Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Title: Solid
Author: Shelley Workinger
Publisher: Self published
Publish Date: July 9, 2010
Genre: YA, sci fi
Pages: 223
Source: From author for review
Series: Solid
1. Solid
2. Settling (July 4, 2011)
3. Sound (expected pub 2012)

Synopsis:
Eighteen ears 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 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...

From paperback

SOLID was the first book I thought of when I wanted to read something different. Yes, I love reading about werewolves and the like, but sometimes I just need a change.

What I liked about SOLID was how the paranormal aspect (or sci-fi aspect) wasn’t something only a few of the characters knew or believed. It was a universal acceptance of what happened and that these teens had special abilities. It’s a nice change from the “No, I don’t believe you. That’s impossible.” And the fact that we got to discover along with the characters what their special abilities were was great.

The romance in this story was cute, but a little fast. The whole book only takes place over 3 weeks, and I feel like the bond created between the two characters was just a little bit quick. But, I did like it, and thought they had a cute relationship.

One thing that bothered me about this book was the timing. I got disoriented a few times. Some scenes only took up a few pages, but next thing you knew, a whole day had gone by. Like the characters would be at their afternoon activity, and then all of a sudden it would be bedtime. I had to do a double take to figure out what had just happened. I think something like that might get more refined as the author gains experience.

The end of the book brought along a few things I didn’t see coming. It was also kind of a slow build up, too. It was leisurely reading and then suddenly I’m in the middle of the climax of the book. It kind of snuck up on me I suppose. That can kind of be understood as a problem with the timing again, though.

SOLID really is a cute book with a different premise from what I’ve recently read. I know the second book, SETTLING, just came out and I think I’ll have to give it a try. I’m curious to see what will happen next.

Visit Shelley on her website here.
Add SOLID to your Goodreads library here.