control (edition 2013)

Zel and Dyl's lives are torn apart after their father dies in a magpod accident. In this dystopian U.S., Dyl is forcibly carted off to Aureus, an underground corporation, while Marka brings Zel to a safe house of sorts. The residents there have special traits and are hidden away so they cannot be manipulated by the team at Aureus. Zel is determined to save her sister from the abuse at Aureus. Dystopia, mad science, and malformed teen creatures (two-headed, green-skinned, electric hands...)...it's a wild ride for those who hang on. ( )

Originally seen on Emily Reads Everything

This book had several things going for it.

The main character, Zel, suffers from Ondine's Curse. This is the nickname for two real disease and could refer to either congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) or primary alveolar hypoventilation. Basically, Zel's brain doesn't tell her lungs to breathe automatically like everyone else's does. Zel has to constantly remember to breathe. She also wears a device that pulls air into her lungs on a regular basis, but Zel doesn't like wearing it.
Zel is rescued and spirited away to a secret mutant refuge, only don't call them mutants because marvel has that copyrighted. It was half Hogwarts half Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Interesting concept.
Government conspiracy theories. I love a good conspiracy.
Unfortunately, I thought the synopsis made the book sound better than it actually was. I'm in a time crunch on vacation so I'm going to explain these in bullets as well.

The faux-mutants were kind of boring. There was one who was the tortured love interest who had super healing (Wolverine?), The one who was green and controlled plants (Poison Ivy?), the one who had a second head and handled all their technology concerns (Beast?) and then the one who had the best power of all... super nose. She could identify every scent. Yay...
The secret mutant refuge should have been amazing, but it really wasn't. It turned out they were locked in and were not supposed to leave. This was because society couldn't or wouldn't accept them, or something? It wasn't clearly explained. However, not once was this demonstrated. I was left wondering why exactly did they have to stay hidden? Classic example of Show not Tell. Plus it was supposed to be like a hidden base but it seemed like everyone, even the opposing forces knew where they were located.
This book just didn't catch my attention at all. I didn't click with it. I finished it but I don't have any desire to read the next one. The twist was boring and predictable from the beginning. There are better books out there to read.

When Zelia's father dies in a tragic accident, she and her sister Dylia are brought to an orphanage and genetically tested. Dyl is abruptly taken away from her, and Zel is taken in by Marka and a band of misfit teens that all have some kind of genetic anomaly - four arms, a second brain, and green skin to name a few. Marka is in charge of a safe house, and says that another group, Aureus, has taken Dyl because of some trait introduced in her genes. Each of the kids at the safe house also have a trait, and have been working in labs to isolate it and see if it can be useful and marketable in the real world, even though they themselves are pretty much outlawed. Zel knows she isn't anything special, but she's determined to rescue her sister no matter what's going on.

My thoughts went back and forth while reading this book. I enjoyed the blend of science and science fiction: Zel has a real medical condition known as "Ondine's curse" which means that her body doesn't breathe automatically, especially when asleep. I became a little frustrated with Zel herself, as she spends much of the time having no idea what's going on and dithering about it instead of finding out. She's not sure who to trust, but she'll take huge risks just in case someone's telling her the truth. The plot takes a little while to get going, but once it does everything moves along fast and it was intriguing enough to make me want to read the conclusion when it comes out next year. ( )

Amazing. I loved all the science aspects. While the characters were not as developed as I would like, the world made up for it.

Zelia is a strong female character who will do whatever it takes to get her sister back and get her "family" safe. Can't wait for the next book! ( )

Rating: 3.75 stars

This book seriously lacked character development and I felt like I couldn't really relate to any of the characters, but overall it was interesting and I'm excited to see how this series will continue.

My Goodreads: fantasticalcatherine ( )