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She's not crazy.

Kass Bateman may be a lot of things, but she swears she's not crazy--even when she wakes up strapped to a wheelchair in a psychiatric hospital and can't remember how she got there.

When Kass's family members go missing one by one, she enlists the smartest guy she knows to help find them. Unfortunately for her, underneath his brains and indifference are some dark secrets and a whole lot of distracting sexy.

Can Kass keep her head together long enough to rescue her family members from their captors--the truly dangerous and crazy ones?

Gritty, steamy, and rife with secrecy, Outcast is the first book in a new upper YA/NA crossover series for fans of Gayle Forman and Rainbow Rowell.

Grab your copy of Outcast today!

258 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2018

54 people are currently reading
238 people want to read

About the author

Denise Jaden

64 books491 followers
Bestselling author Denise Jaden loves cozy socks, cozy cats, and cozy mysteries. She’s the author of several young adult novels, nonfiction books for writers, and cozy mysteries that will make you laugh out loud while dangling at the edge of your seat.

Prior to becoming an author, Denise worked at everything from mushroom farming to acting and Polynesian dancing. Now she does most of her writing in a holding tent in the background of one of the many film sets in and around Vancouver. Sign up for updates, exclusive bonuses, and find out more about Denise, her books, and her crazy cat at DeniseJaden.com

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5 stars
13 (24%)
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19 (35%)
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17 (31%)
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2 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,665 reviews341 followers
April 2, 2018
I have to admit I did not see the story panning out the way it did, with the word Outcast and then the Track One. I thought that this series was about music, but it took a whole different twist than I thought and I found myself getting into it. One of the things that I love reading about is Mental Illnesses in Fiction, it has always fascinated me, and in Outcast it had that basis. Kass has been living with her dad and trying to look after him as his health mentally is declining. This all happened when her sister died eight years ago and her mum up and left her family. Now Eight years later, Kass is in high school and sees someone walking to her classroom. The person looks like a mixture between Kass's mum Abigail and her dead sister Meghan. Turns out that this girl is named Hope and her mum Gail is aka Abigail. Hope is Kass's half-sister or something like it and now Gail is missing and Hope needs Kass's help to find her. Things get even more odd when Kass's dad disappears as well. We later see Kass along with Hope and her newfound friend Eli waking up in the old Mental Institution and learn that they are all part of a study done by a scientist who sued the former Mental Institution Pemberton to see if Mental Illnesses are genetic and whether there are markers for them. Can Kass who seems to be the only one not affected by the drugs, save her family from the Madman along with her new friend the janitor and artist Patrick ? I have to admit I did get a little confused once they were in Pemberton and the ending didn't really make a lot of sense to me. I am hoping that Book #2 might shed some more light on the story. If you are a fan of Edgy YA books and love reading about Mental Health, then check out Outcast by Denise Jaden - the first in the LOL -Living Out Loud series.
Profile Image for Katherine Paschal.
2,296 reviews63 followers
May 1, 2018
Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ **
Kass has been living her life in the outskirts, not fitting in or really even caring since her mother abandoned her and her father became secluded due to his mental illness. When she sees what she thinks is her mother returned to find her, Kass uncovers more truths and lies about her family, but at the cost of her last family member. Just when she feels alone, Kass has a random encounter with quiet, nerdy Eli who knows more about struggle and compassion than Kass could ever hope for. Can the two of them get to the truth about Kass' family as well as discover each other?



Solving a few different mysteries was the main plot of Outcast, but the book was so character driven. The author made you care about Kass and Eli, so much so that to me at least, it was the best part of the story. The mystery(s) was interesting and very twisty and I wanted answers but I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters even more so then solving the problem. The book is dual narrated by Kass in the present, trying to piece together how she ended up tied to a wheel chair in a random hospital room with putting together her last few days in flashbacks and then by Eli from the past as he met Kass. The narrations came at the same conclusion but from two different voices and two different styles and I think that was really unique way to present the mystery.

I sat down to read a few chapters one lazy weekend morning and next thing I realized it was 2 hours later and I was almost finished with the book. The story was able to suck me into the pages so easily due to a mix of the ease of the writing, the likable interesting characters and the complicated twisty mystery. Outcast was my first book by Denise and I enjoyed her delivery method as well as the overall package of the book.



Outcast is the first in a series which makes me happy because I would love for something good and positive to come for Kass. This story was pretty dark and sad, I just wanted to hug Kass repeatedly and tell her she is not alone and I want nothing more but to have something wonderful happen for her in the future. Also Eli was so incredibly wonderful I want more Kass-Eli bonding time, especially since this book did not end with ANY closure for her, him or them in general. The next book in the series sounds like an entirely different plot and genre so I am really excited to see how their lives continue.
Profile Image for Karen .
268 reviews61 followers
January 13, 2019
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Author (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


 

Kass Bateman is the tough girl in school. Kass has had a rough childhood and it shows through her personality. Both her parents are mentally ill and her mother has been missing for some time. When a mysterious girl shows up at Kass's school claiming to be Kass's half-sister, Kass is captivated. Kass, her friend Eli, and Kass's sister set on a journey looking for Kass's missing mom.

 

What I Loved:
 

By far the best element of this story are the characters. I was able to really connect with both Kass and Eli. I enjoyed Eli's background story about his issues and how he dealt with his family. I also really liked Kass's tough as nails personality.  I thought Kass and Eli's slow burn romance was wonderful. I could really feel the chemistry between them. Who wouldn't have a crush on Eli?

 

What Left Me Wanting More:
 

The plot and story arc just did not do much for me. The story about Kass and Eli looking for Kass's parents was somewhat interesting in the beginning but once they entered into the part where Kass is trying to escape the mental hospital I was lost. The whole thing with them weaving back and forth through the halls was so unnecessary.  The whole situation in the hospital was also extremely strange and was not fully explained at the end. I was totally left with the feeling of 'what is going on'.

 

My Final Judgement:
 

While the plot and story arc of this book were not my favorite, I loved the characters of Kass and Eli. I really loved their relationship. I plan to read the second installment in the series to see where their relationship goes from there.

 This review was originally posted on The Book return...

Profile Image for Britt.
481 reviews44 followers
June 15, 2018
*this review contains minor spoilers*
Kass Bateman isn't crazy. Or is she?
The summary of 'Outcast' by Denise Jaden promises a plot that certainly sounds dark - complete with a mental hospital, missing family members, and a forgotten memory. When I picked it up, I expected long, twisty hospital hallways and dark mystery that pulls you in and wraps around you like a strait jacket.
What I got was... a little more underwhelming than that.
The writing and plot weren't bad - after I established that the story is told in a past/present format that switches point of views, the chapters themselves were pretty easy to follow, and I can definitely see the promise in the plot. However, I didn't really see much more than that. Just promise. The writing isn't bad, sure, but there's nothing particularly extraordinary about it either. Some things in the mystery aspect of the plot-line feel pretty skimmed over, and the plot twists - while they ARE there - don't really go in depth enough to have a shock factor.
Now, I want to talk about the characters. Kass Bateman is our main character - the point of view does switch a few times, but she's our primary MC. She's described, several times, as a tough, fends-for-herself Goth girl. But there's nothing particularly special about her, either. She's a very independent character, for sure - her mother is never around and her father can't take care of himself, let alone a daughter - but... that's it. As far as character depth goes, she's pretty plain, and I actually feel like the family secret that's revealed pretty early on into the plot is more interesting than she is.
Our secondary main character is Elijah, or Eli. As with most Young Adult novels nowadays, he's the obvious romantic interest - which, of itself, I have nothing against. However, in the summary he's introduced as "the smartest guy she {Kass} knows" and is said to hold "a whole lot of distracting sexy." That second line actually concerned me a little bit because I don't review anything that's, well, {adult} romance-heavy, but the audience level is marked as Young Adult so I figured if there *was* anything, it couldn't be too bad.
Turns out, I didn't have to worry... at all.
Eli is introduced as a dark, secretive, "sexy" guy, but there's nothing particularly interesting about him either. Like Kass, he's very much a generic YA character - and the little romance that this book did have was nothing extraordinary either. Hell, the most interesting thing about this guy - besides his family background (because we all love some good family drama) - is that he's allergic to peanuts. And almost dies after a kiss. Kinda kills the promised "sexy" vibe, eh?
Overall, this book was... eh. Not bad, but not particularly great, either. I'm not going to say don't check it out because, hey, somebody might think this book is literary genius filled with plot twist after plot twist. I'm just... not that person. So, as I end this review, I will leave you with this:
Patrick deserved better.
Profile Image for Erin.
174 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2018
The first thing any reader will notice about this book is the originality. It’s a combination of everyday life of a handful of teenagers who certainly don’t have the perfect lives, and some crazy mind bending horror. I absolutely loved it.

Kass is mostly a loner, which you start to figure out is more by her choice than anything else. It’s mostly her and her dad – her part being more the parental role. She has one friend, but you get the feeling she’s still not someone she fully trusts, because her past hasn’t exactly built trust. When she starts to accidentally get to know the ‘nerdy’ guy that’s always been in the background, she finds out not only is there more to him, but they have more in common than she thought. But when a surprising family shows up, it’s like a final click that brings them and a few others together into a crazy mixed up hunt for answers.

I love how the writing goes back and forth between current screwed up predicament, to flashbacks of things that build up to where Kass is now and why. We as readers get to put the pieces together along with Kass, as she figures out what in the world is happening in her own personal horror film.

I was so drawn in at the end to not only find out what was going to happen on the scary side of things, but also to find out what was going to happen with the many different stories happening with the different families of the teens. It sounds like a lot to fit into one book, but it is extremely well balanced, and I certainly look forward to finding out what happens next.
Profile Image for Lisa Eiff.
966 reviews27 followers
April 15, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. Kass starts out strapped to a wheelchair with no idea of where she is or how she got there. She's pretty sure she's not really crazy, and she knows she needs to save her family. I think this book is well suited for readers that enjoy delving into books that explore the idea of people with developmental disabilities (the technical and usually less offensive term for individuals suffering from mental illness), and the hardships they could potentially be dealing with. It's got an air of mystery as the book progresses too, as what is really happening slowly arises to the surface.
Profile Image for Krista.
1,243 reviews7 followers
May 21, 2018
Outcast is an interesting story, and honestly, after reading I'm still not sure what I think. I have more questions than answers. I like the dynamic between Kass and Eli, but their moments seem to get lost with all of the mystery going on. While I liked the story and the plot, I feel like I'm left with more questions than answers. Hopefully book 2 will give me answers.
Profile Image for Hauntedbybooks.
224 reviews16 followers
May 1, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Outcast. It had me hooked from the very first page. It has suspense, mystery, and romance! I liked that it was fast-paced. I can't wait until book two comes out! You really need to read Outcast!
12.6k reviews189 followers
April 13, 2018
Kass is unbelievable She ends up strapped to a wheel chair with no idea of how she got there. Crazy she’s not, her family needs her help. A total gripping book. Received a free copy. Don’t miss out once it’s released.
Profile Image for Maria Vickers.
Author 45 books393 followers
April 30, 2018
Outcast by Denise Jaden was interesting and the premise great. Intrigue, a plot that pulls the reader in, suspense, and so much more, however, there were parts that I felt dragged and the end fell flat. Now, this is a book one of a series and there are loose ends that need to be tied up, so the next book should bring more to the table.

People are missing from Kass's life. One by one they are disappearing, but she has to convince everyone that it really is happening and that she isn't crazy. Sounds like a great plot, and it is, but I feel like I needed more. That said, I did have a hard time putting the book down because I wanted to see what happened next. The end felt rushed and I'm going to have to wait until book two to see what happens next. 3.5 stars and I suggest you one click this one today. I will be reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
Profile Image for Amber.
627 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2018
I wasn't sure what to expect from reading Outcast, the blurb caught my attention immediately. I'm so glad I decided to read it. I love Kass's character and even more so Eli's. I really wish there was more of Eli than we got in Outcast, hopefully we will get more of his character in the next book. I loved the flashbacks that we were given from Kass, her character is one I'm still not sure how to take but I know she's very headstrong, which I love about her. She knows something is off and is determined to find out what is going on. She wont quit til she finds out what has happened to everyone she loves. The suspense will keep you turning each page til the very end. Denise Jaden is an amazing writer and I have enjoyed reading Out cast and I cant wait to read more.
Profile Image for Sandy.
314 reviews28 followers
April 21, 2018
After several decades of archaic testing and treatments for the “mentally insane”, the world of health care has increased the importance of understanding mental health and its associated disorders. Doctors are becoming better educated in detecting illnesses such as clinical depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Pharmaceutical companies have invested billions of dollars in research to aid the growing number of diagnosed patients.

It wouldn’t take much of a leap in imagination to think of unscrupulous doctors creating their own methods of testing procedures. Are the disorders genetic? Is there a way to suppress any potential disorder before it manifests? What better way to find out than to actually find out?

I find it would be wrong to complete this review without mentioning the budding relationship between two socially inept teenagers. Their challenging family life is not all they have in common. I look forward to reading the Bonus Track to learn more about them.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,587 reviews13 followers
April 25, 2018
Hmm

This book took me a while to get into it was so back and forth. Kass is strong and level til Hope shows up in her life then she throws the whole thing outta wack!!! Kass wakes up strapped to a wheel chair and it gets crazy from there her memories are foggy and her family is missing. This book wasn't anything like I thought and the ending was crazy.
Profile Image for Becky.
280 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2018
Kass isn't crazy...or is she? Kass wakes up tired to a wheelchair. As her family disappeared one by one (told in memory), she and a boy from school try to find them.

I liked the premise of this book. I really couldn't stop reading to find out what happened. The first in a series, and this book ends with loose ends.
Profile Image for Crystal Ellyson.
532 reviews5 followers
April 19, 2018
I received this book from the author at no cost to the author. I am giving an honest review. I liked this book, although it was confusing at some parts. I thought that maybe it was about music, but there was only a little music mentioned. I still liked it.
Profile Image for Krista.
1,125 reviews66 followers
April 25, 2018
3.5 stars

Kass wakes up strapped to a wheelchair. At first she can't discern what is going on but she knows that this is wrong. That she is not crazy. You see a half sister, Hope. shows up about their mom missing. Then all of a sudden Kass' dad goes missing. The only person who can help her is Eli.

Can she convince him and her best friend Liz that she isn't insane. The something sinister is really taking place?

This was going great until the ending. It felt abrupt and not much on what will happen afterward.
1 review
April 2, 2018
I love all of Denise Jaden's books, but I think this one is my new favorite. I was ecstatic to have gotten a hold of an early copy to read through her newsletter.

Kass is a kickass heroine who I would probably follow anywhere, but definitely into the next book! With her complicated family situation, and family members going missing in a crazy locked-up psychiatric hospital, it kept my attention from beginning to end. It felt like a thriller at times, a drama at other times, and also had some steamy romance.

The ending was fast-paced with a whirlwind of emotions, which makes me want to start book 2 as soon as possible. Also, I can't wait to get to know Eli better. He seems to have a lot going on underneath the surface, and I hope some of that gets revealed in the next book.

Overall, I loved it, and can't wait to read more!
Profile Image for Joana Hill.
Author 18 books21 followers
July 27, 2018
Definitely an enjoyable read that kept me going. I can't really remember any times I was bored. It's not perfect, but the biggest flaw I can really think of is the typos. It seems to be an indie book based on the publication information, so it's perhaps expected but still counts against it. Fewer typos and obvious editing errors than other indie books I've read, if that counts as a compliment, though.
Profile Image for A. Powers.
Author 12 books26 followers
October 6, 2019
A tough girl and a sensitive musician don't make for a likely pair -- or do they? I enjoyed the way this story was told a little out of order, with some scenes in the present and some in the past leading up to the current events. It flowed really well and told the story with just enough suspense to keep me interested. The ending was a little foggy though, to be honest, and I really didn't feel like all my questions were answered.
4 reviews
May 23, 2018
I am so glad I read this book.To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would be good when I first went into it.

Spoiler: It wasn’t just good. It was amazing. I put down this book at sometime past midnight and stared up at the ceiling, just grinning, feeling like my heart had been replaced with a bunch of pure rainbows and honey-hued sunshine and sparkles.
Profile Image for Shirley McAllister.
1,084 reviews160 followers
October 30, 2018
Memories

Mass and Eli both have only memories of their mothers. Kass the troublemaking teen and Eli the geeky boy. Together they rescue her mom and dad from a horrible situation and become friends. I read this book as my O book in an alphabet reading challenge, but it ended up being a really good book.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
548 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
I found this book confusing at times. It would say Kass is having a memory, only to launch into Eli's point of view. Left more questions than answers.
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