Review by Twylla -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
-
Twylla
- Posts: 581
- Joined: 27 Dec 2019, 13:30
- Favorite Book: Project Tau
- Currently Reading: Intwine
- Bookshelf Size: 137
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-twylla.html
- Latest Review: Contagion Domination by William Nisol
Review by Twylla -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]
Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is a young adult sci-fi fantasy.
Adam Caspian, a high school senior, from Piure, California, lived his entire life not realizing who he is and what he is capable of doing. All of his life, he has felt alone and out of place. He is disrespectful to his parents and teachers, bored with school, and impatient with the ‘drones’ around him living their superficial lives. He has an unusual interest in telekinesis and a sense of smell like a wolf. He has a frightening, dark side; in fact, he worries that he may be turning into a monster.
Carly, a new student at Keetering High School, has an instant connection with Adam. When they first meet, they are drawn to one another like two magnets. As their relationship develops, they find they have a strong, emotional connection at their core.
This is a story about Adam, a troubled young man, discovering who he really is. Carly has always known the truth, but she still has a lot to learn about herself. For now, she needs to guide Adam on his journey, as her parents guided her. Adam has such a dark, pessimistic spirit, Carly starts to wonder if she is letting love blind her to everything she does not want to see in Adam. But Carly continues to be a positive moral guide to him. Whenever Carly’s life touches someone else’s, her extraordinary qualities bring out the best in them. Carly rescues Adam from himself. Adam develops into a good man and a courageous leader, very different from the disrespectful, moody teenager he once was. Adam learns to control his energy and ultimately claims his birthright. Carly develops into a courageous, young woman willing to sacrifice everything for her people and their future.
I don’t think the murder of the cashier at the grocery store should have been left unresolved. That was a missed opportunity to teach the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. That part of the story didn’t fit into the overall message of morality.
I felt like there was too much sexual innuendo between Adam and Carly. I think the story was strong enough to stand alone without it.
I give this book 3 stars out of 4 stars. The story was pure entertainment, but it also has six very meaningful messages. First, the decisions we make, make us as people. “Everything in our lives is based on one decision we made at some point. To love or to hate. You can choose differently at any time.” Second, we all have greatness within ourselves. We need to discover it, develop it and nurture it. Third, “Good” always prevails over “Evil”. The Descendants represent “Good” and Iksha represents “Evil”. Sometimes it seems that “Evil” has an unfair advantage in a fight because they have no moral boundaries. But “Good” will always prevail. Fourth, life goes on as living energy even after our bodies die. Fifth, it is important to reconcile and make amends with the people you love in this life. Sixth, it is more important to remain focused on today than to worry about the future. “An excellent sense of direction is more important than a firm plan for a future that is not set.”
This book is well-written and well-edited. I found less than eight (8) sentences that were missing a word or the sentence wasn’t quite right. I would recommend this book to high school students with an interest in sci-fi fantasy. Normally when the excitement builds toward the end of a book I read faster to find out what happens next. But this time, I slowed down and read every word to be sure I didn’t miss anything. I didn’t expect to enjoy reading it as much as I did. Calix Leigh-Reign is an inspired and imaginative writer. It was fun to follow her fantasy in Opaque.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is a young adult sci-fi fantasy.
Adam Caspian, a high school senior, from Piure, California, lived his entire life not realizing who he is and what he is capable of doing. All of his life, he has felt alone and out of place. He is disrespectful to his parents and teachers, bored with school, and impatient with the ‘drones’ around him living their superficial lives. He has an unusual interest in telekinesis and a sense of smell like a wolf. He has a frightening, dark side; in fact, he worries that he may be turning into a monster.
Carly, a new student at Keetering High School, has an instant connection with Adam. When they first meet, they are drawn to one another like two magnets. As their relationship develops, they find they have a strong, emotional connection at their core.
This is a story about Adam, a troubled young man, discovering who he really is. Carly has always known the truth, but she still has a lot to learn about herself. For now, she needs to guide Adam on his journey, as her parents guided her. Adam has such a dark, pessimistic spirit, Carly starts to wonder if she is letting love blind her to everything she does not want to see in Adam. But Carly continues to be a positive moral guide to him. Whenever Carly’s life touches someone else’s, her extraordinary qualities bring out the best in them. Carly rescues Adam from himself. Adam develops into a good man and a courageous leader, very different from the disrespectful, moody teenager he once was. Adam learns to control his energy and ultimately claims his birthright. Carly develops into a courageous, young woman willing to sacrifice everything for her people and their future.
I don’t think the murder of the cashier at the grocery store should have been left unresolved. That was a missed opportunity to teach the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. That part of the story didn’t fit into the overall message of morality.
I felt like there was too much sexual innuendo between Adam and Carly. I think the story was strong enough to stand alone without it.
I give this book 3 stars out of 4 stars. The story was pure entertainment, but it also has six very meaningful messages. First, the decisions we make, make us as people. “Everything in our lives is based on one decision we made at some point. To love or to hate. You can choose differently at any time.” Second, we all have greatness within ourselves. We need to discover it, develop it and nurture it. Third, “Good” always prevails over “Evil”. The Descendants represent “Good” and Iksha represents “Evil”. Sometimes it seems that “Evil” has an unfair advantage in a fight because they have no moral boundaries. But “Good” will always prevail. Fourth, life goes on as living energy even after our bodies die. Fifth, it is important to reconcile and make amends with the people you love in this life. Sixth, it is more important to remain focused on today than to worry about the future. “An excellent sense of direction is more important than a firm plan for a future that is not set.”
This book is well-written and well-edited. I found less than eight (8) sentences that were missing a word or the sentence wasn’t quite right. I would recommend this book to high school students with an interest in sci-fi fantasy. Normally when the excitement builds toward the end of a book I read faster to find out what happens next. But this time, I slowed down and read every word to be sure I didn’t miss anything. I didn’t expect to enjoy reading it as much as I did. Calix Leigh-Reign is an inspired and imaginative writer. It was fun to follow her fantasy in Opaque.
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Contagion Domination by William Nisol
