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Alterations #1
Alterations
Gigi, Ellen, Lilly… three women so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the mysterious Dr. Kite, who offers them an implant that can control their mind.
Will Gigi find her true love? Can Ellen’s miraculous, sudden weight loss bring her romance and self-respect? Can Lilly put her bitter divorce behind her? They’re willing to risk it all to find the happiness they’ve always searched for.
But sometimes your deepest desire can become your worst nightmare.
To continue the story, read "Game Changer": Book 2 of the Alterations Trilogy ...
Will Gigi find her true love? Can Ellen’s miraculous, sudden weight loss bring her romance and self-respect? Can Lilly put her bitter divorce behind her? They’re willing to risk it all to find the happiness they’ve always searched for.
But sometimes your deepest desire can become your worst nightmare.
To continue the story, read "Game Changer": Book 2 of the Alterations Trilogy ...
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2017
19 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Jane Suen
28 books859 followersJane Suen is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mysteries, sci-fi thrillers, short stories, contemporary romance, and crime fiction.
She is a transplant to the South who has taken a liking to grits, iced tea, and snow cones - so she's there to stay.
For more, join her newsletter ➜ https://BookHip.com/FRPLCVT
She is a transplant to the South who has taken a liking to grits, iced tea, and snow cones - so she's there to stay.
For more, join her newsletter ➜ https://BookHip.com/FRPLCVT
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
July 20, 2017
Alterations Jane Suen a fab four star read. It’s only a short book, but it manages to pack so much into the pages, you will be able to read it in one sitting and it will keep you hooked. Set in the near future where things are ever changing, and if you don’t like something, change it. That’s what three woman who aren’t happy with their lives do. Each character has their own issues and problems they face. The similarities are that they each think that what Dr Kite can offer will make them happy.
Gigi, Ellen and Lillie all have issues and want nothing more than an easy option life, who wouldn’t want an implant to make you lose weight, and an implant to make you happy, but as this great fast paced novella shows us, just because you can change something doesn’t always make it perfect. Sometimes there are reasons behind the unhappiness that may not always be apparent, the author has done a great job to explain so much in such a short number of pages.
The interactions of the characters and the general character of Dr Kite has me guessing all the way through, there were things that happen and have you thinking did I read that right, have I missed something, but then in the next page its revealed and you are left with your mouth hanging open thinking how did they do that? It will keep you guessing from 1st page to last, but it’s worth every minute you will spend reading.
Gigi, Ellen and Lillie all have issues and want nothing more than an easy option life, who wouldn’t want an implant to make you lose weight, and an implant to make you happy, but as this great fast paced novella shows us, just because you can change something doesn’t always make it perfect. Sometimes there are reasons behind the unhappiness that may not always be apparent, the author has done a great job to explain so much in such a short number of pages.
The interactions of the characters and the general character of Dr Kite has me guessing all the way through, there were things that happen and have you thinking did I read that right, have I missed something, but then in the next page its revealed and you are left with your mouth hanging open thinking how did they do that? It will keep you guessing from 1st page to last, but it’s worth every minute you will spend reading.
July 17, 2017
I highly enjoyed this short novel. There was not a dull moment and I was able to keep up with the switching between characters with each chapter. For some, this might not work but I think the pacing and storyline leant to this style or writing. The interweaving of the characters was interesting and I will defineatly read more from this author.
July 16, 2017
Those who want to change
“Alterations” by Jane Suen is a curious and compelling book. The narrative holds a reality which in some respects is wholly believable, while in others the reader is almost shocked into non-acceptance. But this adds to the interest of the novella as a whole.
The plot is complex, involving three subsidiary storylines which weave around a central thread, carried by the main male character. It is a clever structural concept, and the author handles it well, particularly at the beginning. However, towards the end, the narrative seems to lose direction. This is probably because the author has written what is a potentially large storyline into the comparatively small scope of the novella, and has found it difficult to construct a well-rounded finale.
The characters also suffer from the limitations of the novella. They tend to be flat, and their interactions with their world are undeveloped. But from time to time there is the hint of considerable character depth which probably would emerge more in a novel.
The world in which the action plays out is well presented, the basic concept of scientific advancement leading to terrible mistakes is intriguing and in general, this novella is well worth a read.
“Alterations” by Jane Suen is a curious and compelling book. The narrative holds a reality which in some respects is wholly believable, while in others the reader is almost shocked into non-acceptance. But this adds to the interest of the novella as a whole.
The plot is complex, involving three subsidiary storylines which weave around a central thread, carried by the main male character. It is a clever structural concept, and the author handles it well, particularly at the beginning. However, towards the end, the narrative seems to lose direction. This is probably because the author has written what is a potentially large storyline into the comparatively small scope of the novella, and has found it difficult to construct a well-rounded finale.
The characters also suffer from the limitations of the novella. They tend to be flat, and their interactions with their world are undeveloped. But from time to time there is the hint of considerable character depth which probably would emerge more in a novel.
The world in which the action plays out is well presented, the basic concept of scientific advancement leading to terrible mistakes is intriguing and in general, this novella is well worth a read.
October 17, 2018
Alterations by Jane Suen was a short novella that left me shocked! It's a science fiction story with lots of suspense and mystery. The storylines are compelling. The three lead females are each going through things and each character is unique. The author does a great job going between each character's story. I think my favorite storyline was Ellen's. I can relate to her struggles with losing weight and wanting badly to be able to lose it. It is amazing that one day we could be doing similar things that happen in this book. These women are so desperate to change their lives they go to this doctor kite and in the end have to deal with the consequences. I found this book to be interesting and unique. I was pretty shocked by the doctors methods and how he did things. Overall I liked it ok. I think this would make for an interesting and weird tv show and would rate it 4 stars.
July 15, 2021
I picked up this book as the story interested me with different characters and I was curious how it would come about as the story progressed.
No questions asked, right from the start, I was more than intrigued. I related to the women of the novel called Ellen, Lilly, and Gigi. All of them had truly different desires and wanted a change and a chance to be happy. This basically from the moment head first intrigued me. The desires were so common as I feel a lot of us feel this every day. One lady wanted to be thinner and her personal body appearance bothered her. Another went through a time in her life where she got divorced and she was unhappy in life and desired to feel joys of living her life again. And last, but the least, the 3rd woman is suffering from a medical illness and she strongly desired to beat it.
All 3 women I found to be very likeable characters and defiantly very relatable. I found myself rooting for them right when I learning about the aspects of their characters.
Dr. Kite, the is the doctor who says he can help them reach their dreams and desires. To be right from is introduction, I was getting the strong vibes he is a doctor mad with power...but how far does that power go? The ladies of this novel wanted their happiness and didn't care the cost, as they truly thought was there to help them reach their inner motives to be happy.
Sadly, as I would expect, these desires and happiness the ladies wanted come with a price. And it turned out to have dire consequences...probably more than and me as well would expect truly! The book was a very fast read, and the author kept the suspense raised up high. I honestly didn't want to put it down. I found there was no pages of filling in with info to carry the story alone. I found every page connected to the one before and the page after it, I hung on to the pages to see what would happen.
Its gripping and will suck you in to say the least. When I got to ending, it was indeed a suspenseful cliff hanger. Now I desperately need to read and get my hands on the rest of the series
I'm so glad I came across this novel and read this this book, and plus now I have a new author I can adore and await more novels from :)
Honestly pick this book up and read it. Its different and original. The story progresses in ways I did not expect or was prepared for. Its visionary it unfolds is strikingly suspenseful, you will only regret not reading this sooner.
Well done to this gifted author :)
No questions asked, right from the start, I was more than intrigued. I related to the women of the novel called Ellen, Lilly, and Gigi. All of them had truly different desires and wanted a change and a chance to be happy. This basically from the moment head first intrigued me. The desires were so common as I feel a lot of us feel this every day. One lady wanted to be thinner and her personal body appearance bothered her. Another went through a time in her life where she got divorced and she was unhappy in life and desired to feel joys of living her life again. And last, but the least, the 3rd woman is suffering from a medical illness and she strongly desired to beat it.
All 3 women I found to be very likeable characters and defiantly very relatable. I found myself rooting for them right when I learning about the aspects of their characters.
Dr. Kite, the is the doctor who says he can help them reach their dreams and desires. To be right from is introduction, I was getting the strong vibes he is a doctor mad with power...but how far does that power go? The ladies of this novel wanted their happiness and didn't care the cost, as they truly thought was there to help them reach their inner motives to be happy.
Sadly, as I would expect, these desires and happiness the ladies wanted come with a price. And it turned out to have dire consequences...probably more than and me as well would expect truly! The book was a very fast read, and the author kept the suspense raised up high. I honestly didn't want to put it down. I found there was no pages of filling in with info to carry the story alone. I found every page connected to the one before and the page after it, I hung on to the pages to see what would happen.
Its gripping and will suck you in to say the least. When I got to ending, it was indeed a suspenseful cliff hanger. Now I desperately need to read and get my hands on the rest of the series
I'm so glad I came across this novel and read this this book, and plus now I have a new author I can adore and await more novels from :)
Honestly pick this book up and read it. Its different and original. The story progresses in ways I did not expect or was prepared for. Its visionary it unfolds is strikingly suspenseful, you will only regret not reading this sooner.
Well done to this gifted author :)
August 30, 2017
This is the first book I have read from this author and it will not be my last. This is a short story but it will keep you interested and wanting more. This is usually not the type of books I normally read but this talented author made me a fan. This story was so addicting it only took me a couple of hours to finish this interesting read.
This story is about three different women Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly. They all have different problems in their lives that they want to fix. Gigi wants to stay healthy and find love. Ellen has been trying to lose weight but now she is at a stand still. Lilly is wanting to look young again. She is also trying to get over a tough divorce. These women don't know each other but they are all go to the same Dr. for help. Dr. Kite hand picks these women and gives them something to fast track their problems away. These women transform into their new selves and they think life is going to be great. They don't know it yet but everything has a price. What price will these women pay for happiness? Will this make all of their dreams come true or will they find themselves in a nightmare?
This book has it all when it comes to a Novella. It is a science fiction with some suspense and mystery. The storyline will keep you reading for more. I love how this author talks about the major desires every woman wants. She makes you realize that everything has a price. We should love ourselves and make the changes for us and not the world. I also love it when authors write their books in different points of views. You get to read about the three women as well as the Dr. I thought the Dr. was like a mad scientist and he really interested me. He was really good at his work but I think he took it a little too far at times. The only thing that I wish the book had was more of an ending. It felt a little rushed in the end probably due to all of the characters she had to end at once. I hope this talented author will give us the next chapter of these very interesting characters.
This story is about three different women Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly. They all have different problems in their lives that they want to fix. Gigi wants to stay healthy and find love. Ellen has been trying to lose weight but now she is at a stand still. Lilly is wanting to look young again. She is also trying to get over a tough divorce. These women don't know each other but they are all go to the same Dr. for help. Dr. Kite hand picks these women and gives them something to fast track their problems away. These women transform into their new selves and they think life is going to be great. They don't know it yet but everything has a price. What price will these women pay for happiness? Will this make all of their dreams come true or will they find themselves in a nightmare?
This book has it all when it comes to a Novella. It is a science fiction with some suspense and mystery. The storyline will keep you reading for more. I love how this author talks about the major desires every woman wants. She makes you realize that everything has a price. We should love ourselves and make the changes for us and not the world. I also love it when authors write their books in different points of views. You get to read about the three women as well as the Dr. I thought the Dr. was like a mad scientist and he really interested me. He was really good at his work but I think he took it a little too far at times. The only thing that I wish the book had was more of an ending. It felt a little rushed in the end probably due to all of the characters she had to end at once. I hope this talented author will give us the next chapter of these very interesting characters.
July 14, 2021
To paraphrase the book description, “Gigi, Ellen, Lilly… three women so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the mysterious Dr. Kite, who offers them an implant that can control their mind.”
Three women’s lives come together with Dr. Kite, who has a quick-fix for each of these three women’s short comings. Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly are determined to change and better themselves as human beings. Each women has a different short-coming; a different end-goal. Gigi has a mysterious disease. Ellen has issues with her weight. And Lilly, who is unhappy after a terrible divorce, is looking for eternal youth. And Dr. Kite has one simple solution for all of their problems! A microchip that will help? What could go wrong?
I love how the author, Jane Suen, leads you into the three women’s characters lives and problems separately. There are three different story lines that somehow tie into one plot. I love the perspective of each individual character and how their lives develop throughout.
I cannot wait to read the second book!
Three women’s lives come together with Dr. Kite, who has a quick-fix for each of these three women’s short comings. Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly are determined to change and better themselves as human beings. Each women has a different short-coming; a different end-goal. Gigi has a mysterious disease. Ellen has issues with her weight. And Lilly, who is unhappy after a terrible divorce, is looking for eternal youth. And Dr. Kite has one simple solution for all of their problems! A microchip that will help? What could go wrong?
I love how the author, Jane Suen, leads you into the three women’s characters lives and problems separately. There are three different story lines that somehow tie into one plot. I love the perspective of each individual character and how their lives develop throughout.
I cannot wait to read the second book!
June 13, 2019
'Alterations' is a action packed science fiction techno-thriller of transhumanism that is centered around medical treatment of three women, Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly. However, each have their own story to tell so it’s like getting three fantastic reads. The plot line and likable characters won me over as well as it will you. Albeit, a fast read, I say don't despair because Jane Suen has follow up books. 5 Stars!
September 10, 2018
What if there was a possibility of curing a patient’s illness by inserting a simple chip that would fight the disease on a cellular level? What if the same chip could alter a person’s age or weight as well? “Alterations” explores these questions by introducing each patient’s story - Gigi, Ellen, Lilly, and Dr. Kite, the man behind the miraculous (or sinister?) invention. As experiments go wrong and defective chips cause more harm than good, the fates of the patients will depend only on Dr. Kite…
Fast-paced and intriguing, “Alterations” is a story that one will soon not forget as it poses questions that, I’m sure, will fascinate many readers. A very interesting read!
Fast-paced and intriguing, “Alterations” is a story that one will soon not forget as it poses questions that, I’m sure, will fascinate many readers. A very interesting read!
July 15, 2021
This was a very interesting book. Imagine being able to change something you don't like about yourself quickly and easily. The characters in this book attempt to do just this using chips that a doctor created. Is it worth the prices they pay though? This was an easy read and very thought provoking. As someone who struggles with weight I related to the character Ellen the most.
September 30, 2018
Alterations is an incredibly interesting book with a concept that will no doubt become real in the future. Which is something that I admit, scares me, but that’s a different story. Perhaps it’s the type of book we should all read in order to understand how dangerous our own future looks like and how you shouldn’t do everything modern technology offers. ‘Be careful what you wish for’ is so true in this case. I do wish the book was longer and perhaps deeper into the lives and emotions of the characters because of how interesting and important the story is. I do highly recommend reading it and remembering that the day the author is talking about is not so far away…
April 6, 2018
Alterations is a quick, fun read. Like most sci-fi novels, it is idea driven, but also has interesting characters.
As technology continues to advance, people are becoming more bionic, with joint replacements, new eye lenses after cataract surgery, or cosmetic implants. Suen's novel takes this idea a step further. Dr. Kite, a rogue physician, is experimenting with microchip implants. The chips alter their hosts, solving common body issues or more serious health issues. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a novel if nothing went wrong. Some of the chips are defective, causing terrible results.
The pace of Suen's writing is quick, but she doesn't ignore the details of her characters. I love her choices for the problems brought to Dr. Kite. Instead of life threatening diseases, all his subjects face problems most readers can relate to.
My favorite character is Ellen. She has a weight problem, which seems worse from her perspective than it should. I liked the way Suen treated the thoughts of people around Ellen, moving from her point of view to theirs in a way that made me wonder if the thoughts were real or Ellen's imagination.
Alterations is a light read, perfect for places with distractions, such as the beach or an airport.
Steve Lindahl - author of Under a Warped Cross, Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul.
As technology continues to advance, people are becoming more bionic, with joint replacements, new eye lenses after cataract surgery, or cosmetic implants. Suen's novel takes this idea a step further. Dr. Kite, a rogue physician, is experimenting with microchip implants. The chips alter their hosts, solving common body issues or more serious health issues. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a novel if nothing went wrong. Some of the chips are defective, causing terrible results.
The pace of Suen's writing is quick, but she doesn't ignore the details of her characters. I love her choices for the problems brought to Dr. Kite. Instead of life threatening diseases, all his subjects face problems most readers can relate to.
My favorite character is Ellen. She has a weight problem, which seems worse from her perspective than it should. I liked the way Suen treated the thoughts of people around Ellen, moving from her point of view to theirs in a way that made me wonder if the thoughts were real or Ellen's imagination.
Alterations is a light read, perfect for places with distractions, such as the beach or an airport.
Steve Lindahl - author of Under a Warped Cross, Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul.
April 17, 2019
It was a really interesting premise, but it needed more setup.
"The miracle fix that goes horribly wrong" is one of the biggest staples of scifi, so I was seriously pumped for this series. While it did deliver on the basics of that premise, it was still the bare-bones minimum. We're not given much time to get to know the characters or to empathize with their struggles. Instead, the story paints quick sketches of their lives and glosses over the real meat of who they are and what motivates them. If your characters' problems are so bad that they're willing to get blindfolded into an unmarked vehicle that takes them to a seedy warehouse in a shady part of town to see a doctor without a medical license who's offering them implants that are literally marketed as "mind control", then you had better be ready to convince the reader that they're desperate enough to override any misgivings. I did buy it that Gigi was desperate (though why did she even need mind control to help her with her tinnitus?), but neither Ellen nor Lilly even seemed to have any misgivings, and that was just a little too much to swallow.
In short... it had real potential, it was just too short to have any real impact. It felt more like an outline than a story, with more telling than showing. If you can write two sequels, you ought to be able to make this book a decent length.
"The miracle fix that goes horribly wrong" is one of the biggest staples of scifi, so I was seriously pumped for this series. While it did deliver on the basics of that premise, it was still the bare-bones minimum. We're not given much time to get to know the characters or to empathize with their struggles. Instead, the story paints quick sketches of their lives and glosses over the real meat of who they are and what motivates them. If your characters' problems are so bad that they're willing to get blindfolded into an unmarked vehicle that takes them to a seedy warehouse in a shady part of town to see a doctor without a medical license who's offering them implants that are literally marketed as "mind control", then you had better be ready to convince the reader that they're desperate enough to override any misgivings. I did buy it that Gigi was desperate (though why did she even need mind control to help her with her tinnitus?), but neither Ellen nor Lilly even seemed to have any misgivings, and that was just a little too much to swallow.
In short... it had real potential, it was just too short to have any real impact. It felt more like an outline than a story, with more telling than showing. If you can write two sequels, you ought to be able to make this book a decent length.
January 13, 2018
“Oh, God no. What have I done?” ~Dr. Kite
“If only, this time, they could control the mind. The body they could now fix-not just for cosmetic reasons, but to cure people who were ill like Gigi, destroying the defective cells and replacing them with healthy ones. Once he perfected this microchip, he would have riches beyond imagination. How many people? Millions, no billions. Why, he’d even offer different grades of this microchip to make it more affordable. He could almost hear the people clamoring for it.” ~Dr. Kite
Wow this was such a good read. It had a lot of good material packed in a short punch and I loved it. It really made me think, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next, and even had me yelling at my kindle a few times. I have really expanded my reading genera’s this last year to include more of the futuristic and dystopian novels that I would have normally never picked up, and I must confess I am so very happy that I have. Jane Suen is one author in this area that never lets me down. She writes with such a beautiful flow and imagination that I can completely see this happening right now and it being completely for seeable. I love that about her novels and this one was no different.
First off, we meet Gigi, right as she is about to make a very rash and permanent decision, when suddenly Dr. Kite’s men step in and thankfully save her from herself. Or do they? Throughout the novel she tries to figure out what happened to her that day. What will happen when she links it all back to the decision she made to save her life and heal her body years ago from a disease that was killing her spirit and as much as her health?
“We gave you perfection, how could you not want that? No disease, no malfunctioning organs, every cell optimized and in perfect working order.”
Next, we meet Lilly Cooper, bitter and angry after her recent divorce. She is struggling to come to terms with living life and battling her demons at the same time. Will the doctor be able to help her or will it be worth the risks involved?
“She wondered, was is a display of her chip gone bad, or did it become an instrument to release her deepest desire, her dark evil within?” ~Lilly
Ellen Fullbright has spent her entire life being the butt of all the bullies jokes and teasing. She just wants to fit into her size six dress for her cousin’s upcoming wedding, but she has hit that plateau and is feeling hopeless when she stumbles upon and alterations shop that promises her a permanent fix if she follows the directions on a little white card. Will she be able to follow through?
I definitely recommend this quick read, along with any other of Jane Suen’s works and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for her future novels.
“If only, this time, they could control the mind. The body they could now fix-not just for cosmetic reasons, but to cure people who were ill like Gigi, destroying the defective cells and replacing them with healthy ones. Once he perfected this microchip, he would have riches beyond imagination. How many people? Millions, no billions. Why, he’d even offer different grades of this microchip to make it more affordable. He could almost hear the people clamoring for it.” ~Dr. Kite
Wow this was such a good read. It had a lot of good material packed in a short punch and I loved it. It really made me think, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next, and even had me yelling at my kindle a few times. I have really expanded my reading genera’s this last year to include more of the futuristic and dystopian novels that I would have normally never picked up, and I must confess I am so very happy that I have. Jane Suen is one author in this area that never lets me down. She writes with such a beautiful flow and imagination that I can completely see this happening right now and it being completely for seeable. I love that about her novels and this one was no different.
First off, we meet Gigi, right as she is about to make a very rash and permanent decision, when suddenly Dr. Kite’s men step in and thankfully save her from herself. Or do they? Throughout the novel she tries to figure out what happened to her that day. What will happen when she links it all back to the decision she made to save her life and heal her body years ago from a disease that was killing her spirit and as much as her health?
“We gave you perfection, how could you not want that? No disease, no malfunctioning organs, every cell optimized and in perfect working order.”
Next, we meet Lilly Cooper, bitter and angry after her recent divorce. She is struggling to come to terms with living life and battling her demons at the same time. Will the doctor be able to help her or will it be worth the risks involved?
“She wondered, was is a display of her chip gone bad, or did it become an instrument to release her deepest desire, her dark evil within?” ~Lilly
Ellen Fullbright has spent her entire life being the butt of all the bullies jokes and teasing. She just wants to fit into her size six dress for her cousin’s upcoming wedding, but she has hit that plateau and is feeling hopeless when she stumbles upon and alterations shop that promises her a permanent fix if she follows the directions on a little white card. Will she be able to follow through?
I definitely recommend this quick read, along with any other of Jane Suen’s works and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for her future novels.
July 26, 2017
4 Stars
Alterations is a thought provoking and interesting read by Jane Suen. I would categorise it a science fiction story that is a little mysterious and suspenseful. It is a very quick, easy read.
We meet Ellen, Gigi and Lilly who are all desperate to change aspects of themselves, in the hope of finding happiness. This is where Dr. Kite offers a procedure that he assures them will change their life. The procedure involves having an implant imbedded into them; the implant then controls their mind and alters them from the inside out. Will Ellen lose the weight she’s so desperate to rid herself of, find the self-respect she’s after and get a little romance in the process? Will Gigi find the true love she been yearning for? And can Lilly finally cast aside all the bitterness she harbours from her nasty divorce?
An implant sound like such a simple way of fixing a multitude of problems. Could it really be that easy? Is there a catch? As we progress through the story and follow the women and Dr. Kite through their experiences we discover that there is a little more to the story than first meets the eye.
This was an interesting concept and gave me a lot to think about. The plot is quite complex for such a short story. I think the premise and the way the author structured the story would be better served as a full length novel, rather than a novella. Especially when there are so many points of view that take up a lot of the storyline. I felt that the story suffered a little because of this. We don’t really get to know much about the characters or their back story. This makes it difficult to connect with them and the story as a whole.
The story started out really well, but towards the end it seemed to lose momentum and direction, and I felt the ending was a little rushed.
I don’t want to seem as if there was nothing good about the story. Quite the contrary in fact- the story is quite a unique concept and an enjoyable read, I just feel that the story lost a lot of the impact it could have had and wasn’t given the opportunity to live up to its full potential.
I did enjoy the story and I would definitely read more of Ms. Suen’s work in the future.
Thank you Ms. Suen!
Alterations is a thought provoking and interesting read by Jane Suen. I would categorise it a science fiction story that is a little mysterious and suspenseful. It is a very quick, easy read.
We meet Ellen, Gigi and Lilly who are all desperate to change aspects of themselves, in the hope of finding happiness. This is where Dr. Kite offers a procedure that he assures them will change their life. The procedure involves having an implant imbedded into them; the implant then controls their mind and alters them from the inside out. Will Ellen lose the weight she’s so desperate to rid herself of, find the self-respect she’s after and get a little romance in the process? Will Gigi find the true love she been yearning for? And can Lilly finally cast aside all the bitterness she harbours from her nasty divorce?
An implant sound like such a simple way of fixing a multitude of problems. Could it really be that easy? Is there a catch? As we progress through the story and follow the women and Dr. Kite through their experiences we discover that there is a little more to the story than first meets the eye.
This was an interesting concept and gave me a lot to think about. The plot is quite complex for such a short story. I think the premise and the way the author structured the story would be better served as a full length novel, rather than a novella. Especially when there are so many points of view that take up a lot of the storyline. I felt that the story suffered a little because of this. We don’t really get to know much about the characters or their back story. This makes it difficult to connect with them and the story as a whole.
The story started out really well, but towards the end it seemed to lose momentum and direction, and I felt the ending was a little rushed.
I don’t want to seem as if there was nothing good about the story. Quite the contrary in fact- the story is quite a unique concept and an enjoyable read, I just feel that the story lost a lot of the impact it could have had and wasn’t given the opportunity to live up to its full potential.
I did enjoy the story and I would definitely read more of Ms. Suen’s work in the future.
Thank you Ms. Suen!
August 18, 2017
Would you pull the trigger if someone offered you a magic bullet?
Alterations by Jane Suen asks the reader to examine their own motivations towards self-improvement by showcasing how three different women -Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly- choose to take the fast-track toward their goals. I've always loved the adage 'Be careful what you wish for---you just might get it.' I love how Suen captures the feeling of caution in the three conjoined stories within Alterations. There's a sense of tension to the reading which kept me motivated to read straight through to the finish.
Every one of the female protagonists is seeking something the reader can relate to on a basic human level. Gigi wants good health. Ellen wants to be thin enough to be considered attractive by the cumulative norm. Lilly wants her youth restored to her after feeling as if her ex-husband stole it during their failed marriage. Health, weight loss, youth: all of these are desirable on a basic level yet what would the sacrifice for any one of these priceless states of being truly entail?
Dr. Kite is the common thread between all the stories. He offers a microchip which can instantly grant the one it's implanted in what they most desire without invasive surgery or long healing time. There's a very Dr. Frankenstein feel to Kite which I appreciated a great deal. His self-importance bleeds through the pages in a way which showcases to the reader how this man truly believes himself above the law, above nature, above everything, making him a really fantastic mad scientist.
Alterations changes perspectives between each story rather than between each female protagonist. I found this distracting at times; I tend to prefer shorts to read straight through from one story to the next without interruption yet I will say Suen managed to keep me interested enough to want to finish the entire piece which speaks to her talent as a writer. There were some clunky perspective changes, dangling plot points, and I do feel Lilly was not given the same page-time as Gigi or Ellen which made her less sympathetic as a character, taking away from her storyline as a whole. I can rate Alterations a solid four stars;I look forward to reading more from Suen in the future as Alterations shows she's got amazing potential overall.
Alterations by Jane Suen asks the reader to examine their own motivations towards self-improvement by showcasing how three different women -Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly- choose to take the fast-track toward their goals. I've always loved the adage 'Be careful what you wish for---you just might get it.' I love how Suen captures the feeling of caution in the three conjoined stories within Alterations. There's a sense of tension to the reading which kept me motivated to read straight through to the finish.
Every one of the female protagonists is seeking something the reader can relate to on a basic human level. Gigi wants good health. Ellen wants to be thin enough to be considered attractive by the cumulative norm. Lilly wants her youth restored to her after feeling as if her ex-husband stole it during their failed marriage. Health, weight loss, youth: all of these are desirable on a basic level yet what would the sacrifice for any one of these priceless states of being truly entail?
Dr. Kite is the common thread between all the stories. He offers a microchip which can instantly grant the one it's implanted in what they most desire without invasive surgery or long healing time. There's a very Dr. Frankenstein feel to Kite which I appreciated a great deal. His self-importance bleeds through the pages in a way which showcases to the reader how this man truly believes himself above the law, above nature, above everything, making him a really fantastic mad scientist.
Alterations changes perspectives between each story rather than between each female protagonist. I found this distracting at times; I tend to prefer shorts to read straight through from one story to the next without interruption yet I will say Suen managed to keep me interested enough to want to finish the entire piece which speaks to her talent as a writer. There were some clunky perspective changes, dangling plot points, and I do feel Lilly was not given the same page-time as Gigi or Ellen which made her less sympathetic as a character, taking away from her storyline as a whole. I can rate Alterations a solid four stars;I look forward to reading more from Suen in the future as Alterations shows she's got amazing potential overall.
August 5, 2018
How Much Would You Risk to Get Your Mind Right?
It’s hard to imagine me ignoring a book about a doctor who claimed to have “…an implant that can control” the human mind (author’s synopsis). Yes, technothrillers are among my favorites and Alterations involves some amazing tech. In this first installment in the trilogy of the same name, we are introduced to three women – Gigi, Ellen, Lilly – each with problems that have dominated their lives. They want a change, they’re desperate for one. Enter Doctor Kite, who has something for each of them. So, they roll the dice on a shady doctor and an unproven implant. Now, what could possibly go wrong in that scenario…?
I enjoyed the forward-looking nature of Alterations, because devices that allow us to share thoughts appear to be in our near future. Could replacing memories be far behind? But author Suen doesn’t stop there. Rather, she creates three variants to Kite’s implants – “one to cure illnesses and heal injuries, one to re-sculpture and lose fat, and one to rejuvenate and reverse the aging process.” And finally, add the fact that these changes occur quickly – within moments in at least one case. Now, the forward-looking technology around which the suspense and drama was to be built looks a bit farfetched, a bit of a McGuffin. But it’s still interesting food for thought.
The pace of Alterations was good, with the characters moving from problem, to hoped-for solution, to complication extremely quickly in this 110-page book. But character development paid the price. Flashbacks help us understand the women’s desperation better. But most of these scenes are a retelling of a memory, rather than having us live their pain. And the mental anguish that must have occurred before any of them put themselves in Kite’s hands is missing. Having the reader feel rather than just read about the women’s suffering and helplessness would have improved the suspense.
Overall, Alterations is an interesting and fast-paced look at the risks three women were willing to take to change their lives based on the promise of a new technology. A closer look into what drove these women would have improved the suspense even more.
It’s hard to imagine me ignoring a book about a doctor who claimed to have “…an implant that can control” the human mind (author’s synopsis). Yes, technothrillers are among my favorites and Alterations involves some amazing tech. In this first installment in the trilogy of the same name, we are introduced to three women – Gigi, Ellen, Lilly – each with problems that have dominated their lives. They want a change, they’re desperate for one. Enter Doctor Kite, who has something for each of them. So, they roll the dice on a shady doctor and an unproven implant. Now, what could possibly go wrong in that scenario…?
I enjoyed the forward-looking nature of Alterations, because devices that allow us to share thoughts appear to be in our near future. Could replacing memories be far behind? But author Suen doesn’t stop there. Rather, she creates three variants to Kite’s implants – “one to cure illnesses and heal injuries, one to re-sculpture and lose fat, and one to rejuvenate and reverse the aging process.” And finally, add the fact that these changes occur quickly – within moments in at least one case. Now, the forward-looking technology around which the suspense and drama was to be built looks a bit farfetched, a bit of a McGuffin. But it’s still interesting food for thought.
The pace of Alterations was good, with the characters moving from problem, to hoped-for solution, to complication extremely quickly in this 110-page book. But character development paid the price. Flashbacks help us understand the women’s desperation better. But most of these scenes are a retelling of a memory, rather than having us live their pain. And the mental anguish that must have occurred before any of them put themselves in Kite’s hands is missing. Having the reader feel rather than just read about the women’s suffering and helplessness would have improved the suspense.
Overall, Alterations is an interesting and fast-paced look at the risks three women were willing to take to change their lives based on the promise of a new technology. A closer look into what drove these women would have improved the suspense even more.
August 22, 2017
****4 stars****
Alterations by Jane Suen
This novella had such an intriguing concept and overall was a 4 star contemporary science fiction story. The story followed 3 women seeking alterations to their lives in the form of a microchip quick fix from, the so-called, Dr. Kite. Of course with anything that seems likely too good to be true, there were some repercussions to getting these miracle microchips. The idea of 3 women, Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly, wanting to completely change their lives in different ways and putting complete trust in a man they only know as Dr.Kite seemed risky and thought-provoking.
“He had developed three prototypes distinguished by red, blue, and purple labels—one to cure illnesses and heal injuries, one to re-sculpture and lose fat, and one to rejuvenate and reverse the aging process. The second-generation of microchips took it a step further, incorporating advanced technology to alter the mind.” The 3 women were interesting characters and the situations seemed fascinating, however as the story went along it seemed to be trying to tie things up too quickly. This novella had the makings of a great psychological thriller, however it seems due to the limited length of the story, that things didn't effectively conclude and while the author seemed to have a really good start of a full-length novel, things were cut off too soon, limiting the storyline and the characters’ full development. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but would've preferred to have had the author expanded it into a full length novel as reading Alterations just left me feeling incomplete and things seemed unfinished. The author appears to have intriguing ideas and the writing flowed well, so I'm sure she could turn this into a full novel and be able to provide even more backstory for the characters and more information on how each lady was effected by the new generation chips. I'm left frustrated due to not feeling like I have the FULL story, but overall I give the novella 4 stars as her writing has such great potential that I believe I would love a full length novel by her.
Alterations by Jane Suen
This novella had such an intriguing concept and overall was a 4 star contemporary science fiction story. The story followed 3 women seeking alterations to their lives in the form of a microchip quick fix from, the so-called, Dr. Kite. Of course with anything that seems likely too good to be true, there were some repercussions to getting these miracle microchips. The idea of 3 women, Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly, wanting to completely change their lives in different ways and putting complete trust in a man they only know as Dr.Kite seemed risky and thought-provoking.
“He had developed three prototypes distinguished by red, blue, and purple labels—one to cure illnesses and heal injuries, one to re-sculpture and lose fat, and one to rejuvenate and reverse the aging process. The second-generation of microchips took it a step further, incorporating advanced technology to alter the mind.” The 3 women were interesting characters and the situations seemed fascinating, however as the story went along it seemed to be trying to tie things up too quickly. This novella had the makings of a great psychological thriller, however it seems due to the limited length of the story, that things didn't effectively conclude and while the author seemed to have a really good start of a full-length novel, things were cut off too soon, limiting the storyline and the characters’ full development. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but would've preferred to have had the author expanded it into a full length novel as reading Alterations just left me feeling incomplete and things seemed unfinished. The author appears to have intriguing ideas and the writing flowed well, so I'm sure she could turn this into a full novel and be able to provide even more backstory for the characters and more information on how each lady was effected by the new generation chips. I'm left frustrated due to not feeling like I have the FULL story, but overall I give the novella 4 stars as her writing has such great potential that I believe I would love a full length novel by her.
July 17, 2017
Alterations by Jane Suen is a short novella that is full of suspense and mystery. This is my first book by this author, the twists and turns that she takes you on will keep you engaged until the end. You will enjoy her writing skills and the creation of characters that are true to life and connectable. This book will leave you with questions on if things like the situation in this book can really happen. Find out what happens with these characters, 3 women, want different things but will they have the same outcome?
This story is about three women who all have different lives but one thing in common, they want something changed. What will happen to them when they turn to Dr. Kite? Will he give them what they each desire? How much are they willing to risk to get what they want? What they desire, could be their deepest nightmare.
Each of the three characters in this book have their own personalities and their own issues. They all have some type of insecurity that is making them unhappy. They just want to be happy but at what cost will they come? Everything has a price, are they willing to pay to get what they want? This story is a little different but I found it enjoyable and will read more from this author. I would like to see more or a few more details from these characters but you can keep up with the flow. The secondary characters play important parts in this story that without them the story wouldn't flow as easily.
I highly suggest you read this short novella by Jane Suen. It is fast reading that you will be able to lose yourself in. You will be able to relate to these characters and they have a way of pulling you into their messed up lives. This story will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat in parts, turning pages just to see what will happen next. I can't wait to read another one of her books. Find out what happens when someone tries to take control of these women's brains. Will they find their happiness?
This story is about three women who all have different lives but one thing in common, they want something changed. What will happen to them when they turn to Dr. Kite? Will he give them what they each desire? How much are they willing to risk to get what they want? What they desire, could be their deepest nightmare.
Each of the three characters in this book have their own personalities and their own issues. They all have some type of insecurity that is making them unhappy. They just want to be happy but at what cost will they come? Everything has a price, are they willing to pay to get what they want? This story is a little different but I found it enjoyable and will read more from this author. I would like to see more or a few more details from these characters but you can keep up with the flow. The secondary characters play important parts in this story that without them the story wouldn't flow as easily.
I highly suggest you read this short novella by Jane Suen. It is fast reading that you will be able to lose yourself in. You will be able to relate to these characters and they have a way of pulling you into their messed up lives. This story will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat in parts, turning pages just to see what will happen next. I can't wait to read another one of her books. Find out what happens when someone tries to take control of these women's brains. Will they find their happiness?
July 27, 2017
I am giving four stars to Alterations by Jane Suen. Alterations follows the story of three women and the lengths they will go to to change their lives. Dr. Kite is the mastermind behind these women's changes. He has developed a microchip implant to erase each woman’s specific problem. Starting with an incurable disease, to weight loss, to old age, Dr. Kite has an implant to cure it all.
Jane Suen has written a very interesting story with a very interesting concept. The idea that all of your problems could be solved with a personalized, implanted chip is indeed a fascinating one. What if you could snap your fingers and change one thing about yourself. Would you? Should you? This is the question Ms. Suen explores in Alterations.
I found this story potentially wonderful. Unfortunately, the book was too short for all the things going on in it. There wasn’t much time to flesh out the various characters or their stories significantly. IwishMs. Suen had expanded a little more on each woman's story and their background. It seemed a little rushed and not quite enough detail was provided to engage me with these women and their problems. I really did enjoy the idea of this book and would really, really have enjoyed getting to know more about these characters. Do they have friends and acquaintances they hang out with? What would these friends council if asked about the implants? Why is Dr. Kite pursuing this research? Money? Unscrupulous greed? Or is it an intense need to help others? A hero complex? What was in his background that led him down this path?
Alterations could have been a fantastic horror story, or a really good mystery with an infusion of romance. There just wasn’t enough.
I would really like to see more from this author. Maybe a longer story with more background on the characters, or a short story with only one or two characters highlighted. I really loved the concept and would just like to see it filled out a little bit more.
Jane Suen has written a very interesting story with a very interesting concept. The idea that all of your problems could be solved with a personalized, implanted chip is indeed a fascinating one. What if you could snap your fingers and change one thing about yourself. Would you? Should you? This is the question Ms. Suen explores in Alterations.
I found this story potentially wonderful. Unfortunately, the book was too short for all the things going on in it. There wasn’t much time to flesh out the various characters or their stories significantly. IwishMs. Suen had expanded a little more on each woman's story and their background. It seemed a little rushed and not quite enough detail was provided to engage me with these women and their problems. I really did enjoy the idea of this book and would really, really have enjoyed getting to know more about these characters. Do they have friends and acquaintances they hang out with? What would these friends council if asked about the implants? Why is Dr. Kite pursuing this research? Money? Unscrupulous greed? Or is it an intense need to help others? A hero complex? What was in his background that led him down this path?
Alterations could have been a fantastic horror story, or a really good mystery with an infusion of romance. There just wasn’t enough.
I would really like to see more from this author. Maybe a longer story with more background on the characters, or a short story with only one or two characters highlighted. I really loved the concept and would just like to see it filled out a little bit more.
July 29, 2017
I give Alterations by Jane Suen 4 stars.
Gigi has a medical issue that no doctor has been able to fix. She is desperate and will try anything. When she comes across a doctor who says he can fix it, she jumps at the chance. This is something she has never heard of, but she is willing to take the chance to live a normal life again.
Ellen has been overweight for quite some time. She has tried every diet imaginable, but nothing sticks. She has lost some weight, but can not lose that last bit she desperately wants to lose. She will not try surgery, but she is willing to try most anything else. When a doctor promises her that she can lose the weight instantly and without surgery, she readily agrees. She will show everyone at her cousin's wedding!
Lily thought she was the perfect wife to her husband. She gave him everything he wanted. Apparently, that was not enough. After a divorce she didn’t see coming, she is left feeling like a bitter middle-aged woman. He took the best years of her life! When she comes across a doctor that says he can makes her look younger and feel better towards life and men, she decided that maybe this is just what she needs.
Three women, one doctor, and a promise that their problem will be immediately fixed – who can say no? But what about that old saying that if something is too good to be true, it probably is? Well, these women just may find out just how true this could be.
This was a good, interesting story. It is very different from any I have read before and really makes you think. It is very engaging and the characters are written quite well. You can sympathize with each woman and why they chose to do what they did. I could not put the book down, I just had to see what happened next! This is not a long book, but one I highly recommended. It just may remind you how precious you own life is.
Gigi has a medical issue that no doctor has been able to fix. She is desperate and will try anything. When she comes across a doctor who says he can fix it, she jumps at the chance. This is something she has never heard of, but she is willing to take the chance to live a normal life again.
Ellen has been overweight for quite some time. She has tried every diet imaginable, but nothing sticks. She has lost some weight, but can not lose that last bit she desperately wants to lose. She will not try surgery, but she is willing to try most anything else. When a doctor promises her that she can lose the weight instantly and without surgery, she readily agrees. She will show everyone at her cousin's wedding!
Lily thought she was the perfect wife to her husband. She gave him everything he wanted. Apparently, that was not enough. After a divorce she didn’t see coming, she is left feeling like a bitter middle-aged woman. He took the best years of her life! When she comes across a doctor that says he can makes her look younger and feel better towards life and men, she decided that maybe this is just what she needs.
Three women, one doctor, and a promise that their problem will be immediately fixed – who can say no? But what about that old saying that if something is too good to be true, it probably is? Well, these women just may find out just how true this could be.
This was a good, interesting story. It is very different from any I have read before and really makes you think. It is very engaging and the characters are written quite well. You can sympathize with each woman and why they chose to do what they did. I could not put the book down, I just had to see what happened next! This is not a long book, but one I highly recommended. It just may remind you how precious you own life is.
January 15, 2018
Alterations by Jane Suen was a interesting take on the insta-fix.
A fairly short and quick read, we're tossed into the story rather abruptly. It was a little confusing, and I felt that kind of start, didn't work well for this type of story. That and it was short before switching POV's. I didn't care for that or the way it was handled. A small intro the character would have been better, at least it would have made me care more.
Going into it I was hoping it would be like those interlocking stories like, New Years Eve and Love Actually. The only connecting between the ladies is with the crazy Dr. Kite. So that was a let down as well. What made me hooked on this story was the mystery that stated with Gigi, even though I knew what was going on, her roommate didn't. So that was a fun sub-plot. Out of the three Ladies, Lilly was my favourite. She didn't have much screen time, but the bit that she did made me wish she had more time, and that there was more to it. She brought something crazy, and dangerous, and I believe there should be a side story, with just her. Elly, she was okay, I wasn't to fond of her personality, but she did get what she wanted in the end. Sort of....
The story itself was well written, professional and dark. The tone was heavy throughout and written in a way where you know nothing is ever a quick fix. And I believe that is what this story is trying to convey.
My Final thoughts. The overall concept was unique and this story, I believe if written longer, and elaborated more, would be truly an masterful read. I give this book my high recommendation; there is a lot of potential for a one of a kind novel that would, in my opinion, brake the internet.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
A fairly short and quick read, we're tossed into the story rather abruptly. It was a little confusing, and I felt that kind of start, didn't work well for this type of story. That and it was short before switching POV's. I didn't care for that or the way it was handled. A small intro the character would have been better, at least it would have made me care more.
Going into it I was hoping it would be like those interlocking stories like, New Years Eve and Love Actually. The only connecting between the ladies is with the crazy Dr. Kite. So that was a let down as well. What made me hooked on this story was the mystery that stated with Gigi, even though I knew what was going on, her roommate didn't. So that was a fun sub-plot. Out of the three Ladies, Lilly was my favourite. She didn't have much screen time, but the bit that she did made me wish she had more time, and that there was more to it. She brought something crazy, and dangerous, and I believe there should be a side story, with just her. Elly, she was okay, I wasn't to fond of her personality, but she did get what she wanted in the end. Sort of....
The story itself was well written, professional and dark. The tone was heavy throughout and written in a way where you know nothing is ever a quick fix. And I believe that is what this story is trying to convey.
My Final thoughts. The overall concept was unique and this story, I believe if written longer, and elaborated more, would be truly an masterful read. I give this book my high recommendation; there is a lot of potential for a one of a kind novel that would, in my opinion, brake the internet.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
January 28, 2018
Alterations is a science fiction novella by Jane Suen. It is the story of a rather shady “doctor” named Dr. Kite, who implants microchips into three different women named: Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly, who all wish to change their lives in completely different ways. They all meet Dr. Kite, (who is not really an M.D. since he only attended medical school for three years and dropped out during his fourth), in an accidental way as far as they are aware, and at that meeting he offers to implant a different type of mind-control microchip into each woman to help them change their lives in a completely different way. No one other than a taxi cab driver, who helps Dr. Kite with getting the women to Dr. Kite's office to discuss the implantation procedure, have the implantation, and/or for whatever purpose Dr. Kite needs his help with, knows anything about Dr. Kite's microchip implantation procedures. The novella tells each woman's story of why they wanted their lives to change, what each microchip is designed to do, and what happens after the implantation of the microchips. Will the women's experiences be good or bad? What happens to Dr. Kite; does anyone find out about this technology?
Alterations was a very entertaining novella that I really enjoyed! Jane Suen wrote a science fiction story unlike anything I have ever read before, and I think that she could even continue these stories as a series and that they would be fascinating! I definitely recommend this novella to everyone who enjoys a good science fiction story.
Alterations was a very entertaining novella that I really enjoyed! Jane Suen wrote a science fiction story unlike anything I have ever read before, and I think that she could even continue these stories as a series and that they would be fascinating! I definitely recommend this novella to everyone who enjoys a good science fiction story.
July 19, 2017
Alterations
By Jane Suen
5/5
Alterations by Jane Suen is a very compelling and thrilling story, you won't be able to put down. Once you start reading it, you'll instantly get sucked into the story and characters.
What happens when you desperately want something sooooo bad, once you get it… it is nothing like you expected.
Three incredibly different women , who are so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the infamous and mysterious Dr. Kite. Who offers them an implant in their brain , that can alter their way of thinking and controls their mind. But not all, is as it appears to be.
Gigi wants to find her one and true love, will she be able to?? Ellen was so desperately to lose weight. She has tried every diet imaginable. But after the implant, will the miraculous weight loss bring her a new love interest she wants more than anything?? Will it bring the self respect she has been longing for years? Lilly went through a terrible divorce. Which has made her an angry and bitter woman. Will she finally be able to put the divorce behind her and move towards a happy future?
But sometimes, your deepest and strongest desire... isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Once in awhile, it will become your worst nightmare!!
You must read this book to see what happens to Gigi,Ellen and Lilly! It will take you on an epic journey like no other ! Wonderful job, Jane! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!
By Jane Suen
5/5
Alterations by Jane Suen is a very compelling and thrilling story, you won't be able to put down. Once you start reading it, you'll instantly get sucked into the story and characters.
What happens when you desperately want something sooooo bad, once you get it… it is nothing like you expected.
Three incredibly different women , who are so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the infamous and mysterious Dr. Kite. Who offers them an implant in their brain , that can alter their way of thinking and controls their mind. But not all, is as it appears to be.
Gigi wants to find her one and true love, will she be able to?? Ellen was so desperately to lose weight. She has tried every diet imaginable. But after the implant, will the miraculous weight loss bring her a new love interest she wants more than anything?? Will it bring the self respect she has been longing for years? Lilly went through a terrible divorce. Which has made her an angry and bitter woman. Will she finally be able to put the divorce behind her and move towards a happy future?
But sometimes, your deepest and strongest desire... isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Once in awhile, it will become your worst nightmare!!
You must read this book to see what happens to Gigi,Ellen and Lilly! It will take you on an epic journey like no other ! Wonderful job, Jane! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!
August 30, 2017
Alterations by Jane Suen is a mysterious story of 3 distinctly different women who undergo a new medical procedure in an effort to fix their lives. Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly are all desperate for a results and solutions from their personal ailments, however, none of them know for sure whether the unique Dr. Kite’s treatment will help as he claims.
I admittedly had a love/hate relationship with this story. I loved they way the prose of this novella flowed. The descriptions were perfect, and the characters felt full and complete so I immediately connected with all of them. I think it was the characters that pulled me in the most. Reading from their various perspectives, pulled me into the action and settings from the beginning. The big reason I couldn't rate this book higher was because of the holes in the plot and timeline. While the plot idea and premise were exactly what I look for in a new book, there were still so many unanswered questions at the end, that I was not totally satisfied. At the risk of being completely vague (so as not to reveal spoilers), each character's ending was left completely open and unanswered. There were also a few places where the timeline felt disjointed and choppy. I ultimately felt like I was missing more details of the plot that had not been fleshed out and explored. I'd love to see and read more into this story and universe that Ms. Suen as created.
I admittedly had a love/hate relationship with this story. I loved they way the prose of this novella flowed. The descriptions were perfect, and the characters felt full and complete so I immediately connected with all of them. I think it was the characters that pulled me in the most. Reading from their various perspectives, pulled me into the action and settings from the beginning. The big reason I couldn't rate this book higher was because of the holes in the plot and timeline. While the plot idea and premise were exactly what I look for in a new book, there were still so many unanswered questions at the end, that I was not totally satisfied. At the risk of being completely vague (so as not to reveal spoilers), each character's ending was left completely open and unanswered. There were also a few places where the timeline felt disjointed and choppy. I ultimately felt like I was missing more details of the plot that had not been fleshed out and explored. I'd love to see and read more into this story and universe that Ms. Suen as created.
August 30, 2017
Jane Suen’s Alterations is a science fiction story that explores the possibility of microchips allowing people to alter their bodies and minds. By telling the stories of three very different women - Gigi, Ellen and Lilly - Suen explores different reasons why someone might be desperate enough for change to give the microchip a try.
I was surprised by how short it is, and particularly how short the chapters are. Many chapters are only a couple of pages long! But since it didn’t take very long to read it was easy to get engrossed in the story! I think maybe, though, the pacing would have been helped by some of the chapters being merged together. It was helpful to have clear chapter headings showing the character we were focusing on!
This was a really thought-provoking story. I’m sure many readers will relate to some extent to one or more of the characters, or be able to think of things in their own lives that they would change. I found myself pondering a lot of the issues brought up.
There were aspects of the story I would have loved to know more about or had more detail on, but the story does feel complete as it is and is certainly an interesting read!
I give this book four out of five stars and would recommend it to anyone who has ever asked themselves “if I had a magic pill to change x with very few side effects, would I take it?”. A wonderfully thought-provoking read!
I was surprised by how short it is, and particularly how short the chapters are. Many chapters are only a couple of pages long! But since it didn’t take very long to read it was easy to get engrossed in the story! I think maybe, though, the pacing would have been helped by some of the chapters being merged together. It was helpful to have clear chapter headings showing the character we were focusing on!
This was a really thought-provoking story. I’m sure many readers will relate to some extent to one or more of the characters, or be able to think of things in their own lives that they would change. I found myself pondering a lot of the issues brought up.
There were aspects of the story I would have loved to know more about or had more detail on, but the story does feel complete as it is and is certainly an interesting read!
I give this book four out of five stars and would recommend it to anyone who has ever asked themselves “if I had a magic pill to change x with very few side effects, would I take it?”. A wonderfully thought-provoking read!
July 23, 2018
Alterations (Alterations trilogy book 1) by Jane Suen 4 Stars
This was a really interesting book. This is my first book by Jane Suen and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy. This book is short and read more like a novella. I would put this book into the category of science fiction. This book is about Dr. Kite wanting to change the practice of medicine. He never really got his medical degree but wanted to change how people sought after medical treatment. He created a series of three types of microchips to be inserted into the patient. Red, blue , and purple label mind controlling chips. One is for healing illness or injury, one to lose weight, and one to reverse aging. He found three subjects to test them on. Gigi who had tinnitus, Lilly who wasted her best years on a guy who divorced her after using her, and Ellen who was tired of being overweight her whole life. They got their wishes, but what price were they willing to pay? They all kept this secret from their loved ones. Was the complications worth their wisecracking true?
This book was nothing that I expected. It was a little hard to follow at times due to the lack of details. I hope the second book in the series fills in all the blanks and answers the long list of questions I have after reading this story. I'm not a huge reader of science fiction, but I don't regret taking the chance by reading this book. I am excited to see what the next two books have in store!
This was a really interesting book. This is my first book by Jane Suen and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy. This book is short and read more like a novella. I would put this book into the category of science fiction. This book is about Dr. Kite wanting to change the practice of medicine. He never really got his medical degree but wanted to change how people sought after medical treatment. He created a series of three types of microchips to be inserted into the patient. Red, blue , and purple label mind controlling chips. One is for healing illness or injury, one to lose weight, and one to reverse aging. He found three subjects to test them on. Gigi who had tinnitus, Lilly who wasted her best years on a guy who divorced her after using her, and Ellen who was tired of being overweight her whole life. They got their wishes, but what price were they willing to pay? They all kept this secret from their loved ones. Was the complications worth their wisecracking true?
This book was nothing that I expected. It was a little hard to follow at times due to the lack of details. I hope the second book in the series fills in all the blanks and answers the long list of questions I have after reading this story. I'm not a huge reader of science fiction, but I don't regret taking the chance by reading this book. I am excited to see what the next two books have in store!
October 7, 2018
“Alteration” by Jane Suen is a pretty good read. I read it in one sitting, so it held my interest from start to finish. I found the storyline intriguing. A doctor is trying to make a name for himself and, of course, get rich in the process. He develops a way to alter a person’s thoughts (mind control) as well as change them physically. The story revolves around him and three women who are unhappy with their lives. Gigi wants to find true love. Lily wants to put her bitter divorce behind her, and Ellen is unhappy with her extra weight. They go to the doctor for help but maybe getting their heart’s desire isn’t what they really need.
Without giving anything away, the story is told from each character’s point of view, and the pace is fast and furious, almost too fast. I wanted so badly to give this four stars instead of three but I felt there was too much room here being overlooked for developing out all the characters. Everything felt rushed, the ending especially. I went back to see if this was a series and it looks like it’s a trilogy. I don’t mind series or trilogies, but I want to feel as if each book is complete. To be honest, I’d rather these three had been made into one complete novel. The abrupt end to book one left me feeling a little irritated. That being said, the writing is good, and I would definitely consider reading a different novel by this author—hopefully one not broken into three shorter stories. Jane Suen is definitely talented.
Without giving anything away, the story is told from each character’s point of view, and the pace is fast and furious, almost too fast. I wanted so badly to give this four stars instead of three but I felt there was too much room here being overlooked for developing out all the characters. Everything felt rushed, the ending especially. I went back to see if this was a series and it looks like it’s a trilogy. I don’t mind series or trilogies, but I want to feel as if each book is complete. To be honest, I’d rather these three had been made into one complete novel. The abrupt end to book one left me feeling a little irritated. That being said, the writing is good, and I would definitely consider reading a different novel by this author—hopefully one not broken into three shorter stories. Jane Suen is definitely talented.
August 15, 2017
Alterations
By Jane Suen
Definitely a five star read, I recommend this book to all.
So you are offered a microchip that can either reduce your weight, give you a new body and mind or cure your illness, would you do it?
Ellen needs to lose thirty pounds to fit into a dress for a wedding. She sees a shop called Alterations but quickly finds out it's a body alteration shop not dress. Picking her size she now has an appointment with Dr Kite. She's so happy after the microchip has been placed in her to see the thirty pounds gone. But is given a reminder to pay before the trial ends.
Lilly is an angry person after her divorce and meets Dr Kite at a restaurant where he gives her his card to call if she ever wants to. Dr Kite knows she will benefit with a body and mind change and is happy when she calls. The night she gets the microchip Gary is sent to get her and take her home. Tonight changes everything for Lilly and Gary is found on the footpath not breathing.
Gigi is given a microchip that has fixed her illness. All is going well until she does something out if the ordinary and gets hurt. Dr Kites men have found her, taken her back to the clinic to be fixed and now she's woken up confused in a hotel lobby.
In the meantime Dr Kite receives a message that two of the three latest micro chips are defective and he has no idea which two they are.
By Jane Suen
Definitely a five star read, I recommend this book to all.
So you are offered a microchip that can either reduce your weight, give you a new body and mind or cure your illness, would you do it?
Ellen needs to lose thirty pounds to fit into a dress for a wedding. She sees a shop called Alterations but quickly finds out it's a body alteration shop not dress. Picking her size she now has an appointment with Dr Kite. She's so happy after the microchip has been placed in her to see the thirty pounds gone. But is given a reminder to pay before the trial ends.
Lilly is an angry person after her divorce and meets Dr Kite at a restaurant where he gives her his card to call if she ever wants to. Dr Kite knows she will benefit with a body and mind change and is happy when she calls. The night she gets the microchip Gary is sent to get her and take her home. Tonight changes everything for Lilly and Gary is found on the footpath not breathing.
Gigi is given a microchip that has fixed her illness. All is going well until she does something out if the ordinary and gets hurt. Dr Kites men have found her, taken her back to the clinic to be fixed and now she's woken up confused in a hotel lobby.
In the meantime Dr Kite receives a message that two of the three latest micro chips are defective and he has no idea which two they are.
July 15, 2017
Alterations by Jane Suen is a science fiction novel set in the near future. The action centres around 3 main characters - Gigi, Ellen, Lilly. All women who want to change their lives for the better. Gigi is searching for true love, Ellen to lose weight and find romance, and Lilly is looking for a way to rid herself of the bitterness left by her divorce. The 3 ladies meet the mysterious Dr Kite and he offers them a way to achieve their dreams, but is there a catch? Could something as simple as an implant really control their mind and their body?
This was a short but fascinating book. I liked the idea that people would go into an “alterations” shop for alterations to their body rather than their clothes. It was easy to identify with the main characters as they all had flaws that we have- being overweight, bitter after a painful break up or just hopeful of a better life. As it was short we didn’t get to know the characters too deeply but the action started from page one which was great as it hooked the reader in immediately. I would recommend this book to friends who like dystopian fiction or futuristic science fiction. I plan to seek out the authors other books and see if they are similar.
This was a short but fascinating book. I liked the idea that people would go into an “alterations” shop for alterations to their body rather than their clothes. It was easy to identify with the main characters as they all had flaws that we have- being overweight, bitter after a painful break up or just hopeful of a better life. As it was short we didn’t get to know the characters too deeply but the action started from page one which was great as it hooked the reader in immediately. I would recommend this book to friends who like dystopian fiction or futuristic science fiction. I plan to seek out the authors other books and see if they are similar.
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