Title: Perception
Series: Perception Series Bk#1
Author: Lee Strauss
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Romance, Dystopian, YA.
Release Date: 12th September 2012
BLURB from Goodreads
Eternal Life is To Die For.
Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.
Her brother Liam is missing.
Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.
Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.
Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.
Her brother Liam is missing.
Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.
Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I have had this e-book on my kindle a while, and it was brought to my attention again as being part of the fantastic, brilliant value box set called Girl's On Fire, which I purchased for the amazing price of 77p!! So I decided it was about time I read it. So what was I expecting? A decent sci-fi with a little romance thrown in. I was of course interested to learn about the dystopian society in this book.
MY REVIEW
So as I have already mentioned I purchased the Girls On Fire Box Set for the remarkable, fantastic price of 77p, though I admit to having downloaded Perception when it had been free on Amazon.co.uk.
I love the shade of blue on the cover, it's so rich and draws your eye to it. So along with the lightening on the cover I'd guess this one would jump out at you on a book store shelf. Then once I read the blurb that was it I had to read the book.
I was quickly hooked into the story and characters in this book. The divided society consist of the poorer "Naturals" and the privileged GAP society. GAP stands for Genetically Altered Person. The GAP are all healthy perfect looking beings. Both the Vanderveen children are both blonde haired and athletically built, as are their parents. All the population within the inner circle are good looking, blonde haired, with not a crooked tooth or blemish in sight.
The main family that Perception is centred around are the Vanderveen family. the grandfather is one of the men that discovered the science of how to genetically enhance life and appearance. The other man who worked on the science and genetics is from the Brody family but he and his family did not believe in artificially lenthening life and altering looks etc so both him and his family remained "Naturals". Natural lead "normal" lives complete with pain, illness and normal life spans.
The main characters are the grandchildren of Vanderveen and Brody. As Brody's daughter is the maid/cleaner at the Vanderveen's beautiful house. That is how Noah Brody and Zoe Vanderveen first meet. Noah has gone to clean at the Vanderveen's house in place of his ill mother. All the GAP kids and families live within the town centre circle that is surrounded by a wall and has checkpoints. Outside the inner circle is where the "Naturals" live or should that be exist as they are poorer and area is more rundown.
Almost everyone has a chip in their wrist, which holds all their personal information and is linked to their bank account. So "money" is a rare currency. Some "Naturals" refuse the chip and still use money but it is somewhat frowned upon.
All the GAP kids end up working at the "GAP University" working in scientific research to further develop genetics etc. That is where Zoe's brother Liam works. One day Liam doesn't return home, in fact he is missing, no one seems to have a clue what could have happened or where he may be, but Jackson, Liam's best friend and Zoe's boyfriend is acting suspiciously. It turns out Liam, Jackson and another guy have been working on some top secret possibly ground breaking research.
Zoe soon learns that GAP's don't like any thing other than perfection, and when it looks like no one is trying to fins Liam, Zoe sets out to find him herself. Zoe goes outside the inner circle of the city and talks Noah Brody, the most anti-GAP "Natural" possible and his gang of friends. This book also has a romance within it. A case of opposites attract, the "Natural" anti-Gap protester Noah Brody and the perfect image of a GAP, grand daughter of the pioneer geneticist, Zoe Vanderveen. As Zoe, and Noah work together, fighting the obstacles of their two tiered society they become closer and closer and more dependent on each other. They both find out different things about their families like, how their grandfathers began as friends and were torn apart by the very technology they worked on together. It turns out those behind the research Liam was involved in, and those covering up what happened are much closer to home than Zoe or Noah could ever guess.
This is a well thought out book, the society and the differences in the inner circle and outside is so well written and believable. You really want Noah and Zoe to be together, and to find out what happened to Liam Vanderveen. I was engrossed i this book from beginning to end and can't believe I waited so long to go ahead and read it. The only bad point I could find was a slight continuity issue within a description of something the characters were doing. I honestly think this book would make a great film.
So Did I enjoy the book? I truly loved it! Enjoyed it from beginning to end. Would I recommend the book? Yes I would, in fact I think my daughter is sick of hearing me rave about it lol. If I love a book I want to shout about it really loudly from the highest rooftops! Would I read more in this series? Yes! I didn't discover there was a o.5, until part way through Bk#1, but I've downloaded it now(free from Amazon.co.uk) and intend to read it as soon as possible. Would I read other titles by this author? Yes, I intend to do so. I've added some more Lee Strauss/Elle Straus titles to my Want To Read List on Goodreads already!
I have had this e-book on my kindle a while, and it was brought to my attention again as being part of the fantastic, brilliant value box set called Girl's On Fire, which I purchased for the amazing price of 77p!! So I decided it was about time I read it. So what was I expecting? A decent sci-fi with a little romance thrown in. I was of course interested to learn about the dystopian society in this book.
MY REVIEW
So as I have already mentioned I purchased the Girls On Fire Box Set for the remarkable, fantastic price of 77p, though I admit to having downloaded Perception when it had been free on Amazon.co.uk.
I love the shade of blue on the cover, it's so rich and draws your eye to it. So along with the lightening on the cover I'd guess this one would jump out at you on a book store shelf. Then once I read the blurb that was it I had to read the book.
I was quickly hooked into the story and characters in this book. The divided society consist of the poorer "Naturals" and the privileged GAP society. GAP stands for Genetically Altered Person. The GAP are all healthy perfect looking beings. Both the Vanderveen children are both blonde haired and athletically built, as are their parents. All the population within the inner circle are good looking, blonde haired, with not a crooked tooth or blemish in sight.
The main family that Perception is centred around are the Vanderveen family. the grandfather is one of the men that discovered the science of how to genetically enhance life and appearance. The other man who worked on the science and genetics is from the Brody family but he and his family did not believe in artificially lenthening life and altering looks etc so both him and his family remained "Naturals". Natural lead "normal" lives complete with pain, illness and normal life spans.
The main characters are the grandchildren of Vanderveen and Brody. As Brody's daughter is the maid/cleaner at the Vanderveen's beautiful house. That is how Noah Brody and Zoe Vanderveen first meet. Noah has gone to clean at the Vanderveen's house in place of his ill mother. All the GAP kids and families live within the town centre circle that is surrounded by a wall and has checkpoints. Outside the inner circle is where the "Naturals" live or should that be exist as they are poorer and area is more rundown.
Almost everyone has a chip in their wrist, which holds all their personal information and is linked to their bank account. So "money" is a rare currency. Some "Naturals" refuse the chip and still use money but it is somewhat frowned upon.
All the GAP kids end up working at the "GAP University" working in scientific research to further develop genetics etc. That is where Zoe's brother Liam works. One day Liam doesn't return home, in fact he is missing, no one seems to have a clue what could have happened or where he may be, but Jackson, Liam's best friend and Zoe's boyfriend is acting suspiciously. It turns out Liam, Jackson and another guy have been working on some top secret possibly ground breaking research.
Zoe soon learns that GAP's don't like any thing other than perfection, and when it looks like no one is trying to fins Liam, Zoe sets out to find him herself. Zoe goes outside the inner circle of the city and talks Noah Brody, the most anti-GAP "Natural" possible and his gang of friends. This book also has a romance within it. A case of opposites attract, the "Natural" anti-Gap protester Noah Brody and the perfect image of a GAP, grand daughter of the pioneer geneticist, Zoe Vanderveen. As Zoe, and Noah work together, fighting the obstacles of their two tiered society they become closer and closer and more dependent on each other. They both find out different things about their families like, how their grandfathers began as friends and were torn apart by the very technology they worked on together. It turns out those behind the research Liam was involved in, and those covering up what happened are much closer to home than Zoe or Noah could ever guess.
This is a well thought out book, the society and the differences in the inner circle and outside is so well written and believable. You really want Noah and Zoe to be together, and to find out what happened to Liam Vanderveen. I was engrossed i this book from beginning to end and can't believe I waited so long to go ahead and read it. The only bad point I could find was a slight continuity issue within a description of something the characters were doing. I honestly think this book would make a great film.
So Did I enjoy the book? I truly loved it! Enjoyed it from beginning to end. Would I recommend the book? Yes I would, in fact I think my daughter is sick of hearing me rave about it lol. If I love a book I want to shout about it really loudly from the highest rooftops! Would I read more in this series? Yes! I didn't discover there was a o.5, until part way through Bk#1, but I've downloaded it now(free from Amazon.co.uk) and intend to read it as soon as possible. Would I read other titles by this author? Yes, I intend to do so. I've added some more Lee Strauss/Elle Straus titles to my Want To Read List on Goodreads already!
REST OF THE SERIES SO FAR
Series: Perception Series Bk#0.5
Author: Lee Strauss
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Romance, Dystopian, YA.
Release Date: 16th November 2012
BLURB from Goodreads
Eighteen year old Noah Brody doesn’t like GAPs—Genetically Altered Persons. He’s taken up his dead father’s cause, speaking out and protesting against unfair GAP policies that are responsible for the massive social divide between wealthy GAPs and poorer naturals.
If only he could keep his mind off of perfect Zoe Vanderveen, daughter of the GAP family his mother works for.
And can he really fill his father’s shoes?
If only he could keep his mind off of perfect Zoe Vanderveen, daughter of the GAP family his mother works for.
And can he really fill his father’s shoes?
Series: Perception Series Bk#2
Author: Lee Strauss
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Romance, Dystopian, YA.
Release Date: 16th April 2013
BLURB from Goodreads
What doesn't kill you...
Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.
They're in love.
Or at least that’s what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.
Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.
And their fight for survival has only begun.
Series: Perception Series Bk#2
Author: Lee Strauss
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Romance, Dystopian, YA.
Release Date: 17th September 2013
BLURB from Goodreads
Zoe, Noah and the other plane crash survivors are stranded in the Arizona desert.
They all have secrets and reasons to hide. But they’re not alone.
Cyborg soldiers...war...humans and humanoids.
Who can be trusted?
Zoe’s life is in danger. Noah must make an impossible choice.
Will their love survive their brokenness?
Will the world as they know it end before they can find out?
Perception is also one of the books featured in the Girl's On Fire Box Set (pictured below).The Box Set consists of TEN individual books by TEN award winning YA authors. All TEN books have strong, female lead characters who love to kick butts! When I purchased my e-copy of the boxset it was at the brilliant bargain price of just 77p! excellent value.
WITCH FALL – Amber Argyle
High Fantasy
Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the witches.
Born of witches but raised among their enemies, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.
ETERNAL STARLING – Angela Corbett
Paranormal Romance
For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie Starling. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.
AWAKENING – Christy Dorrity
Fantasy
When an ancient curse threatens McKayla McCleery's family, she must decide what in her life is real and what is fantasy. Based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy that is rife with magic, romance, and mystery.
INEVITABLE – Tamara Hart Heiner
Suspense
Visions of death plague Jayne, who thinks watching her sister die is the worst that could happen to her. But when she witnesses a murder, Jayne realizes that the next death she sees might be her own.
WATCHED – Cindy M. Hogan
Romantic Suspense
Change. She longed for it.
A murder. She will never be the same.
THE FORGOTTEN ONES – Laura Howard
Fantasy
ELEMENTAL HUNGER – Elana Johnson
Futuristic Fantasy
Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno that kills 17 schoolmates. Gabby will have to learn who she can trust, how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six feet under.
THE FAERIE GUARDIAN – Rachel Morgan
Fantasy
Kickbutt faerie Violet is about to graduate as the top guardian trainee of her class, but when an assignment goes wrong and the human boy she’s meant to be protecting follows her back into the fae realm, a dangerous plot is set in motion.
PERCEPTION – Lee Strauss
Dystopian/Romance
Eternal Life is to Die For.
A spoiled genetically altered girl needs the help of a jaded “natural” boy to find her missing brother.
INTRINSICAL – Lani Woodland
Paranormal
The gene that allows the women in Yara’s family to see and communicate with spirits seems to have passed her over. Until the night she rescues a local hottie from an attacking ghost. Her act of heroism attracts the attention of the evil spirit, and she finds herself entrenched in the middle of a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening her own life as well as that of her friends.
High Fantasy
Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the witches.
Born of witches but raised among their enemies, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.
ETERNAL STARLING – Angela Corbett
Paranormal Romance
For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie Starling. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.
AWAKENING – Christy Dorrity
Fantasy
When an ancient curse threatens McKayla McCleery's family, she must decide what in her life is real and what is fantasy. Based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy that is rife with magic, romance, and mystery.
INEVITABLE – Tamara Hart Heiner
Suspense
Visions of death plague Jayne, who thinks watching her sister die is the worst that could happen to her. But when she witnesses a murder, Jayne realizes that the next death she sees might be her own.
WATCHED – Cindy M. Hogan
Romantic Suspense
Change. She longed for it.
A murder. She will never be the same.
THE FORGOTTEN ONES – Laura Howard
Fantasy
ELEMENTAL HUNGER – Elana Johnson
Futuristic Fantasy
Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno that kills 17 schoolmates. Gabby will have to learn who she can trust, how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six feet under.
THE FAERIE GUARDIAN – Rachel Morgan
Fantasy
Kickbutt faerie Violet is about to graduate as the top guardian trainee of her class, but when an assignment goes wrong and the human boy she’s meant to be protecting follows her back into the fae realm, a dangerous plot is set in motion.
PERCEPTION – Lee Strauss
Dystopian/Romance
Eternal Life is to Die For.
A spoiled genetically altered girl needs the help of a jaded “natural” boy to find her missing brother.
INTRINSICAL – Lani Woodland
Paranormal
The gene that allows the women in Yara’s family to see and communicate with spirits seems to have passed her over. Until the night she rescues a local hottie from an attacking ghost. Her act of heroism attracts the attention of the evil spirit, and she finds herself entrenched in the middle of a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening her own life as well as that of her friends.
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