Review: Transparent (Natalie Whipple)

Title: Transparent
Series: originally standalone, now duology
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 21, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Reality Superhero
Content Rating: Teen (some swearing, minor violence and kissing)
Told: First Person (Fiona), Present Tense
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.

*          *          *

Three Words: Fun. Quick. Mutants.

Cover: Colorful and bright - love it.

Writing: Light and fun. I breezed through it in under 48 hours.

Setting: The world as we know it, but with one big difference: an anti-radiation pill invented during the Cold War caused abnormalities down the generations, and now most everyone has some form of mutation, from the minute (pointy ears, smelling like roses) to the extreme (invisibility, telekinesis, flight). Think X-Men, but the mutants are a majority.

Story: Described as The Godfather meets X-Men - aka The Mob meets mutants - and rightly so. The story is a simple one, following Fiona's journey as she learns to trust others and finds her strength. This simplicity made it a refreshing and easy read that's perfect for lazy summer days, or when you need a break from more heady books. There was a small twist at the end that, while I unconsciously saw it coming, was still a bit of a surprise, and it's totally worth reading the book over again to look for all the foreshadowing. (You can take my word for it - I read it twice! ;)

Characters: Fiona was a girl struggling with her identity, not only because of her lack of one (she doesn't even know what she looks like!) but because of her controlling father who has dictated her entire life. Away from him, she is at a loss for what to do and who to believe, and her journey to find herself and discover what she wants was one I could relate to. Seth was aggravating and argumentative but eventually sweet and protective, so just like Fiona I couldn't stay mad at him for too long. Brady was a total teddy bear - gentle and cuddly, but threaten anyone he loved and he'd rip you apart (literally). Bea was an awesome gal friend, and The Pack rounded off the group nicely (although I think skin-crawling Carlos we could've done without).

Romantic Relationship: All the feels. I can't say who she ends up with in the end without ruining it a little, but I absolutely adored them together.

Conclusion: I'd been looking forward to this book for over a year, and it did not disappoint - a quick, fun and refreshing read that's perfect for summer! I can't wait to see what Natalie gives us next.

For Fans Of: The Curseworkers Series by Holly Black.

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles