter how serious the situation, no matter how dangerous things get, the herione just can't stop thinking about the two hunks in her life.
But that little flaw wasn't nearly as bad as I've seen in some books and the rest of the story more than made up for it. All in all, a really fun read.
I get the feeling the sequel will be even more entertaining.
Thanks to Jessica Marie Gilliland and the ARR program for giving me a copy of this to R and R. :D
I really enjoyed this.
I love stories that jump straight into it without any of the usual slow build. It got right to the intresting stuff as quickly as it could and the X-men style powers were fun to read about.
The only thing I wasn't sure about is that this comes dangerously close to other female leads in YA fantasy. In other words, no matter how serious the situation, no matter how dangerous things get, the herione just can't stop thinking about the two hunks in her life.
But that little flaw wasn't nearly as bad as I've seen in some books and the rest of the story more than made up for it. All in all, a really fun read.
I get the feeling the sequel will be even more entertaining.
Thanks to Jessica Marie Gilliland and the ARR program for giving me a copy of this to R and R. :D
July 31, 2012
LOVED THIS BOOK! I really enjoyed this book and I cant wait to read up and comming books. There were some points that I thought seemed to drag, but now that I think of it, it was only because I really really wanted to find out what was going to happen next! What was Chase hiding? Who sent Caity that letter? What were they doing to the people that would come out of there testing so tired? Is Stone really bad? Or is she just misunderstood? What the hell happened with Madison that she is such a brat? Most of those were answered by the end of the book! But I was seriously caught up this book. If it was not for having to go to work on a daily basis and take care of a 4yr old I probably would have read non stop!
July 14, 2012
Must read. Caity is a great character to watch fall into situations and see how she uses her bravery and determination to accomplish what she feels will right the world of evil. She is gaining a sad wisdom by learning she can't trust everyone, but all too often have to learn to trust someone along the way who will not let you down. Kismet is intriguing and dark and perfect. I can't wait to know more about him and where he will lead Caity next. Loved the twist on the "paranormal gifts" the characters use for either good or evil.
July 24, 2012
Well when you normally a person who goes to bed around 9:30/10 and you're up reading til 1:30am that says something, right?! I honestly could not stop reading the book. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next! I fell in love with the characters and felt actual emotions for them. I actually cried a bit in the end. When I connect to characters like that, I know it's a great read :) I can't wait for book 2 to come out already!
September 7, 2012
This book grabbed me from the beginning and pulled me right into the story. I couldn't put it down!! If you like dystopian paranormal fiction, you will love this book! It is books like these that make me wonder how much is true and how much is fiction ... Sometimes you never know. :)
There is an occasional spelling error or word misplaced but they are so few and far between I was able to read through them without any problems. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
There is an occasional spelling error or word misplaced but they are so few and far between I was able to read through them without any problems. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
February 23, 2019
I wrote it so I’m a bit biased, but I’d describe it as a fun, quick read with secret agencies, supernatural powers and a steamy love interest. It reads a bit more like a tv series than a classic novel. I’m a huge fan of X-Men and Buffy and I think it shows. If you’re a fan too, you’ll probably enjoy Anomaly. Happy Reading!
July 11, 2012
This book is extremely well written,with well developed interesting characters.The plot is well planned and arranged. It is suspense filled, with new twists emerging every chapter. It is an absolute page turner,can't wait for the next one!
August 24, 2012
I absolutely LOVED this book. It reminded me a little of the Darkest Powers series, but with far more emotion and grit. I found myself swooning, smiling and sobbing throughout, and now eagerly awaiting more in the series. Brilliant.
July 15, 2012
I'm very proud of this novel! I've come to care about the characters and their stories immensely, and I'm excited to share them with everyone now!
April 16, 2013
Hmm, how do I begin to review this book? How about, two weeks after finishing it, I am still thinking about it! Sifting through the details I've absorbed and imagining where the characters will be headed in the next installment and just how will Caitlin move on after what transpired at the end of :Anomaly?!!?
It begins with Caitlin, a 20-something bookshop employee leading a typical drab life, that is if she wasn't endowed with awesome super-human powers of telekinesis and empathy, suppressing a traumatic childhood spent at the New Haven testing facility and having since been captured, tagged & bagged by a secret government division bent on ridding the world of the genetically enhanced Anomalies. SO, Caity is on the hunt for something that might help jog her misplaced memory of her past and childhood before New Haven when she is reunited with her long lost soul mate (yes, she and Chase are literally connected somehow, with lots of doe-eyed gushing, embracing and pent-up emotions exchanged) and friends at a newly redesigned New Haven with the same old manipulative and domineering director and lots of new little Anomalies. Oh crap. Mischief, misunderstandings, power mastery and finally mayhem ensues. Caitlin and Chase come to a bitter crossroads and no matter how wrong his choice is, she can't help but still love him. Caity runs away to escape the pressure with Chase, her new-found sister and the gut feeling that everything New Haven stands for is totally wrong, joins up with another much more familial group of Anomalies, fights off an attack by the secret gov. team only to lead her new friends along with Chase, straight back into New Haven. Did I mention the new love interest and love triangle? Oh goodness, who do you choose? Team Chase or Team Kismet? Ah, I could go on and on but you should read the book, not my review.
I like how we get just enough of Caitlin's history mixed in with a little time seeing her surroundings from her perspective to help really get to know her character and then keep moving along with the story. It really made me think back to the tv show, Dark Angel (starring Jessica Alba). I love this type of paranormal- genetically enhanced teens -good vs evil sort of plot and this book delivered for me. It is also a great sign when I start to picture what I'm reading and see it play out like a movie. I absolutely can't wait for the next in the series and recommend you read this book!
I happily received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It begins with Caitlin, a 20-something bookshop employee leading a typical drab life, that is if she wasn't endowed with awesome super-human powers of telekinesis and empathy, suppressing a traumatic childhood spent at the New Haven testing facility and having since been captured, tagged & bagged by a secret government division bent on ridding the world of the genetically enhanced Anomalies. SO, Caity is on the hunt for something that might help jog her misplaced memory of her past and childhood before New Haven when she is reunited with her long lost soul mate (yes, she and Chase are literally connected somehow, with lots of doe-eyed gushing, embracing and pent-up emotions exchanged) and friends at a newly redesigned New Haven with the same old manipulative and domineering director and lots of new little Anomalies. Oh crap. Mischief, misunderstandings, power mastery and finally mayhem ensues. Caitlin and Chase come to a bitter crossroads and no matter how wrong his choice is, she can't help but still love him. Caity runs away to escape the pressure with Chase, her new-found sister and the gut feeling that everything New Haven stands for is totally wrong, joins up with another much more familial group of Anomalies, fights off an attack by the secret gov. team only to lead her new friends along with Chase, straight back into New Haven. Did I mention the new love interest and love triangle? Oh goodness, who do you choose? Team Chase or Team Kismet? Ah, I could go on and on but you should read the book, not my review.
I like how we get just enough of Caitlin's history mixed in with a little time seeing her surroundings from her perspective to help really get to know her character and then keep moving along with the story. It really made me think back to the tv show, Dark Angel (starring Jessica Alba). I love this type of paranormal- genetically enhanced teens -good vs evil sort of plot and this book delivered for me. It is also a great sign when I start to picture what I'm reading and see it play out like a movie. I absolutely can't wait for the next in the series and recommend you read this book!
I happily received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2012
This story started out slow for me. The first few chapters were spent with me sitting there going okay I don't really need to know every single thing that she is feeling and thinking. I thought a lot of time was spent in the set up of the story. I didn't have any real feelings towards Caity until much later in the book.
A mysterious letter comes in the mail and she drops everything to rush off to Vegas to find a sister she doesn't even recall having. What she finds there is the man of her dreams/nightmares. Chase is in Vegas and "finds" Caity and so begins the love story. Chase and Caity are bound together, and strongly so, they can feel each other's emotions and feelings. What is unique in this book is that while we have this whole romance aspect we never have one single sex scene and while there is some kissing not a ton. I won't go into too many details since I don't like spoilers. I will say that Caity's nightmares are all about to come true and in triplicate.
What I loved about this book was the unique family that Caity finds aka the Punks. I ABSOLUTELY loved the punks. A mis-matched band of mis-fits that just seemed to make a perfect family. I loved the characters, Caity, Kismet, Charlie, and all the gang were perfect. I didn't particularly like the personalities of some of the other characters including Caity's sister. And Mrs. Stone do NOT get me started on that woman! But they were relatively believable.
What I didn't like about the book was the time it took to get to the action. The other thing I didn't like that many will like is at the end of the book she has previews for other books and I think that in the last one "The New Haven Project:Defect" too much was given away and we find a missing person that we thought is dead. I think she would have been better off not adding that part into the book to catch our interest because too much is given away.
All in all it was a decent story and while it wasn't always action packed it did have a lot to offer to keep you turning the pages. When the book ends you still don't have a clear cut reason why the anomalies are happening or why they are hunted other than they are "supposedly" feared, which reminds me of x-men in a way.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
A mysterious letter comes in the mail and she drops everything to rush off to Vegas to find a sister she doesn't even recall having. What she finds there is the man of her dreams/nightmares. Chase is in Vegas and "finds" Caity and so begins the love story. Chase and Caity are bound together, and strongly so, they can feel each other's emotions and feelings. What is unique in this book is that while we have this whole romance aspect we never have one single sex scene and while there is some kissing not a ton. I won't go into too many details since I don't like spoilers. I will say that Caity's nightmares are all about to come true and in triplicate.
What I loved about this book was the unique family that Caity finds aka the Punks. I ABSOLUTELY loved the punks. A mis-matched band of mis-fits that just seemed to make a perfect family. I loved the characters, Caity, Kismet, Charlie, and all the gang were perfect. I didn't particularly like the personalities of some of the other characters including Caity's sister. And Mrs. Stone do NOT get me started on that woman! But they were relatively believable.
What I didn't like about the book was the time it took to get to the action. The other thing I didn't like that many will like is at the end of the book she has previews for other books and I think that in the last one "The New Haven Project:Defect" too much was given away and we find a missing person that we thought is dead. I think she would have been better off not adding that part into the book to catch our interest because too much is given away.
All in all it was a decent story and while it wasn't always action packed it did have a lot to offer to keep you turning the pages. When the book ends you still don't have a clear cut reason why the anomalies are happening or why they are hunted other than they are "supposedly" feared, which reminds me of x-men in a way.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
September 7, 2012
Caitlin or Caity Tierney is twenty-one year woman, who thought she left her past behind her, yet is having nightmares about the past. She works at coffee/bookstore while attending college. Caity seems to be pulled back into her life five years ago with a mysterious letter claiming to have all the answers she's been looking. The mystery letter tells Caity that she has a sister named Madison, who is living in Las Vegas. Caity immediately jumps at the chance to meet her sister yet her past will be crashing into her present and future. Caity feels a familiar emotion yet she's sure it's not real until Chase actually stands in front of her. All of her old feelings come crashing to the surface. Chase is so happy to have found Caity that he wants her to come with him back to New Haven Project in California. Caity wants to believe that New Haven Project is different from the past yet she can't seem to let go of her suspicions either. Upon seeing Ms. Bethany Stone, The Ice Queen, as Caity called her. She realized nothing has changed and everything now is even more dangerous than before. Caity is glad to see her old friends yet knows they are hiding things from her. Caity's sister Madison wants nothing to do with her which hurts Caity. Caity and Ms. Stone come to blows over what is going on at New Haven Project. Caity runs away from New Haven and Chase too. Caity ends up on a beach in Santa Cruz where she sees a mystery guy with an unique ability much like herself. Caity is drawn to this guy who calls himself~Kismet or Kis. Kis is friends with Sheldon or Spaz. Caity finds herself a new home in the Lair with Charlie, Dan or Dozer, Benji or Headset, Spaz and Kis, who call themselves~The Punks. Just when Caity begins to feel safe trouble comes in the form of ACT and Chase. Caity feels trapped in a crossroads of her past and present. What does the ACT want with Caity? What does Chase want from Caity? What is going on with The Punks? Can Caity find her place in the scheme of things? Can Caity trust Ms. Stone or Chase? Your answers await you in The New Haven Project:Anomaly.
July 15, 2012
Oh, what can I say? It's 2 AM, and I just finished. It's a book, that as a writer makes you think-- darn, I wish I wrote that, it's so good if makes you doubt your own writing. The high level of emotion and excellent descriptions leave you breathless. It's a well thought out mind game, you hate the characters when you are supposed to, and then in the same instance love them again. I dislike love triangles, but this one made sense and was well thought out. The character's actions were emotional and driven, there was reason in the triangle, and it was resolved, albeit tragically, but perfectly. I actually want more of the series, which us rare for me. I normally don't enjoy series, but am intrigued to see how everything works out. Exceeded my expectations. Now where is my pen and notebook, so I can see if there is any way to beat this!
A little update, now that I've slept a bit. This book truly got into my head, and I can't tell you that last time a series did that. I would say never. I found myself dreaming about it over and over, tossing in and out of restless sleep with a constant yearning. I want to leave my readers like this!
As much as I ended up hating the character of Chase, I somehow understood how Caity still loved him as he mutated into something she didn't know or understand. I found my mind latching onto that fleeting feeling. It was so well resolved, and I instantly had fall for the character of Kismet. I think that is what has me wanting more. I want to understand what is happening to the characters, for I actually care for them! They are so realistic in their emotions and their actions, you end up routing for every single of one of them!
Pick it up, but reader beware, you won't be able to put it down, or be be able to get it out of your head.
A little update, now that I've slept a bit. This book truly got into my head, and I can't tell you that last time a series did that. I would say never. I found myself dreaming about it over and over, tossing in and out of restless sleep with a constant yearning. I want to leave my readers like this!
As much as I ended up hating the character of Chase, I somehow understood how Caity still loved him as he mutated into something she didn't know or understand. I found my mind latching onto that fleeting feeling. It was so well resolved, and I instantly had fall for the character of Kismet. I think that is what has me wanting more. I want to understand what is happening to the characters, for I actually care for them! They are so realistic in their emotions and their actions, you end up routing for every single of one of them!
Pick it up, but reader beware, you won't be able to put it down, or be be able to get it out of your head.
August 8, 2012
This novel fascinated me from the first sentences, exactly what I want in a YA thriller: action, adventure, mystery, suspense, secrets, soul mates, travel, suspicious authority figures, concealed locations, paranormal elements (in this case, the giftedness of the young persons, both adolescents and younger children). This is a can’t-put-down story, and the reader just wants to race through the pages, not to get finished, but out of compulsion to read, to understand, to get to the next thrill or revelation. I’m really thankful in discovering at the end of the book, that it will be a series, and that excerpts from two more novels are included from this series. I surely did not want to just leave these characters and walk away, without more opportunity to discover them-these folks had become as real to me as those I know in so-called “real life.”
This novel is paranormal in the sense that most of the characters are gifted: no, not vampires, werewolves, or shapeshifters necessarily, but humans who are meta-human. Each has one or more talents-or gifts, or curses-such as telekinesis, empathy, telepathy, invisibility, and many more. As such, they are the objects-the targets-of both scientific research, and of a covert governmental arm’s determination to termination. If you think that’s not suspenseful, you need read no more than the first chapter to be completely captivated (and proven wrong, because there is so much suspense, action, emotion in this novel it’s truly engrossing).
This book was provided to me in return for a fair and honest review, by Goodreads Group Making Connections.
This novel is paranormal in the sense that most of the characters are gifted: no, not vampires, werewolves, or shapeshifters necessarily, but humans who are meta-human. Each has one or more talents-or gifts, or curses-such as telekinesis, empathy, telepathy, invisibility, and many more. As such, they are the objects-the targets-of both scientific research, and of a covert governmental arm’s determination to termination. If you think that’s not suspenseful, you need read no more than the first chapter to be completely captivated (and proven wrong, because there is so much suspense, action, emotion in this novel it’s truly engrossing).
This book was provided to me in return for a fair and honest review, by Goodreads Group Making Connections.
August 17, 2012
I was given this as a free e-book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
You know it's a good book when on the last page you're thinking, "Nooo...I want to read more!" If the next book isn't out soon I think I might have a serious breakdown.
Honestly, everything about this book was great. The characters, the writing, the emotion... You completely fall in love with the main characters Caity and Chase. Their childhood started with their memories being erased after being sent to live at a facility for kids with "talents." (Caity is an empath and is telekinetic, while Chase has super strength.) They were tortured and eventually were out on their own after the facility was attacked by the ACT. ACT is a group that basically thinks anyone with a power should be killed so that normal human beings will be safe. Cut to five years later...the kids (now 21 years old) start finding each other again and some have started re-creating the facility in what they think is a more peaceful approach. However, you find out secrets are being kept.
There is suspense, humor, and romance. The bond between the two leads is so powerful and yet when you get to the entrance of the new male, Kizmet, you're not upset about it.
The parts that should've been detailed were, and the parts that should've been concise were. No part dragged. I can not wait for the sequel. I'm hooked!
You know it's a good book when on the last page you're thinking, "Nooo...I want to read more!" If the next book isn't out soon I think I might have a serious breakdown.
Honestly, everything about this book was great. The characters, the writing, the emotion... You completely fall in love with the main characters Caity and Chase. Their childhood started with their memories being erased after being sent to live at a facility for kids with "talents." (Caity is an empath and is telekinetic, while Chase has super strength.) They were tortured and eventually were out on their own after the facility was attacked by the ACT. ACT is a group that basically thinks anyone with a power should be killed so that normal human beings will be safe. Cut to five years later...the kids (now 21 years old) start finding each other again and some have started re-creating the facility in what they think is a more peaceful approach. However, you find out secrets are being kept.
There is suspense, humor, and romance. The bond between the two leads is so powerful and yet when you get to the entrance of the new male, Kizmet, you're not upset about it.
The parts that should've been detailed were, and the parts that should've been concise were. No part dragged. I can not wait for the sequel. I'm hooked!
December 27, 2015
**4 Stars**
MY OVERVIEW: I was given this book from the authors for an honest review and was very excited to read it.
PROS: Caity was a great character. I like how the authors gave her two different powers as apposed to the normal one power per abnormal/anomaly/superhero; whatever you want to call them. I enjoyed all the character you were supposed to and disliked all the ones you weren’t supposed to like.
CONS: There were really only two things that I didn’t like about this book. The first was that it seemed really long. It was a really good story, but felt like it took a little longer than it should have. Secondly,
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: A really good story that isn’t necessarily original, but it is done in an original way. I look forward to the next in the series, and will probably end up buying a hardcopy of this book at some point.
MY OVERVIEW: I was given this book from the authors for an honest review and was very excited to read it.
PROS: Caity was a great character. I like how the authors gave her two different powers as apposed to the normal one power per abnormal/anomaly/superhero; whatever you want to call them. I enjoyed all the character you were supposed to and disliked all the ones you weren’t supposed to like.
CONS: There were really only two things that I didn’t like about this book. The first was that it seemed really long. It was a really good story, but felt like it took a little longer than it should have. Secondly,
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: A really good story that isn’t necessarily original, but it is done in an original way. I look forward to the next in the series, and will probably end up buying a hardcopy of this book at some point.
August 16, 2012
Okay so where do I start?.. First of all this book is very dear to me. I remember back in high school she always dreamed of being an author and here she is, making her dream a reality. Congrats Jess you deserve it!
On to the book, it is amazingly written, the elegant descriptions helped me stay focused and even made me feel what Caity was feeling and in turn what the other characters were feeling since Caity is an empathetic. I fell in love with all the characters (even Kismet). I cried a little at the end but I have a feeling something will surprise me in the sequel that will suppress my sadness. I definitely feel that the story is different to what I've read in the past. This story was easy to wrap myself around and became an instant favorite from the very first chapters. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat to anyone.
The only downside (and it's not a downside by any means) is that I read the book in paperback form and the paper used is too white and it was a little hard to read under the bright sun (but I am sure this will be fixed once the book keeps growing).
Once again thank you authors for bringing such an addicting story line. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Maria Liz Gonzalez
On to the book, it is amazingly written, the elegant descriptions helped me stay focused and even made me feel what Caity was feeling and in turn what the other characters were feeling since Caity is an empathetic. I fell in love with all the characters (even Kismet). I cried a little at the end but I have a feeling something will surprise me in the sequel that will suppress my sadness. I definitely feel that the story is different to what I've read in the past. This story was easy to wrap myself around and became an instant favorite from the very first chapters. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat to anyone.
The only downside (and it's not a downside by any means) is that I read the book in paperback form and the paper used is too white and it was a little hard to read under the bright sun (but I am sure this will be fixed once the book keeps growing).
Once again thank you authors for bringing such an addicting story line. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Maria Liz Gonzalez
August 18, 2012
It was just about an 'ok' read for me. If I could've, I would've probably would've given this 2.5 stars. Its a little unfortunate because I read this book shortly after I finished reading Touch by Jus Accardo. Both books have pretty much the exact same storyline (sub-adults w/ superpowers on the run from big, bad super-secret agency; love triangle in which one boy goes bad etc etc), but the execution of the premise was done so much better in Touch. I could not connect with Chase at all. Given their history, I just could not accept why he would allow "certain things that happened", to happen. While the exact same scenario in "Touch" had my complete understanding if not my sympathy. Plus the heroine is waaay more kick-@ass in Touch and that is always a WIN for me. I don't think I'll be picking up book 2.
P.S.
Sorry for non-stop comparisons to "Touch" but really - read the two books back-to-back and you'll see.
P.S.
Sorry for non-stop comparisons to "Touch" but really - read the two books back-to-back and you'll see.
June 29, 2016
It made no sense.
Here's why;
Here's why;
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