The Keepers

Connor Chronicles #1

by Dormaine G.

After young Connor is gifted with superhuman abilities, her life changes. When she learns of others like her, Connor sets on a path to discover her true origin.

Soon, she understands that her whole life has been a lie. The dreaded Inhumans, who have been here for longer than anyone can remember, are coming for her. And among them, a powerful adversary only known as Ronin.

In a world of powerful villains and fragile friendships, are Connor's powers a gift or a curse?



★★★★★ - "Witty and engaging."

★★★★★ - "An excellent young adult paranormal novel."

★★★★★ - "Looking forward to the sequel."

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2013

About the author

Dormaine was born in Long Island, New York where she lived most of her life. As an adult she liked to travel out of the country though her favorite places to explore were her fantasy worlds as an author. She may be a nurse by profession but her heart has always belonged to writing. As a young child she spent many Saturdays in the library nurturing her love for books. There she discovered her fascination for the science fiction genre, through books, movies and graphic novels.

She now resides in Colorado with her husband and feisty dog. After many years of working in hospitals and travel nursing, she decided to pursue a career in writing. Her first novel The Keepers is in one of her favorite genres, young adult urban fantasy but the dark side, like paranormal is a close second. She's a Kindle Book award semi-finalist for The Time of Sanura from her Madame Lilly series. Presently, she is working on a paranormal mystery series of stand alone novels.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorDormai...
Blog: http://dormainegblog.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Dormaine-G/e/B0...

Reviews

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Connor" by Dormaine G. is a quirky but also dark fun read for young adults and those still young at hearts. Connor is a long suffering and somewhat cynical teenager with a good sense of dark humour and with guts. As middle child she might feel left out but she has a special gift and soon finds others who share her supernatural talents.
During her supernatural adventures she remains herself, a student, a daughter, a sister and a regular girl, which is what I loved most about this book. The adventures are exciting but she does not become superwoman or suddenly completely perfect. This 'realism' within the parameters of the genre is very well placed and makes her a very relateable character.
The book ends at a good point but leaves some more mysteries to be solved for the next book. A great set up for a promising series, and very enjoyable.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Two pages in and I’m laughing at the dialogue and snark of Connor, a teen with attitude, no real fashion sense and that feeling like she just doesn’t fit in. Sounds kind of normal, awkward and I’m completely connected to Connor, who wants to just disappear after a particularly bad incident at school. The difference is that she DID disappear! Connor by Dormaine G. is refreshing, fast, fun, and full of the adventures of a group of young people with “special abilities.” What makes Connor stand out from the many amazing books for YA paranormal lovers? Dormaine G. goes beyond giving her characters life, she gives them personality and that special “teen-ness” that only the young can pull off!

Connor learns she is adopted, she is special and she is not alone. She also is part of a team special teens who each have a set of “powers” that work best with teamwork. Connor truly “blossoms” in her role, finally feeling she belongs, but, thankfully, that attitude and her mental /verbal snark is alive and well. Unfortunately, she is also in danger, there are those who wish to see the end of her existence and are pulling out all the stops in order to get to Connor and her new friends and protectors. Is there a traitor in the ranks? Who is after Connor and why? Will knowing her true history help to defeat their enemies? Even Connor’s heart may not be safe when she meets Tony, another gifted teen who alternately makes her crazy, and makes her pulse race.

Author Dormaine G. writes with wit, a wonderfully twisted plot and a pace that moves with speed and intensity. You will feel the cold, strain through the darkness and fall into the adventure these kids are living. A wonderful debut! This is another of those hidden gems in YA fantasy reading!


I received a review copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: September 28, 2013
Publisher: Xlibris
Genre: YA Paranormal
Number of Pages: 206
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Hannah Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great premise, great characters, just needs a bit more editing

I liked this book and was glad I persevered. Cons: The initial writing was a bit clunky, and a lot of the dialogue really stiff. In some places there are leaps in the narrative that I found it hard to keep up with.
Pros: great characters who develop naturally. Great plotline which also developed steadily and well. Not too scary, not too saucy, I'd recommend for kids from 12ish upwards.
I'm keen to see where it goes in book two!

[Janice Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor is Dormaine G's debut novel, and I must say that I am pleased with this author's work. She did an awesome job in opening up her main character to readers. The author takes a seemingly regular teenager and makes the possibilities endless for her. As Connor comes into her own and discovers some fascinating "things" about herself and deals with regular issues that we've faced as teenagers ourselves, I could actually imagine myself as her. And it's an exciting journey to see how a regular teenager acquires powers, maneuvers through. Moreover the supporting characters make the journey that much more intriguing. I like how the author took her time in allowing the plot to unfold, even setting up the story for the next book.
I also loved the concept and execution. The character of Connor is well-developed and practically jumps right off of the pages. She is likable, strong and highly relatable. Clearly, Dormaine G is in her element as she knows how to capture readers with skill, adding humor to this YA/Paranormal read. I hope that this is the first of many books in this series because there is so much possibility with Connor's story.

[Ericka Katwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer)I was given this free ebook in exchange for an honest review


First of all I am a sucker for anything paranormal. Then when you throw in a bit of romance and that Love/Hate relationship with it (sighs)....you have me all the way. I have a soft spot for the hurt/bad guys. The plot was really thought out and the characters were beautifully written.

It starts out when Conner first discover her abilities(super powers). She then meets Antony aka Tony and group of friends who share the same type of abilities. Once they go searching for their answers as to who and what they are the action begins. It was non stop and I felt that it ended on a great note. It was sort of a cliffhanger but not to bad.

Obviously questions were raised towards the end but what I loved was that Ms. Dormaine didn't full on give the answers that were raised while reading. It was just enough to kind of get you thinking and making sure you keep watch for the second book.

Overall this was a great book. I cannot wait to read the next one and I would recommend this book in a heartbeat!

4.5 Stars
Recommend? Yes

You can see other reviews on my blog http://highway-ya.blogspot.com

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, to start out with, I was very attracted to the characters. Connor is a fun person, and I LOVED when she and Tony clicked. The action was fast-paced and kept coming at you. There is definitely something to be said for this book....the action never stops. Between Connor and her new 'team', they have so much friction that it is loveable, and I enjoyed their banter. The book starts when Connor, a fifteen-yr old girl, discovers that she has extreme super-powers. She falls in with a group of other kids, who also have powers and are also adopted, like herself. Right away, the bad guys are coming after them, the good guys are looking for them, and they are thrown into the real story behind their births. If I have one complaint with this novel, it is that the kids are keep being strung along for information about themselves. Along with Connor and her team, I was bursting for info on what was really going on. All in all, it was fun, and a real page-turner. The book kept me reading and reading, so I got to the end really fast. Definitely a recommended read.
By Rychel Michaels

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I can begin to say how much I love Connor! This was such a fun, fun read that I’m pretty sure I’ll reread it in the future.

I think what I love the most about this book was Connor’s sense of humor! I kept on grinning, laughing out loud while reading this book. And also that it was equal parts funny and dramatic and action-packed.

I love Connor’s family, too! Especially her mom (ah, what I would give to have some of that good cooking mama style). Some characters surprised me (Scott and Willow).

I think my most favorite part of the book is the one where Selene and Connor were talking about Destiny. For some reason this part made me sad. At the end of the book, why did I have a feeling that Selene knew about Connor’s Destiny? Hm, maybe it was just me. It was sad but I kind of agree with Selene’s stand on Destiny.

Eagerly waiting for the next installment!

[Sabrina Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big sci fi reader but love a book with a great story that grasps my attention. It reminds me of The Kindred by Octavia Butler with it's ability to bring me....a non-science fiction reader, into its story and make we want more. I hear she is writing the second novel on Coonnor and I cannot wait until I can find out more about Connor as she grows up.

[Katara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor!!!

This book takes a reader in from the start and keeps them interested to the very end!! Connor knew she was different from her family but always kept it in denial until she met others like her. Looking forward to reading book 2!!

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I was hooked with Connor’s adventures.
To the author, please hurry up. I can’t wait for the second book! :D

[Hmr28 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not readable. The formatting (for kindle; purchased via amazon) shoved all the text to the left side. I made it through 3 pages and gave up.

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those times when I wish I could give a ½ star because I would give this book 3-½ stars. Since I don't have that option, I'm rounding up to 4.

This was an enjoyable book with an intriguing plot, not entirely original, but told well. I particularly enjoyed Connor's POV, that of a self-aware 15 year old girl with a sense of humor about herself and others.

There were a couple of typos, nothing major, but what bothered me were the occasional lapses in subject/verb agreement, and the more frequent verb tense mistakes. I think a more careful proofreading could have eliminated most of that. Unfortunately, it interfered with my enjoyment of the book. Still, I think this is a fun YA novel and I recommend it. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[John Alvord · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book, yet I only rated it three stars. What made me withhold that forth star was several grammatical and formatting errors. I didn't keep track of them, but there were several times that I had to reread a sentence several times to figure out what was being said. The formatting errors were additional line breaks that resulted in new lines starting in the middle of the page. This too made the story harder to follow.

Despite these nitpicks, the story itself held my interest. I liked how it was written from the perspective of the main character. I've not yet decided if I'll buy the next book in the series, I have so many books already queued up that I may save my money for now.

[Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read

I felt like I was right there in the room with them once I started reading I could not put it down until it was finished so many laugh out loud moments I could see myself in the different characters I look forward to more tales by this wonderfully talented author in the future keep writing .

[Shonese Scott Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I did not if I would like this book or not but I really did. Connor has a lot of spunk for a kid her age. I really like her! I hope Connor and Tony have a future. Why are they afraid to tell Connor about her real parents?? The Keepers are keeping too much away from them. They need to tell them everything

[Carol Monroe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Proofing

It was a great concept but the story got muddled with disjointed connections. Jumped around a lot and sure wished it had been proofed before published. Grammar was tough to handle.

[LaQuitta Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This book is amazing if you’re into supernatural readings. I like the concept of the kids growing into their abilities.

[Shelley Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, allow me to begin by saying that I'm not truly into YA novels. Because of this, the beginning wasn't too appealing to me, but then again it's targeted for the younger generation and I fell out of that category some time ago. It was just a little too elementary for this grandmother. However, once I got past the opening, the story opened up into something I considered a delightful read.

Connor is not your typical teen. She's different and she knows it! Deep down she senses her differences in everyone around her. I'm sure this is how many teens feel today and they will be able to relate right away. She's the middle child of a middle-class family. Loving parents, annoying siblings. It's the urge to know why she's different that drives her to make certain decisions, decisions that will bring her closer to the truth which has haunted her for many years. Once she stumbles onto something that proves she is in fact different and not just imagining things, this book takes off like a locomotive on a greased track. I loved the pace by this point and the twists and turns. There are a few 'I didn't see that coming' moments, which always tickles my reading fancy. The middle and ending of this read takes you in a different direction, and I'm glad it did! By this point, I was more than intrigued. What helped was the believable characters that surround young Connor, such interesting, little fleeting entities that made me smile and helped push the storyline along. Add a touch of romance and this books has been added to my list as satisfying.

Here's what I loved most about the story. Connor is strong for a girl and it's her strength that endears you to her. I loved the family interactions. Thank goodness for the author for not presenting a totally dysfunctional family, as this has been written far too many times and becomes mundane to an avid reader as myself. With a strong family to back her up, and plenty of love to boot, Connor is confident in a way that you find yourself proud of this young girl's courage. You're rooting for this teen to overcome the unforeseeable disruption that has invaded her life, quickly changing it perhaps forever.

Here's what I had trouble with. I have noticed a lot of new writers are not tying all loose ends in their plots. Some readers are okay with this. As an author and fiction coach, I'm not, so this part of my review may be biased. This untying of loose ends, it appears, is being done on purpose, as the author wants the readers to buy the next book in the series to get the answers they're looking for. Most series do have that one eternal question that the lead character is searching for. This is not what I'm referring to. It is my personal preference that each book in a series is complete. I won't spend more time explaining this, as it was a good enough book to have me read it in one sitting.

If you like YA with a little twist in the plot, this is definitely the book for you and I don't think you will be disappointed. As mentioned, I'm not a YA fan, but closed this book satisfied. Had it been for loose ends being tied, I would have rated this book five stars.

[Lorraine Adair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Connor is an entertaining book, filled with teenage angst and interesting characters. I'd call it a SciFi/Fantasy coming-of-age story. For creativity, I give it 4-stars. The technical rating comes in at 2-stars. Overall, 3-stars.

There are two distinct parts to the book. The first part, where we get to know Connor, her friends and her outlook on life is well done. The second part, where we learn about Connor's abilities and what it all means, throws a lot at both the characters and the reader without much time to absorb the details. The end felt a little abrupt, like there should have been an epilogue to ease the transition from this book to the next.

For the most part, the technical problems could be resolved with the help of a good editor. The narrative is told in the past tense most of the time, but it slips in and out of present tense enough times to be distracting. In one instance, a sentence began in present tense and ended in past tense. There are also a lot of dropped words, and the closer I got to the end, the more of those I found. There was even one sentence, toward the end of the book, I simply could not understand.

The author introduces a number of words that are specific to her world and follows those words with correct pronunciation in parentheses, in both the narrative and dialog. For example, "Your senses are crand (craund)..." This would be better served with a glossary at the end of the book. Or by spelling the words as they should be pronounced in the first place.

In spite of the technical issues, I really enjoyed the story presented in Connor. I believe Dormaine G. has a wonderful writing style. If she invests in a detail-oriented line editor, and incorporates the recommended changes, the quality of her books will rival traditionally published works.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Connor is a fifteen year old American girl, with a flair for the funny and the sarcastic. She discovers she has special powers, which she finds quite cool seeing as everything else about her seems to be below average and unremarkable. Soon after finding out that she is different, Connor meets Tony, who also has abilities. The two team up, and quickly become friends. Tony introduces her to others of their kind, and the small group embarks upon a mission to get some answers.

The story is told from the first person point of view, and remains consistent throughout. I felt that the character development was done well, and I really engaged with each of them. I found the humour and sarcasm very entertaining. I read this book in one sitting, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it is marred by poor proofreading, and a distinct lack of editing. Both of which let this otherwise brilliant novel down badly. If not for the sheer amount of errors, I would have awarded this five stars. The plot, on the whole, was sound and well put together. However, near the end a massive plot hole appears. Connor's leg is broken, but she is able to jump up, run, and kick within minutes: whereas up until this point it took her at least 24 hours to heal from any injury, including a fairly minor cut to her lip.

With some further attention I could see no problem in upgrading my rating for this book. As it stands I offer three out of five stars. Technical merits aside, I feel I could recommend this author. Especially if you're the kind of reader who isn't too concerned about those issues. This book is a Young Adult Urban Fantasy. One which I feel appeals to teens and growns alike. The ending would indicate that this is the first book of a series, and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to love this - I really really do. It is such an intriguing concept and such an intriguing story. And Connor is an amazing character! She is so feisty and sarcastic. She has such wit and humor. As many of the other reviewers have pointed out this isn’t like a lot of other supernatural books that have come out recently - there is a real dark humor to this that is wonderful to see. It doesn’t take itself too seriously - everything is not life or death even when we are dealing with life and death. And I love that. There are so many points throughout where I found myself laughing or biting my nails in anticipation. That is the other thing that I love - there are so many suspenseful moments throughout, so many twists and turns.

Now the reason that I can only like this rather than love it is has more to the do with the editing than the actual story itself. There were so many moments throughout where something would happen only to be completely turned or around or just plan ignored on the next page - for instance in a later scene someone breaks their leg but then continues fighting as if nothing has happened. And things like that happen quite often throughout. Also while the story was intriguing it felt at times that there where too many coincidences - too many times where things just happened to work out in ways that would lead to the next scene. Don’t get me wrong that is what a story is supposed to do - move forward, it just felt like many of those instances were forced, as if the author wanted to get us to certain places without regard to how we got there.

Again this is not to say that I did not like this. I really did! I just couldn’t fall in love with it. I am anxious to read the next book (there simply has to be a next book after this ending) and I know that it will only get better!

[Sahara Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of 15 year old Connor when she suddenly realizes she has supernatural powers. She soon discovers she is not alone. With the help of other teens like herself, Tony, Willow, Bryon, Cheyenne and Scott, they search for the answers to their heritage. They meet up with Keepers who help them stave off the villains. Along the way, she runs across her Destiny, Ronin.

There are numerous plot twists and it’s definitely a precursor to a sequel. The author mixes fun and playfulness with dark and scary. I enjoyed the water fight between Connor and her younger brother, Reptile Boy. And the time Connor spent with Tony at the amusement park and some of the rides they shared. Then there was the creeping sneaking into Carting House. Unfortunately, there was an inconsistency at the end. When Connor broke her leg, she was still able to run and jump. Prior to that, any injuries she sustained took her at least a day to heal.

It took me awhile to get into Connor’s head, but once I did, I enjoyed her character. Most of the main characters had depth to them, but I most agree with some other reviewers, there were just too many of them introduced at the end and it became mishmash. But I did understand why the villains were there and what they wanted from the teenagers.

The writing needs some work. Parts of the story were written very professional and other times at an amateurish level. And I’m not just talking about the interaction between the teens, but some of the action scenes and dialogues between the adults. There were also too many proofreading and grammar errors. If not for these factors, I would have given 4 stars. Now it will be 3 stars. I would recommend this story for a fun, entertaining read.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy, the author can write adolescent angst just as well as Judy Blume, if not more contemporary, since it is decades later now. I loved the first half of the story, when the main character, Connor, navigates adolescence with her pesky younger brother, approval-seeking sister, and her conventional and understanding parents. I loved her laments at how "different" she is and how she did not fit in, but has a relentlessly optimistic outlook. If this author ever chooses to go the path of young adult like Judy Blume, I would definitely read that book.

The science fiction plot is not as rigid as the adolescent plot. The powers she discovers in herself are intriguing, but not particularly clear or applicable. Also, by the end of the book, it veers into a confusing plot of clashing agendas of those with super powers. There was a large cast of characters by the end of the book, with the five (then six) superpower teenagers becoming accompanied by adult guardians and villains. Also, it seemed there was an awful lot of sneaking into strangers' homes, especially snooping in basements. By the end, I wasn't sure what the villains wanted, and why they were so eager to capture the superpower teenagers, and why they didn't seize the opportunity as apparently they knew all along that these teenagers had powers and lived in ordinary homes.

A more sharp and visually arresting cover would help too!

This story has a lot of potential, though. For sure, this author has teenage angst down pat and Connor is a very likeable character, and I laughed out loud at some of her witty observations.

[Charles Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sasha Esquibel, aka Connor, is a fifteen-year-old high school student with a secret. Not your usual teen secret – Connor has a special power. And, she is not alone. There are others like her. Some are her friends and allies, and some her mortal enemies. As if this is not challenging enough, she is blessed with boringly normal parents (who are not her actual parents), a popular older sister, and a bratty little brother.
Dormaine G’s Connor is a science fiction story for young adult readers that is really two books in one. The first part introduces us to Connor as she discovers her special power, while the second part takes us on her adventure to survive this discovery. Interesting descriptions that show the problems that teenagers have to live with, and a pretty good ear for dialogue mark this as a good read. I would call it a great read but for the too abrupt transition from part one to part two, and the introduction of so many new characters in the second half without any hints early on of their impending arrivals.
Okay, I’ve pointed out what I think is a flaw in what is otherwise a truly entertaining story with more twists than the roller coaster at Coney Island. The author does a good job of switching between humor and horror (well, not exactly horror, but some pretty dark and dangerous stuff). Calls to mind my own teen years.
This book, I believe, foreshadows Dormaine G’s potential as a writer of paranormal and sci-fi for young adults, so keep an eye out for the next offering.

[Leisl Kaberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Connor' was an enticing read that started off slowly but ended with a bang.
Completely ordinary but feisty black girl, Connor, believes she has a mundane life with run of the mill parents and typically annoying siblings. Her life seems anything but extraordinary. That is until an incident at school reveals an incredible ability she has and this sudden knowledge opens her up to a world around her that she never knew existed. Suddenly Connor's ordinary existence is far from what she could ever have imagined.
In my opinion this book is written for a younger teenage audience, it's style is quirky and sarcastic, written in a language teens that age would appreciate and associate with the teen issues it deals with.
While I'm not usually a fan of books written in first person, Connor's angsty sarcasm and wit grew on me and I found it intriguing watching the hidden world around her unravel through her eyes.
As a debut novel by the author, I think she does a good job taking the reader on an adventure that opens one up to believing the impossible. There is a lot of character development in the first part of the book, helping the reader engage with the teenage trials of Connor but once secrets are explored and many questions begin to be answered, the book keeps you on your toes to the very end.

[Janette Hawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a high 3 star rating (don't you wish they'd at least let you put in a half star mark as well sometimes!) for a good paranormal YA romp with wise-cracking, head-banging Connor, who discovers she has superpowers and, more disturbingly, that she isn't who she thinks she is, or rather her family aren't her family.

This is a pacey, punchy story with plenty of action, laced through with teen wit and awkwardness that rings true for any fifteen year old (or is she?) girl growing up fast and furious who finds out that when she sometimes feels as though she's disappeared off everyone's radar she literally HAS! Luckily she's not the only one and soon fellow invisible schoolmate Tony introduces her to several other teens who also have more extraordinary gifts which at least prepares Connor for finding a few more of her own.

The writing is action-packed and witty, which mostly makes up for some stylistic glitches and continuity gaffes that can jar at times but are easily forgiven as the characterisation is always believable and engaging to match the speed of the main storyline . YA is not my favourite genre, but this got my thumbs up because I love homo superior storylines and possibly alien conspiracies in store because I've no doubt Connor is going to be back again for at least one more outing, as her future rolls out and her past unravels some more.

[Karl Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor starts off a bit slow, but the pace accelerates to light speed by the end. Getting into the mind of this young woman wrestling with typical teen angst and some very unusual circumstances is a joy. She is having a tough time dealing with the normal issues all teens face, but comes face to face with the bizarre truth that she is not a normal teen at all.

The plot leads Connor from her school, family and friends into a reality with inhuman powers and beasts from deep within the author's imagination, threatening to destroy everything she knows and possibly her own death. The author paints vivid (and often gross) scenes where Connor and her new friends must find a way to stay alive and protect one another. After reading this, I think you will be looking forward to book 2 as much as I.

If I must say something negative, there are some grammatical issues. I am not the type to care so much about that, but after having been eviscerated in reviews myself for such problems in one of my books, I wanted to point that out. If that doesn't matter to you, you will love this book. It's an easy read and a lot of fun.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads for an honest review.***

Okay, I just finished it, and I need to know what happens. Please Dormaine G. write and publish the next book soon. It is a great story. If you're a fan of science fiction and strong heroines, this is the book for you. Even if you're not a fan of science fiction, it's still a great story that you should read.I loved Conner, she is sarcastic and funny, but it's not overly done. I loved most of the characters, especially Conner and Tony. I would have to say Tony is my favorite character though. The ending came too soon, and there are so many unanswered/not completely answered questions at the end that I want to know. All in all, this book is great and if you haven't read it yet, read it and then recommend it to all people that read books. I totally recommend this book, and cannot wait for the next one (I'll be watching for it).

[V. Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor is a typical teenage girl, stuck in the middle of her family life. Literally. Until the day comes when she discovers she’s not so ordinary after all. She has incredible abilities, like turning herself invisible. As she sorts through the regular teenage angst that youth are prone to, she also has to figure out what to do with these new abilities. As she muddles her way through, Connor befriends some other young people who she finds are more like her than she would have guessed.

This book is excellent. It hooked me from the first page. Not only that, but prior to picking up this book, I’ve never read any science fiction work and didn’t have an interest in the genre. Now, though, I am counting the days until the sequel comes out! The storyline is compelling, the plot twists surprised me and I couldn’t put Connor down until I read the very last page.

Connor is a 4 ½ star read for sure! Pick up your copy of Dormaine G.’s great sci-fi adventure! You’ll be glad you did!

[Nicholas Rossis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We sci-fi/fantasy authors can take our selves too seriously sometimes, what with the saving the world typical of our genre and all that. In Dormaine's book, a fifteen-year old girl discovers she has super powers - and I can hear some of you yawn already. Yet, you shouldn't, for this is not your usual YA yarn.

Dormaine writes in a witty, engaging way, breathing new life into the genre with her sarcastic heroine that doesn't take herself too seriously. Peppered with descriptions like "more people were here now than before, since the sun no longer instantaneously burst you into flames; it only slowly melted you", this was just the right kind of tongue-in-cheek, yet suspenseful read.

The ending rapidly expanded the scope of the story, exchanging the previously casual style in favour of a more dramatic one, and I for one am very curious to see where the next book takes us.