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Aberrant
Twenty-seven abducted teens. Three Competing Factions. One Secret Laboratory. Zero time.
When Julia wakes strapped to a strange bed, she’s surrounded by white. Machines beep in her ears, her head spins. One teen boy beside her, with eyes bluer than the sky.
Nothing makes sense.
Outside her room, 25 other teens train incessantly for the Institute of Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation otherwise known as the Gem Institute. Only she didn’t sign up for this position.
No one did.
The only thing they all have in common is their unique albino blood, that mixed with the right genetic enhancements, will create a super-force against their enemy - The Republic of HOPE.
Packed with compelling characters, electrifying action, and a trace of romance, this story will have you turning pages well into the night. Perfect for fans of Ender’s Game, Divergent, Configuredand The Maze Runner.
When Julia wakes strapped to a strange bed, she’s surrounded by white. Machines beep in her ears, her head spins. One teen boy beside her, with eyes bluer than the sky.
Nothing makes sense.
Outside her room, 25 other teens train incessantly for the Institute of Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation otherwise known as the Gem Institute. Only she didn’t sign up for this position.
No one did.
The only thing they all have in common is their unique albino blood, that mixed with the right genetic enhancements, will create a super-force against their enemy - The Republic of HOPE.
Packed with compelling characters, electrifying action, and a trace of romance, this story will have you turning pages well into the night. Perfect for fans of Ender’s Game, Divergent, Configuredand The Maze Runner.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2021
25 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 29, 2021
It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading it.
January 26, 2021
“Aberrant” is the first book in “The Lost Series” by writing trio Jemma Blue, Lara Wynter and Patricia Bell. This is YA dystopian series set in a futuristic world.
Julia (MC) possess a rare kind of blood, she is an albino, as well as another twenty-six teens held against their will at the Institute for Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation (aka GEM Institute), where their blood with be genetically enhanced to create an special force of fighters whose genetic augmentation makes them the perfect fighting force. The twenty-seven teens are divided in three competing factions and forced to compete against themselves and the enemy (Republic of HOPE).
The story mixes dystopia, social critique, and some romance into a compelling plot, well-written, fast-paced, and easy to read. An interesting addiction to the genre.
Julia (MC) possess a rare kind of blood, she is an albino, as well as another twenty-six teens held against their will at the Institute for Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation (aka GEM Institute), where their blood with be genetically enhanced to create an special force of fighters whose genetic augmentation makes them the perfect fighting force. The twenty-seven teens are divided in three competing factions and forced to compete against themselves and the enemy (Republic of HOPE).
The story mixes dystopia, social critique, and some romance into a compelling plot, well-written, fast-paced, and easy to read. An interesting addiction to the genre.
January 29, 2021
Ms. Blue, Ms. Wynter and Ms. Bell are 3 new to me authors. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I already have it preordered.
I love the story line. Julia felt like an outcast most of her life. But when she is thrown into the facility, she realizes things aren't what they seem. She is not alone and there are others like her. I loved watching her grown - both in believing in herself and becoming a stronger person.
Orin - wow. The struggles that he faced - personally, emotionally, family, friends, learning - I could really feel and understand all that he was going through. These 3 authors did a great job really developing his character.
I loved the story line and had trouble putting the book down! I can't wait for book 2!
I love the story line. Julia felt like an outcast most of her life. But when she is thrown into the facility, she realizes things aren't what they seem. She is not alone and there are others like her. I loved watching her grown - both in believing in herself and becoming a stronger person.
Orin - wow. The struggles that he faced - personally, emotionally, family, friends, learning - I could really feel and understand all that he was going through. These 3 authors did a great job really developing his character.
I loved the story line and had trouble putting the book down! I can't wait for book 2!
April 8, 2021
Wow what a read. It’s well written and fast paced and you get clued into the story pretty early on which is great as I don’t like drawn out starts. It’s exciting and intriguing and the world.building is so good you can easily visualise it. It’s an entertaining dystopian story that would give the maze runner a run for its money!
January 31, 2021
Wow. I was already a fan of Maze runner but this series could give Maze runner a run for their money loved the story its not too long getting to the point fast which I like. Loved the flow of the story and character development is amazing. Loved it. Recommend it to anyone.
February 3, 2021
The beginning of the book may make you wonder about the plot but the action does not take very long to come along and this is good!
We first discover Julia, a young albinos who tries to survive the streets when she gets kidnapped by strangers and is brought in a weird facility where she meets other albinos, including Orin who has been there for a long time. Now, I won't use spoilers, but let's just say Orin is an interesting one!
Julia and Orin are the main characters and both are very touching. I liked them a lot, be it their qualities and flaws. Also I love that they are albinos which makes for a unique read and involves issues I never thought about before. This is nice to see characters that deviate from the usual type.
I liked the divergent set up and the factions, even though I will admit at first it was a bit hard to differentiate two of them and I was getting a bit confused and had to go back a bit. I really liked to see all the children evolve in the Institute, I would have liked to see more about some courses, especially Sulkin's. Other than that, the story goes smoothly and I finished it quickly. I'm impressed that this was written by two different people because everything transitions in a very natural way.
I'm a bit torn because in a way I would have liked to know more about the dystopian world the authors created, however, I also understand their choice to put the reader in the shoes of Julia who has so many questions and wonder who is telling the truth. The outside world will probably be the focus of book 2 so we will see where that go.
To conclude this review, I really enjoyed this book. The reason why I did not give it a 5* is because I feel a bit disappointed the training of the children was not more described and I did not expect this ending which happened too quickly for my liking. I'm wondering about the content of book 2, in a way, the conclusion could be enough of its own, although everything is not completely resolved. I am curious to see what the authors will bring to the table for the next book.
***Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review***
We first discover Julia, a young albinos who tries to survive the streets when she gets kidnapped by strangers and is brought in a weird facility where she meets other albinos, including Orin who has been there for a long time. Now, I won't use spoilers, but let's just say Orin is an interesting one!
Julia and Orin are the main characters and both are very touching. I liked them a lot, be it their qualities and flaws. Also I love that they are albinos which makes for a unique read and involves issues I never thought about before. This is nice to see characters that deviate from the usual type.
I liked the divergent set up and the factions, even though I will admit at first it was a bit hard to differentiate two of them and I was getting a bit confused and had to go back a bit. I really liked to see all the children evolve in the Institute, I would have liked to see more about some courses, especially Sulkin's. Other than that, the story goes smoothly and I finished it quickly. I'm impressed that this was written by two different people because everything transitions in a very natural way.
I'm a bit torn because in a way I would have liked to know more about the dystopian world the authors created, however, I also understand their choice to put the reader in the shoes of Julia who has so many questions and wonder who is telling the truth. The outside world will probably be the focus of book 2 so we will see where that go.
To conclude this review, I really enjoyed this book. The reason why I did not give it a 5* is because I feel a bit disappointed the training of the children was not more described and I did not expect this ending which happened too quickly for my liking. I'm wondering about the content of book 2, in a way, the conclusion could be enough of its own, although everything is not completely resolved. I am curious to see what the authors will bring to the table for the next book.
***Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review***
February 24, 2022
I know this novel was a first collaboration of 2 writers on different continents and I might have expected some dystopian aberration but it was amazingly well written! I loved the 2 main characters and was immediately drawn in to their adventure. If you enjoyed Harry Potter, you will enjoy this Futuristic ever so slightly Hogwartish tale, with more than enough tension to make you want to keep turning the pages!
Now I can't wait for book 2 .... well done Jemma Blue!
Now I can't wait for book 2 .... well done Jemma Blue!
July 9, 2022
I enjoyed this book - it was an interesting premise and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2022
I know this novel was a first collaboration of 2 writers on different continents and I might have expected some dystopian aberration but it was amazingly well written! I loved the 2 main characters and was immediately drawn in to their adventure. If you enjoyed Harry Potter, you will enjoy this Futuristic ever so slightly Hogwartish tale, with more than enough tension to make you want to keep turning the pages!
Now I can't wait for book 2 .... well done Jemma Blue!
Now I can't wait for book 2 .... well done Jemma Blue!
April 4, 2023
A great read. The story moves at a cracking pace and draws you into the dystopian world. Hoping not to wai long for #2.
July 25, 2024
Loved it but if I had noticed there was only 1 and it was written 3 years ago, I wouldn't have bothered reading it. It just... Ends, right as it got good.
Read
October 23, 2024DNF at 53%
June 11, 2025
Great Read!!
I love the wild storyline of this and all the characters. Such a good, interesting read. I'm waiting on book 2!!
I love the wild storyline of this and all the characters. Such a good, interesting read. I'm waiting on book 2!!
July 18, 2024
Interesting premise but boring. I didn't care enough to read any more. Also some choices of words and writing were somewhat cringy.
February 9, 2021
I received a free copy of this ARC via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Aberrant is the first book of The Lost Series by Jemma Blue (collectively Lara Wynter and Patricia Bell.) Julia finds herself abducted, trapped in the Institute of Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation with 26 other teens, targeted for their albino blood.
I'm a huge fan of this genre, as I love dystopian YA. I could see the nod to Maze Runner and Divergent, and I think younger readers are really going to like the story. I liked how the story moved back and forth from Julia and Orin's POV, and I think their respective storylines are going to get even more interesting in the second book.
To me, the dialogue felt stilted and to me it affected the pacing of the story. However I felt it begin to correct itself closer to the end of the book.
Overall, I think young readers are really going to enjoy this book, and I will definitely read the second book in the series.
Aberrant is the first book of The Lost Series by Jemma Blue (collectively Lara Wynter and Patricia Bell.) Julia finds herself abducted, trapped in the Institute of Genetic Enhancement and Manipulation with 26 other teens, targeted for their albino blood.
I'm a huge fan of this genre, as I love dystopian YA. I could see the nod to Maze Runner and Divergent, and I think younger readers are really going to like the story. I liked how the story moved back and forth from Julia and Orin's POV, and I think their respective storylines are going to get even more interesting in the second book.
To me, the dialogue felt stilted and to me it affected the pacing of the story. However I felt it begin to correct itself closer to the end of the book.
Overall, I think young readers are really going to enjoy this book, and I will definitely read the second book in the series.
February 20, 2021
Julia is an albino and is bullied by the regular boys. They chase her every day and try to take her ration card. One day they chase her and while she’s hiding someone else takes over the chase and kidnaps her and takes her to a mysterious and horrible scientific research facility. Orin is the albino son of the head of the GEM institute. None of the kids like him. When Julia arrives she and Orin develop a special bond and begin an interesting, intriguing, dangerous and exciting relationship as they explore the different abilities that have changed their DNA that the scientists have formulated and given them while fighting his father and his goons in secret. Fun read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 17, 2021
This book was a little bit slow to start but after a few chapters, I was hooked. Julia is a little bit sarcastic and very real. The relationship with Orin grows naturally and they are each other's rock in a difficult situation. The whole GEM Institute was really well done and the entire premise of the story had me wondering what would happen next. The three types of powers are well thought out and it was really interesting reading how those powers developed. I'm really hoping there will be a sequel as I would love to know where Julia and Orin's story goes next.
June 11, 2021
I picked this up in a dystopian mood and was happily pulled along for the ride, Julia and the others are trapped and being experimented upon, and with it comes new powers, a chance to be part of something great and a little bit of romance in there for the mix. The story had me hooked from the first chapter, and reading both POV helped me get closer to both characters. I adored the ending, and can’t wait for the next book, very much a series that I want to follow. Overall, highly recommended for those who love a dystopian with a different twist.
February 25, 2021
I've never read a story like this one involving albino kids that are held against their will at a genetic institute. Even more strange is the son of the founder is also part of the experiment. There are "good" things that happen at the institute & some very bad things. I am afraid all the books will end in cliff-hangers which I don't particularly enjoy. We also don't know how many books will be in the series.
February 17, 2021
Fantastic start to what is sure to be a must read series for dystopian fans. The story is fast paced with some great suspense filled moments. Julia and Orin's relationship develops naturally, it does not feel forced or rushed. The world building is detailed in that you can picture the story taking place as you read. I bacame invested in the characters journey early on and look forward to book 2
February 20, 2021
A very entertaining dystopian book which starts right in the action. I loved the intriguing storyline. The characters were just as intriguing. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.
I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.
February 12, 2021
I couldn't put this down. I'm dying to find out what happens next. Will be watching for more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a
February 13, 2021
Really enjoyed reading this. Told in dual POVs, both Julia and Orin's side of the story is exciting and engaging. The premise was really good and well executed, and that ending made me crave more
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews