Unleashed by Sophie Jordan

Series: Uninvited (bk. 2) Final Book

Genera(s): Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller/Romance

Subjects: genetics, psychology, psychopaths, murder, love, rebels, resistance to government,

Setting: Texas and New Mexico

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, present tense: Davy

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 355 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover 

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “Unleashed, the romantic, high-stakes sequel to New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's Uninvited, is perfect for fans of James Patterson's Confessions of a Murder Suspect.

Davy has spent the last few months trying to come to terms with the fact that she tested positive for the kill gene HTS (also known as Homicidal Tendency Syndrome). She swore she would not let it change her, and that her DNA did not define her . . . but then she killed a man.

Now on the run, Davy must decide whether she'll be ruled by the kill gene or if she'll follow her heart and fight for her right to live free. But with her own potential for violence lying right beneath the surface, Davy doesn't even know if she can trust herself.”

My Review:  Unleashed is the second and final book of the Uninvited Duology. This series is a very unique kind of Dystopian series. It’s set in the very near-future (2021) in which people are tested for the “kill-gene” and ostracized for having it. These book brought up tons of questions about psychology and prejudice.

In this sequel, Davy, Sean, Sabine and Gil attempt to cross the boarder into Mexico to get to a refugee camp for carriers. Davy is shoot and falls off the boat and washes up on US soil. She is found by a guy and taken to an underground compound and treated for her injuries. This guy, Caden broke protocol bringing her and this angers some of the other carriers at the compound.

Davy tries to act tough and sarcastic since she feels so guilty from killing a guy in the previous book. Caden sees through her act. Though Davy missed Sean and longs for him, romance bloom between Davy and Caden. Davy tries to leave the compound multiple times, but things happen that prevent her from leaving.

I honestly think I like Caden better than Sean. Sean was okay. I liked him though he was broody; at least he was polite and kind. He’s not really in this book very much. Caden has dark hair, Sean had blonde. Caden has golden brown eyes, Sean had blue. Caden has been a leader in the resistance; Sean has been a victim to the system.  Caden seems to have more confidence and he work so hard to fight for what he believes in. He also reminded me of Zen from Unremembered, so that’s probably why I liked him.

I did enjoy the story, though the plot was less complex than the first book. Pretty much the whole book took place on or near the compound. The previous book had multiple settings. There was action and fighting and mystery. There’s someone that may have betrayed the compound. There’s a jerk named Marcus who think Davey’s a spy. There’s also a page after before chapter that either news clips, interview, coversations, letter, text message or announcement or some sort. It adds to the story, shows us what’s going on outside of Davy’s experience.

I recommend it if you enjoyed Divergent, Blackout by Robison Wells, Shatter Me, Minders by Michele Jaffe and other dystopian books.

Cover Art Review: The girl on the cover look like Taylor Swift. I love the DNA hair!

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Series: Uninvited (bk. 1)

Genera(s): Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller/Romance

Subjects: genetics, psychology, psychopaths, murder, love

Setting: Texas, in March, 2021

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, present tense: Davy

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 372 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.”

My Review: Uninvited was a very unique kind of Dystopian book. It’s set in the near-future in which people are tested for the “kill-gene” and ostracized for having it. This book brought up a ton of questions about psychology and prejudice. It’s a book that can make a good discussion. Uninvited was so different from the Firelight series, but Sophie’s writing style is still the same with it.

I love getting to read in first-person present tense. It makes the story so much more thrilling and really brings out the main character’s voice. Davy was a unique character, but somewhat similar to Jacinda in some ways. Rather than being a shape-shifter, Davy is a musical prodigy. She can play any instrument without having to be taught. She can sing songs from memory. She never expected that she’d have the kill-gene.

Davy does not seem like a psychopath at all. Psychopaths don’t feel remorse or guilt. They’re manipulative and like to hurt people and things. Davy’s not like that at all. It’s a major surprise that she has this gene. It brings up the idea of nature vs. nurture. Davy was nurtured and cared for. She has a brother that looks out for her, a mother and father who adore her. She was accepted Julliard, she’s got serious talent, and a boyfriend named Zac.  She has no built up anger. She has everything going for her. Then she loses everything. She’s uninvited from her private school, sent to public school to be in a caged classroom with five other carriers.

I think that being labeled as a carrier is what causes most carriers to become violent. There are real sociopaths out there, and then there are people who got stuck with bad genetics. Go and ruin those people’s lives by taking away everything they want to do and they’re bound to become violent. These people clearly don’t understand that it’s the situation that’s causing their actions and not their genes.

I liked Sean. He was very protective of Davy. He was gentle and silent and sometime a bit broody, but not a dangerous as he looked. He only beat up the guys who mean to Davy. There’s a little romance here and there, but it’s just enough and sure to grow throughout the series. I also liked Gil. He’s a computer geek and a carrier. He’s not violent. He’s a wimp, but a really nice guy. He becomes a good friend to Davy.

This story took a twist when Davy is sent to a training camp. This camp made me think of the Dauntless faction in Divergent. Davy trains hard in hopes of having a chance to be something more, and get her mark removed. She doesn’t want to kill. She wants her old life, but that won’t happen. This story is full of action toward the end. I recommend it if you enjoyed Divergent, Blackout by Robison Wells, Shatter Me and other dystopian books.

Cover Art Review: I love the hair with the DNA strands intertwined. It was done in Photoshop, not actually sculpted. It has a nice layout.