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Shattered
What would you sacrifice to learn the truth? When a deadly act of self defense brings college student Alex Bowen suspicious admiration, only a fit of rage can sooth her anger. But when her shattered mirror reveals a hidden room, she never suspects the two incidents could be linked.
Determined to discover the truth behind her spies, Alex finds herself cut off from family and friends and forced to make allies wherever she can find them, all while evading the people who've been spying. It isn't long before Alex questions everything she knows and what she thought coincidence, may be anything but.
Now with her life and sanity on the line, Alex must resist her enemy's mind games if she wants to expose every dark secret. To succumb would result in her true identity being lost forever and countless others suffering the same fate. But to succeed, would shatter everything she knows.
Determined to discover the truth behind her spies, Alex finds herself cut off from family and friends and forced to make allies wherever she can find them, all while evading the people who've been spying. It isn't long before Alex questions everything she knows and what she thought coincidence, may be anything but.
Now with her life and sanity on the line, Alex must resist her enemy's mind games if she wants to expose every dark secret. To succumb would result in her true identity being lost forever and countless others suffering the same fate. But to succeed, would shatter everything she knows.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2014
14 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Shelby K. Morrison
4 books34 followersShelby K. Morrison believes fiction should be an escape and any great escape involves a world of wonder, characters you wish you knew, and good food. She can usually be found in three places; her office, the couch or....well just those two unless an overcast day calls her out of doors. She has a particular weakness for animals, Studio Ghibli movies, traveling, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos (resulting in a frequently stained keyboard). She is not opposed to tokens of appreciation, particularly edible ones. But if you really want to make her smile, drop her a line!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 10, 2015
It took me a while to get into this book and eventually I started liking the twists and surprises.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
May 14, 2014
“I’ve just killed a man”—words that would change the life of Alexandra Bowen forever. The story captures the reader’s attention from page one!
How could Alex wash off the blood from her hands? How could she forget the feel of that cold skin or those vacant eyes? How will she be able to erase the memory? Even if it was self-defense, it was something she did and will never be able to take back.
Lunged into emotional turmoil, Alex attempts to live her life as a college student, but the agonizing guilt would crush her over and over again. Then it all came to a sudden halt when she realized the possibility that she was being watched. Spooky! But wait! What world has she entered? Was she losing her mind? It seemed that our heroine has fallen into some type of Twilight Zone that kick-starts her survival instincts. What?
This story is a wild ride through a jungle of military enforcements and dangerous land mines. Who do you trust? How do you differentiate what’s real? But, most importantly, how can you escape?
The characters were so real that it felt like I was right there with them, lost in a haze of confusion. At times, it was difficult to figure out what was going on. I had an especially hard time figuring out the ‘why’ and ‘how.’ Why was there a government conspiracy? How did Alex’s entire existence just vanish without a trace? Like Alex, I felt…crazy!
What I liked best about Alex was that she was a fighter. She refused to die, much less die easily. I also enjoyed the wry humor everyone had, especially for being stuck in the middle of nowhere while running for your life.
The story was separated into two segments: one as seen through eyes of Alex and one in the POV of Ian, a conspiracy theorist. While Alex was running around trying to piece together the details of her supposed life, Ian was working undercover to blow government secrets out of the water. It almost felt like two distinct stories in one. How would it all tie together?
But still the question remained: What did they want with Alex? The perplexing tale just beckoned you to read on.
A well-written, gut-wrenching, high-flying mystery that will keep you on your toes!
How could Alex wash off the blood from her hands? How could she forget the feel of that cold skin or those vacant eyes? How will she be able to erase the memory? Even if it was self-defense, it was something she did and will never be able to take back.
Lunged into emotional turmoil, Alex attempts to live her life as a college student, but the agonizing guilt would crush her over and over again. Then it all came to a sudden halt when she realized the possibility that she was being watched. Spooky! But wait! What world has she entered? Was she losing her mind? It seemed that our heroine has fallen into some type of Twilight Zone that kick-starts her survival instincts. What?
This story is a wild ride through a jungle of military enforcements and dangerous land mines. Who do you trust? How do you differentiate what’s real? But, most importantly, how can you escape?
The characters were so real that it felt like I was right there with them, lost in a haze of confusion. At times, it was difficult to figure out what was going on. I had an especially hard time figuring out the ‘why’ and ‘how.’ Why was there a government conspiracy? How did Alex’s entire existence just vanish without a trace? Like Alex, I felt…crazy!
What I liked best about Alex was that she was a fighter. She refused to die, much less die easily. I also enjoyed the wry humor everyone had, especially for being stuck in the middle of nowhere while running for your life.
The story was separated into two segments: one as seen through eyes of Alex and one in the POV of Ian, a conspiracy theorist. While Alex was running around trying to piece together the details of her supposed life, Ian was working undercover to blow government secrets out of the water. It almost felt like two distinct stories in one. How would it all tie together?
But still the question remained: What did they want with Alex? The perplexing tale just beckoned you to read on.
A well-written, gut-wrenching, high-flying mystery that will keep you on your toes!
May 13, 2014
It’s not very often I sitting reading a book and can honestly say that I did not predict one twist correctly to the numerous threads that appear. I write this review in awe of Shelby who has managed to keep me enthralled from beginning to end, who kept me guessing after each chapter as to what was going to happen next. Congratulations to you, this is an excellent debut novel.
This is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing throughout. Just when you think you have started to unravel the story and you know which way it will turn another thread is added and throws everything up in the air. The suspense that Shelby adds throughout this novel means that it is a complete page turner that you just cannot put down. If you are after happy-ever-afters and easy to predict books than this may not be for you, however if you enjoy reading unpredictable, mind boggling thrillers (in the sense that deep down you know that somewhere out there this sort of thing could be happening), this is a must-read for your book list this summer.
To read my full review head to my blog @ http://www.travellingbookjunkie.com/s...
This is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing throughout. Just when you think you have started to unravel the story and you know which way it will turn another thread is added and throws everything up in the air. The suspense that Shelby adds throughout this novel means that it is a complete page turner that you just cannot put down. If you are after happy-ever-afters and easy to predict books than this may not be for you, however if you enjoy reading unpredictable, mind boggling thrillers (in the sense that deep down you know that somewhere out there this sort of thing could be happening), this is a must-read for your book list this summer.
To read my full review head to my blog @ http://www.travellingbookjunkie.com/s...
December 2, 2014
I pride myself in being able to guess the surprise twist/ending of movies and books, but I have to admit that Mrs. Morrison was able to throw me through a loop. I was not expecting where the story went.
Right from the start Shattered grabs your attention, and gets you turning the pages as fast as you can. If Mrs. Morrison never makes it as a novelist, she could make a killing on writing hooks for authors. The first 1/4 of the book was one big hook. It didn't get long and tedious either. A lot of times authors try to put off giving information to captivate an audience, and the attempt has the opposite effect. Not this book.
Alex, the protagonist, kills a man... a robber who was holding up a convenience store. The altercation left another man dead, and Alex with a bloody knife in her hand. Of course the case is dismissed in court because it was self-defense, but Alex can't shake the guilt. She feels that there should be some sort of punishment for ending someone's life. When she sees her reflection in the mirror in her apartment, she is revolted and throws a chair through it. When the mirror shatters, so does Alex's life.
She finds she's not in her apartment at all, but in a secret government lab, on a secret island. She doesn't know how she got there, or how long she's been there. Upon escaping she gets help from a conspiracy theorist group who are trying to expose what the government is doing on that island. Alex works with them to uncover her mysterious laps of time and space, but the more she digs, the more she realizes that her life is a sham.
The plot thickens as the story evolves, and you find yourself in a totally different place than you would guess at the beginning of the novel. It was fantastic.
If I had to give any criticism it would be consistency in the characters. Alex seems to be a different person with conflicting personalities throughout the story. This might have been done on purpose because of what has been done to Alex by the government, but to me it just seemed like an inconsistency in the character development which would be easily fixed by altering a few reactions throughout the book.
The omniscient voice was also a distraction. The characters needed unique speech patterns and phrases to further distinguish themselves from one another. When we are able to read their thoughts, and they all think and react the same way, it makes them all fall a bit flat.
Right from the start Shattered grabs your attention, and gets you turning the pages as fast as you can. If Mrs. Morrison never makes it as a novelist, she could make a killing on writing hooks for authors. The first 1/4 of the book was one big hook. It didn't get long and tedious either. A lot of times authors try to put off giving information to captivate an audience, and the attempt has the opposite effect. Not this book.
Alex, the protagonist, kills a man... a robber who was holding up a convenience store. The altercation left another man dead, and Alex with a bloody knife in her hand. Of course the case is dismissed in court because it was self-defense, but Alex can't shake the guilt. She feels that there should be some sort of punishment for ending someone's life. When she sees her reflection in the mirror in her apartment, she is revolted and throws a chair through it. When the mirror shatters, so does Alex's life.
She finds she's not in her apartment at all, but in a secret government lab, on a secret island. She doesn't know how she got there, or how long she's been there. Upon escaping she gets help from a conspiracy theorist group who are trying to expose what the government is doing on that island. Alex works with them to uncover her mysterious laps of time and space, but the more she digs, the more she realizes that her life is a sham.
The plot thickens as the story evolves, and you find yourself in a totally different place than you would guess at the beginning of the novel. It was fantastic.
If I had to give any criticism it would be consistency in the characters. Alex seems to be a different person with conflicting personalities throughout the story. This might have been done on purpose because of what has been done to Alex by the government, but to me it just seemed like an inconsistency in the character development which would be easily fixed by altering a few reactions throughout the book.
The omniscient voice was also a distraction. The characters needed unique speech patterns and phrases to further distinguish themselves from one another. When we are able to read their thoughts, and they all think and react the same way, it makes them all fall a bit flat.
May 6, 2014
First off, thank you to the author for providing a copy of Scattered to me for free via ARC for review. I must say I was very surprised to have enjoyed this story so much for it being the first novel released by the author. Although this was a mystery/suspense novel, to me it was really all suspense. I didn’t find the mystery to be that difficult to figure out and most of the “twists” I actually saw coming right away, there were just minor details that I had been missing. My couple minor annoyances are as follows:
-I had a hard time believing the feelings that the two MC’s, Alex and William, develop for each other given they’ve never met before this and have only know each other a short time. I usually see these types of romances as being “victims of their environment”. Once all of the drama and excitement is done the romance usually fizzles in the light of a normal day-to-day relationship. I still liked their characters and because their relationship wasn’t the overall focus of the story I could put that annoyance aside.
-I wanted to read more about Anne. She seemed like such an intriguing and interesting character that I felt it really quite a shame that she is introduced so late into the book and we only get to see minor interactions with her. I almost wonder if this would’ve been better being told from both hers and Anne’s POV without revealing the twist, just to see how Anne’s environment had been, as well as her thoughts to her situation when the facts come out.
This was definitely an entertaining read. Typically when science aspects come up in these types of stories I would want more details and descriptions to allow for the realism. Fortunately, the focus is so largely and obviously on Alex trying to uncover her life that the missing explanations of how such things are possible aren’t necessary. This is definitely suspenseful and entertaining but not hard to follow and not bogged down in details.
-I had a hard time believing the feelings that the two MC’s, Alex and William, develop for each other given they’ve never met before this and have only know each other a short time. I usually see these types of romances as being “victims of their environment”. Once all of the drama and excitement is done the romance usually fizzles in the light of a normal day-to-day relationship. I still liked their characters and because their relationship wasn’t the overall focus of the story I could put that annoyance aside.
-I wanted to read more about Anne. She seemed like such an intriguing and interesting character that I felt it really quite a shame that she is introduced so late into the book and we only get to see minor interactions with her. I almost wonder if this would’ve been better being told from both hers and Anne’s POV without revealing the twist, just to see how Anne’s environment had been, as well as her thoughts to her situation when the facts come out.
This was definitely an entertaining read. Typically when science aspects come up in these types of stories I would want more details and descriptions to allow for the realism. Fortunately, the focus is so largely and obviously on Alex trying to uncover her life that the missing explanations of how such things are possible aren’t necessary. This is definitely suspenseful and entertaining but not hard to follow and not bogged down in details.
June 7, 2015
Will Alex Succumb or Succeed?
‘Shattered’ was great; the author wasted no time getting the story started. A novel with romance, adventure,tragedy and a(psychological) thriller. The cover is very eye catching; I like how it is linked to the plot/story.The book has a great flow, with shocking unpredictable bits and a few parts that were predicable however fun to see if you were right or not.
The book is written in Ian & Alex point of view:
Alex Bowen; a collage girl that is bold and knows how to fight (Loves giving people nose bleeds, lived a normal life until her life shattered in front of her. Now she is trying to find the true beneath the lies without getting caught by her enemies.
Ian North; smart, sweet, genuine 18 year old boy who know how to unravel secrets and has a promise to keep.
William; Blond, green eyes with an overconfidence and mystery attitude although can be relied on for support and protection.
Overall, the book always had me wondering how it was all going to end for Alex. Also would like to thanks the Author for letting me read a copy of your book.
‘Shattered’ was great; the author wasted no time getting the story started. A novel with romance, adventure,tragedy and a(psychological) thriller. The cover is very eye catching; I like how it is linked to the plot/story.The book has a great flow, with shocking unpredictable bits and a few parts that were predicable however fun to see if you were right or not.
The book is written in Ian & Alex point of view:
Alex Bowen; a collage girl that is bold and knows how to fight (Loves giving people nose bleeds, lived a normal life until her life shattered in front of her. Now she is trying to find the true beneath the lies without getting caught by her enemies.
Ian North; smart, sweet, genuine 18 year old boy who know how to unravel secrets and has a promise to keep.
William; Blond, green eyes with an overconfidence and mystery attitude although can be relied on for support and protection.
Overall, the book always had me wondering how it was all going to end for Alex. Also would like to thanks the Author for letting me read a copy of your book.
October 5, 2015
've watched quite a few movies where mind manipulation is concerned but this is my first time to read this kind of story and I'm glad that despite reading it later than expected I still got to read it, why? Because not only is this story screams action, this story's got those moments that will hit you when you least expect it.
Shattered is not your typical suspense/sci-fi book, it's apt for our modern century where fear and love plays two of the most important roles in our lives.
It talks about conspiracy theories, betrayal and family. And Shelby tells it very well. From the moment Alex broke her mirror to the moment she got out of the island and how her story ended I connected with her. I really felt I was in on all the happenings. When she was lonely or mad I felt it too.
Not too many characters on this book, just enough to tickle my imagination. Wait til you learn who's responsible for her unfortunate circumstances. Through the twist and turns and Shelby's imaginative creation I bet you will also love the story to to the end.
*This book is included in my backlog which I am trying to read one by one. Thanks to Shelby for sending me a copy.
Shattered is not your typical suspense/sci-fi book, it's apt for our modern century where fear and love plays two of the most important roles in our lives.
It talks about conspiracy theories, betrayal and family. And Shelby tells it very well. From the moment Alex broke her mirror to the moment she got out of the island and how her story ended I connected with her. I really felt I was in on all the happenings. When she was lonely or mad I felt it too.
Not too many characters on this book, just enough to tickle my imagination. Wait til you learn who's responsible for her unfortunate circumstances. Through the twist and turns and Shelby's imaginative creation I bet you will also love the story to to the end.
*This book is included in my backlog which I am trying to read one by one. Thanks to Shelby for sending me a copy.
August 15, 2014
Starts out with a bang, literally as the protagonist throws a vase at her mirror and the explosion and subsequent revelations rock her world. She had no idea that she was being watched and that her world isn't what she thought it was. In fact, she isn't sure anything is real any longer.
The scene at the beginning where the gunman is holding up the convenience store and Alex is ordered to the floor. She pulls a knife and stabs the gunman who then shoots at her, misses and kills the sweet old man on the floor behind her.
As the story progresses and her life becomes more bizarre she is also learning what the truth is behind the lies that have been her life to this point.
Various characters enter her life and try to persuade her to trust them but she isn't sure who is what they say they are. How can she trust them?
I could not put the novel down. I loved it. The story-line was believable as the author did an excellent job of grabbing the reader's attention and keeping it to the explosive end.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.
The scene at the beginning where the gunman is holding up the convenience store and Alex is ordered to the floor. She pulls a knife and stabs the gunman who then shoots at her, misses and kills the sweet old man on the floor behind her.
As the story progresses and her life becomes more bizarre she is also learning what the truth is behind the lies that have been her life to this point.
Various characters enter her life and try to persuade her to trust them but she isn't sure who is what they say they are. How can she trust them?
I could not put the novel down. I loved it. The story-line was believable as the author did an excellent job of grabbing the reader's attention and keeping it to the explosive end.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review.
May 3, 2014
Shattered by Shelby Morrison was a good read. The action began on the first page and never let up. I could tell that the author put a lot of thought into the action and wove things together very nicely. There were twists and turns every few pages and at times i found myself going PHEW. There was also suspense from the very first page that was carried on throughout the entire book. The continual suspense and non-stop action was a great combination and made the book hard to put down. The main character, Alex, was a tough, no-nonsense heroine who wasn't afraid to take on anyone. But she also had a softer side, missing her family and friends and not knowing who to trust. I would recommend Shattered by Shelby Morrison to anyone who likes mystery, suspense and non-stop action. I can't remember every reading another book that had as much action, so if you're and action junkee, this is the book for you.
May 22, 2014
Yo, this book was badass!!! Right from the get go I was like, say wha..... I haven't read a badass psychological thriller since Gone Girl. And I can't even compare this book to that one because they are completely different.
The one thing that I felt it lacked was a hot sex scene. It could have happened and there was room for it. It didn't need to be over the top or anything but I felt like it was going to happen and it didn't. That was the only thing that disappointed me.
Things I loved about this book besides it being badass were:
There wasn't a Dom in sight (sick of that cuz I've read it a thousand times)
The plot is believable (to me anyways) cuz I believe that things like this actually happen
This book could easily be made made into a kickass movie (no joke)
I also loved the trailer for this book and that's what sucked me right in wanting to read it.
I can't believe this was a debut novel!!! Bravo Shelby!!
The one thing that I felt it lacked was a hot sex scene. It could have happened and there was room for it. It didn't need to be over the top or anything but I felt like it was going to happen and it didn't. That was the only thing that disappointed me.
Things I loved about this book besides it being badass were:
There wasn't a Dom in sight (sick of that cuz I've read it a thousand times)
The plot is believable (to me anyways) cuz I believe that things like this actually happen
This book could easily be made made into a kickass movie (no joke)
I also loved the trailer for this book and that's what sucked me right in wanting to read it.
I can't believe this was a debut novel!!! Bravo Shelby!!
July 10, 2014
This is the best action thriller book that I have read this year. There was no way to begin to think of where this book was going. I just knew I was in for the ride of my life.
This book is like no others that I have read in quite awhile. The main character Alex Bowen finds out that is not her name and that her father had lied about her mother abandoning her at the age of 4. So many things lead to her discovery of who she is and about her "real" family life.
I don't want to give anything away. I believe that this author put so much time and thoughts into each chapter. There were no lose ends. Each chapter lead you down a journey into the mystery of science and medical break throughs and how they impact our life. One thing could change our destiny and make you believe that you had lived in one place and you have never left your room. OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK! No cliffhangers, no loose ends, no loosely woven tale.
This book is like no others that I have read in quite awhile. The main character Alex Bowen finds out that is not her name and that her father had lied about her mother abandoning her at the age of 4. So many things lead to her discovery of who she is and about her "real" family life.
I don't want to give anything away. I believe that this author put so much time and thoughts into each chapter. There were no lose ends. Each chapter lead you down a journey into the mystery of science and medical break throughs and how they impact our life. One thing could change our destiny and make you believe that you had lived in one place and you have never left your room. OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK! No cliffhangers, no loose ends, no loosely woven tale.
May 11, 2014
An absolutely gripping thriller of a woman who finds out everything she knows isn't what it seems. The twists turns, suspense and mystery here keep you reading, the horrific truth behind what is going on is shocking and thought-provoking. Add in the thrilling stand off at the finale and really I think this is one hell of a ride.
I loved the premise of this scientific thriller and I loved the strong female characters but I was rather annoyed with the amount of typos in the ARC I received and also minor grammatical errors started to grate on me such as using heard instead of herd and bowl instead of bowel. I am sure there are more to certain characters like James and Bryan that weren't fully explored and I felt a little bereft about that.
As a thriller this is top notch and has the potential for a full 5 stars but it needs a good proof-read and edit in my opinion.
I loved the premise of this scientific thriller and I loved the strong female characters but I was rather annoyed with the amount of typos in the ARC I received and also minor grammatical errors started to grate on me such as using heard instead of herd and bowl instead of bowel. I am sure there are more to certain characters like James and Bryan that weren't fully explored and I felt a little bereft about that.
As a thriller this is top notch and has the potential for a full 5 stars but it needs a good proof-read and edit in my opinion.
May 2, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed thriller. This is the type of book that will grab your interest from the beginning and not let go until the last page of the book.
What would you do and how would you feel if your existence had been wiped out of any records of regular life? Alex struggles with that exact question in this book by Shelby Morrison.
Alex shatters a mirror in her room, and from that point on she is on the run in this book. She escapes an unknown facility and hides in the forest. She finds help, only to learn that she has been on a secret island that conspiracy theorists have been trying to find information about. She gets back to her home...to find out that she has been erased from any records. She then starts a journey to search for any information about her family, her friends, and her past.
What would you do and how would you feel if your existence had been wiped out of any records of regular life? Alex struggles with that exact question in this book by Shelby Morrison.
Alex shatters a mirror in her room, and from that point on she is on the run in this book. She escapes an unknown facility and hides in the forest. She finds help, only to learn that she has been on a secret island that conspiracy theorists have been trying to find information about. She gets back to her home...to find out that she has been erased from any records. She then starts a journey to search for any information about her family, her friends, and her past.
May 3, 2014
** I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Where to start... I loved this book. It captured me from the first page. The story line itself was brilliantly thought out and written with pure talent. I love Alex's character. She is surely tested throughout. Quite a few surprises surfaced that truly surprised me. I honestly did not see them coming. The characters as a whole are quite good. This book definitely held suspense, action and thrills. The one scary thing about this book is that the circumstances surrounding this book could actually happen in real life. This book is a must add to your tbr list. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2014
This book was fantastic!!
It was non stop action from page one right through to the end. The suspense and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and I read this book in one sitting. At times I thought I had worked it out only to be be plunged into another scenario where I found my own theory was totally wrong!! I didn't know who were the good guys and who were the baddies...it was a real psychological thriller and very well written. Despite the twists and turns, the book continually flowed and was very easy to read.
Well done Ms Morrison!!
It was non stop action from page one right through to the end. The suspense and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and I read this book in one sitting. At times I thought I had worked it out only to be be plunged into another scenario where I found my own theory was totally wrong!! I didn't know who were the good guys and who were the baddies...it was a real psychological thriller and very well written. Despite the twists and turns, the book continually flowed and was very easy to read.
Well done Ms Morrison!!
May 3, 2014
This book is EARTH-SHAKING! I started read Shattered and couldn't put it down. From the first page until the last page, you wondered what was really going on. It moves quickly & makes you want to stay up all night to finish it. I love the main characters, but through the book you capture yourself wondering who are the good guys and who are the bad? I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Thriller.
September 13, 2016
This book is one twist and turn after another. Just when you think you have it figured out, you are thrown another clue to the big picture. Starting out with a huge mind blowing scene, it continues to build from there. If you like conspiracy plots, you will love this one. Once you start, you won't want to put this book down as you will have to know what is truth and what is fiction. Great edge of your seat thriller. Enjoy!
September 10, 2014
It starts off exciting and keeps going! It's one of those books that you keep reading because you just have to know what the heck is going on and how it is going to end. Multiple storylines going on that are all captivating. There were some unanswered questions which bothered me a bit. A little far fetched at times but overall worth it. I would recommend this for anyone looking to read something unique!
July 20, 2014
Wait...this was a debut???
I really enjoyed this book, with all its twists and bends. When I finished reading it I considered it to be fairly good and very enjoyable. Then I discovered that this novel was the author's debut. I have to say, I'm impressed.
I really enjoyed this book, with all its twists and bends. When I finished reading it I considered it to be fairly good and very enjoyable. Then I discovered that this novel was the author's debut. I have to say, I'm impressed.
September 11, 2014
Didn't like the swearing but this was an awesome book. It is a conspiracy theory book about technology and scientific advancements. Somewhat predictable, but still keeps you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed this book.
August 1, 2014
Intriguing
Intriguing
this book is so good it makes you wonder if some could be possible and real. full of action. conspiracy theories. a must read
Intriguing
this book is so good it makes you wonder if some could be possible and real. full of action. conspiracy theories. a must read
September 29, 2014
Loved this book. A page turner that kept me guessing.
October 17, 2015
This book was absolutely fantastic !! I was blown away with every page turn..... Well not not every... but almost!
June 28, 2021
Very good mystery story. Sad family relationships but integral to story.
December 29, 2024
Alex is devastated when she learns that most of her life and her identity, family and friends are fake, designed to keep her in a devilish plot as a guinea pig. She is even more agitated when she learns that one of the main actors behind this plan is her biological father.
A low-key science-fictionesque book more of a young-adult type of interest. Somewhat flowing narrative but not very original.
A low-key science-fictionesque book more of a young-adult type of interest. Somewhat flowing narrative but not very original.
July 2, 2015
Alex had always thought that she was just braver than her friends, never imagining the truth behind her lack of fear. She had a great apartment, good friends, a normal life. That is, until the mirror in her bathroom shatters, turning Alex's life upside down and bringing her very existence into question. Confused and vulnerable, Alex seeks to discover the shocking truth.
This novel certainly packs a punch. The premise is intriguing, lead character Alex endearing and it held my interest throughout. It's a smart psychological thriller full of drama and intrigue.
Although I'd describe this book as well-written, further proofreading and editing would be of benefit. There are several instances where a similar but incorrect word is used, such as 'conscious' in place of 'conscience'. Having said that, I do appreciate that professional proofreading and editing services are expenses that many self-publishers can ill afford.
Sincere thanks to Shelby K. Morrison for sharing her novel with me in return for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars.
This novel certainly packs a punch. The premise is intriguing, lead character Alex endearing and it held my interest throughout. It's a smart psychological thriller full of drama and intrigue.
Although I'd describe this book as well-written, further proofreading and editing would be of benefit. There are several instances where a similar but incorrect word is used, such as 'conscious' in place of 'conscience'. Having said that, I do appreciate that professional proofreading and editing services are expenses that many self-publishers can ill afford.
Sincere thanks to Shelby K. Morrison for sharing her novel with me in return for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars.
March 4, 2015
A deadly game of sacrifice leads Alex through a dark path to hidden secrets. With blood on her hands from an act of self defense (and accidentally killing the wrong man) she is taken into emotional mayhem but as she tries to lead a some what normal life, the guilt is insatiable.
Her mind is in fear, or may be its just paranoia because now someone is watching her - (no spoilers)
'Shattered' introduces tremendous characterization with realism of a well thought out story plot. The author pens out a feeling of intimacy between the reader and the characters,using a vivid setting to take us through a window of unexpected intensity. A thrilling agenda is marked for Alex as the journey of expectations is not so for the ending.
I was given a copy for evaluation and an unbiased review.
Her mind is in fear, or may be its just paranoia because now someone is watching her - (no spoilers)
'Shattered' introduces tremendous characterization with realism of a well thought out story plot. The author pens out a feeling of intimacy between the reader and the characters,using a vivid setting to take us through a window of unexpected intensity. A thrilling agenda is marked for Alex as the journey of expectations is not so for the ending.
I was given a copy for evaluation and an unbiased review.
July 4, 2014
What would you sacrifice to learn the truth? That is the question Alex Bowen, a headstrong college student from Beaverton, Oregon, must ask herself when she learns she's being watched. But who's doing the spying? And why have they chosen her?
First of all I received a copy of this book as a free ARC from the author so Thank you. This book wasn't really what I expected after reading the description. It was more of a science fiction/suspense story where I expected a straight up thriller. I think it was a good story especially for a first novel. It's definitely in need of some editing but other than that I enjoyed it and I'll be looking forward to more from this author in the future.
First of all I received a copy of this book as a free ARC from the author so Thank you. This book wasn't really what I expected after reading the description. It was more of a science fiction/suspense story where I expected a straight up thriller. I think it was a good story especially for a first novel. It's definitely in need of some editing but other than that I enjoyed it and I'll be looking forward to more from this author in the future.
August 30, 2014
I may just be too naive but...Yes, chips implanted in the brain to control emotions may be a big possibility (or it may be reality already), but a father who will let her own daughters to become experiment subjects? Really? Well, it's fiction, so anything is possible. Still, for me, I like stories, though fictional, to be as real as it can get.
The storyline was good, but there was something missing that didn't allow me to be wholly pulled into the story. Not sure if it was the flow of the story, or if it was the concept itself.
Overall, it was just ok.
The storyline was good, but there was something missing that didn't allow me to be wholly pulled into the story. Not sure if it was the flow of the story, or if it was the concept itself.
Overall, it was just ok.
August 15, 2014
I really wanted to like this book but I just didn't. I loved the plot but it wasn't executed very well. the dialogue was a bit cheesy and the characters weren't developed well. I didn't love anybody but I didn't hate them either.
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