My Rating- 3 STARS
Synopsis- Imagine what high school would be like if your ex-boyfriend fired lightning when he was angry, the sporty girl in your class had enough strength to lift a flatbed truck, and you could charm your way out of trouble.
When shy, sixteen year old, Olivia Hart, witnesses the actual rainstorm her ex-boyfriend, Max Smarr, creates in Pandora high school's cafeteria, she’s convinced she’s lost her mind. Nothing will prepare her, however, for the discovery of her own special Gift.
Olivia Hart has always been satisfied living in the shadows of her peers, and so high school doesn’t get any easier when her charismatic brother goes off to college and her relationship with her edgy boyfriend comes to an end. When she comes across an antique charm, she finds out that she can compel people with her mind and hiding is no longer an option. With the help of her friends in the Gifted Program and each of their special Gifts, what happens next in this young love and coming of age story will force Olivia into the spotlight, test her friendships, and cause her to question her role in a society.
My Review- I liked this little book. I found some parts slow, others fun and well paced but sometimes the mass amounts of description and confusing internal voice had me skipping over paragraphs. Olivia Hart is very sweet, maybe a bit self involved but what young girl isn't in their early teens and her thoughts leave me not sure which way to face. One moment she likes Justin, the next she is hung up on her Ex, Max, and it leaves me in a daze. I liked the flash backs to her very short relationship with Max but didn't quite understand the need for them. I would have loved this small book to focus more
on the magical elements, watch them learn more about their Gifts and how it brings those in the Gifted Program together.
What I really liked about this book was the friendships between Helen, Olivia and Jaime and the struggles and changes between them that we go through in school life...except with less magical issues. The characters were relatable. There was Olivia's Ex boyfriend's jealous new girl who bullied her, there was the typical awkwardness between different social groups (jocks and populars)and the hardships of having popular older siblings who move on with their lives. I liked the authors imagination and creativity and I am very interested to see what happens in the next book.
Despite the 3 star rating, this book offers a lovely, fun short read that is enjoyable and fulfilling. Its definitely worth checking out. I will be reading Book 2 in hopes of learning more about the Gifted and their enemies which were only very slightly touched upon in this book. I hope to be able to give the next book a much higher rating