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January 04, 2013

Review: Altered by Jennifer Rush

Altered (Altered, #1)

Title: Altered
Author: Jennifer Rush
Publisher: HBG Canada
Publication date: January 1, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Science Fiction/Dystopian)
Source: NetGalley
Format: Digital ARC
Pages: 336
When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.
I have to be honest and say that I started Altered with very low expectations. When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued, but I was wary that the romance plot line would overtake, be rushed, and to put it bluntly, get me gagging and rolling my eyes. But Altered? Damn, this book was one HELL of a ride! It was exhilarating, exciting, action packed, and fast paced; I was scrambling to catch up with the characters and plot and I loved EVERY single minute of it! 
The story begins with giving a brief history of how four boys ended up in Anna's basement. Anna, who is our main protagonist, lives with her single scientist father and helps him in everyday testing and charting of the four boys. What I found to be rather odd was that she did not question the ethicality of imprisoning the boys as if they were experimental lab rats. Still, I was soon sucked into the different and interesting personalities and characters of each of the boys. We find out that the reason for them being a science experiment is that they seem to have enhanced human skills and powers. However, what I loved was that this book didn't really get into their powers and the conspiracy, but we were given the time to get to know each character and actually invest in them and care about their outcome.  
The plot was so skillfully constructed that I found myself holding my breath countless times during the countless action scenes. The lovely Rush wasn't afraid to trick her readers and manipulate their emotions, and I am so glad. Lately not many books were able to captivate me emotionally and I am happy that Altered was able to accomplish that. The ending was spectacular but was also a cliffhanger to keep the readers anticipating and needing the second installment. I have read Altered a couple of weeks ago and I still remember everything. What comes down to rating a book is how much the reader enjoyed it, and I couldn't have enjoyed Altered more. This book will be getting a reread in the future, that is for sure.
 

18 comments:

  1. I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THIS BOOK ON NETGALLEY.

    I do no like myself right now for it. But seriously, this book sounds REALLY action-packed! The concept sounds really freaking interesting, and 4 guys and 1 girl? Is this like a love-pentagon? Just kidding. But I'm really excited to meet all of these characters. I'm super glad that Rush takes the time to allow us readers to familiarize with all of them! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks for the fantastic review, Juhina!

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  2. I bought this book the day it released and can't wait to read it :) I loved action packed books and this one sounds amazing! Awesome review Juhina.

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  3. Excellent review! Nice, I want to read this! Thanks for the cool review :D
    "The plot was so skillfully constructed that I found myself holding my breath countless times during the countless action scenes."------I love action!

    -Dannielle

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  4. Wow, i really need to get this book. From your review it makes me hate myself for not picking it up sooner. Great review! :)

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  5. Okay, I didn't know what to expect when I read this synopsis, but now I'm EXCITED and want to read so bad! Awesome review Juhina.

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  6. I am so torn on this!! I have seen both good and bad reviews of it. It sounds good, but I'm not sure I would love it after some of the reviews I have read. Your review makes me excited for it and want to try it though. I'm glad that you loved it. Fantastic review!!

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  7. Oh, this sound great based on your review, but I've heard mixed things about it.. After reading this, I just can't ignore this book. The concept sounds great and I love science, so I guess I need to get a copy from the library :D

    Great review!

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  8. Wow, I'm glad that you enjoyed this one so much! I'm going to have to pick up a copy of this sometime soon. I love it when I can be emotionally invested in a book, and it's awesome that the author was able to invest you! :D Also, the characters all sound great, and it's great that we get time to come to know them. Also, I love well-written action scenes, and there seems to be plenty of them!

    Lovely review Juhina! I can't wait to read this one now. :D

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  9. Wow, I really can't wait to get my hands on this book. You really made it sound so interesting. I also hate it when the romance in books are really rushed.

    Altered really sound awesome, your review sold it to me instantly.

    Thanks for the review :)

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  10. YAY. So glad you enjoyed this, Juhina! I loved that it was action packed and the cover omg! *swoons* xD

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  11. Wow, five stars! Beforehand I wasn't too intrigued when I first read this book's premise, but with your positive review and that seriously sexy cover I'm starting to reconsider. :) Fabulous review, Juhina!

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  12. WOAH! Nice review. Now I'm even more excited to read this book.

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  13. Ok, so you convinced me SO HARD that I requested it from my public library. I'M SO READY FOR THIS.

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  14. This is the second awesome book review ive read. I'm going to have to look it up.

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  15. So glad you enjoyed this! I've been looking forward to it but after some mixed reviews I got a little nervous. I love action, mystery, and experiments so I'm looking forward to these four boys and what is going on with them.

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  16. AHHHHHH.......I WANT THIS NOW!!!! I have waited soo long to get this and read this and I still haven't had the chance! I have heard some amazing things about it so far and I can't wait to dive into this world of Sam and Anna and the rest of the boys. I can't wait to find out what the whole mystery behind their past is. So glad you enjoyed this!!

    Terrific review, Farah, as always! :D

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  17. ahhh im glad you loved it! i soooo want to read this book ! great review! sounds great! - Katie @ Inkk

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  18. I'm so glad you liked this! I gave this to a friend of mine and she didn't like it -__-
    And I agree about their personalities; they were all very distinctive.
    And Cas was hot. (Sorry, couldn't resist :D)

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