Review: Deviation by Christine Manzari

Deviation by Christine Maznari

Published: 9th August 2013 by CreateSpace
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction
Series: The Sophisticates #1
Page Count: 430
Format: eBook
Source: From author via Xpresso Book Tours

Synopsis: Being a Sophisticate of the Program seems like it’d be a pretty sweet deal: a little genetic alteration and anyone can be smarter, faster, and stronger. It’s a dream come true. All you have to give up is your freedom. 

Cleo is a Sophisticate and she has a bright future in the Program. But she has a secret. When she gets upset, bad things happen. Explosive things. Things she can’t control. 

When her secret is discovered, she’s sent to the Academy to train in the military branch of the Program. She’s destined to be a human weapon in the war that’s been going on since Wormwood occurred nearly 30 years ago. She soon learns that although her ability is unique, there are others like her — other Sophisticates with lethal skills and odd code names like Archerfish and Mimic Octopus.

Immersed in a dangerous game of supernatural powers and dubious motives, Cleo doesn’t know who to trust. Ozzy, the annoyingly attractive cadet who has perfect aim in weapons class and deviant lips behind closed doors, begs her not to use her powers. He’s the golden boy of the Program, but can she trust him? Or will she find herself a target, caught in his crosshairs?

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Review:
4 / 5 Stars

I got my copy of Deviation through a review opportunity that Xpresso Book Tours brought to my attention and even though I've been in a little bit of a reading rut - yes still - I decided to try my luck with this book as the synopsis grabbed my attention and I'm super glad I was approved.

Deviation starts off introducing us to Cleo and her dystopian American world where kids likes her are made by the government as part of the Sophisticate programme to be well trained in various areas to take on the terrorists.

Cleo's area of knowledge is mostly in computers and hacking, which only gets her into trouble as she tries to track down who her parents.

This causes the strangest of reactions from her, her room becomes engulfed in fire.

Unsure as to why this happened and unwilling to admit she could've possibly done this she tries to ignore it but as her next day in class only leaves her to be transferred to school for mandates that are training as part of the military branch, she realises things are only going to get more complicated.

Especially for someone who faints when holding a gun and has already gotten more than enough attention from the prickly head bitch at the school - Quinby.

What I liked about this book is how real Cleo's struggle was with adapting to a new school but also with all the secrets she starts finding out. Her judgement and reactions are believable and I really liked her growth throughout the book.

"The future wasn't something I could control; I knew that. I just had to control how I handled it."

Another bit that hooked me was the roller derby she has to compete in, I've only read one other book with roller derby and it was so great to read about it more. I loved how it fit into the story and provided a ground for Cleo and Quinby to thrash it out on.

The one downside I had with this book is Ozzy. Ozzy is supposed to he be the hero, the book boyfriend we're gushing over with Cleo, but I just couldn't find it in me to like him. At first I couldn't really place it and I thought he would grow on me more, he was pretty mysterious and seemed to know a lot about Cleo which I had assumed was more his deviation that anything but as it comes to light he was a little too creepy.

Years of stalking, being an assassin and telling me you know everything about me whilst wanting to have kissed me for the last two years when I've only known you for two weeks is not going to make my panties drop. 

I decided to try and ignore how uncomfortable Ozzy made me feel as Cleo is clearly attracted too him and i you choose to believe everything he says, he is really only looking out for her and the others. I moved on and enjoyed the book.

That was until Ozzy decided to go all straight white boy texting on her and flaunt about in a fedora.

Yes he may be well built, good with weapons and good looking but a fedora is a fedora.

The following quote happens shortly after Cleo turns down him and the dress he's bought her to wear to the dance:

"Ozzy: I was hoping to have dreams about you wearing it.

Me: Well, you'll just have to dream about me without it.

Okay I realised my mistake too late.

Me: That's not what I meant and you know it.

Ozzy: Too late. Good night, Cleo. Sweet dreams I know mine will be."

The reason this really threw me off Ozzy is because Cleo has made it pretty clear up until now that she isn't 100% sure she wants anything to do with him and he's so pushy with her and kissing her to "help her make up her mind" and it just makes me feel very uncomfortable. 

Cleo doesn't really seem to think so eventually but it just didn't sit right with me and I hope in the second book he'll calm down a bit and I'll be able to like him more.

He's the only reason its not five stars really. Ooops.

Anyhow, aside from that I really enjoyed reading this book and was really hooked the other day when I finished it. I couldn't put it down because its such a gripping ending and what people will have to keep in mind is that this book is 430 pages so we aren't thrown straight into the action and all-knowing parts, it takes its time, builds up all the important characters and their abilities (yes Cleo isn't the only one) and I definitely think as everything is already laid out, plus a small twist, that the second book will not suffer from second book syndrome and will be a thrilling read too.