Review: 4.5 stars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 22, 2014
This free story is meant as a companion to daynight, the first book in a YA dystopian series.In daynight, we learned that there is a parallel planet named Thera with an indigenous Theran population and a large contingent of "Second Chancers". These are folks who have died on Earth, but are reincarnated to live a second life on Thera. The process normally strips people of their memories prior to transition, but not always....Therans and Earthlings who have high levels of a substance called DNT in their blood can transition between Earth and Thera by means of portals. These folks are called "daynighters" and are valuable couriers.This companion story takes place on Earth. Alexa is a 16 y/o black homeless girl. She and her three brothers and ailing mother live in their van. They have been receiving free medical treatment from a clinic run by the Clean Slate Complex. One night their van breaks down in the ghettos around LA. Alexa is attacked while her brothers rush out for medical aid for their mother.Just as Alexa is saving herself from the attacker, a busload of people arrive--people from the CSC. They want to help, says Adam, a leader of the night watch. Having nowhere left to turn, Alexa's family joins the Clean Slate Complex--as volunteers--working in the facilities while their mother succumbs to a coma in the medical facility.Alexa's "hero" Adam is a champion of the facility, but Alexa is loathe to accept the no-strings help. Especially when it seems the best way for her to help is to shill for donations to fund CSC operations. She is proud, and hates being waved about as a poster child for the homeless. Having no room left in the dormitory for a young girl, Alexa is housed in the penthouse apartment of the Black family, wealthy founders of the CSC with their daughter and son. Joshua Black is an enigmatic character. He pretend to be homeless and infiltrates the behind-the-scenes business of CSC.In short, it's a nightmare. Just as Alexa begins to feel comfortable in CSC, Joshua reveals the sinister nature behind CSC's operation. See, the Blacks, they're Theran daynighters. And Alexa is about to join their ranks--willing or not.There is a hint of romance developed between Josh and Alexa. The story is a quick read with tension that leaps off the page. Alexa is strong, smart and proud. She's horrified by what she learns through Josh, and Josh is as fun a turncoat as one will ever find.