Review by nangel04 -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
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Review by nangel04 -- Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]
Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is a unique and, at times, brutal journey of self-discovery and the exploration of a love that is both beautifully touching and dangerously dependent. We are first introduced to Adam, an angry boy who feels so lost in the world that he views everyone around him as nothing more than animals that need to be slaughtered. Humans are disgusting to him, including his own father. The only person he can stand to be around is his mother. For her, he feels a deep but inappropriate affection for. Until he meets Carly. Through Carly, Adam finally sees the world in a different light. He sees a world filled with potential and desire rather than anger and brutality. It is with Carly’s help that he finally discovers who he truly is and why he feels so out of place in the world. Adam is truly unique, being born into one of seven powerful bloodlines that contain special abilities beyond those of any other human. Adam, Carly, and all others who come from these seven bloodlines are referred to as Descendants. The Descendants have been hunted for years by Iksha, a group of scientists intent on somehow harvesting these special abilities for themselves. With the help of new friends, Adam and Carly must learn how to trust each other and those around them as they begin to fight for their right to survive.
There are many factors that contribute to my hard-to-put-down opinion this book inspires, but the writing style is not one of them. At times, throughout the book, Leigh-Reign writes in a way that I can only think to describe as monotone, though it does become less and less noticeable as the story progresses. There were times that I felt more like I was reading a science project or a debriefing rather than a book meant for entertainment. To be clear, I am speaking only of the way it was written, not what was written. The writing just could have had a little more…rhythm to it.
However, the abruptness of the lines does not detract too much from the fascinating storyline. Don’t get me wrong, this novel has all the classic elements you expect to find in a young adult sci-fi/fantasy novel, such as an impossible-to-find-in-the-real-world love between two young people and the impossible-to-find-in-the-real-world abilities, but Opaque stands out in its own way by not being afraid to shine a light on the darker facets of humanity. The depth of depravity within Adam is seriously disturbing, yet realistic. Leigh-Reign does not hold back. What I mean by that is the simple fact that there is darkness in all of us, thoughts we like to keep hidden and things we do not want to believe our children might think about, yet it exists all the same. I like that, through Adam, Leigh-Reign enlightens us on the extent of loneliness teens can feel in that awkward stage of life where they feel like they fit in nowhere. She explores the strange and even terrible thoughts we may experience in those times that we will never be willing to share with another person. Granted, Adam is an extreme case, but most, if not all, teens go through that stage of feeling like they do not belong and Adam shows us this stage can be overcome.
Equally as well written in this story is the character of Carly. Unlike Adam, she seems to know who she is and is capable of embracing her unique identity despite her fear of being hunted. She is courageous, compassionate, and competent, three traits that make her the perfect match for Adam. Leigh-Reign did an excellent job of writing Carly and Adam in such a way that they complement one another. In fact, I believe the relationship between Adam and Carly is the absolute best part of this book. Rather than creating a strong female character to keep reign over the headstrong male character or a damsel in need of rescuing, Carly is written to be Adam’s partner. After their initial meeting and arguing phase, they become a unit. While maintaining their individuality to an extent, they operate like two arms on the same body. Adam gives Carly strength through his love for her, and Carly keeps Adam’s darkness away. That is where the dangerously dependent part of their relationship comes in. Once they are synched, separation is not really an option for either of them. Yet, in a way, this is how love should be. Fortunate to find and hard to walk away from, not here today and gone tomorrow. Adam and Carly have a relationship that is both innocent and too adult than it has any right to be, but it works.
As far as the abilities these Descendants have, I would have to say they are intriguing in their limitless boundaries. There will be surprises around every corner because there does not seem to be any regulations as to how they expand. Carly can do numerous things, things that do not even seem to relate to each other. Adam is the same. The other Descendants introduced, as well as their abilities, can use a little more development, but I am sure this will be done in the next installment as this one focused mostly on the relationship between Adam and Carly and Adam’s discovery of who he really is.
Despite the problem I had at times with the way Leigh-Reign writes, her work is compelling enough to overlook it. I give Opaque four out of four stars. I would certainly recommend this book to young adults and even adults who want to get out of their own world for awhile and into one that has love, mystery, and even a little action. I am eager to read the next installment!
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is a unique and, at times, brutal journey of self-discovery and the exploration of a love that is both beautifully touching and dangerously dependent. We are first introduced to Adam, an angry boy who feels so lost in the world that he views everyone around him as nothing more than animals that need to be slaughtered. Humans are disgusting to him, including his own father. The only person he can stand to be around is his mother. For her, he feels a deep but inappropriate affection for. Until he meets Carly. Through Carly, Adam finally sees the world in a different light. He sees a world filled with potential and desire rather than anger and brutality. It is with Carly’s help that he finally discovers who he truly is and why he feels so out of place in the world. Adam is truly unique, being born into one of seven powerful bloodlines that contain special abilities beyond those of any other human. Adam, Carly, and all others who come from these seven bloodlines are referred to as Descendants. The Descendants have been hunted for years by Iksha, a group of scientists intent on somehow harvesting these special abilities for themselves. With the help of new friends, Adam and Carly must learn how to trust each other and those around them as they begin to fight for their right to survive.
There are many factors that contribute to my hard-to-put-down opinion this book inspires, but the writing style is not one of them. At times, throughout the book, Leigh-Reign writes in a way that I can only think to describe as monotone, though it does become less and less noticeable as the story progresses. There were times that I felt more like I was reading a science project or a debriefing rather than a book meant for entertainment. To be clear, I am speaking only of the way it was written, not what was written. The writing just could have had a little more…rhythm to it.
However, the abruptness of the lines does not detract too much from the fascinating storyline. Don’t get me wrong, this novel has all the classic elements you expect to find in a young adult sci-fi/fantasy novel, such as an impossible-to-find-in-the-real-world love between two young people and the impossible-to-find-in-the-real-world abilities, but Opaque stands out in its own way by not being afraid to shine a light on the darker facets of humanity. The depth of depravity within Adam is seriously disturbing, yet realistic. Leigh-Reign does not hold back. What I mean by that is the simple fact that there is darkness in all of us, thoughts we like to keep hidden and things we do not want to believe our children might think about, yet it exists all the same. I like that, through Adam, Leigh-Reign enlightens us on the extent of loneliness teens can feel in that awkward stage of life where they feel like they fit in nowhere. She explores the strange and even terrible thoughts we may experience in those times that we will never be willing to share with another person. Granted, Adam is an extreme case, but most, if not all, teens go through that stage of feeling like they do not belong and Adam shows us this stage can be overcome.
Equally as well written in this story is the character of Carly. Unlike Adam, she seems to know who she is and is capable of embracing her unique identity despite her fear of being hunted. She is courageous, compassionate, and competent, three traits that make her the perfect match for Adam. Leigh-Reign did an excellent job of writing Carly and Adam in such a way that they complement one another. In fact, I believe the relationship between Adam and Carly is the absolute best part of this book. Rather than creating a strong female character to keep reign over the headstrong male character or a damsel in need of rescuing, Carly is written to be Adam’s partner. After their initial meeting and arguing phase, they become a unit. While maintaining their individuality to an extent, they operate like two arms on the same body. Adam gives Carly strength through his love for her, and Carly keeps Adam’s darkness away. That is where the dangerously dependent part of their relationship comes in. Once they are synched, separation is not really an option for either of them. Yet, in a way, this is how love should be. Fortunate to find and hard to walk away from, not here today and gone tomorrow. Adam and Carly have a relationship that is both innocent and too adult than it has any right to be, but it works.
As far as the abilities these Descendants have, I would have to say they are intriguing in their limitless boundaries. There will be surprises around every corner because there does not seem to be any regulations as to how they expand. Carly can do numerous things, things that do not even seem to relate to each other. Adam is the same. The other Descendants introduced, as well as their abilities, can use a little more development, but I am sure this will be done in the next installment as this one focused mostly on the relationship between Adam and Carly and Adam’s discovery of who he really is.
Despite the problem I had at times with the way Leigh-Reign writes, her work is compelling enough to overlook it. I give Opaque four out of four stars. I would certainly recommend this book to young adults and even adults who want to get out of their own world for awhile and into one that has love, mystery, and even a little action. I am eager to read the next installment!
******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
In the beginning was the Word...John 1:1
Reason and love keep little company together nowadays. ~Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Reason and love keep little company together nowadays. ~Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Ascension of Akistry by Matthew Tysz
