Altered by Jennifer Rush

Altered #1. Little, Brown Books (Jan. 2013) Own
When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.                                

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities. 

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.


Anna discovered four boys living in her basement four years ago. She didn't know why they were there or who they were and neither do they. Sam, Cas, Nick, and Trev have lost their memories so that they don't know anything about their past. They only know they are being held prisoners by a company called The Branch. They all have abilities that have increased their strength, decreased their aging, and each has an extra something that fits their personality. They have been altered and all they want is out. When The Branch comes to take them away they are ready for them and escape with Anna - the girl they have befriended for four years. But Anna has some unknown secrets of her own that are just about to hit the surface and change the way Anna looks at who she really is.

So this was a pretty awesome idea. I thought it was going to a bit weird at first trying to explain how there are four guys in Anna's basement and she didn't do anything about it right away. It could have been explained better but I've got say the plot is very unique. I love originality in books so things were going well already from the start. 

I was able to distinguish all the characters fairly easy which is hard to do with so many at one time. It helped that there was only one POV but I can also argue that having multiple POV's would have helped me get to know the boys more. Although, that would ruin the mystery of their past lives and the mystery that is solely Nick. I guess I like the moody, brooding boys but I feel like Nick reacted the most real out of everyone so I liked him more than the others. He was clearly pissed at being stuck in a lab for years not knowing who he was. I'm sure slowly he didn't really care as long as he got out. He's also pretty loyal and I don't know I pictured him with Anna more than Sam.

Anna is obsessed with Sam which was probably the only negative this book had. She could have been shot and killed but let's worry about what a guy thinks of me. I know teenage girls including me would think these things but it came to be too much. There comes a point where you just get over it and focus on not dying. She does have some great artistry skills so I'll give her that. The way her art was described was beautiful.

I liked Sam but for some reason I like Nick better. I do like that Sam is clearly the leader and has very loyal friends. He gets things done and has a fog of mystery to him like Nick. Well they all do but none so more than Sam and Nick.

Cas is the funny one. He loves to eat and mess around. He's a big goof ball which I like about him. Everyone else is pretty serious. Trev is the book nerd who can spout out quotes whenever asked. There are some tender moments between him and Anna where you can really see how even if there was a glass in between them she is pretty much friends with all of them - except Nick of course.

There are many secrets surrounding not just the boys but Anna and it was fun figuring them out. All the boys have scars and Sam has this tattoo of a tree that means something. They are all important things that bring them to the truth and the secrets lying within The Branch. 

The Branch is your typical evil company who alters people so they can use them as weapons. They chase the boys and Anna the whole way through the book. At the head is Connor who has this super creepy vibe with Anna. Apparently a bunch of things are revealed with him and someone else in the prequel which I couldn't help get. I will definitely continue on with this series mainly because there is so much left to learn and the plot is so good. I just hope Anna stops fixating on Sam so much and brings her badassery in the next book that I know she has in her.

Comments

  1. Well I'm really interested how girl who befriends four guys who have been living in her basement looked alike. I cannot think of any good idea. I'm glad it wasn't weird but unique. Anyhow Anna's obsession with Sam is something I see mostly all the time in YA so I guess you get used to it. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Great review, Adriana :)

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    1. Yeah, I'm pretty used to it too but it sometimes overshadowed the plot. Good thing the plot was so good (:

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  2. Yay, I'm glad you liked this =) I really want to go get a copy now! I hate when too many character are introduced right at the beginning of a book so it's good that they were easily distinguishable. Anna sounds a little annoying with her obsession over Sam. I remember feeling that same way about Emerson in Hourglass. Like, girl FOCUS this is life or death right now, worry about the guy later, haha.

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    1. Haha (: ~ Exactly what was going through my mind. Focus on not dying woman!

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  3. Hmmmm....this does sound very unique and I'm intrigued. I've had this on my TBR pile for a while but I totally forgot about it, I couldn't even remember why I added it. I'm glad I read your review because now I need to get my hands on a copy.

    Kay @ It's a Book Life

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    1. I remember putting it on my TBR pile a year ago and I've had it on my ebook for so long. I finally got to read it and enjoyed it so much!

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  4. I really want to read this, though it sounds kind of like Replication, which I've read and there was a bunch of boys stuck in an underground farm...and all that jazz. ;) Still! I LOVE the idea and the cover is kind of cool...I'd probably be a Nick supporter too. I hardly ever go for the main-dude. And I can see how Anna could have come across a bit pettish. As a reader, I kind of like everyone go jump into the action and do what needs doing...but a bit of romance on the side is always n'awww, sweet! ;)

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    1. Huh. I kind of want to know what Replication is now. I actually always go with the main guy so I was kind of surprised I went the brooding Nick. I guess since Anna was SO into Sam might have influenced me.

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  5. This does sound very unique! I am intrigued about the characters and if the boys will ever get their memories back. Sounds like a book that will keep me on the edge of my seat since they are on the run and the bad guys are after them (and shooting at them). Thanks for sharing!
    ~Jess

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    1. It's very interesting how they try to figure everything out concerning their memories and their pasts. It could be pretty action packed when they are on the run.

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  6. I'm happy to see you enjoyed this overall! I really liked it too, and loved getting to know the four boys. I enjoyed Sam's character more than you, but I do share your fondness for Nick. You get to see more of him in the sequel, so I can't wait to see what you think of that one. :)

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    1. Ooh! Thanks for letting me know (:
      I really want to continue this series right away.

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