Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
Series: Schrodinger's Consortium #1
Published by Entangled Teen
Published on: November 25, 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Reality is only an illusion.
Except for those who can control it…
Worst. Birthday. Ever.
My first boyfriend dumped me—happy birthday, Josie!—my dad is who knows where, I have some weird virus that makes me want to hurl, and now my ex is licking another girl’s tonsils. Oh, and I’m officially the same age as my brother was when he died. Yeah, today is about as fun-filled as the swamps of Dagobah. But then weird things start happening…
Like I make something materialize just by thinking about it.
When hottily-hot badass Reid Wentworth shows up on a motorcycle, everything changes. Like, everything. Who I am. My family. What really happened to my brother. Existence. I am Oculi, and I have the ability to change reality with my thoughts. Now Reid, in all his hotness, is charged with guiding and protecting me as I begin learning how to bend reality. And he’s the only thing standing between me and the secret organization that wants me dead…
Young Adult science fiction anyone? I never thought I would read YA, but I am finding more and more that are well written, with very creative premises. This book fit right in with that.
It’s Josie’s seventeenth birthday, her boyfriend breaks up with her, her dad has been missing for awhile, her summer placement has fallen through, and out of the blue, two extremely good looking guys show up at her school. And actually, that was a laugh out loud scene at one point for me. At a party later on that night, she meets the two guys, Reid and Santos. Reid takes her out for a ride, and shows her things about herself that she could not ever dream of, but it does explain the why of some weird thing that have been bothering her. When a man tries to kill her, the story completely ramps up. I guess you could say it was not her best birthday.
The story is told by both Josie and Reid, first person perspective. That really helped in explaining a lot in this story. Josie is a total physics nerd, but is attractive, and does have good friends. Star Trek and Star Wars topics come up many times, not to mention all the physics references. I was a bit lost with those-with the exception of the early Star Wars ones. Reid is an operative in the resistance against the Consortium, a group that is trying to police people with abilities like Reid and Josie possess. They also have nefarious reasons for this-also known as being the villains of the story. Comic relief is provided by Santos, at least most of the time.
Action, deaths, betrayals, and a good romance round out this well written story. I know there are a lot of books out there that feature a teenage girl finding out what she is, or that she is going to change/save the world. I’ve read a few, and have turned away from a lot more as being the same thing over and over again. I thought this one completely worked, and was written in such a way that it was a one day read for me, as I didn’t want to put it down.
On purpose, I haven’t touched on anything about their abilities, or what Josie, Reid and Santos are, although I think the blurb kind of already did that. Suffice it to say that I found it to be a different, and very creative premise, and I enjoyed the whole thing. Thankfully, there’s not a bad cliffhanger, although there’s a whole lot of story still to be told, and I have every intention of reading the next one. How could I not? It was just that good!
Due to violence, I would recommend this for YA readers, at least 14 plus, up to adult. I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest, and fair review.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I tend to avoid many YA books because of the many tropes that seem to follow YA around. This does not sound like it has those. Sounds really interesting.
Melanie recently posted…Welcome Melanie! My New Associate Reviewer!
I thought it was really well written 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
Sound sort of interesting even though I am not in to sci-fi much and I sure wouldn’t get the star wars, star trek references..lol. Might put it on the list of maybe one day books. 🙂
Stormi
Stormi recently posted…Book Review: Small Plates by Katherine Hall Page
I am not a big fan of it either with a few exceptions, and this one just fit for me 🙂
This is definitely a rarity in YA, isn’t it? glad you loved it, Lorna.
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…[460]: Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen
Thanks! I did really enjoy it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I love YA because you really do get variety in the genre and some pretty unique stories every now and then. This definitely sounds like something I would like.
Great review Lorna!
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week
Thank you! I thought it was really different 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I’ve seen this one around — was wondering about it. I like that it’s a SciFi, rather than just a paranormal (not that there’s anything wrong with that, just like a little variety!). Nothing wrong with a hot dude on a motorcycle. 🙂
Mary recently posted…Top Off Tuesday: No nips on this dude
Nope, nothing wrong with that at all! Variety is always good as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I loved your review. I reading it too but you really gave it with a lot more insight
Thank you! I hope you are liking it as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I always love finding new YA book I can sink my teeth in to. Action, deaths and betrayals is what I like to hear…LOL I just finding more interesting 🙂
Thanks Lorna!
Lupdilup recently posted…Red Rising Audiobook by Pierce Brown (review)
I do too! And there really are some good ones that I would have missed had I not started reading some YA.
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I’m about 2/3 through this myself and really enjoying it. I’ve been loving all the geeky references but hadn’t considered what someone who isn’t a huge nerd like me would think of it. Great review Lorna!
Rhianna recently posted…Blog Tour: SHIMMY FOR ME by Deanna Cameron [Excerpt + giveaway!]
You are right, not someone who knows much about physics or star trek here! Glad you are enjoying it 🙂 And Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
This definitely has an eye-catching cover. I can see why you initially gave it a thought. I will agree that I’m starting to dabble in the YA genre pool. It just seems like a lot of YA writers are coming up with some pretty interesting storylines and characters while everyone else is focusing on get in on the new adult train. I will have to add this book to my list. It definitely sounds different.
Kristin @ Book Sniffers Anonymous
Yes, I really love this cover, it does catch the eye! YA is getting a lot of intriguing storylines, I agree. I hope you enoy if you read it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
And I who do not even read that much adult sci.fi 😉
blodeuedd recently posted…NOS 4R2 – Joe Hill
I don’t either actually 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
Didn’t want to put it down? Cliffie… but isn’t a bad one? (:p but okay, I can deal…) I do think this one has my name on it. Yea, I’m going to have to put it on my wishlist!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…The Figures of Beauty by David MacFarlane
Yes, I really love this cover, it does catch the eye! YA is getting a lot of intriguing storylines, I agree. I hope you enoy if you read it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
Okay my computer just messed me up and jumped a comment meant for someone else to you. Sorry.
The book had an ending but since the story still has a lot more to go, then I don’t consider that a cliffhanger-does that make sense?
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
Makes total sense and it’s the kind of cliffie I think I can handle. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…The Figures of Beauty by David MacFarlane
this one could be promising yes but i think i will wait until teh series is complete
thank you
miki recently posted…How to Date a Dragon ( Flirting with Fangs trilogy 2) by Ashlyn Chase
Yes, sometimes it’s good to do that 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
17 year old me would have been so in love with the cover girl.
Nathan ( recently posted…Blogoversery: Two years
It is a pretty great cover 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I am beginning to think that science fiction YA is one area of that genre that I might overall like at least some of the books that come out in it 🙂 This sounds like it skips all the troupes I can’t stand in YA!
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…#30DaysOfThanks2014 Day 19: That’s What I’m Talking About, BookaholicCat & Jim Frangione
Seems like the ones I’ve liked the best have been science fiction, so I think I agree with you!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
YA does follow a certain formula and it’s refreshing to chance upon something that managed to successfully recreate it. The Occuli sounds like XMen, badass power
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Suped Up: I Belong To You by Lisa Renee Jones
They do have a different kind of power for sure, and that was refreshing 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I love the premise, Lorna. I don’t remember where I saw this previously, but my son wants to read it because he’s a physics nerd and Schrodinger caught his attention. 🙂 I have to admit to not knowing him but my son has filled me in. *ha* I’m glad to see you enjoyed it. I’ll pick it up for both of us to read. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Rampant ~ Gemma James**
Well I am glad you know who it is, because to be honest, I had no idea it was someone! How funny-I am so not a physics person! I hope your son enjoys, and you as well:)
I was unsure about reading this book – judging by the synopsis it could be really good or really bad, but if someone who prefer more adult reads claims that it is a great novel, I should give it a try, right?
Great review, Lorna!
Glass recently posted…(Series Review) Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
It’s not an adult read, that is true. I enjoy YA at times, so I did like it.It’s hard to say if you would enjoy it or not, when everyone likes different kinds of books:) If you try it, I do hope you enjoy! And Thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I have this book, I’m actually going to read it soon, so I’m glad to hear that it’s good. It doesn’t sound like it’s just about the romance and teen stuff either, which is good. I’m interested to see what their powers are now. I could use a quick read.
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait To Get
Yes, not a lot of teen stuff. Only a couple of school scenes, one party-if I remember right.I enjoyed the read, hopefully you will like it as much 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Anomaly by Tonya Kuper
I’m pleased to see you enjoyed this Lorna, it sounds like it has all of the elements I tend to enjoy in a YA sci-fi, I hope to start on this soon.
A great review.
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave) by Rick Yancey
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as well 🙂
I love YA and Sci-Fi, so I’m excited to see you enjoyed Anomaly. I picked this one up for review, and those powers/abilities are what I’m excited to *discover.* Great review, Lorna:-)
kim { Book Swoon } recently posted…Adult Book Review: The Kraken King by Melijean Brook
I really liked YA Sci-Fi as well, and this one is just one more reason why I do 🙂 I hope you like it too!
This sounds like a good read. I have to admit I’ve been avoiding YA lately because I just don’t have the patience for it, but this sounds like it would be easy to read, and to enjoy.
Sarah recently posted…November 2014 in review