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Virago #1

One If

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GOLD MEDAL WINNER - GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS, Teen & Young Adult Sci-Fi FantasyIn this race against time, three teens with powers that defy science take on a warring planet destroyed by climate change. But will they return home? Trapped in an epic time/space confrontation, the trio battle destiny. Alliances are betrayed. Unlikely friendships are forged. And young love flourishes in a race against impossible odds in this thrilling young adult sci-fi fantasy adventure.

When Parker Kittredge, a quirky science student from New York City, is lured to her terrace by a frisky hummingbird, she slips and plunges 18 stories to the street. She awakens in Spyridon, a planet destroyed by climate change and locked in a civil war. Parker quickly discovers she is not alone. Two other teens have also been kidnapped and they must join forces to save the planet if they have any chance to return to Earth.

The teens' struggle for survival is murders, deceptions, power plays, love triangles, and magical fantasy elements make this a high-stakes, coming-of-age adventure pitted against a race with time.

Reviews for One

“An epic fantasy adventure that will thrill anyone who reads it.”-Online Book Club

“The world-building was compelling and the environmental themes are timely.”-Bianca Marais, best-selling author of Hum If You Don't Know the Words

“I was so wrapped up in it and invested in all the characters. I love how each character is so strong but also has a vulnerable aspect to them. I need to know, do they save the planet?”-Dr. G. Liu

“A breathtaking ending, just sprouting a sequel!”-Hills Book Club

“A well-written, fast-paced YA Fantasy with a relevant message. One If will inspire girls to embrace STEM--science, technology, engineering, and math . . [and] widens the lens on the impact of climate change, something we all need to know more about.”-Ilene Slutsky, Librarian

One dying planet. Two worlds at war. Three teens fight for survival.

The Virago Fantasy series are for everyone interested in the thrill of an adventure and our planet’s sustainability. The books are especially for teens and young adults interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Rich in vivid imagery, intrigue, and suspense, you’ll find yourself laughing, crying, and cheering on Parker, Edison, and Henley in this fast-paced YA fantasy. Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, or Stranger Things who want to delve into a thrilling adventure will love this book!

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2020

159 people are currently reading
550 people want to read

About the author

Carol B. Allen

3 books31 followers

Carol B. Allen is an author and international, award-winning creative professional. She has held leadership positions in firms that believe in strengthening community across the New York Tri State Area. She plays an active role in supporting opportunities to enhance young women's interest in the STEM fields as well as advancing causes that protect the environment.

She serves on the Advisory Board for Advancing Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM), part of Northwell Health's Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Additionally, she has participated on the Advisory Committee for the Girl Scouts STEM program and is a member of the Think Tank for Women in Business and Technology..

A University of Michigan graduate, Carol received high honors and the prestigious Student of Distinction recognition.

Carol resides in Westchester County and is an active member of the Pound Ridge Authors Society. When she isn't writing, Carol enjoys the city life and the country life, balancing her time with her family, exploring the cultural offerings of Manhattan as well as the great outdoors of the bucolic Northeast woodlands.

*On each and every purchase of One If, A Virago Fantasy, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to support organizations that protect the environment and advance women in STEM fields.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Teri.
Author 8 books177 followers
July 1, 2020
3.5 stars

Before I get into the review, I'd like to comment on this stunning cover.  The designer did an exceptional job, and it works well with the story.

I've always been a fan of books that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), especially for girls, and this author is donating a percentage of sales for this book to organizations that promote the advancement of women in STEM and protect the environment.  And that's something else I admire about this book - it brings environmental issues to the forefront.

Parker is a science nerd, and I loved her for that.  Besides being highly intelligent and taller than most girls, she's socially awkward and doesn't make friends easily.  It's only after being transported to the bizarre and creatively imagined world of Spyridon that she seems to find her place, and her self-confidence and self-esteem increase as a result.  Her courage in agreeing to help the people of this planet with little to no information about what they need or why she was chosen is questionable, but admirable.

While the three teens are likable (well, maybe not mean girl Henley much of the time), they felt generic, and I would have liked to see more character depth.  I missed understanding why they made certain decisions or took the risk to stay on a strange planet with unfamiliar creatures and help them.  Their voices are also similar, making it hard to distinguish between them.

The end moves pretty quickly with plenty of action and a plot twist, and the cliffhander ending sets up the story perfectly for a sequel.  Partly a coming of age story for Parker, the sequel should give her an opportunity to make a difference in the world of Spyridon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
285 reviews7 followers
March 10, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Explicit content: Violence, death. There's a bombing at one point.

This book is very, very weird, as you can figure out from the blurb. It basically revolves around a bunch of Earth kids being transported to an alien world full of bird people to try and save their planet. It's just as nonsensical and silly as it sounds, but I think it's geared towards younger readers, so I can give it a pass there.

Unfortunately, there's just a lot in the story that doesn't make sense. Why are the Upperworlders giant birds, but the Underworlders are just humans with scales? How were the kids transported there? Why are the only three humans we're introduced to also the only three that stay, even though one explicitly and repeatedly states she just wants to go home? Why is the one Upperworlder with a bizarre speech impediment that no other characters share the one that gets all the dialogue? Why do some of the birds have human names, and others don't?

There's other stuff I could get into (like the random snake that shows up and bites a guy just so he conveniently loses an item precious to him - why?), but I won't. Suffice to say, the plot is pretty flimsy at best, as is our main character. She really has no traits beyond "smart loner," and neither of these really translate. She's beloved by all the bird people immediately, and whatever intelligence she might have never really comes into play - she gets all her ideas via the magic medallion/charm thing one of the bird characters gives her. Granted, they say the ideas were "inside her all along" and the medallion only brought them out, but why include that detail at all? Why not let her stand on her own merits? Her complete lack of any real characterization makes the ending that much more jarring, too.

There's a "twist" near the end as to who the villain is, but it's only a twist because it receives no foreshadowing whatsoever. The character only appears in two previous scenes, and does nothing to suggest they're sketchy or up to no good. And, in typical YA-villain-fashion, once he's revealed, he's suddenly mustache-twirlingly evil. The other characters are similarly shallow. We have generic mean-for-no-reason girl. Generic love interest. Generic wise old mentor. Generic evil empress. It goes on and on.

Overall, there's just not a lot to write home about. If it wasn't for the utterly bizarre main plot of alien bird people, this would basically be any other Earthlings-stumble-into-a-fantasy-world story. If the blurb really interests you, give this a go, but there's not much else special about it.
1 review
March 16, 2020
The more precious the imagination, the more possible the impossible. This is what I took away from "One If.”
"One If" is a pure magical tale that reminds me of my favorite book “Narnia” which I read and reread—full of adventure, good winning over bad, faith and justice. Then when Ms. Allen added magic flying, mind reading and being invisible it just surpassed impossibilities. This creative tale starts in our real world which falls into another stratosphere of planet of birds much like us humans of many skills, capabilities and concerns but with additional star dusts of magic and wit. Three teens are sent from our world to this fantasy world that is mirrored with toxicity that could destroy their civilization and world. It’s not gold or diamonds that are the riches but the natural resources of water, clean air, land and ocean. If it is not cleared up, then there will be no future, only extinction.
I applaud you, Carol Allen, for another classic. We do not truly do enough to confront our world’s resources for future generations. Read on and perhaps imagine then reflect, we could collectively, actively, truthfully do more and save our planet.
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,463 reviews28 followers
April 7, 2023
A page turner novel. It's excellent!
I love reading fantasy novels, I do really enjoy them because they invite me to enter magical worlds and adventures. "One if: a Thrilling Young Adult Sci-fi Fantasy Adventure" is an entertaining first book that belongs to the series called "Virago". Carol B. Allen has penned a story that goes beyond fantasy since it delves into important aspects of science, technology, engineering and with some of the dangers that surround them.
The story revolves around three powerful teens that want to defy science with their powers. They inhabit a world that unfortunately has been devastated due to climate change and at the same time they receive threats from another world that wants to destroy earth. So, with their powers, they strive to survive and save their living place and its inhabitants.
This is definitely an action-packed, page turner tale with suspense and a bunch of unexpected twists. I started reading it and I couldn't put it down. The way the writer describes the places or the complicated scenes is admirable. It allowed me to feel part of the dangers, uncertainties and characters' feelings. I liked this first part and for sure I'll read the following. I definitely recommend it.


Profile Image for Pearl.
534 reviews7 followers
August 20, 2020
I knew just by reading the synopsis of One If: A Virago Fantasy by Carol B. Allen that I would definitely love this book. The synopsis was very well written that it really sold me and made me jump into it abruptly. I love books like this. It has some Hunger Games vibes on it that I found quite irresistible. What I particularly loved about this book was its unique plotline and how the author designed the story.

The story centeres around the main teenager character Parker Kittridge, a science geek who was kidnapped and was taken to Spyridon, a planet that is currently in trouble and is destroyed by a climate change. From there she met two other teenagers who also fell on the same fate as her. I loved the overall thrill I experienced in this book. It has its own twists and turns that made my mind blow. The story was very well executed and I loved the writing style as well. This book is designed in creativity that it would be nice to see it in a big screen one day. As a whole, a totally enjoyable book!
10 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2023
This story was a decent first installment in a series.  The characters were well-crafted, and the book was engaging. I did not expect to be so totally taken by this book, but I was! I didn’t know what to expect when this came across my feed but I’m sure glad I gave it a read. From the character development to the story building, I was captivated by the first turn of the page. Despite minimal world-building, the characters were solid. I’m happy to have been given the opportunity to expand my fantasy reading material, and I quite enjoyed it. I LOVED this book! It has a bit of everything I would want out of a fantasy title. Great action, realistic and wonderful characters. The action and character growth are what really stood out to me. I'm not trying to give away too much, but the story was also very original. I honestly can't think of anything it reminds me of. I could tell the author really cares about the world they created and the characters within. 


This was a very good book with lots of action in, lots of fairly well-written fighting using magic and power. The characters are fairly well-written as well. The chapters are all told by different characters. I would recommend reading slowly on this one since things can get confusing if you don't. Pour yourself a glass of wine or some scotch and enjoy the ride. Overall a very good book, I enjoyed this one. I am looking forward to the second installment of this wonderful series.
Profile Image for Juan.
425 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional adventure book called “One If”. To begin with, the character development is subtly great. Particularly, it happened to me that I felt like I really know each of them, which adds a lot to the suspense as they encounter one challenge after another or as they try to solve their problems. The plot is both engaging and suspenseful; this is due to the great author’s writing technique in which the literary devices are present as well as a careful choice of vocabulary.
I definitely recommend both the book, and the more than genius author to those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing her science fiction style yet.
Profile Image for Santiago Flores.
1,033 reviews11 followers
April 6, 2023
Epic

The Virago trilogy has a very good beginning with this first volume called One If: A Thrilling Young Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure. Carol Allen is a very talented author who created characters which are believable in a non-real context. I enjoyed the dialogues and the descriptions of events because they made me immerse in the story from the very beginning.
One if has it all; in this story, we meet three teens with powers that have a difficult task while they have a battle with destiny. There’s a lot going on in the story so I recommend reading it with time so as not to miss any details. I would recommend reading it!
Profile Image for Jonathan Pongratz.
Author 8 books219 followers
Read
March 14, 2021
Original review at Jaunts & Haunts

DNF @ 16%

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book and stopped at 16%. 

This was my first time reading this author's work, and I simply wasn't having enough fun with this journey to continue on. 

In a nutshell, this book is about a number of teens that are transported to another world where they are asked to help save a world in turmoil. Parker and the other teens must make a huge decision. Save this strange world or leave the seemingly peaceful inhabitants to their doomed fate.

Overall, I felt that I didn't really connect with this book from the start. 

I wanted to like the characters, but they fell flat for me. It's a given that young adults can be pretty simple sometimes, but I prefer my characters to have some depth, even from the beginning. I just wasn't feeling that from Parker, Edison, or Henley. Their conversations, while mildly entertaining, felt a bit shallow. It also felt a bit too convenient that Parker knew so much about birds.

The concept was very interesting to me, as I am a lover of anything that reminds me of Wizard of Oz or travelling to parallel Earths. 

I think it was the execution of the plot that left me wanting more. Once the teens are transported to this other world, they are given a choice  to help save the world or not. However, nothing has really been explained to them at that point in time, so I found it very confusing. If you transported me to a strange world and immediately asked me to save you without being given any explanation, I'm definitely going to say no to you. 

Tied to that point is the characters' decisions to stay and help. It simply didn't make enough sense to me given that they don't really know anything about the world. I think maybe if they were able to glean some information first that would've made much more sense. 

For these reasons, this book didn't work for me. While I can't recommend it to others, it may be the right book for you if you give it a chance. 
Profile Image for Rachel Kester.
487 reviews8 followers
June 28, 2020
Author Carol B. Allen tells the story of Parker Kittridge. Kittridge is a science student currently studying at a school in New York. One day, she is abducted and taken to a planet called Spyridon. This planet is currently in a civil war and has been completely destroyed by climate change. As Kittridge explores this strange land, she finds that she isn’t the only one there. In fact, two other young adults have been kidnapped and placed on the planet as well. Eventually, they find out why they were taken here - to save the planet if they ever hope of returning to Earth.

Allen writes with plenty of thrilling plot twists and includes a variety of unique characters that make this read even more interesting. At 248 pages, it might take some time to read, but it’s definitely worth the time investment. If you enjoy dark fantasy novels, you’ll want to check out this book.
4 reviews
January 24, 2023
I started the book at the airport, barely looked up during the flight (and I am a highly nervous flier and the time FLEW by), and found myself staying up the first two nights to finish it. I was entranced and hooked. This story was amazing! I loved that with each chapter, I was drawn in more by the characters, the plot, and the overall feeling I got while reading. I couldn’t put this book down, and if I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it constantly. The writing is nimble and well-constructed.

One if - A Virago Fantasy (2019) by Carol b Allen is a Fantasy novel. This book is a possible future for the earth. This novel is about a planet similar to Spyridon, It has clouds, water mountains, animals Lakes, seas, and lots of places where everyone could live happily but Spyridon is suffering from global warming we got to know about this after Parker Kitteridge, a student from New York City suddenly slips to the streets. After some time she awakens in Spyridon, Parker is not alone and there are two more teenagers also kidnapped. Sounds like a mystery right? Grab your copy now and get on this mysterious ride.

This book is especially for Teens and Young adults especially for those who are interested in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I was so invested in all the characters and the storyline. After every page, I got curious the jump on to the next. This book is written in an understandable and easy-to-read way. Overall, it is a wonderful book and without any hesitation, I would recommend reading this book to everyone. This book will inspire youths, I think that everyone should read this wonderful masterpiece.
Profile Image for Carolina Solano.
149 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2020
One If: A Virago Fantasy is a science fiction thriller written by Carol B. Allen. This author has pleasantly surprised me with this work. I didn't think a teenage story could catch me so much.
Parker is a young woman who is abruptly abducted to the planet Spyridon. At first she did not understand why, until King Zky explains the purpose of her kidnapping. The planet was is dying and the people who inhabit it need her help. But she realizes that she is not the only earthling in that place, there are several other teenagers who were taken in the same way. It is time to make a decision. Will Parker stay to help the inhabitants of this strange planet survive? This is the beginning of an incredible adventure.
It is a very entertaining book; it has a clear and very fast reading. You have to be very attentive because things happen from one moment to another. There are several characters and that are very well developed but with just descriptions so that the book is not very long. The cover of the book generates a lot of intrigue. I love books where the protagonists are heroines.
Beyond being a science fiction book, the topic it deals with is very current: global warming, and almost without realizing it, the story makes you reflect on what is happening today with our planet.
It is an attractive and fun read, but it also leads you to moments of reflection. Without hesitation I recommend reading this book
Profile Image for Carolina Solano.
149 reviews6 followers
June 18, 2020
One If: A Virago Fantasy is a science fiction thriller written by Carol B. Allen. This author has pleasantly surprised me with this work. I didn't think a teenage story could catch me so much.
Parker is a young woman who is abruptly abducted to the planet Spyridon. At first she did not understand why, until King Zky explains the purpose of her kidnapping. The planet was is dying and the people who inhabit it need her help. But she realizes that she is not the only earthling in that place, there are several other teenagers who were taken in the same way. It is time to make a decision. Will Parker stay to help the inhabitants of this strange planet survive? This is the beginning of an incredible adventure.
It is a very entertaining book; it has a clear and very fast reading. You have to be very attentive because things happen from one moment to another. There are several characters and that are very well developed but with just descriptions so that the book is not very long. The cover of the book generates a lot of intrigue. I love books where the protagonists are heroines.
Beyond being a science fiction book, the topic it deals with is very current: global warming, and almost without realizing it, the story makes you reflect on what is happening today with our planet.
It is an attractive and fun read, but it also leads you to moments of reflection. Without hesitation I recommend reading this book.
Profile Image for Karyn H.
568 reviews10 followers
May 16, 2021
Teen Power: A great escape for me

Carol B Allen's One If: A Virago Fantasy is a thirty-five chapter Sci-Fi adventure of a teenager in her quest to save an alien planet and the earth from environmental destruction if only she succeeds.

I wouldn’t have wrapped my head around it because of its Sci-Fi elements but for the setting of her Central Park home in New York. The central character, Parker's curiosity bears a striking resemblance to my kid sister and I admired her zeal to make things work even when they seemed impossible.

That trait is highly infectious as we saw her make Henley do. For a group cause to be effective I think we need the kind of collaboration, respect for one another as well as a sense of responsibility as the three geeks exhibited.

I realized that there is a great graphical representation of their surrounding worlds, Katamor and the two planets similarities to the earth which is also affected by destruction by the author in revealing the patterns that unfold to any reader, after a brief moment of reflection I came to the conclusion that this author is certainly talking about the dangers of global warming, and is giving us a huge wake-up call.

For me, it is a good reminder about the power of teambuilding but for teenagers, it is a perfect simulation for those who need inspiration to groundbreaking findings and paths.
Profile Image for Megann Kammerman.
Author 1 book3 followers
January 11, 2022
Honestly I'm a sucker for any book with human-bird hybrid characters with wings, so I loved this one right away. The fact that its main conflict isn't about defeating some cliche rising darkness, but about saving the planet from environmental disaster only adds to the appeal.

One If is a great start to a interesting, engaging, fantasy trilogy. I love the dichotomy of the Upperworld and Underworld, and the differences between the underwater society and the culture of the birds among the clouds, especially considering the rising tensions between the two worlds.

The main character, Parker, is easy to connect with, and I love how analytical she is, and how much she tries to understand the world around her--even as fantastical and magical as it seems, she's not afraid to use her brains and knowledge to puzzle it out and find a way to move forward. Her social anxiety and nervousness also adds to her character and makes her unique (and it's something I connect with as I was always the weird nerd in school as well) and I loved watching her grow into her powers and begin to trust herself more and more.

As the first book, this gives us a great introduction to the world while also showing us how much there is still to learn, and the ending makes me want to immediately read the next one (which I will). I'm excited to see where the story leads.
101 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2023
This book is simply amazing and interesting especially for young adults because this story talks about some real life incidents. Where do I start. This is actually a very personal review. Well, I did not get much done for a couple days because I couldn't seem to put this down. I love that about this novel. It was easy to relate to some of the characters, and most of the characters were pretty well defined. The characters of the story are on a mission to save the planet with their super powers. The story portrays the characters in a very relatable way that you can't stop your imagination that you are creating in your head while reading this book.

It takes a little time to get into the meat of the story, but once it takes off, it's a roller coaster ride. Impeccable storytelling, great characters and gratifying writing. To be frank, I read a lot of sci-fi books and got tired of the repetitive storylines, so far this is different and good. Carol has done a great job building a world that is refreshingly new and entertaining. I enjoyed the story. I often try to guess where the story is going and I couldn't with this one. I enjoyed the characters , and the interesting turns and twists.

I realize that everyone may not relate to this story as I have, but it is definitely a good story for fans of this genre. A very powerful read and I look forward to more from Carol.
Profile Image for Pegboard.
1,821 reviews9 followers
June 11, 2020
Only If by Carol B Allen will take you to another dimension where humans had destroyed their world. The birds and fish evolved to have human-like thinking and physical traits. Their world is in trouble and the leader of Spyridon's Upperworld recruits the help from three teenagers from earth. Parker is extremely smart, but she has always felt awkward around her peers. Henley is independent and gifted in engineering. Her skills can be useful if only she would stop being so angry. Edison's gift is music. He ends up being a buffer between the two girls until they find a common ground. Will these three find a solution before this world is destroyed?

I found Only If unique as these teenagers struggle to work together in a strange world. Carol B Allen keeps adds characters throughout the story that are different, yet you wonder if their intentions are for the good of Spyridon or harmful. The suspense builds as the teenagers find a solution, but bizarre events keep hindering their progress. When things become deadly the teens make a pact to finish out their quest, but to what outcome? The author touches on environmental issues our own world is facing. I could see Carol Allen creating a sequel; I felt Parker's story was just beginning.
Profile Image for Jimmy Jefferson.
1,043 reviews9 followers
May 29, 2020
This is the story of Parker, a New York City student who is out on the balcony trying to catch a hummingbird when she slips and plunges over the rail from 18 stories about the street. She plunges not to her death, but to awaken in another world where she must unit with a couple of other kidnapped people from Earth and save this bizarre new world that she finds herself in. As she discovers the extent of what she must do to survive and return home, she becomes closer to Cole as well as the Sky King of Spyridon. This is a great story of reaching that maturity level and discovering what you are really about and what makes you happy. The story is well written and the characters are relatable and fun. Wrapped with magic and space travel, this thriller will grab your attention from the first page and keep you turning the pages to discover if Parker will survive along with the Sky King and Cole or will one or all of them parish trying to save this new world. This is s a good read folks, check this one out and let me know what your thoughts are. It is worth your time.
Profile Image for S Tyty.
1,276 reviews29 followers
June 20, 2020
This book completely grabbed me, it holded my interest and enthusiasm from page to page. The reason for this may be that it is a story that the plot revolves around teens who strive with issues and problems in a very strange world; and we have all been adolescents and experienced burdensome situations. This definitely sounds familiar not only to adolescent readers but also to adults.
The 35 chapters are full of fictitious actions and attitudes, but the fact that they are so well-portrayed gives the story a realistic tone that makes readers want to know more as they flick through the pages. Readers’ attention will be sustained by the suspense revealed in numerous unexpected sequences of events that keep preventing the adolescents from finding ways out.
What makes this book stand out from others is the fact that the protagonists are strong girls pictured as intelligent, powerful and committed to finding solutions on their own. Big applause to the author for this! Definitely a must read for any type of reader.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
November 22, 2020
A book that gives an eerie foreshadowing to Earth’s future if we cannot get climate change in check. But this book is so much more, a YA tale of three teenagers that are abducted to a faraway planet named Spyridon, where they are solely responsible to find a solution for the rampant changes that climate change has wrecked upon the planet. Parker and the other teens have to pool their wits and limited knowledge quickly to stop both a full out war between the divided population of Spyridon as well as the ravaging changes to the planet. A true coming of age tale for teenagers who love SciFi and fantastical adventures.
The adventures and SciFi portions of this book were very well done. The worldbuilding and underlying environmental themes were also well done. Some of the finer plot points and twists were odd or didn’t fit. I had to remember in this book that this was geared to YA and not Adults, so some inconsistencies are bound to be there.
Profile Image for Darryl Terry.
Author 6 books11 followers
April 28, 2021
Colorful but realistic fantasy adventure in a world at the brink of further climatic disaster.

Parker is certain that she is going to die when she slips from a balcony of an apartment on the eighteenth story of a block in New York. Instead of hitting the concrete below, she is mysteriously transported to a strange world, called Spyridon, inhabited by intelligent birds as well as other creatures. She also discovers that she is not alone as other teenagers have also been transported there. In a strange but colorful world, divided into two geographical parts after a climate change disaster, she is forced to mature as she meets new friends and other beings who are part of the crisis that will determine the destiny of that world.  Her own destiny comes into question in a thrilling adventure in fantasy for young adults and readers who enjoy an epic adventure with uncanny touches of realism.
Profile Image for Chico's Mom.
958 reviews8 followers
November 4, 2022
“Our culture dictates our planet must sustain us.”

“One If” is a very interesting and enjoyable novel. The first of the series where our protagonists do their best to save the world they are living in. It discusses real life issues that our world is facing today that pertains to the destruction of our surroundings because of our own doing. It gives such direct and indirect lessons about responsibility. Each and every character has their unique abilities that contribute to the team. I love how the author made conscious details about the characters, how they talk and act, which can be very visible throughout the novel. The writing is simply awe inspiring. The characters are great role models to young girls and boys!
Profile Image for the-librarian.
170 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2020
One If: A Virago Fantasy is a dark fantasy novel targeted at young adults but a great read for anyone who loves a great story, a great message, great fantasy, and great writing. This is a fantastic story with a marvelous ending. The world is ripe for exploration and cries out for a sequel.

I loved reading this book and could not put it down. It was captivating from beginning to end and was a lot of fun. It had an authentic feel to it despite being fantasy. The book has a message that will speak to anyone and adds more emotional weight to the book than is typical for an average fantasy novel. Average this is not. It is a wonderful book with colorful characters and story.
Profile Image for Marina  Lujan .
920 reviews15 followers
November 3, 2022
“One If: A Virago Fantasy” by C. Allen is a great story. The world-building of this novel is captivating. Reading this book is like riding a roller coaster: all action and movement. This book has such a new and unique storyline. I couldn't put it down.

The characters, though, make this book stand out. I adored them so much. Each of them is totally different. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and each of them faces the same challenges, trying to overcome them against all odds.We will see who succeeds in overcoming these challenges and who is defeated by destiny. To all young adults who enjoy science fiction, I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Ness.
23 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2024
BIG DNF
this book is terrible. I tried. My god. I tried to finish it but it was like pulling teeth

.
The characters honestly all suck. Hensley spends like 5 characters screaming she wants to leave then 30 teens show up and then they’re like “we won’t keep you against your will. Leave if you like” those 30 characters just leave and Hensley like I’m good. I’ll stay. ?????? After screaming for chapters you want to leave. And why bother bringing in 30 characters if not even one will stay. I know the story isn’t realistic due to the plot however it’s super unrealistic that only the original three would stay and not one from the new groups. And then Henley keeps saying she wants to leave. I cannot deal with how annoying she is. She goes on and on about how Parker is a nerd but she was doing a submission to a science fair? Parker was so boring for a main character she lacked personality. The book is good to read if you want to fall asleep. I got to chapter 16 or something hated it.

Also I’m not sure what it was but the writing style was really hard for me to read and I struggled to get into the book. It was so chalky and didn’t flow. Plus the unnecessary dialogue was killing the vibe.
268 reviews8 followers
October 23, 2025
📕Title: "One If"

✍️Author: Carol B Allen

📚Review: Carol B. Allen’s One If is a thrilling fusion of science fiction, fantasy, and environmental urgency—a YA adventure that dazzles with imagination and heart. Set on the dying planet of Spyridon, the story follows three extraordinary teens—Parker, Edison, and Henley—whose lives collide in a desperate struggle to save a world ravaged by climate change and war.

Allen crafts a rich, cinematic world filled with danger, betrayal, and unexpected bonds. Parker, a curious science student from New York, awakens on an alien planet after a near-fatal fall, only to discover that her survival—and humanity’s—depends on her courage and intelligence. The narrative pulses with tension and wonder, blending STEM-inspired ideas with magical realism and emotional depth.

With echoes of The Hunger Games and Divergent, One If is both an electrifying coming-of-age story and a profound reflection on resilience, friendship, and the fragile balance between humanity and nature. A must-read for adventure lovers.

✨#books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading
Profile Image for Mia C..
1,088 reviews25 followers
April 6, 2023
I am easily attracted by the cover of books and this one was one that caught my attention at first sight. One If: A Thrilling Young Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure is the first volume of a trilogy called Virago written by the talented author Carol B Allen.
I really love young adult fantasy stories and this one didn’t disappoint me. In this story we meet three teens whose characters were well described and developed and their dialogues masterfully written. The story itself takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions which made me read it at the edge of my seat most of the book.
The story is intriguing and suspenseful and this is what I liked the most. I would totally recommend reading this first volume!
Profile Image for Adriana.
131 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2023
"One If: A Thrilling Young Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure" by Carol B Allen is a gripping rollercoaster of a read. Three teens with extraordinary abilities catapulted into a war-torn planet grapple with destiny amid alliances and betrayals. Parker Kittredge's journey from New York City to Spyridon unfolds in a whirlwind of danger and camaraderie. Murders, deceptions, and magical elements blend into a high-stakes race against time, creating a compelling coming-of-age saga. Allen's storytelling prowess keeps the reader glued, weaving love, friendship, and peril seamlessly. An exhilarating tale of resilience and friendship amidst a backdrop of fantastical adventures and intergalactic struggles.
Profile Image for Rocio.
340 reviews4 followers
December 7, 2023
"One If" by Carol B Allen is a book I loved. I'm fascinated by young adult fantasy stories, and this novel completely immersed me from the start. I felt entirely engaged with its protagonists, Parker, Henley, and Edison, connecting with their personal struggles in a world affected by climate change.
What liked the most was how relevant this book is to our current times. The way it addresses environmental issues and how the characters cope with their new lives kept me captivated page after page. The plot is fast-paced and captivating, making it impossible for me to put the book down, leaving me eager to keep reading.
If you're a fan of science fiction, I highly recommend diving into this story that will grip you from the very beginning.
Profile Image for Aneley Sánchez.
988 reviews24 followers
December 7, 2023
A compelling fantasy.

One If: A Thrilling Young Adult Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure by Carol B Allen is the first book of the Virago Trilogy. This reading is a rollercoaster of emotions that travels through murders, love, power play and magic; in which three extraordinary teenagers come to Spyridon, a planet destroyed by climate change and locked in a civil war.
I liked it from the beginning. Truly, the cover caught my attention as the first chapters. All chapters are short and intense and each one made me want to read the next one. Although I think the author has not yet shown her full potential or that of the characters, for me it was a great start! It is one of the types of stories that I like since I started reading and I can say that this is really good.
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