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Influence
If you could manipulate reality, would you?
Seventeen-year-old Kaylin has been on the run, hiding her untapped abilities for six years, but rescuing a mysterious guy risks exposing the depths of her power. The manipulative sector groups hunt her kind. Life has never been easy, but resisting is even harder. This harsh, new world will no longer allow her to remain hidden.
In a future where greed and corruption has torn American society apart; these relentless sector groups prey on powerful youths to mold the populace to expand their reach. Young people with the ability to shift the mindset of others are high-value targets. War is waging to expand and control this new world. Influencers, as they're called, hold the key to humanity's future.
Will fighting back cost Kaylin everything?
Influence is the first novel in the Influence series, a sci-fi, dystopian epic with a touch of romance, loads of fast-paced action, with a unique story concept. If you are a Maze Runner or Divergent fan than this is the book is for you!
Buy Influence today to read a YA Dystopian/Light Romance that will leave you hungry for more!290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 17, 2016
Great debut novel. Fantastic cover art.
I picked this book up on pre-order and read it right away. The premise of Influence is great and I loved the relationship between characters. If you love post-apocalyptic/dystopian style stories for young adults this is a perfect book for your next read!
I picked this book up on pre-order and read it right away. The premise of Influence is great and I loved the relationship between characters. If you love post-apocalyptic/dystopian style stories for young adults this is a perfect book for your next read!
January 28, 2017
Set 30 years into a dystopian future, there are individuals that have the ability to alter people's reality. Invading a person's, or group of people's minds, they can 'push' their thoughts onto others and influence them. This ability is highly sought from the leaders of the various evil sectors that are vying for absolute control of the land.
After a harrowing experience in an orphanage six years ago while using her push ability, Kaylin is an influencer who has been on the run ever since. Along with her best friend Amanda, she has been trying to stay under the radar, and keep her ability hidden from the sectors. That all changes the day she rescues a young man who just happens to be a recruiter, by any means possible, for one of the largest sectors around.
'Influence' is a unique story unlike the normal run of the mill YA dystopians. The author presents a wholly believable world that is both interesting and frightening. The premise that there are influencer's that could alter a person's perception and reality, causing them to do one's bidding, was a wonderful concept. The scenes that depicted these influences, or pushes, were written vividly. The characters were diverse both in personality and abilities, which led to a nicely well rounded cast. The ending contained a well placed twist that sets up nicely for book two.
I did have a couple issues with the storyline though. The first was it being written in the first person POV. Being written from Kaylin's POV boggled it down towards the middle and end as it overly describes her thoughts or feelings, and being stuck in her head become almost monotonous. Also the romance aspect didn't quite work well for me personally. I know that a romance is pretty much expected in most YA dystopian novels, but the all too quick switch from betrayal and distrust, to crush level, was something that could have been developed in a smoother and more believable way. Coupled with all Kaylin's thoughts on her newly discovered crush, I felt like it distracted from the storyline versus propelling in forward.
Nonetheless, this is a debut book from a brand new author. Despite my own personal couple of gripes, I think this author shows quite a bit of promise, and things like pacing will work itself out with more practice. Overall it's a well, and cleanly written story that is both suitable and appealing to a young adult audience.
After a harrowing experience in an orphanage six years ago while using her push ability, Kaylin is an influencer who has been on the run ever since. Along with her best friend Amanda, she has been trying to stay under the radar, and keep her ability hidden from the sectors. That all changes the day she rescues a young man who just happens to be a recruiter, by any means possible, for one of the largest sectors around.
'Influence' is a unique story unlike the normal run of the mill YA dystopians. The author presents a wholly believable world that is both interesting and frightening. The premise that there are influencer's that could alter a person's perception and reality, causing them to do one's bidding, was a wonderful concept. The scenes that depicted these influences, or pushes, were written vividly. The characters were diverse both in personality and abilities, which led to a nicely well rounded cast. The ending contained a well placed twist that sets up nicely for book two.
I did have a couple issues with the storyline though. The first was it being written in the first person POV. Being written from Kaylin's POV boggled it down towards the middle and end as it overly describes her thoughts or feelings, and being stuck in her head become almost monotonous. Also the romance aspect didn't quite work well for me personally. I know that a romance is pretty much expected in most YA dystopian novels, but the all too quick switch from betrayal and distrust, to crush level, was something that could have been developed in a smoother and more believable way. Coupled with all Kaylin's thoughts on her newly discovered crush, I felt like it distracted from the storyline versus propelling in forward.
Nonetheless, this is a debut book from a brand new author. Despite my own personal couple of gripes, I think this author shows quite a bit of promise, and things like pacing will work itself out with more practice. Overall it's a well, and cleanly written story that is both suitable and appealing to a young adult audience.
September 23, 2016
Influence is an action-packed adventure set in a dystopian world where the youth of the country are sometimes imbued with the power to "push." They are called influencers, and they have the ability to join and sometimes take over the consciousness of other people. Evil faction leaders use these young people to control the masses, hoping to gain power.
This debut novel by David R. Bernstein is well written, well edited an moves at a fast pace to keep you completely submerged in this world he created. I loved the characters, who were well developed and relatable. Kaylin must push past her fears to become the badass everyone else already knows she is. There is a lot of action, a small touch of romance, and an intriguing twist at the end that leaves you hungry for more.
Overall, I give this book two thumbs up! I can't wait to read book 2!
This debut novel by David R. Bernstein is well written, well edited an moves at a fast pace to keep you completely submerged in this world he created. I loved the characters, who were well developed and relatable. Kaylin must push past her fears to become the badass everyone else already knows she is. There is a lot of action, a small touch of romance, and an intriguing twist at the end that leaves you hungry for more.
Overall, I give this book two thumbs up! I can't wait to read book 2!
September 17, 2016
I received Influence as a free copy from the author. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. An excellent dystopian -style YA read. Characters were well developed, and while young (late teens, early twenties for the most part), they weren't obnoxiously childish. A solid plot is unveiled slowly, although this doesn't mean the pacing is slow-- in fact, Influence was non-stop action from the very start and never let up.
August 23, 2016
Review to come...but let me tell you, once you start reading, you WILL. GET. HOOKED!!!!
August 29, 2016
A promising start to a new dystopian series.
Read my full review on YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
Read my full review on YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
March 26, 2019
Personal Response:
I was upset by the ending of the book when Miya revealed that she was secretly working for the Vernon Society. I was also sad when Kaylin had to leave with Jax at the end of the book and she never got the chance to say goodbye to Amanda. I also wonder how they are going to tell Ava about Maddux.
Summary:
In the book Influence certain people have the ability to influence people. This is the act of altering a person's reality and change what they see and/or think. The book follows Kaylin as she learns to use her power and joins a resistance group with the goal to take down the Magnus Order. To elaborate, the Magnus Order is a group who threatens Influencers and forces them to alter the reality of others for the Orders own personal gain. As Kaylin joins the group she gets a boyfriend named Farren and creates many new friends. With the help of Kaylin, the group takes down one of the Magnus Orders main facilities but is betrayed by one of the group’s leaders who were secretly working for the Vernon Society. This is the main competitor of the Magnus Order. As this all happens Kaylin finds out about her family and their location. In the end, she leaves with her new found brother Jax to go find their mother and father.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this book to seventh graders and above more specifically 7th through 10th grade. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian book such as Divergent. Any reader should be aware of the fact that there is a lot of action with a side of romance.
I was upset by the ending of the book when Miya revealed that she was secretly working for the Vernon Society. I was also sad when Kaylin had to leave with Jax at the end of the book and she never got the chance to say goodbye to Amanda. I also wonder how they are going to tell Ava about Maddux.
Summary:
In the book Influence certain people have the ability to influence people. This is the act of altering a person's reality and change what they see and/or think. The book follows Kaylin as she learns to use her power and joins a resistance group with the goal to take down the Magnus Order. To elaborate, the Magnus Order is a group who threatens Influencers and forces them to alter the reality of others for the Orders own personal gain. As Kaylin joins the group she gets a boyfriend named Farren and creates many new friends. With the help of Kaylin, the group takes down one of the Magnus Orders main facilities but is betrayed by one of the group’s leaders who were secretly working for the Vernon Society. This is the main competitor of the Magnus Order. As this all happens Kaylin finds out about her family and their location. In the end, she leaves with her new found brother Jax to go find their mother and father.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this book to seventh graders and above more specifically 7th through 10th grade. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian book such as Divergent. Any reader should be aware of the fact that there is a lot of action with a side of romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2017
was given an Audible copy of this book by the narrator/author/publisher & chose to review it.
First of all, the narration was great! It was easy to listen to the book & keep track of the characters because of the different inflections that the narrator used. Without the talent of the narrator, this would have been a much less enjoyable book.
Maybe I am becoming a little jaded because of all of the dystopian YA books that I have read, but this book didn't really have anything new to offer. A bunch of kids with superhuman ability decides to take down the evil government. Throw in some unknown relatives & violence & you have just another dystopian tale. Even the name of the group is unoriginal: The Resistance.
We are never told what led to the different factions, how they came to power, or anything else about the cause of the evil. Not a bad book, but nothing really exciting.
First of all, the narration was great! It was easy to listen to the book & keep track of the characters because of the different inflections that the narrator used. Without the talent of the narrator, this would have been a much less enjoyable book.
Maybe I am becoming a little jaded because of all of the dystopian YA books that I have read, but this book didn't really have anything new to offer. A bunch of kids with superhuman ability decides to take down the evil government. Throw in some unknown relatives & violence & you have just another dystopian tale. Even the name of the group is unoriginal: The Resistance.
We are never told what led to the different factions, how they came to power, or anything else about the cause of the evil. Not a bad book, but nothing really exciting.
November 29, 2017
I needed a good YA, lets-drop-in, have-a-bit-of-fun story and this fit perfectly.
Sure, there was some huge things I thought shouldn't have happened, but isn't that the joy of fiction?
Basically - was fun.
Sure, there was some huge things I thought shouldn't have happened, but isn't that the joy of fiction?
Basically - was fun.
March 28, 2017
All I have to say is WHY!!!!! And the second book can not get here fast enough!!!
April 4, 2018
Entertaing read
Read this on a cold dreary day off. Kept me entertained and not wanting to put it down. Now on to the next in series!
Read this on a cold dreary day off. Kept me entertained and not wanting to put it down. Now on to the next in series!
September 23, 2016
I loved the cover and was intrigued by the blurb, so I bought this book as a birthday gift for myself and I’m so glad I did. Right from the very beginning Influence jumps right into action when Kaylin and her best friend Amanda find themselves knee deep in a potentially bad situation when they discover whom exactly it is they just rescued. Throw in Kaylin’s “push” ability, two sides of a war fighting for control over what’s left of the world, and you’ve got a fast paced story you can’t put down. And the ending…wow…what a perfect twist to set up book two. Can’t wait to read the next installment.
August 24, 2016
This was a great read for me. The writing was very good and captivating.
The relationships between all the characters were fluid and well written. I enjoyed the relationships between Kaylin and Amanda and Kaylin and Farren.
Although I suspected some of the things that happened during the book, it still surprised me when they did happen because you just weren't sure.
The ending was done amazingly well and left me looking forward to the next book in this series.
The relationships between all the characters were fluid and well written. I enjoyed the relationships between Kaylin and Amanda and Kaylin and Farren.
Although I suspected some of the things that happened during the book, it still surprised me when they did happen because you just weren't sure.
The ending was done amazingly well and left me looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 1, 2016
I absolutely loved this story. In the midst of a move, I could not put this book down. This dystopian society is unlike any others that I have come across. And it will captivate you from page one! There is no area if this story that does not keep you wanting more, not even the first chapter. You just dive right into the action and keep riding that wave until the last page. I am beyond excited to read the rest of this series!
February 6, 2017
Good idea, poor execution
I almost didn't finish this book, I felt the dialogue to be contrived and sometimes I felt that this male author forgot he was writing from a female perspective. I also felt the author could benefit from a thesaurus. I was getting tired of the word evil being over used. I get it, Magnus=bad. But he never really explains WHY they are bad. I probably won't read the next book because I never really felt invested in the characters or the plot.
I almost didn't finish this book, I felt the dialogue to be contrived and sometimes I felt that this male author forgot he was writing from a female perspective. I also felt the author could benefit from a thesaurus. I was getting tired of the word evil being over used. I get it, Magnus=bad. But he never really explains WHY they are bad. I probably won't read the next book because I never really felt invested in the characters or the plot.
January 31, 2017
Could have been good
Influence could have been better. The dialogue felt pushed-pun intended. I loved it in the beginning, then it just kept falling off. I started to disconnect from all of the characters. It was just redundant and too fast a pace to feel invested anymore. I ended up skimming the other half of the book and it's cheesy dialogue. The ending I saw coming. Just could have been better. Doubt I will ever read book two.
Influence could have been better. The dialogue felt pushed-pun intended. I loved it in the beginning, then it just kept falling off. I started to disconnect from all of the characters. It was just redundant and too fast a pace to feel invested anymore. I ended up skimming the other half of the book and it's cheesy dialogue. The ending I saw coming. Just could have been better. Doubt I will ever read book two.
November 30, 2016
Exciting! Captivating! Couldn't put it down! The characters were extremely well developed and the story just flowed. The action scenes were so descriptive and the conversation so real. I really believed I was in Kaylin's head and feeling her emotions, seeing with her eyes and going through what she experienced. A book for teens and on up. Can't wait now for book 2.
November 14, 2016
Awesome
This book is a fantastic book. If your looking for a book that's hard to put down look no further. I read 21 Chapters straight I just couldn't release it from my grip until the end! In reality this book deserves 10 stars!
This book is a fantastic book. If your looking for a book that's hard to put down look no further. I read 21 Chapters straight I just couldn't release it from my grip until the end! In reality this book deserves 10 stars!
August 24, 2016
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book, the characters were easy to identify with and the storyline was really good. I will definitely read the next book in this series.
I enjoyed reading this book, the characters were easy to identify with and the storyline was really good. I will definitely read the next book in this series.
January 17, 2020
Title: Influence
Author: David R. Bernstein
Publisher: Torment Publishing
ISBN: B01JQZ8YWU
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Influence 1
If you could manipulate the reality of others, would you?
Seventeen-year-old Kaylin has been on the run, hiding her untapped abilities for six years, but rescuing a mysterious guy risks exposing the depths of her power. The manipulative sector groups hunt her kind. Life has never been easy, but resisting is even harder. This harsh, new world will no longer allow her to remain hidden.
In a future where greed and corruption has torn American society apart; these relentless sector groups prey on powerful youths to mold the populace to expand their reach. Young people with the ability to shift the mindset of others are high-value targets. War is waging to expand and control this new world. Influencers, as they're called, hold the key to humanity's future.
Will fighting back cost Kaylin everything?
Influence is the first novel in the Influence series, a sci-fi, dystopian epic with a touch of romance, loads of fast-paced action, with a unique story concept. If you are a Maze Runner or Divergent fan than this is the book is for you!
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Kaylin has been on the run with Amanda for years after her first push ability occurred as a child. In their world the powerful sector groups locate and appropriate any child who shows an ability to influence or regular people into doing whatever they want through mind control. The threat increases until Kaylin is forced to join the resistance or become a pawn of a sector group. Kaylin learns that understanding what her push ability truly and how to use it could be the tipping point for either the resistance or the downfall of humanity if the sector groups prevail.
This is a grim look at one possible future and the strength of human nature. Instead of giving up the Influencers continue to fight in spite of the overwhelming odds against them. This is an incredible first book in a new series. The audio-book brought the characters to life as it drew the reading into the suspense and danger as it unfolded.
I received a free audio-book for an honest review.
Author: David R. Bernstein
Publisher: Torment Publishing
ISBN: B01JQZ8YWU
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Influence 1
If you could manipulate the reality of others, would you?
Seventeen-year-old Kaylin has been on the run, hiding her untapped abilities for six years, but rescuing a mysterious guy risks exposing the depths of her power. The manipulative sector groups hunt her kind. Life has never been easy, but resisting is even harder. This harsh, new world will no longer allow her to remain hidden.
In a future where greed and corruption has torn American society apart; these relentless sector groups prey on powerful youths to mold the populace to expand their reach. Young people with the ability to shift the mindset of others are high-value targets. War is waging to expand and control this new world. Influencers, as they're called, hold the key to humanity's future.
Will fighting back cost Kaylin everything?
Influence is the first novel in the Influence series, a sci-fi, dystopian epic with a touch of romance, loads of fast-paced action, with a unique story concept. If you are a Maze Runner or Divergent fan than this is the book is for you!
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Kaylin has been on the run with Amanda for years after her first push ability occurred as a child. In their world the powerful sector groups locate and appropriate any child who shows an ability to influence or regular people into doing whatever they want through mind control. The threat increases until Kaylin is forced to join the resistance or become a pawn of a sector group. Kaylin learns that understanding what her push ability truly and how to use it could be the tipping point for either the resistance or the downfall of humanity if the sector groups prevail.
This is a grim look at one possible future and the strength of human nature. Instead of giving up the Influencers continue to fight in spite of the overwhelming odds against them. This is an incredible first book in a new series. The audio-book brought the characters to life as it drew the reading into the suspense and danger as it unfolded.
I received a free audio-book for an honest review.
November 10, 2019
More dystopian than sci-fi but interesting all the same
The story started out a bit confusing for me. At the very start a power is mentioned that I couldn’t quite fill in as to what and how. The story begins when Kaylin (this book is told from her perspective) tells about not being able ‘to sense his awareness’ like she normally can with everyone when she sees a boy or a man hanging from a signpost. I couldn’t quite “jump in” with that, couldn’t fathom how to fill in that power she has.
It gave for a rocky start that lead me to restart this book after I got a bit more information about said power.
I do believe it was my inactive brain at the time that made it a bit confusing at first because after that rocky start (which actually didn’t last long at all) I never saw (or heard) a problem anywhere.
It’s quite a powerful story. It’s so easy to abuse the power to be able to Influence someone’s awareness, their view on reality, including themselves. Those abilities are really dangerous, in the wrong hands even lethal.
So it’s completely understandable that Kaylin and her best friend Amanda are on the run from the corporations that have taken over the world since the fall of the normal world, the normal government and society, all because of such Influencers.
Influencers like Kaylin.
After Kaylin’s first “push” (as the acts of using that power is called) at age 11 when they both were living in the sort of orphanage corporation, Amanda knew they had to run. 5 years older than Kaylin, Amanda had already seen the horrors the corporations could do with the use of such Influencers. Influencers like Kaylin. Amanda knows the orphanages are built to detect these highly valuable Influencers and Kaylin’s push would not go by undetected. So they ran. And kept on running.
Six years later they’re still on the run when they spot this strange boy, seemingly dead by dehydration in the heat but even dead people have this faint sort of “echo” that Kaylin’s mind normally can pick up but this boy is giving her nothing. So she investigates and saves him from actually dying by dragging him into the shade and giving him water. De sci-fi comes into view for the first time when he comes to and is able to grab his pack and takes out these advanced hydration bars. Nifty things, those hydration bars! They’re way better than what our energy bars give us in forms of energy lol. But anyway, moving on.
What follows is a story filled with always having to be alert, danger, captures and rescues, some awesome powers (well, as long as the good guys are using them, the bad ones impressive but no fun of course) and plans to evade and take down the biggest and most gruesome corporation that has taken his place in the world by misusing those early drafted, manipulated and forced Influencers, all in a fast paced read with a little bit of nifty things but otherwise not much science fiction. Maybe that will change in the continuation of this series but I like it like this so no change is necessary. But with that final plottwist I sure am curious to the next part!
The story started out a bit confusing for me. At the very start a power is mentioned that I couldn’t quite fill in as to what and how. The story begins when Kaylin (this book is told from her perspective) tells about not being able ‘to sense his awareness’ like she normally can with everyone when she sees a boy or a man hanging from a signpost. I couldn’t quite “jump in” with that, couldn’t fathom how to fill in that power she has.
It gave for a rocky start that lead me to restart this book after I got a bit more information about said power.
I do believe it was my inactive brain at the time that made it a bit confusing at first because after that rocky start (which actually didn’t last long at all) I never saw (or heard) a problem anywhere.
It’s quite a powerful story. It’s so easy to abuse the power to be able to Influence someone’s awareness, their view on reality, including themselves. Those abilities are really dangerous, in the wrong hands even lethal.
So it’s completely understandable that Kaylin and her best friend Amanda are on the run from the corporations that have taken over the world since the fall of the normal world, the normal government and society, all because of such Influencers.
Influencers like Kaylin.
After Kaylin’s first “push” (as the acts of using that power is called) at age 11 when they both were living in the sort of orphanage corporation, Amanda knew they had to run. 5 years older than Kaylin, Amanda had already seen the horrors the corporations could do with the use of such Influencers. Influencers like Kaylin. Amanda knows the orphanages are built to detect these highly valuable Influencers and Kaylin’s push would not go by undetected. So they ran. And kept on running.
Six years later they’re still on the run when they spot this strange boy, seemingly dead by dehydration in the heat but even dead people have this faint sort of “echo” that Kaylin’s mind normally can pick up but this boy is giving her nothing. So she investigates and saves him from actually dying by dragging him into the shade and giving him water. De sci-fi comes into view for the first time when he comes to and is able to grab his pack and takes out these advanced hydration bars. Nifty things, those hydration bars! They’re way better than what our energy bars give us in forms of energy lol. But anyway, moving on.
What follows is a story filled with always having to be alert, danger, captures and rescues, some awesome powers (well, as long as the good guys are using them, the bad ones impressive but no fun of course) and plans to evade and take down the biggest and most gruesome corporation that has taken his place in the world by misusing those early drafted, manipulated and forced Influencers, all in a fast paced read with a little bit of nifty things but otherwise not much science fiction. Maybe that will change in the continuation of this series but I like it like this so no change is necessary. But with that final plottwist I sure am curious to the next part!
April 30, 2020
Influence by David R. Bernstein is the first book in his YA dystopian series of the same name. I have wanted to read this book for a long time. It’s one of those that is constantly recommended to me so I went in with high expectations. However they were not met. This is more of a reflection of me as the reader than the book. I’ve read too many dystopians, and unfortunately they are all starting to run together.
Influence follows Kaylin, a young teen nomad who stays away from big factions/colonies in an effort to hide her Influencer ability. Not much is revealed about these abilities. Why do some have them and others don’t? What happened to the country that we know live isolated and in factions? What is the threat and why do the characters live in fear and revolt? I’m hoping these answers are revealed as the series progresses. As it is right now, we have a bunch of teens with supernatural abilities, ranging from influencing a person’s actions to telepathy, leading a revolution against the largest faction.
I like Kaylin. She’s a typical teen, despite her influencer ability. This ability makes her a target for all the factions. She is hunted, and as a result never stays in one place to long. When her and her best friend encounter a bounty hunter of sorts on the road, her friend is trapped in the faction walls and the hunter helps Kaylin escape. He knows that this is the girl they’ve all been looking for and exactly what their rebellion needs. Farren is one of those characters that I wanted to like. He’s there for us to (he’s the love interest!), but he fell flat for me. As a result, the relationship the author portrays between Farren and Kaylin feels forced and unnatural.
Overall, Influence was an okay read for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I was somewhere in the middle which made writing this review hard! I plan to read more of the series. I love dystopians, and I’m hopeful that the world-building will be present in the books to come as this one focused more on the character development of Kaylin. While not what I expected, this YA dystopian still held enough interest for me to keep reading.
Now I listened to the audiobook version of this story. The narrator is fantastic. Her infections and tone kept my attention making Influence a quick listen. In fact, I’ll be looking for more audios narrated by her.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, follow the link.
Influence follows Kaylin, a young teen nomad who stays away from big factions/colonies in an effort to hide her Influencer ability. Not much is revealed about these abilities. Why do some have them and others don’t? What happened to the country that we know live isolated and in factions? What is the threat and why do the characters live in fear and revolt? I’m hoping these answers are revealed as the series progresses. As it is right now, we have a bunch of teens with supernatural abilities, ranging from influencing a person’s actions to telepathy, leading a revolution against the largest faction.
I like Kaylin. She’s a typical teen, despite her influencer ability. This ability makes her a target for all the factions. She is hunted, and as a result never stays in one place to long. When her and her best friend encounter a bounty hunter of sorts on the road, her friend is trapped in the faction walls and the hunter helps Kaylin escape. He knows that this is the girl they’ve all been looking for and exactly what their rebellion needs. Farren is one of those characters that I wanted to like. He’s there for us to (he’s the love interest!), but he fell flat for me. As a result, the relationship the author portrays between Farren and Kaylin feels forced and unnatural.
Overall, Influence was an okay read for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. I was somewhere in the middle which made writing this review hard! I plan to read more of the series. I love dystopians, and I’m hopeful that the world-building will be present in the books to come as this one focused more on the character development of Kaylin. While not what I expected, this YA dystopian still held enough interest for me to keep reading.
Now I listened to the audiobook version of this story. The narrator is fantastic. Her infections and tone kept my attention making Influence a quick listen. In fact, I’ll be looking for more audios narrated by her.
This review first appeared on Mom with a Reading Problem. To see it and other reviews, follow the link.
November 25, 2016
When a book has a sweet cover like that, who can resist opening it up and peeking at the pages? Certainly not this girl.
So, I eagerly read through "Influence" in pieces. Why? Other obligations. I wouldn't recommend it in the future. My reading was a hot mess of an experience. I read a bit from the copy the author sent me, then I purchased the book and read it from there. I alternated between copies of the book, and read (and wrote!) another book during my reading of Influence. It's fair to say it takes a strong book to stick through all of that. And Influence stands up to it. I do recommend though reading it all by itself and not making it jockey for your attention. It's worth it.
Other than some stilted dialogue and my love-hate relationship with Kaylin (the main character), everything about the book is strong. Action, action, action. From page one, the reader is dragged into the world where Influencers have control of the minds of the masses. Hunted from childhood, some Influencers are on the run because they don't want to be used by a cruel establishment. This is where we meet Kaylin - on the run with her best friend Amanda.
Well-planned and enjoyably written. Everything comes back to play. Details are well thought out and introduced seamlessly. The flow is beautiful.
The characters are all very interesting. I would like to see novellas about their pasts - particularly Ava (my favorite) and Jax. I wasn't always wild about Kaylin. She's so super powerful but so immature at times that I found myself annoyed with her. There's a lot of duality with her that perhaps could be traced to her past, which looks like we are going to read more about in Book 2.
And yes, when I read book 2, it will be in one solid experience like it deserves. :)
So, I eagerly read through "Influence" in pieces. Why? Other obligations. I wouldn't recommend it in the future. My reading was a hot mess of an experience. I read a bit from the copy the author sent me, then I purchased the book and read it from there. I alternated between copies of the book, and read (and wrote!) another book during my reading of Influence. It's fair to say it takes a strong book to stick through all of that. And Influence stands up to it. I do recommend though reading it all by itself and not making it jockey for your attention. It's worth it.
Other than some stilted dialogue and my love-hate relationship with Kaylin (the main character), everything about the book is strong. Action, action, action. From page one, the reader is dragged into the world where Influencers have control of the minds of the masses. Hunted from childhood, some Influencers are on the run because they don't want to be used by a cruel establishment. This is where we meet Kaylin - on the run with her best friend Amanda.
Well-planned and enjoyably written. Everything comes back to play. Details are well thought out and introduced seamlessly. The flow is beautiful.
The characters are all very interesting. I would like to see novellas about their pasts - particularly Ava (my favorite) and Jax. I wasn't always wild about Kaylin. She's so super powerful but so immature at times that I found myself annoyed with her. There's a lot of duality with her that perhaps could be traced to her past, which looks like we are going to read more about in Book 2.
And yes, when I read book 2, it will be in one solid experience like it deserves. :)
November 4, 2019
This book reminds me a lot of The Darkest Minds. While I say that, it does have it's own twist and flair. Influencers are no longer the people on the internet who make you want to buy things; in this time period, they are those with a special ability referred to as Push. Certain teens have the ability to influence the emotions and thoughts of those around them. Need to sow seeds of discord? Use an influencer. Make a crowd feel content so they don't riot? Once again, an Influencer.
As you might imagine, corporations want to use these teens to their full extent. Kaylin has been on the run for 6 years trying to keep her ability secret. But when her friend is captured all bets are off.
Influencer has a good premise but blends into the so many books that are ready printed. It seems that every dystopian novel needs a female lead with a special power and then their faith is test by both a boy and a friend. Influencer has a lot of potential to be better and I look forward to see how it truly differentiates itself in further novels. I already read the prequel; I know the material can stand on it's own.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes the more science fiction side of dystopian worlds but for those who aren't big on the genre wouldn't care too much for it.
I was provided an audio copy of this book my the author; all opinions are my own.
As you might imagine, corporations want to use these teens to their full extent. Kaylin has been on the run for 6 years trying to keep her ability secret. But when her friend is captured all bets are off.
Influencer has a good premise but blends into the so many books that are ready printed. It seems that every dystopian novel needs a female lead with a special power and then their faith is test by both a boy and a friend. Influencer has a lot of potential to be better and I look forward to see how it truly differentiates itself in further novels. I already read the prequel; I know the material can stand on it's own.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes the more science fiction side of dystopian worlds but for those who aren't big on the genre wouldn't care too much for it.
I was provided an audio copy of this book my the author; all opinions are my own.
February 12, 2021
I loved the way it ended, even if I wasn't a fan of the story itself. First off, I loved the original idea, with Kaylin's push ability. But the way Bernstein described both it and the action surrounding the novel was just flat out confusing.
It's like one of those situations where you have a sports team with a strong roster but a subpar coach sells them short of their full potential. That's literally what I thought about this work.
However, it was also a fast-paced read containing action at just about every turn. Even if I couldn't stand the way Bernstein described it. Farr too much stage direction. But as I mentioned, I'm glad I stuck it out because the ending was genius.
I just wish I cared more about the characters and that Bernstein took a more minimalist approach with description. Complicated, and unfortunately I didn't have time throughout the week to go back and reread several sections as I had an ARC on deck.
I liked the ending enough to probably read future books. But my disconnect with the characters states that I'm in no rush to continue the series. If I need a stopgap, I'll consider. But who knows? Maybe the next works are rockstar works?
Like I said, I'm glad I stuck this one out, even if I had multiple eye-rolls throughout a few scenes.
It's like one of those situations where you have a sports team with a strong roster but a subpar coach sells them short of their full potential. That's literally what I thought about this work.
However, it was also a fast-paced read containing action at just about every turn. Even if I couldn't stand the way Bernstein described it. Farr too much stage direction. But as I mentioned, I'm glad I stuck it out because the ending was genius.
I just wish I cared more about the characters and that Bernstein took a more minimalist approach with description. Complicated, and unfortunately I didn't have time throughout the week to go back and reread several sections as I had an ARC on deck.
I liked the ending enough to probably read future books. But my disconnect with the characters states that I'm in no rush to continue the series. If I need a stopgap, I'll consider. But who knows? Maybe the next works are rockstar works?
Like I said, I'm glad I stuck this one out, even if I had multiple eye-rolls throughout a few scenes.
August 25, 2017
Interesting, unique idea, and I enjoyed the futuristic elements. There's a lot going on in this book, and I enjoyed all the action. I would've liked a bit more character development and one on one interaction between main characters, so I felt more connected with the characters, but I do like all the characters, and I really enjoyed the different powers some of the characters have. Kaylin is a strong character, and she has to deal with a lot in order to survive. She's been on her own, fighting to hide her powers since she was a little girl, but she has maintained a sense of hope. Kaylin falls in with a resistance group, and looks to find out more about herself, her past, and how to find a future that won't persecute those similar to her. Entertaining and I'm looking forward to seeing where these characters end up. I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and I think the narrator did a good job, she has a younger sounding voice that I feel fit the character of Kaylin, and she did a good job with the other characters.
July 3, 2018
I had high expectations after reading the introduction but it just never "captured my interest." The story line was predictable and so were the characters. Amanda was the good friend and I liked her attitude but their history together was never really divulged so it was hard to care about the characters. I did not feel that there was enough of a romantic connection between Farren and Kaylin to make the romance believable. Kaylin was not very consistent with her beliefs and seemed to change her mind quite a bit without really rationalizing the reasons why she made those choices. There were some good action scenes and the pace picked up later in the book but it just lacked that magical something that makes a book so hard to put down, even the ending did not come as a surprise.
November 7, 2019
Can’t connect to characters
I stopped reading this at the 75% mark. I can’t connect to the characters. The girl sounds unbelievably educated give her background, and the use of first person perspective doesn’t help. The use of present tense makes it worse, as it isn’t utilized to bring any kind of excitement. The main character feels off and disconnected. It’s about as exciting as if she were narrating the weather, not a rebellion.
Sentences feel awkwardly short. The narration feels like narration and just isn’t pulling me in. Review is written to warn myself not to bother if I run across this again.
I stopped reading this at the 75% mark. I can’t connect to the characters. The girl sounds unbelievably educated give her background, and the use of first person perspective doesn’t help. The use of present tense makes it worse, as it isn’t utilized to bring any kind of excitement. The main character feels off and disconnected. It’s about as exciting as if she were narrating the weather, not a rebellion.
Sentences feel awkwardly short. The narration feels like narration and just isn’t pulling me in. Review is written to warn myself not to bother if I run across this again.
November 27, 2016
Kaylin and Amanda had been on there own for years since Kaylin found out she had the ability to push. Now they find a man who looks like he is dead. After realizing he is not dead and giving him some water they go to leave only to have him ask to go alone. Farren is not trusted by Amanda or Kaylin and when he turns them in to the Magnus order they feel betrayed. Once Kaylin is able to escape he finds her again and gets her to agree to help get rid of the Magnus now she is in a fight for her life but is Farrin what he says he is and can she trust this group
November 8, 2019
Influence is a fun new twist on post-apocalyptic ya fiction. Filled with people who can influence the minds of other people by using their "push" ability corporations have taken over countries and now the world is in a shambles. 17 year old Kaylin has been able to hide from the all might corporations ever since finding out she is an influencer.... until she and her friend Amanda help a dying boy at the side of the road.
If you love books where teenagers have strange powers and are trying to save the world than give Influence a try. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
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