The Athena Effect

by Derrolyn Anderson

• ISBN10: 1476059276
• ISBN13: 9781476059273
• Publish Date: 2012
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 221
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelsenator]

For more reviews make sure to visit my blog Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf!

The description above tells a lot about what happens in the beginning of the book, aside from the cute romance and the reason behind Cali’s special gift, so I won’t go into detail about it.

First let’s talk about the characters. Both have the nickname Cal, but as the story goes on they get differentiated to help not confuse us; Cali (Caledonia) and Calvin. Cali has lived a very sheltered life in the wood, with no hot water or electricity, but she was actually very happy growing up. As she comes into the big city, she has to learn so many things and adapt, but she manages to do it and still be fascinated. She has a special power, where she can sense emotions in people and animals in the form of colours. This power can also manipulate those emotions, to calm for instance. I really liked her strong character, she was smart and kind and fun to read about too.

Calvin is the tough guy with a motorcycle and player for all the girls. When he meets Cali, he starts to change. Nothing dramatic that’s unbelievable, but he starts to notice her, to try to get her to talk. He can’t stop thinking about her, even though she’s sometimes frustrating, and the fact that she’s different than other girls makes him fall hard. He’s actually a really nice and sweet guy, but over the years he’s hardened up because of what happened to his family and their loss.

The first half of the story focuses on Cali’s adaptation to her new life, Calvin chasing after her and their romance budding, which was super cute by the way! There are some implied sex scenes, but nothing that’s too graphic. (Totally random, but when they did have sex, my Kobo said it was at 69% done! It made my day.) After that, the rest of the plot comes up, which involves her powers and the history behind them. Of course there’s much more than you’d think, including a crazy old guy who has the mad-scientist thing going on.

The structure of the story goes through the different perspectives of the characters. It switches during the chapter, but once you get used to it it’s really not that confusing. I only wish that they started figuring some of the stuff about the Athena powers earlier on in the book so it could have had more time to sink in. There was also mention of another book out in 2013 continuing this series, so I’ll be waiting to see what happens next!

[Hixxup]

This is a book I would want to read over an over. It caught my interest from the beginning, and when I say it kept my interest, I mean it kept me up all night long I think I went to sleep at 7:30 this morning, with 91% read by the time I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. Then of course I finished it up this afternoon. This is a cross I feel between Young Adults, and Urban Fantasy. It's a book that older teens and Adults of all ages could enjoy.

This is about a girl name Cal (Caledonia)who lives with her parents in the middle of no where in Eureka. She was happy in ignorant of the world outside. But then her parents die in a tragic accident and she is sent to live with her aunt she never even knew about. She's overwhelmed by everything, cause not only is the world new to here, but she can see people's emotions. So she tries get through her day with her head low, disappearing into the world. Until she catches the eye of one seemingly bad boy named Cal (Calvin). Quinky dink on the names right, I think it's cute. But one night she rescues Calvin from getting beat up by some "ruffians". And from there, he was drawn to her, falling more and more in love with her each day. She made him feel alive, and made him look towards the future, and he showed her things of the world, loving the way she would light up with everything. They fell in love, and it was a great kind of love. Soul mate kind of love.

However, every story needs it's conflict, something that throws a wrench into things. Well of course this one isn't any exception. Come to find out the reason to why Caledonia is the way she is with her being able to see emotions. Her parents were part of an experiment that was supposed to messed with their genes, instead it messed with their heirs genes. So Caledonia, and this other girl Lyla both have two different color eyes and both can see and through emotions. Professor Teddy the one who has orchestrated the Athena project. He finds out about Caledonia and wants her so he kidnaps her. he's pretty weird making the children live in rooms made up like dollhouses and dressed them in like 50's styled clothing very odd. But Cali wasn't buying any of it. She wanted out, she wanted to get back to Calvin, and Calvin is trying to get Cali back. Well Calvin does find her, Caledonia climbs down a bedsheet to get to her love.

Well Max, The head of Professor Teddys guards, he had something up his sleeve, and after Cali escaped, he revealed to Professor Teddy that he wiped him out financially and has is taking the twins with him, and that he has his own plans for them. Which makes you think UH OH & YAY another book.

I cannot wait until then next book is out, this is a series I could really sink my teeth into.