Title: Blackout
Author: Robison Wells (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 432
Source: Publisher

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists. Jack and Aubrey are high school students. There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Aubrey didn't have a very exciting life before. She was barely noticeable on the best of days, and when she was noticed it was because of her father, the drunk, or her less than posh clothing. Jack didn't care though. There was always something about her that he knew was special, even if she didn't know it herself. When Aubrey starts developing the power to disappear, she has to push away the ones she holds closest and live a lie. But the lies are catching up. The government is zeroing in on Lambdas - kids with powers - and using them to fight terrorists that harbour the same virus...but who can they really trust, and just how much does this virus take over their own beings?

I've read previous works by Robison Wells, and I've been nothing but impressed, so I've been just itching to read Blackout for some time now. Capitalizing on a the buzz of the sci-fi genre, this book offers readers a little bit of everything - war games, intrigue, powers and a sweet, soaring love to keep you invested in the characters throughout. Brimming with drama, overflowing with suspense and offering fans of the genre a series of modern-day heroes in whom to believe, Blackout will give you a taste of awesome and leave you wanting more.

I had a tricky time crafting my review for Blackout because while there was a lot about this story that I absolutely loved, I did have a few issues with it, as well. First off though, I loved Aubrey's character. We're not introduced to her first, but I feel as though her story arc became the most prominent in later chapters, and I latched onto her storyline above the others. She was a perfect mix of vulnerability, opportunism and strength. She clearly didn't have the best home life, but she did the best she could, and she certainly took advantage of the power she'd been given. It was something that I believed anyone her age would actually do, so I felt like I could understand her better. Jack, too, was a great character. He had the sort of all-American vibe to him that made you simply want to root for him just because he's a darn good guy. Plus, he has this almost adoration of Aubrey that is honest, pure and heartfelt. I loved that their gentle romance didn't simply jump to love. Rather, it stayed innocent and true of a simple teenage relationship. I don't feel as though I got to know Alex or Laura enough to form true opinions on their characters, though their arcs are just as important, if not moreso. Laura, from what I could tell, was a badass for all intents and purposes, but sometimes she showed a softer side. I never really got a grasp on whether that was all for show, or if it was real. Alec, was just a villain...and by a villain, I just mean he was generally an ass. My main issue with Blackout, however, is that we're given terrorists fighting a war with their superpowers, but we never really get to know what they're fighting for. What was their agenda? What exactly did they want? Then, we see that the government wants to mobilize these teens, activate their powers and pit them against the terrorist teens. My big question that seemed to stick with me throughout was just...why? Don't get me wrong, this story has a lot of elements that are crucial for success. We have incredible powers, multi-dimensional characters, a strong premise and all the makings for a great setup. I just think we need a little more backstory behind the rift in society to better understand why the world has fallen to pieces.

Overall, Blackout is an incredibly intriguing concept, and I'm invested enough in the kids' stories to want to know more from the next installment. Perhaps that's when we'll learn the big "why." I give this story a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy science fiction and dystopian novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Black Out
Author: Robison Wells (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists. Jack and Aubrey are high school students.There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Have I ever professed my love of X-Men on this blog before? If I've failed to do so, please allow me to share with you my not so mild obsession with the general concept of people having powers. Add to that the fact that Robison Wells is an author's whose work I admire, praise and slightly worship, and I can honestly say that I'm pretty dang stoked to get my grubby little paws on Black Out. It sounds like we're in for a ride with this one, and any time a book can throw me for a loop, I'm sold. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Title: Variant
Author: Robison Wells
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Thriller
Pages: 356
Source: Publisher

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life. He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive. Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

When Benson is accepted into Maxfield Academy, he's elated. This is his chance to get out. This is his opportunity to become something bigger and better than he would otherwise be. At least, that's what the academy looks like from the outside. Once inside the walls of the prep school he was so honoured to attend, Benson realizes that he now lives within a veritable petri dish. There are no adults. The school is locked tight, and the students trust no one. But Benson soon realizes that there are two choices in Maxfield Academy. Follow the rules and suffer the consequences, or break the rules and pay the ultimate price. When the choice is death or eternal suffering, which would you choose?

It's safe to say that Variant takes the dystopian genre, throws in a twisted core and makes for a tumltuous and entirely destructive novel that's a thrill ride from start to finish. Author Robison Wells has created a masterpiece in Variant that blends the best of horror, dystopian and character-driven novels into a rich, frightening and utterly original world. With a powerful cast and an equally potent premise, Variant presents a dark and terrifying world that is easy to become lost in. Trust me when I say that you want to be lost in the world of Variant, but you will be truly glad to escape it in the end. Mind-bending and haunting, it will leave you spellbound.

Before I say anything else, I have to say how refreshing it was to read a book with a male MC that is first-person narrated. In a genre dominated by female protagonists, it was such a breath of fresh air to hear how the world looked from Benson, a teenage boy's, point of view. Plus, his voice was truthful and real, lending to the carefully crafted lunacy of Variant. There's a beauty in the despair of a true dystopian novel, which Variant embodies. You're given the bleakness, you're given true darkness and you're driven towards a lack of hope that lends to desperation. Variant gave us a unique spin, however, presenting a carefully controlled environment in this dystopia, but allowing that environment to twist into utter chaos within its chains. Watching the world of youth turn in on itself was bone-chilling, and the author crafted it carefully in order to keep us riveted. The beauty of Variant is that it makes you question everyone, without fail. The tagline, "trust no one," was entirely accurate, and I could never have guessed the end, which left me reeling. The writing is solid, and the plot is phenomenal, so without giving anything away, allow me to say that Variant breaks the mold and gives us a fresh new take on the genre.

All in all, Variant blew me away. I was expecting a good read, but I got an amazing read, and that is a true pleasure. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy dystopian and thrillers.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.