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jasmyn9's review
3.0
Collide was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were parts that I really, really liked. There were also parts that just seemed a bit dull. The beginning of the story was a little all over the place and the story dragged a lot until about half way through. By then, I had gotten a little more into the rhythm of the author's writing and the way events were pieced together within the book and within the individual chapters.
There were several points of view - we had Dakota, The Architect, and a doctor's journal. They all helped slowly piece together the history of five children with special powers. The history of a grand experiment that went bad - wiping the memories of most of the kids and splitting them in protective custody. But someone wants them back - for all the wrong reasons. The story is their fight for freedom and understanding.
There seemed to be a few too many "I learned this just in time to save the day" scenarios. I would understand a couple, but it seemed every time they got in trouble some really cool thing would help save the day. There also didn't seem to be too much logical character growth. While Dakota goes through a remarkable change - I had a hard time believing that it could have happened to her that quickly.
There really was no set ending. I hope the sequel explains a little more about Dakota's past and the inner workings of her power and mind. Perhaps it will make me understand her drastic change better. The premise of the world and story were great - it just needed to be flushed out a little better for me to really get into it.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-collide-by-christine-fonseca.html#sthash.xcWjyVZW.dpuf
There were several points of view - we had Dakota, The Architect, and a doctor's journal. They all helped slowly piece together the history of five children with special powers. The history of a grand experiment that went bad - wiping the memories of most of the kids and splitting them in protective custody. But someone wants them back - for all the wrong reasons. The story is their fight for freedom and understanding.
There seemed to be a few too many "I learned this just in time to save the day" scenarios. I would understand a couple, but it seemed every time they got in trouble some really cool thing would help save the day. There also didn't seem to be too much logical character growth. While Dakota goes through a remarkable change - I had a hard time believing that it could have happened to her that quickly.
There really was no set ending. I hope the sequel explains a little more about Dakota's past and the inner workings of her power and mind. Perhaps it will make me understand her drastic change better. The premise of the world and story were great - it just needed to be flushed out a little better for me to really get into it.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-collide-by-christine-fonseca.html#sthash.xcWjyVZW.dpuf
the_cover_contessa's review
5.0
So, if anyone knows me, they know I am a huge fan of Christine Fonseca. I am always recommending her to my friends and family. Her Requiem series really blew me away. So it's not surprising that I loved this one, as well!
Blurb from Goodreads:
The most dangerous secrets are the ones that kill.
When a surprising mental breakdown draws too much attention from a secret government group call the Order, 17-year-old Dakota discovers that her so-called boring life isn’t so boring after all. Between the lies, secrets and assassins out to kill her family, Dakota discovers there’s more to paranormal activity than ghosts and cheap mind tricks. Now she must uncover the truth before a new breed of terrorism takes everything away – including her life.
I will be honest and say that Christine did consult me on quite a few passages for this book. And I'm so honored that she included me and felt my opinion was important enough to get my thoughts. And I can also say that she has done it again. If you are a fan of thrillers, mysteries and action packed books that keep you on your toes, this one is it!
Dakota, wow! She's indescribably strong, despite not really understanding what is going on in her life. She's being pushed and pulled by forces she doesn't understand. Things have been wiped clean from her memories, but she's still more determined than ever to figure out how to keep those she loves safe. Dakota questions everything and everyone in her life, not sure who she should trust or if she can really trust anyone at all. I can't even begin to describe how well her anxiety and fear come through off the pages of this book!
Josh, Dakota's brother, is an awesome character. He's strong and protective of Dakota, willing to risk anything to keep her safe (even if it might be himself). I can't say much more about him because I don't want to spoil anything, but know he will grab you in this book, and perhaps even give you a bit of heartache.
David, I really want to see MORE of him. He's sensitive and also extremely protective of Dakota. He's willing to sacrifice himself several times throughout the book to keep her safe.
But I have to say my favorite character in this book is The Architect. I can't even explain exactly why. I love how the character's POV is written in third person. It gives the character so much depth. Being part of the all knowing, it was the perfect fit for this character.
The pacing of this book is great! I flew right through it, not wanting to put it down, and turning the pages with an eagerness I wasn't surprised by. This is how it's been whenever I read Fonseca's writing. She has a way of really pulling you so far into the story, you just don't want to leave. There's nothing slow about where Fonseca goes with this story. It's always moving you forward.
As for the story-line? Well, Fonseca has described it as Xmen meets Bourne Identity, and she could not be more right. I love how the paranormal is incorporated into this book. It's innovative and unique. Lovers of Mafi's Shatter Me series or Bracken's Darkest Minds series will truly love this book.
Collide is a fast moving, suspenseful thriller full of twists and turns around every bend. An action packed read that will have your heart slamming in your chest and your mind racing until the end.
Blurb from Goodreads:
The most dangerous secrets are the ones that kill.
When a surprising mental breakdown draws too much attention from a secret government group call the Order, 17-year-old Dakota discovers that her so-called boring life isn’t so boring after all. Between the lies, secrets and assassins out to kill her family, Dakota discovers there’s more to paranormal activity than ghosts and cheap mind tricks. Now she must uncover the truth before a new breed of terrorism takes everything away – including her life.
I will be honest and say that Christine did consult me on quite a few passages for this book. And I'm so honored that she included me and felt my opinion was important enough to get my thoughts. And I can also say that she has done it again. If you are a fan of thrillers, mysteries and action packed books that keep you on your toes, this one is it!
Dakota, wow! She's indescribably strong, despite not really understanding what is going on in her life. She's being pushed and pulled by forces she doesn't understand. Things have been wiped clean from her memories, but she's still more determined than ever to figure out how to keep those she loves safe. Dakota questions everything and everyone in her life, not sure who she should trust or if she can really trust anyone at all. I can't even begin to describe how well her anxiety and fear come through off the pages of this book!
Josh, Dakota's brother, is an awesome character. He's strong and protective of Dakota, willing to risk anything to keep her safe (even if it might be himself). I can't say much more about him because I don't want to spoil anything, but know he will grab you in this book, and perhaps even give you a bit of heartache.
David, I really want to see MORE of him. He's sensitive and also extremely protective of Dakota. He's willing to sacrifice himself several times throughout the book to keep her safe.
But I have to say my favorite character in this book is The Architect. I can't even explain exactly why. I love how the character's POV is written in third person. It gives the character so much depth. Being part of the all knowing, it was the perfect fit for this character.
The pacing of this book is great! I flew right through it, not wanting to put it down, and turning the pages with an eagerness I wasn't surprised by. This is how it's been whenever I read Fonseca's writing. She has a way of really pulling you so far into the story, you just don't want to leave. There's nothing slow about where Fonseca goes with this story. It's always moving you forward.
As for the story-line? Well, Fonseca has described it as Xmen meets Bourne Identity, and she could not be more right. I love how the paranormal is incorporated into this book. It's innovative and unique. Lovers of Mafi's Shatter Me series or Bracken's Darkest Minds series will truly love this book.
Collide is a fast moving, suspenseful thriller full of twists and turns around every bend. An action packed read that will have your heart slamming in your chest and your mind racing until the end.
bluekaren's review
I was so looking forward to this book. The cover is awesome. The premise has so much promise. The delivery fell flat me, though. I have to admit that I didn't finish this book. I got 77% through this book. I got the gist of what the story was about. I met the characters (even the ones that died right away), I just couldn't get into this book. There was not enough of an intro to get me attached before things started to fall apart.
Maya and her brother were part of an experiment that gives them special powers. They are being chased by government agents. There is a bit of misinformation given to Maya to try to keep her safe. Everyone knows but her... Maya has special powers but she doesn't use them when she needs to. This girl just frustrated me. There were big gaps in her memory and her story. There wasn't enough of her for me to like Maya or care about her story.
This book has switching POVs which might have been part of the problem for me. It was so confusing from the start and then it picked up and started to make sense. By then, I had lost a lot of interest. There were a few scenes in this book that were well written. Most of what I read lacked the sort of detail to keep a readers attention.
I know I am in the minority here. This book was loved by plenty of people, so don't let this one bad review stop you from seeing for yourself. I, however, could not force myself to read another page.
Maya and her brother were part of an experiment that gives them special powers. They are being chased by government agents. There is a bit of misinformation given to Maya to try to keep her safe. Everyone knows but her... Maya has special powers but she doesn't use them when she needs to. This girl just frustrated me. There were big gaps in her memory and her story. There wasn't enough of her for me to like Maya or care about her story.
This book has switching POVs which might have been part of the problem for me. It was so confusing from the start and then it picked up and started to make sense. By then, I had lost a lot of interest. There were a few scenes in this book that were well written. Most of what I read lacked the sort of detail to keep a readers attention.
I know I am in the minority here. This book was loved by plenty of people, so don't let this one bad review stop you from seeing for yourself. I, however, could not force myself to read another page.
whisperingchapters's review
3.0
Collide is about a group of, you could say scientists that had started out the Solomon Projects. The Solomon Projects started with five children who were supposed to be trained to control their psychic abilities for warfare. Unfortunately, there was someone who obviously wanted more control and led the experiments astray, wanting to convert them into killers. They were all given names as if they were in a video game: Samurai, Ninja, and Assassin are my favorites. When a few of the scientists noticed the true intentions of the person leading the experiments into killers, they did everything possible to take them away. Unfortunately, they were all found.
Collide started out very slow for me. It got really good after a few chapters in, but it lacked a lot. I really wanted to like this book because the cover really had me intrigued. I'm sad to say I was disappointed. I loved the story but some characters didn't really developed throughout the story. There were parts that I was reading that I considered lacked information.
I would have wanted more of Mari's character and also the friendship that Mari, Maya and Dakota had. I would have loved to know more about those three characters. Their friendship was mentioned in passing but never given too much thought and I was saddened by this fact. Also, I wanted more in the story of Josh leaving and the relationship Dakota and David had. There was a friend, Elaine, mentioned at the beginning of the story that I thought I would see more in the story, but I didn't. Maybe she will be again in the second book. Who knows?
In summary, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars just because this story lacked a lot and I'm sad by this because the story itself is good, just not great. It would have been so good if it had included a whole lot more. The author confirmed that for the second book there will be more background to the characters and more information to the whole story, which is exactly what I am looking for.
Collide started out very slow for me. It got really good after a few chapters in, but it lacked a lot. I really wanted to like this book because the cover really had me intrigued. I'm sad to say I was disappointed. I loved the story but some characters didn't really developed throughout the story. There were parts that I was reading that I considered lacked information.
I would have wanted more of Mari's character and also the friendship that Mari, Maya and Dakota had. I would have loved to know more about those three characters. Their friendship was mentioned in passing but never given too much thought and I was saddened by this fact. Also, I wanted more in the story of Josh leaving and the relationship Dakota and David had. There was a friend, Elaine, mentioned at the beginning of the story that I thought I would see more in the story, but I didn't. Maybe she will be again in the second book. Who knows?
In summary, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars just because this story lacked a lot and I'm sad by this because the story itself is good, just not great. It would have been so good if it had included a whole lot more. The author confirmed that for the second book there will be more background to the characters and more information to the whole story, which is exactly what I am looking for.
myntop's review
5.0
This book was amazing, I can not WAIT for book 2! The author has woven a tale that is both exhilarating and heart wrenching. We get to see the use of psychological gifts, a mystery to be uncovered, and a childhood romance being kindled again. I was instantly drawn into the story and was so involved in the characters lives that each shock, each death, each new obstacle felt personal to me. Stories like these are the ones we love to read because we are so fully immersed in the story, it's almost hard to re-enter the real world. Warning, there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book, so reader beware. But for me it only served my desire to have the next book to read as soon as possible. I would also like the thank the author for not only sending me a copy of her book to read, but also including several bookmarks and signing the book for me. I will treasure it.
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