Before I begin, I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“I run. I run as hard as I can in the middle of the forest, cell phone pasted to my ear. I run so hard my chest feels like an inferno. I ignore the burn.”
Well, well, well…WHAT a book!!! This is probably one of the most unique and interesting story plots I have read for a loooooong time. I almost NEVER read books that don’t have a romance element in it, and though this book does, I chose to read it not because of the romance factor but for the creative, action-packed plot it had. And when I say creative, it has action, mystery, betrayal, political scandal, and romance. This is one that has it all!!!
“Sometimes I feel like if it weren’t for the numerous records of my existence, I would literally vaporize from the consciousness of those around me. How do I begin to describe myself to you?”
Well, for starters, Nicolette Talloway is our heroine. Painfully shy and an introvert, she is the second child in her family, sandwiched between a blonde bombshell of a sister and a gorgeous, but sick brother. She doesn’t get much attention from her parents or classmates, and as a result, doesn’t have any friends and is often ignored.
“I’m the kid who was just too something: too weird, too skinny, too tall, too pale. Never cool enough to be noticed, but not strange enough to be picked on.”
Well that all changes when a fateful accident leads Nic to donate her blood to save her brother, only to find out she doesn’t have a blood type, at least not one that’s medically recorded. Not only does her blood heal her brother from his accident, but also erases all signs of his cancer!! DING, DING, DING!!!! BAM, the whole world gets wind of this and all of sudden, unknown Nic is celebrity Nic.
“I used to have fantasies of what it would be like to be noticed and recognized by others. Now that it’s a reality, I’d rather go back to my life pre-Nate’s accident. If only I knew what I had when I had it. Privacy, for one thing. The ability to disappear for another. And at least back then, I had more time with my family.”
Poor Nic. My heart broke for her as I read on and on about how she was ushered into the hospital and poked and prodded at like an animal. I was mentally shouting in my head ‘she’s a person, too!’ but the examinations just kept coming. And then I just knew. I just knew that something worse was going to happen. And it did.
“I don’t know how long I cry but I try my best to keep my sobs as quiet as possible. No one is there to see the tears. No one is there to dry them. In the tiny corner of Harvest Hope Baptist Shelter, I finally allow myself to grieve the loss of my parents.”
Unfortunately, all doesn’t go as planned and tragedy strikes. Nic is forced to run from the government agents, and relies on that one doctor who actually cared about her, not her blood. Jason is the most amazing, selfless, and brave character in the book. He sets aside his life, his career for Nic and helps her escape from this nightmare. Though he does harbor guilt about being on the task force that revealed Nic’s blood to the public, he does have deeper feelings for her, and Nic can’t help but be attracted to Jason.
As for the “bad guys,” I must say, Michelle goes big. The President herself is involved, and never have I wanted to shoot a President more than this woman here. On one hand I understood her motives; after all, she is the leader of a nation. On the other, she yielded to pride and greed, a destructive combination.
“China: National debt cancelled. Saudi Arabia: 50% of oil for five years. North Korea: Tentative treaty. Japan: 75% price reduction on imported technology.”
“All of this in exchange for this girl’s blood. The things I can do for this country. The things that will mark my place in history as the first female Commander-in-Chief. This is an opportunity.”
This situation is kind of like the question ‘should we kill millions to save billions.’ If I were the President, I honestly would have no idea what to do. Under any circumstances, however, does that give her the right to put a hit on Nic’s parents!!! I mean, what was this lady thinking??!! Even if Nic wanted to help before, she isn’t going to now.
And so goes the chase. Nic and Jason practically take a road trip to escape agents, meanwhile facing betrayal and fighting for their lives. My heart was pounding the entire time I read this book; it was like a giant thrill ride that never ends. I love how within all this sadness and fear, there is humor and love, just the right amount to alleviate the tension in the atmosphere. Nic is one tough chick, and in the crucial moments, she always breaks through.
“No school, no work, no parents, and no siblings. It’s like my life has narrowed into this tunnel vision of trying to get away and stay ahead of those literally out for my blood.”
I was both excited and apprehensive to read the end, fearing that Nic wouldn’t be able to escape and hope for Nic’s future. To my delight, Michelle ended this book perfectly. I wouldn’t have it any other way. For a unique plot like this story, it has to have a plausible conclusion, and Michelle has done just that. This book is a great read if you want to escape from reality for a couple of hours!!
4.5-5 KICKBUTT STARS!!!