Review: Amazing, can't wait for the sequel. . .
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 27, 2014
4.5 out of 5 stars***This book was provided free by the author in exchange for an honest review, through the Goodreads “Don't Buy My Love” program***When I first started reading this book, I was struck by the similarities in this fantasy world to that of the X-men movies, to the point that it seemed like fanfiction, albeit extraordinarily well done fanfic.  But the longer I read, the more I was drawn into the adventure, and I quit thinking of X-men!  The setting is a future United States where the interior of the country has become almost entirely depopulated due to a variety of man-made and natural disasters.  A miracle drug, Fredamine, had been introduced years ago, and though it cured many previously incurable diseases, it had the unforeseen property of leading to the birth of “variants” – like the mutants of the X-men – who have all kinds of superpowers.  Some of the variants joined together to form the Guild, which works with government agencies to keep the peace and protect the populace.  But, again like the X-men movies, some humans are suspicious of variants, and want them destroyed, locked away, and experimented upon.The story starts with the disappearance of 20 or so children from the Western Variant Academy.  The Guild steps in to solve the mystery and recover the children, and they contract Damien.  Damien is a locator, who's variant ability is to find people by following invisible trails with his mind.  He is profoundly distrustful of everyone, cannot bear to have people touch him, has severe OCD and anxiety and usually lives in an isolated cabin.  He only leaves it because he cannot turn down a call to help variant children, but he usually works alone.  Because this assignment is more dangerous than usual, the Guild also hires Blaze Emerson, a sparker who can control fire, to protect and assist Damien.  Blaze is unpredictable, and used to people assuming he is violent and uncontrolled.  The two men don't want to work with each other, but they have no choice, as for both this is a job they can't turn down.There is fast paced adventure, surprising twists and turns, danger, bravery, and mystery.  I couldn't put it down, and read to the wee hours!  The characterization is amazing – I loved how there was a gradual revelation of what happened in the past to make Damien and Blaze into the damaged men they are now.  As they discover and follow the trails of the missing children into the wilds of the interior,  they reluctantly start trusting each other, and eventually become lovers.  They run across Shudders McKenzie, a variant activist (or terrorist, depending upon viewpoint) and old lover of Blaze's, whom they recruit to their mission even though his presence creates a pseudo-love triangle and threatens to disrupt the fragile bond forming between Damien and Blaze.I really want to see more of this story – it just seems like the perfect start to a series!  (I see that it is listed as Variant Configurations #1, so I am hopeful!)  I want to see Damien and Blaze go out on another mission, and I want to see how their relationship prospers (or doesn't!).  I want to see Shudders continue his crusading for variant rights.  I want to see more of the Guild, and the variants outside the guild.  I want to know more of what happens to the humans and variants out in the wilderness that was America's heartland.  I want to know the history of this world as well as it's future.  Ms. Martinez is an exceptionally talented author, and I would love to see her take this story and continue to move further away from the X-men similarities.  I gave the book 4.5 rather than 5 stars only because the ending seemed so abrupt, but I'll change that if/when a new book comes out!