Review by BarrySprinkle10 -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
Posted: 29 Jul 2020, 08:09
[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]
He's drowning in darkness. Internally troubled. Obsessive over his mother. Adam Caspian is unlike any other 'animal' in his small city. Despite his attempts to blend in with society, a horrifying incident and desire to conduct a world-changing plan make him stand out for the wrong reasons. When Carly Wit joins his class, however, his whole world is turned upside down - they have an unbreakable bond, one which puzzles them both. Carly quickly becomes the light of his life, while she grows familiar with the darkness inside of him.
After an accident which Adam miraculously is unscathed by, information about his birth arises. Shortly after, Carly determines he is a Descendant: a human with a rare genetic mutation and the ability to manipulate matter. She reveals she is a Descendant also, shocking Adam even further, and making him question his life from that point forward. Will Adam escape from the grasp of his inner darkness, or will he forever drown in despair?
Unexpectedly, they are called to an underground location to discuss a group of scientists that have been threatening them for centuries - the Iksha. Will the Descendants get rid of their rivals once and for all or will the Iksha finally get their hands on their unfathomable powers?
Opaque presents us with a troubled teenager's internal battle but also with a feud between powerful entities and equally lethal scientists that use their enemies against them. Calix Leigh-Reign has composed an exceptional novel, packed with twists, turns, and never-ending excitement that kept me turning pages. If teen romance, action, and the supernatural tickle your fancy, you may want to consider this book.
My favourite part of this novel has to be each character's personal growth. Carly is genuine and amiable but later becomes tough-skinned, and overall, more human. Adam, on the other hand, goes from having deep, unsettling thoughts to being more compassionate. Light and darkness is a distinct theme in this novel - at the start, it resembles Carly and Adam's differences but later becomes what ties them together. The other characters around these two, such as their parents and classmates, make this novel even more exciting, especially when one of their colleagues turns out to have a much more crucial role in their futures than they would've ever expected.
While I felt Adam was an intriguing character, the language used when describing his infatuation with his mother and disturbing desires was intense at times. I also felt Carly's reaction to Adam's past was unrealistic - there was a dramatic crescendo leading up to her discovery, only for her to almost brush it aside, and not mention it again. However, I do think these details add to the juxtaposition between their old and new personalities.
It is important to note that while this book focuses on personal growth, sociopathic tendencies, depression, and death are present from the get-go. Be mindful of some intimate moments and dashes of vulgar language also.
Overall, the story is well-written, filled to the brim with emotions, and has incredible characters that elevate the story. For this reason, I rate Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign a 4 out of 4. Being the 1st book in the Scion Saga Series, it has wonderfully set the stage for the sequel, and I can't wait to see what happens next in Adam and Carly's journey.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
He's drowning in darkness. Internally troubled. Obsessive over his mother. Adam Caspian is unlike any other 'animal' in his small city. Despite his attempts to blend in with society, a horrifying incident and desire to conduct a world-changing plan make him stand out for the wrong reasons. When Carly Wit joins his class, however, his whole world is turned upside down - they have an unbreakable bond, one which puzzles them both. Carly quickly becomes the light of his life, while she grows familiar with the darkness inside of him.
After an accident which Adam miraculously is unscathed by, information about his birth arises. Shortly after, Carly determines he is a Descendant: a human with a rare genetic mutation and the ability to manipulate matter. She reveals she is a Descendant also, shocking Adam even further, and making him question his life from that point forward. Will Adam escape from the grasp of his inner darkness, or will he forever drown in despair?
Unexpectedly, they are called to an underground location to discuss a group of scientists that have been threatening them for centuries - the Iksha. Will the Descendants get rid of their rivals once and for all or will the Iksha finally get their hands on their unfathomable powers?
Opaque presents us with a troubled teenager's internal battle but also with a feud between powerful entities and equally lethal scientists that use their enemies against them. Calix Leigh-Reign has composed an exceptional novel, packed with twists, turns, and never-ending excitement that kept me turning pages. If teen romance, action, and the supernatural tickle your fancy, you may want to consider this book.
My favourite part of this novel has to be each character's personal growth. Carly is genuine and amiable but later becomes tough-skinned, and overall, more human. Adam, on the other hand, goes from having deep, unsettling thoughts to being more compassionate. Light and darkness is a distinct theme in this novel - at the start, it resembles Carly and Adam's differences but later becomes what ties them together. The other characters around these two, such as their parents and classmates, make this novel even more exciting, especially when one of their colleagues turns out to have a much more crucial role in their futures than they would've ever expected.
While I felt Adam was an intriguing character, the language used when describing his infatuation with his mother and disturbing desires was intense at times. I also felt Carly's reaction to Adam's past was unrealistic - there was a dramatic crescendo leading up to her discovery, only for her to almost brush it aside, and not mention it again. However, I do think these details add to the juxtaposition between their old and new personalities.
It is important to note that while this book focuses on personal growth, sociopathic tendencies, depression, and death are present from the get-go. Be mindful of some intimate moments and dashes of vulgar language also.
Overall, the story is well-written, filled to the brim with emotions, and has incredible characters that elevate the story. For this reason, I rate Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign a 4 out of 4. Being the 1st book in the Scion Saga Series, it has wonderfully set the stage for the sequel, and I can't wait to see what happens next in Adam and Carly's journey.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords