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Abnormal
“I didn’t mean to kill them.”
In Heaven’s Light, the difference between a genetic Gift and an Abnormality is determined by the number of credits in your parent’s bank account. Gifts are reserved for the wealthy, and Abnormals are terminated—in the parent’s best interest, of course. Clare Rhodes is used to life under the radar. She uses her abnormality on a stranger at the club and finds an oil-slick of nightmares. The horrific visions invade her mind as she slips deeper... Knives. Fists. Fire. He knows more about her than anyone should. He even knows her Norm-ID is a fake.
She didn’t mean to kill him. On the run and off the grid are Clare's only options.
Too bad she's being tracked...
In Heaven’s Light, the difference between a genetic Gift and an Abnormality is determined by the number of credits in your parent’s bank account. Gifts are reserved for the wealthy, and Abnormals are terminated—in the parent’s best interest, of course. Clare Rhodes is used to life under the radar. She uses her abnormality on a stranger at the club and finds an oil-slick of nightmares. The horrific visions invade her mind as she slips deeper... Knives. Fists. Fire. He knows more about her than anyone should. He even knows her Norm-ID is a fake.
She didn’t mean to kill him. On the run and off the grid are Clare's only options.
Too bad she's being tracked...
- GenresScience Fiction
230 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2018
16 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Mullican
60 books327 followersAJ Mullican is a queer, neurospicy, multi-genre romance author who writes across a wide spectrum of tropes and romantic pairings. AJ loves love in all its varied forms, which is reflected in her writing. AJ firmly believes that “Variety in spice is life.” From “traditional” MF romance to queer and poly romantic pairings, throuples, quads (you get the idea!) there’s something for everyone in her work.
When she isn’t writing, AJ enjoys playing Final Fantasy XIV online and dabbling in sewing and resin crafting. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband and three cats, Rory, River, and Missy.
When she isn’t writing, AJ enjoys playing Final Fantasy XIV online and dabbling in sewing and resin crafting. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband and three cats, Rory, River, and Missy.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 10, 2025
This is one of the few books I've given a two-star review to, and usually if I do that it's because the entire premise of the work is almost miraculously offensive on top of being disinteresting. Warning: The book overall didn't strike me as more problematic than others I've come across in the genre (which is to say take reasonable precautions) with the exception of a bizarrely out-of-date negative stereotype of Chinese people thrown in as a weird one off.
Aside from that particular "yikes" moment, and any other iffy staples of the genre, Abnormal... isn't that. But it's one of the only books that feels so niche I'm having a hard time figuring out who wouldn't be turned off by some aspect of it. I want to make a point of saying that doesn't mean it's subjectively bad - just that I think there's probably too much going on in this story to easily find an audience.
First and foremost, it deserves whatever the literary equivalent is of an R-rating for language and violence (including sexual violence) but doesn't seem like it's the kind of story which really benefits from or earns a more adult tone. Undoubtedly many readers could see past this or even enjoy it, but then... It kinda reads like a NA/YA post-apocalyptic story with a heavy emphasis on romance. Which, sure, those things might not usually go together with gratuitous language and sexual assault themes. But maybe there's someone out there in the YA post-apocalyptic world wishing for something edgier than average.
But then it's also a M/F/F romance. And that's a niche genre for most readers, even dismissing the fact that one third of the thruple just kinda falls into the relationship without any build up, seemingly over the course of a few hours, and it's never questioned for the rest of the book.
All these aspects could work together in a marvellously plotted book with a team of professional editors and several more drafts, but since this is an indie, it seems to me to lack some of the refinement necessary to try to pull off a big upset of literary genre expectations. But that's assuming any major publisher would go for it, and then of course the author would be stuck ultimately not writing the kind of book that they wished to write. And, if nothing else, it's clear that the author is having fun and writing what they want to read.
Admittedly, I could be way off base here. I've only read a few post-apocalyptic books since the days of The Hunger Games, so I'm not as familiar with genre conventions or how far a writer can take it. And there are some other aspects (relationships based on physical and emotional codependency with a heavy dose of hurt/comfort vibes) that are just not at all my personal aesthetic.
But I feel guilty giving a book with so few Goodreads reviews a low score, and nervous that I'm wrong about just how niche this one really is. Ultimately, if anyone has been looking for a postapocalyptic polyamorous romance, then as long as they're willing to brave some of the more intense elements of this story, this might be an interesting choice.
Aside from that particular "yikes" moment, and any other iffy staples of the genre, Abnormal... isn't that. But it's one of the only books that feels so niche I'm having a hard time figuring out who wouldn't be turned off by some aspect of it. I want to make a point of saying that doesn't mean it's subjectively bad - just that I think there's probably too much going on in this story to easily find an audience.
First and foremost, it deserves whatever the literary equivalent is of an R-rating for language and violence (including sexual violence) but doesn't seem like it's the kind of story which really benefits from or earns a more adult tone. Undoubtedly many readers could see past this or even enjoy it, but then... It kinda reads like a NA/YA post-apocalyptic story with a heavy emphasis on romance. Which, sure, those things might not usually go together with gratuitous language and sexual assault themes. But maybe there's someone out there in the YA post-apocalyptic world wishing for something edgier than average.
But then it's also a M/F/F romance. And that's a niche genre for most readers, even dismissing the fact that one third of the thruple just kinda falls into the relationship without any build up, seemingly over the course of a few hours, and it's never questioned for the rest of the book.
All these aspects could work together in a marvellously plotted book with a team of professional editors and several more drafts, but since this is an indie, it seems to me to lack some of the refinement necessary to try to pull off a big upset of literary genre expectations. But that's assuming any major publisher would go for it, and then of course the author would be stuck ultimately not writing the kind of book that they wished to write. And, if nothing else, it's clear that the author is having fun and writing what they want to read.
Admittedly, I could be way off base here. I've only read a few post-apocalyptic books since the days of The Hunger Games, so I'm not as familiar with genre conventions or how far a writer can take it. And there are some other aspects (relationships based on physical and emotional codependency with a heavy dose of hurt/comfort vibes) that are just not at all my personal aesthetic.
But I feel guilty giving a book with so few Goodreads reviews a low score, and nervous that I'm wrong about just how niche this one really is. Ultimately, if anyone has been looking for a postapocalyptic polyamorous romance, then as long as they're willing to brave some of the more intense elements of this story, this might be an interesting choice.
November 3, 2018
Review: Abnormal by A.J. Mullican
Abnormal takes us into a world where people with telepathic abilities are common enough to be considered abnormal, hated and reviled by the majority. Where these abilities come from and why in this future when they aren’t known today is unexplained. However this is a minor quibble as they are used in a way to highlight injustice and intolerance and drive the story along. However there are other issues which, for me, prevent it from being a good story and make it a merely ordinary one.
The first issue is we are thrust into the story where the main protagonist, Clare is at a nightclub and intent of having sex with the woman she’s dancing with when her stalker appears, and tries with an accomplice to rape her. She makes her escape but soon after the two catch her again. A stranger appears and between the two of them they make their escape. It was here when I realized I’d seen this story before; it was The Terminator.
There is one major difference, in The Terminator there is a build up where we get to know Sarah Connor, we don’t get the opportunity here. She is a stranger, where she comes from, why she seemingly wants to have sex with complete strangers, none of these are explained and as a result it’s hard to feel sympathy as the book continues through a generic succession of pursuit, escape, and eventual capture.
Another similarity with The Terminator comes when they find refuge and in this time of peace Clare and the man, her Kyle Reese, who Clare finds sexually attractive almost immediately, something Clare seems to do a lot, fall into bed together. Only it’s a threesome for the sake of it between people who wouldn’t have minded if others joined in. It’s a cold act, devoid of the feeling Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese had for each other. They were drawn to each other by an emotion only two people desperate for any solace in a time of terror and facing the certainty of sudden death can feel for each other. There is none of that here.
The next action seems drawn from the playbook of Terminator again. The people after Clare attack and the chase is on again. I’ll try to avoid spoilers here but Clare is captured and we find out why she has been the target of such pursuit. Her Terminator wants her to breed the next generation of telepaths. Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to kill Sarah Connor since she needed to die before she gave birth to John Connor, the man who would win the war against the machines. But we don’t know the reason Clare was picked by the villain of the piece. Why her? In a world where telepathy is far from unknown, what was her special gift? We never find out.
There is another issue. Why does she, along with almost everyone else, want to have sex at the drop of a hat? Is it because in that act she finds some substitute for more intimate closeness? Is it due to her mother leaving her alone in a hostile world or the result of the sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather? These possibilities needed some description to flesh out the main protagonist. It would have ensured she had deep motives and reasons and wasn’t a cardboard cutout. At the end we find one more strong similarity to The Terminator. The child who would be left to carry on the fight so the story doesn’t end here although I’m not so sure I want to see where it does.
It might seem that I didn’t like the book but that would be far from true. It was tight, well-plotted, the action unrelenting. It just fell short in explaining why this was happening to a character I knew nothing about and, as a result, couldn’t feel any sympathy for. Which is a real pity given the premise but all in all I’d rather watch the movie.
Abnormal takes us into a world where people with telepathic abilities are common enough to be considered abnormal, hated and reviled by the majority. Where these abilities come from and why in this future when they aren’t known today is unexplained. However this is a minor quibble as they are used in a way to highlight injustice and intolerance and drive the story along. However there are other issues which, for me, prevent it from being a good story and make it a merely ordinary one.
The first issue is we are thrust into the story where the main protagonist, Clare is at a nightclub and intent of having sex with the woman she’s dancing with when her stalker appears, and tries with an accomplice to rape her. She makes her escape but soon after the two catch her again. A stranger appears and between the two of them they make their escape. It was here when I realized I’d seen this story before; it was The Terminator.
There is one major difference, in The Terminator there is a build up where we get to know Sarah Connor, we don’t get the opportunity here. She is a stranger, where she comes from, why she seemingly wants to have sex with complete strangers, none of these are explained and as a result it’s hard to feel sympathy as the book continues through a generic succession of pursuit, escape, and eventual capture.
Another similarity with The Terminator comes when they find refuge and in this time of peace Clare and the man, her Kyle Reese, who Clare finds sexually attractive almost immediately, something Clare seems to do a lot, fall into bed together. Only it’s a threesome for the sake of it between people who wouldn’t have minded if others joined in. It’s a cold act, devoid of the feeling Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese had for each other. They were drawn to each other by an emotion only two people desperate for any solace in a time of terror and facing the certainty of sudden death can feel for each other. There is none of that here.
The next action seems drawn from the playbook of Terminator again. The people after Clare attack and the chase is on again. I’ll try to avoid spoilers here but Clare is captured and we find out why she has been the target of such pursuit. Her Terminator wants her to breed the next generation of telepaths. Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to kill Sarah Connor since she needed to die before she gave birth to John Connor, the man who would win the war against the machines. But we don’t know the reason Clare was picked by the villain of the piece. Why her? In a world where telepathy is far from unknown, what was her special gift? We never find out.
There is another issue. Why does she, along with almost everyone else, want to have sex at the drop of a hat? Is it because in that act she finds some substitute for more intimate closeness? Is it due to her mother leaving her alone in a hostile world or the result of the sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather? These possibilities needed some description to flesh out the main protagonist. It would have ensured she had deep motives and reasons and wasn’t a cardboard cutout. At the end we find one more strong similarity to The Terminator. The child who would be left to carry on the fight so the story doesn’t end here although I’m not so sure I want to see where it does.
It might seem that I didn’t like the book but that would be far from true. It was tight, well-plotted, the action unrelenting. It just fell short in explaining why this was happening to a character I knew nothing about and, as a result, couldn’t feel any sympathy for. Which is a real pity given the premise but all in all I’d rather watch the movie.
June 17, 2019
Fast paced with a touch of great sex. If you ask me to review Abnormal of AJ Mullican in one sentence, this is it. Meet Claire Rhoades, psychic, femme extraordinaire, on the run for the gifted because… Well, because she’s poor and she’s not supposed to have these special powers.
AJ Mullican offers you a dystopian future. Not only did we not listen to the warnings we got during this century concerning our climate, people are either wealthy (and can use their extra powers) or poor (which makes them Abnormals and therefore not fit for these powers). We never learn why that difference is, but in the end that’s not important.
Alongside Clare you find Eli. And Harper. And Lookout and all those other gents and ladies. Sometimes I forgot I was reviewing a book – and instead the story took me along through the most beautiful and luxurious of places even as they came from the biggest slums. Friendship is important, but even more important is the loyalty and what you ‘owe’ someone else.
As they are on the run from the Squads, we see a world that lives with what we left them. The world is destroyed (but at the same time, it’s also hard and so survives), but as usual the rich survive.
The author throws in some surprises along the way, so expect a rollercoaster of action and emotion. Battles are fought with different weapons than you would expect. They are less tangible, but nevertheless deadly.
Sex
There is some sex in the book and for a change I loved it. You don’t get any anatomy lessons, but rather experience the emotions that come along. The passion, the pleasure and yes: the attraction. It’s fun to read how Clare unites with Eli and how she experiences it. Show, rather than tell became: Feel, rather than describe. If anything, this is how I love sex scenes in a book. What I also love is that the sex is not what this book is all about. It’s part of life, and so it’s part of this book, but it’s the story that propels us forward to a place we never want Clare to be. A place where the scum of the Earth resides in the form of mediocre human beings, ready to bring out the worst in themselves. And still, what’s worse? Undergoing what they do to you? Or witnessing it?
That’s a part I hate most in the book. The pain you are part of. The death wish of others. And the impossibility to do anything about it. The last chapters are brutal, so prepare for that.
The end is not what I hoped for and certainly nothing Clare had bargained for. And yet, still, there is hope. Hope enough for the next book.
AJ Mullican offers you a dystopian future. Not only did we not listen to the warnings we got during this century concerning our climate, people are either wealthy (and can use their extra powers) or poor (which makes them Abnormals and therefore not fit for these powers). We never learn why that difference is, but in the end that’s not important.
Alongside Clare you find Eli. And Harper. And Lookout and all those other gents and ladies. Sometimes I forgot I was reviewing a book – and instead the story took me along through the most beautiful and luxurious of places even as they came from the biggest slums. Friendship is important, but even more important is the loyalty and what you ‘owe’ someone else.
As they are on the run from the Squads, we see a world that lives with what we left them. The world is destroyed (but at the same time, it’s also hard and so survives), but as usual the rich survive.
The author throws in some surprises along the way, so expect a rollercoaster of action and emotion. Battles are fought with different weapons than you would expect. They are less tangible, but nevertheless deadly.
Sex
There is some sex in the book and for a change I loved it. You don’t get any anatomy lessons, but rather experience the emotions that come along. The passion, the pleasure and yes: the attraction. It’s fun to read how Clare unites with Eli and how she experiences it. Show, rather than tell became: Feel, rather than describe. If anything, this is how I love sex scenes in a book. What I also love is that the sex is not what this book is all about. It’s part of life, and so it’s part of this book, but it’s the story that propels us forward to a place we never want Clare to be. A place where the scum of the Earth resides in the form of mediocre human beings, ready to bring out the worst in themselves. And still, what’s worse? Undergoing what they do to you? Or witnessing it?
That’s a part I hate most in the book. The pain you are part of. The death wish of others. And the impossibility to do anything about it. The last chapters are brutal, so prepare for that.
The end is not what I hoped for and certainly nothing Clare had bargained for. And yet, still, there is hope. Hope enough for the next book.
September 2, 2018
Note: I received a pdf copy of the ebook in advance in exchange for an honest review.
This story is what I like in YA: that is, the author wrote a story with the YA tropes but for adults instead of for slow children. And don't be mistaken, this book has very adult themes and content. Deliciously so.
It's a dystopian story, about a a girl with paranormal powers in a world in which she is an outsider for somewhat arbitrary reasons. (That arbitrariness is the essential heart of injustice and inequality in social commentary.)
As someone who tries to keep her head down and avoid attention, she has never learned the details of the broader social conflicts of her society. This makes her the perfect viewpoint for an exploration of the world, as the reader learns it with her.
The ending was shocking, Powerful. Demands answers.
Can't wait for book 2.
This story is what I like in YA: that is, the author wrote a story with the YA tropes but for adults instead of for slow children. And don't be mistaken, this book has very adult themes and content. Deliciously so.
It's a dystopian story, about a a girl with paranormal powers in a world in which she is an outsider for somewhat arbitrary reasons. (That arbitrariness is the essential heart of injustice and inequality in social commentary.)
As someone who tries to keep her head down and avoid attention, she has never learned the details of the broader social conflicts of her society. This makes her the perfect viewpoint for an exploration of the world, as the reader learns it with her.
The ending was shocking, Powerful. Demands answers.
Can't wait for book 2.
Read
December 30, 2019This “New Adult” dystopian sci-fi story drops action on the reader right away. Diminutive Clare lives in a sort of hiding. “Abnormal” people like her (She’s a telepath) are killed off if their families don’t have enough “credits” in their accounts. Although Clare has a passable network of friends and a fake ID, there’s someone who’s after her - someone with intimate understanding of Clare’s situation and personality.
Clare fights off attackers, an attempted rape, and escapes to a sort of hidden community with the help of a dashing stranger. She seems to use her sexuality as a way to defuse the tensions of living in such a hellish place as “Heaven’s Light” and its time of intolerance and brutal classism.
Packed with action and violence, the book hints at a sequel.
Clare fights off attackers, an attempted rape, and escapes to a sort of hidden community with the help of a dashing stranger. She seems to use her sexuality as a way to defuse the tensions of living in such a hellish place as “Heaven’s Light” and its time of intolerance and brutal classism.
Packed with action and violence, the book hints at a sequel.
April 12, 2024
This is an amazing read and while there is romance in this story this is way beyond just the romance. This is a dark tale as well so check your triggers when you go to add this book to your TBR.
The FMC, Clare, is tough, has seen things in her life and had to hide her talents. The world as we know it is gone and mutant powers have developed among many of the remaining humans. This has lead to mutant discrimination and camps where atrocities are preformed on the lower class.
This is a story of overcoming loss and fear. Finding the people that complete you in order to survive the hardships of discrimination and persecution.
Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction/ Dystopian Science Fiction
The FMC, Clare, is tough, has seen things in her life and had to hide her talents. The world as we know it is gone and mutant powers have developed among many of the remaining humans. This has lead to mutant discrimination and camps where atrocities are preformed on the lower class.
This is a story of overcoming loss and fear. Finding the people that complete you in order to survive the hardships of discrimination and persecution.
Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction/ Dystopian Science Fiction
February 25, 2020
Recap: Clare is an abnormal who gets found out and has to go on the run.
Review: fast-paced dystopian futuristic story full of depraved sickos. I didn't mind the bed hopping, each to their own and the sex scenes weren't full of cringeworthy cliches. I was disappointed that the entire plot was for nothing as Clare ended up captured in the end and we never learn why she is important. Is this the first in a series?? There were hints that Eli knew more but again we never found out. It would've made a good cliffhanger. at times the relationship stuff seemed forced and unrealistic whereas at other times it was spot on. I'd read book two to find out what happens next, if it exists?
Review: fast-paced dystopian futuristic story full of depraved sickos. I didn't mind the bed hopping, each to their own and the sex scenes weren't full of cringeworthy cliches. I was disappointed that the entire plot was for nothing as Clare ended up captured in the end and we never learn why she is important. Is this the first in a series?? There were hints that Eli knew more but again we never found out. It would've made a good cliffhanger. at times the relationship stuff seemed forced and unrealistic whereas at other times it was spot on. I'd read book two to find out what happens next, if it exists?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2019
A fast-paced thrill ride with lots of franchise potential. Its warning of extreme elitism hits harder than The Hunger Games, its metahuman combat rivals that of the X-Men, and its futuristic feel could give Blade Runner a run for its money. I found a few parts a little incomplete, but nothing that detracted from the story; I'm sure they could be expounded in later books (wink wink). I also enjoyed the clear portrayal of psychic vs. verbal speech. All in all, a fun and illuminating read.
April 2, 2020
Abnormal By A.J. Mullican
Review by Katherine E. Soto
This book is an adventure and a half. It takes the reader from the opening where Clare, the main character, is caught up in a fight for her life. She is helped out of the bad situation by Eli. Chased by squads who want her for the murder of two people, Eli takes her on a run outside the cities on the telepath underground. They go house to house until the arrive in the first dead city, Clare meets unusual people with various telepath powers as they stay in a dead city. They attempt to leave the city and are caught up in the final battle.
I enjoyed reading a book with an adventure that pulled me into it. This is an Adult science fiction/Fantasy novel. There are a few scenes not fit for teen and below readers. A.J. Mullican writes a novel that will keep you on your toes. Look for a cliffhanger ending.
Review by Katherine E. Soto
This book is an adventure and a half. It takes the reader from the opening where Clare, the main character, is caught up in a fight for her life. She is helped out of the bad situation by Eli. Chased by squads who want her for the murder of two people, Eli takes her on a run outside the cities on the telepath underground. They go house to house until the arrive in the first dead city, Clare meets unusual people with various telepath powers as they stay in a dead city. They attempt to leave the city and are caught up in the final battle.
I enjoyed reading a book with an adventure that pulled me into it. This is an Adult science fiction/Fantasy novel. There are a few scenes not fit for teen and below readers. A.J. Mullican writes a novel that will keep you on your toes. Look for a cliffhanger ending.
January 11, 2021
Heaven’s Gate is no great place
This is a story of an evil dictator like council ruling a city and actively hunting those considered abnormal. It is a fast paced and great read. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
This is a story of an evil dictator like council ruling a city and actively hunting those considered abnormal. It is a fast paced and great read. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
May 25, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a good start to a series with interesting concepts. You can almost feel the plight of the characters and the underlying plot keeps you guessing.
August 15, 2021
Oh my gosh
Absolutely edge of your seat story. The exiting battels and mind reading. And a little twist of hope. I had to buy the next one right away.
Absolutely edge of your seat story. The exiting battels and mind reading. And a little twist of hope. I had to buy the next one right away.
May 9, 2020
AJ Mullican is a talented world builder and storyteller. Heaven’s Light is a harsh and cruel place to live, and even though Clare Rhodes is often overlooked because of her size, she is one tough cookie. This dystopian novel is chaotic and inventive. Reminiscent of the short-lived, binge-worthy Netflix show, Sense8, I would categorize Abnormal in NA rather than YA because of adult themes and graphic content, but oh what a ride!
***Not for Young Readers***
***Not for Young Readers***
January 6, 2021
If Harper dies we riot!
Well written characters. I'm not a dystopian fan but this book kept my attention from start to finish. A great escape into a well crafted world. Well worth the read and I look forward to more in this series.
Well written characters. I'm not a dystopian fan but this book kept my attention from start to finish. A great escape into a well crafted world. Well worth the read and I look forward to more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews