Review: Good start to an interesting series.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.When I saw this book on an author friend's blog announcing its expected release and blog tour, I had to sign up. The blurb piqued my interest immediately, and I wasted no time in adding my name to those waiting for an ARC. Well, I got one. I haven't read any of Ms. Campbell's previous novels, so looked forward to Empath, and will say that I enjoy the way she writes.From the blurb though, I expected Empath to be somewhat fast-paced, more than it ended up being. Fair enough, it's the first book in the Flawed series, so in essence, an introduction to its main and key characters. Jade Edwards being the main character in this book - at times. As soon as I started reading, I was excited. It was fresh, different, interesting and not something I'd read before even though I read a lot of paranormal, which sometimes includes the supernatural. The premise was totally different to anything I've read, and what intrigued me in the first place.I like Jade... but, I would have liked Jade more if she'd accepted who and what she was way earlier in the story. I get that this was a journey of discovery for Jade in that by the end of the book she finally found a way to put her - what I call ability, but Jade thinks of as a disability - to good use. Granted, she was sheltered from an early age due to her empathy, but somehow managed to get past this obstacle and make two very good friends. It's sometimes frustrating when a character seems to wallow too much on her `curse', however, we all deal with situations differently so I can't really pick on her for that.Jade's schooling has always been done on-line, until the day she has no choice but to attend college and mingle with other students for one subject. It's crazy hectic for her, as it would be for me, to constantly go through varying emotions - other people's emotions, from happy to sad, to laughing - all within seconds of each other. This is the one thing Jade's been able to do with her friends, shut their emotions out, but not with anyone else. Then she meets Cam who is assigned as her class partner. They work well together, he is easy going, life for him is one big ball of fun but he, too, has a flaw/power. Jade eventually meets Josh and Chloe, Cam's brother and sister, and for the first time she's completely comfortable being around others. Further on in the story, Chloe, by way of an accident, also garners a flaw/power. There's another key character by the name of Logan, who teaches at the college, helps her with some extra lessons, and becomes another of her friends. Cam is interested in Jade, and throughout most of the story, Jade reciprocates but knows that she's not really into Cam in that way - it's his feelings towards her which overwhelm her, and make her feel what he does. Who she really likes is Logan. Jade left her indecisiveness about telling Cam her feelings a little too late. However, it didn't phase Cam too much. Maybe he didn't feel as strongly as he thought he did. I don't know. Again, these are situations where everyone acts or reacts differently.There's one part in the story that actually had me growling, and this is when Jade is being held captive by a sicko, Ethan, who by the way also has a flaw/power (I won't say what as I don't want to spoil it), and whilst trying to look for a way out, finds a hole in the stone wall. Who happens to be on the other side? None other than Logan. Granted, he followed her, but still. And yes, he too, has a flaw/power. Logan is very good at hiding/keeping his feelings to himself but at this juncture, Jade asks him to open up to her for once and for all. Ask and you shall receive, and she's bombarded with all he has kept in. Meaning, she gets that he loves her deeply from his emotions, and in turn she is in love with him, too? I get that they are interested in each other, but they haven't had enough time to really `get' into each other, let alone feel love. It just felt weird to me. You may think differently.Now, I'm probably the nutcase here, but from the moment Ethan makes himself known in the story, and we get both Jade's and Ethan's POV, I thoroughly enjoyed these parts. I lie. I loved these parts. They were exciting and brought that extra something to the story. I like anything `thriller', so for me this was on the money. He's a sicko, and certain parts are descriptive but had they not been, it wouldn't have had an impact at all. Ethan notices Jade one day when he's going into a store, and she's the one he must have. He has a thing for brunettes, but there's someone in his past, Kelsey, who hurt him and I guess he's taking it out on those who look like her. I must mention the calls he makes. Eerie! This character, for me, stood out above any the others.I mentioned earlier that the story could have been more upbeat, and only because I think too much time was spent on the kids driving here, going there and everywhere doing this or that. Some is needed, of course, but sometimes, less is more. Even though I say this, I wasn't the least bored. This premise is brilliant, and I think Ms. Campbell could have done so much more with what she's sitting on, and she might just yet with the second book. This may just be the set up to all that is still to come.One character who was very quiet throughout was, Josh. Don't know if he will be getting his own flaw/power, but I'm guessing that will be the case. There's one last thing I want to mention about these flaws/powers. For me, there was too much too soon for all the main characters. Had it only been Jade and Ethan, and even Logan - perfect.With everything I've said above, do not go thinking I didn't enjoy this book. If you do, you'd be wrong. I did, because the writing is good, the premise is awesome, and I enjoyed going along for the ride. It was clean, it flowed, no profanity was used although some may make its way into further books and if it does, I have no problem with it at all. But then this is new adult, not young adult. Mind you, I've read young adult which, yeah. I need not say more.This is the start of a series, which I believe is only going to get better. I'll read the sequel. I have to know why Ethan does what he does, and I look forward to seeing what else the `group' are going to go up against.