Apolonia

by Jamie McGuire

[Cocktails and Books]

3.5 Stars

I haven't read a good sci fi book in a while, so I was ready for one when Apolonia came my way. But it's a sci fi book that doesn't show it's sci fi colors until over halfway through the book.

APOLONIA is the story of college junior Rory Riordan, who is living but not really. She doesn't have friends, putting up a wall to protect herself from any future hurt when they go away. She trusts no one. Not her family friend and mentor, Dr. Z, not Benji who's followed her around for two years and definitely not Cyrus the new boy in class who's suddenly Dr. Z assistant too. But as both Benji and Cyrus start to break through her defensive walls, Rory finds herself in the middle of a cat and mouse game she could never imagine. And the two people she trusts the most aren't exactly what they seem.

Rory was a tough character to like. She was closed off, rude and most of the time someone you don't want to be near. But after her back story comes out, you can understand why she's the way she is. She's lost everything and she's determined not to care for anyone in fear of losing even more. And as she finally starts to give into Benji and Cyrus, you can see just how much Rory needs someone and how afraid she is to end up alone again. But despite those fears, when she needs to she believes in both Benji and Cyrus and is willing to fight and die to help both of them.

Jamie McGuire does a great job of keeping you guessing in Benji and Cyrus. Are they who you think you are, despite little clues that might not be. Should you trust them to the same level Rory does or is she being taken. Right up until almost the very end of the story I was on the fence about one or both of the characters.

The story is slow building, but when we get to the good stuff it's an action packed ride that you don't want to get off of. The story had the perfect mix of action, suspense and a romance that was hard fought (at least for one character). It was one I'm glad I was able to read.