Review of Opaque

[Aleesha Jarral]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Calix Leigh-Reign's "Opaque" skillfully blends supernatural mystery with adolescent romance to create a literary artwork that delves into the deep issues of personality, love, and fate. The author takes us on a trip where the intricacies of human emotions entwine with the supernatural through painstaking character development and deep world-building, culminating in a tale that goes beyond typical young adult literature. Adam and Carly, the main characters, are descended from extinct Russian lineages, and Iksha, a gang of scientists, is after them because they want to use their talents. In order to acquire the same abilities, they are attempting to ascertain why these descendants vary from ordinary typical people and how they get their talents.

Adam has always been aware of his power over the wind, whom he refers to as Zsita, and how frequently his threats to hurt someone materialize. He writes these off as chance, arguing that everyone can achieve similar abilities with enough self-training. He smells Carly's familiar perfume the moment she walks into his history class on the first day back after summer break. Adam and Carly have a strong bond that reminds him of his previous transgressions. Adam has no idea that this link comes from his ancient Russian biokenretic core, which explains his past and the source of his extraordinary powers.

The action in this novel moves along really smoothly, which is what I found most enjoyable. First and foremost, I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. Interesting conversation is mixed with the scenery, which is sparser in places where the surroundings don't require attention. If the plot mostly concentrates on the main character's thoughts and views of the environment, it is detailed and draws you into the setting. However, when it comes to the character connections, they sometimes fade into the background, even though their actions are important in most situations.

There was nothing I didn’t like in this book. It was professionally edited with zero errors. I’ll rate it 5 out of 5 stars. Because it contains the ideal balance of romance, suspense, and mystery, I would suggest this book to those who enjoy reading those genres. It's also a worthwhile read for young adults.

******
Opaque
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords