Tracers

by J.J. Howard

An action-packed romance—now a major motion picture starring Taylor Lautner
Cam is a New York City bike messenger with no family and some dangerous debts. While on his route one day, he runs into a beautiful stranger named Nikki—but she quickly disappears. When he sees her again around town, he realizes that she lives within the intense world of parkour: an underground group of teens who have turned New York City into their own personal playground—running, jumping, seemingly flying through the city like an urban obstacle course.
Cam becomes fascinated with Nikki and falls in with the group, who offer him the chance to make some extra money. But Nikki is dating their brazen leader, and when the stakes become life-or-death, Cam is torn between following his heart and sacrificing everything to pay off his debts.

In the vein of great box-office blockbusters, the high-stakes romance here sizzles within this page-turning thriller that will leave readers feeling like they are flying through the streets of New York.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2015

About the author

J.J. Howard writes YA and MG books. She lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her assistant is named Willow—a miniature dachshund with a lot of great ideas—most of them involving dinner or at least snacks. Her books include the young adult novels THAT TIME I JOINED THE CIRCUS and TRACERS. Her middle grade novels include SIT, STAY, LOVE, Z ON LOCATION (an American Girls Book), PUGS AND KISSES, PUGS IN A BLANKET, THE LOVE PUG, and GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE PUGS.

Reviews

[Rachel Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tracers" follows the themes of risk and passion as Cam encounters problems where he shall have to choose whether to risk his life for what he loves or what he thinks is right. Cam is an ordinary boy who works as a bike messenger, with no family and immense debts that he needs to pay off. A sudden change in his life - started by a mysterious girl literally falling from the sky - was all it needed to take to change his life forever. As he found out, she performed parkour as a living, inspiring him to join the team. What he didn’t know were all the consequences following it, which had changed his life.

This book has a great plot, which kept me engaged at all times. It was such a different plot that wasn't cliche, or somewhat shallow or boring. I couldn't put the book down and it kept me turning pages. This book included lots of surprising and unexpected moments, where I became curious of what this led to. Whilst being written in third person, Cam had a strong presence that didn't bore me or dislike him; instead, it make me more intrigued and curious. As a reader, I was able to see the development of Cam as a person, and how he has grown from being shallow-minded to a mature teen, despite only being a few months.

In many parts of the book, Cam had struggled to be on the right track. Money was a big problem for him, and so he tried many ways to retrieve that without doing the right thing. In reality, it is easy for many of us to hinder off to do wrong things because of our exposure to social media and society today, but it is important to stay true to yourself and others and do the right thing. The more you do things that are wrong, the harder it is for you to return and do things that are right. Do things right the first way and no trouble will be caused for you.

This book had many aspects to me that has inspired me and has made me think about the things I do in my everyday life. Sometimes I am so focused on social media, and forget about other things in life that are more important than it. This novel has taught me to be more aware of influences such as this, and has opened my eyes to things that I hadn't known or seen before. I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading action novels, and books with a unique plot. "Tracers" is a great example of how risking, following your passion, and following the "right path" can lead you to the road of success.

[Nancy The book junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75/5

Review coming soon!

[Книжни Криле · Rating 4 out of 5]

Екшън и любов, рискове и романтика, велосипеди и паркур – ако която и да е от изброените комбинации ви звучи интригуващо, то тогава си струва да хвърлите едно око на „Трасьори” (изд. „Пан”). Динамичният YA роман на Дж. Дж. Хауърд е послужил като основа и за едноименния холивудски филм, сдобил се с две номинации за наградите Teen Choice Awards.

Кам е най-младият и най-бързият велокуриер в Ню Йорк. Сякаш от небето един ден върху него пада красиво момиче, което разбива велосипеда и... сърцето му. Мистериозната красавица разкрива на Кам тайните на паркура. И светът на Кам се обръща с главата надолу.

Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Efe Osifo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woof. This book was horrendous. It was as cliche as books could be. You could probably predict each and every scene as it unfolded. With that said, it was still fast-paced and enjoyable. It's the equivalent to watching a Kevin Hart movie. You know it'll be poorly done, but it still might be enjoyable.


The book has two plots running. One is the of Cam, the sympathetic, down-on-his-luck, "woe is me," protagonist and his struggles to keep a promise to his mother. The other is his random adoration of his love interest (revealing any more than that will mess up the book for y'all). The plots run together, feed each other, interrupt each other throughout the book pretty well I felt. The plot was enjoyable and though predictable still fun to read. The execution felt poor. The writing felt cheap.

But again, not every teen book needs to be written like a masterpiece of literature. If you need a quick read with some cool action, this book is probably an easy one day read if you have time. Just don't expect much

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a little bit of everything, in the best possible way: action, drama, a bit of romance, a bad-ass female character, and an underdog protagonist to cheer for. Howard is great at developing really complex and believable characters, who (almost literally in this parkour book) jumped off the page. There is a perfect balance of emotional/character building stuff, and plenty of action, which keeps the book moving along at a good pace. I honestly read the whole thing in one sitting without meaning to! It was great to read another YA novel from Howard. Her writing voice, especially in this book, is full of energy, with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Overall great read, definitely worth picking up!

[Nikki Morrell Buyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard is an incredible author-- more wit than most writers! Wow! Read it!

[Trixiter Marczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

JJ Howard did it again! What a wonderful story! I couldn't put the book down - and now I can't wait for the movie to come out!

This is a definite MUST read! :)

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tracers" reflects the concepts of danger and intensity as Cam confronts obstacles where he shall decide whether to gamble his life for what he cherishes or what he believes is moral. Cam is an average boy who runs as a bike messenger, with no connections and colossal debts that he must pay off. An unexpected shift in his life started by an ambiguous girl falling from "heaven" was all it needed to take to alter his life forever. As he found out, she does parkour as a living, motivating him to join the crew. What he didn’t know were all the consequences accompanying it, which had shaped his new life.

This novel has a grand scheme, which kept me interested at all occasions. It was such an elaborate plot that wasn't cliche, or slightly dull or tiresome. The book held a small taste of everything, in the best plausible way: conflict, tension, a touch of romance, a bad-ass female character, and a protagonist to cheer for. This book included lots of remarkable and abrupt moments, where I grew curious about what this directed to. Whilst being composed in the third person, Cam held an influential appearance that didn't bore me or despise him, it makes me more entertained and interested. Howard did great at developing complex and believable characters because there was a definite stability between passionate and characteristic traits while presenting plenty of action, which kept the book at a vigorous pace. As a reader, I was capable to see the progression from Cam as a character, and how he has evolved from being shallow-minded to a mellow teen, despite only being a few months.

In various sections of the book, Cam had fought to be on the right path. Money was a prominent dilemma for him, and so he attempted multiple methods to retrieve that without doing the illegal deed. Bestowing that longer you do ideas that are corrupt, the stubborner it is for you to recover and do obligations that are valid. J.J. Howard succeeds to deliver characters who have no expertise in parkour into the sport so the reader can feel simultaneously and really imagine how the characters are performing their moves. There were components in which you have to suspend your belief in reality slightly for the sack of an enjoyable ride. That is how it felt with the book, particularly with parts towards the end. I found the character of Cam someone who has made a lot of bad choices in his life reasonable and realistically depicted. Deep down, he is a genuine kid but life seems to always throw him a curve ball.

A favorite quote of mine from the book is when Cam says “Why didn’t you tell me you were with Miller!” as I can’t say much what occurs in this scene but, I especially like this quote due to the real-life similarities it correlates with. As nearly the majority has been through this time when everything isn’t imagined the way you wanted. Like the entire world turned its back to you. It these times where I can feel what precisely happened and how it feels that I love. The kinship between the reader and the character give a sense of being that your not the only one out there. The moment gives the prospect of how both characters feel and the way they respond to what just been said.

This book had countless aspects to me that has inspired me and has conceived me think about the duties I do in my everyday life. I suggest this book to those who appreciate reading action novels and volumes with an unusual plot. "Tracers" is an excellent example of how endangering, following your passion, and following the "enlightened path" can lead you to the highway of prosperity.

The downside were parts in which that was obvious to foretell the scene, as it would impersonate out an original plot, with their being love in the air. Then another character in the equation of holding back the relationship, while seeing a way to manage around the boundary separating their love. However, something that protrudes out from the text is the emblem of hope and love that it presents with. As its remarks to be a silver 1967 Pontiac GTO, which is to mirror the real automobile that Cam’s father managed and what was exerted from Cam. The car would be used as a symbol of independence, purpose, and a happy ending for Cam. Potentially being an influential purpose than what it was formerly described but still preserves the idea that it was left for Cam to complete his father’s dream, that is to drive away from New York City, and experience the life that he was meant for.

[merr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an alright book, it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great. I know obviously a movie was made after this book (I watched it forever ago and don’t remember it whatsoever so that doesn’t sway my book rating at all). But this whole book is written kind of bad, like the author cared more about making this a script for a show/movie then really making it a book. Chapters are rushed through scenes and there’s little to no background about anything, everything just seems rushed. And chapters and events just kind of happen so back to back and end so quickly, there is little time to really build up to anything. I don’t know if this makes sense but this book honestly feels like someone wrote a book after the movie. Like they half watched it and only remembered big events and tried to write the scenes around the big parts of something else. If that makes sense. No part of this book feels developed at all. That being said, it does make for an interesting and quick read. It had a good idea and a unique plot, but it didn’t expand on anything that could have taken this from average to awesome. Like the book is quick, but a lot of it is like this is what happened then this and now this. There’s no time to develop scenes or characters or backgrounds. I think being a fast read kind of hurt how this book plays out.

The book follows Cam, a bike carrier who is in debt to the Chinese mafia. One day while on his delivery, a girl falls out of the sky and into his life. Soon Cam goes from riding routes on a bike, to walking a fine line of crime while doing parkour. All Cam is worried about is the people around him, making enough money to pay off his debts, and restoring his classic car that was left to him. But with bad luck, crooked fbi agents, and different gangs and mafias upset, things won’t be easy for Cam to navigate. You follow along as he works through being a better person for himself and for others, getting money to pay off debt, and living a life him and his dead mother would be proud of.

Like I said, this whole book feels rushed. Partly because I think the timeline of events is about two weeks give or take, maybe about two and a half weeks. So there’s a lot happening in this narrow timeline. It leaves a lot undeveloped, which sucks cause it has such an interesting plot that this book could have been that much better. It wasn’t a terrible read, wasn’t the best I’ve ever read. I’d recommend it if you’re into parkour, adventure, chosen family, and action packed from start to finish of all that.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book very much but I had already watched the film maybe a year ago and it kind of ruined the experience for me. I think that the writing is kind of for a child more than for a young adult but the story is really caprivating!

[Sabrina Sampson]

great book about finding adventure in anything.

[Kristian Strauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little read from jj howard

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked some things in this book, and disliked others. For one things, I hate openings where they give you a snippet of the later story completely out of context. It's as misleading as opening with a dream. Cressida Cowell does this right, not deceiving you, just often starting midway through then backing up. Anyway, this book was a bit slow in the beginning but barely gave you room to breath at the end. There was a lot of depth of feeling in the book, but I didn't like the way Nikki acted a lot of the time. But still, it was pretty good.

[Luisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept me up all night and I really love that it is so fast paced (I am a sucker for good action). The parkour brings a new kind of pace to the story - it feels much different than reading about car chases or classic hide and seek. And J.J. Howard manages to bring even non-parkourers into the sport so the reader can feel along and really imagine how the characters are making their moves.

So, it's good action material, movie material even. And that's okay, making a movie I mean, because there you have a very limited amount of time to tell a whole story. But for reading, the plot and the characters seem a bit shallow for my taste. I can't seem to really feel with them. If Cam's story would have the impact to bring me to the edge of sobbing while reading in my bathtub (I'd never sob over a book in bed with my bf next to me) this book would have it ALL for me.

So up until now, only regarding the story, I think it's a bit boring but I am in high hopes that this will change towards the end.

[s · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting book with an interesting concept of instilling parkour as the main sort of activity that the main character does in his time. It was a short and simple book, and there wasn't much of a very detailed plot development throughout the story. He basically does some parkour and robs a few people, while falling in love with his boss' girlfriend; he gets a happy ending with his girl. The parkour idea was interesting, but because of this sort of story that was written the emphasis on parkour was greatly eroded and the parkour part of the book was just shadowed by the events of the book. Perhaps the parkour could have been used better, I would say.

Overall this was a quick book to read (it only took me about a few hours in total) and would be a nice book to pass your time if you ever were bored. Easy to understand and quite exciting. I'm looking forward to the movie; watching those parkour tricks visually and not in my head would be a feast for the eyes, hopefully.

[Carol Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an action-packed read that involved the very interesting and potentially dangerous activity of parkour in urban areas (using the city as an obstacle course for running, jumping, hurdling). I thought the romantic first chapter could’ve been omitted, because it didn’t mean as much because I wasn’t familiar with the characters yet; it didn’t seem to add anything to show that first scene. The way Cam meets Nikki is much more interesting. There are many twists and turns and surprises throughout, but especially in the last half. The ending was satisfying and made me smile. I liked how Cam had a good heart, deep down, even if he often did get caught up on the wrong side of the law.

[Jacobschell]

This book is a fiction book that was wrote for entertainment. I believe that Howard achieves this goal as i found this book amazing and could not put it down. The weakness of this book is that at some points in the story I felt the other could have left some stuff out. The strength of this book is that it has an amazing story and even greater characters. My favorite quote in this book is "Going sidways" because it has so much to do with the story in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone because the story is so easy to grasp and get into.

[Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracers is a fictional book written to entertain which I enjoyed. I have read I Am The Messenger which I loved and this book somewhat relates that. You can feel the difficulties of the main character and his love for one of the characters in the book. The author describes the parkour the character does and his development at it really well. You can feel his relationship with one of the characters grow and get better throughout the story. The author describes the characters very well along with the characters actions. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading.

[Michaelanthony2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fiction book designed to entertain the reader.
These goals are well achieved by the author's use of a solid plot and other literary elements throughout the book.
Weaknesses- The ending to the book is somewhat predictable.
Strengths- Awesome story-line that wont let you put the book down.
No quotes really stood out to me as i was reading the book.
I would highly recommend as a quick read that will keep you entertained.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction
Entertainment
The author got his point across by explaining details of Cam and Nikkis love story
Not very realistic.
I got a lot of imagery out of this book.
"And then he was kissing her, finally. She didn't push him away. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pushed even closer to him, deepening the kiss. A small sound like a sigh escaped her lips." (Howard) pg 172
I would recommend this to people who like odd love stories.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...and when I read scenes I instantly thought back to the movie which I saw first and had no idea was based on a book. Cam is a caring guy who's just trying get himself back on the right path. And though there are obstacles in his path he has managed to get through them. And the relationship between Cam and Nikki is inspiring...goes to show how far a guy will go to get the girl.

[Ashley (omgitsyelhsa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cam is on his own. With a record and a mountain of debt, he's "living" paycheck to paycheck. Then a beautiful girl falls from the sky and turns his world upside down.


This book was okay. It had a decent pace, fairly enjoyable characters, and an alright plot. But it was predictable and the ending wrapped up too neatly. It was also a bit too insta-love for my enjoyment.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty decent in my opinion. It was all about romance and how a boy searched all over for the love of his life. He went through some struggles learning and trying different things, even things that he never see himself doing. I give this book a rate 3/5 because I felt like it wasn really my type to read.

[Alexis Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. The between the action and the love, it kept me reading. The ending was somewhat predictable, but with a twist. I am looking forward to the movie, hoping they'll be similar (also cant wait to see Taylor Lautner!).

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Yosbe Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

D:

La peli de TayTay <3 no sabía que era un libro!

[Debi · Rating 2 out of 5]

If a kids tells me s/he likes this book (or movie) I'll direct him/her to Nickel Plated. Sorry to say--that book is similar but better.

I will watch the movie version of Tracers, though. Its visual potential is great.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in on sitting. Its been a long time since I've done that :)
I liked this book, it has organised crime, parkour, and cycling in New York City. What's not to like? Except for the fact that there are not one, but two buttfaces.
The urge to jab the buttfaces in the eyes was strong.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw the movie first, and since Taylor Lautner was the lead character, I of course loved it. Out of curiosity I checked if the movie was based on a book, and sure enough it was. I enjoyed the books fast pace and the fact that my questions from the movie got answered.

[Sarah Manzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, clean book to read. Good for middle school, especially boys.

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed! Well developed characters. A great read!