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Altered (Altered Sequence, #1)

by A.D. Croucher (Goodreads Author)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 6 ratings · 5 reviews

Reese has a plan: keep his grades up, work hard on the basketball court, apply to his favorite Ivy League college, and don't get arrested.

There's just one problem.

Reese knows things no one should know. He always thought he just had good instincts, but he's noticed that it's been getting worse. Lately it seems like something else.

Something more than instinct.

And he's not t...more

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Published July 16th 2012 by Darren Croucher

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Nov 29, 2012 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, own, science-fiction

Not to mistake this book with the upcoming Jennifer Rush novel by the same name, Altered by AD Croucher is also a sci-fi and it deals with genetics, wild experiments, and my personal favorite: altered humans with superhuman abilities. No matter my small quirks with it that ultimately decided its 3 star fate instead of the 4 I immediately wanted to give, it's a genuinely good book. It's entertaining, it offers a riveting plot that never ceases, and it has just the right combination of science fic...more Not to mistake this book with the upcoming Jennifer Rush novel by the same name, Altered by AD Croucher is also a sci-fi and it deals with genetics, wild experiments, and my personal favorite: altered humans with superhuman abilities. No matter my small quirks with it that ultimately decided its 3 star fate instead of the 4 I immediately wanted to give, it's a genuinely good book. It's entertaining, it offers a riveting plot that never ceases, and it has just the right combination of science fiction and action.

Having been tuned into the trend of science fiction novels lately, I was quick to get sucked into this novel when it spoke of mind reading and mysterious medical experiments. I found it wildly interesting, especially considering how it doesn't leap too out of range of plausibility; oftentimes, science is as scary as it is fascinating! If you're the type of reader who enjoys books with super powers, our protagonist here can read minds, we've also got super strength along with some more... bizarre experiment consequences in the mix. Not only are these kept a mystery, we're treated to plot twists that will completely change what you foresee from this whole series.

The mystery is one, albeit small, reason I did not end up completely in love with this novel. Of course I understand the need for secrets when it comes to any type of new medical undertaking, but between the doctors and Reese, I found the reasons for the secrecy a little weak. In his position, if I was explained from when I was old enough to understand, I would have been quite willing to work with them to potentially help their research--what has been done has already been done. He would have died if not for them, and it could help others. Why keep it hidden? Why take him against his will, do loads of tests on the kid, lock him in rooms, and basically wait until he tries to escape repeatedly before telling him what he's there for? Their explanation isn't even so scary--even though the truth may be a little altered. Instead of being anxious, I was wondering why there was all this drama. Perhaps we're expected to assume the worst. Perhaps I have just read so much horror that I've been conditioned (which scares me!).

Some dystopians are great because of world building, some propel you into your protagonist's fears and sufferings, others are simply fantastic because of their plot. The latter can work very well in some cases, but in others, it leaves you wanting more from your characters, which is the case in Altered. We meet some truly good characters--the protagonist being male was a plus for me as well,--but where it falters is in his development and, later on, in his romantic wandering. Although I did like his characters, and he has an easy voice to follow through this story, I can't say I know who he truly is more than a character in a book. He didn't particularly grab me. As for the romance in the novel, I think it to be its weakest point. There is a vague and brief love triangle with two girls--a nice step from the norm--and I did not feel anything between any of the characters in this novel, nor did I understand why he was so infatuated with one to the point of risking everything. Even the dramatic relationship between a girl and her mother (the villain) felt overly acted.

Yes this book brings it in the entertainment value--absolutely. It's when you consider the novel as a whole that it falters a little. As it's so short with only a little over 200 pages, you at least have no time to reflect on this lack of character development while you're being propelled into an adrenaline filled joyride. It's one made for, and undoubtedly enjoyed by, fans of action movies!

--
An advance copy was provided by the author for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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8 likes · like · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Ange (MarmaladeLibby of Libby Blog) Schmelzer rated it 5 of 5 stars

All Reese wants to do is graduate high school, go to a great college...and not get arrested. That's right, not get arrested. You see Reese is one of those friends who helps his closet friend out no matter what it is, even if it's boosting a car. The thing is...it shouldn't have been that easy for Reese. He seemed to know just where the cops were going to go and just where Freddie was the whole time. How is that possible? But ever since Reese was cured by experimental medication of the same incre...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

'I know some Trekkies who would probably love to go out with you,'
I say without thinking.
The laughter rings out of her.
'Oh, god,' she says. 'Geeks?'
'Geeks are cool. Anyway, who doesn't want to be a superhero,
or at least date one?'"
--A.D. Croucher

I was SO excited to start reading this! The premise sounded really good, and I was not disappointed in the result of the book. Again, I started this book while on my work week and I was still able to finish it in a few days. Altered definitely kept me...more 'I know some Trekkies who would probably love to go out with you,'
I say without thinking.
The laughter rings out of her.
'Oh, god,' she says. 'Geeks?'
'Geeks are cool. Anyway, who doesn't want to be a superhero,
or at least date one?'"
--A.D. Croucher

I was SO excited to start reading this! The premise sounded really good, and I was not disappointed in the result of the book. Again, I started this book while on my work week and I was still able to finish it in a few days. Altered definitely kept me on my sci-fi swing and I have been feeling geek-tastic for quite awhile. But I'm getting ahead of myself...as always...:)

So Altered is about a boy named Reese whose story begins in the midst of a car jacking...obviously I was immediately intrigued...but also a little confused. They're stealing a car? Oh wait, 2 cars? Aren't they teenagers....? Who are these delinquints?...Wait, what? They live in Detroit? OH!! Ok, this all makes sense now...totally normal. But seriously, my weirded out threshold did definitely go down after learning they were living in Detroit. Sorry Detroit, no offense, but you've got 8 Mile, I'm not surprised by kids jackin' cars, in fact, I totally enjoyed the entire opening of the novel. So for reasons you will have to read about, Reese flees the scene and when his Dad finds him he tells Reese they have to go back to the doctor who cured Reese of a disease when he was younger. Reese has been experiencing...unique symtpoms as of late, to say the least. They go to this doctor and from there Reese is subjected to tests of various natures and really, from there you've gotta pick it up yourself. :)

Not my best summary but this is one of those books that I think authors love to write and readers hate to love. This reason being that so much is kept in secret. You horribly mean authors you, you are hoarding all the secrets and me as a greedy and impatient reader want to know everything! Why must you toy with my mind and emotions like this!? Because I am a geek, I loooooved the genetic, scientific and medical aspect of the story. All the talk of different diseases and cures was so interesting! Why was Reese sick? How was he cured? What is going on now? ALL of these answers I HAD to know but as good writers do, we only got a little bit piece by piece. Great storytelling, awful for the impatient reader :) I looooved the piece by piece info we did get and I looooved thinking about it and trying to dissect the meaning and medical rationale behind it all.

I adored Reese's character! His self-deprecating humor had me laughing out loud because it was totally realistic. The dialogue and the internal monologues were great. Humorous yet honest and emotional. The moments of Reese remembering his mother were heartfelt and some of my favorite parts of the book. Erika's characterization felt so real as well. Without ruining the story, Erika is doubtful as first (legit) and doesn't immediately jump to believe the cute boy in front of her. She waits, investigates on her own and makes her own decisions. LOVE this about her. Her loyalty was also completely unquestionable. She stood strong and stuck by those she cared about. I also totally loved the juxtaposition of the fact that Reese's side effects were mental whereas Erika's were physical. It is almost always the opposite. The male is physically strong and the female is mentally superior. I love love loved that it was the opposite in this book!

This book was very fast-paced and definitely a quick read! The sci-fi elements unravel throughout the book and getting little bits of information here and there definitely helps build the momentum and suspense of the story. My only problem was I would have really liked to see the relationship with Erika and Reese build a little bit more but this is the first book in the series and I have a feeling this is just the beginning for them :) Again, this is my problem with being a greedy reader! I am anxious to see what happens next and where Reese's story goes from here! I definitely have a few unanswered questions that I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for our characters!

Original Review at http://belleoftheliterati.blogspot.com (less)

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Feb 09, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-requested

My first thought when I started reading this novel was "Yay! Male POV!" I have read so many books lately with a female main character, told in her POV, that this was a fantastic change. It was also great that the male, Reese, is an awesome, real character. He's a smart guy and he's very loyal to his best friend, Freddie, but he has made mistakes. Him trying to do right by Freddie is where the action starts, and it really doesn't slow down much from there. Even where there doesn't seem to be too...more My first thought when I started reading this novel was "Yay! Male POV!" I have read so many books lately with a female main character, told in her POV, that this was a fantastic change. It was also great that the male, Reese, is an awesome, real character. He's a smart guy and he's very loyal to his best friend, Freddie, but he has made mistakes. Him trying to do right by Freddie is where the action starts, and it really doesn't slow down much from there. Even where there doesn't seem to be too much happening in the scene, there is always some underlying tension or reason to worry. This was, therefore, an exciting novel, and fairly fast paced. My only issue with some of the action is that there were times when the scene jumped around a little too much. Thankfully, though, I was always able to find my place and get back on track. All in all, the plot was great, and I loved that the story felt very different from so much else I have read lately. It covers genetics, testing labs, human (and not-so-human) experiments, and does it in a very exciting and mysterious way.

I thought the novel was very well written, overall. There were so many things that contributed to why I enjoyed it. First off, I loved how descriptive it was. Reese gets his nose broken at one point and I cringed and almost felt it because it seemed so real and so painful. I also really liked how Reese was written. Even with all the insanity of the plot and everything he goes through, there is still indications that he is really just a hormonal teenage boy. I also enjoyed the relationship between Reese and Erika, his fellow captive, and how easy things felt between them. It added a little bit of a lighter tone to all the dark and twisted things that were dealt with in the plot.

This was an intriguing novel from the start, and its ending definitely made me want to know what happens next! I have some hopes for the next one, including that I want to see more of Freddie and Elle, his girlfriend, because they were the ones Reese started the novel with and I missed them throughout the rest of it. I'm also excited to learn more about some of the crazy science that was happening in this one. This is a novel that science fiction fans would greatly enjoy, but is also good for those new to the genre because it has some wonderful characters to help you along.
4 stars.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.*(less)

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Jul 25, 2012 Deb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sci-fi is not my usual genre of choice but, this novel is so compelling I was totally engrossed from page one. It has characters you care about, an interesting plot that never goes beyond the understanding of the reader and as that last page turns, you want to yell, "When is the next edition to the series?!" Well done, A.D Croucher. I look forward to much more from you.

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About A.D. Croucher

A. D. Croucher is actually two writers (one male, one female) who write YA novels and TV scripts. We like to think of A. D. Croucher as our superhero identity. Or our band.

We love great YA of all kinds, although we can't help but love sci-fi!

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Altered (Altered Sequence, #1)

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