Monday 22 December 2014

Book Review: Spark (Spark #1) by Rachael Craw


Goodreads Description:

Evie doesn’t have a choice.

One day she’s an ordinary seventeen year old, grieving for her mother. The next, she’s a Shield, the result of a decades-old experiment gone wrong, bound by DNA to defend her best friend from an unknown killer.

The threat could come at home, at school, anywhere. All Evie knows is that it will be a fight to the death.

And then there’s Jamie. irresistible. off-limits.







Title: Spark (Spark #1)
Author: Rachael Craw
Genre:YA, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Romance
Format: Paperback
Pages: 464 pages
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Source: Won from Giveaway hosted by Author.



I saw the book at Dymocks a while ago and thought 'WOW... that's one wicked cover'. Eventually I won the book from a giveaway hosted by the Author on her Inside A Dog giveaway and gosh was this one wicked reads!!!

Spark is a unique sci-fi twist to the contemporary genre. I enjoyed the concept and plot of the story along with the amazing cast of characters.

Follow Evie who's mum recently passed away and moves in with her Aunt Mariam, she suddenly goes trough a growth spurge and developers an odd urge to protect her best friend Kitty from anything that harms her. 

On top of that she becomes super human where she gets enhanced hearing and intelligence, swift reflexes, ability to see peoples memories and telepathy, rapid healing ability and thanks to her sudden growth spurge, she now has the body of a supermodel and athletic fitness.

She eventually finds out due to a DNA experiment gone wrong decades ago she is a SHIELD bounded by DNA to protect her SPARK who happens to be her best friend Kitty from her STRAY who Evie needs to find out before he/she kills her.

I enjoyed reading about Evie as she transformed and grow trough the book. Long story short she is freaking badass!

While I like her character trough most of the books the only time I was annoyed of her was when she refuses to listen to her Aunt's advice and gahhhhh I wanted to hit her on the head and shout 'bad idea'!!!


Also she faints A LOT trough the book which in some scenarios where she faints is kinda funny especially when she goes 'swoon overloaded'.

I like Kitty (cute name btw) though I do wish we got to know a bit more about her characters as at times I found her pushed to the side. When I first read the synopsis I thought 'oh boy not a damsel in distress'. But NOPE! That didn't happen as Kitty is strong, confident, independent and just as determined as Evie to protect herself from her Stray! Also I find it kinda cool whenever she swears 'bloody' which also reminds me she has a British accent.

I also enjoyed her friendship with Evie. It funny reading about Evie chasing after Kitty to protect her like an 'clingy boyfriend' from her Stray. Even so I love how Evie is protective to Kitty and how they are both loyal and care for one another.


Speaking of boyfriends...  lets talk about Kitty's gorgeous twin brother Jamie...


JAMIE = ME GUSTA

Like can we take a moment to just appreciate the swoon worthy awesomeness of Jamie?!?! He is everything I like in a bookish boyfriend!!! British accent/slang, effortless cool guy, cheeky, sweet, funny, caring, badass, NOT ANNOYING, and just all round awesome!!!

Also his relationship with Evie was one of the things that made the book for me! Its established at the start that they had a brief history and awkward kiss before he left. Due to this Evie have sort of a love hate relationship with him and Jamie is trying to make up for the mistakes in the past. In fact he gets bonus points in my book for being straight to the point on his feelings with Evie as one thing I noticed in YA where the relationship goes the wrong way is miscommunication!

Aunt Mariam is another favorite character! She did amazing job of being the mentor and parent figure to Evie. She also have a secret that could turn the tables on her relationship between her and Evie.

The plot of the book was engaging, filled with fast pace action along that put me on the edge on my seat and some really good plot twist that turned the book 360 for me! 

A couple of the major plot twist that happened I kinda foreshadow as the story progresses but there was this one... 



Yup... I'm dead... didn't see it coming... caught me off guard!


The training and action sequence were epic and I could easily visualized them. Also I love the martial art term used in the book and they were well used. 

My only complained was the break down and information shooting trough out the book. At the start there was a lot of information pushed out that was kinda overwhelming and confusing. Basically its like learning a new language or the world building but as the book progresses I got used to it.

Overall Spark was a great start to the series! Highly recommend if you are a fan of sci-fi or want to start out with sci-fi this is a great way to immerse yourself with the genre.

A great fast pace action pack plot with intense romance, strong friendship and air of suspense and mystery.

I can't wait for the next two books that are coming out in 2015(Stray) and 2016(Sheild)!!!







2 comments:

  1. Oooh I need to read this! Hello, this is my first comment on your blog and wow what a great review! I really want to read Spark and there's such a great fan base #SparkArmy over on twitter and interaction with the author too! You are lucky to have won that giveaway! Whoo!!! Congratulations!
    Love your review, thanks for the no spoilers! :)

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    1. Heya! thanks for commenting and welcome to my blog (not trying to sound cheesy! lol). agree the #sparkarmy on twitter is such a great fanbase and its supper fun interacting with them and the author! welcome and I usually try to make my reviews spoiler free :))

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