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Variant #1

Variant

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All Variants live by one rule - you run, you hide…or you die.

Ever since the disappearance of her father, Paige Adler has been hiding in the system. She spends her days packing ration boxes, and her nights on the hunt, secretly seeking justice against those who prey on her people.

Just like her father once did.

One night, when tracking a killer, Paige stumbles upon something far bigger than her own personal vendetta…

In the shadows of the city, the Resistance still lingers, all but destroyed fifteen years before. Her father once fought for them, and it cost him his life. Now, they want Paige to join them too.

Drawn in by a handsome but mysterious Variant, Paige soon discovers that the enemy is building a secret weapon, one that could destroy not only the Resistance, but all Variants, once and for all.

In order to survive, they have to fight. And Paige, her powers, and her past, might just be the key to the future…

Variant is a thrilling new sci fi adventure from bestselling dystopian author T.C. Edge. Fans of Bella Forrest, Suzanne Collins, and Veronica Roth will not want to miss out.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2019

504 people are currently reading
286 people want to read

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T.C. Edge

61 books362 followers

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Jaime Andrews.
Author 2 books14 followers
April 1, 2021
I finished this yesterday, forgot to mark it. It counts towards my March total. Lmao

I believe this takes place in the world of The Enhanced....either that or there's so many similarities my brain hurts.

This book moved slower for me than the other books of this author have. The main character, Paige, reminds me so much of Brie that I'm a little annoyed though. 😤 I expected more character differentiation from Edge. That and would building are his strong points, always. That being said, I found all of the characters to have the same voice, for the most part.

I do wish I had done a reread of the Warrior Race or the last few Enhanced books before I started this one. Can any Edge fans out there confirm for me, is this the human controlled settlement that one NeoRome soldier is from?? Ugh, my brain hurts. I need to go look. Lol

Will definitely continue this series.
Profile Image for Jane Firebaugh.
Author 7 books99 followers
September 12, 2019
T.C. Edge has done it again! I love this first book in the new series by this talented author.

The Variant Series is a continuation/spinoff of some of Edge's other series in which people with enhanced abilities are basically in charge of the usually rather isolated "countries/cities" in which they live.

In this new series, the opposite is true. We heard a tiny bit about this place in a previous book, as one of the characters came from there and longed to help his family escape.

Here, the people with enhancements are considered bad and are killed or imprisoned if caught.
Ordinary unenhanced citizens are also ruled with an iron thumb and live their lives working under strict and harsh conditions, with almost no free time or comforts.

Only the ruler and the gangs thrive from the toils of everyone else. There seems to be no way to escape and no way back if one should somehow manage to escape after all.

There is resistance though and where there is resistance, there is hope.

I can't wait to read more in this exciting series.
Profile Image for Kat.
135 reviews3 followers
September 12, 2019
This is the first book of the new Variant series, set in the same world as the Enhanced and Children of the Prime series. The main character is Paige, daughter of Max from Neorome (Children of the Prime series). I highly recommend reading all prior Enhanced series first before reading this in order to best understand what's going on!

I enjoyed this book! It's very cool to see what future London is like, since the other series were based in the US. It's cool to see how different the two lands are. There's a lot to learn about Paige in this book, and there are a few action scenes to boost. I hope for more character development on Paige and Ford's part since they're the main characters. So far Paige sounds very similar to Brie from the Enhanced series, and I hope to soon find more distinct personality traits in Paige! I also hope Paige wouldn't be so rash/stubborn in the next book, and that we'll see more of her savant mind at work! I look forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,625 reviews6 followers
February 23, 2020
DNF

I hate giving this review, but this book was not for me. I found the pace of the book to be too slow. I felt it took too long to get character info.
Profile Image for Ash.
208 reviews15 followers
March 6, 2024
I read this as a book club read, and no one in the group enjoyed it much. One of the members didn't even finish it, and the rest of us struggled to get to the end (honestly, I would have put it down if it weren't for the book club) Variant is a pretty bland YA sci-fi, that doesn't go deep enough into any technology or characterizations to make it believable or entertaining.

My biggest issue with the book were the characters, and how their actions didn't make sense within the world.

For one, this should be a very secretive society, it's reminiscent of 1984, in the idea that big brother is always watching. Basically, you step out of line at all, and the government has goons to take you out...and yet...no one can keep a secret. That includes the main character, who has had to hide her abilities all her life, the boy who grew up in a secretive group of rebels, and even one of the main leaders of the rebels. They all pretty much tell everyone their secrets, even secrets that don't really belong to them, with hardly any prompting.

Along the same lines, when someone keeps even the slightest thing from another character, usually because things should be on a need-to-know basis, it's portrayed as though the secret keeper is the bad guy, and they should be telling everyone everything. But that simply doesn't make sense in this type of world.

There should have been a lot more suspicion of one another. It would be natural, growing up in a world like this. Paige, the main character, has stated time and again that everything the government does is to keep the citizens on their toes. You never know when they're going to decide to search your apartment, uphold curfew, or scan the factory workers and make sure they're not variants or using illegal technology. Yet, when a hot guy starts stalking Paige, she confronts him, and when he tells her he's part of the resistance, she automatically believes him. No questions asked. Hm... Not only that, she starts working on technology to help this guy, with no thought that she could possibly be helping the enemy in any way?

I also took a lot of issue with Paige being literally good at everything. She is super smart. It pretty much seems like she's smarter than anyone else in the resistance. Which is fine, considering she has to have something to offer, right? But she's also super-fast, which apparently everyone in the resistance "has to be". And she picks up fighting so well, that she ends up standing toe-to-toe with a big bad who already killed other much more experienced variants, and she survives. At this point, she's only had a few weeks of training...if that.

Simply put, Paige is too much of a Mary Sue, and her only flaw is that she's impulsive (Which really isn't shown as a bad thing, it's simply my opinion that she's impulsive...though her impulsivity ends up causing no issues for her), and she really doesn't understand what a friend is supposed to be. There's a point where her best friend, Becca, tries to tell her that she shouldn't go and do the stupid thing she's about to do. And Paige's response to this? She says she's going to turn off communication with Becca if she's not going to support her. Sorry, but friends are there to tell you when you're being stupid, not support your every move.

There are other things that I felt just didn't line up, but I don't want to spoil anything, in case someone is still planning on reading the book.

I know that there are a ton of good reviews for this one, and hardly anyone online who's said they didn't enjoy the book. The only thing I can figure is that the author has been good at finding their readership, considering they have so many books out, and these are all reviewers who have read and enjoyed previous books as well. I think it's great that the author has their own following, but as for me, I prefer my books with a little more grit, more intriguing world building, and characters who make sense within the world they grew up in.
Profile Image for Rinne.
127 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2024
📚Variant by T. C. Edge
📖Pages: 324
📗 Genre: Sci-Fi
⭐3/5
🔥0/5
📝CAWPILE: 38/70
💥 Read Dates: 02/25/24 through 02/28/24


Synopsis: In a post apocalyptic world where genetically engineered superhumans (variants) have to hide from bionically upgraded humans, Paige Adler is really just trying to get by. As a Variant, that's not as easy as it seems. With the controller mandating random variant scans, it's a wonder that she's managed to make it as far as she has. But when a figure from her MIA father's past emerges to introduce her to a whole other world, she has to figure out how to navigate this new life without her "cover" life crumbling.


Review: So, I was kinda excited for this one. A fun sci-fi series, I could use my KU subscription to get it... And I ended up a bit disappointed, I will admit. The book didn't have a super clear plot, and felt very short. The end of the book, which is book one of seven, didn't really feel like an ending to a book. I feel like I should have had a few more chapters before the end. I like the world that this author has created, it's very intriguing to me, but I'm hesitant with some of the character relations.

I was not aware when I started reading that our FMC was only seventeen, I usually avoid books with underage MC's because it's not really up my alley like it was four years ago when they were all my age. So when the character I assume is going to be the love interest introduces himself and we find out he's 20?? That's a no for me right there. Plain and simple. It wasn't until a few chapters later I got the main character's age and started going "nope nope nope" and frankly, while I am curious to know where this series goes, and I'm going to continue reading, I will not hesitate to DNF this series if that 'relationship' continues. It's completely fine as a mentor/mentee situation, but there have been some hints dropped and I'm not here for that.

I really enjoyed the setting of this story, I think it's my favorite part. It's in a future post apocalyptic London, where there are walls that you can't escape, and the middle part of the city is called "The Bends". I love that. I also really like the premise, because it sounds awesome. I mean, genetically engineered superhumans that can do all sorts of things? Bionic people? Cyborgs? I am so totally here for that.

So, we will see if book two amps up the energy, but at the end of the day, I'm not going to trudge through seven books if the main plot doesn't pick up.
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
March 15, 2021
I have the box set of this series but just wanted to say that book one is an enjoyable beginning. I've read the Enhanced series so this story is on familiar ground.

Good characters and sense of place, and a plot that introduces what is to come.

I liked the writing style (though there were a few grammatical errors such as it's instead of its, though these can easily be missed during proofreading…needs a sweep to correct). Otherwise great. Fast-paced with plenty of action.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Donna Ann Sutcliffe.
383 reviews
April 4, 2021
This book was an ok start to a seven part series. I found Paige a little full of herself. She is a 17 year old but seemed to know a lot but actually knew so little. I am really not understanding why a little girl would be so cocky to the most dreaded monster around. To the point of fighting him. Hype him up and then she fights him ..really! All this soldiers and she gets him. I hope as the series progresses she will calm down. The other characters seem well rounded in comparison.
Profile Image for Lizii Gelinas.
89 reviews
June 17, 2020
Great dystopian fiction

I pretty much read dystopian fiction exclusively and most of the time. This was a book I couldn't put down and couldn't force myself to fall asleep with until I'd finished it. If you like books like Divergent, Matched, or Hunger Games, this is another book you should add to your must-read list!
Profile Image for Jodie Leigh.
21 reviews
March 20, 2021
Exciting stuff.

A strong willed girl who tries to listen but just can't seem to take directions to not get involved. A bad guy who is more of a creepy bug than man. A future with some familiar things if today but a whole lot of strangeness. Perfect combination for my imaginationation.
969 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2021
Very interesting.

Having read the previous 25 booms in the three serieses, I am curious how this will(hopefully) be all brought together within the fold. Maximum has got to be reunited with his family, surely...
Profile Image for Michelle Jenkins.
901 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2021
Great book. Great characters. Exciting. Twists and turns. Secrets. Fighting. Love. Friendship.
Profile Image for Linda White.
20 reviews
September 26, 2019
TC EDGE does not disappoint!

I m I must admit when I first began reading books through Kindle I was not a fan of the series of books. That is until I started reading books by TC EDGE. I have read all his books and have not ever been disappointed.
Variant is another series I will be not missing a word. This series we meet Paige. Paige lives in a future of England, and it’s not pretty. Paige’s challenges are many but she begins off rising high to each one. Paige is surrounded by characters who ignite your curiosity but will not be revealed so quickly you become bored. There are hints at links to Characters from ust admit when I first began reading books through Kindle I was not a fan of the series of books. That is until I started reading books by TC EDGE. I have read all his books and have not ever been disappointed.
Variant is another series I will be not missing a word. This series we meet Paige. Paige lives in a future of England, and it’s not pretty. Paige’s challenges are many but she begins off rising high to each one. Paige is surrounded by characters who ignite your curiosity but will not be revealed so quickly you become bored. There are hints at links to Characters from “Children of the Prime” but rest assured you won’t have to back track to get caught up. Once this book clicks for you the pages will turn themselves!
ENJOY! ust admit when I first began reading books through Kindle I was not a fan of the series of books. That is until I started reading books by TC EDGE. I have read all his books and have not ever been disappointed.
Variant is another series I will be not missing a word. This series we meet Paige. Paige lives in a future of England, and it’s not pretty. Paige’s challenges are many but she begins off rising high to each one. Paige is surrounded by characters who ignite your curiosity but will not be revealed so quickly you become bored. There are hints at links to Characters from ust admit when I first began reading books through Kindle I was not a fan of the series of books. That is until I started reading books by TC EDGE. I have read all his books and have not ever been disappointed.
Variant is another series I will be not missing a word. This series we meet Paige. Paige lives in a future of England, and it’s not pretty. Paige’s challenges are many but she begins off rising high to each one. Paige is surrounded by characters who ignite your curiosity but will not be revealed so quickly you become bored. There are hints at links to Characters from “The Warrior Race & Children of the Prime” but rest assured you won’t have to back track to get caught up. You won’t be left hanging after the connection is fully revealed! Once this book clicks for you the pages will turn themselves!
ENJOY!
Profile Image for Sarah Goins.
25 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2019
Variant is part of the enhanced universe that T.C. Edge has created and has written several other series around. Which are FANTASTIC by the way! In the enhanced world, the characters have various “super abilities “ such as speed, telepathy, enhanced vision, etc. I am a HUGE fan of this author and have read and loved every single book he has written. However, this book isn’t one of my favorites. I had a hard time “getting to know” the characters and feel like there could have been better character development. Normally in the authors writing, you really become invested in the characters and their lives. But I just didn’t get that with this book. Even though it was a slow moving plot, I liked the concept enough to continue on with the series. I’m hoping the next book in the series falls more in line with what I’ve grown to expect from this talented author.
Profile Image for Nereid.
1,466 reviews21 followers
October 9, 2019
Addictive new series

The author has a way of capturing your attention and never letting go. Fierce women who are gifted and kick ass who take charge and heaven help the person who tells them No. Packed with action and intrigue with enough twists to make this book inviting. Interesting chemistry between the two main characters that will hopefully blossom into something more later on. I cannot wait for book 2, wish it was here already.
Profile Image for Nicole Roffé.
18 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2019
Riveting, could not put it down

The plot is fast-paced and the characters realistic. One of the best novels in science fiction that I have read lately. I was getting bored with my reading list and then BAM comes T.C. Edge to save the day with this heroic novel, the first of many I hope!
Profile Image for Laura Witte.
265 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2019
Awesome!

I loved the Chosen and Watchers series, and it looks like Variant is off to be another fascinating series! The characters are so in depth, so real, that you feel like you are part of their lives. And you want to be! You want the good guys to win, and the bad guys to fail. TC Edge creates incredible dystopian worlds, and I. So happy to have found another one.
Profile Image for Amanda.
77 reviews
March 28, 2022
Second read through was much better, and this is still one of my favourite series so it's worth the slow burn.

This book has a great concept but its delivery is excruciatingly slow. The last part of the book should have been the main climax of the entire book. But I did enjoy it enough to give the next book in line a chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Terri.
27 reviews
October 4, 2019
Another great book

Another story from an amazing and vast universe from T.C. Edge.
I can't wait to see how this all ties together!
1 review
January 12, 2020
Love the enhanced universe

I love all the ways the different cultures in the enhanced universe deal with people that are different, some treated as untouchable, other as scourges
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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