Overall, I enjoyed the book. I give it a 3.75 out of 5 stars. It would easily be a 4.5 if a few things were changed or fixed. I don’t feel like I have a good grasp of exactly what Talia (Tal) can do. Since she’s been honing her powers for years, it would be nice to know where her “talents” lie. I know she can move things telepathically, she can read and communicate with people’s minds, she can project her emotions (although I’m quite fuzzy on how that works because it isn’t really developed much in the story), and she can absorb people’s emotions (again, fuzzy on how that works). It seems every few chapters, another of her talents is revealed, but only with just enough information about it to leave the reader unsatisfied. And it’s the same with other characters. What all can Erik do? He is a polymorph and a mimic, but I would like to know more about his talents.
The concept is a new twist on an old idea – recruiting children for their abilities and making them believe it is for their own good. Since this is the first book in a planned trilogy, the plot foundation is laid. It’s a revenge plot. Tal saw her parents murdered, found out who was responsible, then spent the next 6 years training to kill him. I like the back and forth storyline. It gives us a glimpse into why Tal is how she is. It reminds me of Once Upon a Time, where the past storyline mimics the current storyline and gives great background character information.
I will recommend this book to students who enjoy books with characters who have “talents” or gifts or powers, whatever they may be called, and to students who enjoy a good romance, and to students who enjoy strong but flawed heroines.
The concept is a new twist on an old idea – recruiting children for their abilities and making them believe it is for their own good. Since this is the first book in a planned trilogy, the plot foundation is laid. It’s a revenge plot. Tal saw her parents murdered, found out who was responsible, then spent the next 6 years training to kill him. I like the back and forth storyline. It gives us a glimpse into why Tal is how she is. It reminds me of Once Upon a Time, where the past storyline mimics the current storyline and gives great background character information.
I will recommend this book to students who enjoy books with characters who have “talents” or gifts or powers, whatever they may be called, and to students who enjoy a good romance, and to students who enjoy strong but flawed heroines.