The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle

Oct 02, 2019 Whispering Stories rated it really liked it

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

‘The Unadjusteds’ is a young adult novel from British-based author, Marisa Noelle. It is written in the first person and the present tense and based in a futuristic dystopian America. We follow the story of Silver Melody, a sixteen year old student who rebels against the regime of the evil President Bear.

We’re plunged into this fast-moving story with a hard-hitting opening and we discover a little more, incidentally, as the story unfolds without any grea Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

‘The Unadjusteds’ is a young adult novel from British-based author, Marisa Noelle. It is written in the first person and the present tense and based in a futuristic dystopian America. We follow the story of Silver Melody, a sixteen year old student who rebels against the regime of the evil President Bear.

We’re plunged into this fast-moving story with a hard-hitting opening and we discover a little more, incidentally, as the story unfolds without any great emphasis on plot background, unless this book is a follow up to a previous adventure for Silver?

We discover that Silver’s scientist parents have a social conscience and developed their genetically modified medication to treat birth defects, as well as terminal and chronic illnesses but then we find their work has been hijacked and abused by others. What started as a disease eradication project has been turned into a dangerous dehumanising process to alter or ‘enhance’ the population to further the aims of the president.

I enjoyed some of Silver’s companions’ backstories, positively dripping with pathos as we witness the worst side of human nature where greed and vanity outweighs respect and altruism. As with most YA stories, there is the inevitable self-awakening and dawning of romantic attachments however, these aspects don’t detract from the main plot which revolves around Silver and a group of disparate but like-minded people who attempt to form a resistance movement. Only Silver’s parents can find a restorative cure for the population but can they be rescued? Can Silver avoid capture with a price on her head?

This YA tale has a lot going for it; there is intrigue, betrayal, deception, jealousy, fear, hatred, loyalty, love and comradery; all played out against the backdrop of good versus evil. This tale is, on the whole, less formulaic than many fantasies and I compliment the author on her idea. I have no doubt this book will hit the spot with its target audience. It is an exciting story with the way left open for a sequel. I award four stars. ...more

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Oct 25, 2019 Yna the Mood Reader rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, caffeine-book-tours

Before anything else, I would like to thank Shealea of Caffeine Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this book tour, which is my first one ever!

📚Publication Date: November 1, 2019

📚Publisher: The Write Plan

📚 Series: I think so.

📚 Genre: Young Adult ~ Science Fiction

📚 POV: First person.

📚 Cliffhanger: Yes.

⚠ Content Warnings: Death of a loved one. Love triangles. Graphic description of injuries.

⚠ Read if: you are a fan of YA dystopian reads that are fast-paced and will keep you on your toe ...more

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Oct 21, 2019 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-bk-from-author, z-2019, ebk

This is my second book by Marisa and I can say that, even though I only discovered her earlier this year, she'll be one of my favorite authors.

Her descriptions are so vibrant and full of life that I felt like a part of the story, like I was, too, an unadjusted fleeing the city. That I was, too, part of the team that'll brave everything to save Silver's father. That I, too, didn't come out at the end of this journey unharmed. If you love strong female characters, fantasy, and a world in chaos, th ...more

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Jan 08, 2021 Sofii♡ (A Book. A Thought.) rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2021, dystopia, arc, young-adult, science-fiction

I adore the concept of this story and how despite showing a great development and focus on technology and mutations in this futuristic dystopian world as such, it also touches on very human and mobilizing issues regarding family, the fight for your rights, and know that you're valuable just as you are. I had a great time reading it, it's my first time with the author but it will certainly not be the last.

description

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought.

I
I adore the concept of this story and how despite showing a great development and focus on technology and mutations in this futuristic dystopian world as such, it also touches on very human and mobilizing issues regarding family, the fight for your rights, and know that you're valuable just as you are. I had a great time reading it, it's my first time with the author but it will certainly not be the last.

description

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought.

In this story, we follow Silver a girl who lives in a society where 80% of the population has modified their DNA and therefore now possess from special abilities to genetic mutations such as wings or tails. Although Silver's parents created the nanite pill used to deliver these genetic modifications, Silver is proud of her Unadjusted state. But when the president declares that everyone should take the pill then Silver has no choice but to leave the city, being her father the only hope to find a cure. But with the invincible army touching her heels her only hope will be to join a group of rebels before humanity is lost.

I think in terms of plot this is a highly addictive and entertaining book to read, I think it manages to keep you intrigued and always wanting to know what will happen. It has a very fluid style accompanied by very few descriptions and solid characters. This makes it very easy and fast to read, but that doesn't detract from the intensity of the subplots of many of the characters or their main objective. I liked it a lot, I think it's very well written, and without a doubt, I'll continue with the sequel, even so, I must mention that I don't think it is the most original book I've read, at least personally I have read this type of plot many times already which makes it even predictable at times. The rebel's group, the dystopian world, and the special abilities are things that I can recognize in other books, even so, I don't want to detract from the book since it managed to capture my attention all the time, so despite being a recognizable plot for me, I think it's one of those that hit the mark and achieves its mission which is to make the reader commit and enjoy.

The author's style is very enjoyable and light, I would like to read more from her in the future, especially I think she's a perfect author to read when you don't have much time, I know it sounds odd, but by this, I mean that her style is very fluid and easy to understand, so there's no effort when reading it, but you simply go with the flow of the story, and when you realize you've more than half into it, that's fantastic. I was also able to see that she's not a very descriptive author, which may work for some people more than others, but I found it interesting to mention it.

As for the characters, I think it's a pretty diverse group, and the personalities of these "rebels" stand out as well as distinguish one another, which is great! Our main character is quite good, I felt extremely committed to her cause and to her fight, as well as her strength of will and her pride for who she is, is just admirable. Beyond this, the other characters are very good in their own ways; you may like some more than others, that always happens, but you cannot deny that they're very well created and thought out, since the execution of their personalities and dialogues is very well accomplished.

There is a bit of romance, but I don't think it is worth highlighting, and with this, I don't mean to say that it was bad, I just think it's a factor that's in the background since the book focuses much more on the personal struggle of the characters as well as in society and the rights of its inhabitants, which you must know by now I appreciate a lot when I read a dystopia. On the other hand, I would have liked to have a little more construction of the world, although there's no factor that prevents the enjoyment or understanding of the plot itself, I think that a more thorough and detailed development of the world would have given it greater realism and it had placed the reader better from the beginning in the story. As I said before, this isn't a negative factor in itself, it's just something that I wanted to mention since personally I would have liked to know more.

I think the strong point of the book is the fight for rights, in this case, because this group of rebels is proud of who they are, but it can be interpreted in many ways and this fight against a corrupt government is something quite realistic as we all know. The feeling behind the characters' struggle and their motivations are somehow super realistic and their actions are full of feelings and personal weights of each character. I managed to feel a lot of their anger and passion for their ideals while reading the book, and that made me even more committed to it. Undoubtedly I think that I highlight this book from the other dystopias with touches of sci-fi, due to the intensity behind the plot, the dialogues are full of feelings, as well as their actions and there's even growth in the characters. I really liked it and I think I had a super positive experience with it.

I highly recommend it if you want a dystopian fast-paced read with hints of sci-fi, if you like plots of rebel groups rising up against the government, and especially if you like plots full of emotions but still fluid to read. Perhaps it's not the most original idea for me, but without a doubt it's a super enjoyable book that I would easily recommend to have a great time, cheering up for each character and their ideals, I have no doubt that you'll take their side immediately and you want justice too.
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Oct 24, 2019 Fanna rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019-releases

The Unadjusteds is a story set in a dystopian world where nanites (basically, pills) are used to enhance humane abilities or instil abilities and features acquired from other species (a wolf, butterfly, bird, etc.) but revolves around a teenage daughter of genetic scientists who is against the nature of forcing everyone to consume these nanites and believes in addressing the risks associated with this technology, and how she groups with other teenagers of this world—both ‘altereds’ and ‘unadj

...more

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Oct 30, 2019 Zoé-lee O'farrell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, 2019-book-contender

I have so many feels with this book! When Marisa contacted me…a long time ago now about whether I would be interested in reading her book, I took one look at the cover and then read the blurb and knew I had to read it. Appealing to the YA side in me with a kick-ass MC I just knew I had to read it. Silver Melody (what an awesome name) lives in a world where people can take tablets or nanite pills as they are known to become something else… to become an Adjusted. Well, what does this mean? Basical I have so many feels with this book! When Marisa contacted me…a long time ago now about whether I would be interested in reading her book, I took one look at the cover and then read the blurb and knew I had to read it. Appealing to the YA side in me with a kick-ass MC I just knew I had to read it. Silver Melody (what an awesome name) lives in a world where people can take tablets or nanite pills as they are known to become something else… to become an Adjusted. Well, what does this mean? Basically, you take a pill and it can alter your appearance by something as simple as whitening your teeth or giving you that year-long tan. Or, if you have the money or know the right people, you can take a pill to alter your appearance, you can have wings, telekinesis, become a bulk – so Eight foot tall built like a brick house, the list is endless. Silver, however, does not want to be altered, seeing what happens when you take too many pills does not appeal plus she likes her DNA the way it is! The problem is President Bear, and he is a HUGE, dark, sinister problem and he has her mum! Her parents are the doctors who introduced the pills to this world to help cure cancer, help heal people and then Bear twisted it and Silver’s Mum was taken because she refused to help twist something pure and light into this darkness. This is Silver’s story about what happens next when you are caught in the crosshairs of the most powerful man living.

I found this concept refreshing, I loved the idea of popping a pill to be able to change something about you. I mean let us be honest who has not thought about it before! However, the dark side of this tale makes you realise to be happy with what you have! Nothing apart from you should alter you. That in itself is a powerful message.

When reading this I could feel influences from Hunger Games and Divergent and a bit of the Walking Dead, but at the same time, I did feel this was fresh and exciting. Tris and Katniss are both special in their own way in their stories and Silver is too. Why she is special, well I can’t tell you that! But we have a powerful kick-ass main character who at the same time is a young woman trying to forge her own path in life before everything kicks off. Silver is determined and very headstrong but what I did love is for a change she listened. She listened to everyone and did not go off galavanting by herself and have to be rescued. She held her own and her friends, her team worked together and this is not something you see often but works perfectly. It’s not to say they all liked each other but they learned to be a team with a mixture of abilities and adjusted and unadjusted.

I really truly did love this book and I blitzed it pretty much over 2 days around work and mini-me. I actually feel quite bereft that this is over, but I am excited to know that there is the second book in the works, I just want it now!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH 👿

I even took the quiz on Marisa’s blog and apparently I have been approved for a level 10 Nanite Pill – Woah that is like the best one and it would be a pretty cool ability to have!

And if I was a character I would be Paige – now I would be happy with that one, she is such a lovely and caring girl, her heart is in the right place and most of all she just wants to be noticed and loved by her parents. In fact, all of the friends in Silver’s life are all worth a mention but there are 10 of them but I warmed immediately to Matt, Joe (just do not go there), Paige and Kyle, all showing their strength and understanding. These people become a part of your life while you read these pages and just want to protect them all. Some may be secondary characters originally but the way they are brought to life by Noelle’s writing they sit very much in the forefront of your mind. You do forget sometimes that this is a YA book because of the characters and fight and decisions they faced, but sometimes there was a reminder of how young they were with some more “immature” and inappropriate conversation timing, that being said, I look at it from their point of view and sometimes these things just need to be said, no matter when.

The Unadjusted if done right, then it would be epic on the big screen! The talent of Noelle in this book is unreal, her imagination with the world she has created is epic and she does not hold back on anything. This book is slick and the words flow on the page, I never felt anything dragged or was unnecessary. It is action-packed from the get-go, we have zero preambles and we are taken on such a breathtaking and sightseeing adventure! We fly, we speed, we hulk out maybe we even drink a little! There is a tension flowing through this book, because of the unknown outcome of the battle that is all the periphery and the outcome in the first book is not what I expected, which made it blinking awesome. I know I am gushing but I need to gush. I was completely hooked from the beginning until the last page and take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous book cover!! ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Jas rated it really liked it

This was such a great read! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC. I really did not want the story to end. You can read my full review here: https://www.jasbeingjas.com/post/the-.... ...more

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Jan 11, 2020 Kitiera Morey rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews, give-it-a-shot

I acquired this novel on my own with only an urging from the author to read and review it. My opinions are mine and mine alone.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book. Not so much because I’m big on YA sci-fi, but because I read the author’s first book The Shadow Keepers, and I really loved it. She’s an amazing talent, and I knew this book was going to be just as good.

I wasn’t wrong.

This is a well-crafted story. The action is pretty good and there are numerous fighting scenes, which is ...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Gemma ♕ antari.and.the.books rated it really liked it

Shelves: tt-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Overall rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Warning- SPOILERS.

It took me a while to get into this and I'm not sure if that was me or the book. The pacing seemed a little slow to start with but once the action kicked in, it really picked up and I was sucked into the story.

There were a lot of elements of this story I really liked. The characters were all interesting with hints of some great backstories that I would have l I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Overall rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Warning- SPOILERS.

It took me a while to get into this and I'm not sure if that was me or the book. The pacing seemed a little slow to start with but once the action kicked in, it really picked up and I was sucked into the story.

There were a lot of elements of this story I really liked. The characters were all interesting with hints of some great backstories that I would have loved to see delved into a bit more. I also really enjoyed the different powers that were shown and people's reasons for picking the powers they did. I think it would have been nice to have a few more unadjusteds in the main group though as sometimes it was very altered dominant when we go into the book expecting more of it to be about the Unadjusteds fighting back. We do get that but it almost feels like without the altereds, it would have been a totally different outcome.

I could have done without the love triangle if I'm honest. I don't mind a love triangle but this one felt a little forced and it was clear from the first few pages who she would end up with.

I also am still unsure as to how I feel about Silver. Sometimes I really liked her but it almost felt like she had too much going on. She was the 'ultimate weapon'/karate black belt/singer/song writer/guitarist/figure head...sometimes I just felt a little too much. Also, it bugged me how she kept going on about how she would never take a nanite pill but then kept taking the temporary ones. I don't know why. I know they were temporary, so it was different, but it just bugged me.

I am also very upset about what happened to Joe. Not happy. Take it back please.

I enjoyed the journey and the world was really interesting. What I think this could have done with is another 50-100 pages, just to build the characters, relationships and world a little more. Some of it felt a little rushed.

BUT overall this was enjoyable and I would definitely continue the series to see what happens next. ...more

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Aug 08, 2019 Brenda Smith rated it it was amazing

Marisa Noelle has a big imagination, and she’s showing it to full effect in her new novel, THE UNADJUSTEDS. There’s plenty to love in this YA story and its hero, Silver Melody, a teen forced to grow up in a dystopian world full of people who have altered their genes for new strengths and special powers. Silver is one of the “unadjusted” ones, and she must fight with others of like mind—some “adjusted” and some not—to stop the gruesomely altered President Bear before he puts an end to the unadjus ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Clair Sharpe rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, dystopia, female-authors, teen-ya, science-fiction, 2019

Set in a world where 80% of the population have modified their DNA using nanite pills, we meet 16 year old Silver Melody, who has chosen not to alter her DNA and is proud of her unadjusted state. Silver’s parents created the nanite pill, originally for the purpose of curing disease but gradually, they have been modified to give people special abilities. Some have a physical effect to the person taking them, being able to toughen skin, add bulk, give the ability to fly; others can make the taker Set in a world where 80% of the population have modified their DNA using nanite pills, we meet 16 year old Silver Melody, who has chosen not to alter her DNA and is proud of her unadjusted state. Silver’s parents created the nanite pill, originally for the purpose of curing disease but gradually, they have been modified to give people special abilities. Some have a physical effect to the person taking them, being able to toughen skin, add bulk, give the ability to fly; others can make the taker invisible, give them the power of telekinesis, make them really intelligent or give them power to heal.
The downside, is that people don’t always react well to taking them and they can kill. When Silver’s best friend Diana dies after taking a nanite pill, Silver and their best friend Matt, vow never to take the pills themselves. However, on Silver’s 16th birthday President Bear declares all the unadjusteds must take a nanite in order to further the strength of their country and Silver is forced to flee the city, along with her father and her friends.
With Silver’s mother in prison for treason, Silver’s father is the unadjusteds’ only hope at finding a cure, but when he is captured by the President, Silver and a group of new friends and allies must find a way to rescue him.
Marisa kindly contacted me earlier this year and asked if I would be interested in reviewing the book and I thought the blurb sounded interesting, kind of a cross between X-Men, Divergent and The Hunger Games, all books and films I have enjoyed.
The book certainly hits the ground running! Within the first few pages we have seen a death from a boy taking a nanite pill and President Bear’s announcement! From that moment on Silver seems to be under constant threat, first escaping with her father from the city through the sewers along with mutated rats who have eaten the discarded nanite pills, almost getting killed by hellhounds (wolves that have been genetically modified) and finding her way to a cave where other people who don’t agree with the President are living. There are adjusteds as well as unadjusteds and Silver has to put aside her prejudice so they can work together to try and stop the President.
I loved all the special abilities detailed in this book and although I think I’d be too scared to take a nanite pill, I think I would like to see what it is like to be able to fly with some pretty wings! The author has an amazing imagination and an ability to keep the book flowing at a swift, exciting pace.
I think if you are a fan of young adult dystopian fiction I think you should definitely give this a go! ...more

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Oct 16, 2019 Energy rated it it was amazing

It's a new world where nanite technology can allow people to pop a pill to change their DNA. Want wings, horns, tough skin, a genius IQ? Take a pill and you're forever changed, you are an adjusted. It doesn't always go seamlessly and people are dying. Even more, there are people out there who don't want to change, who don't want to alter themselves, including Silver, the daughter of the scientists who created the pills. The pills that were intended to cure disease, not alter humans.

The presiden ...more

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Jan 10, 2021 Gina R Mitchell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-reviews, reviewed

The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle | Review

This fast-paced dystopian thriller grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go. Silver Melody is on the run. She gathers a few formidable friends to help her save the world from a megalomaniac. They encounter armies of altered humans, hellhounds, betrayals, and evil, but they also find friendship, love, and understanding.

I found the world-building to be exceptional. It developed quite naturally, without long backstory information dumps. The author crea ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Karen Barber rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-physical-books

Now that’s what I call an exciting YA fantasy...full of action from start to finish, and with a great cast of characters.
In this world people are used to adjusting their appearance through the taking of nanites, an advanced technology that alters a person’s physical appearance and capabilities. Silver Melody’s parents invented the technology, but she has always been vehemently anti-nanite. Having watched close friends die, she is understandably nervous about the implications.
From the opening dra ...more

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Oct 20, 2019 Noelle Kelly rated it it was amazing

Marisa's second novel is really special and I loved it.

We are introduced to Silver Melody in school, where her best friend has taken a powerful nanite, despite the deadly consequences.

Nanites give people superhuman powers and traits - butterfly wings, bulk strength, tails, hyper intelligence, healing power - there is a nanite for anything one can dream of.

Silver’s parents created the Nanites, but she has never taken a nanite and doesn't plan to. President Bear decrees that all humans must take ...more

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Oct 16, 2019 Heather James rated it it was amazing

Thank you so much Marisa Noelle for sending me a copy of this action-packed novel to review. I was excited from the moment I read the blurb and this story didn't disappoint for a moment. The (very believable) sci-fi elements of this dystopian narrative was superb.

In a world where 'normal' means being enhanced to super-human levels, unadjusted Silver has a hard time fitting in. Her life gets even tougher when nefarious President Bear changes the laws about remaining unadjusted, sending Silver on ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Dave rated it it was amazing

Marisa’s presents a nightmare vision of extreme genetic engineering, via the medication Nanite, which enhances people’s faculties, and induces biological mutations. People injected with Nanite are ‘adjusted’, the others ‘unadjusted’.

It is imposed by the brutal President Bear – by force, and a penetrating surveillance system.
The girl narrator, Silver Melody, has parental problems: Her father works on Nanite, while her mother was imprisoned for refusing to promote it. Father has guilt, but feels ...more

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Sep 21, 2019 B rated it really liked it

Where to begin. Firstly, thank you to Marisa for sending me this book!

Silver is 16 years old and lives in a world where 80% of the population have altered their DNA through 'nanite' pills. Silvers parents are the creators of the nanite yet Silver remains an 'unadjusted' and she is intent on remaining that way. Soon the president declares that the unadjusteds MUST take a nanite pill Silver and her friends must flee and try to find a way to save humanity and rescue her family. She flees the city Where to begin. Firstly, thank you to Marisa for sending me this book!

Silver is 16 years old and lives in a world where 80% of the population have altered their DNA through 'nanite' pills. Silvers parents are the creators of the nanite yet Silver remains an 'unadjusted' and she is intent on remaining that way. Soon the president declares that the unadjusteds MUST take a nanite pill Silver and her friends must flee and try to find a way to save humanity and rescue her family. She flees the city with her father who suddenly gets captured, her mother is already in prison and Silver finds herself alone in the middle of the woods with an 'altered' bulk in army clothing.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! Marisa does a fantastic job world building and character building throughout. With a large group of characters to help Silver on her journey each one is well written and no information is left out on how and why they decided to make the choices they did, whether it be why they took a nanite, what powers they possess and how to control them, why they chose NOT to take a nanite, regrets they have and what their role in the group will be. With a lot of information and character building on such a large amount of relevant characters it would be easy to get bogged down in endless pages of description and tedious explanations. However, this is not the case in this novel at all. Marisa's excellent writing style flows smoothly and does not drag you under in pages of description but you get all the information around these characters that you could hope for. very well done.

The characters themselves are excellent and imaginative! It also gave me moments of shock and out loud gasping, especially towards the ending in relation to where each character ends up on this journey. Silver finds herself with knowledge and powers of her own which is a very good character development for a character such as hers. The relationships she forms with a wide variety of people are well developed (in different ways) and she starts to find herself along the way and loses many prejudices she has towards others.

Each character faces personal battles of their own which comes through very nicely throughout this novel and we learn a lot about each one, even when they seem like such a minor character. It shows that even the smallest of characters can have big impacts on the people and situations around them and I love that. No one is too small or insignificant to play a part in the world.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this very much and I am hoping their is a sequel as it feels like the journey of these characters has only just begun! (is it too soon to want it already!?) ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 Nia rated it really liked it

The Unadjusteds follows Silver Melody, who is celebrating her 16th birthday as the novel starts. However, Silver is not marking the milestone with cake and presents; she is wearing a tracker around her ankle and fearing for the safety of herself and her family. Silver is ‘unadjusted’, which is a very dangerous state in a society that privileges ‘adjusteds’, ruled by the tyrannical President Bear. People who are adjusted have abilities, physical or mental, that are designed to make them elite and The Unadjusteds follows Silver Melody, who is celebrating her 16th birthday as the novel starts. However, Silver is not marking the milestone with cake and presents; she is wearing a tracker around her ankle and fearing for the safety of herself and her family. Silver is ‘unadjusted’, which is a very dangerous state in a society that privileges ‘adjusteds’, ruled by the tyrannical President Bear. People who are adjusted have abilities, physical or mental, that are designed to make them elite and superhuman – bulk (extreme size and strength), wings and telekinesis are some of the most popular, although many people have more unusual features, like horns. These abilities are generated by taking a special pill, called a nanite. Silver’s parents are the scientists that developed these pills, originally designed to cure diseases like cancer – but the science behind the nanites soon fell into the wrong hands and her parents were forced to invent pills that altered people’s genetics, making them ‘adjusted’. They can be extremely dangerous, affecting people’s personalities as well as their DNA, and can cause death. Now, unadjusteds - people who refuse to take nanites - are in the minority, and therefore in danger. Silver’s parents rebelled against President Bear’s evil wishes to extend genetic manipulation to greater, more terrible heights, and are now under permanent surveillance, with Silver’s mother imprisoned. Silver’s deadly birthday gift is an announcement from President Bear that all unadjusted people must take a nanite, which is the catalyst for societal collapse, riots and a brutal manhunt of Silver, her family and her unadjusted friends. Silver must take refuge with a band of fellow outcasts and battle with President Bear and his militant army, all the while facing her own personal challenges.

The Unadjusteds is extremely fast-paced from the very beginning; though the novel is packed with action, author Marisa Noelle takes the time to develop sensitive relationships between characters and portrays realistic and empathetic character development. The action scenes are gripping and often heart-stopping in their brutality, but they are interspersed with touching scenes of humanity and strength in devastating times. The novel is dystopian in theme, with Noelle drawing thoughtful parallels between her world and that of our own. She considers the perils of modern society with a critical eye, discussing themes of othering, corrupt leadership, the deadly influence of social media and the unachievable goal of ‘perfection’, and the ethics of science and experimentation on innocents. Her characters are mainly young adults, and despite their imaginative setting are deeply complex and relatable. They each have difficulties in their past and are coming to terms with emotions and experiences that belie their youth – Noelle explores this with sensitivity, making her characters loyal, brave and caring despite their differences and conflict. Silver as a protagonist is painfully human; she is flawed but has noble intentions. She bears the heavy weight of being a ‘saviour’ to a group of displaced, frightened people, and is caught in a vicious battle with the sadistic President Bear, while coming to terms with her own issues as a young woman at the heart of a conflict that is not of her own making. There are touching scenes throughout the novel as Noelle explores friendship, love and heartbreak within the breakdown of a toxic society, drawing readers in and allowing them to feel every emotion along with the characters.

The Unadjusteds shares characteristics with popular fiction like The Hunger Games and X-Men, but it stands alone in its creativity and emotional depth. I enjoyed the pace of the novel, and the world built by Noelle is unique and engaging. Her characters step off the page, each with their own well-crafted existence, morals and motivations. Noelle is skilled at keeping the action moving, but teases out each revelation to keep readers returning, desperate to discover more and follow Silver on her treacherous journey.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Oct 13, 2019 Rachel Casey rated it liked it

Shelves: surprised-that-i-liked, ya

Plot:

In a futuristic America, 80% of the population has chosen to alter their DNA with nanites. Originally made to treat illnesses and birth defects, the nanites are now used superficially to give people fairy wings, horns, strength, speed and anything else you can think to want.

But Silver Melody, the daughter of the scientists who originally created the nanites, doesn’t want to become an altered. So when President Bear declares that the entire population must become altered, she joins her best ...more

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Jan 17, 2021 Ellie Clark rated it really liked it

Thank you to the author and The Write Reads for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I used to love dystopia novels but over the years I slowly started reading less of them. When the blog tour was announced for The Adjusteds, I knew I had to sign up. I thought it would be a chance to try and get back into the genre and I wasn’t wrong! I was so invested in the story all the way through, I nearly ended up reading this in one sitting but sleep got in the way of that.

The Story
We’re th Thank you to the author and The Write Reads for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I used to love dystopia novels but over the years I slowly started reading less of them. When the blog tour was announced for The Adjusteds, I knew I had to sign up. I thought it would be a chance to try and get back into the genre and I wasn’t wrong! I was so invested in the story all the way through, I nearly ended up reading this in one sitting but sleep got in the way of that.

The Story
We’re thrown into all the action at Silver’s high school. Learning straight away just how dangerous the nanite pills are. I love how the author jumps straight in because I couldn’t help but read on to find out more about this dystopian world.

The concept of taking a pill to change your DNA is so fun to read about. What started out as a pill to help cure cancer and other diseases, quickly developed into a way to change your appearance or give you special abilities. Yet, your body doesn’t always accept the pill…

The world is split in two, the unadjusted and the adjusted or as Silver likes to call them, Alts. President Bear then announces everyone over 12 has to take a nanite pill but Silver doesn’t hang around long to take one. We follow her and her dad as they escape from this dangerous and powerful place, and into a world where Silver has to put aside her differences with some of the adjusteds and work together. It’s very exciting to read about all the different abilities and adjusted creatures and I especially love the intense fight scenes! I just couldn’t wait to see what would come next, every page held a new surprise.

The Characters
Silver is a really great female protagonist, stereotypically the same as any dystopian main character. She has been bullied the majority of her life by adjusteds and having parents who are famous scientists and creators of the nanite pill doesn’t make it any easier. Instead, she is constantly guarded and looked down on due to her mothers traitor status. She wants nothing more than to stay unadjusted and this shows through her immense bravery and determinations. Some things don’t always go to plan though!

I loved reading about all the other characters as they are so imaginative and entertaining. You actually learn a lot of backstory of multiple characters which makes it easier to relate and form bonds with the characters. If you love a bit of romance like me, then you won’t be disappointed because we have a bit of a love triangle throughout the book.

One character that didn’t really do it for me was Matt, Silver’s best friend. He is extremely caring and thoughtful but I thought I would like him a bit more than I did. I just found him quite dull and boring. This might be because is was surrounded by a lot of adjusted who I thought were much more interesting characters to read about.

Overall Thoughts
I definitely got Hunger Games and Divergent vibes from this book but I think that is the reason I love it so much. It brings a fresh new twist and still has the romance and action that we expect! The first book leaves you wanting more and luckily I already have the sequel and can’t wait to start it! So if you are a fan of fantasy, dystopian novels with plenty of action in, this is definitely the book for you!

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Jan 14, 2021 Anca Antoci rated it really liked it

The Unadjusted is an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction in a dystopian setting. The premises of the story remind me of Cynetic Wolf by Matt Ward. We have fantasy creatures but they not based on magic. Instead, they’re enhanced humans. So, fairies are actually humans with butterfly wings —and most cheerleaders chose to become fairies, Due to advanced technology, by taking a nanite pill that contains animal DNA, humans developed certain animal traits like wings, horns, scales.

"A g

The Unadjusted is an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction in a dystopian setting. The premises of the story remind me of Cynetic Wolf by Matt Ward. We have fantasy creatures but they not based on magic. Instead, they’re enhanced humans. So, fairies are actually humans with butterfly wings —and most cheerleaders chose to become fairies, Due to advanced technology, by taking a nanite pill that contains animal DNA, humans developed certain animal traits like wings, horns, scales.

"A girl with swan wings tunnels past me, her feathers brushing my cheek as she takes off toward the school. A boy with scales stumbles and falls onto me. I regain my balance and continue fighting my way to the front of the growing crowd."

However, taking the nanite pill isn’t without risks. There have been many instances where people didn’t react well to it and died.

"I look toward the dying boy as his body convulses. He took the bulk nanite pill. He wanted to be a football player, big and strong and immortal with rock-hard skin. It’s a level ten nanite. The paperwork involved takes months, not to mention the expense. All for nothing. His body rejected the change. It happens sometimes."

The main character, Silver is one of the few who is still 100% human — unadjusted in a world where 80% were enhanced. She has strong moral values for someone so young. Her mother is imprisoned for refusing to work on the nanite pill and her father is forced to do just that so Silver won’t become an orphan.

“I refuse to live in a world where genetically enhanced abilities are valued more than kindness and compassion. I’m determined to find a place away from it all.
[...]
"I won’t let something like that define who I am. I am enough, just how I am.”

It all becomes a political thriller when president Bear declares that all unadjusteds above 12 years old are required to take the nanite pill and failure to do so will result in “unfortunate circumstances”, forcing Silver to flee the city with an invincible army on her heels hoping to make it to the rebels.

Silver is a strong female character, and I don’t mean she’s strong in a physical way, quite the opposite. Being unadjusted often seems like an uphill battle but she picks herself up by the bootstraps and goes on.
Read more at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/?p=1651...
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Jan 14, 2020 Nicole Sweeney rated it really liked it

Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I was dying to know more. The concept really intrigued me – a world where the majority of the population have altered their DNA? It was such a fascinating idea. When I picked up the book I completely fell in love with this world and these characters, a unique and engaging tale, one that is perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and Emily Suvada’s This Mortal Coil.

The story follows Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I was dying to know more. The concept really intrigued me – a world where the majority of the population have altered their DNA? It was such a fascinating idea. When I picked up the book I completely fell in love with this world and these characters, a unique and engaging tale, one that is perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and Emily Suvada’s This Mortal Coil.

The story follows Silver Melody, a young girl living in a dystopian future where the majority of people have taken nanite pills to alter their DNA. Silver’s parents are the inventors of these pills and after some people die from taking them Silver’s mother refuses to make them and is taken as a political prisoner. When President Bear announces that all unadjusteds are now required to take nanite pills, Silver knows she has to flee, but with a price on her head and hellhounds closing in on her – will she survive?

The Unadjusteds throws you in right in the middle of the action and doesn’t stop till the very end of the book. It’s a fast paced read and as the tension mounted I found myself turning the pages quicker and quicker to find out what was going to happen next. The ending was a bit of a surprise but the cliffhanger has definitely made me hopeful that their might be a sequel in the works.

The world is really fascinating in The Unadjusteds and I loved seeing all the genetic modifications. Fairy wings, impenetrable skin, invisibility and everything in between. I also really liked the mix of politics and action, it added another layer to this cleverly executed story. It also really delves into the themes of technology and greed – with nanite pills curing so many known diseases, humanity takes it one step further by beginning to alter their DNA – but at what cost?

Silver is a really interesting main character, she’s strong willed, determined to succeed and sticks by her beliefs to remain unadjusted. I really liked her as a protagonist and I enjoyed seeing her character develop as she tries to survive. There is also quite an interesting love triangle in the story, it’s a nice addition to the story without taking away from the main plot. It was fascinating to watch Silver attempt to understand her feelings on top of everything else that’s going on. She’s certainly a powerful main character, and one I was rooting for the whole way.

If you’re looking for a fast paced, fresh take on the dystopian novel, The Unadjusteds should definitely be your next read. A compulsively readable book that will definitely leave you wanting more from this world. ...more

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Sep 28, 2019 Barb Lie rated it it was amazing

The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle is a YA Dystopian story. Silver Melody, our 16-year-old heroine, lives in a world where most people have been altered, being given pills that enhanced them, such as bulk, strength, wings, telekinetic, etc. Silver is one of the 20% population that are considered Unadjusteds (did not take the pills).

Silver’s parents helped create the nanite pills that alter people, and they are forced to work for the evil President Bear, who is determined to make everyone altered, The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle is a YA Dystopian story. Silver Melody, our 16-year-old heroine, lives in a world where most people have been altered, being given pills that enhanced them, such as bulk, strength, wings, telekinetic, etc. Silver is one of the 20% population that are considered Unadjusteds (did not take the pills).

Silver’s parents helped create the nanite pills that alter people, and they are forced to work for the evil President Bear, who is determined to make everyone altered, even if many die from taking those pills. Silver lost her best friend after she had taken the pill, and swore that she would never take the pill. Silver is well known among the people, as her mother was accused of treason, because she did not want to create more pills. Despite not taking pills, Silver is very strong and fast, as she trains hard and can beat most people. When President Bear decides to force the remaining 20% to take the pills, Silver runs away with her friend Matt, and along the way they find more unadjusted people, as well as altered, who want to stop the evil president.

What follows is an exciting and intense adventure that pits Silver and her new friends against so many dangerous situations, including massive altered soldiers, or the deadly hellhounds that President Bear had his scientists create. Silver, Matt, Joe, Paige, Emma and others are willing to do whatever it takes to try to free Silver’s parents, and allow them to create a cure for all. But to do so they have to find a way to get past the enemies, find her parents, and kill the evil president.

I really liked Silver, as she was a great heroine, and the secondary characters working with her were an awesome team. The last third of the book escalated the danger and violence, holding our breaths to see who will survive. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and ruin it for you.

The Unadjusteds was a well written, intense and emotional story line that kept my attention from start to finish. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. Marisa Noelle did a fabulous job giving us an exciting story, wonderful heroine and great secondary characters. The ending was wild and emotional, and though it is not noted to be continuing, I feel it left things open for another book. I wholly suggest if you like an action-packed dystopian theme, you should be reading The Unajusteds.

Barb
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Oct 20, 2019 Kelly Van Damme rated it really liked it

3.5, rounded up

The Unadjusteds is a YA dystopian story set in a world that doesn’t differ much from ours, except that 80% of the people are genetically modified, adjusted, altered. Altering your appearance, intelligence or abilities has never been easier, all it takes is a little pill, a so-called nanite. Originally created to help cure cancer and other illnesses and diseases, nanites are now mostly used to change appearances (all sorts of wings, snakeskin, you name it and there’s a nanite for i 3.5, rounded up

The Unadjusteds is a YA dystopian story set in a world that doesn’t differ much from ours, except that 80% of the people are genetically modified, adjusted, altered. Altering your appearance, intelligence or abilities has never been easier, all it takes is a little pill, a so-called nanite. Originally created to help cure cancer and other illnesses and diseases, nanites are now mostly used to change appearances (all sorts of wings, snakeskin, you name it and there’s a nanite for it) and/or to gain abilities (speed, strength, jumping powers, swimming like a fish, …), in other words, animal traits have become available to humans, through nanites with animal DNA. There’s a downside too (although why anyone would want to sprout horns is beyond me and seems to me like a downside all on its own): sometimes the human body reacts badly to a nanite and dies.

The Unadjusteds jumps right into the action. There’s little introduction, not much world-building before the actual story kicks off. Instead, we learn about the world and the nanites through present-day events and through ponderings of main character Silver Melody. I enjoyed the swiftness of The Unadjusteds, the fact that we’re told so little and shown so much and that we learn about what’s been happening, (re)living it through Silver. It was Silver’s parents who developed the nanite technology, but at one point, her mother had moral qualms and refused to carry on her work, and she was arrested. Now, Silver and her dad don’t know if she’s even alive, and they are both monitored carefully.

Silver is likeable enough, although I did have some issues with her popularity and her sudden status of being unmissable, and I found her perhaps a little formulaic. I did like that she’s one of the unadjusteds, she hasn’t taken any nanites and has no special abilities and wishes to remain so, and she’s prepared for battle, has been ever since her mother was arrested, but at the same time, she’s not at all prepared for the things that are happening. This is where telling you more would be a massive spoiler, so that’s all I’ll say about that!

The extravagance in this world, people wanting to stand out regardless of the consequences, reminded me of The Hunger Games, more precisely of the people in the Capital. And that’s not where the similarities end, since The Unadjusteds also has a girl standing up to an evil president. (Although this president has both bear and black widow DNA which makes him even worse, I’d say).

I would have liked a little more info about the scientific side of things. DNA being so easily manipulated raised some questions that I didn’t find answered within the pages of The Unadjusteds, and there were some bits that didn’t make sense to me, even assuming DNA could be easily modified, but still I enjoyed spending time in this world, discovering the possibilities. It left me wondering and pondering, long after I’d turned the final page: would people be crazy enough to want this (I’m thinking they would), would a government find a way to take advantage of a technology such as this one (very likely, I’d say), would I take a nanite, and if so, which (I’m quite sure I would, if curing MS were as easy as taking a small pill, I don’t think I’d hesitate. But I would definitely not take anything with animal DNA!)

Overall, an entertaining read that I probably would have enjoyed a little more if I had been a little younger and a little less jaded. If kids with special powers are your bag, do check this one out!

Many thanks to Marisa Noelle for the eARC! All opinions are my own. ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Anna Orridge rated it it was amazing

A terrific YA sci fi adventure, with a vivid cast of characters and a story that will keep you turning the pages right until the satisfying end.

Silver Melody, a high school student and skilled martial artist, has her life turned upside down when her scientist parents are imprisoned by the ruthless President Bear. They are inventors of 'nanites', pills that alter the DNA of their consumers, giving them wings, or great strength, or skills such as superhuman speed. The majority of the US has succu ...more

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Oct 23, 2019 Nighat Jahangeer rated it it was amazing

The blend of suspense and fantasy is an amazing YA novel. The well developed imaginative plot in which author depicts a dystopian world and a lot of characters. This is not only entertaining but also a thought provoking novel. It has love and fight for the relations like family. The smooth and comprehend writing style makes this book fluent and entertaining.
It was a wonderful read that took me away to another world. I enjoyed this adventure in an imaginative world.
Highly recommend to enjoy an e ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 Rosie Amber rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia

The Unadjusters is a young adult dystopian novel.

Silver Melody lives in a world where people are genetically altered with enhanced skills or abilities. Silver accepts her school acquaintances who might have wings or bulked muscles, or who have incredible speed.

The modifications arrive via the ingestion of nanite pills, originally made to cure diseases like cancer until greed, power and money influenced the direction of their development. Now around eighty per cent of the population have an alter ...more

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