Solid - Review

Solid (Solid #1)
by Shelly Workinger
Published: July 9, 2010
Rating: 3,5/5

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"After deftly replacing the desk to camouflage the secret door and once again securing the journal in the locked drawer, he looked up and caught his reflection in the window glass. He jauntily flicked his stiff cap with one finger, his mouth widening a fiendish grin as he unabashedly admired the face of the soon-to-be most revered geneticist in, not just military or medical, but, in fact, world history." from the end of the prologue


In Solid, Clio and a hundred other teenagers learn that they've been genetically altered before birth in a secret experiment. The scientist took his secret with him to the grave, but his journal was found by the government, who bring the teens together and help them develop their super abilities. But Clio quickly learns that everything is not as it seems. Workinger has written a fast paced novel filled with friendship, romance and mystery. With a strong group of characters who work well together, an original plot and a lot of questions that aren't answered until the end, Solid is a quick and interesting read. The mystery aspect could've been a bit more developed, but Solid is still worth a read.

Before I Fall - review

Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver
Rating: 3.5/5

Author Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Goodreads


What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

When I started Before I Fall, I was prepared for a emotional roller coaster. I had loaded up with tons of Kleenexes and didn't read on the train or in school so that I wouldn't start sobbing in public. I was waiting for the moment that I would break down. Because all the reviews I read about this book told me to do that. 

But that moment never came.

So, no. For me, Before I Fall wasn't that emotional. Like it had been to most readers. But I'm not complaining, this was a enjoyable read despite the fact that it didn't have me breaking up in tears. It was a good book, good writing, an actually really amazing concept. That was my favorite part about the book. The plot was really carefully planned and developed. I've never heard about a book like this before, in which a person gets to relive a day many times.

I had a little problem with Sam's friends. They were like the stereotypic high school mean girls. Popular, rich, super hot and just really, really mean. Sam, on the other hand, was a character who started out as a bitchy mean girl but developed throughout the book into something more realistic and humane.

Before I Fall was kind of a let down for me. I had too high expectations from tons of five star reviews and was hoping for a deep and thought provoking read. I didn't get that, but still got a nice read about a girl finding herself and trying to make the right decisions to make it up for people she had hurt in her life.