Kindle Edition Amazon The Solid Series Category:  Young Adult/Teen ISBN-10:  1460981723 Pages: 242 ISBN-13: 9781460981726 Book Two of the SOLID Series Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they develop "super-abilities," while at the same time forging new friendships, finding love, and unearthing a conspiracy. At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…   Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

Confessions of a Bookaholic
Settling by Shelley Workinger
Publisher: CreateSpace (July 4th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Author
Series: Solid #2
Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: This series gets better and better! Settling picks up from where Solid left off. Clio and her friends are still at the Army camp trying to find out what abilities they may have due to the experimentation done on their mothers.

While Settling does have drama and suspense, much of that is from the friendships between Clio and the rest of their close group. Clio seems to break away and it's not completely clear as to why. She seems to just simply be a teenager struggling with all the changes going on around her.

Beyond what Clio may be going through, attacks are still occurring at the camp and no one knows who is responsible. We also get introduced to a new character that had me blushing like crazy!! Wooahhh, can't wait to see what happens next with that little plot! Settling doesn't focus as much on what's going on with Clio's friends as Solid did but we still get a chance to see Garrett (who is awesome!), Jack and the rest of the gang. It just seemed that this book gave Clio a chance to make mistakes, learn, grow, and turn into who she truly is.

This series is so unique and engaging! Settling is a quick read but one that you won't be able to put down. I can't wait to see what Shelley Workinger comes up with next for this group of friends! The ending of Settling makes it impossible to not read the rest of the series!

Paranormal Indulgence
WARNING: If you haven't read Solid, book one in the Solid trilogy, then it would probably be a good idea to stay away from this review.

Indeed a pine-worthy sequel, I've decided Settling is my favorite of the two books. Which is surprising because I've never really been a fan of sci-fi books, and yet I'm so drawn to this series, now even more so. I'm still confused as to why nobody has picked up on these books; they are amazing! Like, where is the buzz and hype when you need it? The series has great things going for it: kids with altered chromosomes and superhuman powers, psychopathic killers on the rampage, and ONE OF THE BEST TEEN GROUP OF FRIENDS I HAVE EVER 'MET'. I don't know if the caps did it for ya, but I'm serious. Clio and her friends are just packages of awesome that make you warm and laugh when you open them. This second book showed how the results of Solid strengthened their friendship and made them ten MILLION times more lovable.

And it's because of these characters that I could not get enough of this story! While the first book was an intro to the C9x project - the name for the chromosome that was altered within this collection of teens - and the abilities that came with this genetic mutation. Now, with Settling, the problems have escalated. I mean, one has to wonder how the general public would react to this group of mutated (that sounds worse than it is) teens gathered together by the military, like it's not unordinary, right? Hell, if it were me, I'd think the military was planning on putting together a teen assassin squad or superhuman soldiers! But, surprisingly, the military just want to help... or so it seems. And, unsurprisingly, Americans aren't too thrilled with the prospect of this project or the campus, with the kids all rounded up and together. (Can we say: HATERS much?)

This whole mess is stressful. I know, because I was reading it. But, imagine how Clio feels!? Poor girl is trying to keep it together, trying not to be worried for herself or her friends, all the while struggling with some interesting new... stuff. In the beginning, Clio and her friends were closer together, but this whole killer madness and all of the nonanswers provided by the government is stretching their nerves. I felt for them. I'd be bummed if nobody knew what was wrong with me, what this genetic alteration could effect in the future! Added to all that craziness, love is in the air! Triangle alert, though I won't say where or, more correctly, with whom. Though I'm a TAD frustrated as to the state of Bliss and Garrett's current lack of steamy romance! -_- Things better spice up between those two in Sound!

On the + side, Some new fun and intriguing people are added to the already fabulous mix of characters! Hullo, Xavier and Rae! Incoming. Two smokin' hotties, though (sadly) only one of the transfers is a boy, with unique powers to bring to the table, ones that can't quite be classified and leads everyone to believe that there's more to C9x then was imaginable... It just goes to show that there's more to C9x then meets the eye. Plus, there's Ford, the oh-so-delectable and please-come-here-and-kiss-me-cutie who's one of the military personnel on campus! Oh yeah, there was some ogling on my part... and Clio's.

Then, BAM! Everything went to hell, though not literally like in some books. Without warning, too. Well, maybe I knew what was going to happen, that everything was going to boil up to this one point and then there would be a dangerous explosion to shake things up. So what! I'm still not happy with how things turned out. Oh, it made sense. But, dammit, I can't help but feel hurt and upset and... and... needy. I'm hurt for my favorite set of friends and my lovely heroine, upset at the outcome of it all, and needy for the next freaking book! How can I possibly wait until the summer OF 2012 to find out more?!? No fair. Workinger, you play dirty.

Recommendation: If you're not really into thick reads, give Solid and Settling go. They are relatively short books packed with a lot of punch, I assure you. Plus if you're into paranormal/superhuman powers and sci-fi-ish action, this is your slice of cheesecake. Guaranteed winner, the first and second book. (But the second book more so, but shh! don't tell I said so.)


Books with Bite
Title: Settling (Solid # 2)
Author: Shelley Workinger
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: July 4, 2011
Book: ARC sent by author

Ever since I got the first book, I have been hooked. And this book had the hooked sink even deeper into my skin. I am still shocked with the ending, it just....WOW!

The story line of this book is slow at first. It picks off right where the first book left off and the reader is updated on all the things that has been going on around the camp. I enjoyed reading up on the characters and seeing their progression in their powers. A lot of the characters had really changed while others remain the same. There were some new characters introduce that made this book so good to read.

The characters had a lot of growing up to do. Clio is one character that change but not in a good way. I am disappointed in some of her decisions but then again she had a lot going on. Friendships in this book, loyalties in this book were tested, badly. As I sat and read this I think I gasped like a million times. There is so much going on with the characters, secrets and alliances being made behind each other backs that it made you wonder what is really going on.

Now for the ending. I have to admit that I like the ending of this book. I am not fond of a sad, bitter ending but it worked for this book. And if anything, the ending really reflected the state of the next book. Which of course makes me super, excited to read. If you have not picked up this series you should. This is one heck of a read that you will never forget! READ IT!