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4.71 AVERAGE
4.71 AVERAGE
'Faded' by Melanie Hooyenga is the third installment in her 'Flicker Effect' series. It is not always true that a series can get better with each new book, but it is certainly true of Hooyenga's writing. The main plot point in 'Faded' is the same as in 'Flicker' and 'Fracture' - main character Biz has the ability to time travel, or "flicker," as she calls it, and she has learned that it can come at a cost, despite also sometimes being a saving grace.
Having been unable to save someone close to her in the second book, 'Fracture,' after several flickering attempts to do so, she tries to come to terms with the idea that everything happens for a reason. Determining that she should be just like everyone else who has to live with the consequences of their actions, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a difficult situation. She has been caught drunk driving and taken in by the police. This is due to her flickering, but she can't tell anyone. Besides her parents, ex-boyfriend, best friend, and doctor, no one knows. Her wariness about stopping everything is compounded by some cryptic e-mails coming her way, claiming to know about her ability. Even though these e-mails don't say anything she doesn't know, Biz doesn't like the idea that someone has power over her to share her life's details without her permission.
She wonders whether her doctor, Martinez, is behind it all. She internally questions whether her ex-boyfriend and potential reignited love interest, Cameron, could have anything to do with it, but she continually settles back on Martinez as being the likely candidate for double-crossing her. She also has to deal with the trial of Mr. Turner, her former photojournalism teacher, who was arrested in the first book, 'Flicker,' for kidnapping and holding at least a couple of girls, including Cameron's sister, Katie, for many years. He had also tried to kidnap Biz, but since she flickered while he was doing it, he has no memory of it. She, however, is stuck with the thought of him doing so, and when the trial comes later in this novel, readers may find themselves feeling right there in the thick of it, breathing in and out and hoping that Biz can survive the onslaught of emotions threatening to overcome her.
Much of the novel deals with Biz struggling with her father's deteriorating health and likely death due to his own flickering over the years. She struggles with how to figure out who is threatening her and how to have relationships with people who don't understand her true self. At times the story seemed to be a bit repetitious, going over the same ideas about Martinez, Biz's struggle to figure her life out, etc. Yet readers will find themselves wanting the story to continue, and the 400+ pages of this novel will be a welcome touch, especially since the last several chapters of the novel propel the story along and answer some questions. Even though some answers are still left somewhat up in the air, most readers will be satisfied with how it ends.
Anyone who loves contemporary young adult romance or the idea of time travel will want to go out and pick up this series right away. If more of Biz's story ever comes out, that will also be a must read!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Having been unable to save someone close to her in the second book, 'Fracture,' after several flickering attempts to do so, she tries to come to terms with the idea that everything happens for a reason. Determining that she should be just like everyone else who has to live with the consequences of their actions, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a difficult situation. She has been caught drunk driving and taken in by the police. This is due to her flickering, but she can't tell anyone. Besides her parents, ex-boyfriend, best friend, and doctor, no one knows. Her wariness about stopping everything is compounded by some cryptic e-mails coming her way, claiming to know about her ability. Even though these e-mails don't say anything she doesn't know, Biz doesn't like the idea that someone has power over her to share her life's details without her permission.
She wonders whether her doctor, Martinez, is behind it all. She internally questions whether her ex-boyfriend and potential reignited love interest, Cameron, could have anything to do with it, but she continually settles back on Martinez as being the likely candidate for double-crossing her. She also has to deal with the trial of Mr. Turner, her former photojournalism teacher, who was arrested in the first book, 'Flicker,' for kidnapping and holding at least a couple of girls, including Cameron's sister, Katie, for many years. He had also tried to kidnap Biz, but since she flickered while he was doing it, he has no memory of it. She, however, is stuck with the thought of him doing so, and when the trial comes later in this novel, readers may find themselves feeling right there in the thick of it, breathing in and out and hoping that Biz can survive the onslaught of emotions threatening to overcome her.
Much of the novel deals with Biz struggling with her father's deteriorating health and likely death due to his own flickering over the years. She struggles with how to figure out who is threatening her and how to have relationships with people who don't understand her true self. At times the story seemed to be a bit repetitious, going over the same ideas about Martinez, Biz's struggle to figure her life out, etc. Yet readers will find themselves wanting the story to continue, and the 400+ pages of this novel will be a welcome touch, especially since the last several chapters of the novel propel the story along and answer some questions. Even though some answers are still left somewhat up in the air, most readers will be satisfied with how it ends.
Anyone who loves contemporary young adult romance or the idea of time travel will want to go out and pick up this series right away. If more of Biz's story ever comes out, that will also be a must read!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
I just finished all three Flicker novels in less than a week.
My other two reviews are posted for their respective books, but I gave Flicker a 2.5 rating (rounded up to 3), Fractured a 3.5 rating (rounded up to 4), and Faded comes in the strongest of the bunch with a strong 4 rating.
The strongest relationship in the trilogy is between Biz and her dad, and it's in the forefront here. I probably made a mistake reading the final chapter on the anniversary of my dad's passing, but that storyline was pitch perfect. Strong kudos on the characterization of Amelia as well.
The end of Fractured cemented Biz's conclusion that you can't change the past and expect to get away with it. I fully expected the undoing of the angsty opening plot of Faded to be a central plot push, and it wasn't even considered, and that made the story stronger.
A lot of my complaints from the earlier novels dealt with pacing. Biz would rescue the little girl, but never considered rescuing victims earlier in the storyline. I appreciated that Biz considered this as she found herself on the other side of the situation.
I respected the decision to cast Cameron as an antagonist at the end of Fractured. His chemistry with Biz was troubling, and that decision really comes home to roost in Faded. His line about forgiveness almost detonated their relationship, and the way the characters ended off in a place that was complicated and dirty and I can respect that. I didn't expect it.
I wasn't sure what to make of the Martinez plot. His intent to use Biz was pretty clear from the beginning (although I wasn't sure if there was a conspiracy that he was involved in), and that's effectively where he ends up without a real curveball. The Shelly plot I could have done without. Her intent to threaten Biz really didn't contribute anything, and my prediction was it was actually someone trying to help Biz. (The threat read to me like a warning.) It just seemed silly and only teaches us that our photography teachers are trying to destroy us. :)
What I did love was where Biz ended the story, ready to take on the world, cautious but not hiding and ready to take what comes her way. I do wish there was firmer resolution to the Martinez threat. There was the implication that there would be fallout, and none of it burns him. I would have loved for her to have made it clear to him that she could Flicker and destroy his career, with the reader knowing she would never do it but that she easily could. Something to throw him off. It wasn't necessary but who wouldn't love to see him get in a fender bender or something. Anything to ruin his night. :)
So all in all, the Flicker trilogy was a satisfying story that had some issues with pacing and an error here and there. (There's a reference to the first time Katie kills herself, when it really means the second, etc.) I may not be the target audience, but a lot of the foreshadowing seems intended to clue the reader in first while Biz trails behind (Dad and Quinn flickering, the bracelet.) The characterizations were compelling by the end, but it was a somewhat messy ride getting there, with a few exceptions (Martinez was a drain.) Maybe that's just life. Certainly, each story improved on the one before it, and I'd love to see how it all works out.
I'd recommend this series.
My other two reviews are posted for their respective books, but I gave Flicker a 2.5 rating (rounded up to 3), Fractured a 3.5 rating (rounded up to 4), and Faded comes in the strongest of the bunch with a strong 4 rating.
The strongest relationship in the trilogy is between Biz and her dad, and it's in the forefront here. I probably made a mistake reading the final chapter on the anniversary of my dad's passing, but that storyline was pitch perfect. Strong kudos on the characterization of Amelia as well.
The end of Fractured cemented Biz's conclusion that you can't change the past and expect to get away with it. I fully expected the undoing of the angsty opening plot of Faded to be a central plot push, and it wasn't even considered, and that made the story stronger.
A lot of my complaints from the earlier novels dealt with pacing. Biz would rescue the little girl, but never considered rescuing victims earlier in the storyline. I appreciated that Biz considered this as she found herself on the other side of the situation.
I respected the decision to cast Cameron as an antagonist at the end of Fractured. His chemistry with Biz was troubling, and that decision really comes home to roost in Faded. His line about forgiveness almost detonated their relationship, and the way the characters ended off in a place that was complicated and dirty and I can respect that. I didn't expect it.
I wasn't sure what to make of the Martinez plot. His intent to use Biz was pretty clear from the beginning (although I wasn't sure if there was a conspiracy that he was involved in), and that's effectively where he ends up without a real curveball. The Shelly plot I could have done without. Her intent to threaten Biz really didn't contribute anything, and my prediction was it was actually someone trying to help Biz. (The threat read to me like a warning.) It just seemed silly and only teaches us that our photography teachers are trying to destroy us. :)
What I did love was where Biz ended the story, ready to take on the world, cautious but not hiding and ready to take what comes her way. I do wish there was firmer resolution to the Martinez threat. There was the implication that there would be fallout, and none of it burns him. I would have loved for her to have made it clear to him that she could Flicker and destroy his career, with the reader knowing she would never do it but that she easily could. Something to throw him off. It wasn't necessary but who wouldn't love to see him get in a fender bender or something. Anything to ruin his night. :)
So all in all, the Flicker trilogy was a satisfying story that had some issues with pacing and an error here and there. (There's a reference to the first time Katie kills herself, when it really means the second, etc.) I may not be the target audience, but a lot of the foreshadowing seems intended to clue the reader in first while Biz trails behind (Dad and Quinn flickering, the bracelet.) The characterizations were compelling by the end, but it was a somewhat messy ride getting there, with a few exceptions (Martinez was a drain.) Maybe that's just life. Certainly, each story improved on the one before it, and I'd love to see how it all works out.
I'd recommend this series.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
What a great finish in this trilogy! It was an emotional read (and I admit, I did tear up a few times) but I loved it! Just a great trilogy!
I am looking forward to more books from Melanie!!!
I am looking forward to more books from Melanie!!!