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Altered: Awakening
Not yet published
Expected 8 Feb 26Secrets made them. Powers changed them. Now survival will define them.
Sixteen-year-old Samantha Riley thought her biggest problem was a fight with her best friend. Then she saw her mother—twice. One upstairs, tearing apart a bedroom in a frantic search. One downstairs, calling her name.
That moment shatters the reality she thought she knew.
When her twin brother, Stone, admits the unthinkable—that he can transform into other people—Sammy realizes she's not imagining things. And when she discovers she can do it too, her life is turned upside down.
Suddenly, the twins are thrust into a world of dangerous secrets, hunted by Dr. Jasper—the brilliant, unstable scientist who engineered their existence in a lab. To Jasper, they aren't kids. They're experiments. And he won't stop until he has them back under his control.
But Sammy and Stone aren't alone. With the help of Jason, a mysterious older teen with powers of his own, they set out to find others like them. Every ally they recruit makes them stronger—but also draws Jasper closer. And with each discovery, Sammy questions whether their gifts are a blessing… or the curse Jasper designed them to be.
Torn between the normal teenage life she longs for and the terrifying reality of what she is, Sammy must decide who to trust, how to survive, and what kind of person she wants to become. Because the truth about their origins is only the beginning—and Jasper's plan for them is darker than they could have ever imagined.
" Awakening" launches an action-packed YA sci-fi thriller series about identity, survival, and the bonds that define us, perfect for fans of "The Darkest Minds," "Maximum Ride," and "Stranger Things."
Sixteen-year-old Samantha Riley thought her biggest problem was a fight with her best friend. Then she saw her mother—twice. One upstairs, tearing apart a bedroom in a frantic search. One downstairs, calling her name.
That moment shatters the reality she thought she knew.
When her twin brother, Stone, admits the unthinkable—that he can transform into other people—Sammy realizes she's not imagining things. And when she discovers she can do it too, her life is turned upside down.
Suddenly, the twins are thrust into a world of dangerous secrets, hunted by Dr. Jasper—the brilliant, unstable scientist who engineered their existence in a lab. To Jasper, they aren't kids. They're experiments. And he won't stop until he has them back under his control.
But Sammy and Stone aren't alone. With the help of Jason, a mysterious older teen with powers of his own, they set out to find others like them. Every ally they recruit makes them stronger—but also draws Jasper closer. And with each discovery, Sammy questions whether their gifts are a blessing… or the curse Jasper designed them to be.
Torn between the normal teenage life she longs for and the terrifying reality of what she is, Sammy must decide who to trust, how to survive, and what kind of person she wants to become. Because the truth about their origins is only the beginning—and Jasper's plan for them is darker than they could have ever imagined.
" Awakening" launches an action-packed YA sci-fi thriller series about identity, survival, and the bonds that define us, perfect for fans of "The Darkest Minds," "Maximum Ride," and "Stranger Things."
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 8, 2026
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy
This book had the potential to be an interesting book. A bunch of teens discover that they were given special powers even before they were born. Someone is coming after them because of these powers. Unfortunately, several issues prevented this book from reaching its potential.
One of the first things I noticed about this book was that it really needed a high-quality editor to look it over. There were missing words, missing punctuation, the wrong punctuation, words that should have been capitalized, and several other issues. At one point, it is mentioned that one of the main characters has an uncle who works at Hudson College, which would put the story in Toronto, Canada, according to my research. Later, the uncle works at Butte College, which I think is where the author intended to have the uncle work, since it's in Chico, California, the area where the rest of the story takes place.
I felt like there were a lot of issues with the plot. The best way that I can explain it is to say that the main characters talk a lot about trying to stay safe. Yet, their actions don't fit with their words. I feel like if they were really concerned, they would hide out a lot more than they do instead of just going back to their own houses, where they know that they won't be safe. There are also other actions that just really don't feel like they fit with the plot.
This book does include swearing. There's quite a bit of kissing between characters, including characters who've only met a short time ago. I felt like the romance between the characters was overdone. While there's no graphic sexual content, there's some implied sex between two teens. While there's no graphic violence, there are several violent scenes and talk of characters being killed or kidnapped.
Overall, I felt like this was a 2.5-star book. I rounded down because of the assortment of grammatical mistakes.
I received a free ARC from BookSirens, and I am offering my honest opinion. With that in mind, because this was an ARC, maybe some of the issues I mentioned will not be in the final copy. With some editing, this could be at least a 4-star book.
One of the first things I noticed about this book was that it really needed a high-quality editor to look it over. There were missing words, missing punctuation, the wrong punctuation, words that should have been capitalized, and several other issues. At one point, it is mentioned that one of the main characters has an uncle who works at Hudson College, which would put the story in Toronto, Canada, according to my research. Later, the uncle works at Butte College, which I think is where the author intended to have the uncle work, since it's in Chico, California, the area where the rest of the story takes place.
I felt like there were a lot of issues with the plot. The best way that I can explain it is to say that the main characters talk a lot about trying to stay safe. Yet, their actions don't fit with their words. I feel like if they were really concerned, they would hide out a lot more than they do instead of just going back to their own houses, where they know that they won't be safe. There are also other actions that just really don't feel like they fit with the plot.
This book does include swearing. There's quite a bit of kissing between characters, including characters who've only met a short time ago. I felt like the romance between the characters was overdone. While there's no graphic sexual content, there's some implied sex between two teens. While there's no graphic violence, there are several violent scenes and talk of characters being killed or kidnapped.
Overall, I felt like this was a 2.5-star book. I rounded down because of the assortment of grammatical mistakes.
I received a free ARC from BookSirens, and I am offering my honest opinion. With that in mind, because this was an ARC, maybe some of the issues I mentioned will not be in the final copy. With some editing, this could be at least a 4-star book.
Review of advance copy
I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
Sorry, couldn't give this book more than a three star rating It falls into all the traps that give YA super hero books a bad name.
Insta-love, this really is lazy writing, from the moment Jason appeared he proceeded to ruin what could have been a good read. he was obviously added with the 12 yo girl audience in mind
The need to pair off all the characters in boy-girl pairs (no gay couples). This always makes me wonder if the author ever actually went to school or observed the interactions between teens in a group. Why do these authors feel the need to pair off everyone in the group.
On the plus side, some of the power sets were interesting and had promise for future novels i we can get beyond the melting insides and kissing every time they are not walking and intertwine a romance with the action.
The ending was good if a little rushed but at least it was a proper ending and the book came to a proper ending and not one of these split into two novels that leave you flapping at the end.
Recommended for middle school and lower. Three stars.
Sorry, couldn't give this book more than a three star rating It falls into all the traps that give YA super hero books a bad name.
Insta-love, this really is lazy writing, from the moment Jason appeared he proceeded to ruin what could have been a good read. he was obviously added with the 12 yo girl audience in mind
The need to pair off all the characters in boy-girl pairs (no gay couples). This always makes me wonder if the author ever actually went to school or observed the interactions between teens in a group. Why do these authors feel the need to pair off everyone in the group.
On the plus side, some of the power sets were interesting and had promise for future novels i we can get beyond the melting insides and kissing every time they are not walking and intertwine a romance with the action.
The ending was good if a little rushed but at least it was a proper ending and the book came to a proper ending and not one of these split into two novels that leave you flapping at the end.
Recommended for middle school and lower. Three stars.
Review of advance copy
Altered: Awakening is an electrifying YA thriller that hooks you from the first page. Samantha and Stone’s journey is high-stakes, suspenseful, and filled with twists that keep you guessing. Solomon perfectly blends science fiction, adventure, and relatable teenage struggles, making the characters feel real and their struggles resonate deeply. Fans of fast-paced, imaginative stories like The Darkest Minds and Maximum Ride will devour this book. A brilliant start to a series that promises danger, intrigue, and heart.
January 28, 2026
The book started as a great YA novel, but then the narrative became too forced. There were many times that it felt like things were being forced along and not developing organically.
The premise of the book is really interesting, but the back story of the antagonist didn’t land with me. Why did they want to peruse the teens? What was their rationale for wanting to get revenge?
If there had been more back story and motive developed I would definitely have given a higher rating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of the book is really interesting, but the back story of the antagonist didn’t land with me. Why did they want to peruse the teens? What was their rationale for wanting to get revenge?
If there had been more back story and motive developed I would definitely have given a higher rating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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December 15, 2025Altered is Book 1 in the Seeking Series by Robbin Solomon. This story is a contemporary fantasy. I thought the author was creative with Sammy,16, and her twin , Stone, having them be manipulated. I thought that the story was a mystery as well futuristic. Although the main characters are teenagers, I believe that adults will enjoy this story. I am looking forward to book 2. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Awakening pulls you in from its chilling opening and never lets go. What begins as a normal teenage problem quickly spirals into a mind-bending discovery that shatters Samantha Riley’s understanding of reality. Seeing her mother in two places at once is just the first crack in a world filled with secrets, danger, and impossible powers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Not a good read but not also a bad read. I guess, this isn't my cup of tea? And oh, I would appreciate if the author put more show don't tell technique in this book. Also, the ending was a little rushed but I'll take it. At least, we get a proper ending for this book.
Not a good read but not also a bad read. I guess, this isn't my cup of tea? And oh, I would appreciate if the author put more show don't tell technique in this book. Also, the ending was a little rushed but I'll take it. At least, we get a proper ending for this book.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Amazon I loved the book I can’t wait for the second one highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews