Category: Young Adult/Teen ISBN-10: 1453624821
Type: Fiction
Pages: 221
Copyright: July 9, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781453624821
Book One of the SOLID Series
Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they forge new friendships, find love, develop "super-abilities," and even unearth a conspiracy.
Clio Kaid may be 17 and just beginning the last summer before her senior year, but her life is anything but typical.
She's just discovered she was genetically altered before birth and is now headed to a top-secret Army campus to explore the surprising results of the experiment.
Follow Clio and the other teens as they develop fantastic super-abilities, forge new friendships, find love, and uncover a conspiracy along the way.
A very fast read that I was able to finish in a day, Solid by Shelley Workinger tells the story of Clio, a teenager struggling to become normal, only to discover she has been genetically altered way before her birth, without her family knowing it. Placed in a camp with other similarly-fated teens, she not just uncovers a big conspiracy, but also finds real, lasting friendship, and a sense of belongingness.
This story was very fast-paced, engaging , and precise. The narration is very straight to the point and carried with it an undertone of urgency, as if reading this slowly - even putting this down - will have dire consequences to the outcome of the story. Although it starts as a seemingly ordinary teen story, this will not turn the reader off as there are some very interesting events that will catch the reader's attention. The voice - Clio's voice - was very authentic and believable, it was like actually listening to Clio tell you her story. Through her voice, we were able to learn about the other characters, the significant events, and the rather strange circumstances that she and her friends encounter. Clio's friends, for that matter, were also very interesting and alive. The author captured the reader's attention with very colorful descriptions of the characters, that after being introduced it's as if they have really come alive. What's more interesting to note was that although they were very different from each other, as a group they were very good together and I think every teenager will find a little of themselves in every personality from the book.
Reading the plot, one would think that it would be as complicated as say, that of the X-Men. But let me assure you that although this may have the same excitement as that of the famed comic book, the premise is lighter, less complex, but much easier to accept. In a way, it was funny to read about special abilities that aptly suited teenagers' behaviors like wanting to be unnoticed and blend in, standing out and becoming popular, and showing exceptional skills in particular areas.
This book is not like your typical superhero books where it tells you that everything is possible if you just believe in it, or that "With great power comes great responsibility." In my opinion, one of this book's messages is to accept yourself, whatever your flaws may be, and to know that it's all right to ask for other people's help. Which are things that most young adults - even real adults - seem to have difficulty grasping. And for that, this book is something that should be read by everyone, not just the teenagers, and not just those fascinated with special abilities.
Life of Fiction
Solid by Shelley Workinger
★★★★★
Release Date: 2010
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction
Could you imagine being 17 years old and finding out you may have secretly been genetically altered by the military? For Clio and a group of about 100 seemingly normal teens this is their reality. Without parents these kids, including Clio, are flown to a secluded camp in New Jersey to begin testing for the affects of the mutations. Forming fast friendships and an even closer relationship, she becomes comfortable and dives head first into her new life. But, too soon these new friends find themselves amidst conspiracy and begin asking the questions they should have been asking all along, but is it too late?
I literally just put this one down and all I can think to say right now is WOW! Shelley Workinger is a genius and I didn't want this book to end! "Solid" is the perfect balance of humor, romance, mystery, and stealth all wrapped up in a well flowing and beautifully written young adult story.
Our main character, Clio, is a sarcastic fast talking and easy to relate to teenager. This girl is hilarious, the quips and remarks she makes to her fellow peers and to herself had me laughing with tears in my eyes. I will say that Ms. Workinger does a great job bringing Clio down to earth and she has her moments, as we all did at 17. I didn't see her as the most confident of characters, but she definitely changes a lot throughout just this one book, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the series will bring for her.
Along with Clio are her cohorts, all of which she meets at the camp. We have 4 other, very different, characters that I think most readers can also relate to. Cocky athletic Garrett, well manicured and health conscious Miranda, sweet Bliss, and ready for anything Jack. There is an underlying romance in this book but it doesn't consume the rest of the story. I love that while it's present, Clio is her own girl, her choices aren't blinded by a fast romance with a hot boy. There are just enough speeding heartbeats and cute passages to keep any romantic happy.
Ms. Workinger does a great job creating a well flowing book that goes smoothly from funny one liners to serious conversations. It reminds me of Xmen, supernatural teens all living together and figuring out what they can do, while also forming bonds with others going through the same thing. I also really loved the prologue, it was the perfect glimpse at the past to help us understand the present. The mystery aspect of the story is number one. It's a thrill and a lot of fun. It's simply put: an amazing paranormal story that had me laughing, I couldn't put it down. Yes. If you are considering reading this book, my answer is yes.
After devouring this read you too will be itching for the sequel Settling which comes out July 4th!
I would recommend this book to fans of Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Cassandra Clare, and Kiersten White.
Confessions of a Readaholic
**This is a review based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). The text might be different in the final print! and Note: May include spoilers.**
When I first read the blurb of this book, I thought it sounded kinda like the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson, with you know, the mention of "genetics". And then, I thought it also sounds like a book I recently (a few weeks ago actually) read, Hush Money by Susan Bischoff. With the super abilities and stuff, I was like, this book's definitely going to be about "Genetically altered humans who become superheroes and blah blah blah."
Not exactly.
Solid is such a unique and highly original story. It proved to be different from what I thought it would be, and brought on a whole new level of "paranormal sci-fi". There was also a really BIG twist to the story, and I was totally caught off guard; I didn't even suspect what was going to happen.
Characters in this story were amazingly thought out. Of course, you have the main girl, the cute guy who the main girl likes, the supportive best friend, the joker/jock aka "class clown", and then the mean girl. They all form an amazing friendship and use their abilities to find out the secret behind the genetic experiments. Let's take a look at the characters, shall we?:
Clio: The Main Character. She's funny and smart, and a really strong character. Love her! I also like all the media references/allusions she makes during the book (LOVE "For You I Will" by Teddy Gieger!), and I really do think she's fitting to be a main character. She also kind of reminds me of Remy from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. I guess it's because both their mom's are authors and the dad's died. Just making a connection! Love all main girl characters, now that I think of it. All have really admirable qualities. Well, anyway, loved Clio's humorous comments during the book as well :).
Jack: The Cute Guy. When I was introduced to Jack in the book, I was like, No way, she's so not gonna fall for him at first! because in "typical" books, the girl always falls for the jock and THEN goes for the sweet, sensitive, smart guy. Really cliché right? well, anyway, that wasn't the case, and I'm glad that Clio and him end up together :)
Bliss: The Supportive Best Friend. OMG, this girl is adorrabbbllee! love her character, she is such a sweet best friend! She's always there for Clio, when it's guy trouble, or just normal stuff and she's just such an amazing supporting character. She kinda reminds me of Gabbe, the sweet southern belle/fallen angel in Fallen by Lauren Kate. And love her power! it's so amazing, and totally suits her.
Garret: The Jock/The Joker. I CANNOT imagine the book without Garret. I think without him, the book would fall apart, as he adds in the humor to it all with his hilarity and dance moves. He's unlike the typical jock, where he immediately goes for the hot blonde (aka Miranda), but instead takes on the sweet smart girl Bliss :D. His skill is also pretty amazing and GAH! Just LOVVVVEEE HIM. Cannot express how much I do. I think I'm kinda torn between Jack and Garret :P.
Miranda: The Mean Pretty Girl. Well, okay, she's mean at first, but forms the unlikely friendship with the rest of the gang above. She's really funny as well, and adds in some very good points. I wish that she was more developed though, as I can really remember what the other characters were like, I couldn't remember her as much. But still, love her snarkiness and attitude, just the perfect "mean" girl, with an amazing personality change.
I love how the book isn't focused so much on finding powers and the plot behind it all, but also includes funny moments, such as the Dance, and then a few romantic ones. But of course, the best part is the BIG twist, the one I keep mentioning. It's just so sudden, it's like a punch in your gut. You have no idea when it's coming. I have to say though, the ending was rushed a little, I felt like it could have been further spread out, but in the end, the plot's amazing and you can't really say a bad thing about it :D.
Solid was a quick read, yet it took me AGES to get going into putting it into a Review, as I didn't wanna give too much or too little away. Just a little insight into the characters and plot. This is definitely a read for those who want to take a break from Vampires, Angels and Werewolves. Just highly original, which you can't seem to find in YA books so much these days.
Overall, Solid is a fast-paced story that sci-fi fans, paranormal and YA readers who are sick of the norm and need something different (and fast!). Shelley Workinger has written a fantastic debut and I can't wait to get my hands on the upcoming book 2, Settling!
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