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Chasing Power
Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind-things like credit cards and buttons on cash registers-and she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again . . . which would mean grave danger for them both. When she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel-a boy with the ability to teleport-he needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family-and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive…or survive.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2014
31 people are currently reading
4,688 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beth Durst
43Ìýbooks4,828ÌýfollowersSarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She's been awarded an American Library Association Alex Award, as well as a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
November 9, 2014
I was over the moon when I finally bought this book, mostly because I've wanted to read this for quite some time now. Something about people with superpowers makes me giddy inside; like Marvel and DC comic book characters. But first let me ask, how cool us this cover? Its eye capturing I'll say.
"Okay Danny, now that we're best buds, how do you know who I am? Have you been stalking me? Because that's not what best friends do" - Kayla
As I was saying, I love characters with superpowers, especially when they're female and have kickass powers. With a synopsis this book has I wasn't expecting anything short of spectacular. Man did my expectations takes a nose dive. I was in a perpetual state of rolling my eyes. Clichés were everywhere and the parts of the storyline were unconvincing. Basically if a character was wondering about what happened in the past or what's the meaning behind this, another character would immediately go into a long story about how “this� or “that� came to be; it didn't transition well at all and is something I would expect out of a low budget movie.
And sweet buttery Jesus! You have the densest characters I have read in a while! First you have Kayla who's trying way too hard to be witty and sarcastic; yeah she had a couple of lines that made me chuckle, but other than that I wanted her to shut up. For example, when retrieving the first clue for the stone in the tomb she's talking to herself. Why are you talking to yourself Kayla? Someone is obviously in there with you ready to pounce (quiet is unnatural, which means you’re not alone), so why are you giving off your location? Ugh this dummy, or dummy number 1.
Then you have Daniel who is reckless and as Thomas Paine would say, possesses no common sense. What is up with him being the damsel in distress? It's unattractive in women, and even more so in men. While he's under the pathetic notion that if he trades the stones for his mother, he fails to realize that they could still kill her...duh! You live in the 21 century bro, have you never seen a movie with kidnappers? Captain obvious and dummy number 2 award goes to Daniel!
"You're trying to cover for him." Moonbeam kissed Kayla's forehead. "Never cover for a boy. If they have faults, face them. Don't think you can change them or fix them or save them."
Selena is a secondary and weak willed character who's too afraid of standing up to her parents. Well I guess you'll always be under their thumb then, sweetheart. And why does she want Kayla to steal a ring for her? Isn't she “richer than God� as said in the book? She can't buy her own ring? Lazy! Dummy number 3
"It was already creepy as hell. She half expected to see some sort of ABANDON HOPE ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE sign."
Kayla's dad, Jack, sister, Amanda, and mom, Moonbeam are three-way tied for dummy number 4. You have a psychopathic sister, power hungry dad and tool of a mother. I love how Moonbeam took her daughter back and banished the dad away. Not! The dad was the one who still had some empathy and remorse left unlike the sister. So which one of these is not like the other? Moonbeam was one to talk about parenting because you left a child behind. If you really wanted that girl you would find a way to get her. It takes two parents to mess up a child, genius. She and Kayla are just as heartless as the dad and Amanda.
As you can see I have a lot to say about this book. I was not feeling it at all. Maybe a lot of people like this but I think it was okay. The characters ruined it for me to be honest. The pacing was slow at times and half way through I was getting bored and skimming pages. I expected more from this book.
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March 7, 2015JOIN BOOKBUSTERS HERE THIS MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2015 WHILE WE READ THIS BOOK HERE!!!
I just finished reading this title. Full review to come.
My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....
November 7, 2014
***This review has also been posted on
Actual Rating 3.5
This book can be easily surmised as fun. Admittedly though, I am a tad disappointed after having my mind blown by TheÌýLost earlier this year. This book doesn’t even begin to compare on the level TheÌýLost sets but considering the two books actually aren’t that similar, I don’t think it would be fair to compare them.
The major selling point of this book is adventure, it’s why it’s so fun. I mean these kids are trying to find magical stones that will grant the person who has them invincibility. Who doesn’t want to be invincible (certainly not me)? There is also a bit of myth/ancient history involved which makes it all the more exciting, for me at least.
Kayla is a great main character. I love that she is willing to go so far to take care of her family but at the same time, what kept on bothering me was that she was just a teenager. She had powers yes, but she was inexperienced in using them and she really should have confided at least a little bit in her mother. No matter how good the intentions, it’s never good to keep a secret of that magnitude.Ìý That said, her loyalty wasn’t a bad quality, I loved that in spite of everything, she recognized that her mother was not the bad guy here. That her mother always wanted what was best for her even if what she thought was best did not line up with Kayla’s ideas about what was best for herself.
In fact, I loved that there were actually good flawed parental figures in this book. There were bad ones, but they were counteracted by the good ones; the parents who in spite of their not so good actions, were never portrayed as evil or even as plain old bad since their children realized that they were not in fact the enemy.
I also loved Selena. I loved how she was not the perfect best friend and actually had issues of her own. She may have been confident but she was also insecure about certain things and did actually need to stand up for herself.
Daniel was also just as fun to read about. I loved that the fact that he was hot wasn’t particularly emphasized. It was in the beginning but as Kayla got to know him better, the emphasis was less on his beauty and more on the fact that he was actually a great guy. What I liked most about him though was his determination to get his mother back; at the same time though it was one of his worst characteristics considering it led him to lying and what have you.
The romance is one of the things that did not work for me though. I expected more considering that the two actually complemented one another but before the relationship had even had any real time to progress, they had already fallen in love and I just ended up being disappointed.
The plot also ended up falling apart when things became rushed towards the end and everything ended up being wrapped up neatly in a bow. It’s one of the reasons why I was so disappointed in this book. It started off beautifully and I was so excited to see where it would all go and how things would turn out but it just didn’t go as well as I had hoped. There wasn’t enough focus on the ancient history/myth for my taste and I wish we actually found out more about the past then just the brief mentions we got. All of this could have linked to something so full of awesomeness yet that wasn’t the case and that made me sad.
I felt like there was a lot of potential in the world building itself too but the fact that it wasn’t explored as much as possible didn’t bother me as much as the fact that the plot ended up not being as awesome as it could have been.
On top of that, I hated how some things wrapped up. As I mentioned before, I felt like the ending was too neat and that there were just some knots that could have been tied a whole lot better than they were.
With all my disappointment expressed, I have to say, this is definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone who just needs something to read. It’s fun and adventurous and while it’s far from perfect, you’ll still have a good time. I know I did.
Actual Rating 3.5
This book can be easily surmised as fun. Admittedly though, I am a tad disappointed after having my mind blown by TheÌýLost earlier this year. This book doesn’t even begin to compare on the level TheÌýLost sets but considering the two books actually aren’t that similar, I don’t think it would be fair to compare them.
The major selling point of this book is adventure, it’s why it’s so fun. I mean these kids are trying to find magical stones that will grant the person who has them invincibility. Who doesn’t want to be invincible (certainly not me)? There is also a bit of myth/ancient history involved which makes it all the more exciting, for me at least.
Kayla is a great main character. I love that she is willing to go so far to take care of her family but at the same time, what kept on bothering me was that she was just a teenager. She had powers yes, but she was inexperienced in using them and she really should have confided at least a little bit in her mother. No matter how good the intentions, it’s never good to keep a secret of that magnitude.Ìý That said, her loyalty wasn’t a bad quality, I loved that in spite of everything, she recognized that her mother was not the bad guy here. That her mother always wanted what was best for her even if what she thought was best did not line up with Kayla’s ideas about what was best for herself.
In fact, I loved that there were actually good flawed parental figures in this book. There were bad ones, but they were counteracted by the good ones; the parents who in spite of their not so good actions, were never portrayed as evil or even as plain old bad since their children realized that they were not in fact the enemy.
I also loved Selena. I loved how she was not the perfect best friend and actually had issues of her own. She may have been confident but she was also insecure about certain things and did actually need to stand up for herself.
Daniel was also just as fun to read about. I loved that the fact that he was hot wasn’t particularly emphasized. It was in the beginning but as Kayla got to know him better, the emphasis was less on his beauty and more on the fact that he was actually a great guy. What I liked most about him though was his determination to get his mother back; at the same time though it was one of his worst characteristics considering it led him to lying and what have you.
The romance is one of the things that did not work for me though. I expected more considering that the two actually complemented one another but before the relationship had even had any real time to progress, they had already fallen in love and I just ended up being disappointed.
The plot also ended up falling apart when things became rushed towards the end and everything ended up being wrapped up neatly in a bow. It’s one of the reasons why I was so disappointed in this book. It started off beautifully and I was so excited to see where it would all go and how things would turn out but it just didn’t go as well as I had hoped. There wasn’t enough focus on the ancient history/myth for my taste and I wish we actually found out more about the past then just the brief mentions we got. All of this could have linked to something so full of awesomeness yet that wasn’t the case and that made me sad.
I felt like there was a lot of potential in the world building itself too but the fact that it wasn’t explored as much as possible didn’t bother me as much as the fact that the plot ended up not being as awesome as it could have been.
On top of that, I hated how some things wrapped up. As I mentioned before, I felt like the ending was too neat and that there were just some knots that could have been tied a whole lot better than they were.
With all my disappointment expressed, I have to say, this is definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone who just needs something to read. It’s fun and adventurous and while it’s far from perfect, you’ll still have a good time. I know I did.
March 13, 2015
Short Review:
I mainly picked this up because it's written by the same author as Drink, Slay, Love and i really loved that book.
I did finish this in one sitting but mainly because i had nothing else to do.
There was some confusing parts, like how come the Voodoo Queen can vanish on her way out but not on her way in? That made no sense.
There is crazy insta-love involved and it was cheesy in parts.
The plot was nice, a little too drawn out, but overall nice.
The ending was wayyy too neat thou!! Authors need to realize that sometimes messy endings are great!!
I mainly picked this up because it's written by the same author as Drink, Slay, Love and i really loved that book.
I did finish this in one sitting but mainly because i had nothing else to do.
There was some confusing parts, like how come the Voodoo Queen can vanish on her way out but not on her way in? That made no sense.
There is crazy insta-love involved and it was cheesy in parts.
The plot was nice, a little too drawn out, but overall nice.
The ending was wayyy too neat thou!! Authors need to realize that sometimes messy endings are great!!
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June 26, 2015I was asked to officially blurb this book so here it is...
CHASING POWER took me on a magical rollercoaster ride through dusty tombs and ancient catacombs at such breakneck speeds, the only thing I could do was tightly grip the safety bar and hope I made it through to the other side. Part Indiana Jones, part Jumper, the heroes travel faster than the speed of light but even that isn’t quick enough for them to escape the treachery, mystery, and danger waiting around every corner.
CHASING POWER took me on a magical rollercoaster ride through dusty tombs and ancient catacombs at such breakneck speeds, the only thing I could do was tightly grip the safety bar and hope I made it through to the other side. Part Indiana Jones, part Jumper, the heroes travel faster than the speed of light but even that isn’t quick enough for them to escape the treachery, mystery, and danger waiting around every corner.
November 12, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Entertaining story that was full of adventure, romance, and suspense. I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun YA sci-fi novel.
Opening Sentence: Razor blade.
The Review:
Kayla is not your average sixteen-year-old girl. Sure, she likes to hang out with her best friend, go to the beach, and check out cute boys like any other girl her age does. But she also likes to steal and she has a special power that makes it really easy for her to never get caught. For her whole life she has had the ability to move things with her mind which makes picking pockets very easy. For the last few years she has perfected the art of stealing and she has never been caught until now.
Daniel is a stranger that suddenly appears in Kayla’s life demanding that she help him find his kidnapped mother. He happens to know her secret and he threatens to expose her if she refuses to help him. Daniel’s mother is an anthropologist and she has spent her life working on a special project that got her kidnapped. To save her Daniel must find some ancient stones that supposedly have magical powers and he needs Kayla’s help. Daniel also happens to have a special talent, which is the ability to teleport anywhere in the world. Together Kayla and Daniel travel the world in hopes of saving Daniel’s mother before it is too late.
Kayla was a spunky girl with lots of attitude which I completely adored. She is funny and always seems to have a comeback for everything, which made her a very entertaining character. But she is also a very compassionate person, and even though she is a thief she still generally tries to be a good person. I think one of my favorite things about Kayla was the unique relationship she had with her mother. In many ways their relationship reminded me of Lorelei and Rory Gilmore’s. Of course there were some major differences but their bond was very similar. They were so close and for the most part they were completely honest with each other. Overall, I thought that Kayla was a really fun character and I was glad I got to read her story.
Daniel was a swoon worthy boy. With his good looks and shy personality he was hard not to like even though he was blackmailing Kayla. The thing I liked most about him was that he surprised me. He didn’t end up being what I originally expected from him and I enjoyed that. He is a good person and he was perfect for Kayla. They evened each other out and while there wasn’t much romance, the little there was were adorable. I loved watching them get to know each other and thought they made a great couple.
Chasing Power was a fast paced adventure that had engaging characters, cute romance, and great action. My favorite part of the story was all the different settings that were explored throughout the story. Because Daniel can teleport, he and Kayla travel all over the world and I found that really interesting. Durst did a really great job describing each setting to where I felt like I was there with the characters. The plot also had some great surprises that I wasn’t expecting and that is always a huge plus for me. Durst has such beautiful writing and she really knows how to weave together an entertaining story. While I haven’t read many books by Durst, this was by far my favorite from her. This was a very quick read for me and I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a great adventure with cute romance.
Notable Scene:
Before she could react, he clamped a hand on her shoulder, and State Street vanished.
Dark. Light. Blue sky. She felt her knees buckle, and a pair of strong arms hauled her backward. She pitched back and landed hard on her butt. She was on a slope—a slope composed of red tiles. Like a roof.
Exactly like a roof.
She was on a freaking roof.
The boy sat calmly besides her.
She was even with the tops of palm trees. The leaves tickled the lip of the roof. Below was State Street, bustling exactly the way she left it, minus her and Daniel. “What—�
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury provided me with a copy of Chasing Power. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,� or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Entertaining story that was full of adventure, romance, and suspense. I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun YA sci-fi novel.
Opening Sentence: Razor blade.
The Review:
Kayla is not your average sixteen-year-old girl. Sure, she likes to hang out with her best friend, go to the beach, and check out cute boys like any other girl her age does. But she also likes to steal and she has a special power that makes it really easy for her to never get caught. For her whole life she has had the ability to move things with her mind which makes picking pockets very easy. For the last few years she has perfected the art of stealing and she has never been caught until now.
Daniel is a stranger that suddenly appears in Kayla’s life demanding that she help him find his kidnapped mother. He happens to know her secret and he threatens to expose her if she refuses to help him. Daniel’s mother is an anthropologist and she has spent her life working on a special project that got her kidnapped. To save her Daniel must find some ancient stones that supposedly have magical powers and he needs Kayla’s help. Daniel also happens to have a special talent, which is the ability to teleport anywhere in the world. Together Kayla and Daniel travel the world in hopes of saving Daniel’s mother before it is too late.
Kayla was a spunky girl with lots of attitude which I completely adored. She is funny and always seems to have a comeback for everything, which made her a very entertaining character. But she is also a very compassionate person, and even though she is a thief she still generally tries to be a good person. I think one of my favorite things about Kayla was the unique relationship she had with her mother. In many ways their relationship reminded me of Lorelei and Rory Gilmore’s. Of course there were some major differences but their bond was very similar. They were so close and for the most part they were completely honest with each other. Overall, I thought that Kayla was a really fun character and I was glad I got to read her story.
Daniel was a swoon worthy boy. With his good looks and shy personality he was hard not to like even though he was blackmailing Kayla. The thing I liked most about him was that he surprised me. He didn’t end up being what I originally expected from him and I enjoyed that. He is a good person and he was perfect for Kayla. They evened each other out and while there wasn’t much romance, the little there was were adorable. I loved watching them get to know each other and thought they made a great couple.
Chasing Power was a fast paced adventure that had engaging characters, cute romance, and great action. My favorite part of the story was all the different settings that were explored throughout the story. Because Daniel can teleport, he and Kayla travel all over the world and I found that really interesting. Durst did a really great job describing each setting to where I felt like I was there with the characters. The plot also had some great surprises that I wasn’t expecting and that is always a huge plus for me. Durst has such beautiful writing and she really knows how to weave together an entertaining story. While I haven’t read many books by Durst, this was by far my favorite from her. This was a very quick read for me and I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a great adventure with cute romance.
Notable Scene:
Before she could react, he clamped a hand on her shoulder, and State Street vanished.
Dark. Light. Blue sky. She felt her knees buckle, and a pair of strong arms hauled her backward. She pitched back and landed hard on her butt. She was on a slope—a slope composed of red tiles. Like a roof.
Exactly like a roof.
She was on a freaking roof.
The boy sat calmly besides her.
She was even with the tops of palm trees. The leaves tickled the lip of the roof. Below was State Street, bustling exactly the way she left it, minus her and Daniel. “What—�
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury provided me with a copy of Chasing Power. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,� or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 16, 2014
After reading Sarah's novel Lost earlier this year I just knew that I needed to try something else of her's. Being an avid lover of all things YA I knew her latest release would be a good place to start.
I do have to admit first thing, it took me some time to warm up to the characters and to the storyline. While I love all things paranormal and witchy, this just moved rather slow in the first 20% and I almost gave up on it. There were so many great reviews for it however that I choose to tough it out and read just a bit more.
I am so glad that I did!
This ended up being a pretty fast paced adventure once the adventure actually started. Full of mystery, danger, lies, deceit, and lots of the unknown.
Everything for the most part was pretty wrapped up by the end but there were a few things left undone that could make it a possibility for a sequel and I think it would be fun to see one.
I do have to admit first thing, it took me some time to warm up to the characters and to the storyline. While I love all things paranormal and witchy, this just moved rather slow in the first 20% and I almost gave up on it. There were so many great reviews for it however that I choose to tough it out and read just a bit more.
I am so glad that I did!
This ended up being a pretty fast paced adventure once the adventure actually started. Full of mystery, danger, lies, deceit, and lots of the unknown.
Everything for the most part was pretty wrapped up by the end but there were a few things left undone that could make it a possibility for a sequel and I think it would be fun to see one.
September 28, 2014
Review from my blog:
I was super excited to get my hands on an ARC of this book. As a fan of the TV show Heroes and everything X-Men, I'm really into reading books with characters that have supernatural powers. In Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst, the main character Kayla, has telekinetic powers and lives in Santa Barbara, California. Due to family problems, she needs to use her powers to become a master thief and help ensure financial security for herself and her mom. Her mother, Moonbeam, disapproves of Kayla using her powers at all and so Kayla keeps the use of her powers hidden from everyone except for her best friend, Selena. Or so she thinks...
One day, a boy named Daniel who has the power of teleportation, pretty much blackmails Kayla into helping him rescue his kidnapped mother. In order to save Daniel's mother, Kayla and Daniel have to hunt down three magical stones throughout Latin America. During their journey together, Kayla and Daniel discover many secrets about themselves and learn that their pasts and families are intertwined.
I truly had a fun time with this book -- it takes you on an adventure to various parts of the world and after reading it, I really wanted to go travel to ancient sites. Also, the writing style and imagery is so beautiful, for example:
"Lying curled against Daniel, Kayla listened to his heartbeat, the slap of the waves on the raft, and the wind. Overhead, the sky was streaked with rose-colored clouds and deep blue clouds that looked like smears of paint. In the west, the sun was sinking, and it looked like lave, melting into the ocean." (p. 323)
Sarah is a very talented writer and knows how to provide the perfect balance of relaxing description-filled scenes with action-packed magical ones. Her writing draws you into the book very quickly and you won't be able to put the book down.
The characters in this book are terrific. I really liked the main character Kayla, she was super witty, funny, and aware of her strengths as well as her weaknesses. However, I think my favorite character throughout the book was Kayla's sidekick/best friend, Selena. Selena is snarky, intelligent, reliable, and yet has a vulnerable side that she struggles with. She is such a great addition to the story it would be absolutely fantastic if there is a novella released with her POV (wink, wink, nudge, nudge Sarah!). All of the main characters immensely develop and mature throughout the story, and I definitely enjoyed getting to go on a crazy splendid adventure with them.
The ending of this book is sweet and I completed the book feeling, overall, pretty happy with the way things turned out. I was left with a few questions about certain events that took place towards the end but perhaps there will be a sequel. If you want to go on an supernatural adventure, with many plots twists, surprises, and hilarious dialogue, I definitely recommend that you pick up this book.
Blog link:
I was super excited to get my hands on an ARC of this book. As a fan of the TV show Heroes and everything X-Men, I'm really into reading books with characters that have supernatural powers. In Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst, the main character Kayla, has telekinetic powers and lives in Santa Barbara, California. Due to family problems, she needs to use her powers to become a master thief and help ensure financial security for herself and her mom. Her mother, Moonbeam, disapproves of Kayla using her powers at all and so Kayla keeps the use of her powers hidden from everyone except for her best friend, Selena. Or so she thinks...
One day, a boy named Daniel who has the power of teleportation, pretty much blackmails Kayla into helping him rescue his kidnapped mother. In order to save Daniel's mother, Kayla and Daniel have to hunt down three magical stones throughout Latin America. During their journey together, Kayla and Daniel discover many secrets about themselves and learn that their pasts and families are intertwined.
I truly had a fun time with this book -- it takes you on an adventure to various parts of the world and after reading it, I really wanted to go travel to ancient sites. Also, the writing style and imagery is so beautiful, for example:
"Lying curled against Daniel, Kayla listened to his heartbeat, the slap of the waves on the raft, and the wind. Overhead, the sky was streaked with rose-colored clouds and deep blue clouds that looked like smears of paint. In the west, the sun was sinking, and it looked like lave, melting into the ocean." (p. 323)
Sarah is a very talented writer and knows how to provide the perfect balance of relaxing description-filled scenes with action-packed magical ones. Her writing draws you into the book very quickly and you won't be able to put the book down.
The characters in this book are terrific. I really liked the main character Kayla, she was super witty, funny, and aware of her strengths as well as her weaknesses. However, I think my favorite character throughout the book was Kayla's sidekick/best friend, Selena. Selena is snarky, intelligent, reliable, and yet has a vulnerable side that she struggles with. She is such a great addition to the story it would be absolutely fantastic if there is a novella released with her POV (wink, wink, nudge, nudge Sarah!). All of the main characters immensely develop and mature throughout the story, and I definitely enjoyed getting to go on a crazy splendid adventure with them.
The ending of this book is sweet and I completed the book feeling, overall, pretty happy with the way things turned out. I was left with a few questions about certain events that took place towards the end but perhaps there will be a sequel. If you want to go on an supernatural adventure, with many plots twists, surprises, and hilarious dialogue, I definitely recommend that you pick up this book.
Blog link:
October 14, 2014
Sarah Beth Durst's CHASING POWER is a fun, exciting and fast-paced read. It takes readers and its characters on a wonderful adventure across the country and the globe in pursuit of hidden artifacts. It delivers danger, thrills, magic and a bit of romance in its action-packed pages. It has characters who are likable, interesting and quirky, others who are untrustworthy and mysterious, and still others who are detestable and deadly. It's a story that will keep readers entertained from start to finish.
Kayla and her mom have been on the run since she was a young child, living in fear, ready to leave at a moment's notice, hiding from a father she hardly remembers, but whose very existence is a threat to her own. In order to remain undetected she must stay under the radar, avoid attention, and keep her ability a secret.
But resisting the urge to use her powers to take what she and her mom need in order to stay safe is not something Kayla is capable of. Which is why, no matter how careful she thinks she's been, she is caught using her telekinetic abilities to steal by a boy who threatens to expose her unless she helps him.
Kayla and Daniel's journey is exhilarating and danger-filled. From cave-ins to poisonous snakes to voodoo queens to power hungry pursuers, CHASING POWER doesn't let up. With a clever best friend who assists from afar, a panicked mother whose spells not only protect but prevent, an unusually helpful voodoo queen whose motives are unknown, and a boy desperate to find his mother no matter how great a risk, there is no shortage of fascinating characters to keep Kayla on her toes.
Add in a mystery, a number of twists and turns, and an ending that delivers a couple of surprises, CHASING POWER is a captivating and delightful story with a female protagonist who is spunky and clever and caring and adventurous that will appeal to readers of any age.
Kayla and her mom have been on the run since she was a young child, living in fear, ready to leave at a moment's notice, hiding from a father she hardly remembers, but whose very existence is a threat to her own. In order to remain undetected she must stay under the radar, avoid attention, and keep her ability a secret.
But resisting the urge to use her powers to take what she and her mom need in order to stay safe is not something Kayla is capable of. Which is why, no matter how careful she thinks she's been, she is caught using her telekinetic abilities to steal by a boy who threatens to expose her unless she helps him.
Kayla and Daniel's journey is exhilarating and danger-filled. From cave-ins to poisonous snakes to voodoo queens to power hungry pursuers, CHASING POWER doesn't let up. With a clever best friend who assists from afar, a panicked mother whose spells not only protect but prevent, an unusually helpful voodoo queen whose motives are unknown, and a boy desperate to find his mother no matter how great a risk, there is no shortage of fascinating characters to keep Kayla on her toes.
Add in a mystery, a number of twists and turns, and an ending that delivers a couple of surprises, CHASING POWER is a captivating and delightful story with a female protagonist who is spunky and clever and caring and adventurous that will appeal to readers of any age.
August 30, 2014
You know, whenever I'm asked what super power I'd like to have, I say, "Flight!" But Durst makes a very strong case for telekinesis here. I've never seen it used in quite this way, either. Kayla's power is beautifully controlled, and beautifully defined, if that makes sense. She can't delicately pick a flower AND lift a car over her head, there are rules and limits. But, of course, I expect exquisitely crafted fantasy from Sarah Beth Durst, that's what she DOES. She also adds a very cool family element here, there's some nice non-fantasy drama, and a Mayan legend that made me want to go double-check to see if it was real or if she made it up whole-cloth. I haven't checked, because I kind of want it to be real!
October 1, 2014
See this review also at:
I’ve read this book a little bit ago and remember enjoying it, but now when it comes to writing this review right now I can’t remember really much about the book. I suppose that’s something to note about Chasing Power, though it’s a whole lot of adventurous fun it’s not particularly impactful nor memorable.
At first my reaction to this book wasn’t entirely positive as I found myself not getting into the book for a solid 20 percent. However when Kayla meets Daniel, the story really does begin to take off. I found myself captivated by these characters and their undeniably awesome superpowers. Really, I would kill for Daniel’s power to teleport anywhere in the world given a photograph. I found the powers were described well, however it wasn’t till the very end of the story where we discover the origin of these powers. For the longest time in Chasing Power, I felt as if we weren’t going to get a conclusive reason for these powers even existing in both Kayla and Daniel. The eventual reason for their powers does make sense, but I feel that more hints sprinkled over the course of the novel would have made for a more balanced reading experience.
The quest to find Daniel’s mother was something that I just loved reading about. It kept me flipping pages at a lightning speed and I totally fell for those red herrings. It wasn’t predictable in the least and I kept finding myself shocked but the twists and turns. It was in no way easy, however it was not stupidly difficult that you really had to forget all semblance of logic and the fact that these were teenagers. There were a few conveniences though that left me a little annoyed. The quest was elevated with the powers of Kayla and Daniel’s powers, taking the mystery to exotic locations with the help of Daniel’s teleportation skills. It really did feel like a true Indiana Jones adventure with the quest taking them to places such as ancient Mexican ruins. I enjoyed that the locations were not only beautifully described, but also allowed for the history and culture of the places to be embedded within the story.
Kayla was the main character of the story and one that I found definitely matured as the book went on. In the beginning I wasn’t the biggest fan of her and found her to be quite petulant honestly. She does have a reason for this behavior, but I wouldn’t allow it as an excuse. Throughout the novel we really do see Kayla grow and in a way discover herself. This was done so organically and naturally, by the end of the book I totally adored Kayla’s character. Her sarcastic humor also was enjoyable and well placed. I found myself smiling at several points of her narration.
Daniel was another character in the story and the love interest to Kayla. However I enjoyed how the author developed him more than that and just didn’t leave him as “the love interest.� Daniel was refreshing as a character and a love interest. He didn’t fall prey to any of the usual tropes and was really just focused on rescuing his mom, even with their strained relationship. Daniel was afraid of heights, and this was a quirk that I liked. It’s becoming more and more rare in YA to have love interests with their own insecurities and fears. I really appreciated that the author gave Daniel his own backstory and motives.
The relationship between Daniel and Kayla was undoubtedly adorable. It does seem to move quite quickly though, and what was encouraging to me was seeing this relationship not only flourish but suffer.
“You realize that relationships formed in reactions to intense situations don’t last.�
So often in YA we see these relationships formed under these dangerous circumstances. It really isn’t realistic and in Chasing Power we see this trope turned on its head truly. It goes through its up and downs, and because of that it felt more organic. It made the more sweeter moments more swoon-worthy, and the heartbreaking moments more crushing.
Something I really enjoyed in Chasing Power was the familial relationships. They were definitely not cookie cutter and there was a lot of big reveals and twists regarding both Daniel and Kayla’s parents that I didn’t see coming. There were definitely conflicts on both sides during the course of the story and these conflicts certainly felt realistic and well placed. Alongside the conflicts you could see that there was strong emotions further complicating matters. I really enjoyed that rather than the family taking the back seat as these two characters go on a quest, the families were front and center. I would even argue that the families of both Kayla and Daniel were instrumental to the storyline and without them the ending of Chasing Power wouldn’t be as truly explosive as it was. Another relationship that I felt was well done was Kayla’s friendship with Selena. Her interactions with Kayla were really great to read and often humorous. My only complaint would be that I wish there was more of them, and a more conclusive ending with Selena in general. I also would have appreciated more of a development with her characterization. She did seem to be a bit of the stereotypical best friend just there for one liners.
The ending was definitely action packed, though after all of the build up with the antagonists I was excepting something more. It was like one o them was totally left to the side and there wasn’t much closure with that.
This review has been pretty vague by my standards, but that’s just to avoid spoilers. I think with Chasing Power saying less will do it more justice.
With a slower start, a few conveniences and a bit of withholding information, some may not enjoy Chasing Power as much as I did. Overall, I would recommend Chasing Power for those looking for a fun adventure novel (with superpowers!), and well developed familial and romantic relationships.
~Thank you Bloomsbury USA Children’s for the review copy~
I’ve read this book a little bit ago and remember enjoying it, but now when it comes to writing this review right now I can’t remember really much about the book. I suppose that’s something to note about Chasing Power, though it’s a whole lot of adventurous fun it’s not particularly impactful nor memorable.
At first my reaction to this book wasn’t entirely positive as I found myself not getting into the book for a solid 20 percent. However when Kayla meets Daniel, the story really does begin to take off. I found myself captivated by these characters and their undeniably awesome superpowers. Really, I would kill for Daniel’s power to teleport anywhere in the world given a photograph. I found the powers were described well, however it wasn’t till the very end of the story where we discover the origin of these powers. For the longest time in Chasing Power, I felt as if we weren’t going to get a conclusive reason for these powers even existing in both Kayla and Daniel. The eventual reason for their powers does make sense, but I feel that more hints sprinkled over the course of the novel would have made for a more balanced reading experience.
The quest to find Daniel’s mother was something that I just loved reading about. It kept me flipping pages at a lightning speed and I totally fell for those red herrings. It wasn’t predictable in the least and I kept finding myself shocked but the twists and turns. It was in no way easy, however it was not stupidly difficult that you really had to forget all semblance of logic and the fact that these were teenagers. There were a few conveniences though that left me a little annoyed. The quest was elevated with the powers of Kayla and Daniel’s powers, taking the mystery to exotic locations with the help of Daniel’s teleportation skills. It really did feel like a true Indiana Jones adventure with the quest taking them to places such as ancient Mexican ruins. I enjoyed that the locations were not only beautifully described, but also allowed for the history and culture of the places to be embedded within the story.
Kayla was the main character of the story and one that I found definitely matured as the book went on. In the beginning I wasn’t the biggest fan of her and found her to be quite petulant honestly. She does have a reason for this behavior, but I wouldn’t allow it as an excuse. Throughout the novel we really do see Kayla grow and in a way discover herself. This was done so organically and naturally, by the end of the book I totally adored Kayla’s character. Her sarcastic humor also was enjoyable and well placed. I found myself smiling at several points of her narration.
Daniel was another character in the story and the love interest to Kayla. However I enjoyed how the author developed him more than that and just didn’t leave him as “the love interest.� Daniel was refreshing as a character and a love interest. He didn’t fall prey to any of the usual tropes and was really just focused on rescuing his mom, even with their strained relationship. Daniel was afraid of heights, and this was a quirk that I liked. It’s becoming more and more rare in YA to have love interests with their own insecurities and fears. I really appreciated that the author gave Daniel his own backstory and motives.
The relationship between Daniel and Kayla was undoubtedly adorable. It does seem to move quite quickly though, and what was encouraging to me was seeing this relationship not only flourish but suffer.
“You realize that relationships formed in reactions to intense situations don’t last.�
So often in YA we see these relationships formed under these dangerous circumstances. It really isn’t realistic and in Chasing Power we see this trope turned on its head truly. It goes through its up and downs, and because of that it felt more organic. It made the more sweeter moments more swoon-worthy, and the heartbreaking moments more crushing.
Something I really enjoyed in Chasing Power was the familial relationships. They were definitely not cookie cutter and there was a lot of big reveals and twists regarding both Daniel and Kayla’s parents that I didn’t see coming. There were definitely conflicts on both sides during the course of the story and these conflicts certainly felt realistic and well placed. Alongside the conflicts you could see that there was strong emotions further complicating matters. I really enjoyed that rather than the family taking the back seat as these two characters go on a quest, the families were front and center. I would even argue that the families of both Kayla and Daniel were instrumental to the storyline and without them the ending of Chasing Power wouldn’t be as truly explosive as it was. Another relationship that I felt was well done was Kayla’s friendship with Selena. Her interactions with Kayla were really great to read and often humorous. My only complaint would be that I wish there was more of them, and a more conclusive ending with Selena in general. I also would have appreciated more of a development with her characterization. She did seem to be a bit of the stereotypical best friend just there for one liners.
The ending was definitely action packed, though after all of the build up with the antagonists I was excepting something more. It was like one o them was totally left to the side and there wasn’t much closure with that.
This review has been pretty vague by my standards, but that’s just to avoid spoilers. I think with Chasing Power saying less will do it more justice.
With a slower start, a few conveniences and a bit of withholding information, some may not enjoy Chasing Power as much as I did. Overall, I would recommend Chasing Power for those looking for a fun adventure novel (with superpowers!), and well developed familial and romantic relationships.
~Thank you Bloomsbury USA Children’s for the review copy~
October 15, 2014
Four and a half stars.
I was so excited when author Sarah Beth Durst contacted me to review Chasing Power. I've read her works in the past and really enjoyed them, so I seized the chance to read another one of her creations. I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
I'll start by talking about the cover. I actually really like it. It's simple but it's striking, and it kind of puts me in mind of the City of Ember cover. I especially like the coloring of the author's name on the top. It'd make me pick this book up at a store to learn more about what it's about.
And then of course, there's the actual contents of the story itself. It's been a quite a long time since I've read a book involving "super powers" that I've enjoyed. I'm really happy that this has broken my dry spell. The lead character, Kayla, has telekinesis. That said, she doesn't use it quite in the ways that I anticipated. I really liked that about this book. I also liked that neither Kayla or Daniel are given crazy powers. They're not some brilliantly talented super-creatures, just kids who can do some pretty cool stuff.
The characters were definitely a strong point for me in this book. I felt that Kayla was a very relatable, "normal" girl, magical powers aside of course. She made a lot of decisions that I feel that, even if I didn't necessarily like them, I would have made myself. I liked that Daniel was smart in some ways but slacking in others, and he added a nice counter-element to Kayla's power. Selena as annoying but that wasn't actually a bad thing. I think we all have that one friend who we love dearly but perhaps in small doses? That's how she felt to me. She was likable, but I'm glad she wasn't in every scene. My favorite character was probably Kayla's mother, Moonbeam, who is playing the role of "ditzy fake hippie" to protect the family. I thought that this mask was quirky and it added something to the setting of the novel.
All of the settings were really well described, from the fake artifacts scattered around Kayla's house to the brightly painted storefronts of the French Quarter, it definitely got my attention how well things were narrated. This is especially true of the New Orleans scenes. I lived in Louisiana for awhile and New Orleans is one of my absolute favorite places. Durst's writings totally conjured up images that I was familiar with and made me want to go back, despite the threats and curses and other nasties lurking in this story.
This book is well paced and I found that there was never really a dull moment. I was sucked into this story in the beginning from Kayla's intricate thieving abilities, and became totally enthralled when voo doo queens and magical stones got involved.
I recommend this book to any fans of YA urban fantasy or books involving magic. This wasn't my first experience reading Sarah Beth Durst's, and if she keeps pumping out stories like this one, I will just have to keep devouring them as they're released. Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my 100% honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog, .
I was so excited when author Sarah Beth Durst contacted me to review Chasing Power. I've read her works in the past and really enjoyed them, so I seized the chance to read another one of her creations. I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
I'll start by talking about the cover. I actually really like it. It's simple but it's striking, and it kind of puts me in mind of the City of Ember cover. I especially like the coloring of the author's name on the top. It'd make me pick this book up at a store to learn more about what it's about.
And then of course, there's the actual contents of the story itself. It's been a quite a long time since I've read a book involving "super powers" that I've enjoyed. I'm really happy that this has broken my dry spell. The lead character, Kayla, has telekinesis. That said, she doesn't use it quite in the ways that I anticipated. I really liked that about this book. I also liked that neither Kayla or Daniel are given crazy powers. They're not some brilliantly talented super-creatures, just kids who can do some pretty cool stuff.
The characters were definitely a strong point for me in this book. I felt that Kayla was a very relatable, "normal" girl, magical powers aside of course. She made a lot of decisions that I feel that, even if I didn't necessarily like them, I would have made myself. I liked that Daniel was smart in some ways but slacking in others, and he added a nice counter-element to Kayla's power. Selena as annoying but that wasn't actually a bad thing. I think we all have that one friend who we love dearly but perhaps in small doses? That's how she felt to me. She was likable, but I'm glad she wasn't in every scene. My favorite character was probably Kayla's mother, Moonbeam, who is playing the role of "ditzy fake hippie" to protect the family. I thought that this mask was quirky and it added something to the setting of the novel.
All of the settings were really well described, from the fake artifacts scattered around Kayla's house to the brightly painted storefronts of the French Quarter, it definitely got my attention how well things were narrated. This is especially true of the New Orleans scenes. I lived in Louisiana for awhile and New Orleans is one of my absolute favorite places. Durst's writings totally conjured up images that I was familiar with and made me want to go back, despite the threats and curses and other nasties lurking in this story.
This book is well paced and I found that there was never really a dull moment. I was sucked into this story in the beginning from Kayla's intricate thieving abilities, and became totally enthralled when voo doo queens and magical stones got involved.
I recommend this book to any fans of YA urban fantasy or books involving magic. This wasn't my first experience reading Sarah Beth Durst's, and if she keeps pumping out stories like this one, I will just have to keep devouring them as they're released. Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my 100% honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog, .
December 28, 2014
One of life's greatest mysteries is how an author like Sarah Beth Durst can write a plethora of books, and yet, each one is unique and vastly different from the others. This woman never ceases to amaze me.
Let me just begin by saying one of the things I LOVE about Sarah Beth Durst's books is the protagonists. They are always clever, strong-willed young women. This is a writer that empowers girls. It's wonderful. Kayla in Chasing Power was another strong female lead in a long list of kick-butt heroines.
Chasing Power reminded me of the old X-Men cartoons I would watch as a kid on Saturday mornings. At first, I figured that was what I would get with the characters, too; I was wrong. Yes, Kayla and Daniel have super human abilities, but their adventures are more than just exploits of their power. There was a deep rooted family connection for both characters that influenced their actions. It's hard to explain much without giving things away, but you really want to root for both characters to get their happy endings.
Aside from the characters and witty dialogue (one of the things I love the most about Sarah Beth Durst's books), I was really captivated by the Mayan mystery aspect. I do not know anything about the Mayans. Nada. Zilch. But the locations described and unique artifacts that were being sought after sure makes me want to learn more! Kayla's first visit to an ancient Mayan temple made me realize I was in for a very surprising read.
The pacing in Chasing Power is pretty quick. The adventures are non-stop. The romance between Kayla and Daniel is slow building and believable (thank you!). All-in-all, this is a fun read that you should definitely check out.
Let me just begin by saying one of the things I LOVE about Sarah Beth Durst's books is the protagonists. They are always clever, strong-willed young women. This is a writer that empowers girls. It's wonderful. Kayla in Chasing Power was another strong female lead in a long list of kick-butt heroines.
Chasing Power reminded me of the old X-Men cartoons I would watch as a kid on Saturday mornings. At first, I figured that was what I would get with the characters, too; I was wrong. Yes, Kayla and Daniel have super human abilities, but their adventures are more than just exploits of their power. There was a deep rooted family connection for both characters that influenced their actions. It's hard to explain much without giving things away, but you really want to root for both characters to get their happy endings.
Aside from the characters and witty dialogue (one of the things I love the most about Sarah Beth Durst's books), I was really captivated by the Mayan mystery aspect. I do not know anything about the Mayans. Nada. Zilch. But the locations described and unique artifacts that were being sought after sure makes me want to learn more! Kayla's first visit to an ancient Mayan temple made me realize I was in for a very surprising read.
The pacing in Chasing Power is pretty quick. The adventures are non-stop. The romance between Kayla and Daniel is slow building and believable (thank you!). All-in-all, this is a fun read that you should definitely check out.
October 24, 2014
I received an arc of this book from the publisher through a goodreads first-reads giveaway.
Chasing Power is a fun, fast paced story. It centers around Kayla,a sixteen year old girl with the power to move things with her mind. she uses her power to be a master shoplifter.....until a boy named Daniel catches her stealing. Now she has to help him save his mom, who has been kidnapped, or he'll spill her secret. Kayla agrees to help Daniel, but neither of them knows just how big a role she will play.
I was very excited to read this book and very happy to win an arc of it from a giveaway. The best things about this book, for me, were the dynamic characters (especially Kayla and Selena). I also really enjoyed the story line and how all the pieces came together as the story went on.
did a presentation for my school book club, and I have been (slowly) making my way through her books ever since. I really enjoyed and , and would recommend them to anyone who liked . I'll probably (hopefully) be reading next.
Chasing Power is a fun, fast paced story. It centers around Kayla,a sixteen year old girl with the power to move things with her mind. she uses her power to be a master shoplifter.....until a boy named Daniel catches her stealing. Now she has to help him save his mom, who has been kidnapped, or he'll spill her secret. Kayla agrees to help Daniel, but neither of them knows just how big a role she will play.
I was very excited to read this book and very happy to win an arc of it from a giveaway. The best things about this book, for me, were the dynamic characters (especially Kayla and Selena). I also really enjoyed the story line and how all the pieces came together as the story went on.
did a presentation for my school book club, and I have been (slowly) making my way through her books ever since. I really enjoyed and , and would recommend them to anyone who liked . I'll probably (hopefully) be reading next.
March 3, 2022
2.5
This was written for a lot younger audience than I thought, I would class it as "middle grade" rather than YA. Even though it deals with some mature subjects, the writing is pretty basic and the main characters feel very young.
I just couldn't get past the fact that Daniel teleported Kayla home every day in time for her curfew. It made the book really frustrating and repetitive. Most writers kill off the parents - and for good reason!
And Selena was rebelling against her parents because they (quite rightfully) didn't want her to date a grown man???
I ended up speed-reading the last half a dozen chapters because I just wanted it to be over. This could have been up there on a Percy Jackson kind of level but instead it wasn't entertaining at all and was very predictable. The book threw away a massive amount of potential by having the characters bogged down by parental authority and acting like children about it.
I did enjoy it at first because they were so well-written as believable teens with dialogue that felt spot on. But that was the book's downfall in the end.
Side note: I really didn't like Daniel's attitude.
This was written for a lot younger audience than I thought, I would class it as "middle grade" rather than YA. Even though it deals with some mature subjects, the writing is pretty basic and the main characters feel very young.
I just couldn't get past the fact that Daniel teleported Kayla home every day in time for her curfew. It made the book really frustrating and repetitive. Most writers kill off the parents - and for good reason!
And Selena was rebelling against her parents because they (quite rightfully) didn't want her to date a grown man???
I ended up speed-reading the last half a dozen chapters because I just wanted it to be over. This could have been up there on a Percy Jackson kind of level but instead it wasn't entertaining at all and was very predictable. The book threw away a massive amount of potential by having the characters bogged down by parental authority and acting like children about it.
I did enjoy it at first because they were so well-written as believable teens with dialogue that felt spot on. But that was the book's downfall in the end.
Side note: I really didn't like Daniel's attitude.
June 24, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I thought the writing was awesome and for once, a character that was brave and didn’t annoy me! It’s a miracle! ;) This book left me wanting more and I couldn’t believe the story was over.
I loved the characters, each had their own personalities and I enjoyed seeing them engage with one another. The voodoo/witchcraft aspect was also amazing and I found myself unable to put the book down. The writing flowed nicely and was easy to read.
The only thing I didn’t love about the book was the ending, I wish something bigger would’ve transpired, and it seemed a little anticlimactic to be honest. I even checked to see if this was a sequel and it was not. There are too many loose ends that I feel are hanging, so maybe another book is in the works? Another thing is I wish I could’ve learned more about their travels and where they went, more description. I felt like It was grazed over a bit.
I still enjoyed this tremendously and found myself unable to get into another book because I had the dreaded book hangover. ;)
I loved the characters, each had their own personalities and I enjoyed seeing them engage with one another. The voodoo/witchcraft aspect was also amazing and I found myself unable to put the book down. The writing flowed nicely and was easy to read.
The only thing I didn’t love about the book was the ending, I wish something bigger would’ve transpired, and it seemed a little anticlimactic to be honest. I even checked to see if this was a sequel and it was not. There are too many loose ends that I feel are hanging, so maybe another book is in the works? Another thing is I wish I could’ve learned more about their travels and where they went, more description. I felt like It was grazed over a bit.
I still enjoyed this tremendously and found myself unable to get into another book because I had the dreaded book hangover. ;)
Want to read
April 2, 2014The cover for this fantastic sounding novel is out! Can't wait!
Read
November 19, 2013 Mind Over Magic!!!!!!!!!
December 27, 2014
*1.5 star rating*
DNF @ 70 pages
When I read this book I was hoping for something more daring and different. FORGET about the gorgeous cover, this was one of the biggest disappointments of the year for me, since I expected so much better. I've heard so many things about Sarah Beth Durst's books, and this was a true sign that I will never speak of or want to see any of her books ever again.
I've put off writing this review for a few weeks now, and I've just kept on re-scheduling it over and over again, farther from the present date since I really don't know what to say now. Am I and the rest of the general public just getting so sick and tired of paranormal reads? Probably that is the case, since I'm still reading paranormal books to this day and am usually DNF-ing them and writing a rant review, just like this one will become.
I thoroughly enjoy writing rant reviews. But actually not so much to piss the author off or anything in that sorts. I find that I can just scream all of my hate out to you guys and hope and cross my fingers that you will not choose to read this book whatsoever or whenever.
Chasing Power was very interesting... in my opinion. When I saw that my library had just gotten it, available to request—I freaked and went to get it right away. The concept sounded just for me. Truth is that it was the opposite of just for me. This book was hideous and from just reading 70 pages, I realized that it truly wasn't for me and I honestly feel stressed and like banging my head on a desk, over and over again since I obviously listened to the reviewers.
From the first page, I was like "ew." NO. Telepathy is so overrated. We've been through the phase in 2010, and it's 2014. Why not come up with something new? Maybe something like Arrow or Flash? No—we have to go through this catastrophe.
So from what I understood after reading 70 pages, what was happening was that Kayla is able to move things with her mind but her mother forbids her from using her magical skills because they can 'hurt her in ways she cannot even imagine.' And then she meets Daniel, who accidentally sees Kayla using her powers and tells her that he will tell unless Kayla helps him find his kidnapped mother.
WHAT WAS THIS. I honestly think that there was no way to change this book unless the whole thing was rewritten. It was so not for me. Sure, Durst could've used the same characters. Those are probably the only things that could stay. WE NEED A REWRITE, PEOPLE.
Yes, the concept strongly sucked. The plot sucked as well because the concept sucked. Isn't it a whole bookish system? Aren't things supposed to be connected in a book? I swear, if the concept isn't good for me, then I'll probably dislike and loathe the book. That's the way everything worked in this book. Not that Sarah Beth Durst is a bad author—no. She's probably a very good author since I've heard so many positives about her and her past books. I guess that her 2014 was a bump in her career, a least from what I saw.
So you're probably asking, 1.5? Why not one star? The beginning was okay. Like the first few chapters were entertaining and showed improvement in the plot, but from there, it all went downhill. I screamed, I fidgeted, and I felt like I was doomed to go into a peculiar reading slump. I've probably already went through three this past year, and three is surely enough.
Obviously there probably was some romance between Kayla and Daniel afterwards, but I didn't care enough to want to find out how everything ended up. It probably became to be the cheesiest thing in the world, to be honest.
In order for this book to be magnificent, I'd probably recommend a whole rewrite, which would then probably impress me to the minimum. The only positive thing here? The beginning. The characters and the whole concept and the plot was hideous. I'd say take the chance for a minimum if you're interested, but this was in the worst situation with me.
This review can also be found on check it out for more reviews!
DNF @ 70 pages
When I read this book I was hoping for something more daring and different. FORGET about the gorgeous cover, this was one of the biggest disappointments of the year for me, since I expected so much better. I've heard so many things about Sarah Beth Durst's books, and this was a true sign that I will never speak of or want to see any of her books ever again.
I've put off writing this review for a few weeks now, and I've just kept on re-scheduling it over and over again, farther from the present date since I really don't know what to say now. Am I and the rest of the general public just getting so sick and tired of paranormal reads? Probably that is the case, since I'm still reading paranormal books to this day and am usually DNF-ing them and writing a rant review, just like this one will become.
I thoroughly enjoy writing rant reviews. But actually not so much to piss the author off or anything in that sorts. I find that I can just scream all of my hate out to you guys and hope and cross my fingers that you will not choose to read this book whatsoever or whenever.
Chasing Power was very interesting... in my opinion. When I saw that my library had just gotten it, available to request—I freaked and went to get it right away. The concept sounded just for me. Truth is that it was the opposite of just for me. This book was hideous and from just reading 70 pages, I realized that it truly wasn't for me and I honestly feel stressed and like banging my head on a desk, over and over again since I obviously listened to the reviewers.
From the first page, I was like "ew." NO. Telepathy is so overrated. We've been through the phase in 2010, and it's 2014. Why not come up with something new? Maybe something like Arrow or Flash? No—we have to go through this catastrophe.
So from what I understood after reading 70 pages, what was happening was that Kayla is able to move things with her mind but her mother forbids her from using her magical skills because they can 'hurt her in ways she cannot even imagine.' And then she meets Daniel, who accidentally sees Kayla using her powers and tells her that he will tell unless Kayla helps him find his kidnapped mother.
WHAT WAS THIS. I honestly think that there was no way to change this book unless the whole thing was rewritten. It was so not for me. Sure, Durst could've used the same characters. Those are probably the only things that could stay. WE NEED A REWRITE, PEOPLE.
Yes, the concept strongly sucked. The plot sucked as well because the concept sucked. Isn't it a whole bookish system? Aren't things supposed to be connected in a book? I swear, if the concept isn't good for me, then I'll probably dislike and loathe the book. That's the way everything worked in this book. Not that Sarah Beth Durst is a bad author—no. She's probably a very good author since I've heard so many positives about her and her past books. I guess that her 2014 was a bump in her career, a least from what I saw.
So you're probably asking, 1.5? Why not one star? The beginning was okay. Like the first few chapters were entertaining and showed improvement in the plot, but from there, it all went downhill. I screamed, I fidgeted, and I felt like I was doomed to go into a peculiar reading slump. I've probably already went through three this past year, and three is surely enough.
Obviously there probably was some romance between Kayla and Daniel afterwards, but I didn't care enough to want to find out how everything ended up. It probably became to be the cheesiest thing in the world, to be honest.
In order for this book to be magnificent, I'd probably recommend a whole rewrite, which would then probably impress me to the minimum. The only positive thing here? The beginning. The characters and the whole concept and the plot was hideous. I'd say take the chance for a minimum if you're interested, but this was in the worst situation with me.
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October 30, 2014I've adored 2/2 Durst books I've read so I was more than excited to read Chasing Power. Sarah Beth Durst was amazing, but I think this one either fell prey to my major book slump or it just wasn't as fabulous as her other books.
I had so many complaints for this one that, if the rest of the book had continued like this, it probably would've developed into a 0 or .5 star read.ÌýThere were just so many things that made absolutely no sense or wereÌýjust ridiculous that I couldn't take it. I DNF'd it at about 35%.
First of all--I'm sorry, but if I was a little girl whose sister was killed by her father and whose mother forbid the use of powers, I wouldn't exactly show it off to someone just so they'd be her best friend. It's absolutely ridiculous, and the fact that a little girl who was on the run would boldly approach someone with sass in third grade is a bit of a stretch. (Or is that just me?) And then I was a bit skeptical when our main character stole money and jewelry (with her very rich best friend by the way) and felt absolutely no conflict or guilt.
Then, adding to that, when Daniel comes with his problems, she's absolutelyÌýterrible.ÌýTrue, he did blackmail her into helping, but when he tells her about his missing mom, she pretty much rolls her eyes. She and Selena both make jokes about it and throughout the entire thing and while I'm assuming this book is supposed to be humorous it all felt more obnoxious and rude than anything else. (For Gods' sake his mom wasÌýkidnappedÌýand they're making jokes about how this is "just like in the movies."ÌýGod.)
Also I'd totally just tell my mom I'd been using my powers instead ofÌýgetting into life or death situations which could possibly help my will-kill-me-father track me down. As heartbroken as she'd be, I'm pretty sure the death of her daughter would be pretty devastating too.
So basically, my annoyances stemmed from the characters (even Daniel, who decides to blackmail this girl, steal her away from her house, and adamantly refuse to let her at least say hi to her mom so her mom wouldn't panic.) They were all pretty ridiculous and I wanted to slap all of them.
Then there was the plot.
While I do appreciate the touches of magic and voodoo (along with including the Mayan Ruins which isÌýamazing) Selena was right when she said the words "I've seen this in movies." The whole telekinetic/teleporting powers thing, while a bit overplayed, can be intriguing at times, but this just wasn't it. And the whole on-the-hunt plot of finding these 3 magical stones just seemed so very very cliche and overused and I just couldn't get over it.
But that wasn't all--these characters figured everything out soÌýquickly.ÌýSelena's supposedly a pro with internet googling, but the fact that she managed to find the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans using google isn't very impress. A few keystrokes and hit of enter should lead you straight to that kind of information. Then there was I mean, okay fine, considering the situation it's not that big a leap (pun intended), but still. It took them less than ten minutes to figure it out.
While I'd definitely recommend other Sarah Beth Durst books, this is one that I'm recommending you skip. It's not the greatest and I couldn't get through it at all. (But man, I love that cover!)
Ìý
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I had so many complaints for this one that, if the rest of the book had continued like this, it probably would've developed into a 0 or .5 star read.ÌýThere were just so many things that made absolutely no sense or wereÌýjust ridiculous that I couldn't take it. I DNF'd it at about 35%.
First of all--I'm sorry, but if I was a little girl whose sister was killed by her father and whose mother forbid the use of powers, I wouldn't exactly show it off to someone just so they'd be her best friend. It's absolutely ridiculous, and the fact that a little girl who was on the run would boldly approach someone with sass in third grade is a bit of a stretch. (Or is that just me?) And then I was a bit skeptical when our main character stole money and jewelry (with her very rich best friend by the way) and felt absolutely no conflict or guilt.
Then, adding to that, when Daniel comes with his problems, she's absolutelyÌýterrible.ÌýTrue, he did blackmail her into helping, but when he tells her about his missing mom, she pretty much rolls her eyes. She and Selena both make jokes about it and throughout the entire thing and while I'm assuming this book is supposed to be humorous it all felt more obnoxious and rude than anything else. (For Gods' sake his mom wasÌýkidnappedÌýand they're making jokes about how this is "just like in the movies."ÌýGod.)
Also I'd totally just tell my mom I'd been using my powers instead ofÌýgetting into life or death situations which could possibly help my will-kill-me-father track me down. As heartbroken as she'd be, I'm pretty sure the death of her daughter would be pretty devastating too.
So basically, my annoyances stemmed from the characters (even Daniel, who decides to blackmail this girl, steal her away from her house, and adamantly refuse to let her at least say hi to her mom so her mom wouldn't panic.) They were all pretty ridiculous and I wanted to slap all of them.
Then there was the plot.
While I do appreciate the touches of magic and voodoo (along with including the Mayan Ruins which isÌýamazing) Selena was right when she said the words "I've seen this in movies." The whole telekinetic/teleporting powers thing, while a bit overplayed, can be intriguing at times, but this just wasn't it. And the whole on-the-hunt plot of finding these 3 magical stones just seemed so very very cliche and overused and I just couldn't get over it.
But that wasn't all--these characters figured everything out soÌýquickly.ÌýSelena's supposedly a pro with internet googling, but the fact that she managed to find the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans using google isn't very impress. A few keystrokes and hit of enter should lead you straight to that kind of information. Then there was I mean, okay fine, considering the situation it's not that big a leap (pun intended), but still. It took them less than ten minutes to figure it out.
While I'd definitely recommend other Sarah Beth Durst books, this is one that I'm recommending you skip. It's not the greatest and I couldn't get through it at all. (But man, I love that cover!)
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February 11, 2015
Title: Chasing Power
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Genre: Adventure, romance, superpowers, YA/teen
Age Group: 12+
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Lies, secrets, and magic � three things that define Kayla's life.
Sixteen-year-old Kayla plans to spend her summer hanging out on the beach in Santa Barbara and stealing whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. Born with the ability to move things with her mind � things like credit cards, diamond rings, and buttons on cash registers � she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up a safety net, enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again. Well, that, and the thrill of using her secret talents.
But her summer plans change when she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel � a boy who needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Daniel has a talent of his own. He can teleport, appearing anywhere in the world in an instant, but he lies as easily as he travels. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family � and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive... or survive.
My Reaction:
Dat cover though...gimme a piece of that! How can it be so beautiful and yet not make any sense with what the book is about? Seriously, I was reading the book and was all like, "I wonder when they are going to get to the lightbulb part!" And yet...nothing! Whatev's...
I'm actually surprised I read this book. At first I wasn't sold on the premise until I read that it had an adventure around the world and then I realized that I absolutely had to read it because I've been in the adventure mood lately.
My feeling of the characters are mixed. I really liked the main character, Kayla, because she was tough and could fight for herself, but I couldn't connect with her at all...Same thing with Daniel, he was cool and could teleport but I felt nothing for him. The character I connected most with was the best friend.
Overall I thought the book had a great premise, but it could have been better...much better. I really did not like the ending. It had the whole book building up to it and then it solved the problem in, like, twenty pages or so.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I think this book had a little too much romance and it was unnecessary. The book was great until half way when all that the characters could think about was kissing each other. This book has a little insta-love thrown in for kicks-and-giggles and it didn't work very well...
Anyways, I guess I recommend this book because it kept me interested but I forgot all about after I finished it, which is not a good feeling to have with a book...
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Terantum
(Next book on my review list that I am currently reading: Looking For Alaska by John Green)
For more spoiler free, honest reviews go to my actual blog:
Books, books, and more books, follow me on twitter @SweetEndReviews
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Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Genre: Adventure, romance, superpowers, YA/teen
Age Group: 12+
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Lies, secrets, and magic � three things that define Kayla's life.
Sixteen-year-old Kayla plans to spend her summer hanging out on the beach in Santa Barbara and stealing whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. Born with the ability to move things with her mind � things like credit cards, diamond rings, and buttons on cash registers � she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up a safety net, enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again. Well, that, and the thrill of using her secret talents.
But her summer plans change when she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel � a boy who needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Daniel has a talent of his own. He can teleport, appearing anywhere in the world in an instant, but he lies as easily as he travels. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family � and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive... or survive.
My Reaction:
Dat cover though...gimme a piece of that! How can it be so beautiful and yet not make any sense with what the book is about? Seriously, I was reading the book and was all like, "I wonder when they are going to get to the lightbulb part!" And yet...nothing! Whatev's...
I'm actually surprised I read this book. At first I wasn't sold on the premise until I read that it had an adventure around the world and then I realized that I absolutely had to read it because I've been in the adventure mood lately.
My feeling of the characters are mixed. I really liked the main character, Kayla, because she was tough and could fight for herself, but I couldn't connect with her at all...Same thing with Daniel, he was cool and could teleport but I felt nothing for him. The character I connected most with was the best friend.
Overall I thought the book had a great premise, but it could have been better...much better. I really did not like the ending. It had the whole book building up to it and then it solved the problem in, like, twenty pages or so.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I think this book had a little too much romance and it was unnecessary. The book was great until half way when all that the characters could think about was kissing each other. This book has a little insta-love thrown in for kicks-and-giggles and it didn't work very well...
Anyways, I guess I recommend this book because it kept me interested but I forgot all about after I finished it, which is not a good feeling to have with a book...
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Terantum
(Next book on my review list that I am currently reading: Looking For Alaska by John Green)
For more spoiler free, honest reviews go to my actual blog:
Books, books, and more books, follow me on twitter @SweetEndReviews
For the story behind the reviews check out my facebook page:
December 6, 2014
3.5 stars.
Sarah Beth Durst is a great author; I’m pretty much guaranteed to enjoy any book she writes. Chasing Power was no exception.
This story had all the right elements � great characters, fun action scenes, and strong friendships to go along with family ties. Let me just say that I’m so happy that there’s no slow gradual burn of our characters figuring out their powers. They are fully cognizant of them and know how to use them � of course that doesn’t preclude them from developing or refining them further but, yeah, we get right to the fun stuff and don’t waste any time with the boring exposition. Haha.
Lemme just tell you, Kayla is AWESOME. She’s funny and has some of the most lolz-worthy reactions to stressful situations. This girl is real as can be. She is upfront about her feelings (not just romantically inclined) and tells people ASAP, unlike other female heroines that can dither around in getting to the point and create unnecessary drama for themselves and others. I like how overconfident and so self-assured she is about her powers that she sometimes uses it as her coping mechanism for her insecurities.
She’s also not some straight-laced goody goody who only uses her powers for pure intentions. Oh no, she gets into all sorts of naughty trouble stealing and thieving from people and stores to get small superficial things that she wants. You can be all high and mighty about that but let’s face it, you would sorely be tempted to do the same things too if you could get away with it. Also Kayla has a bit of sense. When her love interest betrays her trust she doesn’t forgive him right away and become all doe-eyed. Not this girl! It takes her nearly 100 pages to regard him in a positive manner and start to forgive him.
I totally love the wonderful friendship Kayla had with her friend (I’m sorry I forgot her name because she was so awesome *sad face*)! They were supportive of each other, confided with each other, and managed to both be enablers. Haha. They see the good, bad, and vulnerable sides of the other and never miss a beat. I love that these characters are PoC and have such a positive relationship with each other.
The strong family connections, both good and bad, are presented in this book and I totally understand how the parents reacted to both Kayla and her friend’s situations. They really wanted the best for their children by looking out for their best interests and tried to protect them from worse things happenings. Of course, there’s the bad side as well which is dealt with in a positive manner.
Even the romance was great, taking a backseat to the plot, and took a bit of work to build up. But yet there was something lacking, another layer of depth or complexity to the narrative that would have made this really shine because this story is rather linear and uncomplicated. There’s just some spark missing to make the parts glow.
But a really enjoyable book nonetheless. Recommended for both fans of the author and those looking for a fun, fast-paced read about kids with powers and their adventures.
Sarah Beth Durst is a great author; I’m pretty much guaranteed to enjoy any book she writes. Chasing Power was no exception.
This story had all the right elements � great characters, fun action scenes, and strong friendships to go along with family ties. Let me just say that I’m so happy that there’s no slow gradual burn of our characters figuring out their powers. They are fully cognizant of them and know how to use them � of course that doesn’t preclude them from developing or refining them further but, yeah, we get right to the fun stuff and don’t waste any time with the boring exposition. Haha.
Lemme just tell you, Kayla is AWESOME. She’s funny and has some of the most lolz-worthy reactions to stressful situations. This girl is real as can be. She is upfront about her feelings (not just romantically inclined) and tells people ASAP, unlike other female heroines that can dither around in getting to the point and create unnecessary drama for themselves and others. I like how overconfident and so self-assured she is about her powers that she sometimes uses it as her coping mechanism for her insecurities.
She’s also not some straight-laced goody goody who only uses her powers for pure intentions. Oh no, she gets into all sorts of naughty trouble stealing and thieving from people and stores to get small superficial things that she wants. You can be all high and mighty about that but let’s face it, you would sorely be tempted to do the same things too if you could get away with it. Also Kayla has a bit of sense. When her love interest betrays her trust she doesn’t forgive him right away and become all doe-eyed. Not this girl! It takes her nearly 100 pages to regard him in a positive manner and start to forgive him.
I totally love the wonderful friendship Kayla had with her friend (I’m sorry I forgot her name because she was so awesome *sad face*)! They were supportive of each other, confided with each other, and managed to both be enablers. Haha. They see the good, bad, and vulnerable sides of the other and never miss a beat. I love that these characters are PoC and have such a positive relationship with each other.
The strong family connections, both good and bad, are presented in this book and I totally understand how the parents reacted to both Kayla and her friend’s situations. They really wanted the best for their children by looking out for their best interests and tried to protect them from worse things happenings. Of course, there’s the bad side as well which is dealt with in a positive manner.
Even the romance was great, taking a backseat to the plot, and took a bit of work to build up. But yet there was something lacking, another layer of depth or complexity to the narrative that would have made this really shine because this story is rather linear and uncomplicated. There’s just some spark missing to make the parts glow.
But a really enjoyable book nonetheless. Recommended for both fans of the author and those looking for a fun, fast-paced read about kids with powers and their adventures.
August 25, 2014
I picked up an ARC of Chasing Power at ALA '14.
First things first, the cover. While it is visually stunning, it does not match the book at all. The title does. The lightbulb, not so much. There is no mention of lightbulbs or electricity (like I thought there would be) or anything that would justify having a lightbulb on the cover. The closest I can get as to why it's there is the book is called Chasing Power and a lightbulb needs power. Yea, I know, not a great reason.
Moving on from the cover. After a rocky start, I really enjoyed this book. It brought together many things I loved and some things I’ve studied in college. The characters, Kayla and Daniel, take you on a wild rollercoaster around different parts of Latin America and their strange family problems.
When I got the book, the only thing I knew was what was written on the back cover. My summary is vastly different than the summary that is on goodreads and what will probably be written on the actual copies of the book.
I went in knowing about Kayla and her telekinetic powers, I knew nothing about Daniel expect that he catches her. I was pleasantly surprised when he had a special gift as well. The two of them are a wonderful team together, telekinetic and teleportation. Super cool.
Kayla is a telekinetic thief living with her mother, Moonbeam, in Santa Barbara when we meet her. She spends her days with her best friend, Selena, who is brilliant and frequently helped out K & D on their quest. Daniel is a teleporting boy with a kidnapped mother.
Daniel seeks out Kayla and gets her to help him go out on a quest to find two of three magical stones that could help him get his mother back. Their quest leads them on an adventure through parts of Mexico, Latin America, and South America. There talk of different world leaders and different important archaeological sites (many I knew from my Prehistory and Archaeology of the Mayan).
Along the way, Kayla discovers herself and the life she wants to live. The two also discover secrets from the past about their families, who are intertwined.
This book is an adventure book. A book about troubled families. A book about discovering yourself. A book about love. It has a little bit of something for everyone.
While the beginning of the book was a slow start for me, I really started to like it once K & D’s journey started. I found myself laughing with them and worrying for them. The things that surprised them, surprised me. It felt like I was going on this journey with them.
I ended this book with a smile on my face, which is always a good sign. I’m recommending it to all my adventure loving book friends. 4/5 from me. (:
Check out more of my reviews at Book Disaster.
First things first, the cover. While it is visually stunning, it does not match the book at all. The title does. The lightbulb, not so much. There is no mention of lightbulbs or electricity (like I thought there would be) or anything that would justify having a lightbulb on the cover. The closest I can get as to why it's there is the book is called Chasing Power and a lightbulb needs power. Yea, I know, not a great reason.
Moving on from the cover. After a rocky start, I really enjoyed this book. It brought together many things I loved and some things I’ve studied in college. The characters, Kayla and Daniel, take you on a wild rollercoaster around different parts of Latin America and their strange family problems.
When I got the book, the only thing I knew was what was written on the back cover. My summary is vastly different than the summary that is on goodreads and what will probably be written on the actual copies of the book.
I went in knowing about Kayla and her telekinetic powers, I knew nothing about Daniel expect that he catches her. I was pleasantly surprised when he had a special gift as well. The two of them are a wonderful team together, telekinetic and teleportation. Super cool.
Kayla is a telekinetic thief living with her mother, Moonbeam, in Santa Barbara when we meet her. She spends her days with her best friend, Selena, who is brilliant and frequently helped out K & D on their quest. Daniel is a teleporting boy with a kidnapped mother.
Daniel seeks out Kayla and gets her to help him go out on a quest to find two of three magical stones that could help him get his mother back. Their quest leads them on an adventure through parts of Mexico, Latin America, and South America. There talk of different world leaders and different important archaeological sites (many I knew from my Prehistory and Archaeology of the Mayan).
Along the way, Kayla discovers herself and the life she wants to live. The two also discover secrets from the past about their families, who are intertwined.
This book is an adventure book. A book about troubled families. A book about discovering yourself. A book about love. It has a little bit of something for everyone.
While the beginning of the book was a slow start for me, I really started to like it once K & D’s journey started. I found myself laughing with them and worrying for them. The things that surprised them, surprised me. It felt like I was going on this journey with them.
I ended this book with a smile on my face, which is always a good sign. I’m recommending it to all my adventure loving book friends. 4/5 from me. (:
Check out more of my reviews at Book Disaster.
October 14, 2014
It took me a chapter or two to get into this book, but it was a great adventure afterward. I really enjoyed the main character, Kayla's, relationship with her mother, and getting to see how it changed over the course of the book. It was great to see Kayla herself change throughout the book as well, and really come into a sense of confidence. She was great at feigning confidence in the beginning, but seemed to grow into her own skin (and power) as the story goes on. There are also some great parallel happenings going on with those around her, which I thought were cool. The characters around the main character aren't stagnant beings in the book--they learn and grow along with her.
Though there is a romance in the story--and yes, it happens a bit too quickly for my taste--it isn't based solely on the romance alone. In fact, a lot of the book has to do with family matters. And the rest is about an adventure that takes Kayla and Daniel to many cool places. Side note: The homeschooler in me was excited at all the history you can pick up from reading this book. :D
I think the biggest thing I didn't like about the story is how seemingly easily things are resolved towards the end. Yet there are two big reasons I still appreciate the ending:
1.) I didn't see it coming, as I was expecting something much different and thrilling. This is, I suppose, the result of being used to reading things with thrills for the sake of thrills. After contemplating the ending, I appreciate the subtle way in which things unfold.
2.) It didn't end there. The conflict gets resolved, yes, but because of certain events there is still much the characters have to do before returning to their lives--and even then, their lives won't be the same. I appreciate Durst showing the 'after' of things. The cleanup, if you will.
In all, this is a fun book with very cool magic, and characters who change and grow as the story progresses. It is also another great Sarah Beth Durst novel! This is the third standalone of hers that I have read, and while each of them have been as different as night and day, I have enjoyed them all!
Read this if:
...you like family drama, and adventure with a touch of history.
Content Warning
*This section may contain some spoilers about content!*
*I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published on my blog:
Though there is a romance in the story--and yes, it happens a bit too quickly for my taste--it isn't based solely on the romance alone. In fact, a lot of the book has to do with family matters. And the rest is about an adventure that takes Kayla and Daniel to many cool places. Side note: The homeschooler in me was excited at all the history you can pick up from reading this book. :D
I think the biggest thing I didn't like about the story is how seemingly easily things are resolved towards the end. Yet there are two big reasons I still appreciate the ending:
1.) I didn't see it coming, as I was expecting something much different and thrilling. This is, I suppose, the result of being used to reading things with thrills for the sake of thrills. After contemplating the ending, I appreciate the subtle way in which things unfold.
2.) It didn't end there. The conflict gets resolved, yes, but because of certain events there is still much the characters have to do before returning to their lives--and even then, their lives won't be the same. I appreciate Durst showing the 'after' of things. The cleanup, if you will.
In all, this is a fun book with very cool magic, and characters who change and grow as the story progresses. It is also another great Sarah Beth Durst novel! This is the third standalone of hers that I have read, and while each of them have been as different as night and day, I have enjoyed them all!
Read this if:
...you like family drama, and adventure with a touch of history.
Content Warning
*This section may contain some spoilers about content!*
*I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published on my blog:
October 22, 2014
When i first read the blurb, I thought to myself, OMG this sounds interesting. A girl who has super powers. But she doesnt use them for good. Instead, she's using them to steal. Why? and since she sounds like a badass, why would she help another person willingly? I was filled with anticipation. I wanted a heroine whom I didn't quite like but yet forced to love. However 1/3 into the book and i'm like mehhhhh
Its.... disappointing.At least it has been up til now.Kayla, our heroine, isn't some badass. She steals just for the sake of it. To help out with the bills. But honestly... can't she get a job like any other normal teenager? I need money for many things too. But heys, i work for it normally. She goes against her mother's wishes just... for what? because she's a teenager and teenagers are supposed to be rebellious? She herself knows how serious it is. It got her sister killed. She acts like it impacted her alot but somehow, it doesnt seem to show up in her actions. Although I have no idea how using her powers would notify her dad. Unless her dad is someone who has spies all over the place. But okay, i'm going off tangent. The only thing i liked about her up til now is that she doesnt immediately "fall" for the handsome guy. She notices(like any other hormonal teen would) but she doesn't immediately go gaga for the guy and fail to notice anything else about him.
For Daniel.... I feel like I haven't got to meet him. Its like those people u know exist in ur peripheral world but somehow, u don't really know him. I know how he looks like. I know he's trying to rescue his mother. But that's all. He doesn't do anything else to show that he has depth. Nothing except look away and seem sad about his situation. It's his mom for god's sake. He hasn't contributed anything much to the search, other than Serene found the voodoo queen's location for them. Kayla convinced the Voodoo queen. Kayla looked thru his mother's paper for the clues. Kayla and serene figured out how to read the glyphs. What has Daniel done? look for kayla? Abandon her at the Tikal tombs. Get hit in the head. I understand that heroines need to look stronger. But...halfway thru the book, I got pretty confused. Is he worried or not? Why isn't he doing anything usseful other than look pretty?
Okay, I was pretty hyped up for the book initially. But.... I'll see how things go. The only character I like is Serene. She's funny. I really like her sense of humor.
Its.... disappointing.At least it has been up til now.Kayla, our heroine, isn't some badass. She steals just for the sake of it. To help out with the bills. But honestly... can't she get a job like any other normal teenager? I need money for many things too. But heys, i work for it normally. She goes against her mother's wishes just... for what? because she's a teenager and teenagers are supposed to be rebellious? She herself knows how serious it is. It got her sister killed. She acts like it impacted her alot but somehow, it doesnt seem to show up in her actions. Although I have no idea how using her powers would notify her dad. Unless her dad is someone who has spies all over the place. But okay, i'm going off tangent. The only thing i liked about her up til now is that she doesnt immediately "fall" for the handsome guy. She notices(like any other hormonal teen would) but she doesn't immediately go gaga for the guy and fail to notice anything else about him.
For Daniel.... I feel like I haven't got to meet him. Its like those people u know exist in ur peripheral world but somehow, u don't really know him. I know how he looks like. I know he's trying to rescue his mother. But that's all. He doesn't do anything else to show that he has depth. Nothing except look away and seem sad about his situation. It's his mom for god's sake. He hasn't contributed anything much to the search, other than Serene found the voodoo queen's location for them. Kayla convinced the Voodoo queen. Kayla looked thru his mother's paper for the clues. Kayla and serene figured out how to read the glyphs. What has Daniel done? look for kayla? Abandon her at the Tikal tombs. Get hit in the head. I understand that heroines need to look stronger. But...halfway thru the book, I got pretty confused. Is he worried or not? Why isn't he doing anything usseful other than look pretty?
Okay, I was pretty hyped up for the book initially. But.... I'll see how things go. The only character I like is Serene. She's funny. I really like her sense of humor.
September 13, 2015
This book was entertaining with romance, adventure and mystery. Simply put, it was fun to read. This book is about a girl with telekinesis and how she works together with a boy who can teleport to stop the antagonists from succeeding. There's nothing spectacular about the writing of this book, it's not bad but it isn't beautiful either. Kayla, the heroine, is a bit different from other YA main characters. She doesn't just whine and sit there all of the time like a damsel in distress but she isn't extremely overpowered and unbelievable either. There are limits to her telekinetic ability (she can't lift heavy objects) and the fact that she actually uses her brains to get around her limitations is what made me like her.
However, aside from Kayla I feel like all the other characters were kind of flat. There should've been more development with Kayla's partner, Daniel, and their parents.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Also, the fact that they solved the clue to the stones in basically five minutes irked me a bit. This book was supposed to be an enthralling mystery and I think the beginning should have been filled with suspense and fear because the main characters don't know who they're going up against. That's why I was waiting for a twist towards the end, where it would be revealed that they were wrong about the map and there was another part to this mystery.
But nope! That's it! They found the clue, figured it out in a second and the rest of the book is just them jumping around trying to get to where the stones are.
Also her relationship with Daniel wasn't really plausible. She went from I-have-to-help-this-guy to I-hate-him to suddenly making out with him in dangerous situations. There really wasn't much development.
Also much of the mystery was solved with Google.
Okay. Selena is made out to be a genius despite her looks and attitude but all she does really is do a quick google search. Also, this might just be me but I found it weird how all this information about these dangerous stones was just online for anyone to stumble across. You would think more people (other than Kayla's family and friends) would have caught on by now.
END OF SPOILERS
In conclusion, this book was a fun read for me but it certainly wasn't perfect. It did well in some areas and lacked in others. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read but it wasn't anything special.
However, aside from Kayla I feel like all the other characters were kind of flat. There should've been more development with Kayla's partner, Daniel, and their parents.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Also, the fact that they solved the clue to the stones in basically five minutes irked me a bit. This book was supposed to be an enthralling mystery and I think the beginning should have been filled with suspense and fear because the main characters don't know who they're going up against. That's why I was waiting for a twist towards the end, where it would be revealed that they were wrong about the map and there was another part to this mystery.
But nope! That's it! They found the clue, figured it out in a second and the rest of the book is just them jumping around trying to get to where the stones are.
Also her relationship with Daniel wasn't really plausible. She went from I-have-to-help-this-guy to I-hate-him to suddenly making out with him in dangerous situations. There really wasn't much development.
Also much of the mystery was solved with Google.
Okay. Selena is made out to be a genius despite her looks and attitude but all she does really is do a quick google search. Also, this might just be me but I found it weird how all this information about these dangerous stones was just online for anyone to stumble across. You would think more people (other than Kayla's family and friends) would have caught on by now.
END OF SPOILERS
In conclusion, this book was a fun read for me but it certainly wasn't perfect. It did well in some areas and lacked in others. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read but it wasn't anything special.
September 22, 2014
Life in picturesque Santa Barbara is hardly perfect for sixteen-year-old Kayla. After spending most of her childhood on the run, all Kayla wants is to settle down to a quiet, normal life free of fear and paranoia. But settling isn't in the cards for her and her magic-wielding mother, Moonbeam. After Kayla's father shockingly killed her older sister Amanda when Kayla was a young girl, Kayla and Moonbeam struck out on their own. They cut all old ties, assumed false names, and lead quiet lives to remain hidden from Kayla's murderous father. Unfortunately, Kayla can't resist the thrill of using her mysterious telekinetic abilities, regularly exploiting them to steal from unsuspecting victims, and is ultimately caught by a dark-haired, handsome young man named Daniel. After revealing his own mysterious ability to teleport, Daniel informs Kayla that his mother Evelyn has been kidnapped and Kayla is his only hope in finding and safely bringing Evelyn home. Although the swift pacing and world-hopping to mystical archaeological destinations occasionally make for a fun and adventure-filled romp, the overall plot comes across as contrived and the characterization is inconsistent, with the characters never depicting much depth or growth. Despite Kayla expressing concern for those around her, she often acts recklessly, endangering those she is attempting to keep safe while Daniel constantly laments their every setback, quickly followed by adoration for Kayla and her ability to keep them moving forward. Kayla and Daniel's attraction to each other is likewise lacking, appearing to be the result of nothing more than pity and physical attraction. Though secondary characters end up serving as plot devices and the antagonists prove to be more bark than bite, undiscriminating readers will be able to look past the character weaknesses and enjoy the magic and adventures for the creative fun they are.
September 30, 2014
I enjoyed Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst immensely! The main story is centered on Kayla, a 16 year old who is telekinetic and Daniel who can teleport. The story isn’t just about ‘mind� power but has an amazing storyline that rivals any adventure series or movie, although, there’s plenty of magic and a sweet romance to be had, too. There’s a convoluted plot with surprise twists that kept this novel fresh and interesting.
There is a quest to rescue Daniels mother who has been kidnapped and he enlists Kayla’s help in a less then ethical way and being the good and kind thief that she is, she agrees to help him. What neither of them expects is the can of worms it opens when they start searching the world for an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago.
The characters are remarkable, seriously! I loved the way that they interacted with each other and also how quickly I grew to like them. They are funny! Not to say that this is a funny book, quite the contrary but there is definitely a humorous rapport between the characters at times that had me laughing out loud! I love when I’m reading a dialogue between characters in a book and I just burst out laughing, that’s when you know that an author has really crafted their characters well. The secondary characters are just as entertaining and play just as big a role as the main characters, Kayla’s best friend Selena could have her own book! Queen Marguerite, the Voodoo Queen, and Kayla’s mother, Moonbeam, are quite the characters, as well. I am so hoping to see them all again � possibly in a follow-up novel?
I know I mentioned humor but keep in mind, Kayla is a telekinetic thief for a reason and there are some real issues at hand in the novel. There are some highly dysfunctional family matters, some deep betrayals and more than one person is lying!
I have and will continue to recommend this book to everyone I know!
There is a quest to rescue Daniels mother who has been kidnapped and he enlists Kayla’s help in a less then ethical way and being the good and kind thief that she is, she agrees to help him. What neither of them expects is the can of worms it opens when they start searching the world for an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago.
The characters are remarkable, seriously! I loved the way that they interacted with each other and also how quickly I grew to like them. They are funny! Not to say that this is a funny book, quite the contrary but there is definitely a humorous rapport between the characters at times that had me laughing out loud! I love when I’m reading a dialogue between characters in a book and I just burst out laughing, that’s when you know that an author has really crafted their characters well. The secondary characters are just as entertaining and play just as big a role as the main characters, Kayla’s best friend Selena could have her own book! Queen Marguerite, the Voodoo Queen, and Kayla’s mother, Moonbeam, are quite the characters, as well. I am so hoping to see them all again � possibly in a follow-up novel?
I know I mentioned humor but keep in mind, Kayla is a telekinetic thief for a reason and there are some real issues at hand in the novel. There are some highly dysfunctional family matters, some deep betrayals and more than one person is lying!
I have and will continue to recommend this book to everyone I know!
December 18, 2014
Review courtesy of .
I wasn’t sure what to expect from CHASING POWER, especially after reading the summary. The female lead is a thief and the male lead blackmails her into helping him on a quest. Not exactly the sort of thing I usually jump into reading. Still, I chose it for review and gave it a shot. Turned out to be a very good decision.
Kayla wasn’t an easy character to like at first; she has plenty of hard edges and I’ll admit that I became pretty quickly irritated with the continual references to her mother as “Moonbeam.� My heart broke for Daniel several times as he worried and struggled, and I admired his dedication � no matter how it drove me mad when he pushed himself too hard. Kayla’s best friend, Selena, though, felt like little more than a safe haven/exposition device than anything else. Not that she wasn’t enjoyable, but I didn’t connect with her on any real level as much as I did with the others.
The real shining star of CHASING POWER though is the intricacies of the plot. It’s a very well developed story, an interesting use of magic and power, and involves two generations of people being dangerously impulsive with magic and the consequences that causes. Plus, there are some seriously jaw-dropping plot twists that I never saw coming. One point that didn’t sit well is the Return of the King-esque ending that seemed to be a series of “last chapters� strung together. Every time I finished one, I was surprised to see another chapter when I turned the page.
CHASING POWER seems to be a complete stand-alone story, though there are a few loose ends that could indicate a sequel or continuation. If and when that happens, sign me up.
Sexual content: Some sexual content
I wasn’t sure what to expect from CHASING POWER, especially after reading the summary. The female lead is a thief and the male lead blackmails her into helping him on a quest. Not exactly the sort of thing I usually jump into reading. Still, I chose it for review and gave it a shot. Turned out to be a very good decision.
Kayla wasn’t an easy character to like at first; she has plenty of hard edges and I’ll admit that I became pretty quickly irritated with the continual references to her mother as “Moonbeam.� My heart broke for Daniel several times as he worried and struggled, and I admired his dedication � no matter how it drove me mad when he pushed himself too hard. Kayla’s best friend, Selena, though, felt like little more than a safe haven/exposition device than anything else. Not that she wasn’t enjoyable, but I didn’t connect with her on any real level as much as I did with the others.
The real shining star of CHASING POWER though is the intricacies of the plot. It’s a very well developed story, an interesting use of magic and power, and involves two generations of people being dangerously impulsive with magic and the consequences that causes. Plus, there are some seriously jaw-dropping plot twists that I never saw coming. One point that didn’t sit well is the Return of the King-esque ending that seemed to be a series of “last chapters� strung together. Every time I finished one, I was surprised to see another chapter when I turned the page.
CHASING POWER seems to be a complete stand-alone story, though there are a few loose ends that could indicate a sequel or continuation. If and when that happens, sign me up.
Sexual content: Some sexual content
September 18, 2014
CHASING POWER was an excellent story with a wonderful main character. Kayla and her mother fled from her father when she was eight. After a time of flight, homelessness, and uncertainty, they found their way to Santa Barbara. Kayla's mother told her they ran because her father had killed her older sister Amanda and her mother was afraid that he would kill Kayla next. Kayla was born being able to use telekinesis and she has honed her skills by becoming a great shoplifter. She is eager to add some money to the family pot and to build up a hidden reserve in case they have to run again.
She is caught by a young man named David who has a power of his own. He's able to teleport to any place that he has seen a picture of. He blackmails Kayla to help him rescue his kidnapped mother. They visit a voodoo queen in New Orleans who tells them a story about three magical stones and a spell that can make the wielder invincible. She sets them on the path of finding those stones because that would help them find Daniel's mother.
Kayla and Daniel learn lots of secrets about their parents' pasts and both Kayla and Daniel suffer betrayals along the way. Kayla is strong and smart and not very trusting. Nonetheless, she and Daniel do become good friends and maybe even fall in love.
I liked Kayla's relationship with her mother and with her best friend Selena. I thought Kayla's psychic gift was cool. But, if I could have any psychic power, Daniel's teleportation is the one I would choose. He takes them to so many wonderful and exotic places as they search for the three stones. Of course they encounter lots of danger in their search too. From being trapped in a Mayan pyramid to being buried in bones in a crypt in Spain, the action is fast and furious.
This is a story that will appeal to adventure lovers and romance lovers. I can't wait to share it with my students.
She is caught by a young man named David who has a power of his own. He's able to teleport to any place that he has seen a picture of. He blackmails Kayla to help him rescue his kidnapped mother. They visit a voodoo queen in New Orleans who tells them a story about three magical stones and a spell that can make the wielder invincible. She sets them on the path of finding those stones because that would help them find Daniel's mother.
Kayla and Daniel learn lots of secrets about their parents' pasts and both Kayla and Daniel suffer betrayals along the way. Kayla is strong and smart and not very trusting. Nonetheless, she and Daniel do become good friends and maybe even fall in love.
I liked Kayla's relationship with her mother and with her best friend Selena. I thought Kayla's psychic gift was cool. But, if I could have any psychic power, Daniel's teleportation is the one I would choose. He takes them to so many wonderful and exotic places as they search for the three stones. Of course they encounter lots of danger in their search too. From being trapped in a Mayan pyramid to being buried in bones in a crypt in Spain, the action is fast and furious.
This is a story that will appeal to adventure lovers and romance lovers. I can't wait to share it with my students.
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