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Just hours after finding Andromeda and crossing paths with her mother, Sienna Nealon finds herself up against a bigger threat than ever before. Omega, the organization that unleashed Wolfe and others upon her, has declared war on the Directorate and the first strikes have already landed. Facing the seemingly unstoppable forces of Omega and Sienna’s own mother, the Directorate seems poised for defeat when a new threat rears its ugly head - a traitor in their midst, one that may mean the destruction of everything Sienna has come to care about.

226 pages, ebook

First published November 27, 2012

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2990 people want to read

About the author

Robert J. Crane

176 books1,168 followers
Robert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.

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5 stars
4,608 (50%)
4 stars
3,175 (34%)
3 stars
1,105 (12%)
2 stars
177 (1%)
1 star
54 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl M-M.
1,879 reviews54 followers
November 30, 2012
I can honestly say that I actually look forward to the release of the books in this series and I can't say that about a lot of books or authors.
Although I also really like Crane's fantasy series Defender: The Sanctuary Series, Volume One, there is something about this dystopian supernatural one that just ticks all the boxes for me.
The combination of a world full of meta humans and hybrids with unknown powers and extreme abilities combined with the almost heartwrenching tale of a girl who ultimately just yearns to belong with someone or something.
Crane manages to create a constant flow of energy, witty dialogue, sarcastic quips, nostalgic moments via film/music references with a solid cast of characters and a great story. Even his endings are commendable, because they are never cut off cliffhangers or boring platitudes. They are always an invitation to receive and expect an even better installment than the last.
The last book left the reader shocked by the return of Siennas mother and the betrayal of someone close. In this book Sienna starts to learn how to listen to Wolfe and Gavrikov, who in turn would rather live than die with her. Her inner and outer strength grow, as she is accused and doubted by others.
There were a few scenes in the book that were comedy gold. The Star Wars scenario and sparkly vampire quip really made me chuckle.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Profile Image for Rebecca Carter.
154 reviews102 followers
February 14, 2016
Love these books. Initially I wasn't sure if I was even going to finish the first book! Then I got sucked in and I am now addicted! I keep thinking I need to take a break to read something different, however each time I finish a book it ends in such a way I just have to download the next book onto my kindle. A great series full of action, adventure, mystery and emotion. But beware, they are very addictive so be prepared to give up your life until you finish them ;)
Profile Image for bookwormmama.
710 reviews6 followers
May 25, 2014
I didn't like this one as much as the last. It certainly didn't have the strong ending like what we see in books 2 and 3. I was sorry to see go the character who flees in the end. I'm disappointed that 4 books later, Sienna has not learned any control over her power whatsoever and despite many indicators that she could learn, shows no interest. I did like the new information she learns about her family, as hinted at by the title. Hoping for better with book 5.
Profile Image for Doreen.
1,103 reviews
March 12, 2014
this book leaves me with a question - is sienna's mom good or bad? hmmm....
Profile Image for Amy_Read to My Heart's Content.
307 reviews13 followers
December 18, 2012
http://readtomyhearts.blogspot.com/20...

From all of that, I just wanted to point out that Family is probably one of my favorite installments of this series so far; and that is saying a lot since I enjoyed all of them! I do believe these books are timeless and I believe Crane will be one those classic authors that everyone can enjoy.
Okay enough of my fangirling and swooning but I just needed to get that out of the way.

Family pretty much begins where Soulless left off: they are running for their lives, but now they Andromeda, a very special meta with very special powers. Sienna is a jumbled mess of emotions in this story and we learn as much about her as she learns about herself. We delve much deeper into the rocky relationship she has with her mother through flashbacks she has in important and stressful moments. I enjoy flashbacks-as long as they are used sparingly. I do not, however, like when every other page is a flashback. Crane, thankfully, didn't do that here. He chose to give us a crucial piece of insight through these flashbacks that were placed carefully in the story. We were not bombarded with flashbacks like the waves crashing upon the rocky shores.
Also there is a lot of heartbreak in Family. The kind of heartbreak that can rip out your still beating heart leaving you gasping for breath as tears fall down your face. The pain Sienna goes through in the plot left me so hurt for her as well as some of the pain she caused others, including Zach. But hey, don't worry it is not just full of tears and grief, because let's not forget that Sienna is a snarky chic!
Even in the most dire circumstances, Sienna finds the time for a little humor- I mean come on, just because you are fighting off these insanely bloodthirsty metas that are trying to tear you apart piece by piece doesn't mean you can't throw sarcasm into the mix. Observe:
"Succccubus," he hissed, his black hair and red eyes caught in the light of the helo's spotlight.
"Vaaaaaaaampiiiiire," I said, mocking, and I stomped his mewling friend in the face before I took a step away from the protrasted blond fiend.
-55%

And of course: vampires! I knew Crane was considering doing a project with vampires, but I love how he worked the concept into this series and made it work with the plot wonderfully. These vampires are the "bloodhounds" of the meta civilization and are portrayed in a very animalistic way. I mean think about it; if we have metas that can shoot water out of their body, create a windstorm, are encased in fire, then the vamps aren't that far off. This keeps us on our toes, so to speak, as to what else Crane will surprise us with in the future.

Family just pretty much took my breath away, made me laugh, made me cry, and shocked the hell out of me with all the secrets that get revealed in this one. I liked the way it ended, not really as a cliffhanger but more of a declaration. Of course with secrets being revealed, we have new ones being discovered too. Crane showed us how his writing has improved through Family, and has also promised us that he can, and will deliver on great story telling no matter the cost.

If you have never been a fan of sci/fi but enjoy urban fantasy or subjects comparable to X-Men, Fantastic Four, or even the Justice League, I urge you to give this series a try. This is undoubtedly one of the BEST science fiction/UF/action series I have ever had the pleasure of finding.
Seriously, it reads like a movie being played in your mind and I could definitely see its worth on the big screen.
I give Family five hearts. I wish I could give it a hundred thousand stars, hearts, etc. and I cannot wait till the next book, Omega.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for doreen.
1,031 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2018
I enjoyed the first 3 books and for me this is what happens when we put alot of books in a series, they start to blend and run together and be the same thing. For me this is what is happening. I started skimming chapters because its the same thing. I will continue to read this series and hope for something better.
2 reviews
December 12, 2019
Great series.

A really good series. Very interesting great characters. Also very good storyline with interesting twists. I have binge read a lot of these. Highly recommended
Profile Image for Crystalclearwpg.
353 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2022
I can honestly say that as the story line progresses within Sienna's life you do start to feel for the girl. She has gone through so much in such a short time that I find I do forget that she is only 18 years old. She was sheltered in everyway possible from the world, life and even the truth of who and what she is from the only person she knew. Her own mother showed her no mercy like most of the people around her now and yet Sienna is starting to see how trust can either make or break you. I give this story a 4 star for the progression of the story line and of course the very concept of the metahumans is fascinating.
Profile Image for Rawles.
449 reviews
July 23, 2015
I may go further and read more of Sienna, but this one actually ended in a place where I could stop without wondering....so I did. Four books, pretty short, great reads on a snow day or beach day (you really can read the whole book in one day, and it moves pretty quick so you might want to!!). Well done Robert J Crane!
Profile Image for Rich.
31 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2014
And the story continues. A few nice twists and surprises as Sienna continues her misadventures with the Alpha and Omega and the Directorate and more meta-humans.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Duckworth.
72 reviews
September 12, 2020
I've just finished the 4th book "Family" in this series of The Girl in the Box, and I have to say I am very surprised by how much I have enjoyed all four of the books. I look forward to reading the 5th, 6th, etc. This isn't the type of book I normally read that's why I say "surprised"! The books are highly readable with good characters, a very unusual plot lines, the author has a great editing crew which makes for seamless enjoyable reading with out the usual distractions found in indie books, Mr Crane really has his act together. When I started I didn't even know what Urban Fantasy meant, well, it's a fun ride full of superhuman people with super powers. The "Meta-Humans" are each born with a unique power, they are all fast, strong too. The lead character (Sienna) in the beginning is about 16 years old saying she led a sheltered life would be a gross understatement, her mother (Sierra) has kept her under lock and key in a completely boarded up home where she never sees the light of day. Everything is about to hit the fan though, Sienna is about to mature, coming into to her meta-powers. She's a teen who is getting fed up with her status quo, I mean what kid is going to be content practicing martial arts 15 hours a day, studying, cleaning house, cooking and be allowed 1 hour a day to watch television not to mention often times being lock in a metal box to enforce discipline, somethings gotta give! Plus, there are others in the outside world who want Sienna to add her powers to their arsenals and they're out to obtain her, by force. No spoilers here so I won't say what her special power is. There is lots of violence and plenty of blood and gore but because it's all fantasy somehow it's not as real as you might expect. There are 42 books to this series, I plan to read them all but in 5 book segments, reading other books in between or I'll burn out. There is a slow progression of the time-line by the end of the 4 th book Sienna is 18 years old and is going to war against "Omega", who is Omega? You'll have to read and see.
1,668 reviews41 followers
June 12, 2019
Family is the 4th book in the Girl in the Box series. It can be read as a stand alone but I’d strongly suggest you read the first three before this one. I suspect this series falls into the YA paranormal genre. If it were a t.v. series it would be on the WB Network. As such it’s not brilliant but it’s apparently good enough that I’ve read four books and will most likely read the fifth. I think there are 8-10 books in this series so if you don’t have the patience to slog through all of them to see how Sienna ends up, I would suggest you don’t start the series.
In this story our heroine Sienna Nealon has to fight the forces of Omega who have decided to come after her with a vengeance after she took out two of their top super-metas. As the title suggests she also has to deal with her family and even more so try to define what family is to her. She feels abandoned by her mother who pretty much abused her growing up. She’s been betrayed by her Aunt Charlotte whom she thought was the cool aunt. A family member she could bond with. She has no idea who her father is or was. She’s broken up with Zach her boyfriend because she can’t have a physical relationship with him and feels its unfair to him. She meets an incubus whom she could have a physical relationship with but that ends in disaster. Most of the people at the Directorate don’t like or trust her and now she has a new nemesis there who is in charge of rooting out whom the traitor within is and is pretty certain it’s Sienna. Oh and she still here’s the voices of the two meta super villains she killed. That’s a lot for a newly turned 18 year old young woman who has had almost no exposure to the outside world for most of her life to deal with. Can Sienna sort out her familial relationships and avoid being captured or killed by all of the meta-human organizations that want her?
43 reviews
October 15, 2019
The fourth book in the Girl In The Box series. The third book lost my interest a little so it's been a while since I read it before deciding to try the next installment, this book is better than its predecessor so I'm now looking forward to reading the next one.
This book picks up directly where the last one left off and rolls along at a fast pace. Sienna is embroiled in the war between The Directorate and Omega, which side is she on?, you will have to read it to find out. The usual cast of characters is back, Zack, Dr Zoller, Ariadne, Old Man Winter, Sienna's mum Sierra, Curt, M-Squad. All fighting to survive attacks from Omega's fiercest meta's whilst rooting out the traitor in the Directorate.
The book finishes at an appropriate place but you are left in no doubt that further books will follow (I think there are 10 or more in the series now).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
595 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2019
The Mother finally becomes part of the Story

The Mother (after kidnapping one of Sienna's teammates and friend) at end of Book 3 finally becomes a active member of the cast of characters. With her return of Sienna's teamate, you finally get to see a show down between Mother and Daughter and it's not pretty nor does it foster any understanding or sympathy for the Reader toward the Mother. It actually just fueled my dislike of her. The title "Family" takes on a new meaning after reading the book. I still think this book is being dragged out way too long. I am tempted to download the last 4 books just to read the last 2 chapters which is really all you need to read to get a handle on what took place in this book and sets you up for the next book.
Profile Image for Emily Mulcahy.
188 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2023
I keep debating between a 3 and 4 star for this for many reasons.

1. Robert J. Crane’s writing is very basic and has many cliches. And it’s not that it’s written for teenagers because it has many adult scenes and themes.

2. I remember “the Girl in the Box” from Alaska and when I got my kindle unlimited immediately rented the fourth one to see what else she gets up to.

3. The concepts are basic and predictable but sooo enjoyable to me.

4. He keeps character development super basic and the missions go fast and don’t always make sense or a have a beginning and and end.

So, my overriding thoughts are that I personally enjoy this series, wouldn’t recommend it to a friend but will continue reading it. It’s one of those things where I’m too taken by Sienna to let her go.
105 reviews
December 15, 2024
Better and better

I've been getting pretty lazy about giving deserving authors reviews lately. Hey I'm having my own Sierra type crisis. Okay? 😁 Anyway at first I just hated Sierra's flippancy until I started realizing that part from the horrible abuse she suffered, I was a lot like her. It took me until the 3rd book to forgive her. 😏 I knew who the traitor was right off though. It's a lot easier to figure out from this side, looking in..... But I do that with everyone's novels so I'm not Robert bashing. I've read these 4 in 2 days and it just keeps getting better. I'm really curious to find out how Mr. Crane has passed the 50+ point without running out of ideas. Great work! I'm starting on #5 right away.
921 reviews11 followers
May 24, 2019
LOVE this series!

I have read A LOT of books, and when I get so drawn into a series that I can read two and a half in one day, well, it's because it's great! The relationship Dianna has found herself in with the Directorate is a volatile one to say the least because they don't trust her when they should and vice versa. The relationships Dianna has forged along her journey is one of friends that stand by her through everything thrown at her, and she has learned to value those. Then to know a huge fight for their lives is on the horizon.....well hell, I'm into book five NOW!
Profile Image for Woody.
230 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2017
I really like the story, well written, exciting

Saying the same as the other reviews really, I really like the story, the characters etc but the books are far far far too short for the price. either the author should put more content into each book or the price should be halved. I have just bought Book 5 but the " I have been ripped off" feeling is spoiling a otherwise very enjoyable read. I wont be buying book 6 and I am extremely disappointed with not reaching the end of the series.
Profile Image for Richard Stephens.
205 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2017
Another good read by Crane. We find out a little more about Seinea and her family plus more mystery added to it.

We find out about the history of the Directorate and the traitor is exposed but in doing so another group of metas is also exposed.

was hard to put down and am looking forward to book 5
Profile Image for Di Gillies.
14 reviews
April 4, 2018
Leaves me wanting more but also with more questions on her Mum, is she goood? Is she bad? Does she even care for her daughter at all? I was hoping she found a way to control her touch and be able to be with someone and had more understanding of her powers by now but so downloading the next book to my kindle right now
Profile Image for MR JL SAXTON.
5 reviews
May 4, 2018
The girl in the box: Beyond the normal

Everything about this series takes fantasy in another direction than the usual. How the challenges faced by the young Sienna continue to shape her, and the sinister forces that work both for and against her, make these books enjoyable reading.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 3 books41 followers
November 3, 2019
4 1/2 Stars

I have finished seven books and part of book eight. I’m stopping here for a break and plan to pick up later.
These books are really good and I love Sienna’s witty remarks. I didn’t realize how long this series was when I started. Serious kudos to the author for remaining consistent through the series to this point.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
144 reviews9 followers
July 20, 2020
Not a stand alone book, you definitely need to start at the beginning of the series. This book picks up exactly where #3 left off. Full of action, and some mystery. In this installment there are some big reveals which are great! I'm really enjoying this series so far they are quick and easy reads. If you like sci fi action, you would like this series.
1 review
April 1, 2023
The Story Keeps Getting Better!!

It is amazing to see how the author is continuing to leave the reader in suspense after every book, creating new plot possibilities in our minds. This book was so great because it revealed many secrets and had lots of excitement. Totally would recommend!
Profile Image for Alison  Banks.
99 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2017
Great

Totally loving this series. The writing is good, and the stories just flow. I'm hoping when I eventually get to book ten there might be more hiding that I don't know about. These are a must read book, they're exciting, thrilling and down right moreish
5 reviews
July 16, 2017
I really do love reading these series!!

I've always had a love of reading but I stopped being busy with everything and everyone else. These books gave me an escape into another life. Even if it was just a little while. Thank you Robert.
Profile Image for Natalie.
9 reviews
August 6, 2017
Enjoying

This is a great series. The author explores the characters inner feelings and thoughts in such a way as to make you connect to them and take their journey with them. Each book gets better so far. On to book 5....
21 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2018
Very good series.

I read a lot and it's unusual defined a different kind of book. I have really enjoyed this one and so far I'm up to sequel. 5. And intend on reading the whole series. Certainly worth your time in a very good read.
Profile Image for Maria.
658 reviews14 followers
September 14, 2018
I love Sienna. She's so damn resilient and surprisingly innocent despite all the shit that gets thrown at her. There's no emotional drama, no hysterics and when she needs to kick ass, she does. I love me some Sienna.
Profile Image for John Gilbert.
1,375 reviews214 followers
January 4, 2019
Rejoined this saga after a while off, enjoyable with our sassy Meta powered hero Sienna. Not sure if I will go the full route, but will go on to number 5, as they were on special. Fun with a whole lot of violence.
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