2.5 stars. The story starts off very fast paced and it's interesting but somewhere half way through the book I started to lose interest. I didn't feel attached to ANY of the characters, not one and I think that may be why I began to lose interest in the story. The storyline is very interesting and there are some interesting twists near the end but I don't care about the characters at all. I know this book is the first in a series but I don't think I'll be continuing this series, but who knows I may change my mind, just to find out what's going to happen next. ( )

Set in 2150 -- in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms -- this is about the human genetic "mistakes" that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

When their overprotective father is killed in a terrible accident, Zel and her younger sister, Dylia, are lost in grief. But it's not until strangers appear, using bizarre sensory weapons, that the life they had is truly eviscerated. Zel ends up in a safe house for teens that aren't like any she's ever seen -- teens who, by law, shouldn't even exist. One of them -- an angry tattooed boy haunted by tragedy -- can help Zel reunite with her sister.

But only if she is willing to lose him.

NEED NEXT BOOK. NEED MORE CY.

plot: 4/5
there wasn't a ton of action in this book, but as soon as I got to the second half it moved really fast and was interesting. there was a lot of more science-y stuff going on which I didn't entirely get, but I don't really need to know the function of every piece of equipment they use in the lab, so that was fine.

characters: 5/5
Zelia: Is so intriguing! She has a rare medical condition that sort of leads into her superpower and she has the whole 'underdeveloped' thing going on and both these things have had such a toll on her life and self-esteem. Also, the way her dad acted didn't help. But I'm sure she'll continue to develop as a character in the next book and gain more self-esteem.
Wilbert: I TOTALLY did NOT see that coming!!! I mean, he's sort of the last person you'd expect, but when you think about it, it makes sense. And also, there was absolutely NO foreshadowing! That's so wrong! IF there'd been a little foreshadowing, I wouldn't have been so surprised!
Cy: I just love him. So, so much.
Dylia: Dylia is one of those characters who's not so much a character as a plot device. Now, a lotta times I HATE that. But this time it worked.

Romance: 4/5
I really loved the romance. I loved Cy. I need more Cy. but I just need to understand why he was such a jerk if he liked her the whole time. If it just had to do with the guilt over Ana... but that doesn't really make sense. Also, I would like to know WHY he likes her. I mean, yeah, her brain, but they hadn't really talked very much at the point where they went to Argent (which was out of character for him). It it's the whole professor Weisburger thing, then I'll like him a LOT less because that's just weird. I'd like some clarification in the next book.

Overall grade: 13/15
Pretty solid book. ( )

Zel and Dyl's lives are torn apart after their father dies in a magpod accident. In this dystopian U.S., Dyl is forcibly carted off to Aureus, an underground corporation, while Marka brings Zel to a safe house of sorts. The residents there have special traits and are hidden away so they cannot be manipulated by the team at Aureus. Zel is determined to save her sister from the abuse at Aureus. Dystopia, mad science, and malformed teen creatures (two-headed, green-skinned, electric hands...)...it's a wild ride for those who hang on. ( )

Originally seen on Emily Reads Everything

This book had several things going for it.

The main character, Zel, suffers from Ondine's Curse. This is the nickname for two real disease and could refer to either congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) or primary alveolar hypoventilation. Basically, Zel's brain doesn't tell her lungs to breathe automatically like everyone else's does. Zel has to constantly remember to breathe. She also wears a device that pulls air into her lungs on a regular basis, but Zel doesn't like wearing it.
Zel is rescued and spirited away to a secret mutant refuge, only don't call them mutants because marvel has that copyrighted. It was half Hogwarts half Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Interesting concept.
Government conspiracy theories. I love a good conspiracy.
Unfortunately, I thought the synopsis made the book sound better than it actually was. I'm in a time crunch on vacation so I'm going to explain these in bullets as well.

The faux-mutants were kind of boring. There was one who was the tortured love interest who had super healing (Wolverine?), The one who was green and controlled plants (Poison Ivy?), the one who had a second head and handled all their technology concerns (Beast?) and then the one who had the best power of all... super nose. She could identify every scent. Yay...
The secret mutant refuge should have been amazing, but it really wasn't. It turned out they were locked in and were not supposed to leave. This was because society couldn't or wouldn't accept them, or something? It wasn't clearly explained. However, not once was this demonstrated. I was left wondering why exactly did they have to stay hidden? Classic example of Show not Tell. Plus it was supposed to be like a hidden base but it seemed like everyone, even the opposing forces knew where they were located.
This book just didn't catch my attention at all. I didn't click with it. I finished it but I don't have any desire to read the next one. The twist was boring and predictable from the beginning. There are better books out there to read.