Book Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Title: Solid
Author:  Shelley Workinger
Publisher: CreateSpace


Summary

Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they forge new friendships, find love, develop "super-abilities," and even unearth a conspiracy.

My Review

Ok the summary doesn't really tell you a whole lot about the story, but it does cover the basics.  The main character Clio (Calliope) goes to spend some time at a "camp" for these kids that have just found out they were "experiments" - experiments even their parents weren't aware of.  The military brings them in under the story that they want to to find out if the experiments done on them before they were born have affected them in anyway.  At first everything seems legit, but as Clio goes along she develops more and more questions.  She and her new friends at the camp set out to find out if their thoughts are correct.


This story pulled me in right away because I liked Clio and because from the start I didn't trust the story the military has given to these kids and their parents.  I wanted to know what the "real" story was. And because I liked Clio I  wanted to know what she would do about it.  I didn't say how she would react, but I knew she would do more than react.  I knew she would DO something about it.  It was great to have a character well enough crafted that, like a real person, you knew she'd not just roll over and accept the circumstances.  I also liked how, yes they has some sort of super power, but the book's focus was on way more than that. Actually the whole powers part was pretty down-played, and I was ok with that.


The mystery of the whole situation was well done with some great twists that I didn't see coming.  Nothing is worse than a book with a mystery that is easily figured out before the character does.  Had that happened I would've stopped reading!  I definitely was surprised by a few things that were revealed.  But there is still plenty of the mystery yet to be figured out, so I definitely want to continue reading.  I mean this book has a nice wrap up for book's story, but there is much more that is unknown.


The supporting characters were good if not a bit stereotyped - not overly so but a bit.  There was the nervous girl, the athletic guy, the nice boy (Clio's love interest) and the odd girl.  But even being a big stereotyped, they did fit well together making a believable group of friends.  I did like how the one friend Miranda grew on the rest of them throughout the book - she even grew on me :)  


The only slight problem I had with the story was how accepting the parents were of everything.  As parent I think i would've been asking a ton more questions.  I was able to suspend my thoughts on this though and just accept their reactions and actions as normal.


Last I want to mention the love story between Jack and Clio - it was sweet, really sweet.  And I LOVED that they didn't decide that they were destined to be together forever and inexplicably drawn to each other.  They were attracted to each other like teenagers should be!  It was nice to see.  Clio was cute in her over reactions and confusion.  So typical of that age!


For the Guys?  It could be because there are 2 male characters that play a larger role.


Final Thought:  Nice book with great mystery
Best stick-with-you image:  The stars in Jack's room
Best for readers who:  Like to figure out the "real" story
Best for ages: 12+

If you've read Solid and want to read the sequel, Setting, the price for both the print and ebook has been lower!  Check HERE.