Review of Opaque
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Emmanuel Asamoah 5
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Review of Opaque
[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]
I give "Opaque" by Cālix Leigh-Reign 5 out of 5 stars. This compelling and imaginative YA fantasy novel captivated me from start to finish with its unique premise, engaging characters, and fast-paced plot full of surprising twists and turns.
The story follows Adam, a brooding and troubled 16-year-old boy who feels disconnected from the rest of society in his California town. When a mysterious new girl named Carly arrives at his school, an instant connection spark between them. As Adam and Carly grow closer, shocking secrets about Adam's origins and hidden powers come to light. He learns he is a Descendant, part of an ancient race hunted for centuries by evil scientists known as the Iksha for their supernatural abilities. With Carly's help, Adam must come to terms with his abilities and heritage while uncovering the dark truth behind his birth parents.
Leigh-Reign does an excellent job developing the two lead characters. Adam's internal struggles and slow transformation are portrayed realistically and with empathy. I was drawn to his complexity, while he has a dark side, deep down he yearns for love and belonging. Carly serves as the perfect guide and counterpart, with wisdom and strength beyond her years. The romance that unfolds between them is tender and sets up intriguing conflicts to come in the series.
The worldbuilding is also a highlight, as Leigh-Reign constructs an elaborate secret society of Descendants and steadily reveals information about their history, powers, and factions. The Iksha makes for terrifying and formidable villains in their quest to exploit Descendant DNA. Flashbacks to Adam's mother help fill in the mythology while adding emotional resonance.
There are occasions where the large cast of characters and intersecting subplots feel a bit unwieldy and hard to track. A few secondary characters like Vikki could also use more development. However, it's an engaging start to a series that left me eager to find out what happens next.
One area the author excels at is her crisp, evocative prose. The writing quality is top-notch, painting vivid scenes and emotional moments. Over the entire length of the novel, I did not notice a single typo or grammatical error, which speaks to the professional level of the editing.
Ideally, "Opaque" is an ambitious and entertaining debut. With an intriguing mythology, charming young love story, and cinematic action, it offers an exciting launch to a promising new YA fantasy series. I look forward to seeing where Leigh-Reign takes Adam and Carly's story next as they contend with the threats closing in on them from both the Iksha and rival Descendants. Fans of supernatural romance and X-Men style superpowered teens will find a lot to love here.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
I give "Opaque" by Cālix Leigh-Reign 5 out of 5 stars. This compelling and imaginative YA fantasy novel captivated me from start to finish with its unique premise, engaging characters, and fast-paced plot full of surprising twists and turns.
The story follows Adam, a brooding and troubled 16-year-old boy who feels disconnected from the rest of society in his California town. When a mysterious new girl named Carly arrives at his school, an instant connection spark between them. As Adam and Carly grow closer, shocking secrets about Adam's origins and hidden powers come to light. He learns he is a Descendant, part of an ancient race hunted for centuries by evil scientists known as the Iksha for their supernatural abilities. With Carly's help, Adam must come to terms with his abilities and heritage while uncovering the dark truth behind his birth parents.
Leigh-Reign does an excellent job developing the two lead characters. Adam's internal struggles and slow transformation are portrayed realistically and with empathy. I was drawn to his complexity, while he has a dark side, deep down he yearns for love and belonging. Carly serves as the perfect guide and counterpart, with wisdom and strength beyond her years. The romance that unfolds between them is tender and sets up intriguing conflicts to come in the series.
The worldbuilding is also a highlight, as Leigh-Reign constructs an elaborate secret society of Descendants and steadily reveals information about their history, powers, and factions. The Iksha makes for terrifying and formidable villains in their quest to exploit Descendant DNA. Flashbacks to Adam's mother help fill in the mythology while adding emotional resonance.
There are occasions where the large cast of characters and intersecting subplots feel a bit unwieldy and hard to track. A few secondary characters like Vikki could also use more development. However, it's an engaging start to a series that left me eager to find out what happens next.
One area the author excels at is her crisp, evocative prose. The writing quality is top-notch, painting vivid scenes and emotional moments. Over the entire length of the novel, I did not notice a single typo or grammatical error, which speaks to the professional level of the editing.
Ideally, "Opaque" is an ambitious and entertaining debut. With an intriguing mythology, charming young love story, and cinematic action, it offers an exciting launch to a promising new YA fantasy series. I look forward to seeing where Leigh-Reign takes Adam and Carly's story next as they contend with the threats closing in on them from both the Iksha and rival Descendants. Fans of supernatural romance and X-Men style superpowered teens will find a lot to love here.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
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Latest Review: Teen Life Skills by Florance Philip
