Three weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday, Cresta Karr wakes to find she has a pimple the size of Mt. Vesuvius, that the necklace her father left her is mysteriously missing, and that her house is minutes away from exploding. To top it off, Owen, the enigmatic, if slightly off-kilter guy of dreams, tells her that not only is he NOT interested in going out with her, but he's also a superspy sent by a clandestine organization to keep tabs on her.
Turns out Cresta is the subject of a 500 year old prophecy, and if Owen and the other “Breakers” can't find a way to circumvent the future before she turns sixteen, Cresta is destined to bring about the end of the world -- something she'd rather not have on her college applications. That is, of course, if the gun-toting cult members piling onto her front porch don't get to her first.
I bought this book as part of a larger box set collection, but am reviewing each book individually.
Cresta lives in a small town and is frustrated from having to move there from Chicago after her father died. She has two friends, Casper and Owen. As it turns out, Cresta is part of a larger prophesy, as well as an ancient and paranormal sect in society.
I had some issues with this book, the first of which was the editing. There were many typing mistakes, and while I don't want to sound picky, these pull the reader out of the story and really are a big deal. I can forgive a few, but this book was riddled with them.
The concept of the book was fun and I like the themes about fate versus free will, and it was this that kept me reading. However, I wanted Cresta to be a bit stronger in the end. Maybe she will get there in the next books. I felt like she was floundering around and being fed a lot of solutions at times. The romance between her and Owen was fine, if forced at times.
Simon, her non paranormal friend, was probably my favourite character. I liked how goofy and loyal he was, kind of like a big puppy.
I am always sensitive when there are adoption issues in a book, and the one's in Breaker's Code were actually handled fairly well. It showed people being insensitive, which they can be, but ultimately, Cresta's parents are her parents, the one's who raised her. I hope that doesn't change in the next book.
This could be the beginning of an interesting series, but I hope the author gets some help with the editing. The book is pretty fast paced and I like how it began, talking about it being two days before Cresta's house blew up, then the day before, then the day of.
It's always wise to start a book off with "two days before our house blew up I woke to the troubling smell of bacon."
I read this book as part of the online box set called PANDORA. It has typical YA paranormal fare that always works for me: new girl in school, crush on a guy, great, funny guy friend, one or more of her parents are dead, isolated at school, sent to a new school where she is set apart by something magical--these work for me in a Harry Potter/Bella Swan no-fail way. Here's a snip-it straight from the mouth of Cresta (of Crestview), "...watching my house explode, getting locked up by cultist superheroes, going on the most ill-fated road trip ever, waking up to a looney tune's marriage proposal, and slashing the guy I love with the aforementioned looney tune's knife..." It's perfect in that paranormal way, but the grammar errors are atrocious. "Had ran" and "had went" were definitely the worst offenders; however, these were nothing that isn't common--and unfortunately to be expected-- in an e-book these days and that can't be forgiven by a fingers-crossed plea for a paid proofreader.
meh...I would probably give it 2.5 stars. I liked the idea of the story, but I had no idea what was happening most of the time. Also, the characters were a little bit bland, like I did not relate to any of them. There was no emotion in the writing when certain characters died. The biggest issue was the grammar! The most simplest grammar that we are taught at 6 years old is so bad. I do not know if it is an editing issue which has gone horrendously wrong, or a printing error, or if they are genuine mistakes. Either way, it ruined the story completely. I am not sure if I am going to continue with the series. I am intrigued in where it will go, but I do not want to sit through all those mistakes again.
The first chapter drew me in and didn't let go. I think it was the fast pace of the novel. I LOVE fast paced novels. Of course, fast pace can't completely hold my interest. The story itself was intriguing. It was based on the debate of free will vs. destiny. Can one really fight the events that unfold and seem to lead them down one path?
The characters themselves were pretty deep and enjoyable. I would ahve liked to a little more about some of the antagonists, but that was minor. I can say I am a major Casper fan and can't wait to see more of him in the next book.
In fact, I'm really looking forward to the next one. Get to writing, Mr. Kressley.
I would have given this 3 stats, but it's horribly riddled with typo-o's, poor grammar, and incorrect verb tenses. I read it on a kindle and every other error I saw, I sent it to be looked at.
It wasn't overtly interesting. A bit predictable and cliché. And far to many similarities between this novel and City of Bones. I know I haven't read City of Bones in roughly 6 years give or take a few, but key elements are hard to forget.
I finished it because I have this terrible condition that I need to finish books once I start.
I wouldn't recommend it really. Don't get me wrong; there a few witty lines, just not enough for me to continue it. Chances are I won't finish this series.
The Breaker's Code by Conner Kressley is a good book. The story line is deep and well mapped. The characters are fantastic, as much as teenagers can be. The ending was a heart stomping, tear inducing wreck. I need so much more. I dropped a star for editing, which is atrocious, and made it difficult to identify actions and characters. But potentially, this is a terrific idea.
This book was in a set of books called "Pandora". It was labeled YA 13+. The main characters are about 16 years old. Cresta is the main character. She and her mom moved to this small town a few years ago. And she was the new person at school until Owen moved there. Cresta is crushing on Owen. Casper has a rough life. He and his father do not get along. Most nights he sleeps in Cresta's car or on her couch. Cresta was in a car with her dad when it went into the water. She couldn't save him. She has survivors guilt. Her mom is a nurse and a lousy cook. Cresta and Casper are best friends. Cresta has an inhaler and her mom is always telling her to use it. Turns out Owen has been sent to watch Cresta. He and Cresta are not human, though Casper is. Owen leads an attack against Cresta and her mom and Casper is there. Casper drags her away from the burning home and enters the code into the car's gps that her mom told her to use and they end up at Weatherby - at first it seems to be a prison for juvies and then the illusion falls away and it is a school for people like Owen and Cresta. Casper is called a Neanderthal but is allowed to stay. From this point on it is all action and illusions. Who can Cresta trust? Is Owen the enemy or was he deceived? Her mother is not her mom. Who is her therapist? The inhaler wasn't for her breathing, it was a drug to block her powers. The 2 people running the school - the man had been married to the woman she thought was her mom, the woman is currently married to him. Prophecies seem to make Cresta out to be the worst person ever and that she will bring about the end of the world as they know it. Some want her dead. Others want to give her a chance to prove she isn't the evil one. Thankfully, this book can be read as a stand alone, but it is the 1st in a series. I won't be reading the next in the series, but I encourage YA's to read this one and if you like it go on to read the next. I found this book well written, suspenseful, with lots of twists and turns.
What an intriguing story! That first line hooked me. I stayed up every night as long as I could just to read more and more of the story. This was one that had me wanting more after the last line. Kressley did an awesome job conveying character motivation and making them stand out from the digital page. I loved how there were moments that were slow and some that were fast and I especially enjoyed the story itself. There's attraction, teen angst, best friend love (which I hoped to have had an explanation of during the story, but never did, which was fine), betrayal, magic, secret societies, etc. I love the twists and turns of this book! This is definitely a complex series that I have to finish!
This book is YA Paranormal and has a unique concept that I think will appeal to all lovers of paranormal.
Pick this one up quick!
*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This review will also be found on Amazon and my site.
I read this book as part of a Kindle book compilation called "Pandora" but am reviewing it separately as I will for each of the other titles in the compilation.
This is book 1 in what appears to be a trilogy. It's a good story with fairly likeable characters for the most part and is easily read. But despite the engaging storyline, there are issues with grammar, spelling, misused, and missing words that interfere with the story when they become too noticeable.
I rated this book at 3 stars mainly because of my irritation with the above mentioned problems. If they had not existed, I could easily have rated it a 4 or possibly a 5. Please consider re-editing this book. It's worth it. I'm not the only reviewer to take issue with these shortcomings.
The book is worth a read if you aren't going to be put off by these distractions.
I am a fan! Now anytime I hear "cars drive on roads" I will immediately think of Cresta and Casper. I have been taken on a journey like no other. I couldn't put the book down. Once I got started I didn't come up for air until the very last page.
Cresta has her world turned upside down for the second time weeks shy of her 16th birthday and boy what a twist. I can't say I saw any of the punches coming. I'm a die hard fantasy lover and I'm so glad I picked this little gem up. Full of action, suspense, and humor...with just enough villain to please me. I can't wait to jump into the next book in this series. I laughed and I cried. Kressley takes you through the ringer and leaves you with a broken heart. How did I not know about this series sooner. Keep them coming!
This was a very interesting story. I loved the originality of it and don't think I've read one of this genre quite like it. The main character was strong and determined, the supporting characters were great, especially Casper. Owen came off as caring and strong but thankfully lacked the whole he-man, alfa-male, I will control every aspect of your life that is so often prevalent in the paranormal romance genre.
The ending bothered me because of Casper. Cars drive on roads. It should have stayed that way. Well that is my opinion anyway, lol.
Despite that, I loved this book and can't wait to read the next one to see what happens next. There is going to be a next one right?
Not long before her 16th birthday, Cresta is swept up in a world she's been protected from her entire life. She finds out nothing is as she thought and nearly everyone she knows is hiding who they truly are. The exception to that is Casper. He's her rock, and he is the one constant throughout the book. Despite his loyalty, however, her heart belongs to Owen. Will the truth change that?
This book never stutters or slows down leaving you wondering if it will pick back up again. I look forward to reading the next with great anticipation.
there is no way to write this without spoilers. just know that the originality was ruined by connection to real club. and plot was just ripe with horrible ya stereotypes. I'm gonna sacrifice myself for u, no I'm gonna sacrifice myself for u. and on and on. then rejecting really valid advice because obviously u know more. and getting a bunch of people killed instead of just hanging up the phone. really! and the editing is really awful. wrong words used, bad spell check moments. yikes.2 memorable lines. both by supporting character.
2 1/2 stars for a book that started really well with an interesting if not exactly original plot that went downhill when the author chose to have everything revolve around a group calling themselves The Masons and got worse from there. A more well original, name couldn't be picked out of the hat? It was also really hard wading through the morass of horrible grammar, misspelled words, words used in the wrong tense and in some cases words missing entirely. I did finish it and I may read more in the series but only when I'm in the mood for more of the beaten to death YA cliches.
I really didn't like this book that much at all. In fact the only reason that it gets two stars is because there were a few moments when it was good. Those were very rare moments however and only happened when I was getting very bored. But overall I found the book horrible. I did sort of like the characters of Casper and Wendy but I couldn't stand anyone else. Will not be reading the rest of the series as what's the point if you hate the main character? Am very glad that I read it on Wattpad which means that I didn't have to spend any money on it.
This book was pretty good, my favorite character was Casper. I was so mad when they wiped his memory like no. The beginning of this book was ok... But i stuck through it and it turned out to be pretty good and when i saw there were more books (on my kobo it said there were) i was like yes!!! Because i want to see what happens with casper next, because to be honest i was not a fan of Cresta or Owen..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Breakers Code by Conner Kressley- This YA fantasy is jam-packed with action, humor, mystery… grammatical errors, misspelled words, and quite a bit more. I’m supremely torn with how many stars to give it too. I felt the plot was catchy, the characters were entertaining (my favorite is Casper) but it didn’t suck me in. I think that if the issues with the writing of the book were to be corrected, then it would be really good. Let’s see how Book 2: Breaker’s Promise is…
I really liked the pace of this book and the development of each character. Even w/ new characters to keep track of, I thought their role in the story was flushed out well and so as the came into or left certain chapters I had easy recall. The suspense, drama,and action was evenly displayed during the story telling and it was just an enjoyable ride the whole way through! Look forward to reading the next book =)
The whole world needs to know about this book, it was so beyond words. I loved Cresta, Casper and Owen. They were such amazing characters and the story had a plot unlike any other. I can see this being turned into a movie because it was just so action packed and thought provoking. I can't wait to start book 2. Loved this one so hard that giving it 5 stars was instinctive. Bring on the next book!
This was read as the 1st book of the Pandora collection. I was drawn in from the first page. Amazingly written and has you just wanting to know what happens next. A very different take on the paranormal and it was a refreshing change. I think I may even have to look for the next book in the series.
My version, inside a kindling mega-pack, was rife with typos and grammatical errors. It cannot be overemphasized: when your plot requires suspension of belief for paranormal, mystical, or sci-fi elements, you must have a good editor to prevent nuts and bolts problems in language use from aggravating readers.
I did actually really enjoy this book. It was funny and intriguing and everything I like about a book. If it wasn't for the poor editing it probably would have gotten 4 stars (using you're instead of your? Really?!). Still I look forward to the next in the series and finding out how it's all going to play out!
Interesting idea, the evolution of humans into breakers, with super powers and secret societies, and a prophecy that foretells the end of the world.... Just another day in a YA novel. Also could have done with an edit and proof read.
Highly entertaining beginning to a young adult action packed paranormal series. If you enjoy this book I think you would like a book I loved: Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington.
This was a free kindle book and OMG it was good. Cresta is a kick ass heroin and when she found out what en who she really is she will fight back and protect her family.
I loved her best friend Casper he is so sweet and funny. Owen is great guy. Loved this story, loved the world building this was a great read I can't wait to read the sequel.
Cresta Karr is just short of her 16th birthday when all hell breaks loose and she learns the truth about herself. Owen and Casper stand by her through it all, yet you know the truth is never what its suppose to be. A good story for young adults.
2.75 - yep not quite a 3 - there was a bit of cliff hanger - was just an ok read - first book in the PANDORA box of books..... I will keep reading from the collection, but need to take a break before starting book number 2 -
I really liked how this was written. It had a great build along with excellent transitions. I enjoyed the characters depth and the plot was easy to follow without being too simple. I am absolutley gonna buy the next one.
Really liked this. Was a little slow to start but what great characters and a good dash of intrigue. However did you have to make me cry my eyes out at the end, *sniff, sniff*