{YA Minute Review} Exceptional (Exceptional #1) by Jess Petosa

{YA Minute Review} Exceptional (Exceptional #1) by Jess Petosa

In the future, things are anything but ordinary...

In 2022, the United States commissioned a group of scientists to experiment with genetic mutations. Their goal was to create a serum that would alter the human genetic code, making the subject stronger and faster. They succeeded but their victory was short lived. Not only had they created a super serum, but also an airborne virus. By 2025, seventy-five percent of the world's population had perished. The survivors, well their lives would never be the same.

175 A.V.

Ally is an Ordinary; a human immune to the virus. She lives in a settlement outside the City with her mother and twin brother, but lately it doesn't seem to be enough. She is wrestling between being with her family and volunteering to move to the City, where she can work for the Exceptionals.

Luke is an Exceptional; a superior human being. His ancestors were infected with the virus and lived through it, leaving their super human strength and special abilities to him. He has never given much thought to Ordinarys, despite pressure from his father to choose one from the ORC. But all of that changes when he meets Ally... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 1st Edition. Published February 24th 2012 by Jess Petosa (first published February 15th 2012). Source: Kindle lending library

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked some things about it

{Review}

"In the year 2022, the United States government began experimenting with gene mutations." (page 1, line 1)

I thought the concept had a lot going for it, the exceptionals and the ordinaries, the different worlds they lived in, the big conspiracy that's revealed. Although I did think there was too much telling and too little showing Petosa did do a good job of painting a scary, yet possible, future.

I liked the main characters, strong, loyal, caring Ally and good guy Luke who starts questioning his world as he comes to care for Ally. I did think things were too easy emotionally, they were too forgiving - the entire idea of the ORC is abhorrent, how could anyone think that was okay? There are a few surprises along the way and a bit of action before ending with a cliffhanger with the story continuing in book two Rogue.