Review: Refreshing SciFi YA Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 14, 2013
Spoiler Alert:The Athena Effect is a science fiction romance novel about a teen girl whose parents raise off the grid until their tragic deaths; only to find herself running with her first love from the very people her parents hid her from.I would like to thank the author Derrolyn Anderson and GoodReads YA/NA Fanatics' ARR Program for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.The story line is original and is written honestly although it did remind me a little of Stephen King's Firestarter. I like the way Caledonia or "Cali" is introduced to the reader and how the main characters evolve simultaneously from one extreme to another finding themselves uniting at the perfect moment in the story. However I wanted a little more insight to Cali's relationship with her parents and although some of the secondary characters were just blips the author got her point across using them the way she did for the development of the story. I love how she built up the relationship between Calvin or "Cal" and Cali. The author decided to forego the "Insta-Love" fall into bed fad that most YA or NA novels have been sporting recently and I found it really refreshing. The story develops well with different characters' POV; the action sequences are also done well however the one major complaint I do have is that I found the ending to be rushed and quite abrupt, I love cliffhangers however this one just stopped me short. There is some language but nothing major, mention of drinking and drug use but it is not gratuitous, and there are some sensual scenes between the protagonists but again Ms. Anderson foregoes the graphic detail and leaves it to the imagination of the reader to bask in the sweet romance of first love. All in all I really liked this read and I am anxious to find out what happens with this series. The cover is done well. Thank you Ms. Anderson for a refreshing quick read!Rating 3.5 out of 5 Stars