Review: Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush

by - 1:37 AM

Altered (Altered #1)
Author: Jennifer Rush
Pages: 323
Published Date: Jan 1, 2013


Synopsis:
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.

This book is surreal engrossing and compelling. It has the beauty of keeping the readers on track of the thrilling and mind-racking adventure and discovery of the characters.


First of all, let me just say that the cover really got my attention first (well who isnt). As I read the synopsis from goodreads, I was intrigued with this futuristic intake of the so called GENETICALLY ALTERED BOYS and their purpose in the world. And who is Anna? And what is his father working for? And why is there an eerie tree incised on the guy's back? And why do I have a lot of questions? HA.

Anna's father has a lab on their basement where he keep four boys who've been genetically altered for 5 years already. These boys are named Cas, Trev, Nick & Sam. Anna also involves herself by taking sample tests and filing important data about the performance of the four. She also developed a connection with the boys especially with Sam. Until one day when hell broke loose that her life totally changed a hundred and eighty degrees. She found herself, along with the four boys, on the run to hide and escape from the Branch.

Wow, I can't put this down! I even managed to read  this even though I have to review for a test the other day. It has the magical power of alluring the readers with its turns and twists. It's fast-paced and very cryptic. The right sci-fi thriller that put me on the edge of feels and mind-blowing scenes. One thing that is very obvious here is that it is UNPREDICTABLE. It always leave the "What will happen now?" and also the "WTF just happened" kind of reactions.

I really enjoyed the whole concept of the story. There's so many things to look for while reading this. The mysterious clues, the action scenes, the tinge of romantic build-up and of course the relationship of all the characters. But what really escalated the tension? THE FREAKING PLOT TWIST AT THE BARN OF OLD BROOKE RIVER. That was so HOLY SHIT-y. 
Let's start of by the boys. If there's someone who greatly got my hundred percent appreciation, that would be Cas. Don't get me wrong, I love the other characters equally (well not really but close to that) but my love for Cas is something greater and attached. He is simply carefree and funny with no effort. It is natural of him to make people laugh, happy and bring hopes up. He is the sunshine here. Trev is the bestfriend / nice guy here. It just hurt what was really his purpose BUT still I have hoped for him. And I really like his character because he likes memorizing quotes that gives aspirations. Nick is the distant, jerk, cold guy that hasn't warmed up 'til the last page. I think the readers will probably know more of him in the next book since he is on the cover MY GOSH. Sam is the leader of the four boys. He is the strong and determined one. I really like his presumptuous attitude and also how vulnerable he is for his "group" & Anna. I am not really that attach to his character, but I really like to know more of him and DANNI on the next book. These boys conpliment and contrast each other. They have distinguished attitudes, but as a whole they have solidarity (well except one of them coughs coughs)

One of my favorite moment (because Cas):
“You found anything?" Nick said.
"I found a twig.” 
Anna, the main protagonist, the voice of the book, is a strong character. I personally admire her manifestation of indomitable spirit. She doesn't act based on impulse unlike other *YA CHARACTERS* out there. She's not whiny, not wimpy, but she can be very stubborn and naive in love. Her whole life was a lie and that she needs to stomach, she's incredible for putting things together even though things are starting break her. I love her relationship with the boys, it is real sound of friendship. 

Romance isn't the main focus here, but it has a delicious slow burn. The chemistry and tension were all I need  to cave in to the romantic build up of two specific characters. GUESS WHO HAHA

Lies........All the lies in this book really left me gasping. I was in utter shock when secrets started to unravel. The subtle clues to decipher was also one of the best thing here! I was left wondering how the hell did the author created a story like this - I think she watched a lot of crime shows to came up with a thriller adventure BUT also she has touched the sci-fi and futuristic world. 

I really recommend this if you enjoy adventure-filled and action-packed books. This book has the perfect mixture of an enthralling relationships and nerve-racking twists! So good for a debut novel!

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6 comments

  1. I've been dying to read this, I'm so glad that you're enjoying it!
    -Scott Reads It!

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    Replies
    1. OMG You should! I think you'll love Cas! ♥
      Hope to hear your thoughts about this book in the future! :)

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  2. I need to find time to read this series. It sounds fantastic. Lovely review.

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  3. I really want to read this book because heyyy sexy cover but I still haven't had the chance to! I hope I'll get to it once the sequel is out.

    - Kazhy @ My Library in the Making

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    Replies
    1. The sequel is out, Khazy :) I hope you pick this up soon! And sexy cover holy cow, yes.

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Thank you for your comment! ♡ Happy reading to everyone!