Review: A great spy novel for both young adults and adults!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 7, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Ethan James is a 16-year-old jock who suffers from a hereditary disease that has effected both of his kidneys.Florida Bowman is an artistic 16-year-old girl who loves to dance and act on stage and also suffers from kidney failure.Jake Inala is a 15-year-old who has a love for weapons and a strong desire to become a top Marine when he reaches the age of enlistment, but he also has extensive liver damage.All three of these people have some very significant things in common, the most obvious being that they are all gravely ill and in need of an organ transplant. Another thing that they have in common is the fact that they all desperately want to get back to the lives that they had before they became sick.This is the time in their lives when they are supposed to feel invincible, be reckless, and make mistakes. But they don't have the same luxuries that most people their age take for granted and have to spend most of their lives in hospitals, taking medicine, and worrying that they won't make it to see 18. Enter Dylan Black, a young up and coming hotshot in the CIA whose life is tragically cut short during a mission. Ethan, Florida, and Jack all receive their transplants thanks to Dylan and even though he is dead, he needs them to return the favor and help him complete the mission that took his life.After they receive their transplants, the exciting part of the story begins, and the overall tone of the book is lifted to a more lighthearted place. When he died, Dylan Black had just hidden three bombs that contain deadly toxins, but of course he didn't have the time to disarm them because then we wouldn't have a plot. Ethan, Florida, and Jack all have a connection with Dylan because they carry a piece of him with them, and he is able to communicate with them and share all that he has learned.The book has supernatural elements that are based on scientific facts, but it's really a spy novel. So after the first 50% which deals mainly with illness, the book becomes a ton of fun! I liked the first half, but I hope any future books in the series will be like the second half and focus more on the action.There is a very small hint of romance or maybe even a love triangle between the three main characters, both Ethan and Jack have crushes on Florida, and she returns the feelings, but it is not a main focus of the story. It might develop further in the future, but I personally hope not because I enjoyed not having to worry about that type of drama while I was reading about these kids fighting for their lives. I like the fact that real life was more important than romance for once!I usually steer clear of books when they revolve around illness because they tend to be difficult to read, but Feedback never had me reaching for the tissues. I felt for the characters and rooted for them to get better, but because I knew from the start that they would receive the transplants, my stomach wasn't tied up in knots the entire time. Most of the suspense came from the spy missions not the hospital.Feedback was fun, inventive, and I look forward to reading more a bout these three awesome survivors!Because of language, I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up.