Review: Darwin's Children by Natasha Larry

ASIN #: B0050CL8R2

File Size: 390 KB

Copyright: 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic black girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening – especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner’s family isn’t the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie’s mom’s MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in ‘trainer,’ is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie’s godfather John is more than persuasive – he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world’s concerned, Jaycie’s on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie’s pediatrician father, but she doesn’t fit in with ‘normal’ kids, and she doesn’t really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there’s one thing she can’t control – and that’s her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of...

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

Mandy's Review:

Cover

The girl on the cover has a sexy fierceness about her.  When I first received the book for review and saw the cover, I wasn't sure why she had the yellow and red colors around her.  I thought maybe it was her aura.  After reading, though, I now know that it is a depiction of Jaycie at the highest point of her powers ... go get 'em girl! =)

Plot

Unusual, different, relatable, humorous, intriguing, empathetic ... all of these adjectives describe the story and the emotions the story can draw from you while reading.

I enjoyed this book.  It was fast-paced and kept you interested.  Once I started, I didn't really want to put it down.  The characters are wonderfully human, but still has that super-power thing going on.

Main Characters

Jaycie - I would venture to say this girl is spoiled, but she doesn't act that way.  She's down-to-earth and is willing to help people (even without her super-powers).  She has tough decisions to make and handles them rather well for a teenager.

Mason - Jaycie's father - A single father working as a doctor to take care of his daughter.  He is reasonable and loves spoiling his daughter.  He still excepts Jaycie to abide by the rules and will discipline her when needed.  Basically, this is a well-balanced man ... someone all women dream about, I'm sure! =)

Allison - Jaycie's trainer - This woman kicks Jaycie's butt during their workouts.  She pushes Jaycie's beyond her comfort zone, but not to the point that Jaycie'll get hurt.  Allison is Jaycie's mother-figure and they treat each other as such.  There is a definite bond between Allison and Jaycie that will be difficult, nay impossible, to break.

Matt - A regular human boy who is attracted to Jaycie and vice versa.  He's a sweet southern gentleman, but don't let that fool ya ... when this boy has had enough, by George, he'll let you know!  He seems to get mad pretty easily sometimes, but he's still a wonderful well-rounded character.

John - Jaycie's godfather - What I wouldn't give for a godfather like John.  He's patient, humorous, giving and loves to give Jaycie pretty much anything she wants ... whether it be information or gifts.

Overall

Simply put ... I loved this book.  I'm eager to see what's going to happen with the characters in the next book.  I would recommend this to all YA book lovers out there ... even the adults who are young at heart. =)