Review - The Athena Effect

Title - The Athena Effect

Author - Derrolyn Anderson

Series - The Athena Effect 

Genre - YA Fantasy Sci-Fi

Published August 29th 2012

Format - Ebook Review Copy

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

Country girl Cali has been kept a secret her entire life, raised in isolation by two very troubled people. Despite her parent’s disturbing fits, Cal is perfectly content to live as one with the nature that surrounds her, finding adventure inside the pages of her beloved books. When an awful tragedy tears her away from her remote cabin in the woods, nothing she’s ever read has prepared her for a world that she knows very little about.

Girls and motorcycles are what bad-boy Cal’s life is all about. Brought up in a raucous party house by his biker brother, he’s free to do as he pleases, going through the motions on his final days of high school. Aimless, Cal stopped thinking about his future a long time ago.

Attacked by a gang of thugs while running an errand for his brother, Cal is in serious trouble until a fierce girl appears out of nowhere to intervene. She chases off three grown men, sparing Cal a brutal beating before disappearing into the night like a spirit. He can’t stop thinking about his mysterious rescuer, and when she turns out to be the weird new girl at school who goes out of her way to avoid him, he can’t contain his curiosity. 

He’s never met anyone like her before, and the more he learns about the unusual girl who shares his nickname, the more he wants to know. Cal can’t help falling for Cal, but can he keep her from falling victim to a dangerous enemy from her parent’s tragic past?

Review

I received The Athena Effect in return for an honest review from the author. Cali has grown up living a quiet life in the mountains being home schooled and learning to live off the land. When she suddenly loses her parents to a freak motorcycle accident she is forced to live with her aunt who she’s never met till she turns 18. Cali grew up a simple life so moving in with her aunt is more than she could have imagined. Cal could doesn’t worry about graduating, he’s been all about girls parties and motorcycles since he father went to prison for the accident that killed his mother.

At least he didn't care till the night Cali saved his life, changing both of their futures in ways neither one could imagine. When Cali avoids him at school after saving his life she sparks his interest. Most girls throw themselves at him but she’s the exception, soon he can't stop thinking about her because he’s never met anyone like her. Suddenly the truth about her past begins to come out, learning why her parents have hidden her in the woods all these years. 

I love Cali she’s a sweetheart, I think growing up in the woods she learned to survive which gives her an edge in the concrete jungle that other country girls wouldn't have. Plus we have Cal he’s a bad-boy but he protects and saves Cali. Together they both are missing something that they need to survive but together they are whole, each matching the others weakness. 

I was super excited to start The Athena Effect it’s a unique concept that instantly captured my imagination. The story is an intricate web of mystery, adventure and romance that combine to create an exciting first installment. The author has mixed sci-fi with reality creating a fantastic story that spurs the imagination. I was captivated right from the start unable to put the book down sneaking it with me at the dog park to read while my puppy played. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series. 

4 out of 5 stars