Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Paperback: YA 228 pages

• Publisher: CreateSpace (July 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1453624821
• ISBN-13: 978-1453624821

Author's Website:  http://www.solidnovel.com/

Eighteen years ago, a rogue Army doctor secretly experimented with a chromosomal drug on unknowing pregnant women. When he was killed not long after the children were born, any knowledge and evidence seemed to die with him - except for the living, breathing, human products of his work. Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed "open-book" military unearths the truth about the experiment, bringing Clio Kaid and the other affected teens to a state-of-the-art, isolated campus where they soon discover that C9x did indeed alter their chromosomes, its mutations presenting as super-human abilities. 


The military kids, who come from across the nation and all walks of life, come into their own as lighter-than-air 'athletes'; 'indies' as solid as stone walls; teens who can make themselves invisible and others who can blind with their brilliance. While exploring her own special ability, forging new friendships and embarking on first love, Clio also stumbles onto information indicating that the military may not have been entirely forthcoming with them and that all may not be as it seems...


Awesome, quick book! I loved Clio's sarcasm, and the fact that she had a comeback for everything. My favorite character (by far) was Garrett. He was the typical jock who had just been informed that he had superpowers (with just a touch of arrogance ;) but he was absolutely hilarious, and completely gutsy. I also loved their friendship, they were all very real, and just as confused and annoyed as I would have been in their situation. This story could have easily been just like every other "superhuman, off-to-save-the-world-now-even-though-I-just-learned-I-have-powers-five-minutes-ago" book but it wasn't, it was unique, (mostly ;) unpredictable, and really relate-able. Also the "bring out the singing hat" quote was great. 

The only part I wasn't crazy about was that sometimes the characters would do or say something that, instead of sounding like a teen, sounded like an adult trying to sound like a teen. Whenever that would happen I felt like it pulled me out of the book, I wasn't "in" the story anymore, I was sort of watching it, if that makes any sense. Other than that I thought it was a great book and I will definitely be looking forward to the next one! 

~Kit

(Parents need to know: this book has mild violence, mild language, and a make-out scene.  To see more click here.)




For a sneak peak at the sequel, SETTLING, go to http://www.solidnovel.com/