Showing posts with label shelley workinger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shelley workinger. Show all posts
Sound by Shelley Workinger Book Review (SPF)
Story Arc: Solid Series
Publication: November 1, 2012 by Shelley Workinger
Hardcover: 218 pages
Genre: Sci-Fi
Age Group: MG, Teen, YA
Source: Blog Tour
Excerpt(s): from pgs 42-43
"Never thought it'd be you," I growled, pushing back against her with all of my strength...
Blog Tour: Settling by Shelley Workinger
- Visit Shelley's Website
- Visit Shelley's Giveaway Page
- See the Blog Tour Schedule
- Read My Review for Solid
- Read My Review for Settling
At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…
Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives.
Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.
Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…
I’m incredibly happy to interview the amazing cast from Shelley Workinger’s Solid trilogy. Today, with me, I have Clio, Bliss, Miranda, Garrett, and Alexis, PLUS the two additional characters in Settling, Xavier and Rae. As not to give away anything too spoilery, I’ll try not to ask too many Settling-related questions, including why Jack couldn’t be here today. Promise… Maybe.
Asher: Hi, guys! It’s really starting to feel like summer now. (Blech.) It’s the time for beach-cruising, smoothie-sipping, party-crashing, and all-around laidback fun! When you think of summer, what automatically comes to mind?
Bliss: The beach.Garrett: Bikinis on the beach.
Miranda: Skin damage from UVBs.
Xavier: Concert Tours.
Alexis: Yeah, did you hear Dave Matthews is coming to Jersey for THREE days?
Clio: But, we can’t really leave campus, remember?
Rae: Maybe our Social Director can work on that, hmm? *shoots pointed look at Miranda*
Asher: *scoffs* Social Director. *turns away from Miranda's glare* So, I love to hit waterparks over the summer. Kissing also comes to mind when I think of summer. *wiggles eyebrows* Are any of you otherwise engaged in a relationship? Got your eye on someone special?
Uncomfortable silence.
Clio, Alexis, Rae, and Xavier look at Bliss.
Bliss looks at the floor.Garrett and Miranda glare at Clio.
Clio looks at the floor.
Rae: Well, this is awkward.
Asher: Oops. Well, not to worry, I have my suspicions and conclusions. Keeping to the summer theme, if you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be?
Bliss: Cookie dough and cake batter with hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream, M & Ms… [freezes, realizing she’s gone on a bit too long]…You asked.
Asher: I did, and I kinda want some of that myself... I see your dirty look, Miranda – don’t think I forgot about your inherent dislike of fattening food products. Instead, you can give me a slogan to put on some awesome summer apparel.
Miranda: Oh, I’ll do you one better –
Asher: Or not.
Miranda: I’m working on this app called Indo’ Glo.
Garrett: Not this again.
Miranda (talking over Garrett’s grumbles): It’s like a tanning machine in your phone that you can wave in front of your body to get bronze without the carcinogens. *turns to Alexis* But somebody needs to hurry up and make it happen before somebody else steals my idea.
Alexis: I really wish somebody would explain to her the difference between technology and magic. *sigh*
Asher: I actually know someone who might be able to... *catches everyone's look and breaks off* Never mind. Right, so some people don’t lounge around during the summer. People actually work. *shudders* How do you like your internships? Do you think it’s important for other young adults to do something… productive over the summer?
Clio: Definitely. I think I’d go nuts if I didn’t have my job to keep me busy.
Garrett: Busy? That’s what you’re calling it?
Miranda: Plus all the pecs…I mean perks, right?
Alexis (jumping in): I’m kind of on hiatus since campus went radio-silent.
Bliss: I wish Jack was here to tell us what’s going on at the treehouse. I mean, um…oh.
Another heavy silence descends.
Asher: Oops... again. Sorry, forgot - no loaded questions. Anyway, enough with the summer talk! I can’t resist probing you about Settling any longer. How are you adjusting to your new abilities? And besides how Clio is dealing with the killer-craziness happening around campus, how have the rest of you been coping?
Garrett: I’m getting super-er every day. I don’t know how Marvel’s gonna think up a costume that can contain all this. *dips chin to indicate his fab physique*
Miranda: Plus the extra compartment to stow your ego.
Alexis: I’d love a suit that could contain my ability.
Xavier: Then I’d have ‘em make yours reversible; layer on some push to counteract the pull.
Rae: How about we just wrap you in aluminum foil to reflect the light back on the stars and blind them?
Bliss: *claps with delight* We’ll have our very own shiny knight!
*Group eye roll*
Asher: Er... sure, Bliss... So there are some newbies this time around. Rae and Xavier, you get introduced in Settling. How does it feel to be the same, yet set apart based on your abilities? More, how do you like your new friends?
Xavier: Everyone’s really gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.
Alexis: Which you totally knew they would.
Clio: Since they can’t help it.
Rae: And by everyone, Asher, he means EVERYone.
Xavier: Hey, I hear you get your share of attention at the gym, Shortie.
Bliss turns sharply to Garrett.
Garrett (oblivious to Bliss’s reaction): Can’t wait to get back in there – the new equipment looks boss!
Rae: And Clio’s gonna be my new workout partner.
Clio: Can’t. Wait.
Asher: Xavier's... charm is not lost on me. *blinks rapidly to focus* There also seems to be a bit of a love triangle here, though I won’t say who with. Still, do you guys think it’s possible to be in heat for two people?
Bliss: NO
Everyone else: YES
Garrett: I mean, no.
Miranda (to Bliss): She didn’t say ‘love’ – she said ‘heat,’ like a dog.
Rae: Do you mean, like a bit–
Xavier: Whoa, this is getting out of hand, don’t you think?
Garrett: Dude, you never jump in before they move to the creamed-corn pit.
Alexis: Please stop before I throw up more than just in my mouth.
Asher: Let's perish all thoughts of girls fighting in creamed-corn pits, okay, Garrett? So not going there. But, OMIGOD, that ending!? What the hell?! I’m caught between sympathy, being ticked, and anticipation of what’s to come. I can hardly stand the wait! At the risk of sounding like a bogus therapist, how does the ending make you feel? And Clio, what do you intend to do about it…all?
Clio: I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get back to where we were – even if it means wrestling in creamed-corn. *risks hopeful smile at Garrett*
Garrett: Hmph.
Bliss whimpers; Miranda silences her with a glare.
Asher: *aims sympathetic smile at Clio* Oh! Miranda, Garrett, do the following pictures remind you of anything? Make you think of anyone?
“…I’d looked around at what I’d grabbed hold of in my panic and felt enormously lucky. Of all the people I could’ve surfaced with, I’d somehow found the best five fish in the pond. One may be a barracuda, another a clown fish, and the others various species in between, but we made up a swimmy school.” ~Clio (p.2)
Garrett: Nemo!
Miranda: Well, I assume that toothy-one is supposed to be a barracuda, and even if it tasted good – which I’m sure it doesn’t – you can’t eat it or you could get Ciguatera.
Group in unison: Huh?
Miranda: Food poisoning, obviously.
Asher: Right, right, wouldn't want to acquire... that. *makes weird face* Ah, my final question, a random parting query: I’m sure you all caught the MTV Movie Awards a little while ago and saw the new trailer for Breaking Dawn. So do tell, which are you, Team Jacob or Team Edward? *giggles*
Garrett: Team Emmett!
Bliss: I was going to say that, too. *blushes*
Clio and Miranda (at the same time): Edward.
Miranda (without missing a beat): Then I switch to Jacob.Rae: *snorts* That’s funny, since you have such a problem with people switching teams.
Alexis: Why do we have to choose si–
Door bangs open, all heads turn.
Voice from out of screen-range: What is going on here? I didn’t authorize any interviews.
Major Eve Godwin’s face fills the screen for a second as she searches for the exit-button, then the screen goes black.
Thanks for stopping by, you guys! Hope I didn't get you into trouble...
Make sure you stop by To Read or Not To Read for tomorrow's blog stop! You can click here to get the entire schedule for this tour. Also, there's a great contest going on on Shelley's website. Go here to check it out. Did you like the interview? Feel free to smack me, good-naturedly, with your thoughts!
Review: Settling by Shelley Workinger
WARNING: If you haven't read Solid, book one in the Solid trilogy, then it would probably be a good idea to stay away from this review.
At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…
Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives.
Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.
Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…
Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Source: author/ARC
Purchase: Amazon (Coming Soon)
Previously: Solid (My Review) Next: Sound (Summer 2012)
First, I know it's not gracious to gloat - because it isn't - but I can't help but celebrate this:
"Brimming with entertaining, loyal characters, a gripping, mysterious back story/plot, teens with superhuman abilities, and a satisfying ending that cleverly paves the way for a pine-worthy sequel." ~Paranormal Indulgence
I've been quoted! And for such a great series, too!
Okay, now that I've got that off of my chest, onto the review...
Indeed a pine-worthy sequel, I've decided Settling is my favorite of the two books. Which is surprising because I've never really been a fan of sci-fi books, and yet I'm so drawn to this series, now even more so. I'm still confused as to why nobody has picked up on these books; they are amazing! Like, where is the buzz and hype when you need it? The series has great things going for it: kids with altered chromosomes and superhuman powers, psychopathic killers on the rampage, and ONE OF THE BEST TEEN GROUP OF FRIENDS I HAVE EVER 'MET'. I don't know if the caps did it for ya, but I'm serious. Clio and her friends are just packages of awesome that make you warm and laugh when you open them. This second book showed how the results of Solid strengthened their friendship and made them ten MILLION times more lovable.
And it's because of these characters that I could not get enough of this story! While the first book was an intro to the C9x project - the name for the chromosome that was altered within this collection of teens - and the abilities that came with this genetic mutation. Now, with Settling, the problems have escalated. I mean, one has to wonder how the general public would react to this group of mutated (that sounds worse than it is) teens gathered together by the military, like it's not unordinary, right? Hell, if it were me, I'd think the military was planning on putting together a teen assassin squad or superhuman soldiers! But, surprisingly, the military just want to help... or so it seems. And, unsurprisingly, Americans aren't too thrilled with the prospect of this project or the campus, with the kids all rounded up and together. (Can we say: HATERS much?)
This whole mess is stressful. I know, because I was reading it. But, imagine how Clio feels!? Poor girl is trying to keep it together, trying not to be worried for herself or her friends, all the while struggling with some interesting new... stuff. In the beginning, Clio and her friends were closer together, but this whole killer madness and all of the nonanswers provided by the government is stretching their nerves. I felt for them. I'd be bummed if nobody knew what was wrong with me, what this genetic alteration could effect in the future! Added to all that craziness, love is in the air! Triangle alert, though I won't say where or, more correctly, with whom. Though I'm a TAD frustrated as to the state of Bliss and Garrett's current lack of steamy romance! -_- Things better spice up between those two in Sound!
On the + side, Some new fun and intriguing people are added to the already fabulous mix of characters! Hullo, Xavier and Rae! Incoming. Two smokin' hotties, though (sadly) only one of the transfers is a boy, with unique powers to bring to the table, ones that can't quite be classified and leads everyone to believe that there's more to C9x then was imaginable... It just goes to show that there's more to C9x then meets the eye. Plus, there's Ford, the oh-so-delectable and please-come-here-and-kiss-me-cutie who's one of the military personnel on campus! Oh yeah, there was some ogling on my part... and Clio's.
Then, BAM! Everything went to hell, though not literally like in some books. Without warning, too. Well, maybe I
Recommendation
If you're not really into thick reads, give Solid and Settling go. They are relatively short books packed with a lot of punch, I assure you. Plus if you're into paranormal/superhuman powers and sci-fi-ish action, this is your slice of cheesecake. Guaranteed winner, the first and second book. (But the second book more so, but shh! don't tell I said so.)
"Thar she blows!" As I entered the dining room, Garrett hailed me from the table we'd now permanently claimed.
"Did you just call me a whale?" I responded with a calculated snarl once I'd reached him.
"Why are girls so hyper-sensitive?" he groaned. "You take everything so seriously."
"Why are boys so obtuse? They can't even tell when we're joking." I replaced the faux-offense with a wide grin. "Good to see you branching out, though," I went on. "Did you read the whole book?"
I took his choking as a negative answer, and modified my question. "Movie?"
"First four minutes," he admitted once his airway was clear. "That's all I could take." (11)
Meet the characters tomorrow, as I have an... interesting chat with Clio, Bliss, Miranda, Garrett, Ja... the whole immediate cast for my part in Shelley's Settling Blog Tour (Click here for the schedule.) ! Be there, as one of my favorite group of fictional friends meets with me to talk a little about summer and a little bit on Settling! You DO NOT want to miss this, so stay tuned.
Before you read Settling, though, read the first book in the trilogy, Solid!
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| Clicking this picture will take you to its Goodreads page. |
Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger
Release Date: 7/9/10 (Paperback)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Age Group: Young Adult (13+)
Pages: 223
Source: Author/ARC (Thank you!)
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
Overall Feelings: New and astounding!Synopsis- "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 the living, breathing human products of his work.Quick Thinking: Solid is a wonderful, fast-paced novel that had me flipping pages at a strangely quick speed. This novel is brimming with entertaining, loyal characters, a gripping, mysterious back story/plot, teens with superhuman abilities, and a satisfying ending that cleverly paves the way for a pine-worthy sequel. Find yourself attempting to unearth the secrets behind the puzzling C9x project said to alter the chromosomes of one hundred teenagers granted with abnormal skills and strengths, as you head off to a secluded military campus in New Jersey with the heroine Clio Kaid.
Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed 'open-book' military unearths the truth about the experiment, bring 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..." (from back of the book)
Suggestion: If you don't like very lengthy reads or you're a beginner on the reading scene, definitely pick up Solid and get a taste of what good reading material is!
My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* I really liked this novel, and I hadn't expected to. Science fiction-y/fantasy books aren't really my thing, YA or not, but I found myself deeply invested in this story. Workinger pulled me into the story of Solid with her obvious knowledge of the topic surrounding her novel, her light, easy yet eloquent writing style, and the group of characters she's brought together and made click within its pages...
Guest Post: Shelley Workinger
1/18/11
Summary:
"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 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, bring 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..." (from back of the book)
Here's what Shelley had to say about her novel:
The main criticism I get from readers is, Why is "Solid" so short? Virtually every blog review has expressed the desire for at least fifty more pages. And as an epic lover myself, I can absolutely see their point.
What most people don't know, however, is that "Solid" was actually written for the reluctant reader - the early teen who has started to become so overwhelmed by required reading that she's in danger of losing the love of pleasure reading entirely. At an age when "book" starts to feel synonymous with "ye olde torture," I wanted to offer a fun, fast read that was short enough to put the accomplishment of finishing within everyone's reach.
Now, of course, I'm thrilled with the praise and attention "Solid" has started to get from established readers, and I'm faced with the challenge of meeting both sets of needs. (Just because the illustrious "they" say that you can't make everyone happy, doesn't mean that I can't try!)
So the good news is that as the once-reluctant readers cross over into the book-loving fold, the "Solid" series can grow alongside them. This doesn't mean that book three will be a thousand-page tome, but readers will see significant (and organic) expansion, and, by the conclusion of the series, hopefully everyone will feel satisfied with the whole.
And you never know, maybe I'll get so caught up in our joint venture that I'll have to take the story beyond the planned trilogy...follow the "Solid" series and we'll grow together :)
-Shelley
Thanks for stopping by, Shelley!
Stay tuned for my review of Solid coming later on in the day!
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