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The Variant Conspiracy #1
In Irina's Cards
Irina Proffer leaves mundane small-town life behind when she experiences visions inspired by a strange deck of tarot cards. To get answers, she travels from her northern British Columbia home to the province’s coastal capital. She quickly discovers a world of fringe genetic science and supernatural mystery.
Working for Innoviro Industries, Irina is drawn in by a powerful first love and compelling, yet dangerous questions about the nature of the company’s business. Meeting other ‘variants’ brings Irina closer and closer to the dark truth about her origins. She finds herself at the heart of two overlapping love triangles as she scrambles to escape her employer’s grip.
Before she leaves the city, Irina realizes she has merely scratched the surface of a frightening conspiracy on a global scale.
Working for Innoviro Industries, Irina is drawn in by a powerful first love and compelling, yet dangerous questions about the nature of the company’s business. Meeting other ‘variants’ brings Irina closer and closer to the dark truth about her origins. She finds herself at the heart of two overlapping love triangles as she scrambles to escape her employer’s grip.
Before she leaves the city, Irina realizes she has merely scratched the surface of a frightening conspiracy on a global scale.
Published May 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 24, 2016
This is a highly complex, intriguing and decidedly different story, one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It is told from the point of view of Irina Proffer who starts having visions after purchasing a strange deck of tarot cards. She is unaware of the meaning of the cards but the visions lead her to travel to find the people she seen in them. Weird things continue to happen to her - like a strange man finding her a job which also comes with a choice of accommodation. As she starts work, she starts to discover that everything isn’t necessarily as it seems. There are other people with different variations of talent, different abilities and skills, all being employed or tested in the company she works for. As she becomes more uncomfortable with what she finds out, she starts to distrust the motives and actions of her employer.
With a potential love triangle added to the mix, this isn’t a sweet romance, more a mystery thriller with paranormally talented individuals endeavouring to create a safe life for themselves and others like them in a world which seems determined to use, abuse and not accept them. As the global company makes moves this is not just a local problem and there is definitely much more to come. This is an intriguing start to a science fiction mystery thriller with a little romantic interest added to the mix. It will be interesting to see how this develops, especially after how this one ends!
I received a free copy of this book via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
With a potential love triangle added to the mix, this isn’t a sweet romance, more a mystery thriller with paranormally talented individuals endeavouring to create a safe life for themselves and others like them in a world which seems determined to use, abuse and not accept them. As the global company makes moves this is not just a local problem and there is definitely much more to come. This is an intriguing start to a science fiction mystery thriller with a little romantic interest added to the mix. It will be interesting to see how this develops, especially after how this one ends!
I received a free copy of this book via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2017
Uncaged Book Reviews:
Christine does a wonderful job, yet again, describing the places that she is writing about for the setting. It’s almost like I can see it perfectly in my mind, or smell the scents she describes. It has a little bit of romance tied into the book, but overall I still consider it an Adult Sci-fi Mystery. I loved this book, as well as the series so far, and look forward to reading more of the Variant Conspiracy. Reviewed by Michael
Full review at UncagedBooks.com
Christine does a wonderful job, yet again, describing the places that she is writing about for the setting. It’s almost like I can see it perfectly in my mind, or smell the scents she describes. It has a little bit of romance tied into the book, but overall I still consider it an Adult Sci-fi Mystery. I loved this book, as well as the series so far, and look forward to reading more of the Variant Conspiracy. Reviewed by Michael
Full review at UncagedBooks.com
July 11, 2016
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In Irina’s Cards starts with Irina Proffer seeing strange visions, inspired by a deck of tarot cards. To get answers, she travels to Victoria, where she quickly discovers a world dominated by genetic science and supernatural mystery, mixed in one. She starts working for Innoviro Industries, where she meets other ‘variants’, people who are like her – different from everyone else. But not everythign is as it seems, and Irina struggles to figure out who she can trust and who she can’t trust, all the while keeping check on her emotions, as she finds herself at the heart of two overlapping love triangles.
The book starts out slow, but once it finds its pace, it becomes an enjoyable read. The story is complex enough to be entertaining, and it boosts an impressive host of characters, Irina in particular. She’s a brave, intelligent heroine, and I could easily relate to her.
An excellent start to a new series. I would recommend this book to fans of series like Divergent, or just of scifi romance in general, and I look forward to reading the sequel.
In Irina’s Cards starts with Irina Proffer seeing strange visions, inspired by a deck of tarot cards. To get answers, she travels to Victoria, where she quickly discovers a world dominated by genetic science and supernatural mystery, mixed in one. She starts working for Innoviro Industries, where she meets other ‘variants’, people who are like her – different from everyone else. But not everythign is as it seems, and Irina struggles to figure out who she can trust and who she can’t trust, all the while keeping check on her emotions, as she finds herself at the heart of two overlapping love triangles.
The book starts out slow, but once it finds its pace, it becomes an enjoyable read. The story is complex enough to be entertaining, and it boosts an impressive host of characters, Irina in particular. She’s a brave, intelligent heroine, and I could easily relate to her.
An excellent start to a new series. I would recommend this book to fans of series like Divergent, or just of scifi romance in general, and I look forward to reading the sequel.
June 13, 2016
This book turned out a lot differently than I expected. The first couple of chapters were really slow, but then the action really started. This book is kind of like Fantastic Four meets Divergent. I was kind of surprised it took as long as it did for Irina to figure out the connection of Ilya, though. She had already pieced this together, I guess it was just her having to actually hear it for it to click for her. After you get past the first few chapters, it is a steady compilation of suspense, drama, and a dab of romance. I can't wait until the next one comes out. I am excited to see what it will bring as this story progresses!
August 27, 2022
In Irina's Cards is the first installment within The Variant Conspiracy series. In a way, I could totally see why some reviewers got x-men vibes from this. Mostly because I totally did too. Then I thought it was so interesting to get these because another book I was reading had marvel vibes. Safe to say, both books were enjoyable.
Since I know next to nothing about tarot cards, I was kind of intrigued to see what was going to happen with them. Especially when Irina started to see visions with them. After meeting some other variants, it was a little hard to figure out if we could trust them all or not. Or maybe that's just because I always think people are suspicious until proven otherwise. I'll admit that I wasn't a huge fan of some of the people we met but maybe that will change in the next book.
In the end, I'm kind of excited to see what will happen next. Especially with how things ended in this one.
Since I know next to nothing about tarot cards, I was kind of intrigued to see what was going to happen with them. Especially when Irina started to see visions with them. After meeting some other variants, it was a little hard to figure out if we could trust them all or not. Or maybe that's just because I always think people are suspicious until proven otherwise. I'll admit that I wasn't a huge fan of some of the people we met but maybe that will change in the next book.
In the end, I'm kind of excited to see what will happen next. Especially with how things ended in this one.
June 23, 2016
*** 3.5 Cranky Stars ***
A Fringe Science Novella that has a bit of a slow start which never really develops a fast pace, but nevertheless maintains a steady pace.
The story is told from the point of view of young adult Irina Proffer and her pack of tatty tarot cards. She leaves her small home town to go to the city, chasing the visions that are unlocked by the tarot cards.
Here she meets other people with variant powers, as to be expected some good and others bad. We also meet Ivan and his sister Tatiana with their "god" complex and their company Innovero where they offer sheltered employment to "variants" as a cover to their nefarious purposes.
The book is clearly the first of a series and while some aspects of the story become clear, it is obviously only the tip of the iceberg and ends on a very dissatisfying cliffhanger/hook.
I believe that this would be a satisfying read for lovers of this genre and look forward to reading follow up books in this series.
With thanks to Xpresso Tours.
http://twistedbookcur.blogspot.ch/201...
December 5, 2017
Irina Proffer starts experiencing visions inspired by a strange deck of tarot cards. She leaves her small town in northern British Columbia and travels to Victoria to learn more about these visions and herself. What she discovers is a company called Innoviro Industries. She also learns about the Variants, people with special abilities. But the more she learns, the more she starts to distrust Ivan and his plans. It quickly becomes a battle as the Variants gather to stop Ivan and his plan for the world.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a great start to a new series and has some wonderful characters. Irina starts out lost but comes into being a strong leader when it comes to standing up to Ivan’s crazy plan. Of course you have to have betrayals. Who does she trust, who is really on her side, etc.
This book is a wonderful start to a new series that covers so many genera. It’s not just about the romance and love triangle. There is a fantasy/paranormal aspect and thriller as they rush to stop Ivan. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received In Irina’s Cards from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a great start to a new series and has some wonderful characters. Irina starts out lost but comes into being a strong leader when it comes to standing up to Ivan’s crazy plan. Of course you have to have betrayals. Who does she trust, who is really on her side, etc.
This book is a wonderful start to a new series that covers so many genera. It’s not just about the romance and love triangle. There is a fantasy/paranormal aspect and thriller as they rush to stop Ivan. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received In Irina’s Cards from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
June 13, 2016
Irina Proffer is leaving her hometown of Prince George and headed to Victoria after seeing a vision from some Tarot Cards that she bought. Yet nothing really prepares for the world she is about to enter.
In Victoria Irina meets Rubin who leads her to a job at Innoviro Industries, a job where there are more people like her. Yet Irina soon realizes that not is all it seems and she must learn who to trust and knows that some things are happening that shouldn't be. Yet that soon leads her down a dangerous path, and one she and her friends may not survive.
I really didn't know what to expect with this book and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. There are many facets to this book on what makes people normal and whether they are born with it or genetically modified for powers. Yet there is also a need for power and having people altered so they will no longer have power or have it suited to one better.
I enjoyed Irina and her quest to do the right thing, even if it placed her in danger. I also really enjoyed her exploring Victoria and seeing the capital of BC through her eyes.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens next!
In Victoria Irina meets Rubin who leads her to a job at Innoviro Industries, a job where there are more people like her. Yet Irina soon realizes that not is all it seems and she must learn who to trust and knows that some things are happening that shouldn't be. Yet that soon leads her down a dangerous path, and one she and her friends may not survive.
I really didn't know what to expect with this book and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. There are many facets to this book on what makes people normal and whether they are born with it or genetically modified for powers. Yet there is also a need for power and having people altered so they will no longer have power or have it suited to one better.
I enjoyed Irina and her quest to do the right thing, even if it placed her in danger. I also really enjoyed her exploring Victoria and seeing the capital of BC through her eyes.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens next!
June 16, 2016
The story begins with the common situation in which one of the ‘new adults’ decides not to go to college, but is a bit lost as to what they actually want to do.
To ensure the connection to the heroine, Irine, the story is told from her POV.
She leaves home, moves away, takes a mediocre job as a personal assistant. And soon discovers not everything in her world isn’t ‘normal’. She keeps seeing things.
Trying to make sense out of it all, she and friends search for those in her vision, and they find them.
Then people start dying including her mother and she discovers the ugly underbelly of the place she works.
This is a complex, intriguing story. My only complaint was the ending. Even in a series I like a satisfying ending even if it’s only good for the moment. In this case, the signs of further problems overwhelmed any sense of closure for me.
But all the fascinating story before has to count for something, so I give it a 4.5, rounding to a five.
To ensure the connection to the heroine, Irine, the story is told from her POV.
She leaves home, moves away, takes a mediocre job as a personal assistant. And soon discovers not everything in her world isn’t ‘normal’. She keeps seeing things.
Trying to make sense out of it all, she and friends search for those in her vision, and they find them.
Then people start dying including her mother and she discovers the ugly underbelly of the place she works.
This is a complex, intriguing story. My only complaint was the ending. Even in a series I like a satisfying ending even if it’s only good for the moment. In this case, the signs of further problems overwhelmed any sense of closure for me.
But all the fascinating story before has to count for something, so I give it a 4.5, rounding to a five.
September 17, 2016
In Irina’s cards is one of those books that when you start it you want nothing more then to just keep going without regard to anything in the real world; it is a true escape into a world not our own. The story starts off with a mystery and then you keep getting little pieces here and there and just when you think you have the story figured out a surprise hits you that tosses the idea out of the window. The characters are deep and intricate and well developed. You truly care about every one of them and hope for the best. I love the fact that the variations that the variants each has is so wide and varied some can be in public while others have to hide. For a first book in a series it does not disappoint.
*was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review by the author*
*was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review by the author*
November 18, 2016
An X-men-like sci-fi tale, “In Irina’s Cards” features characters with various abilities but a lot less idea of what they are doing and how they are going to stop the enemy
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
February 11, 2017
An intriguing viewpoint on those who are different from the norm.
This book takes a sharp look at how we treat those who are different and how they might react to that treatment. It presents a unique viewpoint. Likeable characters, many surprises, and lots of action. It will be interesting to see where future books take this story line.
This book takes a sharp look at how we treat those who are different and how they might react to that treatment. It presents a unique viewpoint. Likeable characters, many surprises, and lots of action. It will be interesting to see where future books take this story line.
August 22, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love the whole tarot card thing. I really do. Irina's dreams, the characters, the discoveries all come together to make a good new adult, sci-fi romance.
I love the whole tarot card thing. I really do. Irina's dreams, the characters, the discoveries all come together to make a good new adult, sci-fi romance.
March 24, 2017
Topic was decent and really nice idea about what was going on.
This book has so much description that sometimes it felt like a plot stayed in one place for a longer time. There were also a lot of tech descriptions that dominated the book. I know peole who would ove it, but that's just not my pice of cake in the end.
I liked characters as they weren't black or white only. A lot of gray characters and situations.
As topic on it's own was very creative i will for sure grab book 2. Just this one was way too tech for me
This book has so much description that sometimes it felt like a plot stayed in one place for a longer time. There were also a lot of tech descriptions that dominated the book. I know peole who would ove it, but that's just not my pice of cake in the end.
I liked characters as they weren't black or white only. A lot of gray characters and situations.
As topic on it's own was very creative i will for sure grab book 2. Just this one was way too tech for me
January 3, 2023
An amazing story. Irina is the perfect character to keep you intrigued. Moving from a small town to her hometown seems the right thing to do. There are plenty of secrets in the company she works for, even meeting others like her. Impossible to not love everything about the book.
July 2, 2016
So Irina finds a set of Taro cards and starts seeing visions that lead her to move to Victoria, Vancouver Island. A strange man befriends her, and despite appearing homeless and destitute finds her a job and manages to pay for her accommodation and food.
So begins her job with a strange organization of people with abilities beyond the norm.
There is suspense – who or what is stalking and hurting her? And why? What does it want?
Her vision search for Ilya, the founder of the organisation’s son, doesn’t go well.
The organization begins to feel ever more sinister and less of a refuge for people with ‘variations’.
So it begins and begins well, but, and this is a big but. For me the story stalled around 70% of the way through and started repeating itself. There are enough captures and escapes for the sinister organization begin to feel really incompetent and not something to concern yourself wit – you can always escape.
I got bored.
I gave up.
Thus 2.5 stars.
I received this free book in exchange for an honest review
So begins her job with a strange organization of people with abilities beyond the norm.
There is suspense – who or what is stalking and hurting her? And why? What does it want?
Her vision search for Ilya, the founder of the organisation’s son, doesn’t go well.
The organization begins to feel ever more sinister and less of a refuge for people with ‘variations’.
So it begins and begins well, but, and this is a big but. For me the story stalled around 70% of the way through and started repeating itself. There are enough captures and escapes for the sinister organization begin to feel really incompetent and not something to concern yourself wit – you can always escape.
I got bored.
I gave up.
Thus 2.5 stars.
I received this free book in exchange for an honest review
July 30, 2016
I may not have given this book a proper chance, but when I read if by the middle of the second chapter I still don't get it? I just can't force myself to finish it. This book has a lot of details and descriptions, I get that you have to describe everything to bring the reader into the book. But Sometimes there is a such thing as too much. That was my problem with this book. I hate that I couldn't get into it as this was a new author for me, however I am not one to give up and I will look into this author's other works. I have been told she is great. This might just not have been the book for me.
July 2, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided by the author and /or publisher via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest opinion.
This started out very slow for me. It had a lot of editing errors which made it hard for me to relax and enjoy. After reading another reviewer's 5* review. I decided that I should keep reading. My opinion is that if you can give this book a little patience and overlook the editing, you should enjoy this read.
This started out very slow for me. It had a lot of editing errors which made it hard for me to relax and enjoy. After reading another reviewer's 5* review. I decided that I should keep reading. My opinion is that if you can give this book a little patience and overlook the editing, you should enjoy this read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews