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author, book reviews, book, books, characters, fiction, freaks of nature, freaks of nature by Wendy brotherlin, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, science fiction, scifi, stories, story, super powers, Wendy brotherlin, write, writer, writing, young adult
Genre: Young Adult, SciFi, Super Powers
Pages: 248
Point of View: Third (Devon) First (Vahn, Nevada, Alya, Miguel, Devon)
Released: May 6th 2015
Series: The Psion Chronicles 1
Predictability: 3 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 8/10 Stars
My Summary:
In the future a vaccine caused teenagers to be born with bright blue eyes and super powers. The adults want to control these psions, so they’re taken from their families and placed in facilities.
Devon thinks he has the lamest power in the world, plant talker. After he escapes from a facility he’s placed on a plane with other escapees. One is a mind reader named Bai Lee and she has a plan to escape. If the others agree to replay their escapes she’ll let them go with her.
My Review:
I’ve been on a super powers kick lately, so when I read the unique premise of Freaks of Nature I couldn’t resist. And I wasn’t disappointed!
The good:
The main story is told by Devon in third person, but the flashbacks are told in first, which easily could’ve been confusing but actually worked well. The voices of the five points of view were unique enough that I didn’t confuse them. (Though it probably helped that I didn’t put the book down much)
The world felt very dystopian. (Maybe not for the teens, there was little illusion of good there) It must be hard to come up with original super powers and most of them had been done before, but they weren’t boring and they all had something special about them. The psi-blade was the most unique, creating weapons and armor from their bodies, but my favorite was the plant talker.
I also liked Devon’s personality best, (which is good since he’s the main character) he’d been bullied relentlessly for his lame power at the facility, but he was still a strong good person. He’s also the funniest, though most of the humor comes from his ability. (I loved the personalities of the plants!)
Nevada, a senator’s daughter who acts out for attention came off a bit mean at first, but she was really a nice girl. I appreciated that in her flashback she was still true to herself and a bit abrasive at times.
Alya the Romanian healer was a sweet girl and I liked her connection to Devon.
There was a little romance and considering they’d only really known each other a few hours (circumstances notwithstanding) it did feel a bit fast, but it was sweet, so I liked it.
The plot was fast paced and there were really only a couple of parts that I wanted to go a little faster.
The Bad:
Vahn’s point of view was the most exciting, but it was also the longest. (A little too long if you ask me.) The action was well done, it was just missing that ‘the character comes up with something cool/smart to win’. The author tried, but it fell a bit flat for me.
The other point of view I didn’t care for was Miguel’s, but his was short and all of his preying was in italics so it was easy to skip. (Miguel is very religious and if he didn’t have super powers he’d have been a padre)
Overall: A quick fun book that was part super powers and part dystopian. (In feel)
Do you prefer fist person or third person point of view? First will always be my favorite, because it feels like I’m really the character. Third limited is okay too, but I like to be close.
Woven Magic Books 
Haven’t heard of this before but love the sound of it!! Im the same and am digging the superhero books at the moment. Have you read Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson?? Loved that book.
Anyway, great review and I’ve added this to my (ever growing) list.
There seem to be quite a few super powers books right now, which is fine by me. Yeah, I loved Steelheart! You bought it for me as a matter of fact. 😉
Thanks. I hope you like it!
Saw this book for the first time last week on another blog, and was immediately drawn to that cover. After I read the synopsis, I was hooked. It now sits on my wish list and I can’t wait to read it. Glad you enjoyed it, and great review!
I hadn’t heard of it before I saw it on Netgalley. I hope that you like it. Thanks.
It’s nice to have a world like that, a dystopian one and the story sounds different too, isn’t that great? I always like that! thanks for the discovery!
I usually like different stories too. You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it!
It has been a really long time since I have read a book with superpowers featured in it. This sounds pretty good and like the different POVs were handled well even if you didn’t like each person.
Wonderful review! I’ll have to keep this one in mind. 😀
I’ve been reading a bunch of super powers books lately. It’s weird, but I liked all of the characters if not their points of view. Thanks! I hope you find time for it. Not sure if it’s your cup of tea, but it was fun.
Eh.
I am a 3rd person girl, dunno why
So many people are. Maybe it’s just that first can be annoying if done poorly.
I prefer third person narration for sure! It’s hard to connect with first person for so many personal reasons (i.e. tone of voice, personality, etc.), but yeah, I like when the author tells the story.
On another note, I love superheroes and pretty much everything that has to do with super powers. I’m curious about this one! Thanks for putting it on my radar 🙂
Another third person lover! I guess it’s just easier to get right.
I love super heroes too! I hope you like this one.
I do love stories with superpowers too, I don’t know why, but books like that always grab my attention. I haven’t heard of this one before, but I may add it to the list:-)
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a weakness for super powers. This one is quite good. If you fit it in I hope you like it too
This looks really good Molly! I’ve been hooked on superpower books since Steelheart. I think if I had to choose, I’d pick first person, mainly for the same reason.
I’ve always loved super powers so I’m glad that they’re so popular right now. I love Steelheart too! I’m glad there’s a couple of us first person lovers out there.
It’s a kind of Renaissance for super heroes!
This actually sounds REALLY good! Honestly, I’d have probably overlooked it, but thanks to your review, I think I shall be checking it out. First, I love a dystopian feel. And I LOVE that there is a sense of humor to the whole thing. Yes, I am intrigued! And I am with you, I DO prefer first person, but if third works in the situation, then I can handle it.
It was good. I think if there’s a sequel it will be more dystopian too. Yay I’m glad you’ll check this out, hope you like it. Humor helps so much! I’m glad there’s another first person lover here!
Told in third person but the flashbacks are in first? and it works? That is impressive.
Yeah. The first to third flip was odd, but with the first being visions and the distinct voices it worked.
breaking the rules and making it work 🙂
Most of the books I’ve read were in third person, but I recently got Storm Siren, which is in first person, and I find that I enjoy first person just as much. It’s my first time reading in first person, and it’s very different in a good way. 🙂
This book sounds like a good one, btw!
I agree. If first person is done well it’s really good! I enjoyed Storm Siren. Well except for that ending haha! This was a fun read.