Jan 8, 2013

Review: Altered by Jennifer Rush


Title: Altered
Author: Jennifer Rush
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1.1.2013
Pages: 336
Genre: SciFi
Series: Yes (Altered #1)
Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: A-

Summary (from Goodreads):
Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them. 

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Review:
Jennifer Rush’s Altered is a breathless thrill-ride that I can’t get enough of. I finished it in a day and am anxiously awaiting the next installment to see what happens with these characters. This novel is intense and dramatic, with a healthy dose of romance thrown in for good measure.

Have to admit—the beginning sort of rubbed me the wrong way. I did not for the life of me understand how a teenage girl could just be OK with there being four human beings (hot guys or not) locked in cells in her basement that she helped her dad experiment on. Home-schooled or not, this is anything but OK. Once I made the decision to suspend reality a bit and enjoy the ride Rush provides, it was smooth sailing.

I loved journeying through Anna’s eyes. She is such a sweet, resilient girl. I think what I loved most, however, was that while things were going to hell, she had the good sense to be scared and question things. It gets tiring when a heroine just jumps in and can solve all the issues thrown at her—Anna is very much the weak link in a group and accepts that. Yes, she is strong and capable, but she also makes mistakes.

I cannot remember the last time I had so many yummy boys in one novel. Sam, Cas, Nick, and Trev are all awesome in their own right, but some of my favorite scenes are where they are acting as a unit. They all have very different personalities, but I have to say I’m especially intrigued by Nick. What can I say? I have a thing for the broken bad boy.

This is a fantastic start to what is sure to be an amazing series. I can’t wait to see what twists and turns Rush throws at us in the future (because there were several turns in this one that left me reeling). Altered is an adrenaline-junkie’s novel of choice.

12 comments:

  1. Sometimes, with books like this, I just sort of have to go in with the "suspend disbelief" mindset so I don't get too hung up on things like hot boys in cages in a basement ;-) I too have a thing for the broken bad boy Hannah, so I think you and I might have to work out some sort of sharing schedule with Nick. Really looking forward to this one!

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  2. Yummy boys! ... and why i didnt read it yet?

    good review!

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  3. I've really enjoyed reading this genre of books lately and the yummy boys clinch it!

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  4. Some great books have parts in which I can't stand or disagree with but I can let it go if the story if that good! Altered seems like it's going to be a big hit. Thanks for the honest review. :)

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  5. I'm not usually a fan of thrillers, but this one intrigues me for some reason. Probably because of all the great reviews I've been reading for it- yours included, of course. I think I'll check it out :)

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  6. Love the review! Altered is on my wish list and now I'm really fiending.

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  7. This is on my wish list. It sounds like such a fun read!

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  8. i can't wait to read altered...already bought from TBD ...
    great cover...me likey :D

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  9. great review--sounds like a great book!

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  10. Wow! I wish I had this book. I need it badly. Great review. It makes me want to read it even more! ^^

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  11. Awesome review! Looking Forward to getting my hands on it!

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