Review: Compelling
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 4, 2013
Perception, by Elle Strauss, is a dystopian romance that confronts issues like faith versus science, immortality, classism, and the dangers of technology. The main character, Zoe, is a "GAP" - a genetically altered person. GAPs live to be around 200 years old, and they're all very good looking and very healthy. The only catch? You have to have a lot of money to be a GAP, because it's an expensive procedure. This creates a major divide in society between the haves and the have-nots, so it's almost unheard of for a GAP to associate with, much less fall in love with, a non-GAP.But that's exactly what happens when Zoe's brother goes missing. The only person she can trust to help her is Noah, the son of the family maid, and the descendent of the leader of the non-GAP movement. When Noah and Zoe investigate her brother's disappearance, along the way they uncover family secrets and they're forced to question themselves, each other, and the world in which they live.Perception is a thrilling read that never slows down. Every page is suspenseful and well-plotted, and the love story is both believable and compelling. As the daughter of a scientist I did give pause to the sections that seemed to imply that we must choose faith over science, or vice versa, that it has to be the choice and we can't have both. Still, that is simply implied, not stated, and it's a subtle message if it's even one at all. I would still recommend the series to a friend, and right now Perception is free on Amazon! The next book, Volition is available April 14th, and it picks up exactly where Perception left off.  The second book in the series promises to be every bit as suspenseful as the first, as Zoe and Noah must learn to trust each other and work together if they ever want to be free. Filled with stellar dialogue and attention to detail, this is a series you won't want to miss.