It's a quick read, but it won't be long until you realize it's a story you've heard before...it's sort of like eating a rice cake. No real substance. It struck me as the sort of novel written for the sole purpose of being turned into a movie. Though unlike Robopocalypse, there's nothing remotely fresh about the premise of Amped. In fact, it's like reading a book about superheroes where you don't care about any of the superheroes.

Owen thought he was an ordinary guy who had an implant to control his epilepsy. After Owen's father's research is seized by the FBI, he learns he's not just an amp, he's a ~special snowflake~ super amp. He goes on the run, and thus begins his journey. The plot is fairly predictable and so is the premise. You've seen it in X-Men and every other movie/novel that pits superhumans against normals.

As far as the writing style is concerned, I didn't care for Owen Gray's voice. It's an awkward blend of narration and description, blended in a way that doesn't quite work. Descriptive in the way an author would think so it never jives with Owen's voice. As it's told in first-person point of view, it should've invested me more in his character. Instead, the novel relies heavily on the plot so character development is almost nonexistent, one of Wilson's major shortcomings.

Given the lack of character development, it should come as no surprise that the romance feels contrived. And it makes no sense that Owen somehow is better at combat than guys who were in the special forces. Oh wait, it does -- he's the self-insert Marty Stu protagonist. That would explain why we only ever learn a few things about him.

Chapters aren't framed in the script-like manner Wilson used in Robopocalypse; in Amped, he incorporates news articles for more or less the same effect. Again, it proves to be a crutch for his weak world-building skills. Many are unnecessary, as the information is provided during the story. So they feel like awkward interruptions.

Another failing of the novel is that it doesn't paint a compelling enough argument for the amps. They act like normal humans don't have a right to be upset about smarter/stronger amps replacing them. So from the reader's perspective, it puts them at a disadvantage as far as garnering any sympathy goes. Wilson never overcomes that hurdle so in turn I never found myself rooting for the amps. Especially since many of them aren't nice guys.

There's only one major action scene in the first two parts. It's well written, Wilson really nails the action sequences. But there really needed to be more going for it early on. Some of the chapters are started too far into the scene. The first chapter is guilty of this. Instead of having an investment in what's happening via a good tension build-up, the reader spends more time trying to figure out what's happening and why is it happening.

Part three sets a great pace, and the sprint to the conclusion is fast and gripping. None of the "revelations" are surprising, but for the most part, the climax is satisfying. A little quick and too easy, perhaps, but it's the best part of the book.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late for me. For the most part, the story itself is uninspiring and unoriginal; I didn't think Wilson breathed enough life into it to make it a good novel. While Wilson isn't a bad author by any means, I hardly found Amped to be the "techno-thrill ride" it's advertised to be.