While this is outside of my normal reading section, I really enjoyed this suspenseful book. Was definitely a page-turner! The main character ends up navigating an illegal street fighting ring while seeking justice for others in her life. ( )

The story of "Terminate (Retribution)" is told by Josie, a homeless street kid who is tough enough to make it on the streets. Tough on the outside that is, but staunchly loyal to her friends. This loyalty has her searching for her friend, Amanda, who seems to have disappeared. As her search escalates Josie calls on her usual posse to help as she descends into the no holds barred world of underground fighting.

The action in the book moved quickly but it was clear that there was a previous book in which the posse had first connected. This was good as a stand alone and it was great to visit places that I knew as the setting was in Vancouver and the surrounding areas.

I received an Early Reviewers copy of Terminate from LibraryThing. I think this is the first time I’ve read an Orca book without a student or without a student in mind, so it was a different experience for me. Like all Orca books, it was a quick, easy read without much depth and very little character development. There were two twists at the end. One I was expecting; the other was a surprise. All in all, a good Hi-Lo book. ( )

This is a fast read, but to be honest, it's also a disappointing one. And it's the definition of rushed--every bit of it, from start to finish, is rushed through. So although the premise and the characters really interested me, and I was excited to pick the book up, it's lacking depth to such an extent that, really, it reads as more of a bare bones exploration than a finished novel, YA or otherwise.

The characters do have some hints of depth, but not enough to come across as more than figureheads that are too familiar. It's easy to see how more time with them would have made a huge difference, but as is, they're not real enough and we don't have enough time with them to invest in and care about them. The plot is more of a problem--it moves so quickly, and is so easy at every step, that there's not really any intrigue or suspense, let alone time to become worried for the characters or really invested. And then, once it gets interesting? It's immediately ended. And I don't mean it's over--it's simply ended in a way that isn't remotely satisfying.

So, would I read another from this series, or another from this author? The answer is no. Honestly, this was so rushed and lacking, I'm not sure I'd read another from the publisher. ( )

Fast paced. High stakes plot with enough twists to keep you on your toes. ( )