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Krista:

 Characters

One thing I am going to say is … oh man did Jennifer Rush get something right about this group of boys. Each one was not only sexy, but had their own characteristics so that every reader will end up relating to one of them (or all of them). The strong supportive one, the funny one, the smart and witty one and of course the brooding angsty one. Although our main character is a little on the naive and timid side, she has huge growth and character development, you’ll definitely root for her.

Favourite

Sam, the pensive leader who cares just as much for everybody’s safety as much as finding the answers. Also the main character’s dad comes in as a close second favorite.

Least Favourite

I didn’t really have a least favourite until the end of the story (spoiler) but if I have to choose one I had a lot of doubts about the mother.  But I felt her character lacked a lot, I wanted more photos, more diaries.

Beginning

Anna and her father run a lab in their basement. The boys are all caged in separate glass rooms and have unusual scars and tattoos on their bodies. Over the last 5 or so years Anna has become close with all of them, monitoring them and forming a bond with Sam. But the fact that none of them can remember their pasts is upsetting and eventually they must get free to find the answers.

Storyline

As the story progresses we find out that even with the loss of their memories, the boys have clues to their past. They must solve the puzzle while running from the corporation which is always one step ahead. But where does Anna fit into the story? The clues unravel and she has more to do with their past lives than even she ever knew about. The pacing of the story becomes a roller coaster as they have very little information to go on, and cannot trust anybody. Very little down time and a twist or two that you won’t see coming.

Ending

Lots of action, twists and feelings. Yay no cliffhanger! Story wraps up very nicely, but also leaving a couple of possibilities the direction book 2 will go.

Thoughts

My favourite thing about this story is the variety of characters. I was surprised that even with everything that they experience, it’s like in some way all of the characters are soul-mates (not the romantic kind)  – they all have some destiny that is tying them together. They don’t fight with each other as much as I would have expected and are so close it’s like they read each others minds. At first I was on the edge about the main character and her connection to the story but was very happy with the end results and found it a page turner. I really enjoyed every minute. *Also a quick note that I listened to the audiobook. The narrator Casey Holloway does a great job, especially in giving a voice to Anna.

Quote

“You’re the only person I trust. That’s not something to waste.”

 

Bel:

Cover

I have a weakness for sexy images of men’s backs, so this one is a BIG hit with me. The tree overlay will make more sense after reading. Promise.

Characters

They all go through hell in this book so it’s not easy to pick a favourite.

Favourite

Anna. Strong. Female and not wimpy.

Least Favourite

Trevor. Spoilers so you’ll have to read to find out why.

Beginning

4 guys are trapped in the basement of the house of a scientist and his daughter. They are effectively lab rats.

Storyline

They escape and take Anna along with them.

Ending

The boys have had their memories altered by the people who were experimenting on them, however you’ll have to read the book to find out just how twisted this all gets.

Thoughts

I thought this was along the same threads as Partials by Dan Wells, in so much as the characters are just the play toys of a much larger entity. However, it’s not set in a futuristic or post apocalyptic world.

I did enjoy the ethical questions raised. The characters finding out just how corrupt the world they live in really is, was enough to make me want to throw the book away, but that’s not always a bad thing.

Quote

When he didn’t answer, I muttered, “Maybe a stone to sharpen your horns?”

He called out as I headed back to my desk, “How about a fifth of vodka?”

Anna’s dialogue with Nick.

 

 Lisa:

Cover

Uhmm, who doesn’t want a piece of man candy on the cover of such an amazing story?

Characters

Altered has a great cast of characters and my favourite things about them is that no one is who they seem to be or even they think they are…

Favorite

I really liked a lot of the characters in Altered! Anna was down to earth and her heart is devoted to Sam. Sam is protective and caring to Anna. Cas is flirtatious, but absolutely harmless. Trev is Anna’s best friend, which she desperately needed at times. And Nick is big and angry, but by the end of the story, the reader gets to see a more gentle and kind side of him.

Least Favorite

I can easily say I don’t dislike any characters in this book. Everyone is interesting and mysterious; no one is who you think they are, which allows for a lot of twists and turns throughout the story!

Beginning

Altered doesn’t hesitate to throw the reader right into the action. The story first introduces you to a very quiet girl named Anna; home schooled, helps her dad with work, and normal. Altered also introduces the reader to four boys named Sam, Nick, Cas and Trev, who are living in Anna’s basement as science projects. Having tests run on them, and being monitored twenty four hours a day; Anna’s dad’s work!

Middle

Follows the five on their run from the agency who is trying to take back Sam, Nick, Cas and Trev. Throughout their journey the five discover a lot about the boys, but they also discover a lot about Anna… things she didn’t know… things she would have never seen coming…

Ending

Uhh… mind blown!

Overall Thoughts

Altered overall was amazing! I couldn’t get enough of it. Not only did I fan girl over Anna and Sam’s “relationship”, I also wanted to learn more and more about the boys; how they became experiments, who they were before. But by reading Altered you learn a lot more than you even thought you would, you learn more about Anna and how she’s connected to these four boys, even before she discovered them in her basement!

 LOVED Altered and can’t wait to see what Erased has in store!

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