Review: Settling (Solid #2) by Shelley Workinger

Title: Settling

Author: Shelley Workinger

Series: 2nd in Solid Series

Pages: 242

Published: Available July 4 by CreateSpace

ISBN: 9781460981726

Source: Author sent for honest review

Description: 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…Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives. 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…

I Give This ...

 

I really enjoyed the first in this series, so was more than happy to participate in a blog tour arranged by the author.  

I was a little surprised by Clio during the course of this book.  It was almost like she became the queen bee in the first one and then left alone during this one, or so she thinks.  In the effort to make the "camp" become a functioning permanent place for them to live, they've all been given "jobs" in their area of expertise.  Jack works in security, Miranda works on the social calendar, etc.  Clio is basically working on the academic accepts, which means she spends a lot of time alone.  I'm not sure if it was her own doing or just the way it's played out, but Clio begins to feel left out.  And she starts to have secrets.  Her friends start to turn from her which of course causes a lot of drama and hurt feelings.  I thought in the end the Clio's friends were really hard on her, but I think it's because they expect more from her.


I liked the course of action during the story.  Of course the camp isn't safe yet.  There's a lot of mixed feeling as to what should be done with these "super" genetically altered kids.  And not everybody has pleasant thoughts of that.  There's someone on campus who seems to want to put an end to what they are trying to set up.  When the truth is exposed, someone gets hurt and a lot of blame falls on Clio.  I'm not sure she deserved it, and I'll be curious to how it all plays out in the next book.


One of my favorite parts was the new theory on how blood type might effect how the special powers are played out.  Especially when it comes to Jack and Clio because they seem to be unique cases.  I wasn't surprised at what Clio might actually be capable of, but it never dawned on me about Jack.


Overall I really enjoyed Settling, just not quite as much as Solid.  I am really looking forward to the next in the series!

Solid (Solid, #1) by Shelley Workinger

Title: Solid

Author: Shelley Workinger

Series: 1st in series

Pages: 222

Published: July 2010 by CreateSpace

ISBN: 9781453624821

Source: Author provided PDF for honest review

 

Description:  Eighteen years ago, a rogue Army doctor secretly experimented with a chromosomal drug on unknowing pregnant women. When he was killed not long after the children were born, any knowledge and evidence seemed to die with him - except for the living, breathing, human products of his work. Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed "open-book" military unearths the truth about the experiment, bringing Clio Kaid and the other affected teens to a state-of-the-art, isolated campus where they soon discover that C9x did indeed alter their chromosomes, its mutations presenting as super-human abilities. The military kids, who come from across the nation and all walks of life, come into their own as lighter-than-air 'athletes'; 'indies' as solid as stone walls; teens who can make themselves invisible and others who can blind with their brilliance. While exploring her own special ability, forging new friendships and embarking on first love, Clio also stumbles onto information indicating that the military may not have been entirely forthcoming with them and that all may not be as it seems...

I Give This ...

 

I've seen this one pop up here and there and I just wasn't sure on it.  I probably would have read it eventually, but the author asked if I would like to review it.  I said yes to a PDF (I've been wanting more books to use on my kindle).  

The story has an interesting plot line.  I was curious as to how the doctor snuck in an experimental drug on pregnant women.  The author makes in seem entirely plausible, especially within the tightly controlled environment of the military.  I was expecting more in the way of super powers, what the teens do have it subtle.  It's obviously blended in with regular humans, or the teens would have been pegged way before they actually were.  

I liked Clio (Calliope).  It's always a good indication when you like the main character immediately.  I liked her relationship with her mom and how she talked about her father.  She also was able to easily make friends once she arrived at the campus.  Her group had an interesting mix of individuals.  I liked Jack and Garrett and actually wondered which would be the romantic interest.  I was glad it was Jack, but Garrett definately made me laugh.   Miranda and Bliss were like night and day.  It's funny how the girls all became friends considering how different they were.

I also enjoyed how the characters tried to figure out what might have actually happened with the experiment and how it was effecting them today.  They knew something wasn't right and weren't content to sit in their perfectly created campus to see what might happen.  I also was surprised, which is always a plus when it comes to mystery.  I usually figure it out.

I will be reading the next one in this series.  I want to see were the characters go next with their powers.