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Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Solid by Shelley Workinger




Eighteen years ago, a rogue Army doctor secretly experimented with a chromosomal drug on unknowing pregnant women. When he was killed not long after the children were born, any knowledge and evidence seemed to die with him - except for the living, breathing, human products of his work. Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed "open-book" military unearths the truth about the experiment, bringing Clio Kaid and the other affected teens to a state-of-the-art, isolated campus where they soon discover that C9x did indeed alter their chromosomes, its mutations presenting as super-human abilities. The military kids, who come from across the nation and all walks of life, come into their own as lighter-than-air 'athletes'; 'indies' as solid as stone walls; teens who can make themselves invisible and others who can blind with their brilliance. While exploring her own special ability, forging new friendships and embarking on first love, Clio also stumbles onto information indicating that the military may not have been entirely forthcoming with them and that all may not be as it seems...

***

This series certainly has potential.

Solid is an the first in a series. The story revolves around a group of Young Adults who, when they were in the womb, were subjected to some kind of genetic experiment. The story starts 17 years after the experiments have happened. The teenagers who were experimented on have been rounded up and taken to a training facility although it isn't entirely clear why they are there.

The story is narrated by Clio a 17 year old girl who finds herself at this camp and largely follows her day to day life as she settles in, makes friends. Towards the end of the book questions are starting to be raised about the facility and why it has been set up and why nearly 100 17 year olds have been put there without any contact to the outside world.

The thing I liked most about this book was the characterisation. There is a lovely host of characters meaning that there is someone for everyone to relate to both male and female. The dynamics of the main characters is fun and I enjoyed following there adventure.

The story is quite short (just over 200 pages) and for me this is was its downfall. By the time everything is set up everything stops and only a faction of the questions I have buzzing round my head about the facility, the experiments and the personnel have been answered. I am hoping that the story is continued in future books (there is at least one more) as there is so much that I need exploring and explaining as the concepts and ideas are very engaging and thought provoking. I loved seeing how the story developed especially when the group started to come into their special powers - I loved the scene when the girls arrived for a secret sneak in mission all in black ready to creep in and one of the boys points out there wasn't much point as they able to turn invisible anyway.

Definitely worth hunting out - you may want to buy it along with the second one as you will definitely be left wanting more.

A huge thanks to Shelley herself for sending me this book for review

Buy your own copy at the book depository

Comments

Oohhh this one sounds good! I'll have to pick it up sometime. :)
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Unknown said…
*shakes head at the above comment*

Anyway, really interesting review. The premise for this book reminds me so much of The Medusa Project books by Sophie McKenzie. I mean that in a good way as I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I think there are many of us who would love to develop a super power. It is a shame that the story is so short but I guess that is one of the risks when authors plan out a series. They can only give you so much in the beginning. Thanks for sharing.
becky you are totally right with the comparison although this is a little more grown up as I always think the medusa project is really aimed at a younger audience