Review: Compelling and thought provoking
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2013
Every once in a while, a book comes along that transcends simple story telling. These books leave a lasting impression, giving you the thoughts and the ability to make positive changes to your life. [sic] is one such book, about a group of teenagers who want to break free from the normal constraints of life. They play a compelling game called Eureka and the rules are simple. Once they are tagged, they have 15 minutes to change their life, in whichever way they choose.Jacob Thorke, a relatively poor teen living in the trailer park, has been pulled in for questioning of the death of his friend, David Bloom. As he slowly recalls the past few years of his life, we find out how Eureka started and the addictive nature of the game. David Bloom is akin to a cultist leader, with magnetism and energy to capture the heart of his group. Without the usual constraints and social norms, these teenagers would do anything to gain David's approval. From arson, to giving their car away, losing their virginity and starting fights, we learn that Eureka is a scary game to play, no matter how life changing it may be.I was really impressed with [sic] from the get go. While it's less `murder mystery' as the blurb may suggest and more realistic fiction, seeing these teens equipped with Eureka and what they did was really interesting. Eureka removes all the fear in doing things that you think would get you into trouble, for hopes of bettering your life. From the righteous Jacob, to the psychotic and beautiful Emily, to crazy Steven, these teenagers are off the hook. The only thing balancing out their craziness is Nora, the on and off again girlfriend of Jacobs who questions his loyalty to the game.The writing has its moments of beauty, kind of like a rough diamond. Its simply to convey what Jacob thinks about his own life, and it's really easy to fall into.[sic] is a simple yet powerful tale about the possibilities of life if you break free from constraints. It's about the freedom to act out your wishes to achieve your dreams, but the flipside is the consequences of these actions can be scary. What would you do if you had 15 minutes to change your life? This book makes you think about those possibilities, and what's holding you back.I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears on my blog at: [...]  Check it out for more reviews!