Cassidy Jones is your typical fourteen-year-old— that is, until a seemingly harmless accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist turns her world upside down.
Discovering incredible strength, speed, and enhanced physical senses that defy logic, Cassidy embarks on an action-packed adventure that has her fighting for answers…and for her very life.
Elise Stokes lives with her husband and four children. She was an elementary school teacher before becoming a full-time mom. With a daughter in middle school and two in high school, Elise’s understanding of the challenges facing girls in that age range inspired her to create a series that will motivate girls to value individualism, courage, integrity, and intelligence. The stories in Cassidy Jones Adventures are fun and relatable, and a bit edgy without taking the reader uncomfortably out of bounds. Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift, Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant, Cassidy Jones and the Luminous, and Cassidy Jones and the Eternal Flame are the first five books in the series.
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Flaming hair, kicking butt, and taking names. That is what Cassidy Jones is all about. This girl used to be a wallflower, but not anymore. She stepped up to the plate and she is taking anyone down who gets in her way.
Her family is pretty dang cool, she has a twin brother, super hero lovin' little brother, a famous dad, and the perfect mom. Forget the Cleavers, this is the family I wanna belong to. Her friends are pretty amazing too. Emery and Miriam are definitely two characters you won't be forgetting in a hurry.
A famous geneticist is kidnapped right after Cassidy's dad tries to interview her. Unfortunately, the interview gets cut short because Cassie has a small accident. She falls off a rickety old stool and busts her head open on one of the cluttered tables in this lab. As she does, some of the creepy looking bottles on burners mix and Cassidy inhales the vaopr right before she knocks herself out. I'm not saying she turns into Spiderman or anything like that, but what does happen to her after that is pretty freaking cool.
Cassidy and Emery create a bond when he comes to live with them for a while while the search for his mother continues. Cassidy isn't sure at first if she can trust him, but soon learns he is unlike any boy she has met before, and discovers her trust is will placed in him. With his brains and her skills, there will have to be one heck of an army in place to stop them. The problem is - there is one heck of an army, and one deranged, evil bad guy waiting to stop them.
This was a super fun story and one that I have had on my shelf waiting to be read for some time now. I wish I had been able to get it sooner, although maybe I won't has as long to wait now for Cassidy's next adventure. This book was full of twists and turns, and there was always something happening. I never felt there was a lull in the story line, and I really could not put it down. I read the entire thing TODAY.
This is a great YA book, it says that it is appropriate for 12 and older, I honestly would have no problem with my 9-year-old daughter reading this book. As a matter of fact, she has been eyeballing it and asking me how I like it. I think I will have to pass it along to her to read tomorrow. There is a bit of blood in the story, but no one is killed, so if you do not like your child reading anything with violence in it, be warned, there is fighting. But it is done with little description and no disturbing imagery.
There is also no love story in the background, so you don't have to worry about your young one getting into a kissy, touchy, feely book. This book is ALL YA, and just because there is a lack of holding hands and anticipating first kisses, this book is chocked full of great story telling. This reviewer gives it 4 stars and wants to thank Elise Stokes for giving me the chance to read and review her amazing work.
Cassidy Jones was an awesome read. I enjoy YA action novels because they are written to entertain, and can take you away from the gritty realities of life during the reading duration of the book.
I met the author on Twitter, read the synopsis of the book and purchased the Kindle version that day. Once the book was uploaded, I figured I would read a couple of chapters; then get to back to working on my own projects. Not so. I read it in one sitting.
Throw in a blunder that alters Cassidy's world, and the reader is off and running. The first in the series of Cassidy Jones was a fast-paced read, filled with action and adventure. Elise Stokes was able to blend the real world of teenage angst, with the fictional and fantastical world of that of a superhero.
Elise Stokes has a great imagination, and she brought the world to life, visually, on the pages.
Highly recommend.
Author of Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00, written by pen name, CR HIATT
When I was young (gas was a whopping 32 cents a gallon), I was enthralled by the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories created by Edward Stratemeyer. I may have read every one of them. Nancy was smart, strong, and self-assured, with virtually endless resources at her fingertips—a teenaged superhero for her time. Let me assure you, Cassidy Jones is no Nancy Drew. She’s smart, yes, but more importantly, she’s real—a typical young girl in today’s angst-ridden society, just trying to grow up and find her way. Unlike Nancy, who was seemingly ten feet tall and bulletproof, Cassidy is an accident waiting to happen.
And happen it does. With an intriguing plot that captivates from the opening line, Cassidy leaps from shy-girl to super-girl, discovering amazing new abilities and going toe-to-toe with the Bad Guys, all the while fighting her own personal battles. The story moves at a breathless pace, with superb writing and compelling storytelling. You simply have to turn the page.
Elise Stokes is a fine writer, spinning a wildly entertaining ride from beginning to end. With a supporting cast of memorable characters, Cassidy Jones And The Secret Formula leaves you wanting more. It will appeal strongly to the young adult audience, but is so well written it will appeal to a far larger (younger and older) group of readers. The first book in the Cassidy Jones Adventures series, this is a remarkable debut that should be on everyone’s bookshelf. Which reminds me, I’ve got some old Nancy Drew Mysteries to dump off at the used book store—I need the space for the new kid on the superhero block, Cassidy Jones.
Man, did I love this story. I have spent the last 2 weeks trying to find something to read that fit my mood. This book was fit right in right when I needed it. Usually I am a very harsh critic of books when I am in this mood and I opt to just listen to audiobooks that I already know until the mood passes. But, something in the blurb drew me so I bought a copy for my Kindle and gave it a shot. Cassidy and Emery have spine and when Cassidy does not have spine, Emery finds a way to help her hold herself up. This book is about friendship and family, as well as growing pains. I love Cassidy's little brother Chazzie. Heck I love that entire family. They are funny, quirky and it is hard not to like any of them. Emery and his mom, the scientist, have their own genius quirks, but, you still manage to like them. There was a great twist and you suspect bad guys that turn out to be good guys and vice versa. I liked stepping out of the love triangle of a lot of books these days and even giving the vampires and werewolves a break. Just a great, fun story.
Oh. Wow. Cool! These were my exact reaction to what happened to Cassidy Jones. She is a heroine readers will definitely like and relate to. At first, I didn't know what to expect, but as the story progressed, I was quickly immersed in this fictional world, eager to know what would happen next.
My favourite character is probably Cassidy's brother Chazz. He is such an adorable kid who has a huge fascination with comic book heroes and always dresses up like one. One day he'd be the Hulk and the next a ninja.
This book is suitable for middle graders and young adults. The contents are 100% clean, so parents have nothing to worry about. The fighting scenes are not bloody and gory, but they are told in a way that would definitely hold the reader's attention.
This book is really exceptional in the sense that it has a wonderful plot, some really interesting characters, a plausible event which started it all, and an adept storyteller who combined all these elements.
If you haven't read it, go get yourself a copy today!
I'll begin with a disclaimer: I rarely read books in this genre and, outside of Harry Potter, I don't think I've read any series. According to the author's website, her motivation was "to create a series that will motivate girls to value individualism, courage, integrity and intelligence," so I will also have to disclose that I am not a teenage girl.
This is why when I say I can't wait for the next installment, you should be impressed.
The focus of the book is obviously Cassidy Jones. Cassidy is a vivid, complex character who has fantastic, bizarre things happen to her but always remains an authentic human being. The plot and the other characters serve more as a background to the more important journey as Cassidy's growth as a young woman. I'm sure the other characters will gain dimension as the series progresses, but in creating Cassidy, Elise Stokes has created a much more interesting hero for her series than Mr. Potter and Cassidy's journey is more relevant to our lives and times. Cassidy moves through mood swings, back-and-forth, one step forward, two steps back, crashes and falls, makes sudden turns, changes her mind, makes decisions and regrets decisions . . . in other words, she is a genuine non-linear human being like many teenagers (and like many adults, who are better at building facades to hide their human inconsistencies). Cassidy also makes mistakes, says dumb things and exhibits numerous flaws. She's human, and the reader can't help but develop a strong connection with her.
The contrast with the Potter books is just that. Harry Potter is more about the world Ms. Rowling created and a struggle of ideologies; Cassidy Jones is more about what it means to be a real human being at a time of life when possibilities are endless and endlessly confusing. While there are hints of that theme in the Potter novels, Ms. Stokes is more successful with it.
The book is definitely a page-turner (I finished it in three days while sneaking in some reading sessions at work) and features frequent bursts of ironic humor to keep the reader's perspective in check. The five-star rating I'm giving this book takes into account the fact that this is the first in a series and should be judged on that basis. The book does have flaws here and there, primarily having to do with Cassidy as narrator. Being narrator and hero of the book is quite a heavy load to carry and sometimes Cassidy-the-narrator speaks with too much sophistication and too rich a vocabulary for a 14-year old girl. It might be interesting to relieve her of the narration duty in future installments, or perhaps use the dual-narrator approach that Dickens used in Bleak House.
These are minor distractions that even the great novels contain. Ms. Stokes is off to a fabulous start in her journey "to create a series that will motivate girls to value individualism, courage, integrity and intelligence," but I think Cassidy Jones has the potential to transcend that limitation and appeal to all people, regardless of age or gender.
Overall, this book is something I would definitely recommend to my students, even friends who enjoy reading teen books. Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula will entertain anyone who enjoys spy-thrillers, people with extra human powers, and most definitely those who can't get enough of super heroes.
As the first book in a series, I think it does a really good job of creating the foundation for further installments. In this book we find out how Cassidy Jones obtains her super human powers and we get a taste of how complicated her life is going to be as she tries to solve a kidnapping. Instead of bombarding the reader with so many complicated story-lines, Elise Stokes finds a nice balance between her two principle objectives (understanding Cassidy Jones powers & Solving the disappearance of Dr. Phillips) and more subtle themes in the book (high school awkwardness, family dynamics, internal battle for control, etc.).Stokes kept it simple but engaging.
I enjoyed how a character you would normally read about in a comic book is at the heart of this book. I'm not that familiar with the comic book genre but I believe that Elise Stokes does a very good job of following its style. I believe that upon reading Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, more people will want to read about other super heroes while they wait for book 2.
What I found most appealing about Cassidy Jones is her awkwardness with boys and high school. Cassidy herself is an unlikely hero but that makes the character even more endearing. Despite her cool ninja skills and animal-like reflexes, she is still a young girl going through the awkward teenage years. It reassures anyone reading this book that there are somethings you just can't escape and you should consider them rites of passage.I think that there is a lot of potential for Cassidy's character to grow and I can't wait to see how she handles her new found strengths, balancing secrets and lies, and getting through high school.
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula is the perfect book that I would recommend to people in their teens. A strong and independent female character with great family relationships, interesting secondary characters and a good plot, especially for those that enjoy superhero stories. However, it is a bit too young adult for my taste and the conflict/villain development needed more depth and more difficulty. It didn’t feel like a real struggle.
I am interested in continuing the series though as I really liked the characters and I would love to know what happens with them next, especially with the heroine, Cassidy, and the smart and mysterious Emery.
This is the perfect novel for a high-school student — girl or boy.
While she starts on some well-travelled roads — a teenage protagonist who gains super-powers from an accident in a lab — author Elise Stokes actually shows skill in weaving that plot point into the plot of this book. She knows what it means to be a writer, and demonstrates this with a clear, fast-paced writing style that keeps readers focused on the story, not on her ability to write.
Synopsis: Cassidy Jones is a 9th-grade teenager who is very self-conscious about her lack of athletic ability, among other self-perceived faults. She’s envious of the popular girl in school, Robyn, who is not only athletic and pretty, but seems able to do anything she wants. The first chapter of the story really brings to life the angst and self-doubt of the teen years. Later, Cassidy accompanies her father, a local newsman, on a story as part of an enforced learning experience. Again, Stokes vividly captures the emotions of a teen riding in the backseat as her parent tries to show her a small part of the adult life.
The assignment is to interview a world-leading genetic researcher. In the lab, Cassidy suffers an accident that involves some of the chemical the scientist is studying, and à la Spider-Man, gains super powers.
When that same scientist is kidnapped, her son, Emery — coincidentally, the same age as Cassidy —moves into the Jones’s because he has no one to look after him. This is the one big coincidence of the story, and as I’ve said before, every novel needs one but can tolerate no more.
Cassidy gradually discovers her new super strength and super speed, and teams up with Emery to find his mother and the kidnappers. So far, pretty standard middle-grade stuff, right? But Stokes reaches a higher level by describing her characters’ reactions and emotions with skill, humour and absolute dead-on believability.
Why is this a perfect book for teens? Because it depicts a girl and her family so well. The Joneses are not ordinary. Dad’s a local celebrity and Mom stays at home. A smaller and smaller minority of North American families can afford that lifestyle. But the situation is handled well. It makes sense, because Dad is successful in what he does.
The kids are also believable, with the behaviours and flaws that we see around us and within us all the time.
And the plot is not predictable. I’ve read far too many books and seen way too many movies where I can predict the next scene and the next plot development, because it’s been done before many, many times. While Stokes may have borrowed a page from Spider-Man to begin her story, her plot is original. There is a twist at the end that I did not see coming, and there were several points where my predictions about whodunit were proved wrong.
My only complaint is that the end of the plot was wrapped up a little too quickly. The emotional arc of the story was fully developed, but the logical plot was rushed. It would have been nice to read about Cassidy discovering the final details and her reaction to them. This was the one part of the book where I found myself saying (quietly) “show, don’t tell.” It felt as if the author were rushing to finish the book.
Cassidy Jones was clearly written as a character with a series of adventures ahead of her, and even though I’m very far from being an adolescent American girl, I’m looking forward to the next installment.
It’s not every day that you find a really good read, after all.
Cassidy Jones is a typical, awkward 14-year-old. She lives in Seattle with her twin brother, Nate; her little brother, Chazz, who is in love with superheroes; her father, the handsome news reporter; and her mother. She hates any kind of sport (my kind of girl) and has a major crush on a boy.
One night, her father takes her along with him on an interview with a famous geneticist. While there, Cassidy falls and breathes in some chemicals. The next day, she discovers that she has super powers! But before she has time to decide what to do with these newfound abilities, she finds out that the geneticist has been kidnapped and that her son is now going to be living with them.
Emery, the geneticist's son, is a very brilliant and mysterious boy. He and Cassidy form first a friendship and then a team to solve the mystery of where his mother is and how to get her back. They have to deal with her control of her powers, some crooked policemen, middle school drama, and the realization that they are only 14 and 15 years old.
I truly enjoyed this book. I could identify with Cassidy from the time I met her - during gym class - to the time she lets her powers fly to get back at some of the elite at her school. She is very likable and a well-rounded character. Emery is not as easy to relate to as Cassidy but is definitely likable. You definitely want to root for them to succeed.
Cassidy becomes a scary ninja and it is fun to see how she is able to get out of dangerous situations. I was even impressed with the villain. He was comical but evil. I wouldn't want to meet up with him in a dark alley! I so hope that this will become a series. I was a Nancy Drew fan when I was in school, and Cassidy Jones is the 2011 version. So do yourself a favor and get a copy of this hot new book!
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula is an excellent book. There's something here that will appeal to everyone. There's action, teen angst, drama, romance, super-powered butt kicking action, etc etc. That Elise Stokes is able to wrap this all up into a well told, exceptionally fun story, speaks volumes towards her skill as an author.
It also speaks well about her ability to write characters. At times I wanted to cheer for Cassidy, while at other moments I wanted to reach into the pages and smack her upside the head. She is a teenager after all...and let's face facts, if you're an old curmudgeon like me, there is no such thing as a teenager that doesn't get annoyingly whiny at times. In short, Cassidy feels real and so do her reactions at finding herself a super-powerful mutant. Her friends and family feel real too. About the only person who doesn't feel entirely real is the character of, Emery Philips. He's a bit too smart, too skilled, etc etc to be authentic. Still, every X-man needs their Charles Xavier, and this is easily forgiven as at times he's even more entertaining to read about than Cassidy herself.
There isn't much else to add other than to say I immediately jumped into the sequel, Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift, the second I was finished with the first one. We'll save that review for another time, but here's a hint...it was really good too. Highly recommended!
Loved the book, although I'm not a young adult any more :)
Here's why:
1. Fun! The book is sheer, uninhibited fun. I felt the author was smiling while writing it; it has that joy of life which made it impossible to walk away from it.
Although I've not been able to read it as much as I wanted (just hit a busy time), Cassidy and her friends stayed in my mind all the time. They're still there, and I'm looking forward to the second book!
2. Fantastic emotional writing. The book has it all - the teenage angst, school cliques, becoming a super hero... the emotional come across lively and just right. Cassidy is very cool - fragile yet powerful, vulnerable yet with an attitude... I loved getting to know her better.
3. It spoke to my daydreams. Ever had those lessons in school when your mind wondered off, and you caught yourself imagining how cool it would be to become a super hero? I had lots of those :) The book reminded me of those a little naive, but wonderful days.
I've been thinking for several days what improvement could there be to this book, but couldn't think of anything, so I'll just leave it at that.
Net, it's an exciting, fun and fast story. Read it.
This is Elise Stokes first novel and I have to say, she did an awesome job! While I found a few unnecessary dialogue tags and other unnecessary words, for a first effort, this was amazing! I only wish I could have had as good a first effort :)
Lots of action, an engaging plot and relatable herione. I would definitely recommend this series for tween age girls who need strong protagonists for examples to follow through those tough teen years.
I read this book mostly as a way to have something to talk about with my nieces who are all into this book right now. I was kind of bracing for a labored "for kids" read, but was totally surprised by how much fun it was! It was high adventure with a good dose of hardy-boy type mystery thrown in for good measure. A great find.
Cassidy Jones is an everyday fourteen-year-old girl, until she has an accident with chemicals in the laboratory of a famous geneticist. Suddenly, Cassidy discovers that she has acquired superhuman powers––strength, speed, and heightened senses. And when the geneticist goes missing, it's up to Cassidy and the geneticist's son Emery to solve the mystery.
I downloaded this book about a year ago when it was free on Amazon, because I'd heard some good things about it. But I put it off for a long time because I was still kind of doubtful about it. And I have to admit … part of what put me off is that I hate the cover. Sorry, but … I really do not like that cover. And yes, I do kind of judge books by their covers because I'm a horrible person.
But despite the fact that I think this book needs a cover makeover, the content was actually pretty good. Not the best thing I've ever read, but it kept me entertained.
Probably the best thing about this book is Cassidy herself. She has a strong narrating voice with a lot of character and humor. Over all, I found her to be a realistic teenage character and someone I could easily relate to.
For the most part I was a fan of the other characters as well. I loved Cassidy's family; they're adorable and I like how they play an important role in the story. Emery is also a very likable character and I enjoyed the dynamic between him and Cassidy.
Probably the only character who fell really flat for me was the villain, Arthur King. He just felt really stereotypical and two-dimensional to me. I'm not a fan of the whole "MWAHAHAHA *rubs hands together*" type of antagonist. It's just an annoying cliché.
But anyway, I thought the story was exciting––it had some slow bits, but over all it kept me interested.
The only other thing that took away from it a bit for me was that it felt a bit … immature for me, I guess. Even though the characters are in high school, it felt pretty middle-grade for me. If the characters had maybe been in middle school instead, it would have been more believable for me. There was something about the tone of the book that just didn't feel quite mature enough for it to be YA. But, maybe that's just me.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. It was a fun and light read, with a pretty solid cast of characters. I wasn't left dying to read the sequel, but I'd be interested in possibly picking it up at some point.
I saw the cover of this book and was immediately drawn in. The hand drawn cover of the young redhead with an intriguing boy in glasses looking back at her had me captivated before one word was even read. Elise Stokes is not only the genius behind Cassidy Jones, but she also had the tremendous smarts to have Kelly Carter from Mad Spider Studio design the eye catching cover.
Between the cover laid the world of the all american teenager, Cassidy Jones. I love how the story begins with Cassidy's day to day life, giving a reader a glimpse at what the fourteen-year-old is all about. She has the same problems that any teen might acquire in this day and age. Yet, when she bangs her head and inhales the mysterious secret formula in the lab of Professor Serena Phillips, it doesn't change who she fundamentally is.
As Cassidy begins to notice the changes within herself and the sudden disappearance of the Professor, the perfect wrench is thrown into her life in the form of Emery, the Professor's son. The handsome fifteen-year-old depicted on the cover is not at all what Cassidy expected. He's smart, a little geeky, but has a big heart and the knowledge to help Cassidy through the changes she's beginning to experience. The bond that the two teens form is not those of an epic romance, but the beginning of a trusting and lasting friendship. Although I do hope for a little teen romance as the series progresses to the next novel, “Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift”.
Cassidy is not the typical superhero, but she is the best one I have read to date. She's flawed in her own way. She makes decisions sometimes as a fourteen-year-old and not at the new super being she has become. All in all, Cassidy is someone you want on your side who will give you one adventurous ride. If you're looking for adventure, suspense, and a kick-ass female superhero, The Cassidy Jones Adventure series is most definitely for you.
Cassidy Jones was a normal, shy teenager. Normal until she accidentally breathed in the gas from a secret experiment conducted by a world-famous scientist (Dr. Phillips) called Formula X. Now she can run faster than a race horse, she’s stronger than a rampaging rhino, has better sight than an eagle, she can leap higher than a jungle cat and can hear better than a deer! Cassidy doesn’t know what to do about her new super powers, but she decides she can’t tell anyone. When the famous scientist AND her Dad get kidnapped, Cassidy decides to use her new powers to save them, but when she can’t even control her own emotions, how is she going to control her new super powers?!? She finds a “friend” in the kidnapped Dr. Phillips’ son, Emery…but she’s not sure if she can trust him completely.
I totally enjoyed reading this book. Cassidy Jones rocks as a superhero! The book is written for older kids but there is no bad language or inappropriate things in the story so you can have younger kids read it too. A lot of books with a teen protagonist (that’s my new word now that I know what it means ) are not appropriate for kids my age, but this isn’t one of them. There is some fighting (she is a superhero after all) but nothing graphic (it’s actually kind of like comicy fights or like the Saturday Morning Cartoons fights). It was also cool how the hero is a girl because there are barely any girl superhero main characters. I really liked Cassidy Jones personality too. Emery was also a great character. He was really interesting to read about. It is a very action packed and detailed story that keeps you interested!
Cassidy Jones is your average 14 year old and The secret Formula is Formula 10X. This experimental formula was invented for the sick as a type of gene therapy, but a lab accident made Cassidy ingest a beaker full of it. Conflict stems from the effects of this solution to a very young & healthy body, not to mention that the secret formula has the potential to create the perfect assassins. So naturally, bad guys are after the scientist who invented it, Serena, and her whiz kid Emery.
Elise Stokes came up with a cast of distinctive characters. I loved all of them, yes, even the bad guys! Cassidy & Emery are dissimilar and yet they found a friend in each other, and might I hope some romance there? And could it be that with this guy Jared, Stokes is setting the platform for a love triangle? In book 2, maybe? I believe that Stokes can make this otherwise cheesy idea into a great story, because she has done pretty good with making this overused teenage superpower plot exceptional rather than common.
It was fairly unpredictable, taking you through twists and turns of discovery and revelation that eventually led to a stellar fight scene with ninjas! I am not a ninja virtuoso, but with Stokes descriptive ability, I was able to appreciate the fight moves and imagined them with clarity. I was surprised I enjoyed reading that part. That's some storytelling there! I think I haven't enjoyed a book of this genre since H.I.V.E. So thank you, and more please!
I have a confession to make. Somehow, when I bought this book I had no idea what it was about. I never read the description text. I only looked at the cover and title and thought it'd be something I'd like. From those two pieces of information I decided it was a Nancy Drew type mystery. Boy was I wrong. In a good way. It was so fun to read along expecting one thing and then have the book go in a completely different direction. I found myself glad I didn't know Cassidy Jones was going to turn into a teen-age superhero with super powers and all the stress that goes along with it. I love stories like this! The characters were authentic, mysterious, likable and just plain fun to get to know. I find myself, just like Cassidy, really interested in what superpower she was going to discover next. I also enjoyed her interaction with Emery, a geeky fifteen-year-old genius. I, just like Cassidy, had no idea what to make of him at first. It seemed like he was (and is) hiding something. So much that I didn't know if he could be trusted, but Cassidy and I both decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Just a really well written book, and I'm happy to have read it. I also hear the sequel is due out soon. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, by Elise Stokes, Jace Publishing, 2011, 314 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0615377131, $7.99
Like many fourteen-year-olds, Cassidy Jones is shy and a bit insecure, her “entire goal…” to stay in the background, so as “not to attract attention.” And she did just that until…
She joins her news anchor father on what she thought would be a “boring” interview with Professor Serena Phillips, a brilliant geneticist who invents unusual secret formulas.
During the interview Cassidy sat off to the side on a rickety stool with nearby laboratory beakers merrily bubbling atop small burners, sending up wisps of smoke. Shortly after her father began the stool gave way without warning. Cassidy frantically clutched the counter, overturning beakers of “hot liquid” that then pooled and “instantaneously vaporized, forming a white cloud.”
At that moment Cassidy gasped for air and took a crucial breath then…blackness overtook her.
Thus begins Elise Stoke’s new fun-filled, action-packed, adventure series, perfect for teens and tweens summer reading…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/3owc2mf
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula is a young adult novel that promises to become a favorite for many. With a sprinkling of humor, a dash of romance, and plenty of intrigue, this superhero story will keep readers turning the page. Stories about superheroes abound, but what makes this story different is the way it explores the many areas of daily life that are sure to be affected by a sudden manifestation of superpowers. Stokes gives thoughtful attention to the drastic changes Cassidy Jones experiences when she awakens one morning to find she has been transformed. It’s not just the strange physical abilities that have become a challenge for this fourteen-year-old girl. There are new emotions to deal with too. How will Cassidy face these changes? And how will she put her powers to use once she discovers all she is capable of doing? These are just some of the questions that are examined in this adventurous, fast-paced novel. Readers of all ages will be delighted with this charming story as they accompany Cassidy Jones on her journey of discovery and growth.
I loved this book!!!!! I am a huge fan of super-powered beings, there are not many books about super heroes so its extremely original. i enjoyed this book because the characters were so interesting. The Mysterious Emery Phillips, i loved his character a lot, you just don't know what's up with guy if he is good, bad, or neutral, if he should be trusted or not. I just found him so mysterious. then their is his complete opposite and main character cassidy. Cassidy Jones you can tell is extremely innocent, so for her to get powers and have to protect the world from insane people around her, its kind of a mind opener for her. I recommend this book for any one who loves superheroes, action, and psychotic ( yet hilarious) villains.
ELISE STOKES' "CASSIDY JONES AND THE SECRET FORMULA" (A REVIEW)
I have to say that I was absolutely intrigued from the very beginning of this story and simply could not put the book down. Elise Stokes has woven a fantastic tale about a 15 year old girl that unwittingly finds herself becoming a scientific blunder. Turned into a super hero she soon has to join forces with the scientists son in order to save his mother from possible doom. This story has all elements of surprise and a captivating side story involving the life of a teenager in High School. This book is great for kids ages 12 and up and I cannot wait for the sequels to come!
Elise Stokes ranks up there with other YA masterminds! This is a definite must -read book!
-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club
This book was amazing! It flawlessly blends action, mystery, and romance. Although Cassidy Jones has many unusual problems, her story perfectly captures the troubles of high school and the life of a teenage girl. The characters are complex, immediately likeable, and they completely break the mold, like the news anchor dad who risks his life to help find the missing scientist. I also love that it’s a girl that gains superpowers and gets to do the bulk of the fighting. This was also the first book in a while that I haven’t been able to resist reading in class, and I finished it in less than a day. I cannot wait for the next book. Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula has definitely earned a place on my “favorite books” shelf.
I really loved this book. It was quick, fun and full of adventure. It's the most fun a book can be without witches, vampires, werewolves or wizards.
The characters in this story are great, they are full of life. The author seems to understand the psyche of the young teenage mind. The interactions between the siblings and the friends are priceless.
I think this is a great book for Middle School kids. They will get a kick out of Cassidy and her newfound "superpowers". I enjoyed seeing the bully of the school brought down (although this was not done by Cassidy...read the book kids)
This is the first in the Cassidy Jones Adventures. Book two is Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would! The characters were very believable. It's always been a secret wish of mine to be a Super Hero (or at least bionic); so it was fun to see the pros and cons of Cassidy being transformed into a Super Hero -- especially when she was already trying to be invisible at school! There was one character who was left hanging (Jared) -- hopefully that will be resolved in a later book! I loved the character Emery; he seems so awkward and amazing at the same time! And it seems like a new facet of his personality was constantly being introduced. By the end of the book, there really wasn't any stereotype to fit him in! I cannot wait for the next book to come out... hopefully soon!
My kids both read Cassidy jones and the Secret Formula and loved it, so I decided to have a look for myself. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to others. Stokes is an awesome storyteller with great insight into the teenage mind. The character of Cassidy Jones was engaging and relatable. I look forward to the next book!
Cassidy Jones and the Secret formula is fantastic!! It is the purfect combination of action and romance. Cassidy's powers are so cool, I totally wish that I had them! It is totally relateable for teens!! I would absolutely recomend this book to anyone!!!
This book is amazing! I love the characters stories and personality! Cassidy is really funny and not whiny. Emery is so cool and handsome and King is the most awesome bad guy.He puts the Color in fashion. I’m addicted to the story.