ReGen is this generation's Manhattan Project, and Sepp is their atomic bomb. On the outside, he’s an average teenager, but underneath, he is anything but. For as long as he can remember, he’s always taken his orders and completed his missions. There’s nothing else for him, and he knows no one outside of the project.
That is, until his mission is to deliver a vial of mysterious content to a military research base in Montana. Things go south when the caravan is attacked, and Sepp is forced to hand the vial over to a teenager that isn’t enhanced. A decision he soon learns will turn everything upside down and will start him asking questions he’s never dared ask before.
But one thing is for sure, this mission changes everything.
P.D. Atkerson is a homeschooled writer, living in Montana, who may or may not be a secret agent. She spends almost as much time in the worlds she creates as she does the real one. When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books. She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.
Wow. This book was… hard. Not what I expected... and so good. Contemporary-style dystopian/science fiction is not my favourite genre, but this book was well done.
All of P.D. Atkerson’s book that I’ve read so far include secret agents who are obliged to do stuff they don’t like to carry out their missions—but generally it's lying, using people/manipulating them, and beating them up. Sepp did all of that and carried it out further—actually taking lives (off-screen). Yet he is a soft-hearted boy filled with questions and doubts, and hating the way he has to live. I felt Sepp was very real and probably very accurate to people who actually live like he does. I loved his arc and how he started reaching out to God and to God’s people for help. I loved how the Hills stepped in for him. Dr. and Mrs. Hill were awesome, and little Gigi was adorable (hope she shows up again!)... and Ram + his fiancée were sweet.
I really can't say much more about the plot for fear of spoilers, but it was enjoyable--exciting, but more reflective than most P.D. Atkerson's books. The writing style is somewhat weak, but no grammar errors bad enough to stand out to me, and a very interesting narrative voice. The humour was really nice; the violence wasn’t strong; the intrigue was intense; the ending was an absolute cliffhanger; the cover is awesome.
Overall, 4.5 stars—I quite enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for T.I.M.E.!
A Favourite Quote: “What good is whining about it going to do? If you want things to change, change them.” A Favourite Humorous Quote: The semi had barely dented his armor, but the man’s boot had left a solid print in the center of his chest. “Now, that was a bad move,” Sepp said, brushing himself off. “I’m supposed to return this in the same condition I borrowed it in.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
THEY made him. THEY own him. THEY control him. I am generally very picky about the dystopian I read, but with this one, I was like, "Hey, it's P.D. What's the worst that could happen?" Famous last words. This very, *very* closely rivals my all time favorite P.D. Atkerson book, They Call Her Ella. And that's saying a lot. From an enhanced thirteen-year-old who can't get and older, to a killer cliff-hanger, this book kept me up till eleven o'clock. At night. It was a real page turner. Another wonderfully crafted story, by the master of (or, did she create?) cliff-hangers, and books that suck you in.
Sepp is--> Funny Sarcastic A secret weapon 62" of pure chaos.
What?! I fell in love with Sepp….like right away!!!! I’m so sorry y’all, but I have several loves. Lee…Lever…Sepp…lol literally all P. D.’s MCs!!! And those last words… 😱 “I think I’m the ghost.” Goodness! I cannot wait to read book two!!!
Heart pounding excitement with every page! Once again, P.D. Atkerson has captured me with her amazing story telling skills and I found myself immediately trapped in the pages of her story.
As someone who wants to support indie Christian authors, I’d love to give this my whole-hearted recommendation and a full 5 stars. As someone who reads a lot over a wide range of writing quality and who wants to be honest in her reviews, there are a few caveats that prevent me from doing that.
What I liked: -The overall concept. Despite some issues that I had with the book (several are listed below), it did kept me hooked until the end. -The action scenes
Iffy things: -The plot twist… wasn’t very twisty. While I enjoyed the reveal regardless, it was fairly obvious early on. -While the fast pace was great for action scenes, the character development felt very rushed as well- leading to characters feeling flat and stereotypical.
Did I still enjoy the book? Yes, but in some ways it felt like reading a draft, not a published work.
I must admit, I haven't read a whole lot in the way of contemporary styled dystopian/science fiction/secret agents/secret soldier and operations type stories, but P. D. Atkerson's books have become fast favorites.
T.H.E.Y. is fast-paced and thrilling, following Sepp, a young secret soldier of sorts. While he completes his missions as he's told, deep down he hates what T.H.E.Y. ask him to do. This book is a little more reflective with where Sepp's mind wanders and with the themes presented. But Sepp is a character that you want to root for and see have a change of heart and have a chance to instead do good with himself. And not to mention, his sarcasm is great.
Along with Sepp, T.H.E.Y. has a fantastic cast of characters. I loved the Hill family, along with Ram, Sepp's friend in T.H.E.Y.
The plot is absolutely gripping and fast-paced. P. D. Atkerson will have you turning the pages until you realize that time has flown by and the book has ended, and then you go on in search of the next book. There was an interesting twist near the end that I saw coming at about 3/4s of the way through the novel, but it was so satisfying to see it come to light.
Content: violence.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is fantastic, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
T.H.E.Y. was a bundle of chaos, truth, impossible feats, and the gripping characters I have learned to expect from P.D. Atkerson. This book dug hard into the questions of sacrifice and finding truth when your world is turned upside-down—and it’s not what you (or Sepp) might expect. So be warned: if you pick up this book (and I dare you to) you might find yourself enjoying it so much, being pulled so hard into the story, and being so completely riveted by the characters...that you will never be able to set it down until you reach the very last page. You have been warned.
I received a copy of this book in return for a honest review. These are my honest thoughts: you'll love it.
This story is action packed, full of drama, and contains great witty repartee. Most of the story has violence and fighting, but it isn’t gory or over the top. It’s actually often comical.
Also the book is set in Montana. *cue heart eyes* I fell in love with the state despite being there less than 48 hours several years ago. I’m happy to revisit even if it is only in literary format.
While Sepp’s backstory seems a little far/fetched (but hey it’s fiction!), I feel sorry for him, knowing you’re being used only for what you can do and not who you are is no easy pill to accept especially when you’re being lied to. As a character, Sepp is a remarkable mix of maturity and adolescence. His seamless nicknaming of the bad guys he fights because he doesn’t know their names in the heat of the moments crack me up. I love his relationships with Ram and Sky, plus his growth in relation to the Hills.
Alas, a cliffhanger ending, but I guessed the plot twist. ;)
Be prepared to have your feelings grabbed in a vice grip that won't let go. The plot didn't really ever take me by surprise, but the characters took my heart hostage, and I don't think they're planning on giving it back.
The ending nearly killed me!!! I mean, does the virus spread?! And I REALLY REALLY wanted to see Doctor Hills reaction to Sepp being Joseph!!! Not to mention that I NEED to know what happens to Sepp!!!!
Other than that I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
Some of my favorites quotes. I might have gone a little overboard with the quotes. 😁
"I don't see a boy; I see a weapon, " he said. " And that's exactly what he is."
Ramsey looked up at him and smirked. " Oh… you want to know if I'm going to be a part of it? Or are you wondering if you get to wear your armor this time? " Sepp swallowed. "Right. That… actually was what I was wondering, but not the way you make it sound."
Dropping his hands at his sides, Sepp turned toward him. "But that's the problem, isn't it?" he said. "I am a kid. But I'm not. I'm expected to act like an adult and a teenager at the same time. Because that's what I am. An adult-teenager that the government uses as a weapon."
"I forgot you were born without a funny bone." Doctor Bentley looked at him and shook his head. "That's not how that works," he said. "The funny bone has not to do with making jokes."
"The monster they'd created was sick of his chains."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have been meaning to get this review out for ages, but tech problems and the like kept holding up. So here it finally is! 😂
T.H.E.Y is an intriguing story, with a fast-paced plot and interestingly unique elements. Sepp and Dr. Hills were great characters, and I loved their interactions. I ended up guessing the big plot twist pretty early on, but it was still great and left me eager for T.I.M.E.
There were a few moments that I didn’t enjoy due some violence, but I’m glad I pushed through them. The rest of the story was worth it.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was impossible to put down. Literally. I read all 250 glorious pages in one sitting. Sepp is the the atomic bomb of the new ReGen project for a reason. He's young, sharp, and most of all--dangerous. He's not "'62 inches of pure chaos'" for nothing, though. THEY are the reason behind his every action. And THEY are about to test everything he ever believed in.