Review by Dafanie K -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
Posted: 12 May 2020, 15:48
[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]
Opaque, the first book in the Scion Saga Series, written by Calix Leigh-Reign is a science fiction and fantasy novel following the life of two teenagers possessing extraordinary powers. They fall madly in love with each other at first sight, and in their journey of discovering each other, unravel ancient secrets that are key to saving their gifted families from extermination by The Iksha, a group of Scientists who are determined to have them extinct.
The story opens with an introverted young boy who struggles to have functional relationships with his family and peers, despises all aspects of societal conventions, and harbours dark secret desires inside of him. Before he plummets to the darkness slowly getting a hold of him, he encounters a beautiful young girl who gives him a new light on the direness he has been living with so far. Together they embark on an adventure of fantastical proportions.
The narrative is highly imaginative but easily predictable. It is, however, the kind of book you would read in a single sitting. Its strong characters, each with a unique quality to them, draw out the curiosity of where the author is taking you. This is where what I like to call ‘the element of predictability’ plays out; you get a sense, sometimes an absolute assuredness of what is going to happen, but the story is told in such a way that you want to keep reading, just to make sure. In this way, the author has done brilliantly to keep my interest in turning the pages.
Having read several books that qualify as ‘Young Adult Fiction’ myself, I can safely say that this book fulfils all the demands of the genre - an intense love story, secret adventures, impossible scenarios, enormous high-action drama, strange and twisted events, and more. There were a few things, however, that I disliked. For instance, the stereotyping of ‘scientists’ as the mad people always lusting for power and using their abilities to target a group of gifted individuals to further their agendas. This perspective is generalized, and not directly aimed at the book itself.
There are a few noticeable grammatical errors, but all in all, the book is professionally edited. Along with the use of profane language, there are many graphic, violent and incestuous instances. Hence, this is one book that younger children should steer clear from. This book will appeal to readers of the young adult and science fantasy genre. I rate this book a four out of four stars for its highly imaginative content.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Opaque, the first book in the Scion Saga Series, written by Calix Leigh-Reign is a science fiction and fantasy novel following the life of two teenagers possessing extraordinary powers. They fall madly in love with each other at first sight, and in their journey of discovering each other, unravel ancient secrets that are key to saving their gifted families from extermination by The Iksha, a group of Scientists who are determined to have them extinct.
The story opens with an introverted young boy who struggles to have functional relationships with his family and peers, despises all aspects of societal conventions, and harbours dark secret desires inside of him. Before he plummets to the darkness slowly getting a hold of him, he encounters a beautiful young girl who gives him a new light on the direness he has been living with so far. Together they embark on an adventure of fantastical proportions.
The narrative is highly imaginative but easily predictable. It is, however, the kind of book you would read in a single sitting. Its strong characters, each with a unique quality to them, draw out the curiosity of where the author is taking you. This is where what I like to call ‘the element of predictability’ plays out; you get a sense, sometimes an absolute assuredness of what is going to happen, but the story is told in such a way that you want to keep reading, just to make sure. In this way, the author has done brilliantly to keep my interest in turning the pages.
Having read several books that qualify as ‘Young Adult Fiction’ myself, I can safely say that this book fulfils all the demands of the genre - an intense love story, secret adventures, impossible scenarios, enormous high-action drama, strange and twisted events, and more. There were a few things, however, that I disliked. For instance, the stereotyping of ‘scientists’ as the mad people always lusting for power and using their abilities to target a group of gifted individuals to further their agendas. This perspective is generalized, and not directly aimed at the book itself.
There are a few noticeable grammatical errors, but all in all, the book is professionally edited. Along with the use of profane language, there are many graphic, violent and incestuous instances. Hence, this is one book that younger children should steer clear from. This book will appeal to readers of the young adult and science fantasy genre. I rate this book a four out of four stars for its highly imaginative content.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords