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Steths: Cognition
Say the phrase No two are ever alike, and most think of snowflakes or fingerprints. But Steths, with their ability to hear heartbeats – and the emotions within them – know that each one of those is unique as well.
Sixteen-year-old Devin Chambers wants nothing more than a football scholarship, his ticket to a life beyond the hardscrabble neighborhood he calls home. But it’s his abilities as a Steth that get him noticed by the prestigious Faulkner Academy.
Being a “Faulkner man” means a life of privilege and influence. In the wrong hands, it also means having the power to destroy lives, as Devin learns when he encounters a man being framed for terrorism. He hears innocence in the man’s heart, but it’s a belief no one else shares, and he’ll have to risk his new life and bright future to save a condemned man from the death penalty.
Sixteen-year-old Devin Chambers wants nothing more than a football scholarship, his ticket to a life beyond the hardscrabble neighborhood he calls home. But it’s his abilities as a Steth that get him noticed by the prestigious Faulkner Academy.
Being a “Faulkner man” means a life of privilege and influence. In the wrong hands, it also means having the power to destroy lives, as Devin learns when he encounters a man being framed for terrorism. He hears innocence in the man’s heart, but it’s a belief no one else shares, and he’ll have to risk his new life and bright future to save a condemned man from the death penalty.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2014
18 people want to read
About the author
Karl Fields
21 books30 followersMy debut novel, The Odd Job Squad, a story for mid-grade readers about an anonymous revenge club was released last summer. I've recently released a second novel, Instant Preplay, which is also for mid-grade readers.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 12, 2015
I liked this book a lot. It was easy to read and enjoyable from the first sentences. And some parts made me smile. Also the cover is beautiful and attractive. It was one of the things that caught my attention.
I liked main character Devin. He seemed good hearted person having his own mind and strong opinion. It doesn't mean he was always right and he didn't do mistakes. He did. He made choices that cost him more than he thought it would. But it still was easy to like him for me.
Also idea about Steths was interesting and new one for me. I enjoyed reading more about them, their history, about testing and training their abilities, it seemed challenging and interesting. Actually, while reading, I thought I would like to participate in testing and training like this myself, and I wondered how would I deal with such tests (don't mind that main fact that I'm not Steth). Not what I would succeed at it.
It begins like a story about a guy in high school, but it brings some mysterious events too. I was curious to know how the story goes, to know if Shawn was guilty or not, and what will Devin do. Reading further I had the feeling that something was messy, that there were secrets in here, and I wanted to know the answers. In the end it got really tense.
For me it was a story about being yourself no matter what. About getting to know what are consequences of your actions, what you didn't thought of. About things in life most important, about what you choose over what, about where your loyalties lie. About making decisions by the heart, chosing what seems right, and that it might lead you to losing many other important things in your life.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm curious what next book would tell.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal)
I liked main character Devin. He seemed good hearted person having his own mind and strong opinion. It doesn't mean he was always right and he didn't do mistakes. He did. He made choices that cost him more than he thought it would. But it still was easy to like him for me.
Also idea about Steths was interesting and new one for me. I enjoyed reading more about them, their history, about testing and training their abilities, it seemed challenging and interesting. Actually, while reading, I thought I would like to participate in testing and training like this myself, and I wondered how would I deal with such tests (don't mind that main fact that I'm not Steth). Not what I would succeed at it.
It begins like a story about a guy in high school, but it brings some mysterious events too. I was curious to know how the story goes, to know if Shawn was guilty or not, and what will Devin do. Reading further I had the feeling that something was messy, that there were secrets in here, and I wanted to know the answers. In the end it got really tense.
For me it was a story about being yourself no matter what. About getting to know what are consequences of your actions, what you didn't thought of. About things in life most important, about what you choose over what, about where your loyalties lie. About making decisions by the heart, chosing what seems right, and that it might lead you to losing many other important things in your life.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm curious what next book would tell.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal)
November 3, 2018
Full review to come!
December 9, 2014
Goodreads Synopsis: Say the phrase No two are ever alike, and most think of snowflakes or fingerprints. But Steths, with their ability to hear heartbeats – and the emotions within them – know that each one of those is unique as well.
Sixteen-year-old Devin Chambers wants nothing more than a football scholarship, his ticket to a life beyond the hardscrabble neighborhood he calls home. But it’s his abilities as a Steth that get him noticed by the prestigious Faulkner Academy.
Being a “Faulkner man” means a life of privilege and influence. In the wrong hands, it also means having the power to destroy lives, as Devin learns when he encounters a man being framed for terrorism. He hears innocence in the man’s heart, but it’s a belief no one else shares, and he’ll have to risk his new life and bright future to save a condemned man from the death penalty.
My Review: Though new found powers are fun, this story just wasn't for me. I requested this book from netgalley because it seemed interesting enough, and I needed something new to read, and as much as I wanted to like this book, I just couldn't sink into it. The characters were stereotypical, and kind of bland to be honest. I felt like it took too long to get through this book, and that's because I had to keep stopping and re reading chapters. In a way, I'm glad I read this book, because I never would've thought about people having the powers to listen to your heartbeat. I wouldn't have known that because they could hear that, they could basically read your mind, and determine what situation you were in. Basically the book follows a teenage boy, Devin, who is a steth, and who is pretty much recruted into a college for his kind. Most people don't know it exists as that, but they go there to learn about their abilities, and how his life changes throughout the book. It's a cool story, but the characters weren't people I could know outside of this book, and I didn't like that. Check it out. Thanks for reading.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
Sixteen-year-old Devin Chambers wants nothing more than a football scholarship, his ticket to a life beyond the hardscrabble neighborhood he calls home. But it’s his abilities as a Steth that get him noticed by the prestigious Faulkner Academy.
Being a “Faulkner man” means a life of privilege and influence. In the wrong hands, it also means having the power to destroy lives, as Devin learns when he encounters a man being framed for terrorism. He hears innocence in the man’s heart, but it’s a belief no one else shares, and he’ll have to risk his new life and bright future to save a condemned man from the death penalty.
My Review: Though new found powers are fun, this story just wasn't for me. I requested this book from netgalley because it seemed interesting enough, and I needed something new to read, and as much as I wanted to like this book, I just couldn't sink into it. The characters were stereotypical, and kind of bland to be honest. I felt like it took too long to get through this book, and that's because I had to keep stopping and re reading chapters. In a way, I'm glad I read this book, because I never would've thought about people having the powers to listen to your heartbeat. I wouldn't have known that because they could hear that, they could basically read your mind, and determine what situation you were in. Basically the book follows a teenage boy, Devin, who is a steth, and who is pretty much recruted into a college for his kind. Most people don't know it exists as that, but they go there to learn about their abilities, and how his life changes throughout the book. It's a cool story, but the characters weren't people I could know outside of this book, and I didn't like that. Check it out. Thanks for reading.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
December 8, 2015
Actual rating: 3.5*
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set in a world where some people can hear other people's heartbeats. During a trial against a terrorist, the protagonist Devin is convinced to hear his innocence while everyone else pleads guilty and said terrorist is sentenced to death.
This book started out really slow. For the most part, I felt like barely anything happened and some scenes and dialogues were just dragged out. However, I liked the characters a lot during the whole book, and I started enjoying it much more in the last third where all the action happened. In my opinion, the book didn't require all the world-building that was done and would have benefitted from some more action, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable book and the cliffhanger in the end was MEAN.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set in a world where some people can hear other people's heartbeats. During a trial against a terrorist, the protagonist Devin is convinced to hear his innocence while everyone else pleads guilty and said terrorist is sentenced to death.
This book started out really slow. For the most part, I felt like barely anything happened and some scenes and dialogues were just dragged out. However, I liked the characters a lot during the whole book, and I started enjoying it much more in the last third where all the action happened. In my opinion, the book didn't require all the world-building that was done and would have benefitted from some more action, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable book and the cliffhanger in the end was MEAN.
December 12, 2014
Seth’s cognition 392 (397) Karl Fields 11/22/14 posted 12/12/14
Ms. Preston (Civics teacher) wanted the class at Porter H.S. (Panthers) to discuss Curtis Shaw (chemist, aka terrorist, former Faulkner Academy, Steth) current ongoing trial. He was accused of planning on blowing up the Hyperion Systems company (bioengineering) where he was employed.
Our civics class was going on a field trip to the Shaw trial. We were introduced to Anne (intern) for Judge Amador.
“All rise.” Judge Amador (Chief Magistrate, Steths) & his 2 associates entered the courtroom. Towards the end the Judge Amador read the verdict “guilty.”
Our class had voted guilty 22-1, I. Devin Dev Chambers (A/A, narrator, Jr. student, OL) was the not guilty abstaining vote.
After practice 1 day I was at my car & Mickey De La Puente (guidance counselor) approached me. Because of my fictitious vote yesterday he offered me a full ride to Faulkner Academy (elite private school). Travis Benedict (student) got an offer also.
At a couple of us got in a scuffle at Stafford’s (burger place) with Mike (former student) & his buddy. 1:00 AM Marcus West (Devin stepdad, switch operator) took me back home.
The next morning Officer Smelling & Officer Nelson knocking at the front door with a citation for disorderly conduct.
1 day after going to see Curtis Shaw (Steth) Devin meets Sarah Shaw (Bounders)?
The decision was finally made Devin was going to Faulkner Academy. Travis had made up his mind long ago.
The 2 boys were invited to a party at Honorable Judge Michael T. Amador.
Jay from the fight was finally released from the hospital & back in school.
Fast forward again Devin visits Vista Children’s Home as part of his requirement for community service.
Carissa, Emily (Em, student Faulkner Academy, Carissa roommate), Devin &
Travis quickly became get friends.
Devin is going to work for Judge Michael T. Amador. He will also be doing court stuff for Helen (Judge Amador) & Mickey.
Devin is going to meet Carissa Watson parents in Breckenridge. How will that turn out?
Can Devin Remy & Johnathan help prove Curtis Shaw innocence?
How will the verdict of Curtis Shaw turn out?
& what about the kids at Vista?
Brought back my fond memories of HS, dances, sports & girls. Defiantly not exactly like Friday Night Lights.
I agree with that; “There’s something seriously un-American about paying for air.”
Gee that’s what you have to maintain for graduate school/financial aid (3.0) 3.5 GPA.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A delightful very well written HS teen paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great paranormal movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. A book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Booklikes)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Ms. Preston (Civics teacher) wanted the class at Porter H.S. (Panthers) to discuss Curtis Shaw (chemist, aka terrorist, former Faulkner Academy, Steth) current ongoing trial. He was accused of planning on blowing up the Hyperion Systems company (bioengineering) where he was employed.
Our civics class was going on a field trip to the Shaw trial. We were introduced to Anne (intern) for Judge Amador.
“All rise.” Judge Amador (Chief Magistrate, Steths) & his 2 associates entered the courtroom. Towards the end the Judge Amador read the verdict “guilty.”
Our class had voted guilty 22-1, I. Devin Dev Chambers (A/A, narrator, Jr. student, OL) was the not guilty abstaining vote.
After practice 1 day I was at my car & Mickey De La Puente (guidance counselor) approached me. Because of my fictitious vote yesterday he offered me a full ride to Faulkner Academy (elite private school). Travis Benedict (student) got an offer also.
At a couple of us got in a scuffle at Stafford’s (burger place) with Mike (former student) & his buddy. 1:00 AM Marcus West (Devin stepdad, switch operator) took me back home.
The next morning Officer Smelling & Officer Nelson knocking at the front door with a citation for disorderly conduct.
1 day after going to see Curtis Shaw (Steth) Devin meets Sarah Shaw (Bounders)?
The decision was finally made Devin was going to Faulkner Academy. Travis had made up his mind long ago.
The 2 boys were invited to a party at Honorable Judge Michael T. Amador.
Jay from the fight was finally released from the hospital & back in school.
Fast forward again Devin visits Vista Children’s Home as part of his requirement for community service.
Carissa, Emily (Em, student Faulkner Academy, Carissa roommate), Devin &
Travis quickly became get friends.
Devin is going to work for Judge Michael T. Amador. He will also be doing court stuff for Helen (Judge Amador) & Mickey.
Devin is going to meet Carissa Watson parents in Breckenridge. How will that turn out?
Can Devin Remy & Johnathan help prove Curtis Shaw innocence?
How will the verdict of Curtis Shaw turn out?
& what about the kids at Vista?
Brought back my fond memories of HS, dances, sports & girls. Defiantly not exactly like Friday Night Lights.
I agree with that; “There’s something seriously un-American about paying for air.”
Gee that’s what you have to maintain for graduate school/financial aid (3.0) 3.5 GPA.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A delightful very well written HS teen paranormal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great paranormal movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. A book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Booklikes)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
November 18, 2014
Wow, this is so completely different from anything I have read before, it was fantastic I just wish it was longer!
I had never heard of this book until I stumbled across it on here, and now its time to spread the word.
This starts out a little slow, there's a fair bit of character and world building which I enjoyed and sets up some good ground work for the next book. There better be a next book by the way.
I really love how some of the characters have supernatural gifts but they aren't ridiculously unbelievable, given evolution these types of things may be possible at some stage, its far more likely then being able to shoot lasers from your eyes at least.
I loved the characters in this, they are so well written and I got surprisingly attached to Devin and Travis, when they had a little bro fight I was so devastated!
I don't want to give to much away as this was fantastic not knowing at all where it was going, so give it a go, if you like books like The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson or the Bloom trilogy by A.P Kensey then I think you will absolutely enjoy this.
I had never heard of this book until I stumbled across it on here, and now its time to spread the word.
This starts out a little slow, there's a fair bit of character and world building which I enjoyed and sets up some good ground work for the next book. There better be a next book by the way.
I really love how some of the characters have supernatural gifts but they aren't ridiculously unbelievable, given evolution these types of things may be possible at some stage, its far more likely then being able to shoot lasers from your eyes at least.
I loved the characters in this, they are so well written and I got surprisingly attached to Devin and Travis, when they had a little bro fight I was so devastated!
I don't want to give to much away as this was fantastic not knowing at all where it was going, so give it a go, if you like books like The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson or the Bloom trilogy by A.P Kensey then I think you will absolutely enjoy this.
April 6, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. While this book had a strong and interesting male narrator and lots of action and intrigue, It just didn't hold my attention. It was well written and maybe if I were a teen guy, it would have been more engaging. Part of the problem was the decision to spend so long establishing a court case that the rest of the book hinged on. It was logical for the plot, but less logical for the pacing. The abilities of the steths were easy to follow, and it was pretty cool how the author revised history to include them. There was a lot of character building for Devin, and he came across as a guy you would want for a friend. He spent a lot of time thinking about his future with or without sports, and I thought he had a lot of important things to say that might be relevant to the modern guy. I'm just not sure it is engaging enough at the beginning for YA readers to get that far. Language and situations are appropriate for middle and high school readers.
January 21, 2015
Didn’t really know what to expect when I started this. To begin with, it was slow going as nothing seemed to be happening. However once you got about a quarter of the way through, the plot and characters got more interesting and the action took off, which caused it to become a real page turner for me. Recommend read as it’s a little something different from the normal.
Want to read
May 8, 2015Author's guest post at my blog:
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews