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Daynight #1.5
Clean Slate Complex
(Note: this is a parallel story to daynight that can be read before or after daynight. Timing is after daynight occurs.)
Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Worldwide non-profit and do-gooder organization. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life(TM). Reality: hidden behind every kind act is a dark agenda designed to gain control and force societal and moral extremes. Currently, the SCI’s pushing Project Liberate, a program to woo the poor and downtrodden into their Clean Slate Complexes—where “everything is provided” from jobs to food, shelter, clothing, and education. Unfortunately, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there’s a catch…
Meet Alexa Knight. Feisty, tough and currently homeless in Los Angeles, Alexa agrees to help the SCI in return for medical care for her sick mother. When she starts to suspect there’s more to the SCI than meets the eye will she believe Adam—the boy who saved her life and the SCI’s biggest champion, or Joshua—the attractive enigma who sings about conspiracy theories and pretends to be someone he’s not?
Full of action, humor, romance, twists and turns, clean slate complex is a companion story to the highly-praised dystopian novel, 'daynight'. It can be enjoyed before or after reading 'daynight'.
Praise for 'daynight':
Book of the Year Award Finalist-Young Adult Fiction, ForeWord Reviews
"Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story" --Kirkus Reviews
"Gripping young adult dystopian novel; compelling conflicts; high stakes; powerful narrative; surprises keep coming; strong writing; page-turner; engaging characters; Readers will be hungry for the sequels."--BlueInk Review (starred review)
"Thomason's description of Thera's totalitarianism will make fans of Brave New World shiver... SCI, her fantasy corporation, has disturbing parallels to actual companies and regimes that claim to do good while harming people... The author deftly appeals to both romance-loving teens as well as those intrigued by young adults fighting the establishment."--ForeWord Clarion Review, 4 stars
Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Worldwide non-profit and do-gooder organization. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life(TM). Reality: hidden behind every kind act is a dark agenda designed to gain control and force societal and moral extremes. Currently, the SCI’s pushing Project Liberate, a program to woo the poor and downtrodden into their Clean Slate Complexes—where “everything is provided” from jobs to food, shelter, clothing, and education. Unfortunately, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there’s a catch…
Meet Alexa Knight. Feisty, tough and currently homeless in Los Angeles, Alexa agrees to help the SCI in return for medical care for her sick mother. When she starts to suspect there’s more to the SCI than meets the eye will she believe Adam—the boy who saved her life and the SCI’s biggest champion, or Joshua—the attractive enigma who sings about conspiracy theories and pretends to be someone he’s not?
Full of action, humor, romance, twists and turns, clean slate complex is a companion story to the highly-praised dystopian novel, 'daynight'. It can be enjoyed before or after reading 'daynight'.
Praise for 'daynight':
Book of the Year Award Finalist-Young Adult Fiction, ForeWord Reviews
"Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story" --Kirkus Reviews
"Gripping young adult dystopian novel; compelling conflicts; high stakes; powerful narrative; surprises keep coming; strong writing; page-turner; engaging characters; Readers will be hungry for the sequels."--BlueInk Review (starred review)
"Thomason's description of Thera's totalitarianism will make fans of Brave New World shiver... SCI, her fantasy corporation, has disturbing parallels to actual companies and regimes that claim to do good while harming people... The author deftly appeals to both romance-loving teens as well as those intrigued by young adults fighting the establishment."--ForeWord Clarion Review, 4 stars
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2013
About the author
Megan Thomason
7 books364 followersBestselling, award-winning author Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone--over 600 in the last year--or attending to the needs of her family. Megan's fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 8, 2013
I received an ebook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
So this is a short little novella that further solidifies just how crazy the SCI is. CLEAN SLATE COMPLEX is its own story that can be read before or after you've dived into the world of the Thera in the book DAYNIGHT. Personally, if it were me, I would read this after you've read DAYNIGHT. Why? We'll get into that in a minute! But if you're on the fence about reading DAYNIGHT, this is the perfect story to get you interested!
This story takes place on Earth when a Clean Slate Complex bus full of homeless people happen upon Alexa Knight, currently being attacked by a drug addict in a bad part of town. A boy named Adam steps in and offers to take her, her dying mother, and her three brothers over to the Clean Slate Complex, a refuge for those who need help getting off the streets. The Clean Slate Complex is part of the Second Chance Institute that prides itself in helping the homeless pick their lives back up by providing food, shelter, and clothing in exchange for working for the CSC and the SCI. They claim to have a high success rate of "reallocating" their tenants to permanent jobs throughout the world. After only spending a short time in the CSC, Alexa soon finds out that this complex, its founders, and the SCI are not all it cracks out to be--that something very sinister might be going on.
After reading DAYNIGHT first, I was thrilled to read about what the SCI was doing on Earth. This novella is completely different from what you read about in DAYNIGHT. So yes, you could read this beforehand. Now, let me tell you why I'm glad I read it after. One, this story takes place after the events took place in DAYNIGHT. Two, some characters from the book made a surprise cameo appearance in the novella. There's even one character, who is never named in the novella, that I'm almost certain I recognize from the book. If I'm right, I finally know what happened to him/her! This is so vague, I know. If you read my review , you know that we are left with a lot of unanswered questions. By never giving anything completely away, Thomason gives the readers clues to answers for some of them! I was pretty excited once I finally figured it out, to say the least. Three, you vaguely get some details as to what is going on back on Thera, after said events that took place in the book. Vaguely. Four, what's going on at the CSC makes complete sense after everything you find out that happens at the SCI in Thera.
So yes, you can get your first real taste of the SCI in this novella by reading it first. But if you've read DAYNIGHT first, this novella will send you on a short thrill ride that shortly satisfies your craving to learn more about this institute. Why do I say shortly? Because it ends too quickly! I'm now introduced to a bunch of new characters that I'm dying to learn more about. Megan has promised that these characters will show up in ARBITRATE, the sequel to DAYNIGHT. I couldn't be more excited. Alexa is a spunky character with a lot of quick wit, my perfect protagonist. Joshua seems like a heartthrob with funny, but chillingly accurate songs about the SCI. And Adam, bless his heart, is the poster child for mistakenly thinking that the world--and SCI--is perfect. Whether you read this novella now or later, make sure you do, nonetheless. I loved the story line, loved the characters, and can't wait to see what is in store for their future and the future of the SCI.
So this is a short little novella that further solidifies just how crazy the SCI is. CLEAN SLATE COMPLEX is its own story that can be read before or after you've dived into the world of the Thera in the book DAYNIGHT. Personally, if it were me, I would read this after you've read DAYNIGHT. Why? We'll get into that in a minute! But if you're on the fence about reading DAYNIGHT, this is the perfect story to get you interested!
This story takes place on Earth when a Clean Slate Complex bus full of homeless people happen upon Alexa Knight, currently being attacked by a drug addict in a bad part of town. A boy named Adam steps in and offers to take her, her dying mother, and her three brothers over to the Clean Slate Complex, a refuge for those who need help getting off the streets. The Clean Slate Complex is part of the Second Chance Institute that prides itself in helping the homeless pick their lives back up by providing food, shelter, and clothing in exchange for working for the CSC and the SCI. They claim to have a high success rate of "reallocating" their tenants to permanent jobs throughout the world. After only spending a short time in the CSC, Alexa soon finds out that this complex, its founders, and the SCI are not all it cracks out to be--that something very sinister might be going on.
After reading DAYNIGHT first, I was thrilled to read about what the SCI was doing on Earth. This novella is completely different from what you read about in DAYNIGHT. So yes, you could read this beforehand. Now, let me tell you why I'm glad I read it after. One, this story takes place after the events took place in DAYNIGHT. Two, some characters from the book made a surprise cameo appearance in the novella. There's even one character, who is never named in the novella, that I'm almost certain I recognize from the book. If I'm right, I finally know what happened to him/her! This is so vague, I know. If you read my review , you know that we are left with a lot of unanswered questions. By never giving anything completely away, Thomason gives the readers clues to answers for some of them! I was pretty excited once I finally figured it out, to say the least. Three, you vaguely get some details as to what is going on back on Thera, after said events that took place in the book. Vaguely. Four, what's going on at the CSC makes complete sense after everything you find out that happens at the SCI in Thera.
So yes, you can get your first real taste of the SCI in this novella by reading it first. But if you've read DAYNIGHT first, this novella will send you on a short thrill ride that shortly satisfies your craving to learn more about this institute. Why do I say shortly? Because it ends too quickly! I'm now introduced to a bunch of new characters that I'm dying to learn more about. Megan has promised that these characters will show up in ARBITRATE, the sequel to DAYNIGHT. I couldn't be more excited. Alexa is a spunky character with a lot of quick wit, my perfect protagonist. Joshua seems like a heartthrob with funny, but chillingly accurate songs about the SCI. And Adam, bless his heart, is the poster child for mistakenly thinking that the world--and SCI--is perfect. Whether you read this novella now or later, make sure you do, nonetheless. I loved the story line, loved the characters, and can't wait to see what is in store for their future and the future of the SCI.
June 11, 2013
*I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley*
I have to admit I came into this story lacking a lot of back knowledge. When I saw it on NetGalley I saw the #1 and thought it was the first book in the series but for whatever reason (I'll blame it on selective vision)failed to notice the .5 after it. Luckily when Thomason says this book can be read before or after the first book she means it, and once I discovered I was reading a filler book (and I mean that not as in it's filler content but that it fills in the time between book one and book two) I was still able to enjoy this novella for what it was. But, as your reading this review, please see it as a review of this as a stand alone novella, rather than a comment on the series as a whole (not having read the full length novel I don't feel qualified to comment).
The Clean Slate Complex is a compound founded, run, and funded by the "second chance institute" a not-for-profit group that literally goes around and picks people up off the street and offers them a second chance at life. All they have to be willing to do is help the group that gaveit to them. Not too much to ask, right? Well, when this bus of do-gooders picks up Alexa Knight and saves her from being raped by a drug addict she doesn't think so. Then Alexa and her family find themselves firmly implanted in the heart of of SCI and Alexa realizes she might have been better off in that alley when it's too late to go back.
Thomason shows a lot of promise in this novella and the world she creates in the SCI is both disturbingly alien and hauntingly familiar. Not only does Thomason manage to make a subtle comment about nps that claim to do good while looking out for their own interest she's able to weave in enough suspense that makes the SCI seem like a group that's going beyond just regular human greed and corruption and into the world of fantasy evil. Alexa is a charming heroine you can't help but root for and the villains are, very clearly, villains. If her novel is set up in the same way I believe Thomason has created a unique and intriguing series. She's certainly set up a good premise.
While I enjoyed the novella I found that the only character I really cared about was Alexa. The author tries to make us care about her family, (mother and older brothers) but the author doesn't bring them into the forefront and any threat on their lives left me emotionless. Even characters that were killed off during the novella didn't make much of an impact. This is very clearly Alexa's story, but without even trying to form emotional ties between the reader and the characters Alexa cares about left me feeling a little empty as the novel came to a close.
That being said, Thomason's done a good job and I think the Daynight series is worth giving a try.
I have to admit I came into this story lacking a lot of back knowledge. When I saw it on NetGalley I saw the #1 and thought it was the first book in the series but for whatever reason (I'll blame it on selective vision)failed to notice the .5 after it. Luckily when Thomason says this book can be read before or after the first book she means it, and once I discovered I was reading a filler book (and I mean that not as in it's filler content but that it fills in the time between book one and book two) I was still able to enjoy this novella for what it was. But, as your reading this review, please see it as a review of this as a stand alone novella, rather than a comment on the series as a whole (not having read the full length novel I don't feel qualified to comment).
The Clean Slate Complex is a compound founded, run, and funded by the "second chance institute" a not-for-profit group that literally goes around and picks people up off the street and offers them a second chance at life. All they have to be willing to do is help the group that gaveit to them. Not too much to ask, right? Well, when this bus of do-gooders picks up Alexa Knight and saves her from being raped by a drug addict she doesn't think so. Then Alexa and her family find themselves firmly implanted in the heart of of SCI and Alexa realizes she might have been better off in that alley when it's too late to go back.
Thomason shows a lot of promise in this novella and the world she creates in the SCI is both disturbingly alien and hauntingly familiar. Not only does Thomason manage to make a subtle comment about nps that claim to do good while looking out for their own interest she's able to weave in enough suspense that makes the SCI seem like a group that's going beyond just regular human greed and corruption and into the world of fantasy evil. Alexa is a charming heroine you can't help but root for and the villains are, very clearly, villains. If her novel is set up in the same way I believe Thomason has created a unique and intriguing series. She's certainly set up a good premise.
While I enjoyed the novella I found that the only character I really cared about was Alexa. The author tries to make us care about her family, (mother and older brothers) but the author doesn't bring them into the forefront and any threat on their lives left me emotionless. Even characters that were killed off during the novella didn't make much of an impact. This is very clearly Alexa's story, but without even trying to form emotional ties between the reader and the characters Alexa cares about left me feeling a little empty as the novel came to a close.
That being said, Thomason's done a good job and I think the Daynight series is worth giving a try.
April 23, 2013
Okay, since this was a pretty short read, I'm going to be much briefer than with my daynight review and not give it an actual rating. Just my thoughts.
I read "clean slate complex" when I was about a 10th of the way through with daynight, and I feel like I was still able to understand things pretty well. Yeah, some things would have been easier to grasp if I knew everything already, but it didn't kill me. In a perfect world, if you plan on reading both (and you should because they're fantastic), I'd suggest reading the full length novel first, but if you just want to try out the series with the short story first, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Some things will be a little fuzzy, but you'll be fine.
Character-wise, I thought the book was great. Alexa reminded me a lot of Kira with the whole over-protectiveness and self sacrificing thing they've got going on, even if I felt like Alexa was initially better equipped to deal with everything. Adam and Joshua were both pretty cool too, even though I do have a favorite. Sorry Adam, being Alexa's cookie pimp (which I thought was hilarious) just wasn't enough.
Overall, I was really surprised with how much character and plot development I read in the few pages there were. It's pretty hard to go that in depth in a short story, but someway, somehow, Megan managed to do it!
Taylor
For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.
I read "clean slate complex" when I was about a 10th of the way through with daynight, and I feel like I was still able to understand things pretty well. Yeah, some things would have been easier to grasp if I knew everything already, but it didn't kill me. In a perfect world, if you plan on reading both (and you should because they're fantastic), I'd suggest reading the full length novel first, but if you just want to try out the series with the short story first, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Some things will be a little fuzzy, but you'll be fine.
Character-wise, I thought the book was great. Alexa reminded me a lot of Kira with the whole over-protectiveness and self sacrificing thing they've got going on, even if I felt like Alexa was initially better equipped to deal with everything. Adam and Joshua were both pretty cool too, even though I do have a favorite. Sorry Adam, being Alexa's cookie pimp (which I thought was hilarious) just wasn't enough.
Overall, I was really surprised with how much character and plot development I read in the few pages there were. It's pretty hard to go that in depth in a short story, but someway, somehow, Megan managed to do it!
Taylor
For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.
May 10, 2013
arbitrate is a novella that follows the young, homeless Alexa into the clutches of the Clean Slate organization. The group is affiliated with the Second Chance Institute that is the centerpiece of the novel daynight. If you haven't read daynight you should! But to sum up, the SCI is a mostly evil organization (with good intentions? Maybe) that gives people who die a "second chance at life." It's a dystopian type setting. This short installment is a look at the way the organization operates from the perspective of a new character (one that I hope figures into the second full novel in the series).
I felt like I knew Alexa immediately, and was rooting for her from the outset. As well, I appreciated the love triangle she gets into with Adam and Joshua, which was never overbearing or obnoxious. Megan is great at conveying characters concisely and quickly through dialogue and attitudes. This makes the story flow fast but not too fast. I never thought any point or moment was belabored or overdone. Only occasionally did I find myself wishing for more elaboration, but that might have been during moments when more was held back for the sake of establishing a mystery that would be revealed later in the story.
All in all, a great read that I would like to see more of, like, maybe in the next book? Here's hoping!
I was given a copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
I felt like I knew Alexa immediately, and was rooting for her from the outset. As well, I appreciated the love triangle she gets into with Adam and Joshua, which was never overbearing or obnoxious. Megan is great at conveying characters concisely and quickly through dialogue and attitudes. This makes the story flow fast but not too fast. I never thought any point or moment was belabored or overdone. Only occasionally did I find myself wishing for more elaboration, but that might have been during moments when more was held back for the sake of establishing a mystery that would be revealed later in the story.
All in all, a great read that I would like to see more of, like, maybe in the next book? Here's hoping!
I was given a copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. Thanks!
May 4, 2013
Review cross posted on my blog
I really enjoyed reading this novella! Upon meeting our main character Alexa, she is living in a cramped bus with her brothers and her sick mother. Upon trying to get help for her mother she is attacked, but then rescued by a boy named Adam. Adam is a part of the SCI (Second Chance Institute). He offers aid and assistance to Alexa and her family, if she helps their campaign. I don’t think Alexa likes being exploited as homeless and poor to the upperclass society, but she knows she must get help for her mother.
The SCI offers second chances to those who are in desperate need of food, shelter, and clothing. However, not everything is as it seems. Alexa meets Joshua at the campaign and views him as not all there. Interestingly enough, she meets him again at SCI headquarters and he is definitely not who he seemed. He is very reticent about disclosing information to Alexa, as he claims it is not safe to speak freely.
There is a bit of a love triangle here, as both Adam and Joshua have expressed interest in Alexa. We get a pretty big plot twist and Alexa learns SCI is not at all what it claims to be, and Joshua’s allegiance is wishy washy at best.
Alexa, Adam, and Joshua will all appear in Atribute, the second book in the Daynight series. I can’t wait!
I really enjoyed reading this novella! Upon meeting our main character Alexa, she is living in a cramped bus with her brothers and her sick mother. Upon trying to get help for her mother she is attacked, but then rescued by a boy named Adam. Adam is a part of the SCI (Second Chance Institute). He offers aid and assistance to Alexa and her family, if she helps their campaign. I don’t think Alexa likes being exploited as homeless and poor to the upperclass society, but she knows she must get help for her mother.
The SCI offers second chances to those who are in desperate need of food, shelter, and clothing. However, not everything is as it seems. Alexa meets Joshua at the campaign and views him as not all there. Interestingly enough, she meets him again at SCI headquarters and he is definitely not who he seemed. He is very reticent about disclosing information to Alexa, as he claims it is not safe to speak freely.
There is a bit of a love triangle here, as both Adam and Joshua have expressed interest in Alexa. We get a pretty big plot twist and Alexa learns SCI is not at all what it claims to be, and Joshua’s allegiance is wishy washy at best.
Alexa, Adam, and Joshua will all appear in Atribute, the second book in the Daynight series. I can’t wait!
April 29, 2013
I actually read this book first and I wish I had waited. There are new characters introduced but some of the characters in "daynight" play a small role and I didn't understand at the time how they related to the overall story. When I finished "daynight," I went back and reread the parts where they appeared in "clean slate complex" so I could try to figure out what was currently going on with them.
As in "daynight," Alexa is forced to do things to protect her loved ones. She becomes the poster child for the SCI to show everyone how wonderful they are. I like her and am looking forward to read how she fits in with the rest of the "daynight" characters and what happens with the two guys she's involved with, Adam and Joshua. If you enjoy "daynight," you definitely need to read this one!
Mel's Shelves
As in "daynight," Alexa is forced to do things to protect her loved ones. She becomes the poster child for the SCI to show everyone how wonderful they are. I like her and am looking forward to read how she fits in with the rest of the "daynight" characters and what happens with the two guys she's involved with, Adam and Joshua. If you enjoy "daynight," you definitely need to read this one!
Mel's Shelves
May 24, 2013
I am so thrilled to have been Megan's editor on this novella!
Regardless of whether you have read Daynight, you can read and enjoy Clean Slate Complex. It works as a stand alone or as a supplement to Daynight, the official first in Megan's exciting series.
Readers will be given an up close and personal look into the SCI's inner workings.
It's a scary and compelling read with a kick ass main character. I was extremely impressed by the amount of story contained in this novella.
Readers will finish feeling like they've just read a full length novel!
Clean Slate Complex will have you excited to delve further into the Daynight world!
Regardless of whether you have read Daynight, you can read and enjoy Clean Slate Complex. It works as a stand alone or as a supplement to Daynight, the official first in Megan's exciting series.
Readers will be given an up close and personal look into the SCI's inner workings.
It's a scary and compelling read with a kick ass main character. I was extremely impressed by the amount of story contained in this novella.
Readers will finish feeling like they've just read a full length novel!
Clean Slate Complex will have you excited to delve further into the Daynight world!
April 27, 2013
This is a parallel story to the daynight story. This book takes a whole new and different look at the SCI and more sinister plots are revealed.
Megan Thomason is wonderful at creating a compelling story that leaves you wondering what could possibly happen next. I read "daynight" and thought I had a handle on the SCI and their role in society, but that was on Thera.
This book concentrates on what the SCI are doing on Earth. Their web is vast and intricate. They come across as a benign entity but their reach is far and corrupt.
Another great work form Megan Thomason.
Megan Thomason is wonderful at creating a compelling story that leaves you wondering what could possibly happen next. I read "daynight" and thought I had a handle on the SCI and their role in society, but that was on Thera.
This book concentrates on what the SCI are doing on Earth. Their web is vast and intricate. They come across as a benign entity but their reach is far and corrupt.
Another great work form Megan Thomason.
January 4, 2016
I stumbled across and read this novella before I had even seen the first book of the series Daynight.
Even though it came out after Daynight, I found Clean Slate Complex was enough of a stand alone short that hooks the reader in straightaway.
The character development was superb, and if Megan Thomason manages to do that so well in 50 pages, I can't wait to pick up a copy of Daynight, dig into it and see what she serves up.
Even though it came out after Daynight, I found Clean Slate Complex was enough of a stand alone short that hooks the reader in straightaway.
The character development was superb, and if Megan Thomason manages to do that so well in 50 pages, I can't wait to pick up a copy of Daynight, dig into it and see what she serves up.
June 21, 2015
In my review of daynight, I wrote that Thera terrifies me. Clean Slate Complex made that fear even worse.
Kira signs up for the Second Chance Institute. Alexa is thrown into it and she quickly experiences the evil and manipulation of Thera.
I hope to see Alexa, Joshua, and Adam in Arbitrate!
I recommend that you read this after daynight.
Kira signs up for the Second Chance Institute. Alexa is thrown into it and she quickly experiences the evil and manipulation of Thera.
I hope to see Alexa, Joshua, and Adam in Arbitrate!
I recommend that you read this after daynight.
May 14, 2013
I've already read daynight and loved it and Clean Slate Complex just added to the discovery of Thera. It definitely gave me a better understanding of just what exactly is going on behind the scenes on Earth for this second chance society. It was also another view of some of the characters from daynight and some new characters that I hope to see more of in book 2 of daynight when it comes out!
March 8, 2020
I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Stars
So the reason I had this book was because I had reviewed book 1, I didn’t actually like it that much. Fast forward to now 7 years later (oops), I can’t remember reading book 1 to save my life, and now I wish I hadn’t wasted time reading this one.
This story was all over the place. Nothing really made sense and it didn’t explain anything that was happening. Maybe if you read it right after book 1 (which I did not) it would make more sense? I don’t know.
I also didn’t really connect with any of these characters and I didn’t care what happened to them.
2.5 Stars
So the reason I had this book was because I had reviewed book 1, I didn’t actually like it that much. Fast forward to now 7 years later (oops), I can’t remember reading book 1 to save my life, and now I wish I hadn’t wasted time reading this one.
This story was all over the place. Nothing really made sense and it didn’t explain anything that was happening. Maybe if you read it right after book 1 (which I did not) it would make more sense? I don’t know.
I also didn’t really connect with any of these characters and I didn’t care what happened to them.
January 14, 2018
Lusting for more...
This book grabbed me immediately and kept me turning the pages until the very end. It is as exhilarating as it is surprising in the end leave you hanging. I'm definitely getting her other books .
This book grabbed me immediately and kept me turning the pages until the very end. It is as exhilarating as it is surprising in the end leave you hanging. I'm definitely getting her other books .
September 7, 2018
Very fresh idea, super quick read with engaging characters.
February 6, 2017
(Book received for free for review.)
Before I start reading a book, I take my time looking at the cover, reading the copyright pages, the dedication, all the pre-story pages. In doing so, I noticed something odd about this book: There was no publisher listed. Even when a book is self-published, there's usually a line on the copyright page mentioning who did the printing. Nothing at all in this book.
Going back to the original offer, I found no publisher listed in it, either. Perhaps the author made it available herself?
So, assuming it was self-published, I wasn't expecting much at all. Frowning, I read the first page... and found I liked the writing style. Simple but clean, and the story caught my interest right away.
My first impression held through the whole book. I really, really enjoyed it. (Self-published book #3 that I enjoyed!)
I did find an interesting clue in those pre-story pages. The author's warning that the characters weren't based on RL people sounded just like it was taken out of a fanfic header. And in the last couple pages post-story, where she was thanking people? She listed about a dozen alpha and beta readers! Now THAT is how you self-publish! :D (I found not a single typo or grammar issue in the whole book, which impressed me. Though with so many alpha and beta readers, I'd be surprised if any had slipped through.)
But, the important part. The story! I enjoyed almost all of it. It started with a homeless family, mother and three children living in their van. Modern day American city by my guess. In their darkest period, they're picked up by someone from the Second Chance Institute (SCI), a worldwide non-profit organization with the motto "Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life". They take in the poor and homeless, giving them training, education, etc. The family is taken to a center, given medical care, food, and a place to live.
But something is going on behind the scenes. Something involving other planets? We're given clues by one of the characters -- but are they really clues? Or is it misleading tidbits of information?
Unfortunately we never find out. Turns out this story was a companion book to the original book, meant to flesh some things out and explain other things. Without having read the first book, I can only guess as to what was really going on behind the scenes at SCI. (What I could guess, I really really liked and wanted to know more about.)
Also, this book ended on a cliffhanger -- no attempt at all was made to bring the story to any sort of a conclusion. That made me grumpy.
My only other minor quibble: The main character was a teenage girl, and boy am I tired of reading stories told from their POVs. Snarky, smart-mouthed, sarcastic, confident to a fault -- every teenage girl from a YA book always seems the same. At least this one was the least annoying of all the ones I've read recently.
As much as I enjoyed this story, I'm hesitating at buying the first book. Based on the Amazon summary, it sounds like there will be a teenage love-triangle, and that would be a real turn-off for me. However, I think the strength of the writing and my own curiosity about the plot will push me over the edge and I'll end up getting it.
Before I start reading a book, I take my time looking at the cover, reading the copyright pages, the dedication, all the pre-story pages. In doing so, I noticed something odd about this book: There was no publisher listed. Even when a book is self-published, there's usually a line on the copyright page mentioning who did the printing. Nothing at all in this book.
Going back to the original offer, I found no publisher listed in it, either. Perhaps the author made it available herself?
So, assuming it was self-published, I wasn't expecting much at all. Frowning, I read the first page... and found I liked the writing style. Simple but clean, and the story caught my interest right away.
My first impression held through the whole book. I really, really enjoyed it. (Self-published book #3 that I enjoyed!)
I did find an interesting clue in those pre-story pages. The author's warning that the characters weren't based on RL people sounded just like it was taken out of a fanfic header. And in the last couple pages post-story, where she was thanking people? She listed about a dozen alpha and beta readers! Now THAT is how you self-publish! :D (I found not a single typo or grammar issue in the whole book, which impressed me. Though with so many alpha and beta readers, I'd be surprised if any had slipped through.)
But, the important part. The story! I enjoyed almost all of it. It started with a homeless family, mother and three children living in their van. Modern day American city by my guess. In their darkest period, they're picked up by someone from the Second Chance Institute (SCI), a worldwide non-profit organization with the motto "Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Life". They take in the poor and homeless, giving them training, education, etc. The family is taken to a center, given medical care, food, and a place to live.
But something is going on behind the scenes. Something involving other planets? We're given clues by one of the characters -- but are they really clues? Or is it misleading tidbits of information?
Unfortunately we never find out. Turns out this story was a companion book to the original book, meant to flesh some things out and explain other things. Without having read the first book, I can only guess as to what was really going on behind the scenes at SCI. (What I could guess, I really really liked and wanted to know more about.)
Also, this book ended on a cliffhanger -- no attempt at all was made to bring the story to any sort of a conclusion. That made me grumpy.
My only other minor quibble: The main character was a teenage girl, and boy am I tired of reading stories told from their POVs. Snarky, smart-mouthed, sarcastic, confident to a fault -- every teenage girl from a YA book always seems the same. At least this one was the least annoying of all the ones I've read recently.
As much as I enjoyed this story, I'm hesitating at buying the first book. Based on the Amazon summary, it sounds like there will be a teenage love-triangle, and that would be a real turn-off for me. However, I think the strength of the writing and my own curiosity about the plot will push me over the edge and I'll end up getting it.
October 30, 2013
MY REVIEW
I purchased this novella from Amazon.co.uk. The cover shows a bus parked in front of an apartment building. The bus and the building are kind of gleaming white suggesting cleanliness and perhaps purity. They both belong to the Second Chance Institute (SCI) who run the Clean Slate Complex. I like the cover as , all becomes clear about the cover when you read the novella.
So Alexa is a homeless young girl who is caring for her sick mother whilst living in a van with her three larger older brothers. It becomes apparent that Alexa's mum needs medical attention, but on the way to the SCI clinic or nearest hospital the van breaks down. It also happens to break down in a rather rough rundown area. Alexa's brothers go to phone for help leaving Alea with their mum. Unfortunately a run down man (probably a junkie) attacks Alexa. Alexa does fight back as best she can as her brothers have taught her to. Sadly it appears that her life may truly be in danger as the junkie is getting the upper hand in the fight. Then a vehicle pulls up and comes to Alexa's rescue. The vehicle is a bus that belongs to the Second Chance Institute. Also around the same time as the bus stops Alexa's three brothers arrive back panicking about what is happening.
Alexa, and her brothers are taken to the Clean Slate Complexes, whilst their mother is immediately taken to the medical centre/clinic within the complex too. The complex is so full that Alexa is given a room in the private quarters of the couple who run the complex. It's where Alexa meets Joshua, who gives some quite confusing signals as is he may be against the institute his parents are the heads of. The whole ethics of the place seem somewhat too good to be true, I mean no one does such things for nothing do they? That is a question Alexa finds herself asking more and more as times goes on during her stay at the Complex. Who can Alexa speak about her fears to? Who can she trust? Is it safe to speak out? What's with the strange Reallocation ceremony, where do the reallocated go?
This is a well written, brilliantly cryptic novella. There always seems to be something going on. The novella has drama, suspense, danger, adventure, betrayal, conspriracy and a little romance and friendship thrown in.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, it's quite a decent length novella. I liked Alexa's feisty character and the fact she didn't just take things at face value, she questioned incidents around her. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, it was a good read even if you don't go on to read the rest of the series. Would I read more in this series? I'd definitely like to read more in the series. Would I read other books by Megan Thomason? I liked the style and pace of the writing so I guess I'd take a look at other books by the Author yes.
I purchased this novella from Amazon.co.uk. The cover shows a bus parked in front of an apartment building. The bus and the building are kind of gleaming white suggesting cleanliness and perhaps purity. They both belong to the Second Chance Institute (SCI) who run the Clean Slate Complex. I like the cover as , all becomes clear about the cover when you read the novella.
So Alexa is a homeless young girl who is caring for her sick mother whilst living in a van with her three larger older brothers. It becomes apparent that Alexa's mum needs medical attention, but on the way to the SCI clinic or nearest hospital the van breaks down. It also happens to break down in a rather rough rundown area. Alexa's brothers go to phone for help leaving Alea with their mum. Unfortunately a run down man (probably a junkie) attacks Alexa. Alexa does fight back as best she can as her brothers have taught her to. Sadly it appears that her life may truly be in danger as the junkie is getting the upper hand in the fight. Then a vehicle pulls up and comes to Alexa's rescue. The vehicle is a bus that belongs to the Second Chance Institute. Also around the same time as the bus stops Alexa's three brothers arrive back panicking about what is happening.
Alexa, and her brothers are taken to the Clean Slate Complexes, whilst their mother is immediately taken to the medical centre/clinic within the complex too. The complex is so full that Alexa is given a room in the private quarters of the couple who run the complex. It's where Alexa meets Joshua, who gives some quite confusing signals as is he may be against the institute his parents are the heads of. The whole ethics of the place seem somewhat too good to be true, I mean no one does such things for nothing do they? That is a question Alexa finds herself asking more and more as times goes on during her stay at the Complex. Who can Alexa speak about her fears to? Who can she trust? Is it safe to speak out? What's with the strange Reallocation ceremony, where do the reallocated go?
This is a well written, brilliantly cryptic novella. There always seems to be something going on. The novella has drama, suspense, danger, adventure, betrayal, conspriracy and a little romance and friendship thrown in.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, it's quite a decent length novella. I liked Alexa's feisty character and the fact she didn't just take things at face value, she questioned incidents around her. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, it was a good read even if you don't go on to read the rest of the series. Would I read more in this series? I'd definitely like to read more in the series. Would I read other books by Megan Thomason? I liked the style and pace of the writing so I guess I'd take a look at other books by the Author yes.
May 29, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Megan Thomason, Patchwork Press, and Netgalley.)
This is a novella, which comes before book 1 ‘Daynight’, in the Daynight series.
Alexa has been living in a van with her mother and three brothers for the past 3 years, after her father ran out on them, and they couldn’t afford to pay their rent anymore.
Now Alexa’s mother is seriously ill, their van has broken down, and they don’t even have a working phone to call for help.
When Adam comes along with his bus and his offer of health-care, food, and shelter at the ‘Clean Slate Complex’, Alexa is suspicious, but with her mother so ill they have little choice but to accept his help.
What exactly is the Clean Slate Complex though? How do they help so many people? And is it really too good to be true?
This novella is the start to the Daynight series, and introduces us to Alexa, Adam, and Joshua. I haven’t read ‘Daynight’ yet, so I’ve no idea if these characters will pop up in that too, but from the blurb they don’t sound like main characters, although that awaits to be seen.
I really liked Alexa, I liked how she stood up for what she felt was right, no matter what trouble it got her in, and I liked how loving and protective she was of her mother.
I liked both Adam and Josh, although I was wary of both of them, but for different reasons. Adam seemed a little naïve, and came across as almost brainwashed by the people of the Clean Slate Complex, whilst Josh being related to the people running the CSC, made me wonder if Alexa should really trust him.
I liked the storyline, and I too was very wary of what exactly this organisations true intentions were, and what happened to these people once they were picked up by the ‘Second Chance Institute’. I liked the mystery surrounding them, and Alexa’s fight to try and work out what was really going on.
I liked the little touch of romance in this book, even if there was a hint of a love triangle, although the romance wasn’t the focal point of the story, and it will be interesting to see if this couple continue to be a couple in the next book.
There were quite a lot of cryptic conversations in this book, and lots of hints towards a bigger story. The book did leave loads of open questions, which was to be expected with this being a prequel novella, but I did like how the story was built up, and I’m interested to see how things will develop in the next book in the series.
Overall; an interesting start to the story.
6.75 out of 10.
This is a novella, which comes before book 1 ‘Daynight’, in the Daynight series.
Alexa has been living in a van with her mother and three brothers for the past 3 years, after her father ran out on them, and they couldn’t afford to pay their rent anymore.
Now Alexa’s mother is seriously ill, their van has broken down, and they don’t even have a working phone to call for help.
When Adam comes along with his bus and his offer of health-care, food, and shelter at the ‘Clean Slate Complex’, Alexa is suspicious, but with her mother so ill they have little choice but to accept his help.
What exactly is the Clean Slate Complex though? How do they help so many people? And is it really too good to be true?
This novella is the start to the Daynight series, and introduces us to Alexa, Adam, and Joshua. I haven’t read ‘Daynight’ yet, so I’ve no idea if these characters will pop up in that too, but from the blurb they don’t sound like main characters, although that awaits to be seen.
I really liked Alexa, I liked how she stood up for what she felt was right, no matter what trouble it got her in, and I liked how loving and protective she was of her mother.
I liked both Adam and Josh, although I was wary of both of them, but for different reasons. Adam seemed a little naïve, and came across as almost brainwashed by the people of the Clean Slate Complex, whilst Josh being related to the people running the CSC, made me wonder if Alexa should really trust him.
I liked the storyline, and I too was very wary of what exactly this organisations true intentions were, and what happened to these people once they were picked up by the ‘Second Chance Institute’. I liked the mystery surrounding them, and Alexa’s fight to try and work out what was really going on.
I liked the little touch of romance in this book, even if there was a hint of a love triangle, although the romance wasn’t the focal point of the story, and it will be interesting to see if this couple continue to be a couple in the next book.
There were quite a lot of cryptic conversations in this book, and lots of hints towards a bigger story. The book did leave loads of open questions, which was to be expected with this being a prequel novella, but I did like how the story was built up, and I’m interested to see how things will develop in the next book in the series.
Overall; an interesting start to the story.
6.75 out of 10.
May 22, 2014
This free story is meant as a companion to daynight, the first book in a YA dystopian series.
In daynight, we learned that there is a parallel planet named Thera with an indigenous Theran population and a large contingent of "Second Chancers". These are folks who have died on Earth, but are reincarnated to live a second life on Thera. The process normally strips people of their memories prior to transition, but not always....Therans and Earthlings who have high levels of a substance called DNT in their blood can transition between Earth and Thera by means of portals. These folks are called "daynighters" and are valuable couriers.
This companion story takes place on Earth. Alexa is a 16 y/o black homeless girl. She and her three brothers and ailing mother live in their van. They have been receiving free medical treatment from a clinic run by the Clean Slate Complex. One night their van breaks down in the ghettos around LA. Alexa is attacked while her brothers rush out for medical aid for their mother.
Just as Alexa is saving herself from the attacker, a busload of people arrive--people from the CSC. They want to help, says Adam, a leader of the night watch. Having nowhere left to turn, Alexa's family joins the Clean Slate Complex--as volunteers--working in the facilities while their mother succumbs to a coma in the medical facility.
Alexa's "hero" Adam is a champion of the facility, but Alexa is loathe to accept the no-strings help. Especially when it seems the best way for her to help is to shill for donations to fund CSC operations. She is proud, and hates being waved about as a poster child for the homeless. Having no room left in the dormitory for a young girl, Alexa is housed in the penthouse apartment of the Black family, wealthy founders of the CSC with their daughter and son. Joshua Black is an enigmatic character. He pretend to be homeless and infiltrates the behind-the-scenes business of CSC.
In short, it's a nightmare. Just as Alexa begins to feel comfortable in CSC, Joshua reveals the sinister nature behind CSC's operation. See, the Blacks, they're Theran daynighters. And Alexa is about to join their ranks--willing or not.
There is a hint of romance developed between Josh and Alexa. The story is a quick read with tension that leaps off the page. Alexa is strong, smart and proud. She's horrified by what she learns through Josh, and Josh is as fun a turncoat as one will ever find.
In daynight, we learned that there is a parallel planet named Thera with an indigenous Theran population and a large contingent of "Second Chancers". These are folks who have died on Earth, but are reincarnated to live a second life on Thera. The process normally strips people of their memories prior to transition, but not always....Therans and Earthlings who have high levels of a substance called DNT in their blood can transition between Earth and Thera by means of portals. These folks are called "daynighters" and are valuable couriers.
This companion story takes place on Earth. Alexa is a 16 y/o black homeless girl. She and her three brothers and ailing mother live in their van. They have been receiving free medical treatment from a clinic run by the Clean Slate Complex. One night their van breaks down in the ghettos around LA. Alexa is attacked while her brothers rush out for medical aid for their mother.
Just as Alexa is saving herself from the attacker, a busload of people arrive--people from the CSC. They want to help, says Adam, a leader of the night watch. Having nowhere left to turn, Alexa's family joins the Clean Slate Complex--as volunteers--working in the facilities while their mother succumbs to a coma in the medical facility.
Alexa's "hero" Adam is a champion of the facility, but Alexa is loathe to accept the no-strings help. Especially when it seems the best way for her to help is to shill for donations to fund CSC operations. She is proud, and hates being waved about as a poster child for the homeless. Having no room left in the dormitory for a young girl, Alexa is housed in the penthouse apartment of the Black family, wealthy founders of the CSC with their daughter and son. Joshua Black is an enigmatic character. He pretend to be homeless and infiltrates the behind-the-scenes business of CSC.
In short, it's a nightmare. Just as Alexa begins to feel comfortable in CSC, Joshua reveals the sinister nature behind CSC's operation. See, the Blacks, they're Theran daynighters. And Alexa is about to join their ranks--willing or not.
There is a hint of romance developed between Josh and Alexa. The story is a quick read with tension that leaps off the page. Alexa is strong, smart and proud. She's horrified by what she learns through Josh, and Josh is as fun a turncoat as one will ever find.
June 13, 2014
Clean Slate Complex by Megan Thomason is a short-story that bridges the time between books one and two of the daynight series and tells the story of Alexa Knight. Alexa is a homeless teen in living in her run-down van with her mom and three older brothers. When her mom gets sick, Alexa's only hope for her to get better is the Second Chance Institute's Clean Slate Complex. The CSC provides food, jobs, clothing, and education to get the homeless back on their feet. Too good to be true? Absolutely!
I loved this story so much!! It gives insight into how the SCI is functioning on Earth and what they may be up to. Alexa is a fun character. She's feisty and outgoing and doesn't hesitate to speak her mind when needed. She builds a relationship with Adam, another CSC recruit who she met her first day there. Adam is described as perfect and he seems to have a blind eye when it comes to the CSC and SCI because of all they have supposedly done for him. Alexa doesn't buy into it. She second guesses what the SCI's real motives are to providing "everything." Joshua-Josh-JB (I just love the way introduces himself!) meets Alexa for the first time disguised as a homeless person, turns out he's actually the son of the people who run the CSC on Earth. Through catchy and often annoying tunes he tries to warn Alexa what the CSC is really there for.
The action of this story is nonstop and kept me turning the pages. At the end I wanted more!! So lucky for me book two was already out because I don't think I could have waited! The plot twists in this novella clear up some questions that I had in book one and really set the stage for the plot of book two. If you enjoy dystopians with a lot of action and suspense or you like a book that keeps you guessing, I highly suggest you check this one out! You will not be disappointed!
I loved this story so much!! It gives insight into how the SCI is functioning on Earth and what they may be up to. Alexa is a fun character. She's feisty and outgoing and doesn't hesitate to speak her mind when needed. She builds a relationship with Adam, another CSC recruit who she met her first day there. Adam is described as perfect and he seems to have a blind eye when it comes to the CSC and SCI because of all they have supposedly done for him. Alexa doesn't buy into it. She second guesses what the SCI's real motives are to providing "everything." Joshua-Josh-JB (I just love the way introduces himself!) meets Alexa for the first time disguised as a homeless person, turns out he's actually the son of the people who run the CSC on Earth. Through catchy and often annoying tunes he tries to warn Alexa what the CSC is really there for.
The action of this story is nonstop and kept me turning the pages. At the end I wanted more!! So lucky for me book two was already out because I don't think I could have waited! The plot twists in this novella clear up some questions that I had in book one and really set the stage for the plot of book two. If you enjoy dystopians with a lot of action and suspense or you like a book that keeps you guessing, I highly suggest you check this one out! You will not be disappointed!
May 28, 2013
Outside of a few grammatical errors and typos it was primarily a clean read. I had difficulty in the first few chapters connecting to the main character. Not because it was written in present tense (which for me is the most awkward of tenses) but because of the way it was written. All the calling people "psycho" or "dude" was grating my nerves.
The story picked up in the middle and by picked up I mean it literally sucked me in. However, at the 90% marker it lost me. I don't want to give too much away due to spoilers but it just droned on in certain parts. There was a "heated" kiss scene and I honestly was like "are you kidding me?" I felt NO connection for this scene and if the book didn't include it I honestly would have been happier. I just didn't root for two characters to get together. It was more like a "meh" for me.
Outside of that, it is an amazing idea. I felt it was completely original. There were a few things that threw me off and I didn't expect. I knew something was up and was like "OH MY GOD!" and then later you're like "WHAT THE F#$%?" I definitely was like "Holy Bejeezus Batman!" When Thomason changes it up and throws something out there she definitely throws you through a loop in a really good way. I think I would have connected better to the characters if it was a little longer and had more fleshing out of certain things and removal of certain aspects. I also didn't find it that believable that the character was that bad-assed. I know she lived out on the streets but she is overly capable. I couldn't buy it. I think if there was some training or something hinted then I would have bought it more.
However, it is definitely worth getting. I'm going to continue with the series.
Rating: B+
The story picked up in the middle and by picked up I mean it literally sucked me in. However, at the 90% marker it lost me. I don't want to give too much away due to spoilers but it just droned on in certain parts. There was a "heated" kiss scene and I honestly was like "are you kidding me?" I felt NO connection for this scene and if the book didn't include it I honestly would have been happier. I just didn't root for two characters to get together. It was more like a "meh" for me.
Outside of that, it is an amazing idea. I felt it was completely original. There were a few things that threw me off and I didn't expect. I knew something was up and was like "OH MY GOD!" and then later you're like "WHAT THE F#$%?" I definitely was like "Holy Bejeezus Batman!" When Thomason changes it up and throws something out there she definitely throws you through a loop in a really good way. I think I would have connected better to the characters if it was a little longer and had more fleshing out of certain things and removal of certain aspects. I also didn't find it that believable that the character was that bad-assed. I know she lived out on the streets but she is overly capable. I couldn't buy it. I think if there was some training or something hinted then I would have bought it more.
However, it is definitely worth getting. I'm going to continue with the series.
Rating: B+
October 14, 2013
Clean slate complex is a companion piece to the daynight series (which I haven’t read yet). It’s supposed to take place between the events of daynight and its sequel, arbitrate. It’s about a girl named Alexa Knight whose homeless family is taken in by the Second Chance Institute. At a glance, the SCI is a poverty-stricken family’s dream come true: food and shelter, clean clothes, showers, jobs, health care, education, and any electronic devices you may need to get your homework done. The conditions? Well, you’ll see. Alexa starts to ask questions but is afraid of pushing too far because the SCI is footing the bill for her sick mother’s hospital stay. Without giving too much away, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, the Second Chance Institute is much more terrifying than it initially seems.
This is worth reading if you don’t mind being led right to the brink of the action and then denied access to the rest of the show, so to speak. The pacing is excellent and the storyline is unbelievable in all the right ways. This is a dystopian world that I’d like to see more of; it’s a good combination of the recognizable and the how-the-hell-did-society-get-here. That’s the scariest type of dystopia, isn’t it? One where you could see yourself in, say, twenty years? And clean slate complex portrays that wonderfully. I didn’t feel terribly attached to the characters, but that might be because I only had seventy-one pages to get to know them.
All in all: If you’re more patient than I am and you’re fond of YA dystopia, you’ll probably like this. I enjoyed reading it but did not enjoy the fact that it ended so soon.
This is worth reading if you don’t mind being led right to the brink of the action and then denied access to the rest of the show, so to speak. The pacing is excellent and the storyline is unbelievable in all the right ways. This is a dystopian world that I’d like to see more of; it’s a good combination of the recognizable and the how-the-hell-did-society-get-here. That’s the scariest type of dystopia, isn’t it? One where you could see yourself in, say, twenty years? And clean slate complex portrays that wonderfully. I didn’t feel terribly attached to the characters, but that might be because I only had seventy-one pages to get to know them.
All in all: If you’re more patient than I am and you’re fond of YA dystopia, you’ll probably like this. I enjoyed reading it but did not enjoy the fact that it ended so soon.
May 8, 2014
A charity set up to help homeless people off the street and into a new life seems too good to be true and the rebels try to convince the latest girl saved to join their cause.
I just could not connect with this story from the start. Oh don't get me wrong, it isn't a horrible book, it isn't badly written or anything like that. It just wasn't my kind of thing.
Alexa and her family are living in a van when she is attacked by a potential rapist-and saved by people from a charity. Her mother is offered the medical help she needs if Alexa lets herself be used in fundraising attempts. She meets people who are big supporters of the charity and insist that they only want to help people, but others are part of a rebel network who want to expose the charity and show what they are really doing.
It was during all this stuff that my attention really wandered. The two opposing views of Adam and Joshua were going into love triangle territory which really bores me now in YA books and I tend to lose interest when it becomes all about hormones and less about the plot.
Not for me. However it won't stop me looking at other books by this author in genres that are more suited to me. Her storytelling and character development are fine and it is hardly her fault that I wasn't fully into this story! YA fans should probably enjoy this book.
I just could not connect with this story from the start. Oh don't get me wrong, it isn't a horrible book, it isn't badly written or anything like that. It just wasn't my kind of thing.
Alexa and her family are living in a van when she is attacked by a potential rapist-and saved by people from a charity. Her mother is offered the medical help she needs if Alexa lets herself be used in fundraising attempts. She meets people who are big supporters of the charity and insist that they only want to help people, but others are part of a rebel network who want to expose the charity and show what they are really doing.
It was during all this stuff that my attention really wandered. The two opposing views of Adam and Joshua were going into love triangle territory which really bores me now in YA books and I tend to lose interest when it becomes all about hormones and less about the plot.
Not for me. However it won't stop me looking at other books by this author in genres that are more suited to me. Her storytelling and character development are fine and it is hardly her fault that I wasn't fully into this story! YA fans should probably enjoy this book.
May 1, 2013
I did like this little novella... it was nice to have a little something linked to Daynight while waiting for Arbitrate to release. Plus, getting a little insight to the backstory of the 2nd Chance Institute was beneficial. I think the main character Alexis is intriguing and am looking forward to seeing her character developed more in the sequel (I hope) and how she ties in. I believe I read somewhere that the characters in the Clean Slate Complex appear in Arbitrate, and it seems like this Novella was a little bit of a setup to the added "core" of characters that come together to take down the 2nd Chance. Of course, I'm making a lot of assumptions....dangerous I know :)
Clean Slate was a great intro to Alexis' character and there is also a little bit of a mystery to Joshua – Ethan’s cousin who has a thing for Alexis. So both those characters should be a fascinating added storyline. Plus there were little clues to what Ethan and Jax have been dealing with since and during the time lines of Daylight (just enough to make you wonder what’s going on, but nothing given away). I'm really looking forward to see how all these characters link in with the previous book and (hopefully) its conclusion.
Can't wait!
Clean Slate was a great intro to Alexis' character and there is also a little bit of a mystery to Joshua – Ethan’s cousin who has a thing for Alexis. So both those characters should be a fascinating added storyline. Plus there were little clues to what Ethan and Jax have been dealing with since and during the time lines of Daylight (just enough to make you wonder what’s going on, but nothing given away). I'm really looking forward to see how all these characters link in with the previous book and (hopefully) its conclusion.
Can't wait!
May 15, 2013
clean slate complex: a daynight novella: This is a stand-alone story in the daynight universe and is currently a free offering during this tour! (follow the link to smashwords).
I actually read this novella first before reading "daynight" and would highly recommend doing it this way. It isn't that "clean slate complex" fills in information of "daynight," but that it's a great introduction to the world of The Second Chance Institute and an interesting facet of Second Chancers.
I was a bit confused at first at why the word dystopia has been bandied about for this book as well as "daynight" in descriptions and a few reviews I skimmed. I think I've become so accustomed to people misusing the term as a synonym for "post-apocalyptic earth" that I forgot its true definition. dystopia - (noun) an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. I don't want to say too much about the novella as it is a short, excellent story that I highly recommend. It's a short, 50 pages and really packs a punch. It revved me up to read "daynight."
I actually read this novella first before reading "daynight" and would highly recommend doing it this way. It isn't that "clean slate complex" fills in information of "daynight," but that it's a great introduction to the world of The Second Chance Institute and an interesting facet of Second Chancers.
I was a bit confused at first at why the word dystopia has been bandied about for this book as well as "daynight" in descriptions and a few reviews I skimmed. I think I've become so accustomed to people misusing the term as a synonym for "post-apocalyptic earth" that I forgot its true definition. dystopia - (noun) an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. I don't want to say too much about the novella as it is a short, excellent story that I highly recommend. It's a short, 50 pages and really packs a punch. It revved me up to read "daynight."
August 11, 2013
Clean Slate Complex is a short story set after the events in Daynight. Here we follow Alexa, a homeless girl who is "saved" by the Second Chance Institute. While they have provided for her basic needs, she learns that the cost to her and everyone else is extremely great. She befriends the son of the couple who runs the place and soon learns the horrifying truth of those who are "transferred out" of the institute.
I found the character of Alexa to be compelling. She reminds me a lot of Kira from Daynight... fierce, challenging, questioning everything. There is a little bit of romance (and maybe some love triangle), as well. The novella does a good job introducing Second Chance Institute while still leaving Thera to be a bit of a mystery (in case you didn't read Daynight).
Overall it is a fairly short story and I don't see much to dislike about it. It is a good followup to Daynight and probably will be a good introduction to the next novel, Arbitrate. I enjoyed reading this a lot and did it just a day. I think all Daynight readers should give this a read
See my reviews at http://www.michaelscifan.us
I found the character of Alexa to be compelling. She reminds me a lot of Kira from Daynight... fierce, challenging, questioning everything. There is a little bit of romance (and maybe some love triangle), as well. The novella does a good job introducing Second Chance Institute while still leaving Thera to be a bit of a mystery (in case you didn't read Daynight).
Overall it is a fairly short story and I don't see much to dislike about it. It is a good followup to Daynight and probably will be a good introduction to the next novel, Arbitrate. I enjoyed reading this a lot and did it just a day. I think all Daynight readers should give this a read
See my reviews at http://www.michaelscifan.us
July 31, 2013
I thought the Daynight series could be just another dystopian series in the vein of Hunger Games, Divergent , Legend, (all amazing books to be sure) but the world building here is different than the usual. More like the “utopia” of Delirium or Slated; something stinks behind the scenes.
SCI is a smarmy do gooder organization with a hidden agenda, (social commentary, anyone?) The public face of the Second Chance Institute sucks poor people off the street, educates them, cures their illnesses and the sends them out to work for the group, spreading the “good news.” Sounds great. Alexa gets caught up when she’s attacked by a drugged out street person. Her mom’s health is bad and she needs medical attention immediately. After living in the family van for the last three years, Alexa presents the perfect pretty face for the campaign for funds and more. Too bad she’s not interested.
I’m curious as to where this will go. Instead of putting me off a new series, I’m intrigued. (ARGH! just what I don’t need--more to keep up with!)
SCI is a smarmy do gooder organization with a hidden agenda, (social commentary, anyone?) The public face of the Second Chance Institute sucks poor people off the street, educates them, cures their illnesses and the sends them out to work for the group, spreading the “good news.” Sounds great. Alexa gets caught up when she’s attacked by a drugged out street person. Her mom’s health is bad and she needs medical attention immediately. After living in the family van for the last three years, Alexa presents the perfect pretty face for the campaign for funds and more. Too bad she’s not interested.
I’m curious as to where this will go. Instead of putting me off a new series, I’m intrigued. (ARGH! just what I don’t need--more to keep up with!)
October 17, 2013
A spin off of Daynight, Clean Slate Complex combines the lives from the first book with what we'll see in the next book, Arbitrate.
The Clean Slate Complex is actually a series of complexes, all a part of the SCI, which brings homeless and hungry people off the streets, gives them medical treatment, food, housing, jobs, but there's much more to the story.
We meet Alexa, a teenage girl living in a van with her mother and brothers, as she's being attacked by a druggy, and then rescued by a member of the SCI, a resident of the LA CSC, and given new hope. What she soon learns is that there's much more to the CSC than what they show, and her new friend and roommate Joshua Black, helps her learn the truth... and come up with a plan to take them down.
The stories combine into the last and next, as Joshua is actually Ethan's cousin, Ethan and Joshua's mothers are sisters, therefore the ones running the CSC are very closely related and entwined with those running the SCI.
CSC sets the stage for the upcoming Arbitrate and is just as amazing as Daynight!
The Clean Slate Complex is actually a series of complexes, all a part of the SCI, which brings homeless and hungry people off the streets, gives them medical treatment, food, housing, jobs, but there's much more to the story.
We meet Alexa, a teenage girl living in a van with her mother and brothers, as she's being attacked by a druggy, and then rescued by a member of the SCI, a resident of the LA CSC, and given new hope. What she soon learns is that there's much more to the CSC than what they show, and her new friend and roommate Joshua Black, helps her learn the truth... and come up with a plan to take them down.
The stories combine into the last and next, as Joshua is actually Ethan's cousin, Ethan and Joshua's mothers are sisters, therefore the ones running the CSC are very closely related and entwined with those running the SCI.
CSC sets the stage for the upcoming Arbitrate and is just as amazing as Daynight!
July 27, 2014
This is a novelette set in the same universe as Daynight. While it could be read without having read Daynight, I highly recommend that you read Daynight first and read this novelette before Arbitrate.
This novelette features Alexa, a homeless girl who is given a home by the Second Chance Institute. At first it looks like her luck has finally taken a shift for the better since she now has a home, food, and medical care for her mom. However, Alexa never feels she can fully trust the SCI, because in her experience, no one is THAT good. Her fears help her keep her head above the water as she is threatened into submission and makes friends and allies that will help her figure out what exactly SCI's plans are.
This novelette features Alexa, a homeless girl who is given a home by the Second Chance Institute. At first it looks like her luck has finally taken a shift for the better since she now has a home, food, and medical care for her mom. However, Alexa never feels she can fully trust the SCI, because in her experience, no one is THAT good. Her fears help her keep her head above the water as she is threatened into submission and makes friends and allies that will help her figure out what exactly SCI's plans are.
April 29, 2013
I actually enjoyed this novella more than the book daynight, I think. It really helped me link the whole story of the SCI in my head. In the book we get to enter the alternate world and in this novella we get to see how things are connected to the Earth and what is happening here. It was cool to be introduced to new characters. I really liked them.
We get a glimpse of the characters from daynight in this novella and it definitely perked my interest in the next book to see how everything fits back together and intertwines.
As with the other book, there is mild swearing and violence but not any cleaving talk which I really appreciated.
We get a glimpse of the characters from daynight in this novella and it definitely perked my interest in the next book to see how everything fits back together and intertwines.
As with the other book, there is mild swearing and violence but not any cleaving talk which I really appreciated.
July 24, 2013
At first I wasn't sure what this book was about. But then it looped back on itself and all the pieces, as much as you can gather in a short story, fell into place for me. I really enjoyed this book and will be watching this author for sure. Thank you for writing this short story and offering it for $0.00 because I will absolutely be purchasing your 'daynight' book and look forward to the next one coming out later this summer (2013)! Recommended for readers ages 13 and up due to a bit of kissing and some details not suited for under 13. I can't say as I won't post spoilers but it's a great read. Don't miss it! Fantasy, Sci Fi, somewhat dystopian in a twisted way.
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