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Jinxed #1
Jinxed
'A little bit GOLDEN COMPASS, a little bit HUNGER GAMES, and all adventure' - Amie Kaufman, NYT bestselling author of ILLUMINAEThe brand-new series from the author of the magical POTION DIARIES adventures! Lacey Chu has big dreams of working for the company behind the 'baku' - a customizable smart pet that functions as a phone but makes the perfect companion for its user. The only problem is, she's just been rejected from Profectus Academy - the elite academy for cutting-edge tech. Then Lacey meets Jinx... Jinx is an incredibly advanced cat baku who opens up a world that Lacey never new existed, including entry into the hallowed halls of Profectus. But what is Jinx, really? His abilities far surpass anything written into his coded. He seems to be more than just a robotic pet. He seems ... real.‘The most compelling read of the year ... terrifyingly of the moment’ - Evening Standard PRAISE for The Potion Diaries 'Inventive, romantic, and downright delightful, Madly cast its spell on me from page one, and is the most fun I've had reading in ages!' Sarah J Maas, author of the Throne of Glass series 'It's so cool!' Zoe Sugg, aka Zoella
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2018
357 people are currently reading
2295 people want to read
About the author
Amy McCulloch
13 books831 followersAmy McCulloch is a Chinese-White author, born in the UK, raised in Ottawa, Canada, now based in London, UK. She has written several novels for children and young adults, and been published in over fifteen different languages. Her debut adult novel, BREATHLESS, releases in 2022.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
February 13, 2021
Yes I know I'm probably too old for this, but it's such good fun!
Lacey Chu lives in a world filled with ‘baku’, robot animal companions created by tech giant MONCHA. Conceived as replacements for mobile phones, the company hit on a whole new way for people to connect to the world and each other. Lacey dreams of being part of it, a companioneer designing new smart pets and upgrades for the ever growing market. But when she doesn’t get into the specialist feeder school, Profectus, all her plans for the future are ruined.
Until she finds the remains of a strangely different cat baku...
Now I don’t know whether there are any companies working on these yet but someone needs to get to it. I’m a sucker for a story with any kind of familiar, but this version has the enticing possibility that it could be real one day. So far my hopes for a magical cat familiar have gone nowhere. But how about a tech one???
That’s not the only appealing thing here either, this book is full of positive representations, ethical discussions, and life lessons. It might be exciting and fun but it’s also reflective. It’s about family and friendship, doing what’s right and supporting others. The book talks about privilege and misuse of power, diversity, freedom, and what can vs what should be done in science and society. There’s so much support and enthusiasm for STEM and geekiness in general, these avenues presented as FOR EVERYONE. Honestly, there’s tons to love and it’s done in a seriously engaging way.
Curled comfortably around it all is the mystery of Jinx, a smart cat who is somehow more... I won’t spoil any surprises but it’s safe to say he’s everything you think a feline robot should be. Except much better. I desperately need a friend like him. Though I’m not sure my flesh and blood cats would be too amused...
I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
ARC via Netgalley
Lacey Chu lives in a world filled with ‘baku’, robot animal companions created by tech giant MONCHA. Conceived as replacements for mobile phones, the company hit on a whole new way for people to connect to the world and each other. Lacey dreams of being part of it, a companioneer designing new smart pets and upgrades for the ever growing market. But when she doesn’t get into the specialist feeder school, Profectus, all her plans for the future are ruined.
Until she finds the remains of a strangely different cat baku...
Now I don’t know whether there are any companies working on these yet but someone needs to get to it. I’m a sucker for a story with any kind of familiar, but this version has the enticing possibility that it could be real one day. So far my hopes for a magical cat familiar have gone nowhere. But how about a tech one???
That’s not the only appealing thing here either, this book is full of positive representations, ethical discussions, and life lessons. It might be exciting and fun but it’s also reflective. It’s about family and friendship, doing what’s right and supporting others. The book talks about privilege and misuse of power, diversity, freedom, and what can vs what should be done in science and society. There’s so much support and enthusiasm for STEM and geekiness in general, these avenues presented as FOR EVERYONE. Honestly, there’s tons to love and it’s done in a seriously engaging way.
Curled comfortably around it all is the mystery of Jinx, a smart cat who is somehow more... I won’t spoil any surprises but it’s safe to say he’s everything you think a feline robot should be. Except much better. I desperately need a friend like him. Though I’m not sure my flesh and blood cats would be too amused...
I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
ARC via Netgalley
November 11, 2018
3.5 out of 5 stars!
I have some mixed feelings about Jinxed... the main robotic cat is this is called Jinx which is the name of my cat... so, my cat is famous! Kind of XD
But in all seriousness, I loved the premise behind the story. Set in a futuristic world involving bakus (robotic animals) instead of using mobile phones in everyday life. Lacey originally gets rejected for her dream school. But on stumbling onto Jinx, she learns that she will be attending after all. Along the way, she makes new friends, stumbles into an old enemy who is determined to make her fail and some hidden secrets about the origin of her Baku (Jinx). I was all for the concept but what let the story down for me was world building. I really struggled to visualise the surroundings for the majority of the novel. I liked Lacey as a character and Jinx (duh!), both were fun to learn about and I liked the idea of Baku battles (very Hunger Games reminiscent). I'm still curious to see what happens next but I'm not 100% in love just yet!
I have some mixed feelings about Jinxed... the main robotic cat is this is called Jinx which is the name of my cat... so, my cat is famous! Kind of XD
But in all seriousness, I loved the premise behind the story. Set in a futuristic world involving bakus (robotic animals) instead of using mobile phones in everyday life. Lacey originally gets rejected for her dream school. But on stumbling onto Jinx, she learns that she will be attending after all. Along the way, she makes new friends, stumbles into an old enemy who is determined to make her fail and some hidden secrets about the origin of her Baku (Jinx). I was all for the concept but what let the story down for me was world building. I really struggled to visualise the surroundings for the majority of the novel. I liked Lacey as a character and Jinx (duh!), both were fun to learn about and I liked the idea of Baku battles (very Hunger Games reminiscent). I'm still curious to see what happens next but I'm not 100% in love just yet!
January 29, 2019
Ik was aangenaam verrast door Jinxed. Vooral het feit dat meisjes in dit boek in verband worden gebracht met technologie vind ik een flink pluspunt. Het hoofdpersonage Lacey is een echte knutselaar - een maker - die wel raad weet met soldeerbout, 3D-printer en ander gereedschap. Haar beste vriendin Zora is dan weer een kei in programmeren. Ik hoop dat deze boeken veel jonge meisjes inspireren en hun interesse voor wetenschappen aan wakkeren!
Het verhaal zelf is een typisch Young Adult verhaal waar wel wat clichés in voorkomen. Een afwezige vader (ik vermoed dat deze later in de serie zal opduiken), een hoofdpersonage dat wel heel perfect is, een verliefdheid gebaseerd op iemands prachtige ogen, .. Toch stoorde dit me nauwelijks. Ik had wel zin in een luchtige YA en dat kreeg ik op een presenteerblaadje. Ik las het boek in een heerlijke avond uit.
De geschetste wereld vond ik echt heel tof en origineel. De baku's zijn heel interessant en Jinx is super cool!
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Oog op de Toekomst.
Het verhaal zelf is een typisch Young Adult verhaal waar wel wat clichés in voorkomen. Een afwezige vader (ik vermoed dat deze later in de serie zal opduiken), een hoofdpersonage dat wel heel perfect is, een verliefdheid gebaseerd op iemands prachtige ogen, .. Toch stoorde dit me nauwelijks. Ik had wel zin in een luchtige YA en dat kreeg ik op een presenteerblaadje. Ik las het boek in een heerlijke avond uit.
De geschetste wereld vond ik echt heel tof en origineel. De baku's zijn heel interessant en Jinx is super cool!
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Oog op de Toekomst.
January 31, 2019
"Hoe kon je er ooit klaar voor zijn om te verliezen waar je je hele leven naartoe had gewerkt?" ~ p5.
Wat een GEWELDIG boek, maar dat einde!!! Alsjeblieft laat ons niet te lang wachten, ik MOET weten hoe het verder gaat. Nú.
" Ik heb 3 maanden om dit stuk schroot om te toveren tot een werkende baku. Als ik dit voor elkaar krijg ben ik een echte wonderprutser." ~ p73.
Jinxed is het eerste deel van een splinter nieuwe YA serie. Het vertelt het verhaal van Lacey, wiens grote droom het is om later voor Mocha te werken: de uitvinder van het robot-huisdier, de baku. Wanneer ze wordt afgewezen op Profectus, de eliteschool waar alles draait om high tech, valt haar droom in duigen. Wanneer zij de kapotte resten een level 3-baku vindt, blijken haar kansen te keren.
Ik denk dat ik nu al durf te zeggen dat dit mijn favoriete YA boek van 2019 gaat zijn. Alles aan dit verhaal klopt gewoon. Als lezer wordt je direct in het verhaal gezogen, je beleeft echt de wereld om je heen,de personages kruipen in je hart, en bovenalles: je wilt er zijn. Ik zou echt direct mijn mobiel inleveren voor een baku en geloof me, mijn mobiel is heilig. Daarmee geef ik direct het mooiste punt van het verhaal aan; Er wordt zo goed i
ngespeeld op de positie van de mobiele telefoon in de huidige maatschappij en een prachtige oplossing geboden, dat je het concept wilt geloven. Ik hou van de nerdy techniek elementen, die op een begrijpende manier gebracht worden. Van de veelzijdigheid van de baku's, het mysterie rondom de school. Ja, dit is gewoon AWESOME!
"De mensen op de terrassen praten met elkaar in plaats van op hun telefoon te kijken, en toch hoeven ze dankzij hun baku nooit een bericht te missen." ~ p96.
Oke, ik was een klein beetje dom. Ik was namelijk zo verliefd op de cover en de flap tekst, dat ik compleet vergat verder te kijken. Dus ik was echt vre-se-lijk teleurgesteld toen ik er op de laatste pagina achterkwam dat het verhaal niet klaar was. Help!!! IK WIL MEER!!!
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
Wat een GEWELDIG boek, maar dat einde!!! Alsjeblieft laat ons niet te lang wachten, ik MOET weten hoe het verder gaat. Nú.
" Ik heb 3 maanden om dit stuk schroot om te toveren tot een werkende baku. Als ik dit voor elkaar krijg ben ik een echte wonderprutser." ~ p73.
Jinxed is het eerste deel van een splinter nieuwe YA serie. Het vertelt het verhaal van Lacey, wiens grote droom het is om later voor Mocha te werken: de uitvinder van het robot-huisdier, de baku. Wanneer ze wordt afgewezen op Profectus, de eliteschool waar alles draait om high tech, valt haar droom in duigen. Wanneer zij de kapotte resten een level 3-baku vindt, blijken haar kansen te keren.
Ik denk dat ik nu al durf te zeggen dat dit mijn favoriete YA boek van 2019 gaat zijn. Alles aan dit verhaal klopt gewoon. Als lezer wordt je direct in het verhaal gezogen, je beleeft echt de wereld om je heen,de personages kruipen in je hart, en bovenalles: je wilt er zijn. Ik zou echt direct mijn mobiel inleveren voor een baku en geloof me, mijn mobiel is heilig. Daarmee geef ik direct het mooiste punt van het verhaal aan; Er wordt zo goed i
ngespeeld op de positie van de mobiele telefoon in de huidige maatschappij en een prachtige oplossing geboden, dat je het concept wilt geloven. Ik hou van de nerdy techniek elementen, die op een begrijpende manier gebracht worden. Van de veelzijdigheid van de baku's, het mysterie rondom de school. Ja, dit is gewoon AWESOME!
"De mensen op de terrassen praten met elkaar in plaats van op hun telefoon te kijken, en toch hoeven ze dankzij hun baku nooit een bericht te missen." ~ p96.
Oke, ik was een klein beetje dom. Ik was namelijk zo verliefd op de cover en de flap tekst, dat ik compleet vergat verder te kijken. Dus ik was echt vre-se-lijk teleurgesteld toen ik er op de laatste pagina achterkwam dat het verhaal niet klaar was. Help!!! IK WIL MEER!!!
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
January 2, 2020
I love this book! So entertaining! Just a fun book to read!
Lacey Chu dreams of working for MONCHA Corp, a large tech firm that makes digital pets called Baku. She's 12 and her biggest goal in life is to be a companioneer, creating Baku. Lacey's plans are in jeopardy when she is turned down for a spot at the Profectus Academy in Toronto. Just as she thinks her life is over before it really got started, she finds a damaged Baku. As she repairs it, the little digital cat somehow gets her a spot in Profectus. As she gets involved in school and learns more about Jinx, she finds out the little cat is part of a dangerous secret....
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kept my attention from start to finish. It's definitely written for middle grade readers, but adults can definitely enjoy this story too! The story is age appropriate and interesting enough to tempt even reluctant readers.
I had such fun reading this book that I'm giving it full stars. I ordered a copy for my keeper shelf. There is a second book in the Jinxed series, Unleashed. I added it to my wish list, and I'm definitely eagerly awaiting another book. Such a fun story! Wish I had a digital cat instead of an iphone! :)
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Kids via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**
Lacey Chu dreams of working for MONCHA Corp, a large tech firm that makes digital pets called Baku. She's 12 and her biggest goal in life is to be a companioneer, creating Baku. Lacey's plans are in jeopardy when she is turned down for a spot at the Profectus Academy in Toronto. Just as she thinks her life is over before it really got started, she finds a damaged Baku. As she repairs it, the little digital cat somehow gets her a spot in Profectus. As she gets involved in school and learns more about Jinx, she finds out the little cat is part of a dangerous secret....
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kept my attention from start to finish. It's definitely written for middle grade readers, but adults can definitely enjoy this story too! The story is age appropriate and interesting enough to tempt even reluctant readers.
I had such fun reading this book that I'm giving it full stars. I ordered a copy for my keeper shelf. There is a second book in the Jinxed series, Unleashed. I added it to my wish list, and I'm definitely eagerly awaiting another book. Such a fun story! Wish I had a digital cat instead of an iphone! :)
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Kids via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**
December 26, 2019
Holy. This was amazing from start to finish! And that ending!! I wanted to scream!
It was just so wow. It kind of gave me metabots feel, but with school, golden compass and more!
It was just so wow. It kind of gave me metabots feel, but with school, golden compass and more!
September 20, 2019
Even though I never completely fell in love with Jinxed, it was a super fun read. I've been meaning to read the book for ages because the premise is so cool - the people of the world now run around with bakus by their side. Bakus are basically robots in the shape of pets that allow you to read your e-mails, make your phone calls, and everything else a smartphone can do, but because of the connection you form with your baku, they become the ultimate companion.
Except for Jinx, a special baku who behaves like a modern-day house cat and doesn't feel like obeying you whatsoever. Also, there might be a huge secret plot built around him.
The baku battles provided some very sweet Pokémon nostalgia. The only thing that really confused me was: where did all the real animals go? They were mentioned very briefly as being "former pets", and there were a bunch of cats in a park that ate and slept all day? Either way, it was an unsatisfying explanation.
Overall, really good fun - probably more so for younger readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy
Except for Jinx, a special baku who behaves like a modern-day house cat and doesn't feel like obeying you whatsoever. Also, there might be a huge secret plot built around him.
The baku battles provided some very sweet Pokémon nostalgia. The only thing that really confused me was: where did all the real animals go? They were mentioned very briefly as being "former pets", and there were a bunch of cats in a park that ate and slept all day? Either way, it was an unsatisfying explanation.
Overall, really good fun - probably more so for younger readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy
August 6, 2018
This was such a fun book to read!!
It was a wonderful first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one!
It's an amazing book centered around STEM (mostly engineering) and especially women in STEM, which is just great to see in YA!
I really enjoyed the characters and tbh I'm not really sure what happened towards the end. So much is left up in the air, and there is so much mystery! I need to know!!! D:
I would 100% recommend giving this one a go if a women led STEM / sci-fi books with lots of mystery sounds interesting to you!
It was a wonderful first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one!
It's an amazing book centered around STEM (mostly engineering) and especially women in STEM, which is just great to see in YA!
I really enjoyed the characters and tbh I'm not really sure what happened towards the end. So much is left up in the air, and there is so much mystery! I need to know!!! D:
I would 100% recommend giving this one a go if a women led STEM / sci-fi books with lots of mystery sounds interesting to you!
October 26, 2022
Tweede lezing: Ik vind dit nog steeds een heerlijk en origineel boek. Op naar deel 2.
Eerste lezing:
Van genoten! Heerlijk en origineel boek!
Alleen vond ik de vertaling minder. Nooit last van in een boek maar er stonden soms gekke zinnen waardoor ik moest gaan puzzelen. Eén zin weet ik nog steeds niet van wat er nu mee bedoeld werd.
Eerste lezing:
Van genoten! Heerlijk en origineel boek!
Alleen vond ik de vertaling minder. Nooit last van in een boek maar er stonden soms gekke zinnen waardoor ik moest gaan puzzelen. Eén zin weet ik nog steeds niet van wat er nu mee bedoeld werd.
April 2, 2019
Oh doe me dit niet aan! Ik kan echt niet wachten totdat deel 2 er is. Van begin tot eind meteen in het verhaal gezogen.
July 15, 2019
Ik vond dit een erg vermakelijk verhaal. Ten eerste vond ik het concept echt geweldig en al die technische termen vond ik heerlijk. Daarnaast had ik echt een aantal vermoedens over hoe het verhaal zou verlopen, maar niets daarvan bleek te kloppen. Ik vond het erg verfrissend dat een boek eens niet zo voorspelbaar was. Ondanks dat ik het een erg leuk en vermakelijk verhaal vond, gaf het mij geen vijf sterren gevoel. Ik weet niet precies hoe dit kwam, maar ik denk dat het door de schrijfstijl kwam, die was het nét niet voor mij.
July 23, 2018
Ooops I read this under the table at work?
Review to come on release. But DAMN IT'S GOOD.
Read my review first on my blog.
Review to come on release. But DAMN IT'S GOOD.
Read my review first on my blog.
February 9, 2019
4.5 of 4.75 /5 sterren.
Wat een super gaaf boek!
Recensie binnenkort op My Perfect Book Life
Wat een super gaaf boek!
Recensie binnenkort op My Perfect Book Life
May 20, 2019
Wauw, ik hou van dit verhaal. Ik hou van de personages, de schrijfstijl, het unieke verhaal en de spanning die uiteindelijk toch de hoek om komt.
En dat einde.. Er komt een vervolg, dat weet ik bijna wel zeker. Met zo'n einde kun je je lezers niet laten zitten!!
En dat einde.. Er komt een vervolg, dat weet ik bijna wel zeker. Met zo'n einde kun je je lezers niet laten zitten!!
February 27, 2019
Een uitgebreidere recensie is te vinden op Marieke's Books.
Wat een ontzettend tof boek! Vanaf het begin zat ik meteen in het verhaal en ik wilde continu doorlezen. Dit zit zo goed in elkaar! Ik ben heel erg benieuwd naar het vervolg. Hoe gaat dit verder??
Wat een ontzettend tof boek! Vanaf het begin zat ik meteen in het verhaal en ik wilde continu doorlezen. Dit zit zo goed in elkaar! Ik ben heel erg benieuwd naar het vervolg. Hoe gaat dit verder??
September 15, 2018
Een prima boek, maar het was ook erg voorspelbaar en zat vol cliché's. Toch niet echt iets voor mij! Lees hier mijn recensie: https://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie...
December 26, 2019
A fascinating premise in which smart phones are replaced with robo companions called Bakus. I don't know what happened to all the real animals, but the Bakus are pretty cool. Lacey's ambition in life is to be an engineer at MONCHA, the company that designs the Bakus. She has skills and uses them to get herself into the school she needs to realize that ambition. Cracks begin to form in the MONCHA facade as she gets a closer look. There are Baku battles which add a new level to the narrative and reminded me a bit of Hunger Games. Lots of unanswered questions, including the huge cliffhanger at the end. I am engaged enough to seek out the sequel and hope it ends well.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2019
4,5 recensie volgt op mijn blog!
July 31, 2019
Middle grades and YA readers of sci-fi and action/ adventure with get all that and more from McCulloch’s series opener “Jinxed.” Cell phones and tablets are completely outdated and instead, everyone has an engineered insect or mammal, called a baku, that is tricked out to do everything today’s smart phones and computers can, but can also become attuned to their owners needs and feelings. Lacey is a STEM whiz with her sights set on working for the premier technology firm and getting into a prestigious prep school is almost required in order to make that happen. Weird things happen and she gets in, but along the way, she finds an unusual feline baku in a scary state of disrepair, fixes Jinx up, meets a gorgeous fellow student, gets on a baku battle team, and discovers that someone is after her unusual cat companion and will stop at nothing to get it. McCulloch builds a world that is futuristic, but the teenaged characters still want and need all the same things that teens today yearn for: family, a sense of belonging, and the feeling that comes from being truly excellent at something. The baku battles are fast paced, the intrigue is not completely predictable and the ending has plenty of unanswered questions that will leave readers anxious for the next installment. 5th-8th graders are likely the target audience, but the action and creativity will also appeal to a slightly older crowd. Content notes-no profanity, one small kiss is the limit of the sexual content, and the violence is almost exclusively baku on baku. Highly recommended. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley and Edelweiss Plus.
March 22, 2021
"I give the group a nervous wave, confused by the wave of hostility coming from the guy, who has the tallest spiked hair I've ever seen."
Me: Lol, sounds like Kai in the new Ninjago series.
"...Tobias gestures to him first. "This is Kai..."
Me: *chokes*
Me: Lol, sounds like Kai in the new Ninjago series.
"...Tobias gestures to him first. "This is Kai..."
Me: *chokes*
March 18, 2019
5/5 sterren.
Dit boek. Wauw. Meer woorden heb ik hier bijna niet voor. Ik vind dit echt zo'n geweldig boek en echt spannend.
Het enige wat misschien nog beter kon beschreven worden, was de wereld. Maar dit stoorde mij echt niet en overtuigt me ook niet om hier minder sterren voor te geven.
En die cliffhanger! IK HEB HET VOLGENDE BOEK NODIG!!!
Dit boek. Wauw. Meer woorden heb ik hier bijna niet voor. Ik vind dit echt zo'n geweldig boek en echt spannend.
Het enige wat misschien nog beter kon beschreven worden, was de wereld. Maar dit stoorde mij echt niet en overtuigt me ook niet om hier minder sterren voor te geven.
En die cliffhanger! IK HEB HET VOLGENDE BOEK NODIG!!!
April 29, 2020
Heel erg van genoten eigenlijk van dit (audio)boek! Er waren hier en daar wat struikelblokken maar al bij al vond ik het wel een leuke read. Ik ga hier later nog wat uitgebreider op in!
July 10, 2018
Jinxed is a fun, near-futuristic science-fiction novel that will appeal to young teen readers, especially those interested in STEM.
Lacey Chu’s one dream is to become a companioneer with the biggest tech company Moncha, the creators of the Baku - part smartphone part animal companion. But when she is rejected entry to the prestigious academy Profectus, a second chance unexpectedly arrives in the form of a broken Level 3 Baku. Lacey spends the summer fixing the robotic cat before joining her new classmates. She hopes no one will discover the way she was admitted or Jinx’s secret - he doesn’t act or communicate like a normal Baku. But the school-run Baku Battles throw Lacey and Jinx into the spotlight.
Like robot wars and high school, Jinx mixes advanced technology with friendship dramas and fights to the death (for the robots). Lacey is a keen companioneer - an engineer who specialises in tinkering and fixing the mechanics of the robotic pet companions. Lacey’s best friend is a gifted coder and both young ladies promote strong role models for young girls interested in the fields of science, technology and engineering, as does the founder and creator of the Baku technology, Monica Chan. Lacey greatly idolises Monica, her inventions, company, community and cities that have sprung up around the company and everything from the schools and employment programs she has created. I was a little suspicious of Lacey’s unwavering devotion to Monica and the technology. While this is slightly explored later in the novel, the focus on the Baku technology remains largely positive. It warrants further discussion with readers about such technology, the possibility of its creation in our own world and one’s response to it.
The Baku Battles bring plenty of action and drama to the pages of Jinx, heightening the stakes around Lacey and Jinx’s secret, exposing their strengths, and complicating Lacey’s life with both enemies and allies. With a dash of developing romance, friendship complications, plenty of intrigue still to be unraveled and a big cliffhanger ending, readers will be eager to get their hands on Jinx’s sequel.
Jinxed is a lighthearted and fun novel, perfect for young teen readers. With diverse characters and a focus on strong, talented females, it is an easy book to recommend.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Lacey Chu’s one dream is to become a companioneer with the biggest tech company Moncha, the creators of the Baku - part smartphone part animal companion. But when she is rejected entry to the prestigious academy Profectus, a second chance unexpectedly arrives in the form of a broken Level 3 Baku. Lacey spends the summer fixing the robotic cat before joining her new classmates. She hopes no one will discover the way she was admitted or Jinx’s secret - he doesn’t act or communicate like a normal Baku. But the school-run Baku Battles throw Lacey and Jinx into the spotlight.
Like robot wars and high school, Jinx mixes advanced technology with friendship dramas and fights to the death (for the robots). Lacey is a keen companioneer - an engineer who specialises in tinkering and fixing the mechanics of the robotic pet companions. Lacey’s best friend is a gifted coder and both young ladies promote strong role models for young girls interested in the fields of science, technology and engineering, as does the founder and creator of the Baku technology, Monica Chan. Lacey greatly idolises Monica, her inventions, company, community and cities that have sprung up around the company and everything from the schools and employment programs she has created. I was a little suspicious of Lacey’s unwavering devotion to Monica and the technology. While this is slightly explored later in the novel, the focus on the Baku technology remains largely positive. It warrants further discussion with readers about such technology, the possibility of its creation in our own world and one’s response to it.
The Baku Battles bring plenty of action and drama to the pages of Jinx, heightening the stakes around Lacey and Jinx’s secret, exposing their strengths, and complicating Lacey’s life with both enemies and allies. With a dash of developing romance, friendship complications, plenty of intrigue still to be unraveled and a big cliffhanger ending, readers will be eager to get their hands on Jinx’s sequel.
Jinxed is a lighthearted and fun novel, perfect for young teen readers. With diverse characters and a focus on strong, talented females, it is an easy book to recommend.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
March 15, 2019
Ik zag dat veel mensen Jinxed al gelezen hadden en ik had expres hun recensies niet gelezen. Ik wilde helemaal zonder vooroordelen dit boek in gaan. En daar ben ik blij om! De hoofdpersoon Lacey Chu is aan het begin van het boek aan het wachten op haar toelating tot Profectus, de school waar ze naar toe wil. Maar er is een probleem, om toegelaten te worden heb je een level 3-baku nodig, en dat kan Lacey niet betalen.
Nadat Lacey een kapotte, super coole, baku vindt die minstens level 3 is, verandert haar leven. Ze is eerst een zomer bezig met de baku te repareren en dan blijkt dat ze toch wel is toegelaten tot Profectus. Het avontuur kan beginnen!
Op de eerste schooldag ontdekt Lacey dat de school nog cooler is dan ze had verwacht. Maar er liggen ook gevaren op de weg. Ten eerste is Jinx (de baku die ze vond) anders dan andere baku’s én is er een vervelende jongen die haar het leven zuur wil maken.
Het verhaal wordt langzaam opgebouwd, geen verrassende plottwists, het verhaal loopt zoals je denkt (in grote lijnen). Toch krijg je als lezer wat verrassingen, maar die dingen zijn ook een verrassing voor Lacey. Wie is er wel te vertrouwen en wie niet?
Het karakter Lacey is goed uitgewerkt, van de andere personages weet je genoeg om ze op de juiste plek in het verhaal te plaatsen.
Maar dan moeten we het even hebben over het einde. Denk je dat je alles hebt gezien (gelezen), is er een enorme cliffhanger op de laatste bladzijde! Amy McCulloch, wat doe je ons aan? Hopelijk komen er nog veel boeken, want deze wereld is heel fijn. Het lijkt op de wereld van nu, maar toch ook weer niet.
Ik wil Harper Collins Young Adult bedanken voor het opsturen van een recensie-exemplaar.
Nadat Lacey een kapotte, super coole, baku vindt die minstens level 3 is, verandert haar leven. Ze is eerst een zomer bezig met de baku te repareren en dan blijkt dat ze toch wel is toegelaten tot Profectus. Het avontuur kan beginnen!
Op de eerste schooldag ontdekt Lacey dat de school nog cooler is dan ze had verwacht. Maar er liggen ook gevaren op de weg. Ten eerste is Jinx (de baku die ze vond) anders dan andere baku’s én is er een vervelende jongen die haar het leven zuur wil maken.
Het verhaal wordt langzaam opgebouwd, geen verrassende plottwists, het verhaal loopt zoals je denkt (in grote lijnen). Toch krijg je als lezer wat verrassingen, maar die dingen zijn ook een verrassing voor Lacey. Wie is er wel te vertrouwen en wie niet?
Het karakter Lacey is goed uitgewerkt, van de andere personages weet je genoeg om ze op de juiste plek in het verhaal te plaatsen.
Maar dan moeten we het even hebben over het einde. Denk je dat je alles hebt gezien (gelezen), is er een enorme cliffhanger op de laatste bladzijde! Amy McCulloch, wat doe je ons aan? Hopelijk komen er nog veel boeken, want deze wereld is heel fijn. Het lijkt op de wereld van nu, maar toch ook weer niet.
Ik wil Harper Collins Young Adult bedanken voor het opsturen van een recensie-exemplaar.
December 29, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I liked the concept of this book but ultimately I think the middle grade level was maybe not the best decision for it. There were a lot of holes and just flat out weird things in the world building from my point of view.
Everyone in this world uses bakus - robotic animals that are basically like your cell phone / computer - and the bakus are supposed to also be like pets or friends but then Lacy gets into the school run by the woman who invented the bakus and a huge part of it is making the bakus fight sometimes to the point where they are completely ruined and have to be replaced. I know they're not real animals and are 'just robots' but it seems weird to be like 'these are made to be life-long friends and last forever' and also 'make them tear each other apart!' in basically the same breath.
Overall I don't think the dystopian aspect of this society was really brought to the forefront as much as it should have and it would have probably been an easier topic to tackle if this book was young adult instead of middle grade. I really liked Jinx as a character but at this point I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
I liked the concept of this book but ultimately I think the middle grade level was maybe not the best decision for it. There were a lot of holes and just flat out weird things in the world building from my point of view.
Everyone in this world uses bakus - robotic animals that are basically like your cell phone / computer - and the bakus are supposed to also be like pets or friends but then Lacy gets into the school run by the woman who invented the bakus and a huge part of it is making the bakus fight sometimes to the point where they are completely ruined and have to be replaced. I know they're not real animals and are 'just robots' but it seems weird to be like 'these are made to be life-long friends and last forever' and also 'make them tear each other apart!' in basically the same breath.
Overall I don't think the dystopian aspect of this society was really brought to the forefront as much as it should have and it would have probably been an easier topic to tackle if this book was young adult instead of middle grade. I really liked Jinx as a character but at this point I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.
December 30, 2019
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This tense, smart middle grade book establishes a near-future Earth where only the poorest people have smart phones. Anyone who’s anyone has a baku, which is a companion robot, computer, and accessory all in one. Lacey Chu is a brilliant young engineer with her hopes set on getting into an elite school that fast-tracks graduates to the Moncha corporation, where Monica Chan invented bakus. Lacey is devastated when she isn’t accepted, and embarrassed when all she can afford is a measly level one scarab baku. But when she finds a piece of junk and hauls it home to her workshop, she’s stunned to find it’s a cat baku unlike any other. She fixes it up. Suddenly, her school rejection is undone. She’s in! But as she starts her dream school, she realizes her baku, Jinx, is truly unique. He doesn’t obey orders, as if he.... is alive.
This book is so much fun. You can’t help but love Jinx. He’s such a cat. Lacey is a great heroine, a kid with dreams and genuine drive. I found the book breathless in pace. I didn't want to put it down! My only complaint is that the book ends on a tortuous cliffhanger.
This tense, smart middle grade book establishes a near-future Earth where only the poorest people have smart phones. Anyone who’s anyone has a baku, which is a companion robot, computer, and accessory all in one. Lacey Chu is a brilliant young engineer with her hopes set on getting into an elite school that fast-tracks graduates to the Moncha corporation, where Monica Chan invented bakus. Lacey is devastated when she isn’t accepted, and embarrassed when all she can afford is a measly level one scarab baku. But when she finds a piece of junk and hauls it home to her workshop, she’s stunned to find it’s a cat baku unlike any other. She fixes it up. Suddenly, her school rejection is undone. She’s in! But as she starts her dream school, she realizes her baku, Jinx, is truly unique. He doesn’t obey orders, as if he.... is alive.
This book is so much fun. You can’t help but love Jinx. He’s such a cat. Lacey is a great heroine, a kid with dreams and genuine drive. I found the book breathless in pace. I didn't want to put it down! My only complaint is that the book ends on a tortuous cliffhanger.
September 13, 2018
I need a Baku! Jinx was sassy and wonderful, and definitely my favourite character.
I did really like Lacey and how good she was at companioneering, she was awesome. I less liked her suddenly being a dizzy muppet over a boy, but other than that her character was fab and really worked for me.
I got proper protective over the bakus in battle, my babies!!
I definitely need to know more about Lacey’s dad and also about Monica too. There’s so much intrigue there and not enough information!! I loved the bright shiny ness of Moncha with its secretive overtones haha. Love a conspiracy theory.
Both my favourite bit and my least favourite bit is the ending. The last 100 pages or so are the BEST - no romancey bits, loads of action and reveals, excellent! But how could it finish there?! Omg. I’m not even joking, I docked half a star for stopping just as I was dying for more! I do think I’d have liked a little more before finishing, and it would still make a good end point to lead to a sequel.
Overall a very strong and fun book, with awesome Pokemon like vibes. :)
I did really like Lacey and how good she was at companioneering, she was awesome. I less liked her suddenly being a dizzy muppet over a boy, but other than that her character was fab and really worked for me.
I got proper protective over the bakus in battle, my babies!!
I definitely need to know more about Lacey’s dad and also about Monica too. There’s so much intrigue there and not enough information!! I loved the bright shiny ness of Moncha with its secretive overtones haha. Love a conspiracy theory.
Both my favourite bit and my least favourite bit is the ending. The last 100 pages or so are the BEST - no romancey bits, loads of action and reveals, excellent! But how could it finish there?! Omg. I’m not even joking, I docked half a star for stopping just as I was dying for more! I do think I’d have liked a little more before finishing, and it would still make a good end point to lead to a sequel.
Overall a very strong and fun book, with awesome Pokemon like vibes. :)
December 22, 2022
Wow, just wow. I had heard a lot about this book but wasn't sure of what to expect when I started reading it. I was absolutely captivated! And y'all, I was NOT expecting it to get emotional. Literally, the ending left me shattered. Though I kind of hate pets, I grew to love Jink. His sarcasm was priceless, and his emotions just swept me away. Also, I love how different all the characters were. They each had their own personalities and flaws that made them them. Carter bugged me so much that I sometimes wanted to throw the book. I love it when authors can make me despise characters. :D I of course can't go without talking about Tobias. I was not expecting anything between him and Lacy to happen but wasn't mad haha. I loved him as soon as he appeared since I am rather fond of serious characters, but his heart later came out, which made me love him even more. Ack, and THE CLIFFHANGER! I wasn't sure how the book was going to end and I'm very satisfied with it. I'm excited to see how this adventure will conclude in the next book!
May 1, 2022
This book was soooooo good! I'll leave this review spoiler free for those who like no spoilers!
I haven't really read science fiction before so, I might be a little inexperienced in the genre but, the story was so good! There are multiple plot twists, none of which I knew were coming. The writing is beautiful! Its told in first person and the descriptions that Ms. McCullough gives are amazing!
Content Warnings: Some minor violence (non graphic and, with exception for certain guards, not by the people), a kiss (hardly any romance!!!)
There are no bad words.
I haven't really read science fiction before so, I might be a little inexperienced in the genre but, the story was so good! There are multiple plot twists, none of which I knew were coming. The writing is beautiful! Its told in first person and the descriptions that Ms. McCullough gives are amazing!
Content Warnings: Some minor violence (non graphic and, with exception for certain guards, not by the people), a kiss (hardly any romance!!!)
There are no bad words.
April 29, 2021
I absolutely adored the plotline for this, not only because having a robot pet that talks to you and thinks like you do has been my ultimate dream for my entire life; but also because it drew me in so much that I literally read it in one sitting. Not a single GoodReads update. It was simply too good!!!
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