What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie Hartley Series #1
The Unlocked
A childless couple, Sarah and Carl Hartley, become witnesses to a car accident along Pilgrims Highway. As the baby girl who they pulled out from the burning car grows up, they learn that little Charlene 'Charlie' Hartley is more special than they expected. From a very young age, Charlie developed a surprising ability to move items without touch.
Seventeen years later, Charlie was already on her way to Harvard when she encounters an incident forcing her to use her hidden telekinetic powers. A new world of possibilities opens for Charlie as she is invited to become part of a special team of operatives composed of superhuman young adults like her. When the truth of her parentage is revealed, and the discovery that a young girl who resembled her is part of the institute for superhumans known as A.N.D.R.E.I., Charlie is tempted with the chance to be reunited with her biological sister.
But within the secure walls of A.N.D.R.E.I, things aren’t all what they seem. And while she struggles to control her talent, a series of events lead Charlie to suspect the true motives of the government institution. The more she searches for her sister, the more dangerous it becomes. Can she uncover the mystery behind A.N.D.R.E.I., before it’s too late?
Best for Young Adults.
Book 1: The Unlocked
Book 2: The Enlightened
Seventeen years later, Charlie was already on her way to Harvard when she encounters an incident forcing her to use her hidden telekinetic powers. A new world of possibilities opens for Charlie as she is invited to become part of a special team of operatives composed of superhuman young adults like her. When the truth of her parentage is revealed, and the discovery that a young girl who resembled her is part of the institute for superhumans known as A.N.D.R.E.I., Charlie is tempted with the chance to be reunited with her biological sister.
But within the secure walls of A.N.D.R.E.I, things aren’t all what they seem. And while she struggles to control her talent, a series of events lead Charlie to suspect the true motives of the government institution. The more she searches for her sister, the more dangerous it becomes. Can she uncover the mystery behind A.N.D.R.E.I., before it’s too late?
Best for Young Adults.
Book 1: The Unlocked
Book 2: The Enlightened
- GenresParanormalFantasy
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2014
70 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 9, 2017
Beverly Hills, 90210 meets The X-Men
Charlene "Charlie" Hartley is about to graduate High School and go off to college when her secret catches the attention of a young A.N.D.R.E.I. operative with a special ability of her own.
When Charlie learns she's not only adopted, but she may have a twin sister working for A.N.D.R.E.I., she walks away from her path to Harvard to develop her powers and reunite with the family she's never known.
The dark plot behind A.N.D.R.E.I. unfolds as Charlie continues to dig for clues to her twin's whereabouts while making friends and enemies on campus.
Can Charlie trust any of the students of staff at A.N.D.R.E.I.,? Will she finally get to meet the sister she's been dreaming about?
J.D. Stonebridge weaves an imaginative tale of life for a new adult with superhuman powers and gets caught up in a world of hidden agendas while longing for a connection to someone she didn't know existed just a few months prior.
What I liked:
The descriptive narrative shows a great deal of thought behind the powers that the kids (I call them kids because they act more like teenagers than college-aged 20-somethings) wield and their various personalities, and there were a few surprises in the plot.
Charlie is sweet, kind, loving, and respectful to her parents (which I found refreshing since I know many young women who are) but not weak. Having a strong, but gentle, protagonist is refreshing after so many "Katniss" spin-offs.
What I didn't like:
The characters are pretty 2D. There's the Jock, the Cheerleader, the best friend waif, the nerd-girl, the heartthrob, etc. Pretty much what you'd expect in a teenage melodrama. However, these kids are supposed to be a little more mature and past the typical high school cliques, so that was a little off-putting. Emotionally, I'd say Charlie and the others are closer to 16 than 18+.
The other major issue I had preventing me from becoming fully engrossed in the story, was POV jumping. The author writes in a 3rd Person Omniscient style, seeing into the heads of each character. This wouldn't be a huge problem if there were breaks to make the change in POV. One scene, in particular, jumped from a fight in a field to the inside of a building and back to the field within 4 paragraphs.
I'd also recommend a fresh pair of eyes to mark up the spelling and grammar errors that were missed before publication. Since this book is digital only (as best as I can determine) that shouldn't be a bid deal.
Overall, I give The Unlocked Four Stars for younger readers.
For older readers, I only give it Three Stars, but that's just my personal opinion (and what do I know, right?)
Charlene "Charlie" Hartley is about to graduate High School and go off to college when her secret catches the attention of a young A.N.D.R.E.I. operative with a special ability of her own.
When Charlie learns she's not only adopted, but she may have a twin sister working for A.N.D.R.E.I., she walks away from her path to Harvard to develop her powers and reunite with the family she's never known.
The dark plot behind A.N.D.R.E.I. unfolds as Charlie continues to dig for clues to her twin's whereabouts while making friends and enemies on campus.
Can Charlie trust any of the students of staff at A.N.D.R.E.I.,? Will she finally get to meet the sister she's been dreaming about?
J.D. Stonebridge weaves an imaginative tale of life for a new adult with superhuman powers and gets caught up in a world of hidden agendas while longing for a connection to someone she didn't know existed just a few months prior.
What I liked:
The descriptive narrative shows a great deal of thought behind the powers that the kids (I call them kids because they act more like teenagers than college-aged 20-somethings) wield and their various personalities, and there were a few surprises in the plot.
Charlie is sweet, kind, loving, and respectful to her parents (which I found refreshing since I know many young women who are) but not weak. Having a strong, but gentle, protagonist is refreshing after so many "Katniss" spin-offs.
What I didn't like:
The characters are pretty 2D. There's the Jock, the Cheerleader, the best friend waif, the nerd-girl, the heartthrob, etc. Pretty much what you'd expect in a teenage melodrama. However, these kids are supposed to be a little more mature and past the typical high school cliques, so that was a little off-putting. Emotionally, I'd say Charlie and the others are closer to 16 than 18+.
The other major issue I had preventing me from becoming fully engrossed in the story, was POV jumping. The author writes in a 3rd Person Omniscient style, seeing into the heads of each character. This wouldn't be a huge problem if there were breaks to make the change in POV. One scene, in particular, jumped from a fight in a field to the inside of a building and back to the field within 4 paragraphs.
I'd also recommend a fresh pair of eyes to mark up the spelling and grammar errors that were missed before publication. Since this book is digital only (as best as I can determine) that shouldn't be a bid deal.
Overall, I give The Unlocked Four Stars for younger readers.
For older readers, I only give it Three Stars, but that's just my personal opinion (and what do I know, right?)
September 16, 2017
Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].
'The Unlocked' by JD Stonebridge
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on August 30, 2017
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
FREE on Kindle
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Sarah and Carl Hartley witness a brutal car accident in the middle of the night on the highway. When they stop to help, they quickly realize there is no hope for the two adult passengers, but the baby in the back seat? They can save her. They take the infant, and they run, raising her as their own. But as little Charlene 'Charlie' Hartley grows up, they realize she is more special than they could have ever imagined. She has the ability to move objects with her mind.
Brilliant and kind at seventeen, Charlie is on her way to Harvard when she's forced to use her powers in an incident that changes her entire life path. She gets invited to attend a government-run school for people like her -- people with special abilities -- and there she discovers she has a long-lost twin sister. She cannot pass up the opportunity to discover her past and be with her sister.
But things at ANDREI, the institute for superhumans, are not all they seem. The more she works to hone her powers, the more she realizes how corrupt the woman heading the institute is. If she wants to be reunited with her sister, she's going to have to make some hard decisions.
MY REVIEW:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie seems to have a perfect life. Her parents love her, and she loves them. They get along extremely well. Almost to an unreasonable level given that most teenagers have some sort of tension with their parents. She's bright. So much so that she's set to attend Harvard in the fall. And she's got telekinetic powers. What a life!
This pollyanna life of Charlie's felt like too much to me. I suppose it is supposed to work in stark contrast to what she is set to face later on in the novel. Even when she gets the news about her true origin, her reaction is nothing but loving and accepting which didn't feel realistic to me at all coming from a late teenager/young adult. Hell, even a full grown adult would probably have some real anger over finding out what Charlie does.
Overall, though, the plot of this novel is solid and engaging. The pacing is nice, even, and kept me wanting to keep reading even when I had other things I needed to be doing. I wanted to find out exactly what was going on at ANDREI and what was up with Jeanne.
The dialog is a little stilted at points, but not enough to draw me out of the story, and as the story progresses, it seems to even out.
The novel ends with a cliffhanger that made me want to read the next installment in the series. The ending is neither abrupt nor flat.
If you enjoy young adult novels with a strong female protagonist, superhuman abilities, and government conspiracies, consider giving this a read.
'The Unlocked' by JD Stonebridge
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on August 30, 2017
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
FREE on Kindle
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Sarah and Carl Hartley witness a brutal car accident in the middle of the night on the highway. When they stop to help, they quickly realize there is no hope for the two adult passengers, but the baby in the back seat? They can save her. They take the infant, and they run, raising her as their own. But as little Charlene 'Charlie' Hartley grows up, they realize she is more special than they could have ever imagined. She has the ability to move objects with her mind.
Brilliant and kind at seventeen, Charlie is on her way to Harvard when she's forced to use her powers in an incident that changes her entire life path. She gets invited to attend a government-run school for people like her -- people with special abilities -- and there she discovers she has a long-lost twin sister. She cannot pass up the opportunity to discover her past and be with her sister.
But things at ANDREI, the institute for superhumans, are not all they seem. The more she works to hone her powers, the more she realizes how corrupt the woman heading the institute is. If she wants to be reunited with her sister, she's going to have to make some hard decisions.
MY REVIEW:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie seems to have a perfect life. Her parents love her, and she loves them. They get along extremely well. Almost to an unreasonable level given that most teenagers have some sort of tension with their parents. She's bright. So much so that she's set to attend Harvard in the fall. And she's got telekinetic powers. What a life!
This pollyanna life of Charlie's felt like too much to me. I suppose it is supposed to work in stark contrast to what she is set to face later on in the novel. Even when she gets the news about her true origin, her reaction is nothing but loving and accepting which didn't feel realistic to me at all coming from a late teenager/young adult. Hell, even a full grown adult would probably have some real anger over finding out what Charlie does.
Overall, though, the plot of this novel is solid and engaging. The pacing is nice, even, and kept me wanting to keep reading even when I had other things I needed to be doing. I wanted to find out exactly what was going on at ANDREI and what was up with Jeanne.
The dialog is a little stilted at points, but not enough to draw me out of the story, and as the story progresses, it seems to even out.
The novel ends with a cliffhanger that made me want to read the next installment in the series. The ending is neither abrupt nor flat.
If you enjoy young adult novels with a strong female protagonist, superhuman abilities, and government conspiracies, consider giving this a read.
July 11, 2017
The Unlocked by J.D. Stonebridge, the first book of the Charlie Hartley Series, will leave you wanting to know the rest of the story. From the time Charlie Hartley was rescued from a burning car, she displayed telekinetic abilities. Her adoptive parents did their best to shield her from those who could exploit her and to keep her talents a secret.
One day after high school graduation, Charlie saves a young woman by stopping what she thought was a bullet. It turns out this young woman is a superhuman-in-training at a special institute for similarly abled young adults. She mistakes Charlie for Jeanne, another attendee at this institution. From this revelation, Charlie learns that not only is she adopted but also that she has a twin.
Charlie decides to forego Harvard and her dream of becoming a journalist to attend A.D.D.R.E.I, the school for special young adults and to find her sister. Once there, Charlie discovers that all is not as it seems to be. Will she find her sister? Will she be able to save her? Will she survive?
The book is exciting and paced relatively quickly. Charlie's younger character seems too idyllic, but she becomes a strong protagonist who struggles with her abilities and doing what is right.
ThoughThe Unlocked could be classified a YA, I enjoyed the rea
One day after high school graduation, Charlie saves a young woman by stopping what she thought was a bullet. It turns out this young woman is a superhuman-in-training at a special institute for similarly abled young adults. She mistakes Charlie for Jeanne, another attendee at this institution. From this revelation, Charlie learns that not only is she adopted but also that she has a twin.
Charlie decides to forego Harvard and her dream of becoming a journalist to attend A.D.D.R.E.I, the school for special young adults and to find her sister. Once there, Charlie discovers that all is not as it seems to be. Will she find her sister? Will she be able to save her? Will she survive?
The book is exciting and paced relatively quickly. Charlie's younger character seems too idyllic, but she becomes a strong protagonist who struggles with her abilities and doing what is right.
ThoughThe Unlocked could be classified a YA, I enjoyed the rea
May 18, 2017
Good story, but...
The author of this book contacted me and asked if I would like to do a review. I don't think I was the intended audience for this book, I think it is meant for young adults. Having said that, the story is good, and I would be interested to know more about what happens with them. Having said that, I didn't find the dialogue very believable, especially in the beginning I can't see our main character talking the way she did to her parents. The dialogue just seemed forced, and I found myself rolling my eyes a few times going no one would ever say that. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie, and I don't like those. I also found the fact that the main character which is go to a boarding school she didn't know anything about pretty unbelievable. Throughout the book I was interested to know what happened with the characters, but the dialogue and some of their actions overshadowed the story. Like I said I think this would be a good book for a young adult, but just not my cup of tea.
The author of this book contacted me and asked if I would like to do a review. I don't think I was the intended audience for this book, I think it is meant for young adults. Having said that, the story is good, and I would be interested to know more about what happens with them. Having said that, I didn't find the dialogue very believable, especially in the beginning I can't see our main character talking the way she did to her parents. The dialogue just seemed forced, and I found myself rolling my eyes a few times going no one would ever say that. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie, and I don't like those. I also found the fact that the main character which is go to a boarding school she didn't know anything about pretty unbelievable. Throughout the book I was interested to know what happened with the characters, but the dialogue and some of their actions overshadowed the story. Like I said I think this would be a good book for a young adult, but just not my cup of tea.
September 18, 2017
Unlocked by J. D. Stonebridge begins when a baby, Charlie, is rescued from a car accident. The couple that rescued Charlie also raises her. Charlie's dialogue is staunch, stark, boring and she talks like she swallowed a textbook or a thesaurus. The dialogue becomes more smooth as the story progresses and the plot begins to take shape. The Unlocked is reminiscent of X-men because of the institute and powers, but the students aren't born with their powers. The powers are unlocked with a syringe and a shot of a chemical mixture. Charlie learns of her twin sister because of the institute and she discovers that she and her twin sister Jeanne had their powers as long as they can remember and didn't need to be unlocked. A sinister plot and deception are revealed as things spiral out of control. 4 stars for this science fiction mystery.
August 13, 2017
A girl must Unlock the secrets . . .
Charlie is smart, friendly, and she has a secret power. She’s diverted from her plans to attend Harvard and study journalism. Instead, she’s in a hidden compound.
Bradley and Madison, the side kick he keeps on a short leash, hate Charlie. Does their envy extend to hurting her . . . or worse? Will she find Jeanne, the woman she suspects is her sister?
Most important of all, she receives a strange warning. Should she ignore it? Or listen to it? And if she does believe it, what can she do about it?
The book is geared toward a YA audience, but it’s a great story for readers of all ages.
Charlie is smart, friendly, and she has a secret power. She’s diverted from her plans to attend Harvard and study journalism. Instead, she’s in a hidden compound.
Bradley and Madison, the side kick he keeps on a short leash, hate Charlie. Does their envy extend to hurting her . . . or worse? Will she find Jeanne, the woman she suspects is her sister?
Most important of all, she receives a strange warning. Should she ignore it? Or listen to it? And if she does believe it, what can she do about it?
The book is geared toward a YA audience, but it’s a great story for readers of all ages.
March 4, 2019
Very good book
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were developed well. The plot was captivating. There was a little profanity and no sex. I would feel comfortable reading this to my kids.
The main character, Charlie, grew up hiding her telekinetic powers in normal society. Late in life when she's heading off to college, she discovers a group of children being trained to used their powers, a sister that she didn't know about and the fact that she was adopted (sort of).
Turns out her sister is in trouble and needs her help.
Although it was a great story, it is the first in a series and you'll have to read the next book to see how things turn out.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were developed well. The plot was captivating. There was a little profanity and no sex. I would feel comfortable reading this to my kids.
The main character, Charlie, grew up hiding her telekinetic powers in normal society. Late in life when she's heading off to college, she discovers a group of children being trained to used their powers, a sister that she didn't know about and the fact that she was adopted (sort of).
Turns out her sister is in trouble and needs her help.
Although it was a great story, it is the first in a series and you'll have to read the next book to see how things turn out.
June 28, 2017
Charlie has an ordinary life, parents who love her and is headed to Harvard in the fall. But Charlie's parents have been keeping a secret and Charlie has a special gift that may be connected to that secret.
Charlie finds out that she has a twin sister who is in a "special" school where she is getting trained on how to use the gifts she has and Charlie has been invited to attend the same school.
A few inconsistencies in the story prevented me from getting it 5 stars but the story is entertaining and I think those that like paranormal teen stories will enjoy this series.
Charlie finds out that she has a twin sister who is in a "special" school where she is getting trained on how to use the gifts she has and Charlie has been invited to attend the same school.
A few inconsistencies in the story prevented me from getting it 5 stars but the story is entertaining and I think those that like paranormal teen stories will enjoy this series.
March 16, 2021
Okay, I gave up. I had been trying to give myself time to get back into reading this book, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I feel no need or want to pick this book back up and I really, hardly got started on it. I was disappointed. Kind of didn’t even want to write a review about it.
I just…cannot believe that a child with a power, any power would just…not find out everything about it. Even with her parents telling her to keep it secret.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, please visit my blog!
I just…cannot believe that a child with a power, any power would just…not find out everything about it. Even with her parents telling her to keep it secret.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, please visit my blog!
February 14, 2022
A good YA book, but in the end it wasn't for me.
August 28, 2021
I stumbled upon this book in my iBooks app on my iPhone for free because I was looking for a free book to read. The cover and the summary plot caught my eye and attention. I'm glad that it was free to read as I got my chance to read it and leave this review about the book.
The book was interesting and eye-catching to read. I got hooked on trying to read all the way to the end. I like how there are parts that relate to actual reality in life, the mention of places and things. Also, every now and then there were only a few grammar corrections that needed to be made that caught my eye. But, it will only bother you, if you are a stickler about grammar like me. The descriptive fight scenes were intense and I liked them so much. My fave character is indeed, Charlie and her role to try to save everyone and be reunited with Jeanne (her twin) again. Furthermore, Jeanne's my second favorite character and I can't wait to hopefully read more about her and everyone else. The more you read, the more you felt the pace go faster when you read about parts that got intense; such as fighting scenes, struggling for them to get away, and the heartbreaking almost bond between Charlie and Jeanne (how Charlie doesn't even fully know her sister, but she loves her anyway and wants to protect her at all cost). I also felt bad for Jeanne's childhood past and hope that she will be reunited with Charlie again. I'm definitely going to finish this series!! :)
The book was interesting and eye-catching to read. I got hooked on trying to read all the way to the end. I like how there are parts that relate to actual reality in life, the mention of places and things. Also, every now and then there were only a few grammar corrections that needed to be made that caught my eye. But, it will only bother you, if you are a stickler about grammar like me. The descriptive fight scenes were intense and I liked them so much. My fave character is indeed, Charlie and her role to try to save everyone and be reunited with Jeanne (her twin) again. Furthermore, Jeanne's my second favorite character and I can't wait to hopefully read more about her and everyone else. The more you read, the more you felt the pace go faster when you read about parts that got intense; such as fighting scenes, struggling for them to get away, and the heartbreaking almost bond between Charlie and Jeanne (how Charlie doesn't even fully know her sister, but she loves her anyway and wants to protect her at all cost). I also felt bad for Jeanne's childhood past and hope that she will be reunited with Charlie again. I'm definitely going to finish this series!! :)
December 13, 2016
Science fiction, fantasy and YA are not the "typical" genre I am drawn to read. I was impressed and liked almost the entire book. I read it nearly straight through and enjoyed it enough to be reading the book 2 of the series.
The plot was strong and the story line was unique and interesting enough that I was paging turning the entire time. I can see how this is an appealing book for the Young Adult crowd, though as a middle-ager I liked it too.
I have only 2 critical things to say and they are minor compared to the overall positive parts of the book. I feel like the dialogue in the beginning chapters does not match the rest of the book. The conversation Charlie has with her parents seem pretty off for a person who is about to be going to college (and Harvard at that). The dialogue seems forced and does not really start the book off well. However, it really gets going after a short bit and seems to greatly improve.
The end of the book gets a little drawn out just when you want it to have the quickest pace. The scenes where Charlie is battling almost everyone got me wanting to get through it because it slowed the action down too much.
Overall the book was exciting and I look forward to finding out what happens next. Book 1 wraps up with just enough cliffhangers to keep the interest strong.
The plot was strong and the story line was unique and interesting enough that I was paging turning the entire time. I can see how this is an appealing book for the Young Adult crowd, though as a middle-ager I liked it too.
I have only 2 critical things to say and they are minor compared to the overall positive parts of the book. I feel like the dialogue in the beginning chapters does not match the rest of the book. The conversation Charlie has with her parents seem pretty off for a person who is about to be going to college (and Harvard at that). The dialogue seems forced and does not really start the book off well. However, it really gets going after a short bit and seems to greatly improve.
The end of the book gets a little drawn out just when you want it to have the quickest pace. The scenes where Charlie is battling almost everyone got me wanting to get through it because it slowed the action down too much.
Overall the book was exciting and I look forward to finding out what happens next. Book 1 wraps up with just enough cliffhangers to keep the interest strong.
May 4, 2017
I've always believed, no matter the genre, the most important element is the characters. Without interesting, realistic characters, even the most intriguing plot falls flat. Fortunately, in J.D. Stonebridge's "The Unlocked", there is no danger of that.
The heroine, Charlie Hartley, is a teenager with many refreshing qualities: no snark, no irritating attitude, and truly loves her family. She may have special powers--hence the main plot of this fantasy novel--but she has realistic feelings, which makes her readers relate and care about her. On her first day at a special school for other children with special powers, she is asked by her instructor, "Do you know what you do?" Her response:
"She racked her brains for an answer. It sounded like a beauty pageant question. Then it occurred to her Ms. Everest was referring to her powers."
A truly delightful passage that made me smile and instantly connected me to Charlie.
Rarely have I read such a riveting book. At nearly every chapter end, there is an exciting and surprising cliffhanger, and the twists and turns in the plot are neither confusing nor cliché. Truly a fun read, and I've added "The Enlightened" to the top of my queue!
http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/ch-1-t...
The heroine, Charlie Hartley, is a teenager with many refreshing qualities: no snark, no irritating attitude, and truly loves her family. She may have special powers--hence the main plot of this fantasy novel--but she has realistic feelings, which makes her readers relate and care about her. On her first day at a special school for other children with special powers, she is asked by her instructor, "Do you know what you do?" Her response:
"She racked her brains for an answer. It sounded like a beauty pageant question. Then it occurred to her Ms. Everest was referring to her powers."
A truly delightful passage that made me smile and instantly connected me to Charlie.
Rarely have I read such a riveting book. At nearly every chapter end, there is an exciting and surprising cliffhanger, and the twists and turns in the plot are neither confusing nor cliché. Truly a fun read, and I've added "The Enlightened" to the top of my queue!
http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/ch-1-t...
April 3, 2017
No spoilers here; this review will be relatively short and vague.
I give "The Unlocked" 3.5 stars out of 5.
The arc is intriguing, characters are well-formed, and there's enough nuance and plot twist to keep most readers fairly interested in this book.
That being said, there are some stumbles in the writing that I couldn't overlook. A good deal of the dialogue sounds strange and completely unnatural. There's also a lot of telling (overuse of adjectives, etc) going on as opposed to showing (painting a picture with words), but it's something writer does at some point. It usually gets better with experience.
Overall, I think it's a good start to the series ("The Enlightened" is book #2 and #3 is coming soon!). I would recommend this book, especially to younger readers- say ages
11 through 15 or 16, or anyone else looking for a solid, entertaining story.
I give "The Unlocked" 3.5 stars out of 5.
The arc is intriguing, characters are well-formed, and there's enough nuance and plot twist to keep most readers fairly interested in this book.
That being said, there are some stumbles in the writing that I couldn't overlook. A good deal of the dialogue sounds strange and completely unnatural. There's also a lot of telling (overuse of adjectives, etc) going on as opposed to showing (painting a picture with words), but it's something writer does at some point. It usually gets better with experience.
Overall, I think it's a good start to the series ("The Enlightened" is book #2 and #3 is coming soon!). I would recommend this book, especially to younger readers- say ages
11 through 15 or 16, or anyone else looking for a solid, entertaining story.
April 6, 2017
I was asked to read this story for an honest review; here it is.
A baby girl is discovered after a car accident which kills her parents. Some years later we learn Charlie has certain powers...so this is where the 'agency' steps in. She is to go to school so to control and...read it to find out.
The first in the series, as a character, Charlie seems to be likeable and 'good', and I suppose she will develop as time moves on. I don't give spoilers, so I cannot say much, but there is mystery and secrets and more to discover as the girl learns about her family, her powers and the 'agency'.
Overall, it is a story for a teenage audience. It is reasonably well-written and worth a look for those who enjoy paranormal/science-fiction YA reads.
A baby girl is discovered after a car accident which kills her parents. Some years later we learn Charlie has certain powers...so this is where the 'agency' steps in. She is to go to school so to control and...read it to find out.
The first in the series, as a character, Charlie seems to be likeable and 'good', and I suppose she will develop as time moves on. I don't give spoilers, so I cannot say much, but there is mystery and secrets and more to discover as the girl learns about her family, her powers and the 'agency'.
Overall, it is a story for a teenage audience. It is reasonably well-written and worth a look for those who enjoy paranormal/science-fiction YA reads.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews