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Imitatore
An alternate cover for this isbn can be found here.
In Sophie's world, those born with one power are superior, those born with none are inferior, and she is the one destined to save them all. Sophie's ability to have multiple powers makes her an anomaly, at the age of 23 she has six powers and has yet to master each one. At the order of her father, the Governor, those powers are kept secret in order to protect her from those who may want to exploit them. So when she meets Oliver, the Imitatore who possesses the gift of using her powers, her once peaceful world is shattered. Suddenly, Sophie is forced to face who she is, who she is destined to be, and learn who she is no longer able to trust. Oliver and Sophie are targets for The Society, a group of supernatural beings bent on destroying her world by eradicating humans and crowning a new queen. She must stop the evil group before they kill the Imitatore and force her to be the Queen of their new world.
In Sophie's world, those born with one power are superior, those born with none are inferior, and she is the one destined to save them all. Sophie's ability to have multiple powers makes her an anomaly, at the age of 23 she has six powers and has yet to master each one. At the order of her father, the Governor, those powers are kept secret in order to protect her from those who may want to exploit them. So when she meets Oliver, the Imitatore who possesses the gift of using her powers, her once peaceful world is shattered. Suddenly, Sophie is forced to face who she is, who she is destined to be, and learn who she is no longer able to trust. Oliver and Sophie are targets for The Society, a group of supernatural beings bent on destroying her world by eradicating humans and crowning a new queen. She must stop the evil group before they kill the Imitatore and force her to be the Queen of their new world.
163 pages, Paperback
Published January 11, 2018
3 people are currently reading
1799 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 23, 2020
Imitatore, from the Donna chronicles, tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who possesses several powers, in a world in which most beings (supernatural) only have one power (humans don't have powers and are slaves).
She grew up hiding her powers because in this world , like in ours, it is not safe to be that different, but the time has come for her to face the Society and its cruel members.
I feel like teen me would have loved this book, adult me found it ok.
YA fans: you will like this, this is pure YA, most important characters are young and dealing with troubles to find ther way to adulthood, questionning their identity, becoming their own woman / man...
Diversity fan: You will be pleased.
Black leads ? Check. Albino character ? check. True friendship between a man and a woman not bordering on romantic ? Check . Man- man romance ? Check
Character with no particular gender assigned (or assuming both genders)? Check.
Fantasy fans: The world building could be more developed, but there is definitely some fights with powers, some characters discovering their powers and how to use them, some spells...
Romance fans: there is not much for you in this book. There is a small man - "man"( it's a supernatural being who is a man AND a woman) romance.
She grew up hiding her powers because in this world , like in ours, it is not safe to be that different, but the time has come for her to face the Society and its cruel members.
I feel like teen me would have loved this book, adult me found it ok.
YA fans: you will like this, this is pure YA, most important characters are young and dealing with troubles to find ther way to adulthood, questionning their identity, becoming their own woman / man...
Diversity fan: You will be pleased.
Black leads ? Check. Albino character ? check. True friendship between a man and a woman not bordering on romantic ? Check . Man- man romance ? Check
Character with no particular gender assigned (or assuming both genders)? Check.
Fantasy fans: The world building could be more developed, but there is definitely some fights with powers, some characters discovering their powers and how to use them, some spells...
Romance fans: there is not much for you in this book. There is a small man - "man"( it's a supernatural being who is a man AND a woman) romance.
March 22, 2018
Imitatore by A. Rose is a fantasy story set in a world where magical powers are common. Sophie is not unique because she has magical powers—she is unique because she has many magical powers. Her father tries to keep this hidden, but his efforts are in vain. Threats are coming Sophie's way.
In many ways, this was a refreshing read. The world, the diversity of characters, and even the fact that this was a complex story set in a fictional world, but nevertheless not that long, more like a novella. This is the first fantasy story I've ever read featuring a trans character, which I truly appreciated.
The style of writing was very direct and matter-of-fact, as well as detached. This is not to say that there is not emotion in the text, but the words conveyed mostly actions. More than once, I’d feel like I was in the middle of a very calm, matter-of-fact conversation until suddenly I was informed that one of these people is crying. A lot of confrontations that would have been presented as confrontational in another story are, here, simple discussions.
I do like the matter-of-fact style of writing. At many points, it could be quite comedic by contrasting the emotions being portrayed and the dryness of the text portraying them, which I enjoyed.
The sentence structure can often feel a little off, and I struggled with this for the first half of the book. But at that point, I realized that it’s written as if it’s meant to be read out loud. After that, I started imagining the story being read aloud as I read, and that made it instantly easier to read. I think that this story would make a nice audiobook.
The beginning of the book was a little difficult to get through. Three times I read through the prologue and chapter 1, one of these times making it through chapter 2 before realizing that I had no sense of what was going on and giving up for the moment. I would then try again a few days later. The prologue is a lot of foreshadowing of things that we don’t understand; chapter 1 introduces us to the world and circumstances surrounding the main character (but not the main character). Chapter 2 finally introduces us to the main character. These three chapters were difficult for me because they mostly convey a sense of mysteriousness and remark on all these things that the characters do not know.
This could be a very effective start for a thriller. The trouble is, we’re in a fantasy world, so we readers know less than nothing. The narrative is trying to build suspense, but in doing so, we don’t have anything to latch onto to care that the suspense is building. Most glaring is the motivations described in chapter 1: Sarah is doing a task without knowing why she is doing it, but only because that’s what she’s been told to do. It’s difficult to care about a character when their introduction offers only actions with no motivation and no stakes.
I wish this had seen one more edit, because while the typos weren’t everywhere, they were not uncommon. Most jarring was the odd and inconsistent capitalization on the word “the.” When there is a mention of any capitalized noun that requires a the, such as “the Society,” most often it will be written as “The Society”; except on occasion when it is “the Society.”
Added to this, the text on my Kindle is a grayish color rather than black, lowering the contrast and making it a little harder on my eyes. I couldn’t find a way to darken the text.
These details are factors that will surely alienate some readers. That is a great shame, because A. Rose has talent. Her “about the author" page is a delight to read in and of itself, and highlights her skill as a writer. This is a fantastic story told in her dry, matter-of-fact voice—I just wish it were more polished. I hope that she will continue to hone her skill, and look forward to her books of the future.
In many ways, this was a refreshing read. The world, the diversity of characters, and even the fact that this was a complex story set in a fictional world, but nevertheless not that long, more like a novella. This is the first fantasy story I've ever read featuring a trans character, which I truly appreciated.
The style of writing was very direct and matter-of-fact, as well as detached. This is not to say that there is not emotion in the text, but the words conveyed mostly actions. More than once, I’d feel like I was in the middle of a very calm, matter-of-fact conversation until suddenly I was informed that one of these people is crying. A lot of confrontations that would have been presented as confrontational in another story are, here, simple discussions.
I do like the matter-of-fact style of writing. At many points, it could be quite comedic by contrasting the emotions being portrayed and the dryness of the text portraying them, which I enjoyed.
The sentence structure can often feel a little off, and I struggled with this for the first half of the book. But at that point, I realized that it’s written as if it’s meant to be read out loud. After that, I started imagining the story being read aloud as I read, and that made it instantly easier to read. I think that this story would make a nice audiobook.
The beginning of the book was a little difficult to get through. Three times I read through the prologue and chapter 1, one of these times making it through chapter 2 before realizing that I had no sense of what was going on and giving up for the moment. I would then try again a few days later. The prologue is a lot of foreshadowing of things that we don’t understand; chapter 1 introduces us to the world and circumstances surrounding the main character (but not the main character). Chapter 2 finally introduces us to the main character. These three chapters were difficult for me because they mostly convey a sense of mysteriousness and remark on all these things that the characters do not know.
This could be a very effective start for a thriller. The trouble is, we’re in a fantasy world, so we readers know less than nothing. The narrative is trying to build suspense, but in doing so, we don’t have anything to latch onto to care that the suspense is building. Most glaring is the motivations described in chapter 1: Sarah is doing a task without knowing why she is doing it, but only because that’s what she’s been told to do. It’s difficult to care about a character when their introduction offers only actions with no motivation and no stakes.
I wish this had seen one more edit, because while the typos weren’t everywhere, they were not uncommon. Most jarring was the odd and inconsistent capitalization on the word “the.” When there is a mention of any capitalized noun that requires a the, such as “the Society,” most often it will be written as “The Society”; except on occasion when it is “the Society.”
Added to this, the text on my Kindle is a grayish color rather than black, lowering the contrast and making it a little harder on my eyes. I couldn’t find a way to darken the text.
These details are factors that will surely alienate some readers. That is a great shame, because A. Rose has talent. Her “about the author" page is a delight to read in and of itself, and highlights her skill as a writer. This is a fantastic story told in her dry, matter-of-fact voice—I just wish it were more polished. I hope that she will continue to hone her skill, and look forward to her books of the future.
January 23, 2018
Imitatore by A. Rose, I am not a big reader of Fantasy or Science Fiction, but this is an extraordinary story of Black characters that are well written to the point that the description of them being Black is just incidental because writers mostly identify their characters by experiences and ideas. A welcome attempt to add color to a genre that is usually homogeneous with the usual token wise Black characters advising the heroes to move the plot forward.
Set all of that aside you have young woman name Sophie born with "powers," for Sophie, she is not your everyday supernatural beings she has the fortune of being born with more than one power. As for the collective of these supernatural people, they can have powers ranging from pryokinesis to shapeshifting. A. Rose takes her time in revealing this world as she dutifully focuses on shaping Sophie as a character so that she can be a convincing window to this imaginative world. A coming of age story or a commentary on entering womanhood aided by the conflicts of accepting a society that enslaves humans and being part of the status quo. Along the way, Sophie is being shaped by her interactions and eagerness to seek the unknown ( Mortal Forest ) ), Sophie takes that hero's journey in the battle of good vs. evil.
A plus for the slow reveals of this world so I can get to know Sophie and envision her in my mind, her struggles and her wants. Tight editing, A. Rose's words are used to paint a world that is fresh and much needed in this genre.
Set all of that aside you have young woman name Sophie born with "powers," for Sophie, she is not your everyday supernatural beings she has the fortune of being born with more than one power. As for the collective of these supernatural people, they can have powers ranging from pryokinesis to shapeshifting. A. Rose takes her time in revealing this world as she dutifully focuses on shaping Sophie as a character so that she can be a convincing window to this imaginative world. A coming of age story or a commentary on entering womanhood aided by the conflicts of accepting a society that enslaves humans and being part of the status quo. Along the way, Sophie is being shaped by her interactions and eagerness to seek the unknown ( Mortal Forest ) ), Sophie takes that hero's journey in the battle of good vs. evil.
A plus for the slow reveals of this world so I can get to know Sophie and envision her in my mind, her struggles and her wants. Tight editing, A. Rose's words are used to paint a world that is fresh and much needed in this genre.
January 23, 2018
Imitatore by A. Rose, I am not a big reader of Fantasy or Science Fiction, but this is an extraordinary story of Black characters that are well written to the point that the description of them being Black is just incidental because writers mostly identify their characters by experiences and ideas. A welcome attempt to add color to a genre that is usually homogeneous with the usual token wise Black characters advising the heroes to move the plot forward.
Set all of that aside you have young woman name Sophie born with "powers," for Sophie, she is not your everyday supernatural beings she has the fortune of being born with more than one power. As for the collective of these supernatural people, they can have powers ranging from pryokinesis to shapeshifting. A. Rose takes her time in revealing this world as she dutifully focuses on shaping Sophie as a character so that she can be a convincing window to this imaginative world. A coming of age story or a commentary on entering womanhood aided by the conflicts of accepting a society that enslaves humans and being part of the status quo. Along the way, Sophie is being shaped by her interactions and eagerness to seek the unknown ( Mortal Forest ) ), Sophie takes that hero's journey in the battle of good vs. evil.
A plus for the slow reveals of this world so I can get to know Sophie and envision her in my mind, her struggles and her wants. Tight editing, A. Rose's words are used to paint a world that is fresh and much needed in this genre.
Set all of that aside you have young woman name Sophie born with "powers," for Sophie, she is not your everyday supernatural beings she has the fortune of being born with more than one power. As for the collective of these supernatural people, they can have powers ranging from pryokinesis to shapeshifting. A. Rose takes her time in revealing this world as she dutifully focuses on shaping Sophie as a character so that she can be a convincing window to this imaginative world. A coming of age story or a commentary on entering womanhood aided by the conflicts of accepting a society that enslaves humans and being part of the status quo. Along the way, Sophie is being shaped by her interactions and eagerness to seek the unknown ( Mortal Forest ) ), Sophie takes that hero's journey in the battle of good vs. evil.
A plus for the slow reveals of this world so I can get to know Sophie and envision her in my mind, her struggles and her wants. Tight editing, A. Rose's words are used to paint a world that is fresh and much needed in this genre.
March 6, 2018
Okay, this book was the bomb.com for me! Yes, it totally enchanted me with everything about it! From the front cover, to the plot twist, to the characters and their traits, to the author and her unique sense of fashion oh my goodness you definitely should try it out for yourself. Alright, it is the story of a supernatural being called Sophie who is the daughter of a governor who is said to be gifted with many powers that she is the chosen one by a group of other supernatural beings called the Society to assist them with their mission towards world domination. Sophie is described as a person who keeps to herself and that her only friend was Devon, a guy with pyrotechnical abilities.
Everything was going fine with Sophie and Devon until they decide to visit a realm called the Mortal Forest where they come to meet Oliver who are members of the group that this book is named after called the Imitatore. Oliver is referred to as “they”, “them” and other plural terms because they have two forms: male and female. Now Sophie has recurring visitations from other supernatural beings like Temperance, a sharp teethed, wicked woman who cackles a lot, to Cassina, a being with striking blue eyes who advises and guides Sophie to what is right to a gothic-described, evil man called Damien who is the leader of the Society. There is another character who is called Sarah who helps Sophie come to terms with her elemental abilities.
Honestly, this is the second fantasy book that I genuinely enjoyed for all of its elements. I guess because of the way the author A. Rose’s writing style is and her own personal aesthetics. I tell you while I was reading it, I felt like I was watching a movie made up of African-American superheroes like the recent blockbuster movie, Black Panther. The front cover image itself is so unique I have not seen anything like it before and the author seems to be so in love with her world here that she created it’s definitely a beauty. I also think this book which is the first part of a series called The Donna Chronicles, should be a bestseller because as I have said before, I have never before seen a work by an African-American author that is so whimsical like its characters and the setting was so imaginative, plus its length was concise and I guess the word I am looking for here is alternative. I recommend it to all those who are looking for a fantasy/sci-fi book with a cast of all non-white individuals that is aimed at the Young Adult fiction audience. I will be anxiously waiting for the second book to see what author A. Rose will come up with next! Enjoy!
Everything was going fine with Sophie and Devon until they decide to visit a realm called the Mortal Forest where they come to meet Oliver who are members of the group that this book is named after called the Imitatore. Oliver is referred to as “they”, “them” and other plural terms because they have two forms: male and female. Now Sophie has recurring visitations from other supernatural beings like Temperance, a sharp teethed, wicked woman who cackles a lot, to Cassina, a being with striking blue eyes who advises and guides Sophie to what is right to a gothic-described, evil man called Damien who is the leader of the Society. There is another character who is called Sarah who helps Sophie come to terms with her elemental abilities.
Honestly, this is the second fantasy book that I genuinely enjoyed for all of its elements. I guess because of the way the author A. Rose’s writing style is and her own personal aesthetics. I tell you while I was reading it, I felt like I was watching a movie made up of African-American superheroes like the recent blockbuster movie, Black Panther. The front cover image itself is so unique I have not seen anything like it before and the author seems to be so in love with her world here that she created it’s definitely a beauty. I also think this book which is the first part of a series called The Donna Chronicles, should be a bestseller because as I have said before, I have never before seen a work by an African-American author that is so whimsical like its characters and the setting was so imaginative, plus its length was concise and I guess the word I am looking for here is alternative. I recommend it to all those who are looking for a fantasy/sci-fi book with a cast of all non-white individuals that is aimed at the Young Adult fiction audience. I will be anxiously waiting for the second book to see what author A. Rose will come up with next! Enjoy!
January 18, 2018
A Great Fantasy Read with Modern Updates
Having grown up on Tamora Pierce and Jacqueline Carey, this was a treat to revisit the world of fantasy through a new lens. The world of supernatural, of royalty, and of adventure, are often sought out. But wait! This world offers something new.
The often whitewashed and outdated genre, laden with exoticism, is replaced by A. Rose's characters... ones who do not shy away from mentions of melanin, of locs and coils. Who take anxiety meds and discuss non-binary pronouns. Who acknowledge human concepts and are not mere Mary-Sues but truly approachable and relatable characters.
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I still plan to buy a few copies in print to gift to friends - really, it's that good!
Having grown up on Tamora Pierce and Jacqueline Carey, this was a treat to revisit the world of fantasy through a new lens. The world of supernatural, of royalty, and of adventure, are often sought out. But wait! This world offers something new.
The often whitewashed and outdated genre, laden with exoticism, is replaced by A. Rose's characters... ones who do not shy away from mentions of melanin, of locs and coils. Who take anxiety meds and discuss non-binary pronouns. Who acknowledge human concepts and are not mere Mary-Sues but truly approachable and relatable characters.
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I still plan to buy a few copies in print to gift to friends - really, it's that good!
January 30, 2018
This is a great book! Well on it's way to becoming a series that you will become obsessed with. I think we might be looking at the new LA Banks! This story has the potential to be an amazing book series, hopefully with movie options!
March 3, 2018
Imitatore by A. Rose is an urban fantasy that follows Sophie, a young woman gifted with six magical abilities in a world where one makes you superior and none makes you inferior. To protect her from those who want to use her powers for evil, her father keeps her multiple abilities a secret from everyone. Up until now, this method has worked but that all goes out the window when Sophie’s path crosses with Oliver. Meeting them propels her into an adventure of self discovery riddled with battles within herself just as much as she battles with the Society, a group wanting to use her abilities for their own personal gain. There’s a constant internal struggle of good vs. evil within Sophie. And can you blame her? It’s hard to be good when being evil could reward you with great power. Which will Sophie choose?
This story surrounds the most diverse cast I’ve ever seen in a fantasy book. Not only does it follow POC, it contains a non-binary character, deaf character, and weaves mental health issues seamlessly throughout the story. Imitatore has everything you could ask for in a YA book: a strong female lead, magic/supernatural powers, action, and suspense sprinkled from start to finish. Twist and turns keep your head spinning and it all leads to a fantastic ending you won’t see coming, one that foreshadows an intriguing second book (yes a second book! This is just the first in the series). No character is insignificant (remember that!), each plays an important role in the events that take place in the book.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a magic lover (like myself) and searching for new diverse books to dive into. This book is truly special. I really enjoyed the pacing (no fluff!) and the fact that there’s foreshadowing everywhere (even on the cover of the book). After I finished the book, I immediately read the prologue and first two chapters again and was shocked to see how much I let slip past me without a second thought (definitely a second read through book). It made me even more excited to see what will happen in the second one!
This story surrounds the most diverse cast I’ve ever seen in a fantasy book. Not only does it follow POC, it contains a non-binary character, deaf character, and weaves mental health issues seamlessly throughout the story. Imitatore has everything you could ask for in a YA book: a strong female lead, magic/supernatural powers, action, and suspense sprinkled from start to finish. Twist and turns keep your head spinning and it all leads to a fantastic ending you won’t see coming, one that foreshadows an intriguing second book (yes a second book! This is just the first in the series). No character is insignificant (remember that!), each plays an important role in the events that take place in the book.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a magic lover (like myself) and searching for new diverse books to dive into. This book is truly special. I really enjoyed the pacing (no fluff!) and the fact that there’s foreshadowing everywhere (even on the cover of the book). After I finished the book, I immediately read the prologue and first two chapters again and was shocked to see how much I let slip past me without a second thought (definitely a second read through book). It made me even more excited to see what will happen in the second one!
January 10, 2018
I highly recommend this book as it masterfully covers the genre’s humble past, its flourishing present and promising future. This is definitely a fantastically, engaging read. I couldn't put it down.
August 31, 2018
A dark fantasy that explores the thrall of power.
May 25, 2018
https://readinglife342128355.wordpres...
I DNF'ed this!
Imitatore was another NetGalley book. As always, I was given a digital review copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review. I applied for this on NetGalley because the synopsis (I actually checked it this time.. wooooo!) appealed to me just as much as the cover did:
So where do I start with this one? Unfortunately this book made me do something I haven't done in YEARS; I put this book down halfway through. I actually DNF'd a book. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I did that :(
Let me say up front that this doesn't mean that there was nothing good about the book or that this review will simply be ripping it apart. Everyone likes different things and just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that you or others will feel the same. Reading, much like music, is such a subjective thing, and while there is technically good and bad ways to write, that doesn't mean that everyone will enjoy it.
Imitatore - A.Rose
In Sophie's world, those born with one power are superior, those born with none are inferior, and she is the one destined to save them all. Sophie's ability to have multiple powers makes her an anomaly, at the age of 23 she has six powers and has yet to master each one. At the order of her father, the Governor, those powers are kept secret in order to protect her from those who may want to exploit them. So when she meets Oliver, the Imitatore who possesses the gift of using her powers, her once peaceful world is shattered. Suddenly, Sophie is forced to face who she is, who she is destined to be, and learn who she is no longer able to trust. Oliver and Sophie are targets for The Society, a group of supernatural beings bent on destroying her world by eradicating humans and crowning a new queen. She must stop the evil group before they kill the Imitatore and force her to be the Queen of their new world.
So we follow Sophie through the journey of finding out her powers, her destiny and her counterpart Imitatore all mixed in with the normal growing up that's happening
The Positives:
- The diversity. After I stopped reading, I went back through to have a look for notes for the review and one thing struck me that I hadn't noticed while I was actually reading. The diversity of the characters including a young coloured/black (apologies if that's been expressed wrong!) girl as our lead character with her counterpart being male and female and neither at the same time. In today's climate that in itself deserves applauding.
- The plot. The plot itself intrigued me and really felt like it could go somewhere. It was essentially a good Vs evil, unexpected hero story in a fantasy world with supernatural elements. It ticks a lot of boxes for me and has potential.
The Negatives:
- The writing. This is the main reason I put the book down. I did not like it and felt it was lacking. It was very much, X moved here, X moved there, Y said this, Y thought that. There was no richness and descriptiveness. I didn't get a feeling of understanding the characters and what was going on. The writing was very detached and matter of fact and I felt like that hurt the plot and my investment in the book. I couldn't have closed my eyes and built up a picture of the scene in my head.
- How the story was told. This goes back to the writing again but I felt like this needed separating out. Over the years I've read a lot of different styles and POVs and this one is definitely one of the most bizarre for me. It felt like it was written as a factual telling, almost like it was written to be read out loud and not to be read just by a person. It wasn't first person, it wasn't 3rd person, it didn't feel like there was any POV really in it. I would love to see what this author could do with a historical re-telling or even a non-fiction book.
- The plot. I know, I know, I've done it again... I'm putting something in as a positive and a negative :D Although the premise of the plot ticked a lot of boxes for me, I couldn't actually follow it when I was reading. I was constantly having to go back a few pages or a chapter because I had no idea where we were, how we got there or even why we were there. Going back to both points above about the writing style, I feel like this caused confusion with the plot and ultimately put me off.
Overall I'd give this 2* because there were elements I enjoyed but the writing style meant I just couldn't carry on. I spent longer going back and trying to work out where we were and what was happening than actually enjoying the book. It made it a hard read for me unfortunately.
I DNF'ed this!
Imitatore was another NetGalley book. As always, I was given a digital review copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review. I applied for this on NetGalley because the synopsis (I actually checked it this time.. wooooo!) appealed to me just as much as the cover did:
So where do I start with this one? Unfortunately this book made me do something I haven't done in YEARS; I put this book down halfway through. I actually DNF'd a book. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I did that :(
Let me say up front that this doesn't mean that there was nothing good about the book or that this review will simply be ripping it apart. Everyone likes different things and just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that you or others will feel the same. Reading, much like music, is such a subjective thing, and while there is technically good and bad ways to write, that doesn't mean that everyone will enjoy it.
Imitatore - A.Rose
In Sophie's world, those born with one power are superior, those born with none are inferior, and she is the one destined to save them all. Sophie's ability to have multiple powers makes her an anomaly, at the age of 23 she has six powers and has yet to master each one. At the order of her father, the Governor, those powers are kept secret in order to protect her from those who may want to exploit them. So when she meets Oliver, the Imitatore who possesses the gift of using her powers, her once peaceful world is shattered. Suddenly, Sophie is forced to face who she is, who she is destined to be, and learn who she is no longer able to trust. Oliver and Sophie are targets for The Society, a group of supernatural beings bent on destroying her world by eradicating humans and crowning a new queen. She must stop the evil group before they kill the Imitatore and force her to be the Queen of their new world.
So we follow Sophie through the journey of finding out her powers, her destiny and her counterpart Imitatore all mixed in with the normal growing up that's happening
The Positives:
- The diversity. After I stopped reading, I went back through to have a look for notes for the review and one thing struck me that I hadn't noticed while I was actually reading. The diversity of the characters including a young coloured/black (apologies if that's been expressed wrong!) girl as our lead character with her counterpart being male and female and neither at the same time. In today's climate that in itself deserves applauding.
- The plot. The plot itself intrigued me and really felt like it could go somewhere. It was essentially a good Vs evil, unexpected hero story in a fantasy world with supernatural elements. It ticks a lot of boxes for me and has potential.
The Negatives:
- The writing. This is the main reason I put the book down. I did not like it and felt it was lacking. It was very much, X moved here, X moved there, Y said this, Y thought that. There was no richness and descriptiveness. I didn't get a feeling of understanding the characters and what was going on. The writing was very detached and matter of fact and I felt like that hurt the plot and my investment in the book. I couldn't have closed my eyes and built up a picture of the scene in my head.
- How the story was told. This goes back to the writing again but I felt like this needed separating out. Over the years I've read a lot of different styles and POVs and this one is definitely one of the most bizarre for me. It felt like it was written as a factual telling, almost like it was written to be read out loud and not to be read just by a person. It wasn't first person, it wasn't 3rd person, it didn't feel like there was any POV really in it. I would love to see what this author could do with a historical re-telling or even a non-fiction book.
- The plot. I know, I know, I've done it again... I'm putting something in as a positive and a negative :D Although the premise of the plot ticked a lot of boxes for me, I couldn't actually follow it when I was reading. I was constantly having to go back a few pages or a chapter because I had no idea where we were, how we got there or even why we were there. Going back to both points above about the writing style, I feel like this caused confusion with the plot and ultimately put me off.
Overall I'd give this 2* because there were elements I enjoyed but the writing style meant I just couldn't carry on. I spent longer going back and trying to work out where we were and what was happening than actually enjoying the book. It made it a hard read for me unfortunately.
April 22, 2018
Imitatore: (n.) One who has the ability to take on the powers of the Donna.
Donna: (n.) A magical person who has up to SIX special abilities.
The Society, led by Damien, want to change the world. The biggest problem: how he wants to do it. The best thing: he needs the help of the most unwilling person he will ever meet. Welcome to a world where everyone has an ability. If you don’t have an ability, you are deemed to be an ordinary human and made a slave.
Meet Sophie. She has multiple abilities and no one will explain how or why. During one of her many visions, she meets Oliver. Oliver has pale, almost translucent skin and no determinable gender. Oliver is in the heart of the forest; which is dangerous at the best of times. With the addition of Oliver, Sophie’s already interestingly difficult life becomes more complicated. With the help of Sarah, the librarian (who has a very gifted memory), and the help of The Council, Sophie and Oliver hone their abilities and must decide whose side will they join in this battle of good vs. evil. Will they make the right decision or will the world change as they know it?
The pros: The world is creatively diverse. There is inclusion of all sorts, we have POC, a non-binary character, a deaf character, and a pretty strong, yet frustrating female heroine. While Sophie knows she is strong, she also knows she has a lot to learn about herself and the abilities are a game changer. This is the kind of book if you read it a second time, you’ll pick up things you missed the first time. You’ll notice something different every time.
The cons: The first few chapters are confusing. You don’t know who is talking and who is doing what. It isn’t made clear who is who. Once you’ve finished the story, you’ll have to re-read the first few chapters. Knowing what you know, the first few chapters will make sense the second time around. Some issues or developments aren’t fully explained, but I’m guessing that helped set up the next book.
The book ends in such a way you have to read the next book to know how the world will turn out. With Sophie’s own internal battle of good vs. evil, will she be able to control her abilities and save not only the world but save herself? Stay tuned!
Donna: (n.) A magical person who has up to SIX special abilities.
The Society, led by Damien, want to change the world. The biggest problem: how he wants to do it. The best thing: he needs the help of the most unwilling person he will ever meet. Welcome to a world where everyone has an ability. If you don’t have an ability, you are deemed to be an ordinary human and made a slave.
Meet Sophie. She has multiple abilities and no one will explain how or why. During one of her many visions, she meets Oliver. Oliver has pale, almost translucent skin and no determinable gender. Oliver is in the heart of the forest; which is dangerous at the best of times. With the addition of Oliver, Sophie’s already interestingly difficult life becomes more complicated. With the help of Sarah, the librarian (who has a very gifted memory), and the help of The Council, Sophie and Oliver hone their abilities and must decide whose side will they join in this battle of good vs. evil. Will they make the right decision or will the world change as they know it?
The pros: The world is creatively diverse. There is inclusion of all sorts, we have POC, a non-binary character, a deaf character, and a pretty strong, yet frustrating female heroine. While Sophie knows she is strong, she also knows she has a lot to learn about herself and the abilities are a game changer. This is the kind of book if you read it a second time, you’ll pick up things you missed the first time. You’ll notice something different every time.
The cons: The first few chapters are confusing. You don’t know who is talking and who is doing what. It isn’t made clear who is who. Once you’ve finished the story, you’ll have to re-read the first few chapters. Knowing what you know, the first few chapters will make sense the second time around. Some issues or developments aren’t fully explained, but I’m guessing that helped set up the next book.
The book ends in such a way you have to read the next book to know how the world will turn out. With Sophie’s own internal battle of good vs. evil, will she be able to control her abilities and save not only the world but save herself? Stay tuned!
February 10, 2018
Imitatore is a book that will take you a world that is fascinating and wildly different. The author has an amazing imagination. Sophie has extraordinary powers and one of those abilities allows her to visualize a man in the Mortal Forest where humans live in exile. That’s the beginning of a journey that will take her to discover who she is, why she is in danger and why she is pursued. There are many characters incorporated into the story with unique talents and powers which enriches the story. There were nice twists towards the end that I had not foreseen. I enjoyed this book very much because it was original and creative.
March 26, 2018
The author, A. Rose, has command over a very vast and detailed imagination. This story not only tackles fantasy well, but pushes against some very stigmatized issues in society and presents them in a way that fits the story and keeps turning the pages. Following Sophie's adventure as she grew into her own powers. A. Rose did a great job of incorporating minorities and the oppressed into a fantastic story
A lot of focus and time when into creating the main character and walking her through the adventure. My only gripe would be that it's a tad slow at times, but the strong character and world by far make up for it.
A lot of focus and time when into creating the main character and walking her through the adventure. My only gripe would be that it's a tad slow at times, but the strong character and world by far make up for it.
February 19, 2018
Beautifully written and a pleasure to read. The story itself about supernatural beings with powers might not be the most original but the author's flair for capturing the deep emotions of her young characters is what make this story compelling and outstanding. What makes the story intriguing is how the author cleverly added twists and turns to keep this a page turner to the very end. Sophie is indeed a very promising character and I look forward to book 2 by this equally promising author.
February 4, 2018
Good Fantasy Read
When I began reading this book my very first impression was how nicely the words flowed together. Secondly, I enjoy a story that forces a character to hunt for who she or he truly is. Sophia also had to learn about her powers. This is an engaging read. The ending is very satisfying and hints at a series. Now, that would be a wonderful treat.
When I began reading this book my very first impression was how nicely the words flowed together. Secondly, I enjoy a story that forces a character to hunt for who she or he truly is. Sophia also had to learn about her powers. This is an engaging read. The ending is very satisfying and hints at a series. Now, that would be a wonderful treat.
March 8, 2018
I just could not get into this, it just seemed like there was no plot to begin with that I could grab onto.
December 30, 2019
Great premise but the writing was dry. I found it hard to emotionally connect to the story.
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