Honestly, I've been pretty terrified to get my first trade reviews. To the point that I kept telling myself they wouldn't come at all. "Oh, I'm just a paperback debut—I'm not big enough for them to review." I almost convinced myself to believe it until I saw an email in my inbox yesterday that was titled: Kirkus Review Of TRANSPARENT!
At which point my stomach dropped to the floor, and I seriously considered maybe not opening it. But curiosity won out and I read it and I can't believe they were mostly NICE. That's, like, crazy awesome for the notoriously critical Kirkus.
So, full review below! I'm gonna go celebrate surviving my first trade review by...editing more! Of course.
An invisible girl finds it hard to hide in this X-Men–meets–The Godfather debut.
Ever since Radiasure was invented as an anti-radiation pill during the Cold War, genetic mutations have become widespread, and 16-year-old Fiona is the world’s first invisible individual. She has been living in Las Vegas as a spy for her crime-lord father. When he decides to upgrade Fiona’s status from spy to assassin, the teen and her telekinetic mother run away to a small town in Arizona. Despite a few improbabilities (most notably, presuming that a world-renowned celebrity would not be turned in to the media), the quick-paced story, set in the present day, ticks along. Attention to worldbuilding gives interesting details of Fiona’s lifestyle, such as the way she accessorizes to draw attention to the outlines of her body. Even as she constantly worries about her father and her brother, his henchman, catching up with her, she begins to trust and befriend fellow classmates with equally impressive and secret powers of their own. The slow buildup of romance with blue-eyed Seth and the revelation of his special ability heighten the tension and leave Fiona wondering if she’ll ever have a chance at a normal life.
A great fit for fans of unusual love interests, happily free of all the brooding of Twilight. (Science fiction/romance. 13 & up)
That's a great review! I really like how they simplified all the main happenings of the book (good jacket copy). And that "attention to worldbuilding" is probably my favorite thing about the story. The invisibility aspect completely hooked me, but experiencing Fiona's predicament was surprisingly relatable (never truly been invisible, you see). Bring on the Ivy and Sorrow!!
ReplyDeleteWoot!! That's positive!! Nice job Natalie and Kirkus.
ReplyDeleteReviews can be nerve wracking! Congrats on the great review!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Natalie!!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! All the congrats!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great review! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great review. Excited for you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Review, Natalie! Yay! I hope your editing has been esp. successful today as your celebrate:D
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review from anyone, let alone Kirkus! Major congrats (and way to be brave by reading it).
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on such a great review...and for being brave enough to read it! Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteI had already wanted to read your book, but this great review makes me want to read it even more! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteBravo, Natalie! Good for you!
ReplyDelete