Review: Not perfect, but entertaining
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 7, 2013
Aside from some of the grammatical errors (missing words, extra words, etc.), the story is pretty interesting...instead of making some people "special" with affinities everyone starts out that way and their choices determine if that changes. However, as is typical, some characters are very likeable whereas others are not. Ria, the main female character, is NOT likeable. She is extremely biased. In part, due to her upbringing and the fact that her parents are extremely bigoted against "magic disease carriers" -> these are individuals who have lost their magic and try to steal it from others through death. Adrian is one such person. Although he has done nothing to deserve her contempt, she treats him like a leper and thinks that all of them should be exterminated, like roaches. She does start to change that opinion once she becomes a disease carrier herself, but she still comes across as selfish and self-indulgent...a rich little girl who does not consider the world around her and is only interested in shopping. There are some redeeming qualities, but you do spend a lot of time wanting to kick her to the curb while you wait for her to grow up.Then there is Adrian...he acts like a dick for the most part, but given how he has been treated simply because he was born with the disease, there is that part of you that is sympathetic to him. Especially as it relates to how he treats Ria. If anyone deserved to be treated like crap, it is her. However, once she shows up at his dorm room after realizing she has the disease, he doesn't turn her away and instead helps her even when she STILL treats him like crap. Eventually they will develop a relationship, as other things start to heat up. Ria learns her brother is also a carrier and also working to learn what the government is covering up about the disease.Then there are the unfortunately casualties of Adrian and Ria...Paula and Michael are the two people who least deserve to be hurt, but are by the two people they loved. I have to admit that though I was annoyed with Ria and some of the decisions made, I could not stop reading the story. Is this for everyone? Probably not. Would I recommend it? Depends on what you like...not everyone will like this, but I have to admit, I've already picked up book 2.