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The Athena Effect #1
The Athena Effect
This is an updated cover for 9781476059273.
Caledonia has been kept a secret her entire life. Despite her parents' disturbing fits, Cal is perfectly content, living at one with nature. When an awful tragedy tears her from their remote cabin in the woods, nothing she ever read in her beloved books prepares her for a world that she knows very little about.
Girls and motorcycles are what bad-boy Calvin’s life is all about. Brought up in a raucous party house by his biker brother, he’s free to do as he pleases, going through the motions on his final days of high school. Aimless, Cal stopped thinking about his future a long time ago.
When he is attacked by a vicious gang in a deserted cemetery, Cal is in serious trouble until a fierce girl appears from out of nowhere. She chases away three grown men to spare Cal a brutal beating before disappearing into the night like a ghost. He can’t stop thinking about his mysterious rescuer, and when she turns out to be the weird new girl at school who goes out of her way to avoid him, he can’t contain his curiosity.
He’s never met anyone like her before, and the more he learns about the unusual girl who shares his nickname, the more he wants to know. Cal can’t help falling for Cal, but can he keep her from falling victim to a dangerous enemy from her parents' tragic past?
Caledonia has been kept a secret her entire life. Despite her parents' disturbing fits, Cal is perfectly content, living at one with nature. When an awful tragedy tears her from their remote cabin in the woods, nothing she ever read in her beloved books prepares her for a world that she knows very little about.
Girls and motorcycles are what bad-boy Calvin’s life is all about. Brought up in a raucous party house by his biker brother, he’s free to do as he pleases, going through the motions on his final days of high school. Aimless, Cal stopped thinking about his future a long time ago.
When he is attacked by a vicious gang in a deserted cemetery, Cal is in serious trouble until a fierce girl appears from out of nowhere. She chases away three grown men to spare Cal a brutal beating before disappearing into the night like a ghost. He can’t stop thinking about his mysterious rescuer, and when she turns out to be the weird new girl at school who goes out of her way to avoid him, he can’t contain his curiosity.
He’s never met anyone like her before, and the more he learns about the unusual girl who shares his nickname, the more he wants to know. Cal can’t help falling for Cal, but can he keep her from falling victim to a dangerous enemy from her parents' tragic past?
227 pages, ebook
First published August 29, 2012
72 people are currently reading
1884 people want to read
About the author
Derrolyn Anderson
9books377followersHello Goodreaders. About me:
I'm a mom of three, artist and author.
Always working on the next big thing ;)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
October 26, 2014
Romances aren't usually what I pick up first to read. I will read them but I've never been crazy about them. Every once in awhile I will go through a smoochie streak where they fit in.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Cali has been secluded her entire life up in the mountains in a small log house..so jealous of that. She hasn't been to school, exposed to peer pressure, or any of the normal childhood happenings. Her parents teach her not to trust the "outside world." After she loses her parents she goes to live with a step-aunt.
She is odd to start off with..she has mismatched eyes and is able to see colors of people's auras.
She meets local bad boy Cal and somewhat they become friends.
I loved how the author made us see things through Cali's eyes. The newness of the things around her was one of the biggest pluses for me in this book.
Pick this book up if you just want to smile. It's well written and moves smoothly along. Very much enjoyed.
I am friends with this author on ŷ. In no way did this influence my review.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Cali has been secluded her entire life up in the mountains in a small log house..so jealous of that. She hasn't been to school, exposed to peer pressure, or any of the normal childhood happenings. Her parents teach her not to trust the "outside world." After she loses her parents she goes to live with a step-aunt.
She is odd to start off with..she has mismatched eyes and is able to see colors of people's auras.
She meets local bad boy Cal and somewhat they become friends.
I loved how the author made us see things through Cali's eyes. The newness of the things around her was one of the biggest pluses for me in this book.
Pick this book up if you just want to smile. It's well written and moves smoothly along. Very much enjoyed.
I am friends with this author on ŷ. In no way did this influence my review.
May 6, 2013
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for a honest review.
I'd go as far as 4½�'s on this. It is technically a YA story, but I think this is one that adults can easily enjoy. This is a first of a series that I am eagerly looking forward to continue.
With all the auras splashing color everywhere, this book reminds me of a Skittles commercial, "Taste the rainbow!" In fact, if I had to sum up the book with one slogan, that would be it. I've forgotten what color contentment is, but I would be surrounded by a cloud of it. It was just plain different, definitely in a great way.
Bad boy LOVE .... the motorcycle and tattoos! There were a high amount of what seemed to be more stereotypical characters: the 'bad boy', the 'innocent girl', the 'lecherous step-father-like figure', and the 'mad scientist'; while on the surface not appearing as unique, the book adds just enough spin the break the most of the characters out of their molds. Cal/Cali is so strong and intelligent but simultaneously naive and ignorant. Hard combo to pull off, but Derrolyn succeeded!
There are mature themes and the book leads into a much bigger story. Almost odd jump - beginning with a off-the-grid country girl and then ending how it does. It's very an engrossing tale that I would recommend to others.
5/5/13: Re-read- I still enjoyed this thoroughly in my re-read, although I did find myself more sympathetic to the twins this go-round compared to my first reading. I really like the way the romance builds in a realistic way, and I felt the auras was done well. I could 'accept' the story very easily, and I liked that the characters were combinations of unlikely things. How smart Cali is compared to her 'street smarts' being dismal, for example. I will definitely read it again in the future when book 3 comes out most likely!
I'd go as far as 4½�'s on this. It is technically a YA story, but I think this is one that adults can easily enjoy. This is a first of a series that I am eagerly looking forward to continue.
With all the auras splashing color everywhere, this book reminds me of a Skittles commercial, "Taste the rainbow!" In fact, if I had to sum up the book with one slogan, that would be it. I've forgotten what color contentment is, but I would be surrounded by a cloud of it. It was just plain different, definitely in a great way.
Bad boy LOVE .... the motorcycle and tattoos! There were a high amount of what seemed to be more stereotypical characters: the 'bad boy', the 'innocent girl', the 'lecherous step-father-like figure', and the 'mad scientist'; while on the surface not appearing as unique, the book adds just enough spin the break the most of the characters out of their molds. Cal/Cali is so strong and intelligent but simultaneously naive and ignorant. Hard combo to pull off, but Derrolyn succeeded!
There are mature themes and the book leads into a much bigger story. Almost odd jump - beginning with a off-the-grid country girl and then ending how it does. It's very an engrossing tale that I would recommend to others.
5/5/13: Re-read- I still enjoyed this thoroughly in my re-read, although I did find myself more sympathetic to the twins this go-round compared to my first reading. I really like the way the romance builds in a realistic way, and I felt the auras was done well. I could 'accept' the story very easily, and I liked that the characters were combinations of unlikely things. How smart Cali is compared to her 'street smarts' being dismal, for example. I will definitely read it again in the future when book 3 comes out most likely!
January 18, 2013
I don't give 5 stars to many books, but this one is so good I had to. I really enjoyed this book right from the very start. Something about it just immediately drew me in. The main character Cal is just...I love how sweet and innocent she is, and that she helps all the animals, though she is also tough and can look out for herself. I just immediately loved her and wanted everything to work out okay. There are plenty of things in the story that from another author I would find cheesy and too much (like Cal and Cal) but somehow it was sweet and perfect in this story. It was one of those books that while I want to read it as fast as I can to see what happens, I actually read it slower than usual so I can savor every moment of it. I started reading it in the evening, stayed up way too late reading, and then once I got too tired couldn't get to sleep as I couldn't stop thinking about what might happen. I was really relieved that it ended well - it seems like I have read a lot of books recently where I was loving it and then they mess everything up with a horrible ending. Not this one. It is just a sweet romance that thankfully did not have a love triangle involved!! Definitely give it a read if you like YA romances - it is one of the better ones.
January 28, 2013
5 ELECTRIFYING, HEART SHAPED STARS!
My reaction after finishing this book:
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can’t believe there’s such little buzz over this book! I couldn’t have been more surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. After I was done reading, I immediately looked up more of the authors� works. I just had to purchase the Marina’s Tales series on Amazon. I’m going to need to get my fill of good storytelling, before the sequel for this one comes out, right?
**
Initially, I was a bit skeptical about getting into the story, simply because it was written in third person narrative. Usually, it’s more difficult for me to connect with the characters if it’s written that way. But, I realized that wasn’t necessarily the case. I guess it just comes down to good writing. If the writing is good, then it shouldn’t matter if the story is told in the first or third person POV. However, I still kind of had a hard time getting “into� the story, because it started off a bit slow/disorienting/confusing. But, don't let that deter you from reading. CONTINUE ON. It was well worth it.
First off, the characters are rich and multi-layered. The detailed character development was what impressed me most. *CALI, is supposed to be this girl with “unique� special abilities, hidden away from the world, living in the wild with no electricity or modern technology. She loses her parents from a car crash, and has no option but to move in with an aunt she never knew she had. In the city.Cali’s transition from her sheltered life to city life is definitely colored with genuine heartwarming humor, and laugh-out-loud moments. At the same time, I loved how her naivety wasn’t overdone; I never felt pity or embarrassment for her. Cali was very easy to love, as she was innocent, naïve, funny, endearing, fierce, compassionate, and loyal (whew, that was a mouthful, I know, but it’s true!). I often felt like I could totally relate to some of her fears, emotions, and insecurities, although I’ve never grown up without modern technology and lots of hot water.
Then, there’s *CAL.One word: YUM. Alright, so his character was a bit clichéd, insofar as the tattoos, motorcycle, and his “player� status. Simply put, he was unmotivated and unhappy � before he met Cali. One fateful night, Cali saves Cal from getting jumped (by his older brothers� sketchy acquaintances). After that night, everything changes. Cal’s suddenly seeking her out in school, the hallways, the cafeteria, and after a few brief exchanges, he can’t stop thinking about her.
I LOVED how their relationship slowly progressed. It was heartwarming and realistic and beautiful and right. Honestly, I couldn’t help swooning at Cal’s strength. He also took me by surprise, because although he did embody that stereotypical “bad boy� figure at first, it’s quickly realized that he’s so much more than he seems. Both characters were really well fleshed out, and their chemistry/romantic connection was the highlight of the story for me, personally.
Further, all of the other characters: The “creep,� Jarod, Crystal, Cali’s aunt, Lyla, Michael, Max, the Professor, RUFUS (yes, even the dog), etc. were all wonderfully entertaining/interesting/realistic characters that added to the richness to the overall plot. Also, I loved the prologue + epilogue.
Then, there’s the: sci-fi/ paranormal/ mystery/ thriller/ action aspect of the story. With this, I was TRULY taken aback. I guess the description is kind of vague, in terms of the non-romance parts. But I loved it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise.
Additionally, I had a hard time assigning this book into a particular “SHELF� because, The Athena Effect was a magical concoction, an intoxicating brew, blending bits and pieces of different genres, into the perfect recipe of deliciousness. I devoured the book in one-setting. It was that addictive. Don’t let the title fool you. This book will blow your expectations out of the water, and replenish your thirst for some good YA fiction.
My reaction after finishing this book:
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can’t believe there’s such little buzz over this book! I couldn’t have been more surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. After I was done reading, I immediately looked up more of the authors� works. I just had to purchase the Marina’s Tales series on Amazon. I’m going to need to get my fill of good storytelling, before the sequel for this one comes out, right?
**
Initially, I was a bit skeptical about getting into the story, simply because it was written in third person narrative. Usually, it’s more difficult for me to connect with the characters if it’s written that way. But, I realized that wasn’t necessarily the case. I guess it just comes down to good writing. If the writing is good, then it shouldn’t matter if the story is told in the first or third person POV. However, I still kind of had a hard time getting “into� the story, because it started off a bit slow/disorienting/confusing. But, don't let that deter you from reading. CONTINUE ON. It was well worth it.
First off, the characters are rich and multi-layered. The detailed character development was what impressed me most. *CALI, is supposed to be this girl with “unique� special abilities, hidden away from the world, living in the wild with no electricity or modern technology. She loses her parents from a car crash, and has no option but to move in with an aunt she never knew she had. In the city.Cali’s transition from her sheltered life to city life is definitely colored with genuine heartwarming humor, and laugh-out-loud moments. At the same time, I loved how her naivety wasn’t overdone; I never felt pity or embarrassment for her. Cali was very easy to love, as she was innocent, naïve, funny, endearing, fierce, compassionate, and loyal (whew, that was a mouthful, I know, but it’s true!). I often felt like I could totally relate to some of her fears, emotions, and insecurities, although I’ve never grown up without modern technology and lots of hot water.
Then, there’s *CAL.One word: YUM. Alright, so his character was a bit clichéd, insofar as the tattoos, motorcycle, and his “player� status. Simply put, he was unmotivated and unhappy � before he met Cali. One fateful night, Cali saves Cal from getting jumped (by his older brothers� sketchy acquaintances). After that night, everything changes. Cal’s suddenly seeking her out in school, the hallways, the cafeteria, and after a few brief exchanges, he can’t stop thinking about her.
I LOVED how their relationship slowly progressed. It was heartwarming and realistic and beautiful and right. Honestly, I couldn’t help swooning at Cal’s strength. He also took me by surprise, because although he did embody that stereotypical “bad boy� figure at first, it’s quickly realized that he’s so much more than he seems. Both characters were really well fleshed out, and their chemistry/romantic connection was the highlight of the story for me, personally.
Further, all of the other characters: The “creep,� Jarod, Crystal, Cali’s aunt, Lyla, Michael, Max, the Professor, RUFUS (yes, even the dog), etc. were all wonderfully entertaining/interesting/realistic characters that added to the richness to the overall plot. Also, I loved the prologue + epilogue.
Then, there’s the: sci-fi/ paranormal/ mystery/ thriller/ action aspect of the story. With this, I was TRULY taken aback. I guess the description is kind of vague, in terms of the non-romance parts. But I loved it, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise.
Additionally, I had a hard time assigning this book into a particular “SHELF� because, The Athena Effect was a magical concoction, an intoxicating brew, blending bits and pieces of different genres, into the perfect recipe of deliciousness. I devoured the book in one-setting. It was that addictive. Don’t let the title fool you. This book will blow your expectations out of the water, and replenish your thirst for some good YA fiction.
March 2, 2014
FREE on Smashwords with coupon code REW25 until 8th March! GET IT. GET IT.
Just because I consider Derrolyn Anderson a friend of mine, does not mean I have not approached the reading of this book impartially. I am quite relieved to be able to give this book 5 stars, even though Derrolyn has assured me that even if I didn’t like the book she wouldn’t let it affect our friendship. In fact, so assured am I in Derrolyn’s own awesomeness that I feel quite comfortable revealing that when I first saw this book, I wasn’t interested in reading it. The cover looked like it was from the eighties and the blurb made it sound like just another romance novel.
How wrong I was. Derrolyn approached me before we were acquaintances on ŷ to ask me if I wanted to read her book. When I glanced around on ŷ and read some other reviews I decided that yes, I did want to give it a shot. I’d been burned by self-publishers and cold callers before, so I was a little hesitant, but I saw that some friends of mine whose judgement of quality literature I trusted and whom I could also trust not to up the rating just because Derrolyn’s a giant sweetheart had rated the book highly. I was eager to read it, especially as my favourite novel of 2013 was a self-published novel.
I have told you all of this because I want my relationship with Derrolyn to be transparent, and I am also trying to convince you that this novel is genuinely good. I know a lot of friends and family of writers often rate their books 5 stars, but this is the first time I have given 5 stars to someone I consider a friend. I have pretty high standards when it comes to technique, and I don’t have time for shitty writing. I fully believe this novel deserves my 5 stars, and now I’ll tell you why:
Cali has been brought up in the wilderness with only her unwell parents for company, and when they unfortunately die she is sent to live with her flaky, distracted aunt and creepy boyfriend, and attend school for the first time. There Cal meets another Cal, a motorbike enthusiast bad boy who only cares about his next female conquest. When Cali saves Cal from a brutal beating, he takes an interest in the weird new girl with the heterochromatic eyes and the mysterious ability to tame wild animals. The two begin a tentative romance, compounded by the fact that the man responsible for Cali’s parents� illness is now hunting for her and will stop at nothing to claim her in his weird experiments.
Like I said above, the blurb did not draw me to this novel. It doesn’t mention that Cali can see and shape auras so I thought it was just a regular contemporary young adult romance. Upon reading I found that I was completely immersed in Cali and Cal’s story and read late into the night. I have a particular love for contemporary novels with a hint of the paranormal, which is how this book was reading, so that worked out well for everyone.
I loved watching Cal grow from the cocky, arrogant playboy to a concerned, mature, responsible young man, and I adored watching Cali kick all kinds of butt and navigate an unknown world without losing her integrity or dignity and keeping her wits and intelligence about her. Cali’s naivety was never used to comedic effect or made her look stupid, which I approved of, and her initial rejections of Cal were both refreshing and organic. I found their romance to be incredibly sweet and one of my favourites to watch develop. There was no insta-love and it progressed very genuinely. They didn’t lose their shit over anything and their insecurities were all familiar to me. I could tell just how much the author adored her own characters, too. They were lovingly described and lovingly developed.
I found the writing for the most part utterly enjoyable. There were some issues with dialogue punctuation (a particular pet peeve of mine) and I did notice the gaze shifting to objectify Cali rather a lot because she’s so wonderful beautiful and wonderful and unique and did I mention wonderful? The prose and narration was strong and the use of third person omniscient, while not my favourite point of view, worked in this novel. I found the whole thing absorbing and page-turning and I was frustrated with having to perform the simple acts of going to work and sleeping rather than reading this book.
Overall I recommend this to readers who like either (YA/NA) paranormal love stories or (YA/NA) straight contemporary romance, as I feel it has the best of both worlds. Unfortunately I believe the reason this book isn’t more widely read is because the blurb doesn’t really sell its awesome potential, so you’ll just have to take my word on how much I enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.
Just because I consider Derrolyn Anderson a friend of mine, does not mean I have not approached the reading of this book impartially. I am quite relieved to be able to give this book 5 stars, even though Derrolyn has assured me that even if I didn’t like the book she wouldn’t let it affect our friendship. In fact, so assured am I in Derrolyn’s own awesomeness that I feel quite comfortable revealing that when I first saw this book, I wasn’t interested in reading it. The cover looked like it was from the eighties and the blurb made it sound like just another romance novel.
How wrong I was. Derrolyn approached me before we were acquaintances on ŷ to ask me if I wanted to read her book. When I glanced around on ŷ and read some other reviews I decided that yes, I did want to give it a shot. I’d been burned by self-publishers and cold callers before, so I was a little hesitant, but I saw that some friends of mine whose judgement of quality literature I trusted and whom I could also trust not to up the rating just because Derrolyn’s a giant sweetheart had rated the book highly. I was eager to read it, especially as my favourite novel of 2013 was a self-published novel.
I have told you all of this because I want my relationship with Derrolyn to be transparent, and I am also trying to convince you that this novel is genuinely good. I know a lot of friends and family of writers often rate their books 5 stars, but this is the first time I have given 5 stars to someone I consider a friend. I have pretty high standards when it comes to technique, and I don’t have time for shitty writing. I fully believe this novel deserves my 5 stars, and now I’ll tell you why:
Cali has been brought up in the wilderness with only her unwell parents for company, and when they unfortunately die she is sent to live with her flaky, distracted aunt and creepy boyfriend, and attend school for the first time. There Cal meets another Cal, a motorbike enthusiast bad boy who only cares about his next female conquest. When Cali saves Cal from a brutal beating, he takes an interest in the weird new girl with the heterochromatic eyes and the mysterious ability to tame wild animals. The two begin a tentative romance, compounded by the fact that the man responsible for Cali’s parents� illness is now hunting for her and will stop at nothing to claim her in his weird experiments.
Like I said above, the blurb did not draw me to this novel. It doesn’t mention that Cali can see and shape auras so I thought it was just a regular contemporary young adult romance. Upon reading I found that I was completely immersed in Cali and Cal’s story and read late into the night. I have a particular love for contemporary novels with a hint of the paranormal, which is how this book was reading, so that worked out well for everyone.
I loved watching Cal grow from the cocky, arrogant playboy to a concerned, mature, responsible young man, and I adored watching Cali kick all kinds of butt and navigate an unknown world without losing her integrity or dignity and keeping her wits and intelligence about her. Cali’s naivety was never used to comedic effect or made her look stupid, which I approved of, and her initial rejections of Cal were both refreshing and organic. I found their romance to be incredibly sweet and one of my favourites to watch develop. There was no insta-love and it progressed very genuinely. They didn’t lose their shit over anything and their insecurities were all familiar to me. I could tell just how much the author adored her own characters, too. They were lovingly described and lovingly developed.
I found the writing for the most part utterly enjoyable. There were some issues with dialogue punctuation (a particular pet peeve of mine) and I did notice the gaze shifting to objectify Cali rather a lot because she’s so wonderful beautiful and wonderful and unique and did I mention wonderful? The prose and narration was strong and the use of third person omniscient, while not my favourite point of view, worked in this novel. I found the whole thing absorbing and page-turning and I was frustrated with having to perform the simple acts of going to work and sleeping rather than reading this book.
Overall I recommend this to readers who like either (YA/NA) paranormal love stories or (YA/NA) straight contemporary romance, as I feel it has the best of both worlds. Unfortunately I believe the reason this book isn’t more widely read is because the blurb doesn’t really sell its awesome potential, so you’ll just have to take my word on how much I enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.
February 14, 2013
Wow. I literally just finished the last page, and I'm astounded. I haven't come across a book I liked this much in a while. The Athena Effect is absolutely a book I will recommend to anyone and everyone. I was able to read this in exchange for an honest review, something I'm glad to do.
The plot given on the website is nothing compared to the actual book; it doesn't do it justice. Frankly, when I read the summary given on GoodReads I didn't think it would be something I would fall in love with. It's a general description of two teenagers from different walks of life with the same nickname. Cali is from "the country," and Cal is a "biker bad boy." The thing is, these descriptions don't fit either of them accurately at all.
I'm not sure if the description was purposefully vague, but I think it should reflect the actual plotline, which is this: Cali literally lives off the land with her parents, living with no ties whatsoever to the modern world aside from books. When her parents unexpectedly die, she's forced to move in with her aunt she's never met and discover a world far beyond her understanding. And she must hide her special ability from everyone.
Except Cal. He comes across it accidentally, and suffice to say that he's dumbfounded by a girl who is so unequivocally different than any other person he's ever met.
When a mad scientist (literally) hunts her down, their feelings are tested as well as Cali's determination and strength.
It's amazing. Truly. The novel was well written and fluid. There were never any moments where I was confused as to which Cal was being talked about, which is a triumph in itself. And I loved both Cals. Cali's strength is amazing, and I admit I wish I could do half the things she can do. Cal was heartwarming, in the way that he was trying to run away from his feelings about his parents. When Cali forces him to rethink his life, we see a transformation. Hence, heartwarming. Not to mention Jarod and Crystal. While they both have their faults, they are truly lovable characters and I found that I cared about them surprisingly more than I though I would. The same goes for Layla. I ached for the childhood she could never have, and I wanted her to have the experiences of being a normal teenager that she desperately wanted. Even Michael was relatable. Poor kid was always shunned to the side, since he didn't have the same power that his sister Layla did. He was always an afterthought, that much was clear just in the short timespan we see him in the novel.
The plot is fantastic. It was well thought out and well articulated. My only complaint is that I don't want to wait for the second one. I am amazed this book doesn't have a bigger following. But rest assured, I will be whoring this book out to everyone I know. I personally am going to be anticipating the second book. I'm hooked.
The plot given on the website is nothing compared to the actual book; it doesn't do it justice. Frankly, when I read the summary given on GoodReads I didn't think it would be something I would fall in love with. It's a general description of two teenagers from different walks of life with the same nickname. Cali is from "the country," and Cal is a "biker bad boy." The thing is, these descriptions don't fit either of them accurately at all.
I'm not sure if the description was purposefully vague, but I think it should reflect the actual plotline, which is this: Cali literally lives off the land with her parents, living with no ties whatsoever to the modern world aside from books. When her parents unexpectedly die, she's forced to move in with her aunt she's never met and discover a world far beyond her understanding. And she must hide her special ability from everyone.
Except Cal. He comes across it accidentally, and suffice to say that he's dumbfounded by a girl who is so unequivocally different than any other person he's ever met.
When a mad scientist (literally) hunts her down, their feelings are tested as well as Cali's determination and strength.
It's amazing. Truly. The novel was well written and fluid. There were never any moments where I was confused as to which Cal was being talked about, which is a triumph in itself. And I loved both Cals. Cali's strength is amazing, and I admit I wish I could do half the things she can do. Cal was heartwarming, in the way that he was trying to run away from his feelings about his parents. When Cali forces him to rethink his life, we see a transformation. Hence, heartwarming. Not to mention Jarod and Crystal. While they both have their faults, they are truly lovable characters and I found that I cared about them surprisingly more than I though I would. The same goes for Layla. I ached for the childhood she could never have, and I wanted her to have the experiences of being a normal teenager that she desperately wanted. Even Michael was relatable. Poor kid was always shunned to the side, since he didn't have the same power that his sister Layla did. He was always an afterthought, that much was clear just in the short timespan we see him in the novel.
The plot is fantastic. It was well thought out and well articulated. My only complaint is that I don't want to wait for the second one. I am amazed this book doesn't have a bigger following. But rest assured, I will be whoring this book out to everyone I know. I personally am going to be anticipating the second book. I'm hooked.
February 18, 2013
It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I’m still thinking about it, going over favorite parts I highlighted and telling my sister and friends that they need to hurry up and finish what they are reading so they can start with The Athena Effect.
Cali was raised in isolation in the woods by her parents and when her parents are in an accident she moves in with her Aunt, and is suddenly thrust into this new world. One night Cali comes across the schools “bad boy� Cal being brutally beaten by a group of men and intervenes saving his life. Since that night Cal is intrigued with the new weird girl from school that saves his life and has to know more about her, all the while Cali is trying to keep her ability of seeing the auroras of animals and people a secret.
(I’m terrible of synopsis, but I think I summed it up with out giving too much away, LOL).
I loved that as Cal is showing Cali new things, she is helping Cal rediscover himself without even knowing it. Through all this new discover they form a friendship that forms into something more. Even though it seemed like it took forever for them to admit their feelings for each other, I actually like that it wasn’t immediate like so many other books do. I could relate to being friends with someone and so badly wanting it to be more, but you aren’t completely sure if that person feels the same way, and the mere thought of them not reciprocating your feelings is extremely scary.
I loved everything about this book. One thing I keep coming back to in my mind is how the book was written. Usually when there are two main characters, you have alternate chapters from their perspective so its back and forth, but in The Athena Effect, the author Derroyln Anderson has perfected coming from both the main characters perspectives without having to do the flip flop of chapters. It is all done right there in the scene and I never got confused as to which character the point of view was coming from. I actually think I prefer it this way than the flip-flop of chapters taking turns.
The book was a great read, and I will be reading it again, and I recommend that anyone who loves Young Adult/Paranormal books to definitely read it. You will find yourself thinking about this book long after you finish it. I went through some emotions while reading this book, a lot of the time; I felt my heart sink into my stomach and my nerves where all over the place at times. I can’t wait for book 2 in the series. Sad that I read it so fast as I usually do with the books I read, I never want them to end because they are so good, but at the same time I didn’t want to stop reading it.
A favorite quote from the book (which I find to be very true):
“…with a really good book you get something new every time you read it. Because…well…because you’re a different person each time.� ~Cali
Cali was raised in isolation in the woods by her parents and when her parents are in an accident she moves in with her Aunt, and is suddenly thrust into this new world. One night Cali comes across the schools “bad boy� Cal being brutally beaten by a group of men and intervenes saving his life. Since that night Cal is intrigued with the new weird girl from school that saves his life and has to know more about her, all the while Cali is trying to keep her ability of seeing the auroras of animals and people a secret.
(I’m terrible of synopsis, but I think I summed it up with out giving too much away, LOL).
I loved that as Cal is showing Cali new things, she is helping Cal rediscover himself without even knowing it. Through all this new discover they form a friendship that forms into something more. Even though it seemed like it took forever for them to admit their feelings for each other, I actually like that it wasn’t immediate like so many other books do. I could relate to being friends with someone and so badly wanting it to be more, but you aren’t completely sure if that person feels the same way, and the mere thought of them not reciprocating your feelings is extremely scary.
I loved everything about this book. One thing I keep coming back to in my mind is how the book was written. Usually when there are two main characters, you have alternate chapters from their perspective so its back and forth, but in The Athena Effect, the author Derroyln Anderson has perfected coming from both the main characters perspectives without having to do the flip flop of chapters. It is all done right there in the scene and I never got confused as to which character the point of view was coming from. I actually think I prefer it this way than the flip-flop of chapters taking turns.
The book was a great read, and I will be reading it again, and I recommend that anyone who loves Young Adult/Paranormal books to definitely read it. You will find yourself thinking about this book long after you finish it. I went through some emotions while reading this book, a lot of the time; I felt my heart sink into my stomach and my nerves where all over the place at times. I can’t wait for book 2 in the series. Sad that I read it so fast as I usually do with the books I read, I never want them to end because they are so good, but at the same time I didn’t want to stop reading it.
A favorite quote from the book (which I find to be very true):
“…with a really good book you get something new every time you read it. Because…well…because you’re a different person each time.� ~Cali
June 24, 2013
You know how, sometimes a book “just clicks,� we’ve all read at least one, hopefully more, right? Not only did The Athena Effect “click� with me, it deadbolted the lock to my heart with a story of a young girl thrown into a world she is completely unfamiliar with and the aimless, damaged, bad-boy who she saves in more ways than one. This is NOT just another angst-filled teen romance filled with paranormal aspects, genetic mutations, sci-fi, and a battle against different evil, honest! (Actually, the angst quotient was pretty much non-existent!) It is heartwarming and beautiful as Cal and Cal (Caledonia and Calvin) slowly develop a relationship that will test the limits of love and even their very lives.
Was Calvin a stereo-typical bad boy? Yes, most definitely, but as his story unfolds, and he shows his “true colors� to Caledonia, you see the damaged boy who has lost sight of his dreams. Is Caledonia a typical naïve girl who is the by-product of genetically altered parents? NO WAY! This girl is compassionate and wise beyond her years. Her innocence is only to the new world around her, the sights, the sounds, all of the people are a new discovery for her every day! She has an inner self-awareness that allows her to laugh at her own lack of knowledge of everything from slang to hot water from a faucet to condoms! One thing she does know is the difference between good and evil, right and wrong and the emotions people try to hide on the outside.
This is a beautiful love story, well told and full of characters that come to life, guided by the skillful hand of author Derrolyn Anderson as she gifts us with her ability to tell a tale that crosses genres just enough to please even the most diehard YA/Paranormal/Sci-fi/Romance fan!
I must thank the author for the opportunity to read and review The Athena Effect!
Publication Date: August 29, 2012
Number of Pages: 228
Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Romance/Sci-fi
Age Recommendation: YA/NA on up!
My Rating: 5 Stars
Available at: /
For more reviews check out or find us on .
Was Calvin a stereo-typical bad boy? Yes, most definitely, but as his story unfolds, and he shows his “true colors� to Caledonia, you see the damaged boy who has lost sight of his dreams. Is Caledonia a typical naïve girl who is the by-product of genetically altered parents? NO WAY! This girl is compassionate and wise beyond her years. Her innocence is only to the new world around her, the sights, the sounds, all of the people are a new discovery for her every day! She has an inner self-awareness that allows her to laugh at her own lack of knowledge of everything from slang to hot water from a faucet to condoms! One thing she does know is the difference between good and evil, right and wrong and the emotions people try to hide on the outside.
This is a beautiful love story, well told and full of characters that come to life, guided by the skillful hand of author Derrolyn Anderson as she gifts us with her ability to tell a tale that crosses genres just enough to please even the most diehard YA/Paranormal/Sci-fi/Romance fan!
I must thank the author for the opportunity to read and review The Athena Effect!
Publication Date: August 29, 2012
Number of Pages: 228
Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Romance/Sci-fi
Age Recommendation: YA/NA on up!
My Rating: 5 Stars
Available at: /
For more reviews check out or find us on .
March 5, 2015
Caledonia has special gifts. She lives a very sheltered life in a remote location. She is home schooled,spending all of her free time reading or in nature. After the sudden death of her parents,she is sent to live with a distant relative in the city. She is propelled into a world she is ill prepared for,High school, mean girl scrutiny,boys and her Aunt's lecherous boyfriend. As I do not want to reveal too much,I will stop here.
This book is an enjoyable read. The characters stayed in character and were relatable.The writing was fluid and captured my attention.
The Athena Effect is the first book in a series and I intend on reading more of this writers body of work.
I recommend this book.
This book is an enjoyable read. The characters stayed in character and were relatable.The writing was fluid and captured my attention.
The Athena Effect is the first book in a series and I intend on reading more of this writers body of work.
I recommend this book.
July 2, 2013
The Athena Effect is a sweet, engaging story. It is the story of Cali, 17-year-old girl raised isolated from the big, bad world. She is perfectly happy with her life, until tragedy strikes. When she is thrown into the real world, she must find a way to acclimate herself and find a balance between the life she knew and the life she must now learn to live.
The characters in this story are great. Cali is sweet and innocent, a bit naive, perhaps too much so at times. All she really knew of the outside world was what she had read about in books. Despite her innocence, or maybe in spite of, Cali is strong and independent and will do whatever it takes to survive the cruelties of the world. Cal is the ultimate bad boy; you know - the one all the girls fall for just to have their hearts broken. I know, sounds cliché, but it's really not. The author adds enough twist to the story to make it unique and incredibly enjoyable. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. The story flowed very well and was written well. The author did a really great job of making her characters come to life, so much so that you could feel their emotions build with each turn of the page.
The names may be strange, but the story is a must. I will definitely be looking for the next book. Hopefully we will find out what happens with Layla and Michael!
Favorite quote:
"Because with a really good book you get something new every time you read it. Because…Well…Because you're a different person each time."
The characters in this story are great. Cali is sweet and innocent, a bit naive, perhaps too much so at times. All she really knew of the outside world was what she had read about in books. Despite her innocence, or maybe in spite of, Cali is strong and independent and will do whatever it takes to survive the cruelties of the world. Cal is the ultimate bad boy; you know - the one all the girls fall for just to have their hearts broken. I know, sounds cliché, but it's really not. The author adds enough twist to the story to make it unique and incredibly enjoyable. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. The story flowed very well and was written well. The author did a really great job of making her characters come to life, so much so that you could feel their emotions build with each turn of the page.
The names may be strange, but the story is a must. I will definitely be looking for the next book. Hopefully we will find out what happens with Layla and Michael!
Favorite quote:
"Because with a really good book you get something new every time you read it. Because…Well…Because you're a different person each time."
August 19, 2015
Это так умилительно наивно, что я чуть не прослезилась:))
Йуная дева, взращенная в глуши, в отрыве от цивилизации, зато с кучей книг. Ну и дар необычный у девы есть, куда без этого.
Но вот трагедия уносит жизнь ее родителей, и дева вынуждена переехать к тетке в город. И пойти в школу.
В школе у нас имеется не менее йуный бабник-байкер-балагур, который сначала даже не замечает странную новенькую. Но потом она спасает ему жизнь, и усе, любовь до гроба.
Потом она еще много кого спасает, но это уже дело десятое.
Короче, этакая кудесница леса Олеся выдернутая в большой город.
Я люблю подобные сюжеты, но тут все в лоб, все поверхностно и, повторюсь, жутко наивно))) Даже серьезные моменты, вроде домогательств со стороны бойфренда тетки, воспринимаются несерьезно.
Я тексты такого уровня лет в двенадцать нормально воспринимала))
Хотя русский СИ сейчас ими пестрит.
С середины листала (хотя объем не то чтобы большой), продолжать серию точно не буду.
Йуная дева, взращенная в глуши, в отрыве от цивилизации, зато с кучей книг. Ну и дар необычный у девы есть, куда без этого.
Но вот трагедия уносит жизнь ее родителей, и дева вынуждена переехать к тетке в город. И пойти в школу.
В школе у нас имеется не менее йуный бабник-байкер-балагур, который сначала даже не замечает странную новенькую. Но потом она спасает ему жизнь, и усе, любовь до гроба.
Потом она еще много кого спасает, но это уже дело десятое.
Короче, этакая кудесница леса Олеся выдернутая в большой город.
Я люблю подобные сюжеты, но тут все в лоб, все поверхностно и, повторюсь, жутко наивно))) Даже серьезные моменты, вроде домогательств со стороны бойфренда тетки, воспринимаются несерьезно.
Я тексты такого уровня лет в двенадцать нормально воспринимала))
Хотя русский СИ сейчас ими пестрит.
С середины листала (хотя объем не то чтобы большой), продолжать серию точно не буду.
January 22, 2013
Well, what a surprise. I started this book at 8 last night and was done by 1030. I was a bit concerned about the storyline with both of the main characters having the same name. That did cause me some issues. However, after reading the book, it was such a non-issue.
All in all, this was a great book. The storyline was very thought out. There were just enough details to give depth to the story but not so much as to bog it down. I really can not wait for the next book.
All in all, this was a great book. The storyline was very thought out. There were just enough details to give depth to the story but not so much as to bog it down. I really can not wait for the next book.
July 26, 2019
Full review to come!
June 6, 2017
� Find my reviews on Blogger ~
- - -
17-year-old Cali has lived her life in hiding. Her parents secreted her away before she was even born. In a secluded cabin in the woods, it's been just the three of them for 17 years. Cali's parents raised her to be self-sufficient and able to defend herself when necessary. The reasoning behind this was kept from Cali, but she's soon going to find out. You see, Cali can see people's auras; the colorful manifestations of emotion and intention that they're feeling. Cali can not only see them, but she can feel them as well.
Cali's parents are taken from her by a tragic accident. Since she isn't of age yet, she's sent to live with her aunt and her sleazeball boyfriend. She's simply biding her time until she turns 18. She then plans to return to the only home she's ever known.
Things begin to change for Cali when she meets Calvin. A bad-boy biker with tattoos on his arm and girls at his feet. When life keeps driving the two together, they slowly become close, and Cali eventually lets Calvin in on her secret. Events unfold that leave Cali and Calvin looking for answers. Together, the two of them start digging to discover the secrets of Cali's past.
- - -
Derrolyn Anderson is officially one of my top 5 favorite writers! I mean, I am already in love with Marina's Tales (her first series, which you should go read like NOW!), but this one blew me away as well! I honestly didn't think anything could live up to how much I love Marina's Tales, but I was wrong. :)
*Possible spoilers ahead!*
The number one thing that always stands out in Anderson's books is her characters. They are colorful and full of life. They are multidimensional and they feel like people you could meet in real life, or know in real life. Cali was simply adorable, yet badass at the same time. She is naïve about certain things, but so very wise about others. She's the perfect balance of hard and soft. Any shortcomings she has can be attributed to the fact that she was raised in seclusion and without the every day things you and I take for granted (hot water, electricity, etc).
Then there's Calvin. Oh my, Calvin! Talk about swoon-worthy! He's definitely got the bad boy thing going on. Tattooed biker, chick magnet, party animal, devil-may-care attitude, etc. And yet, when he meets Cali (or ends up being saved by her, that is) he just melts. He turns into a complete softy. I love stories where a girl turns a bad boy into a pile of mush. :) Those romances are the best romances. And speaking of romance - that part of the story? FAN-TAS-TIC! BRAVO to Ms. Anderson for actually making these two fall in love. No insta-love. AMEN! I felt like dancing a jig! Seriously, though, the romance is done to perfection. Cali and Calvin actually get to know one another before they get serious. They have their quarrels; ups and downs, so to speak, but they get through it. They are a very special couple.
Let's talk about the paranormal aspect of this book. You see, it's not actually paranormal. I mean, it is... but it's thanks to science. This is yet another thing that makes this book stand out. How many Young Adult novels have you read or read about where it goes like this: Girl dies or comes close to death. Girl comes back and can see auras. Girl can't see the aura of one particular guy. Girl and particular guy have INSTA-LOVE. Fight evil, throw in a little angst, yadda yadda. The end. There are A LOT of these books out there. It gets old. The Athena Effect is entirely different. It's on a whole other level. This book is not paranormal; it's science fiction. Cali's abilities come from genetic experimenting. Her parents were involved in this experimenting in their younger years and Cali is the offspring of said experiments. She inherited the ability and her ability is on an enhanced level, and it even develops further as the story progresses. Not only can Cali see and feel auras, she can influence others by projecting her own aura onto them. It's a nifty little trick that ends up being key to getting her and Calvin out of a few predicaments.
There is a bad guy in this book. It's not a demon. It's not a ghost. It's a delusional megalomaniac dubbed Professor Reed. This guy is a freaking fruit loop! He was a very well-written antagonist. I won't give away too much in the way of specifics, but he was involved in the genetic testing that caused Cali's parents (and others) to flee and/or die. He's completely sick in the head. I mean, this guy is SICK SICK. He has this twisted sense of entitlement and decides to kidnap Cali and try to use her for his own plans. This part of the story was where it got really interesting.
Overall, this is a book you really need to read! I loved loved LOVED it. I stayed up all hours of the night to read this one; work or no work. :) The characters are amazing and memorable. The plot is detailed and moves along quickly. There aren't any lulls. The author's writing is beautifully descriptive but isn't overly done so that it takes away from the story. There's romance, action, suspense, humor, emotion, turmoil, and unexpected revelations. The ending was done to perfection! It was left open enough for a sequel (which there is!), but not in the dreaded cliffhanger type way. I definitely recommend this book to sci-fi lovers, YA or not. It's a roller coaster of a story that'll keep you glue to the pages way past your bedtime!
- - -
Book source: from the author for review
Publisher: Self-published
July 26, 2016
“It’s a keychain.�
She looked at him blankly.
“For putting keys on,� he added.
“Oh,� she smiled, sticking it into her pocket, “I love it.�
Cali is so adorable. Through her parents, she's learned the world is a bad place. Even so, while she is often frightened she is always fearless. When she enters the city she gets confused over colloquialisms and gets thrilled over light switches. She's confident about herself but still gets hurt by the way society treats her.
She was a hopeless freak that saw things that no-one else did with her oddball eyes. She would have to accept the fact that she’d never be his type of girl. She would never be anyone’s type of girl.
My heart ached for her. She is so alone. Yet amidst her grief, malnourishment and daily sexual harassment, she somehow manages to be at peace.
The cool thing about her is that she can see people's intentions and feelings. So she's a human lie detector and she avoids a load of trouble because she knows what people are pretty much all about. Sometimes she forgets that people aren't suppose to know about her auras, but when she sees someone upset she can't help but reach out to them just as if they'd said something out loud. As the story continues, her power increases and she can manipulate people's emotions to her will. I loved how smart and practical she is. And don't forget she can kickass too!
The Romance
“You smell good,� he murmured.
“It’s the pheromones,� she replied.
“The what?� he laughed.
“You know� chemicals.�
When Cali meets Cal, she's not very impressed with him and wants nothing to do with him. I wasn't very impressed with him either.
“You know, when I first saw you I thought you were a ghost,� he whispered.
“When I first saw you I thought you were an idiot,� she replied.
Of course Cal is intrigued and casually stalks her and tries to make friends with her. She brushes him off ruthlessly never cracking a smile or a hint of interest. She thinks he's hot but she's not playing games. Even when she starts opening her heart to him, she still refers to him as “the idiot boy�.
Cali made the book for me. Cal not so much. He just falls ridiculously and hopelessly in love with Cali. To me, he's just sort of plays the obligatory love interest. I think Cali could've done a lot better when I think about all the other book boyfriends out there.
Cal's a known womaniser but he just can't wrap his head around Cali and he's clumsy and awkward as if he's never liked a girl before. Add to that the fact that Cali can see everything he's feeling, it makes Cal seem really very simple. He's just happy to be with her and follow her around. At times he's downright lame. Mr. Super Sappy of the year. I think I wouldn't have minded his obsession with Cali's awesomeness so much if he would just come up with a few original lines. But he just goes on and on about how special she is and I got tired of his repetition.
He wanted her to be happy more than anything he’d ever wanted for himself.
Considering he's never really wanted anything in life, that's not exactly saying much. But he isn't all bad. Sometimes his silliness is just downright adorable.
Cal - “What color am I putting out right now?�
She gasped. He was doing it again, flooding her with colors so intense that she felt she might drown in them. “Pink,� she breathed.
“P?!�
Random Tidbits that I liked
When Calvin is around Cali he's surrounded by beautiful and lovely colours because he loves her. As a result, Cali likes to be around him too. I liked the idea of how you like to be with a person who loves you even if you don't love them. Yet.
I also liked the pun when Cali hopes that Cal's colours never change.
I liked that Cali can see everyone's true feelings so she refers to Cal's groupies not as bitchy girls but as “one of the sad girls from school�.
I liked that even though Cali thinks her abilities are magical and spiritual, they're actually scientific.
Layla is awesome.
She looked at him blankly.
“For putting keys on,� he added.
“Oh,� she smiled, sticking it into her pocket, “I love it.�
Cali is so adorable. Through her parents, she's learned the world is a bad place. Even so, while she is often frightened she is always fearless. When she enters the city she gets confused over colloquialisms and gets thrilled over light switches. She's confident about herself but still gets hurt by the way society treats her.
She was a hopeless freak that saw things that no-one else did with her oddball eyes. She would have to accept the fact that she’d never be his type of girl. She would never be anyone’s type of girl.
My heart ached for her. She is so alone. Yet amidst her grief, malnourishment and daily sexual harassment, she somehow manages to be at peace.
The cool thing about her is that she can see people's intentions and feelings. So she's a human lie detector and she avoids a load of trouble because she knows what people are pretty much all about. Sometimes she forgets that people aren't suppose to know about her auras, but when she sees someone upset she can't help but reach out to them just as if they'd said something out loud. As the story continues, her power increases and she can manipulate people's emotions to her will. I loved how smart and practical she is. And don't forget she can kickass too!
The Romance
“You smell good,� he murmured.
“It’s the pheromones,� she replied.
“The what?� he laughed.
“You know� chemicals.�
When Cali meets Cal, she's not very impressed with him and wants nothing to do with him. I wasn't very impressed with him either.
“You know, when I first saw you I thought you were a ghost,� he whispered.
“When I first saw you I thought you were an idiot,� she replied.
Of course Cal is intrigued and casually stalks her and tries to make friends with her. She brushes him off ruthlessly never cracking a smile or a hint of interest. She thinks he's hot but she's not playing games. Even when she starts opening her heart to him, she still refers to him as “the idiot boy�.
Cali made the book for me. Cal not so much. He just falls ridiculously and hopelessly in love with Cali. To me, he's just sort of plays the obligatory love interest. I think Cali could've done a lot better when I think about all the other book boyfriends out there.
Cal's a known womaniser but he just can't wrap his head around Cali and he's clumsy and awkward as if he's never liked a girl before. Add to that the fact that Cali can see everything he's feeling, it makes Cal seem really very simple. He's just happy to be with her and follow her around. At times he's downright lame. Mr. Super Sappy of the year. I think I wouldn't have minded his obsession with Cali's awesomeness so much if he would just come up with a few original lines. But he just goes on and on about how special she is and I got tired of his repetition.
He wanted her to be happy more than anything he’d ever wanted for himself.
Considering he's never really wanted anything in life, that's not exactly saying much. But he isn't all bad. Sometimes his silliness is just downright adorable.
Cal - “What color am I putting out right now?�
She gasped. He was doing it again, flooding her with colors so intense that she felt she might drown in them. “Pink,� she breathed.
“P?!�
Random Tidbits that I liked
When Calvin is around Cali he's surrounded by beautiful and lovely colours because he loves her. As a result, Cali likes to be around him too. I liked the idea of how you like to be with a person who loves you even if you don't love them. Yet.
I also liked the pun when Cali hopes that Cal's colours never change.
I liked that Cali can see everyone's true feelings so she refers to Cal's groupies not as bitchy girls but as “one of the sad girls from school�.
I liked that even though Cali thinks her abilities are magical and spiritual, they're actually scientific.
Layla is awesome.
February 8, 2017
This is a book I would want to read over an over. It caught my interest from the beginning, and when I say it kept my interest, I mean it kept me up all night long I think I went to sleep at 7:30 this morning, with 91% read by the time I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Then of course I finished it up this afternoon. This is a cross I feel between Young Adults, and Urban Fantasy. It's a book that older teens and Adults of all ages could enjoy.
This is about a girl name Cal (Caledonia)who lives with her parents in the middle of no where in Eureka. She was happy in ignorant of the world outside. But then her parents die in a tragic accident and she is sent to live with her aunt she never even knew about. She's overwhelmed by everything, cause not only is the world new to here, but she can see people's emotions. So she tries get through her day with her head low, disappearing into the world. Until she catches the eye of one seemingly bad boy named Cal (Calvin). Quinky dink on the names right, I think it's cute. But one night she rescues Calvin from getting beat up by some "ruffians". And from there, he was drawn to her, falling more and more in love with her each day. She made him feel alive, and made him look towards the future, and he showed her things of the world, loving the way she would light up with everything. They fell in love, and it was a great kind of love. Soul mate kind of love.
However, every story needs it's conflict, something that throws a wrench into things. Well of course this one isn't any exception. Come to find out the reason to why Caledonia is the way she is with her being able to see emotions. Her parents were part of an experiment that was supposed to messed with their genes, instead it messed with their heirs genes. So Caledonia, and this other girl Lyla both have two different color eyes and both can see and through emotions. Professor Teddy the one who has orchestrated the Athena project. He finds out about Caledonia and wants her so he kidnaps her. he's pretty weird making the children live in rooms made up like dollhouses and dressed them in like 50's styled clothing very odd. But Cali wasn't buying any of it. She wanted out, she wanted to get back to Calvin, and Calvin is trying to get Cali back. Well Calvin does find her, Caledonia climbs down a bedsheet to get to her love.
Well Max, The head of Professor Teddys guards, he had something up his sleeve, and after Cali escaped, he revealed to Professor Teddy that he wiped him out financially and has is taking the twins with him, and that he has his own plans for them. Which makes you think UH OH & YAY another book.
I cannot wait until then next book is out, this is a series I could really sink my teeth into.
This is about a girl name Cal (Caledonia)who lives with her parents in the middle of no where in Eureka. She was happy in ignorant of the world outside. But then her parents die in a tragic accident and she is sent to live with her aunt she never even knew about. She's overwhelmed by everything, cause not only is the world new to here, but she can see people's emotions. So she tries get through her day with her head low, disappearing into the world. Until she catches the eye of one seemingly bad boy named Cal (Calvin). Quinky dink on the names right, I think it's cute. But one night she rescues Calvin from getting beat up by some "ruffians". And from there, he was drawn to her, falling more and more in love with her each day. She made him feel alive, and made him look towards the future, and he showed her things of the world, loving the way she would light up with everything. They fell in love, and it was a great kind of love. Soul mate kind of love.
However, every story needs it's conflict, something that throws a wrench into things. Well of course this one isn't any exception. Come to find out the reason to why Caledonia is the way she is with her being able to see emotions. Her parents were part of an experiment that was supposed to messed with their genes, instead it messed with their heirs genes. So Caledonia, and this other girl Lyla both have two different color eyes and both can see and through emotions. Professor Teddy the one who has orchestrated the Athena project. He finds out about Caledonia and wants her so he kidnaps her. he's pretty weird making the children live in rooms made up like dollhouses and dressed them in like 50's styled clothing very odd. But Cali wasn't buying any of it. She wanted out, she wanted to get back to Calvin, and Calvin is trying to get Cali back. Well Calvin does find her, Caledonia climbs down a bedsheet to get to her love.
Well Max, The head of Professor Teddys guards, he had something up his sleeve, and after Cali escaped, he revealed to Professor Teddy that he wiped him out financially and has is taking the twins with him, and that he has his own plans for them. Which makes you think UH OH & YAY another book.
I cannot wait until then next book is out, this is a series I could really sink my teeth into.
January 19, 2013
I read received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4.5 Stars
I was a bit skeptical about deciding to read this book at first because it was a paranormal urban romance. I don't know how I would classify it, but usually those tags sometimes turn me away from books. I'm glad I decided to read this one.
The prologue really gets you going and very well sets the scene for the story. At first you are confused why a young couple would choose to live off the grid, but you know there is a reason. Within a paragraph of meeting Cali, you understand... just not the scope.
I enjoyed the slow building relationship between Cal and Cali. At first she hates him, then he sees her truly, and then essentially, she changes his life. I like how both characters have flaws... him more than her. I think in the she saves him just as he saves her, just in a different aspect. He may have physically saved her, but Cali changed Cal's life from a dangerous road he was traveling down.
The only thing I didn't really care for was the whole Aunt and boyfriend thing. To me, it was a little cheesy. It would have made more sense to me if either she got into trouble more often for staying out all the time (come on... have a little reality in the way the world works) or the boyfriend actually does try something with Cali... not just the emotion she is picking up from him.
I was a little thrown when "Teddy" got thrown into the mix... I would have liked to see that built up a little more. Even if not his direct involvement, have him introduced in the book a little earlier. It almost seemed like two separate books.
Overall I really enjoyed the book... and I will recommend it to my fellow bookworms... I would also like to read the sequel just to see where it goes from there.
Thanks for the Read
I give this book 4.5 Stars
I was a bit skeptical about deciding to read this book at first because it was a paranormal urban romance. I don't know how I would classify it, but usually those tags sometimes turn me away from books. I'm glad I decided to read this one.
The prologue really gets you going and very well sets the scene for the story. At first you are confused why a young couple would choose to live off the grid, but you know there is a reason. Within a paragraph of meeting Cali, you understand... just not the scope.
I enjoyed the slow building relationship between Cal and Cali. At first she hates him, then he sees her truly, and then essentially, she changes his life. I like how both characters have flaws... him more than her. I think in the she saves him just as he saves her, just in a different aspect. He may have physically saved her, but Cali changed Cal's life from a dangerous road he was traveling down.
The only thing I didn't really care for was the whole Aunt and boyfriend thing. To me, it was a little cheesy. It would have made more sense to me if either she got into trouble more often for staying out all the time (come on... have a little reality in the way the world works) or the boyfriend actually does try something with Cali... not just the emotion she is picking up from him.
I was a little thrown when "Teddy" got thrown into the mix... I would have liked to see that built up a little more. Even if not his direct involvement, have him introduced in the book a little earlier. It almost seemed like two separate books.
Overall I really enjoyed the book... and I will recommend it to my fellow bookworms... I would also like to read the sequel just to see where it goes from there.
Thanks for the Read
November 12, 2012
ŷ Summary
Country girl Cali has been kept a secret her entire life, raised in isolation by two very troubled people. Despite her parent’s disturbing fits, Cal is perfectly content, living at one with the nature that surrounds her, and finding adventure inside the pages of her beloved books. When an awful tragedy tears her away from her remote cabin in the woods, nothing she’s ever read has prepared her for a world that she knows very little about.
Girls and motorcycles are what bad-boy Cal’s life is all about. Brought up in a raucous party house by his biker brother, he’s free to do as he pleases, going through the motions on his final days of high school. Aimless, Cal stopped thinking about his future a long time ago.
Attacked by a gang of thugs while running an errand for his brother, Cal is in serious trouble until a fierce girl appears out of nowhere to intervene. She chases off three grown men, sparing Cal a brutal beating before disappearing into the night like a spirit. He can’t stop thinking about his mysterious rescuer, and when she turns out to be the weird new girl at school who goes out of her way to avoid him, he can’t contain his curiosity.
He’s never met anyone like her before, and the more he learns about the unusual girl who shares his nickname, the more he wants to know. Cal can’t help falling for Cal, but can he keep her from falling victim to a dangerous enemy from her parent’s tragic past?
My Thoughts
I was positive there wouldn’t be any more Indie author reviews coming from me this year, mainly because of life being hectic, and also because the waters between bloggers and self-published authors had long since grown troubled. After witnessing many others bear the brunt of insult or heckling because of conflicting views and opinion, I was in no hurry to put myself in any such position. So I closed up shop, blocking out self-published authors along with their books. In this case, I’d have to really like the book, from an indie author, to review it on request.
And wouldn’t you know it? I really liked this book.
The author, Derrolyn, is a very sweet lady. Heck, I just called her a lady, which should tell you something! She was very humble when requesting this review, explaining that she knew how strained things had become, and also that she would still like me to consider The Athena Effect for review. When I told her that the review might come a little late, she was cool, and very accommodating to my circumstance. How could I say no?
The premise of Derrolyn’s novel first struck me as being intriguing, a girl with strange abilities and a love interest with a similar name? It was all very interesting and I went to work on it almost as soon as it was downloaded to Tookie, my kindle. This is almost an embarrassment to admit, if it wasn’t so incredible, but the book grabbed me, and I lost against the sheer force of The Athena Effect’s awesomeness. There is solid plot, ingenuity, humour, romance and a peculiar brand of uniqueness about Derrolyn’s writing that I am sure will see to it that she, along with this series, goes very far.
The prologue kicks things off with a strange man and woman, both gravely malnourished, and running from something. It is revealed that the woman, Jenny, is pregnant, and both she and the man, David, are in desperate need of help, and a ride. They end up receiving assistance from a kind, sympathetic trucker who agrees to take them north�
*Blinks* What, Grey’s Anatomy is a book?!?
*Sarcastic face* See?
Despite her lack of exposure to the outside world, she is still a brilliant young woman, capable of survival and superior intellect; I had to respect that. Cali is an intelligent and deeply thoughtful heroine. Her parents have always prohibited contact with the outside world and generally go to town only for the most necessary of errands. When most girls are grieving over which prom dress to pick, Cali can sit back and read. How cool is that? Very, if you ask me, but of course things take a major 360 turn when her parents are found dead, victims of a motorcycle accident.
Cali is left alone, and used to turning to her parents for direction, she now stands aimless. There is no foul play suspected in the occurrence of their deaths, her parents have long been victim to terrible seizures, horrible hallucinations, and Cali believes that they ran into a semi-truck while undergoing one of these seizures. Almost as soon as their funeral is through, she is on a bus, bound for the city and her Aunt Angie’s house. Cali is still a minor and will have to live with her new guardian until she is of age to make her own decisions
This is the first time we get a view of Cali’s visibly strangest quality, her eyes. She later describes the condition as heterochromia, meaning she has two different eye colors, one blue and the other green. Couple that with her heightened awareness of people’s feelings, an ability that allows her to read their “colors� and ultimately emotions, and you know this girl is different. Although almost oblivious to her differences, she embarks on her adventure to the city a little hesitant, but ultimately just curious. She will have to have her wits about her to confront the dangers awaiting: the man her parents spent the better half of their lives running from, and her aunt’s major creep of a boyfriend, Phil, who means a lot more harm than good. There are challenges at every corner for Cali; the girl can’t ever seem to catch a break. My heart ached for her.
Imagine not knowing how to interact in modern society, or never having to deal with the numerous constraints that govern daily life before, how would you cope with being suddenly thrust into such a world, expected to adjust quickly and following a tragedy such as your parent’s deaths? I couldn’t do it. It was a weird perspective, reading of someone who knew so much and yet was unaware of what is commonly taken for granted as basic etiquette.
Before I began reading, this was by far the portion of the book I feared the most; I didn’t know how well it would be executed, hesitant at the thought of having to endure some bimbo, doe-eyed character. To think that such an individual with apparently latent TSTL symptoms might have been let loose upon the fictional world to ‘ooh� and ‘ah� over every pothole and sewer drain made me cringe, but to my delight, Derrolyn knew exactly what she was doing! Cali embodied newness, an endearing naivety. The idea of her, the character, struck me as being completely authentic. Also, the coupling of Cal and Cali, two protagonists with very similar names, was another aspect of this novel I loved, loved, loved! These concepts were like toss-ups, gambles in a world of contrived cookie-cutter cut-outs and they paid off. It was different…an innovative, brilliant combination and I adored it.
For fear of accidentally ruining anything, I will keep the following details pertaining to Cal and Cali’s romance to a minimum. Let me say though, that they were both very good together. Cal is set up as the bad boy biker and player extraordinaire. Cali kind of takes him by surprise because she isn’t fazed by his show of machoness. Quite frankly, she can see right through him, and under the leather and flair, he’s just a boy with surprisingly earnest feelings and a good heart. They would do anything for each other, and watching their affection grow was by far my favorite part of the journey.
This quote from the book takes place as Cali sits at the bus station, waiting for Angie to arrive and pick her, it is a beautiful peek into their relationship:
“She watched the one named Cal as he sauntered back to his bike. It was a bigger, more powerful looking motorcycle than her father’s; she’d never seen one that looked like it before. She tried not to stare, but she’d never seen anyone who looked like him before either.
He was tall, taller than her father, clad in dirty blue jeans and a black leather jacket that fit snug across his broad shoulders. His hair was dark, like his eyes, which were fringed with black lashes that made them stand out even from a distance. She’d never seen a really good-looking man before, and she watched him, fascinated.
He walked with a confident swagger that belief the anxious chartreuse color he was radiating. Like everyone else at the bus station, he was troubled. He reached into his pocket for a pair of mirrored sunglasses, slipping them on to hide his arresting eyes. She watched him straddle the bike gracefully, without putting on a helmet. He revved the engine and sped away, going much too fast.
Beautiful idiot, she thought.�
And there’s even more to come, the book expands really well on its initial themes, and while some were mature, dealing with suicide, obsession, depression, etc. the book is a stand-out of epic proportions. It didn’t feel self-published, and ultimately, I am glad to have given The Athena Effect a chance; this novel certainly deserves to be read by everyone with a strong interest in science-fiction and romance. Personally, I would categorize The Athena Effect as being more of Mature YA/New Adult in genre simply because there are sexual situations and it feels a lot more grown up than most YA fiction, but in a good way! There is an ease to which things play out and plenty of heartwarming scenes to keep readers gripped. There were instances I felt my periphery melt away; it was like watching a really sweet movie. Basically this book has a little bit of everything, humour, action, romance, and a sci-fi twist that most readers will love, everyone should read this.
4/5 stars
January 2, 2015
You can find this review and more on my blog...
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect fit for me! don't you just love it when that happens?
While I was reading this I experienced all of the feelings that remind me why I love to read. I couldn't wait to get back, but I also hated it when I noticed that I was halfway through because that meant that it would be over too soon. I'm so glad that it's a series! I want to have as much time with this story and it's characters as possible.
Usually when I read a romance, I find myself getting bored when the story focuses on anything other than the Hero and Heroine for more than ten pages. If it's not about their relationship, I tune out. The other storylines just aren't important to me, and I start to get that antsy "just get to the good part" feeling. I never got the chance to get antsy with this story though.
Cali is my new favorite romantic novel heroine! I tend to get annoyed with the woman in romantic books at least once while I'm reading, but that never happened with Cali. I was always on her side and even if I didn't agree with her choices I understood why she was doing it. She grew up very sheltered from the world, and when she moves in with her aunt after her parents death, she experiences a lot of things for the first time. She also an amazing ability that involves seeing emotions. The author does such a great job of developing this ability. If I tried to describe it, I wouldn't be able to do it justice so you'll just have to pick up a copy if you want to find out more about it. ;)
In an attempt to protect her, Cali's parents raised her in a very secluded environment and never allowed her contact with the outside world. Even though they were being hunted down like animals and suffered from the side effects of the experiments that they were subjected to before she was born, Cali's parents worked hard to provide her with a loving home and mad sue that she was very well-educated They taught their daughter how to survive, and gave her what I consider to be a priceless gift by opening her up to the world of books and art. Cali may have been innocent, but she was never naive, and I give her parents full credit for that. They did the best they could in a terrible situation, and their best was responsible for raising an amazing child.
I would say that this book is a light read, but sometimes it felt like Cali couldn't catch a break. Not only was she being chased down by an evil scientist and his thugs, but she was afraid to go home most of the time and face the predatory creep that lived with her aunt. Cali takes care of herself though, and that's what keeps the book from becoming depressing. Every time I found myself wishing that Cal would show up and rescue her, the girl surprised the heck out of me and saved herself! I love that!
Cal was such a great hero! He started out as a sort of a jerk, but that was until he met Cali/Cal ( I love how they have the same nickname!). once we get to know him, we find out that Cal isn't quite what he seems. He was very lonely and bored before he met Cali; sleeping around and occasionally engaging in criminal activities was the only life he knew. Meeting Cali doesn't turn him into a different person; it wakes him up and helps him find out who he wants to be. He actually has to put forth some effort, because he know she won't have him any other way. From the beginning, Cali accepts him for who he is, but she wasn't willing to put up with his crap either.When faced with the choice of either growing up or being placed in the friend zone, Cal grows up over night. ;)
Whenever Call and Cali were together, sparks flew! I adored how much they cared for one another. Cali had some insecurities about Cal and how experienced he was, but she never let those insecurities get her down.When she had those moments where she questioned what type of feelings he had for her, she decided that being friends with him was going to have to be enough. The girl had standards, and she stuck with them!
Cal was actually more insecure than Cali. He felt like he wasn't good enough for her because of his past, and tha caused him to overcompensate by placing Cali in the "do not touch" category. He drove me crazy with that, but I also loved the suspense!
You know that scene in The Little Mermaid when they're trying to get the prince to kiss her and break the spell, and they keep almost kissing? Tell me that scene doesn't make you smile and want to pull your hair out at the same time?! When the prince FINALLY "Kissed the Girl" at the end of that movie, it meant so much more because he earned it.
That's what Cal is determined to do in this book. He refuses to even kiss Cali until he earns it. He needs to know that he will treat her with the respect that she deserves before he will attempt to take things to the next level.
If you're one of those people (like me) who hates reading a romance where the main characters don't get together till the end, don't worry. You will get plenty of adorable moments with them as a couple, but I suggest that you enjoy everything that leads up to them getting together. Those moments "almost" kisses were just as romantic and sweet, as the many actual kisses that they share later.
I smiled constantly while reading this, and I dare you not to fall head over heels for the two Cals and their love story! If you're in the mood for an overdose of cute, an interesting adventure, and some fantastic characters then I suggest you...
READ! THIS! NOW! :D
This book is very clean, but there are some mentions of sex and a few "fade to black" love scenes.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved everything about this book! It was the perfect fit for me! don't you just love it when that happens?
While I was reading this I experienced all of the feelings that remind me why I love to read. I couldn't wait to get back, but I also hated it when I noticed that I was halfway through because that meant that it would be over too soon. I'm so glad that it's a series! I want to have as much time with this story and it's characters as possible.
Usually when I read a romance, I find myself getting bored when the story focuses on anything other than the Hero and Heroine for more than ten pages. If it's not about their relationship, I tune out. The other storylines just aren't important to me, and I start to get that antsy "just get to the good part" feeling. I never got the chance to get antsy with this story though.
Cali is my new favorite romantic novel heroine! I tend to get annoyed with the woman in romantic books at least once while I'm reading, but that never happened with Cali. I was always on her side and even if I didn't agree with her choices I understood why she was doing it. She grew up very sheltered from the world, and when she moves in with her aunt after her parents death, she experiences a lot of things for the first time. She also an amazing ability that involves seeing emotions. The author does such a great job of developing this ability. If I tried to describe it, I wouldn't be able to do it justice so you'll just have to pick up a copy if you want to find out more about it. ;)
In an attempt to protect her, Cali's parents raised her in a very secluded environment and never allowed her contact with the outside world. Even though they were being hunted down like animals and suffered from the side effects of the experiments that they were subjected to before she was born, Cali's parents worked hard to provide her with a loving home and mad sue that she was very well-educated They taught their daughter how to survive, and gave her what I consider to be a priceless gift by opening her up to the world of books and art. Cali may have been innocent, but she was never naive, and I give her parents full credit for that. They did the best they could in a terrible situation, and their best was responsible for raising an amazing child.
I would say that this book is a light read, but sometimes it felt like Cali couldn't catch a break. Not only was she being chased down by an evil scientist and his thugs, but she was afraid to go home most of the time and face the predatory creep that lived with her aunt. Cali takes care of herself though, and that's what keeps the book from becoming depressing. Every time I found myself wishing that Cal would show up and rescue her, the girl surprised the heck out of me and saved herself! I love that!
Cal was such a great hero! He started out as a sort of a jerk, but that was until he met Cali/Cal ( I love how they have the same nickname!). once we get to know him, we find out that Cal isn't quite what he seems. He was very lonely and bored before he met Cali; sleeping around and occasionally engaging in criminal activities was the only life he knew. Meeting Cali doesn't turn him into a different person; it wakes him up and helps him find out who he wants to be. He actually has to put forth some effort, because he know she won't have him any other way. From the beginning, Cali accepts him for who he is, but she wasn't willing to put up with his crap either.When faced with the choice of either growing up or being placed in the friend zone, Cal grows up over night. ;)
Whenever Call and Cali were together, sparks flew! I adored how much they cared for one another. Cali had some insecurities about Cal and how experienced he was, but she never let those insecurities get her down.When she had those moments where she questioned what type of feelings he had for her, she decided that being friends with him was going to have to be enough. The girl had standards, and she stuck with them!
Cal was actually more insecure than Cali. He felt like he wasn't good enough for her because of his past, and tha caused him to overcompensate by placing Cali in the "do not touch" category. He drove me crazy with that, but I also loved the suspense!
You know that scene in The Little Mermaid when they're trying to get the prince to kiss her and break the spell, and they keep almost kissing? Tell me that scene doesn't make you smile and want to pull your hair out at the same time?! When the prince FINALLY "Kissed the Girl" at the end of that movie, it meant so much more because he earned it.
That's what Cal is determined to do in this book. He refuses to even kiss Cali until he earns it. He needs to know that he will treat her with the respect that she deserves before he will attempt to take things to the next level.
If you're one of those people (like me) who hates reading a romance where the main characters don't get together till the end, don't worry. You will get plenty of adorable moments with them as a couple, but I suggest that you enjoy everything that leads up to them getting together. Those moments "almost" kisses were just as romantic and sweet, as the many actual kisses that they share later.
I smiled constantly while reading this, and I dare you not to fall head over heels for the two Cals and their love story! If you're in the mood for an overdose of cute, an interesting adventure, and some fantastic characters then I suggest you...
READ! THIS! NOW! :D
This book is very clean, but there are some mentions of sex and a few "fade to black" love scenes.
September 21, 2012
I’ve read and reviewed all the books from her first series, Marina’s Tales, and Anderson quickly skyrocketed into the role of one of my top favorite authors. When Turning Tides ended, I was really sad because I had to say goodbye to many of my favorite characters. Thankfully, The Athena Effect features all new characters to fall in love with! It’s a very strong start to a new series (at least I hope it is going to be a series, I know there is a sequel planned for 2013). I didn’t want to put it down once I started, although life demanded that I do so!
Caledonia, the main character, lived the first 17 years of her life in seclusion, hidden away from the rest of the world by parents who spent every day in fear that someone would come take her away. She grew up without the luxuries that most of us are accustomed to- like hot water, electricity, and pizza- but she learned to be self-sufficient in a way that none of us really need to be. Anyone who can take down a mountain lion definitely deserves a little respect! When Caledonia’s parents die in a tragic accident, she is sent to live with an aunt she’s never met, where she has to constantly thwart her aunt’s boyfriend’s lascivious advances.
Calvin has been living with his brother, Jarod, since his mother died, also in a tragic accidents. While Jarod clearly means well, his lifestyle isn’t exactly conducive to helping raise a productive member of society. Calvin spends his days barely “phoning it in� to finish his senior year, and his nights with countless different girls who mean nothing to him. One night, when he finds himself in danger due to Jarod’s lifestyle, Caledonia ends up rescuing him, and everything changes for both of them.
You would think that having two main characters with the same nickname would make things very confusing, but Anderson actually makes it work to enrich the story. At no point did I find myself wondering just which Cal was talking. Caledonia was typically referred to as “Cali� when the two were together. The similar names made the bond between the two seem even stronger.
The title of the novel comes from Caledonia’s special ability: the ability to see auras and manipulate them. While Caledonia uses her ability for good, such as to calm a scared dog or settle Jarod long enough to stitch up an injury, there are those who would prefer to use it for more nefarious reasons. For that reason, her parents kept her hidden and completely off the records for as long as they were alive. Unfortunately, when they die and Caledonia is forced to enter society, she pops up on the radar of those who wish to use her for evil.
In past reviews, I’ve praised Anderson’s ability to completely draw you into a story through her rich, vivid descriptions, and The Athena Effect is no different. As a reader, you get a really good sense of what Caledonia sees and feels when she looks at someone. Even more fascinating, the first part of Caledonia’s ability- the ability to see feelings as colors- is actually a real thing called synesthesia, which is basically a crossing of the areas of brain involved in sensory perception. For example, someone with the ability may smell numbers or see sounds.
The Athena Effect takes it a step further into the realm of paranormal (or perhaps science fiction, it’s really a blend of the two). For those who are a little leery of indie authors (really, get over that all ready!), I assure you that Anderson’s editing is practically flawless in every way. From plot development to character development, from structure to content, even down to the very last punctuation mark, every aspect of her writing and editing is simply awe-inspiring.
Originally published on
Caledonia, the main character, lived the first 17 years of her life in seclusion, hidden away from the rest of the world by parents who spent every day in fear that someone would come take her away. She grew up without the luxuries that most of us are accustomed to- like hot water, electricity, and pizza- but she learned to be self-sufficient in a way that none of us really need to be. Anyone who can take down a mountain lion definitely deserves a little respect! When Caledonia’s parents die in a tragic accident, she is sent to live with an aunt she’s never met, where she has to constantly thwart her aunt’s boyfriend’s lascivious advances.
Calvin has been living with his brother, Jarod, since his mother died, also in a tragic accidents. While Jarod clearly means well, his lifestyle isn’t exactly conducive to helping raise a productive member of society. Calvin spends his days barely “phoning it in� to finish his senior year, and his nights with countless different girls who mean nothing to him. One night, when he finds himself in danger due to Jarod’s lifestyle, Caledonia ends up rescuing him, and everything changes for both of them.
You would think that having two main characters with the same nickname would make things very confusing, but Anderson actually makes it work to enrich the story. At no point did I find myself wondering just which Cal was talking. Caledonia was typically referred to as “Cali� when the two were together. The similar names made the bond between the two seem even stronger.
The title of the novel comes from Caledonia’s special ability: the ability to see auras and manipulate them. While Caledonia uses her ability for good, such as to calm a scared dog or settle Jarod long enough to stitch up an injury, there are those who would prefer to use it for more nefarious reasons. For that reason, her parents kept her hidden and completely off the records for as long as they were alive. Unfortunately, when they die and Caledonia is forced to enter society, she pops up on the radar of those who wish to use her for evil.
In past reviews, I’ve praised Anderson’s ability to completely draw you into a story through her rich, vivid descriptions, and The Athena Effect is no different. As a reader, you get a really good sense of what Caledonia sees and feels when she looks at someone. Even more fascinating, the first part of Caledonia’s ability- the ability to see feelings as colors- is actually a real thing called synesthesia, which is basically a crossing of the areas of brain involved in sensory perception. For example, someone with the ability may smell numbers or see sounds.
The Athena Effect takes it a step further into the realm of paranormal (or perhaps science fiction, it’s really a blend of the two). For those who are a little leery of indie authors (really, get over that all ready!), I assure you that Anderson’s editing is practically flawless in every way. From plot development to character development, from structure to content, even down to the very last punctuation mark, every aspect of her writing and editing is simply awe-inspiring.
Originally published on
July 16, 2017
This review can also be found on
Well this was nothing like what I expected it to be. For some reason I thought there would be Greek mythology in this book because of the title and I kept waiting for some sort of twist about Cali being Athena but that didn't happen. I'm not saying that not having the mythology was bad in fact I actually really enjoyed this book but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
So I loved the idea of Cali living out in the middle of nowhere completely cut off from other people and technology because it was interesting to see how she reacted to the little things in life that everyone takes for granted. It made me realize how lucky everyone is and it was also hilarious when the other characters had to explain to her what some things were. At one point Crystal tells Cali that she's a dancer and Cali thinks that she's a ballet dancer when she's actually an exotic dancer and then Crystal talks to her about protection. So funny!
It was also nice to read about a heroine that could take care of herself and her power to see and manipulate people's feelings was pretty cool. In fact Cali was a pretty great character when she wasn't trying to avoid Cal but I'll get to that later. She wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and she didn't immediately fall for Cal.
Now the thing that really bothered me was basically the first half of the book when Cali was avoiding Cal and when Cal was trying to talk to Cali. I just got so frustrated because Cali didn't even know Cal and she just wrote him off as some idiot and decides that he's not worth her time. A little judgmental? I think so. Cal basically seeks Cali out and offers her rides places when it's clear that Cali is not interested in him.
When they do start hanging out both of them want to kiss each other but neither of them will because Cal doesn't want to scare her off and Cali isn't really sure of her feelings. It made me want to bang my head against the wall and scream at Cal to just kiss her already. After that happens Cal says that he doesn't want to push her farther than she wants to go and I'm like oh my goodness just do it already! So much frustration.
But after that everything was a lot better. There's this crazy madman that I wish had played more of a part in the beginning of the book. He kidnaps Cali but other than that nothing really happens besides her finding out why she can see people's emotions. The madman kind of reminded me of the Rabid from Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes for some reason.
The only other thing that bothered me was that it switched from Cali's point of view to Cal's point of view in a paragraph. One sentence I'd be reading from Cali's point of view and then the next it would be from Cal's and I would get so confused because they had the same names.
The romance was really cute though. Cali and Cal were adorable when they finally admitted that they loved each other. I actually really enjoyed this book and am hoping that there's another book about Layla and Micheal.
*I received this book from the author. Thank you!
Well this was nothing like what I expected it to be. For some reason I thought there would be Greek mythology in this book because of the title and I kept waiting for some sort of twist about Cali being Athena but that didn't happen. I'm not saying that not having the mythology was bad in fact I actually really enjoyed this book but it just wasn't what I was expecting.
So I loved the idea of Cali living out in the middle of nowhere completely cut off from other people and technology because it was interesting to see how she reacted to the little things in life that everyone takes for granted. It made me realize how lucky everyone is and it was also hilarious when the other characters had to explain to her what some things were. At one point Crystal tells Cali that she's a dancer and Cali thinks that she's a ballet dancer when she's actually an exotic dancer and then Crystal talks to her about protection. So funny!
It was also nice to read about a heroine that could take care of herself and her power to see and manipulate people's feelings was pretty cool. In fact Cali was a pretty great character when she wasn't trying to avoid Cal but I'll get to that later. She wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and she didn't immediately fall for Cal.
Now the thing that really bothered me was basically the first half of the book when Cali was avoiding Cal and when Cal was trying to talk to Cali. I just got so frustrated because Cali didn't even know Cal and she just wrote him off as some idiot and decides that he's not worth her time. A little judgmental? I think so. Cal basically seeks Cali out and offers her rides places when it's clear that Cali is not interested in him.
When they do start hanging out both of them want to kiss each other but neither of them will because Cal doesn't want to scare her off and Cali isn't really sure of her feelings. It made me want to bang my head against the wall and scream at Cal to just kiss her already. After that happens Cal says that he doesn't want to push her farther than she wants to go and I'm like oh my goodness just do it already! So much frustration.
But after that everything was a lot better. There's this crazy madman that I wish had played more of a part in the beginning of the book. He kidnaps Cali but other than that nothing really happens besides her finding out why she can see people's emotions. The madman kind of reminded me of the Rabid from Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes for some reason.
The only other thing that bothered me was that it switched from Cali's point of view to Cal's point of view in a paragraph. One sentence I'd be reading from Cali's point of view and then the next it would be from Cal's and I would get so confused because they had the same names.
The romance was really cute though. Cali and Cal were adorable when they finally admitted that they loved each other. I actually really enjoyed this book and am hoping that there's another book about Layla and Micheal.
*I received this book from the author. Thank you!
October 19, 2012
The Athena Effect was not what I expected at all! I bought this book thinking I was going to read a book with Greek mythology within the pages. I was way off. After reading through the first chapters I started to think that I unwittingly bought a romance novel. I kept reading because Caledonia was a pretty cool character. It was only when I got halfway through the book the good stuff started happening. I thought The Athena Effect was well worth reading. Did anyone else think the Cal and Cal thing was really adorable?
The characters were very realistic. At first I thought the characters were pretty much just stereotypes but the author added some elements to the characters that made them very likeable(or hateable) and realistic. Caledonia is an awesome female character: she is tough and intelligent with just the right amount of naivety and ignorance. This is a really hard character to pull of but is done very well. Caledonia’s power: reading emotions, was really fun to read about because the author was able to describe the emotions people were feeling very, very well. I found myself feeling like a was trapped in a room full of rainbows. Calvin who starts out like the bad boy character was given some really good development through the book and I found myself loving him as much as I loved Caledonia. The side characters were also pretty well made despite not really having a big role in the story. I thought that Teddy the Mad Scientist was pretty insane as expected from a Mad Scientist.
The story was really interesting when the climax happened about halfway through the book. The first half was about Caledonia and Calvin’s relationship and their character development which I really enjoyed but I think Teddy the Mad Scientist and his evil plan could have been revealed way earlier than when they did. There were a lot of questions to be answered at the ending but since this is a series I suspect they will be answered later in the series. Overall the story was pretty slow at the beginning but the awesome characters should keep you entertained until the good stuff comes in.
The writing was epic. I loved reading the descriptions of the emotions Caledonia could see. I glowed the colors red and pink with love whenever the emotions were described. The author describes the settings really well and I could just picture the places in my head with the details she gave me. The scientific explanations about The Athena Effect were awesome and I could just tell the author did her research. The writing was one of the reasons I kept reading the book(the other reason being the characters).
The Athena Effect is a really great and quick read. I would not recommend it to everyone as the book does have some subjects that are not for everyone: violence, sexual activity(although not very descriptive), and use of alcohol. This book is defiantly worth your time.
I give The Athena Effect 4 out of 5 Stars
You can find this review on my blog:
The characters were very realistic. At first I thought the characters were pretty much just stereotypes but the author added some elements to the characters that made them very likeable(or hateable) and realistic. Caledonia is an awesome female character: she is tough and intelligent with just the right amount of naivety and ignorance. This is a really hard character to pull of but is done very well. Caledonia’s power: reading emotions, was really fun to read about because the author was able to describe the emotions people were feeling very, very well. I found myself feeling like a was trapped in a room full of rainbows. Calvin who starts out like the bad boy character was given some really good development through the book and I found myself loving him as much as I loved Caledonia. The side characters were also pretty well made despite not really having a big role in the story. I thought that Teddy the Mad Scientist was pretty insane as expected from a Mad Scientist.
The story was really interesting when the climax happened about halfway through the book. The first half was about Caledonia and Calvin’s relationship and their character development which I really enjoyed but I think Teddy the Mad Scientist and his evil plan could have been revealed way earlier than when they did. There were a lot of questions to be answered at the ending but since this is a series I suspect they will be answered later in the series. Overall the story was pretty slow at the beginning but the awesome characters should keep you entertained until the good stuff comes in.
The writing was epic. I loved reading the descriptions of the emotions Caledonia could see. I glowed the colors red and pink with love whenever the emotions were described. The author describes the settings really well and I could just picture the places in my head with the details she gave me. The scientific explanations about The Athena Effect were awesome and I could just tell the author did her research. The writing was one of the reasons I kept reading the book(the other reason being the characters).
The Athena Effect is a really great and quick read. I would not recommend it to everyone as the book does have some subjects that are not for everyone: violence, sexual activity(although not very descriptive), and use of alcohol. This book is defiantly worth your time.
I give The Athena Effect 4 out of 5 Stars
You can find this review on my blog:
January 18, 2013
Thank you so much to goodreads and the author for giving me a copy of this to read. I'm going to be completely honest with my opinion of this book, because that is the least I can do in return. So:
I give this 2.5 stars. Spoilers and nitpicking ahead. Be warned.
Put an innocent heroine with a bad boy, added a pinch of magic and more than a handful of romance, and we have The Athena Effect. It was an enjoyable read, no over-dramatic love (thank you!), no damsel in distresses, but I do feel parts of the book could be paced better, and somethings were a little cliched.
Lets start with the heroine. She's likeable. Kind hearted, able to stand her ground, has realistic teenage emotions. Not quite the character I personally look for, but I do like her. A couple of the things I find odd though, are:
1) it seemed to me that she spent very little time grieving for her parents...
2) sometimes she seems fierce and strong (guys in cemetery) but its not consistent and I don't understand why (eg. dealing with aunt's boyfriend).
3) doesn't she feel its a little wrong manipulating emotions? There were a couple of times she used it to get her own way...
The main guy. He's okay. I do have to say that he is a typical bad boy that falls for a good girl, and change in a very short amount of time. Nothing against bad boys. However, I just feel that this character has been done again and again in many stories. I don't dislike him, but I don't find him very interesting.
Now the plot and placing. I like that plot. I like her ability- it reminds me of Morning Star from the noble warriors trilogy. In fact, I wanted the plot to be expanded, deepened, because I felt it was a backstory, sidelined, compared with the whole romance thing going on. I like romance in books, yes, but maybe as dessert, not the main course. If romance was meant to be the main focus, I have no qualms, just not really my cup of tea. The pacing kind of ties into this point. I felt that the parents died too quickly, too briefly, and the impact wasn't made. Too much of the book was spent on romance, leaving the last part of the book feeling a little rushed and vague.
If I go beyond nit-picking, I would say:
1) I don't think it was a good idea to combine science with this. Neurology and her ability- well, I don't think there's any way to tie them together in a logical way...
2) Her makeover- a little cliched...?
3) The ending left me feeling a little like, "...what?"
4) You have to be either a) very strange or b) forced, to read Gray's Anatomy. I was option b). It's soul destroying.
It was written well. There was nothing in this book that I really disliked, or found terribly wrong. I know I just made it sound like I hated the book, but that's not true. If i included all the things I liked about it, this review would be very long...and plus, I don't think I've ever read a book, and thought that there was nothing I wanted more from it.
So in conclusion, enjoyable read, but I did want a few things to be different.
I give this 2.5 stars. Spoilers and nitpicking ahead. Be warned.
Put an innocent heroine with a bad boy, added a pinch of magic and more than a handful of romance, and we have The Athena Effect. It was an enjoyable read, no over-dramatic love (thank you!), no damsel in distresses, but I do feel parts of the book could be paced better, and somethings were a little cliched.
Lets start with the heroine. She's likeable. Kind hearted, able to stand her ground, has realistic teenage emotions. Not quite the character I personally look for, but I do like her. A couple of the things I find odd though, are:
1) it seemed to me that she spent very little time grieving for her parents...
2) sometimes she seems fierce and strong (guys in cemetery) but its not consistent and I don't understand why (eg. dealing with aunt's boyfriend).
3) doesn't she feel its a little wrong manipulating emotions? There were a couple of times she used it to get her own way...
The main guy. He's okay. I do have to say that he is a typical bad boy that falls for a good girl, and change in a very short amount of time. Nothing against bad boys. However, I just feel that this character has been done again and again in many stories. I don't dislike him, but I don't find him very interesting.
Now the plot and placing. I like that plot. I like her ability- it reminds me of Morning Star from the noble warriors trilogy. In fact, I wanted the plot to be expanded, deepened, because I felt it was a backstory, sidelined, compared with the whole romance thing going on. I like romance in books, yes, but maybe as dessert, not the main course. If romance was meant to be the main focus, I have no qualms, just not really my cup of tea. The pacing kind of ties into this point. I felt that the parents died too quickly, too briefly, and the impact wasn't made. Too much of the book was spent on romance, leaving the last part of the book feeling a little rushed and vague.
If I go beyond nit-picking, I would say:
1) I don't think it was a good idea to combine science with this. Neurology and her ability- well, I don't think there's any way to tie them together in a logical way...
2) Her makeover- a little cliched...?
3) The ending left me feeling a little like, "...what?"
4) You have to be either a) very strange or b) forced, to read Gray's Anatomy. I was option b). It's soul destroying.
It was written well. There was nothing in this book that I really disliked, or found terribly wrong. I know I just made it sound like I hated the book, but that's not true. If i included all the things I liked about it, this review would be very long...and plus, I don't think I've ever read a book, and thought that there was nothing I wanted more from it.
So in conclusion, enjoyable read, but I did want a few things to be different.
July 18, 2013
First off, I put off reading this book because at first, it just didn't appeal to me. Don't know why, I absolutely LOVE Ms. Anderson's first series "Marina's Tales" and it is one of my 'go-to' books for when I need to escape. For some reason, this one didn't strike me right away.... then I opened the book. The heroine, Cal(i) is the rough and tumble girl that any tomboy wishes she was. I was a tomboy, so I bonded to Cali really quickly. There is a little potentially confusing section when Cali is referred to as "Cal", and meets up with a boy named, go figure, "Cal". So you kind of wonder how the author is going to creatively and successfully navigate that potential disaster. She does it, and she does it well. There is no confusion, you always know which Cal the author is referring to, which is really rather impressive. To watch both the young people grow, learn, and find their own paths is a beautiful thing. Anyone who's been through challenging times knows it can be difficult to come through it intact. Ms.Anderson manages all of that and more, with total panache. I went from "Hmmmmm, I don't know." to "Okay, and the second book is called what?" in two chapters. I feel horrible, as if I had been more openminded, I would have found this enjoyable and creative series a lot sooner, and had a mental vacation at my whim. So in case you aren't grasping it, or I am not being clear enough, "The Athena Effect" is a delightful, creative trip through a young woman's fight to find her place in a very challenging and sometimes super dangerous world. Through her creative and self-confident actions, Cali finds her way, with true friends, and true love, along the way. Far from being the rich handsome guy that so many books rely on, Cal has some definete issues to work through before Cali is letting her guard even close to down which serves to enrich the storyline between them. I also love that Cali is not your run of the mill, totally gorgeous girl enthralled with fashions and makeup. She may be gorgeous in her own way, but it allows for readers to relate to a young woman who does not need layers of fake.
When you throw in Cali's proclivity for books and reading, you get a character rich in morals, and smart interaction. Ms. Anderson does not dumb down this book in any way, something that should appeal to avid readers. The other beauty in this novel is the richness of the secondary characters, my personal favorite being Cal's grandparents. Cali can read auras and feelings and you find yourself tensing with the negatives, and relaxing when she finds those who are mellow and relaxed. Toss in plenty of good chuckles, numerous one liners, and you have yourself a success of a book, in any genre.
When you throw in Cali's proclivity for books and reading, you get a character rich in morals, and smart interaction. Ms. Anderson does not dumb down this book in any way, something that should appeal to avid readers. The other beauty in this novel is the richness of the secondary characters, my personal favorite being Cal's grandparents. Cali can read auras and feelings and you find yourself tensing with the negatives, and relaxing when she finds those who are mellow and relaxed. Toss in plenty of good chuckles, numerous one liners, and you have yourself a success of a book, in any genre.
January 18, 2013
I got this little baby three days ago, and started reading it today, and the pages are just flying by! I don't usually read books that are centering love that much. And it was, especially in the first 100-150 pages, about the two Cal's. I was also very critical to this in the beginning, though as I got further into the book there really wasnt much bad in it.
Just read this book okay.
Just read this book okay.
July 15, 2013
I received The Athena Effect in return for an honest review from the author. Cali has grown up living a quiet life in the mountains being home schooled and learning to live off the land. When she suddenly loses her parents to a freak motorcycle accident she is forced to live with her aunt who she’s never met till she turns 18. Cali grew up a simple life so moving in with her aunt is more than she could have imagined. Cal could doesn’t worry about graduating, he’s been all about girls parties and motorcycles since he father went to prison for the accident that killed his mother.
At least he didn't care till the night Cali saved his life, changing both of their futures in ways neither one could imagine. When Cali avoids him at school after saving his life she sparks his interest. Most girls throw themselves at him but she’s the exception, soon he can't stop thinking about her because he’s never met anyone like her. Suddenly the truth about her past begins to come out, learning why her parents have hidden her in the woods all these years.
I love Cali she’s a sweetheart, I think growing up in the woods she learned to survive which gives her an edge in the concrete jungle that other country girls wouldn't have. Plus we have Cal he’s a bad-boy but he protects and saves Cali. Together they both are missing something that they need to survive but together they are whole, each matching the others weakness.
I was super excited to start The Athena Effect it’s a unique concept that instantly captured my imagination. The story is an intricate web of mystery, adventure and romance that combine to create an exciting first installment. The author has mixed sci-fi with reality creating a fantastic story that spurs the imagination. I was captivated right from the start unable to put the book down sneaking it with me at the dog park to read while my puppy played. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
At least he didn't care till the night Cali saved his life, changing both of their futures in ways neither one could imagine. When Cali avoids him at school after saving his life she sparks his interest. Most girls throw themselves at him but she’s the exception, soon he can't stop thinking about her because he’s never met anyone like her. Suddenly the truth about her past begins to come out, learning why her parents have hidden her in the woods all these years.
I love Cali she’s a sweetheart, I think growing up in the woods she learned to survive which gives her an edge in the concrete jungle that other country girls wouldn't have. Plus we have Cal he’s a bad-boy but he protects and saves Cali. Together they both are missing something that they need to survive but together they are whole, each matching the others weakness.
I was super excited to start The Athena Effect it’s a unique concept that instantly captured my imagination. The story is an intricate web of mystery, adventure and romance that combine to create an exciting first installment. The author has mixed sci-fi with reality creating a fantastic story that spurs the imagination. I was captivated right from the start unable to put the book down sneaking it with me at the dog park to read while my puppy played. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
July 11, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
This was a very good read. The concept: a girl, Caledonia, is raised in complete isolation is left orphaned. She has the power to see people's auras/feelings and manipulate the, (including animals). She is transferred to the outside world to live with her aunt and her aunts creepy molestor boyfriend Phil. Once In high school she just tries to blend in, and avoid notice. But she's special. Eventually she meets bad-boy troubled soul Calvin, and a friendship and crush develops. Soon though, sinister forces that had her parents running for their lives 20 years ago; find Caledonia and want to take her away. An evil Dr. Reed enters the picture and Caledonia meets twins with similar abilities as her own.
As crazy as it sounds, I didn't find this predictable or cheesy. A major feat, considering how often the "girl with special powers" thing has been done in young adult. I thought her personality was charming, and her powers fascinating. Oh, and the fact that she keeps a knife on her person at all times, wielding it with such bad assery even Katniss would be impressed. I really liked the relationship that developed with Calvin, and her strength which was juxtaposed nicely with her naïveté due to living in complete isolation. Towards the end I simply couldn't put the book down. It felt like a thriller at the end, but the book had a contemporary feel to it that I enjoyed. It was nice that the supernatural elements didn't overwhelm the story. The only reason I'm not giving more stars is because sometimes the romantic dialogue became repetitive between Calvin and Cali.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this book to others. It's unique plot and characters had me hooked. I was left surprised at the end, and I am definitely curious about where the story will lead in the sequel.
This was a very good read. The concept: a girl, Caledonia, is raised in complete isolation is left orphaned. She has the power to see people's auras/feelings and manipulate the, (including animals). She is transferred to the outside world to live with her aunt and her aunts creepy molestor boyfriend Phil. Once In high school she just tries to blend in, and avoid notice. But she's special. Eventually she meets bad-boy troubled soul Calvin, and a friendship and crush develops. Soon though, sinister forces that had her parents running for their lives 20 years ago; find Caledonia and want to take her away. An evil Dr. Reed enters the picture and Caledonia meets twins with similar abilities as her own.
As crazy as it sounds, I didn't find this predictable or cheesy. A major feat, considering how often the "girl with special powers" thing has been done in young adult. I thought her personality was charming, and her powers fascinating. Oh, and the fact that she keeps a knife on her person at all times, wielding it with such bad assery even Katniss would be impressed. I really liked the relationship that developed with Calvin, and her strength which was juxtaposed nicely with her naïveté due to living in complete isolation. Towards the end I simply couldn't put the book down. It felt like a thriller at the end, but the book had a contemporary feel to it that I enjoyed. It was nice that the supernatural elements didn't overwhelm the story. The only reason I'm not giving more stars is because sometimes the romantic dialogue became repetitive between Calvin and Cali.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this book to others. It's unique plot and characters had me hooked. I was left surprised at the end, and I am definitely curious about where the story will lead in the sequel.
October 17, 2012
4.5. Oh Derrolyn, you've done it again! You guys probably know by now that I am a huge fan of Anderson's Marina's Tale series. Because of the great writing in those books, I was anxious to read this book. I was most definitely not disappointed. This is a first book in a planned series and if the rest of the series is anything like this first book, I know that we are in for a real treat.
As with the Marina's Tale books, one of the standouts for me in this book was really the characters. They are really well written and jump right off of the page. These characters feel like people that you might come across in the world (okay, perhaps without the paranormal lean to them). The main character, Caledonia, is a really great character. She grew up very sheltered and as the story unfolds, we see why her parents wanted to shelter her so much. I really wished that we got to learn more about Caledonia's parents. How did they figure out what Dr. Reed was trying to do? How did they escape? I'm really hoping that the next books will shed more light on their stories as well.
This is the kind of book you get lost in. Once I got into this book (which only took a chapter and a couple pages), I flew through it in one sitting. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved putting together the pieces of Cal's puzzle.
This book is geared towards young adults but because of some of the subject matter (abuse, sexual relations, some violence) should be read with discretion. This book may be best for older Young Adult readers.
Bottom line: Sad that I have to wait until 2013 for the next installation of the story.
As with the Marina's Tale books, one of the standouts for me in this book was really the characters. They are really well written and jump right off of the page. These characters feel like people that you might come across in the world (okay, perhaps without the paranormal lean to them). The main character, Caledonia, is a really great character. She grew up very sheltered and as the story unfolds, we see why her parents wanted to shelter her so much. I really wished that we got to learn more about Caledonia's parents. How did they figure out what Dr. Reed was trying to do? How did they escape? I'm really hoping that the next books will shed more light on their stories as well.
This is the kind of book you get lost in. Once I got into this book (which only took a chapter and a couple pages), I flew through it in one sitting. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved putting together the pieces of Cal's puzzle.
This book is geared towards young adults but because of some of the subject matter (abuse, sexual relations, some violence) should be read with discretion. This book may be best for older Young Adult readers.
Bottom line: Sad that I have to wait until 2013 for the next installation of the story.
May 10, 2017
I was expecting Greek mythology, but that was wrong. Instead, I found a paranormal romance that was very sweet and engaging.
If anyone ever saw the '80's movie, "Splash", with Tom Hanks, and liked it, you will love the main character in this book. Just like the mermaid in that movie, Cal, is this very endearing character who comes from living in such isolation, she is completely unaware of modern social life. This means she has never seen a traffic light, eaten in a restaurant, or met another person her age. However, she has the ability to see the auras of living creatures, and to affect their moods, so she has a special affinity with animals. When her parents die, she gets thrown in to modern society with an aunt, who pretty much sucks.
Enter Cal, the guy, her love interest. Yes, the author named born of the main characters the same name. Luckily, they quickly start calling her Cali, and him Calvin, but still....there was a little confusion for a while and it all could have been avoided by just giving them different names. It was odd. Anyway, he is a bad boy, but is so enamored by Cali's naive strength that he gets very interested in her. Unfortunately, her aunt's creepy pedo boyfriend is also interested in her, as well as some crazy college professor who was doing research with her parents.
Like I said, the best part of this book is the main character, but all of the characters are interesting and engaging to read. I definitely fell in love with Gal, which is why I will keep reading.
If anyone ever saw the '80's movie, "Splash", with Tom Hanks, and liked it, you will love the main character in this book. Just like the mermaid in that movie, Cal, is this very endearing character who comes from living in such isolation, she is completely unaware of modern social life. This means she has never seen a traffic light, eaten in a restaurant, or met another person her age. However, she has the ability to see the auras of living creatures, and to affect their moods, so she has a special affinity with animals. When her parents die, she gets thrown in to modern society with an aunt, who pretty much sucks.
Enter Cal, the guy, her love interest. Yes, the author named born of the main characters the same name. Luckily, they quickly start calling her Cali, and him Calvin, but still....there was a little confusion for a while and it all could have been avoided by just giving them different names. It was odd. Anyway, he is a bad boy, but is so enamored by Cali's naive strength that he gets very interested in her. Unfortunately, her aunt's creepy pedo boyfriend is also interested in her, as well as some crazy college professor who was doing research with her parents.
Like I said, the best part of this book is the main character, but all of the characters are interesting and engaging to read. I definitely fell in love with Gal, which is why I will keep reading.
January 12, 2013
When I first read the synopsis for The Athena Effect I was very intrigued and thought it sounded like an interesting YA novel. I was right and this is an easy book to get lost in.
The plot is different from what I have read lately and I really liked it! We start with a prologue about a young couple who are running away together. From the little bit you read about them they are scared and the girl is pregnant.
When the story starts we meet Cali who is a bit of a wild child. She is homeschooled and is kept away from the world. Her parents have taught her survival skills, how to hunt and to take care of herself. They live totally off the grid. Which is a good thing since Cali is special, she can see and taste the emotions of animals and people around her and she can control them�
Then Cali’s parents are killed in an accident and she has to go live with an aunt she never met and her creepy boyfriend. While Cali doesn’t fit in with the people at school she does eventually make friends with a neighbor boy named Cal. He looks her parents up on the internet which sends an alarm to someone who has been looking for her parents for quite a while�
I enjoyed The Athena Effect so much I finished it in one day! Needless to say I am looking forward to the next installment to this series!
The plot is different from what I have read lately and I really liked it! We start with a prologue about a young couple who are running away together. From the little bit you read about them they are scared and the girl is pregnant.
When the story starts we meet Cali who is a bit of a wild child. She is homeschooled and is kept away from the world. Her parents have taught her survival skills, how to hunt and to take care of herself. They live totally off the grid. Which is a good thing since Cali is special, she can see and taste the emotions of animals and people around her and she can control them�
Then Cali’s parents are killed in an accident and she has to go live with an aunt she never met and her creepy boyfriend. While Cali doesn’t fit in with the people at school she does eventually make friends with a neighbor boy named Cal. He looks her parents up on the internet which sends an alarm to someone who has been looking for her parents for quite a while�
I enjoyed The Athena Effect so much I finished it in one day! Needless to say I am looking forward to the next installment to this series!
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