The Unadjusteds

By Marisa Noelle
Science Fiction – Dystopia / Young Adult

(This book will be released November 1st, 2019 but you can pre-order now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository)

My Synopsis
In the future you can take pills to alter your DNA giving you all kinds of gifts or powers depending on what you’d like; fairy wings, strength, intelligence, you name it. But they aren’t perfect, you can’t always get the pill you want, and taking too many or the wrong one can kill you. The main character, Silver Melody is proud of her unadjusted state, and against the pills due to her friends death. Silver’s parents happen to be the scientists who developed these pills but they did not intend for their overuse or their side effects.  When they refuse to continue their work, her mom is put in jail for treason and her dad is under strict observation, all three end up enemies of the government. So when the president announces everyone must take these pills or else – chaos breaks out, humanity is threatened, and Silver is on the run with a few other unadjusted friends hoping to stop this takeover and release her mom from prison.

Why I picked this book
I saw a request on Twitter by the author asking for book bloggers to read and review her book. Of course I reached out. Marissa Noelle was kind enough to send me her ebook to read this past summer. I have never met Marissa Noelle, nor was I paid to read/review this book. Just authors supporting authors. (can I say I’m author even if I’m unpublished?)

What was disappointing

First – I didn’t really bond with Silver. I don’t know why.  I was easily attached to other characters in this story so why not Silver? I have no idea. But then again, you don’t have to love main characters right way & all the time do you? (Artemis Fowl anyone?)

Second – much of the story was predictable. But this is a common issue with me. I am known for predicting plot twists and figuring out “who-done-it” well before others. People don’t enjoy watching movies with me because I figure things out too quickly. And yes, I knew Bruce Willis was dead in Sixth Sense all along, so you can imagine my disappointment when the entire movie hung on that “reveal”.  Sorry, that’s just how my brain works. So a tad disappointing, but I’m used to it.

Why I kept reading
Because it was fun dammit! Dystopian teenage action story with kids who can fly, teleport, have super speed and more? Yes please! And I may have felt that Silver didn’t have enough connection with me but she certainly had a typical high school prejudice with peer groups that I think anyone can relate to. (jocks, nerds, etc. you know the deal) I found those stereotypes fun to see in an “adjusted” version.

Takeaway
The UnAdjusteds  is a fast paced story that you have trouble putting down. For all my doubts and questions I wanted to keep going with Silver and her hodgepodge mess of “friends” she ends up with. I certainly loved some of the other characters more than I did Silver, but perhaps that was intentional. Either way, I certainly wanted to see them through this mess.

Final thoughts
I just don’t think you can go wrong with this story. Anyone who is a fan of dystopian action-packed adventures will enjoy this, PLUS – it’s meshed with super powers! How can you not eat this up. Did I mention it comes out this week? Perfect time for gift giving! And uh, do I smell a sequel? Let’s hope so!

Post-script

I Took The Quiz
I’m happily unadjusted Matt – but if I did take a Nanite, it would be for speed!