Review of Opaque

[Leonie Vermaak]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Adam Caspian, a 16-year old boy struggles not only with normal teenage feelings but also with vivid anger and a strange, obsessive love for his mother. He realises that he has a darkness inside of him that comes to the surface quite regularly and although he hates it he has no way of controlling it. To go to school is a challenge for him as he despises his peers. He refers to them and mankind in general, as animals due to the constant judgement with no mercy and general lack of compassion towards other humans.

When Carly Wit, a new student enters his class room he immediately thinks that she’s like the rest; however when she takes the seat next to him and introduces herself everything changes. He feels this weird and unfamiliar vibration in his core and along with it an unexplainable attraction. Adam slowly starts to notice some changes in his body as time goes by, from a weird glow in his eyes to a heightened sense of hearing. He can hear people whisper from a distance and make out their voices yet not understand what they're saying. As his and Carly’s friendship grows into romance, she explains to him that he is a mutated human, called a Descendant. They as Descendants are hunted by the Ishak, a group of Russian scientists that want to harvest the descendants' powers for their own gain. She helps him to understand what and who he is and this helps him to control the darkness. Then Carly loses contact with her parents and she immediately worries that the Ishak has caught them. Will Carly and Adam find them and if so, what will the cost be to rescue them?

Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is the first book in the Scion Saga series. It is a fantasy novel full of action and constant twists which creates unexpected surprises and mysteries. Not only did the author excelled in the plot planning and execution, but she manages to have a vast number of characters that were well developed, and she manages to place the right characters at the right time which creates an exciting read.

There are many factors that I liked about this book but the one that stood out the most was the build up to who and what Adam and Carly are. Although the author didn't reveal immediately that they were mutated humans, she used a variety of scenarios and events in which they used their powers, this creates a curiosity on the reader's part to learn more about what and who they are. It also creates a compelling build-up to the climax of the plot. Carly's family bond with her parents and aunt is another aspect I liked. The unity and respect they have for each other is admirable. The fact that Carly uses this background to help Adam to create a healthier bond with his parents is another plus for me.

There’s not really negatives in this book for me; however, if you are looking for an easy and no complications read this might not be for you. Although the story has an easy flow to it, you might consider having a dictionary close by as there are quite a number of unique words used and if English is not your mother-tongue, this may cause some frustration and confusion. There is some sexual content and references as well as profanity, which might be offensive to some readers.

With all the above aspects considered, I gladly rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. It is an exciting and interesting read that keeps you intrigued and on the edge of your seat, a true page-turner at best. I recommend this to readers that love Sci-fi and fantasy novels, and to readers that are looking for something new and different from the normal Vampire/Werewolf fantasy genre. Since there is some profanity and sexual content, it will be suitable for readers from the age of about sixteen upwards.

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Opaque
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[Tonia Freeman]

Oh this book sound SO good. I love these kind of books and I’m very happy to see something else being vampires and werewolves. Great review!

[Cheryl Erickson]

After reading your well-written summary, I am intrigued by the unique plot and also want to know more about Adam, Carly, and the Descendants. Thank you for the encouraging review! Well done.

[Amy Luman]

Adam and his mother have a strange relationship, Adam and Carly have a strange relationship, Adam and Carly’s mom have a strange relationship. Is the problem with Adam? I did really like the book, especially the end.

[Leonie Vermaak]

Adam and his mother have a strange relationship, Adam and Carly have a strange relationship, Adam and Carly’s mom have a strange relationship. Is the problem with Adam? I did really like the book, especially the end.

True that. Adam and his mothers bond were quite disturbing at a stage but after the reason was given why, it makes sense. I guess it's what makes the book so interesting and enjoyable in the end. Jip I loved the end too.... Can't wait to read the next book though

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

Adam Caspian, a 16-year old boy struggles not only with normal teenage feelings but also with vivid anger and a strange, obsessive love for his mother. He realises that he has a darkness inside of him that comes to the surface quite regularly and although he hates it he has no way of controlling it. To go to school is a challenge for him as he despises his peers. He refers to them and mankind in general, as animals due to the constant judgement with no mercy and general lack of compassion towards other humans.

I can hardly blame him. I'm not a mutated human and I think humans can be savage. We can be wonderful, too, on the plus side. I hope he found the wonderful part.

There’s not really negatives in this book for me; however, if you are looking for an easy and no complications read this might not be for you. Although the story has an easy flow to it, you might consider having a dictionary close by as there are quite a number of unique words used and if English is not your mother-tongue, this may cause some frustration and confusion. There is some sexual content and references as well as profanity, which might be offensive to some readers.

Thank you for considering non-native English readers. Few reviewers do. I solve this with Kindle's built-in dictionary. But it is always nice to feel acknowledged.

Great review!

[Leonie Vermaak]

Adam Caspian, a 16-year old boy struggles not only with normal teenage feelings but also with vivid anger and a strange, obsessive love for his mother. He realises that he has a darkness inside of him that comes to the surface quite regularly and although he hates it he has no way of controlling it. To go to school is a challenge for him as he despises his peers. He refers to them and mankind in general, as animals due to the constant judgement with no mercy and general lack of compassion towards other humans.

I can hardly blame him. I'm not a mutated human and I think humans can be savage. We can be wonderful, too, on the plus side. I hope he found the wonderful part.

There’s not really negatives in this book for me; however, if you are looking for an easy and no complications read this might not be for you. Although the story has an easy flow to it, you might consider having a dictionary close by as there are quite a number of unique words used and if English is not your mother-tongue, this may cause some frustration and confusion. There is some sexual content and references as well as profanity, which might be offensive to some readers.

Thank you for considering non-native English readers. Few reviewers do. I solve this with Kindle's built-in dictionary. But it is always nice to feel acknowledged.

Great review!

Thanks for this Maria.
I do agree humans can be so cruel and sometimes awesome too. I do prefer animals above humans most of the times as it is, so I truly felt Adam's frustration.

You most welcome with regards to the non-native English part. English is also not my native language so it was sometimes a bit frustrating to me although I did learn quite alot of new English words which is a plus, but still. I normally also use Kindle's dictionary as well but this book I've read on PDF format which made it a bit more challenging .

[Vivian Writes]

Your summary of Adam’s outlook on life and how Carly changed everything without giving any spoilers was super professional. I haven’t yet read this book. But I think it’ll quite the experience, especially since the author did a good job in its execution.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.

[Stephanie Runyon]

It is a great-sounding book. I like the unpredictable story and the well-developed characters. I wonder how Carly notices he is a Descendent? Does anyone else notice his differences? Nice Review.