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shandra's review
4.0
Would you pull the trigger if someone offered you a magic bullet?
Alterations by Jane Suen asks the reader to examine their own motivations towards self-improvement by showcasing how three different women -Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly- choose to take the fast-track toward their goals. I've always loved the adage 'Be careful what you wish for---you just might get it.' I love how Suen captures the feeling of caution in the three conjoined stories within Alterations. There's a sense of tension to the reading which kept me motivated to read straight through to the finish.
Every one of the female protagonists is seeking something the reader can relate to on a basic human level. Gigi wants good health. Ellen wants to be thin enough to be considered attractive by the cumulative norm. Lilly wants her youth restored to her after feeling as if her ex-husband stole it during their failed marriage. Health, weight loss, youth: all of these are desirable on a basic level yet what would the sacrifice for any one of these priceless states of being truly entail?
Dr. Kite is the common thread between all the stories. He offers a microchip which can instantly grant the one it's implanted in what they most desire without invasive surgery or long healing time. There's a very Dr. Frankenstein feel to Kite which I appreciated a great deal. His self-importance bleeds through the pages in a way which showcases to the reader how this man truly believes himself above the law, above nature, above everything, making him a really fantastic mad scientist.
Alterations changes perspectives between each story rather than between each female protagonist. I found this distracting at times; I tend to prefer shorts to read straight through from one story to the next without interruption yet I will say Suen managed to keep me interested enough to want to finish the entire piece which speaks to her talent as a writer. There were some clunky perspective changes, dangling plot points, and I do feel Lilly was not given the same page-time as Gigi or Ellen which made her less sympathetic as a character, taking away from her storyline as a whole. I can rate Alterations a solid four stars;I look forward to reading more from Suen in the future as Alterations shows she's got amazing potential overall.
Alterations by Jane Suen asks the reader to examine their own motivations towards self-improvement by showcasing how three different women -Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly- choose to take the fast-track toward their goals. I've always loved the adage 'Be careful what you wish for---you just might get it.' I love how Suen captures the feeling of caution in the three conjoined stories within Alterations. There's a sense of tension to the reading which kept me motivated to read straight through to the finish.
Every one of the female protagonists is seeking something the reader can relate to on a basic human level. Gigi wants good health. Ellen wants to be thin enough to be considered attractive by the cumulative norm. Lilly wants her youth restored to her after feeling as if her ex-husband stole it during their failed marriage. Health, weight loss, youth: all of these are desirable on a basic level yet what would the sacrifice for any one of these priceless states of being truly entail?
Dr. Kite is the common thread between all the stories. He offers a microchip which can instantly grant the one it's implanted in what they most desire without invasive surgery or long healing time. There's a very Dr. Frankenstein feel to Kite which I appreciated a great deal. His self-importance bleeds through the pages in a way which showcases to the reader how this man truly believes himself above the law, above nature, above everything, making him a really fantastic mad scientist.
Alterations changes perspectives between each story rather than between each female protagonist. I found this distracting at times; I tend to prefer shorts to read straight through from one story to the next without interruption yet I will say Suen managed to keep me interested enough to want to finish the entire piece which speaks to her talent as a writer. There were some clunky perspective changes, dangling plot points, and I do feel Lilly was not given the same page-time as Gigi or Ellen which made her less sympathetic as a character, taking away from her storyline as a whole. I can rate Alterations a solid four stars;I look forward to reading more from Suen in the future as Alterations shows she's got amazing potential overall.
lzw's review
4.0
Alterations by Jane Suen is a trippy book about the quest for perfection. Three subjects(Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly) have insecurities & imperfections they wish to change, but chose to go about it the easy way. Dr. Kite is the mastermind behind the "your wish is granted" microchip that forever changes these women. The novel is written in third person POV alternating between all four main characters. The book was a fast paced read, however I felt it was somewhat chaotic bouncing around to each of the different characters. Some things were left a bit "up in the air" for me, but overall I gave this a solid 4 stars based on the storyline itself as well as the tension & suspense it held me with. I would definitely check this author again.
bookingbonkers's review
4.0
Alterations by Jane Suen is a short novel that switched between three female characters, Gigi, Ellen and Lily. They all visit Dr Kite in hope of an easy fix to a problem they have. But they all end up getting a bit more than they hoped for.
I found this book to be very interesting and different. It tackles a few moral issues and does them well. Even though it has a futuristic element to it, this book is very realistic and perhaps not a too distant future. The women involved in this story are all believable and want something to be different.
I have not read a book like this before and see great potential with this author. I think the subject matter in this story needed more room to develop but enjoyed this short story. The ending was a rather abrupt ending with leaves me wondering if there could be more to come from this story. I would hope so. I could see this book becoming a really good film or sci fi series.
Even though this book is short, you really get a feel of the individuality of each of the women involved and Dr Kite. I think this books gives way to a sequel and possibly even a prequel that I would most definitely read. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read something unique and different. A good read.
I found this book to be very interesting and different. It tackles a few moral issues and does them well. Even though it has a futuristic element to it, this book is very realistic and perhaps not a too distant future. The women involved in this story are all believable and want something to be different.
I have not read a book like this before and see great potential with this author. I think the subject matter in this story needed more room to develop but enjoyed this short story. The ending was a rather abrupt ending with leaves me wondering if there could be more to come from this story. I would hope so. I could see this book becoming a really good film or sci fi series.
Even though this book is short, you really get a feel of the individuality of each of the women involved and Dr Kite. I think this books gives way to a sequel and possibly even a prequel that I would most definitely read. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read something unique and different. A good read.
piperkitty's review
5.0
This is a very interesting book. It's very fasted paced. I like how each invidial women is portrayed. I like how each of these women become strong I hope their is more enegament in the next book to deepen the characters.
Gigi, Ellen and Lilly each have a problem which they want to fix so they visit Dr. Kite.
Gigi, Ellen and Lilly each have a problem which they want to fix so they visit Dr. Kite.
nikkismiles43's review
5.0
Alterations
By Jane Suen
5/5
Alterations by Jane Suen is a very compelling and thrilling story, you won't be able to put down. Once you start reading it, you'll instantly get sucked into the story and characters.
What happens when you desperately want something sooooo bad, once you get it… it is nothing like you expected.
Three incredibly different women , who are so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the infamous and mysterious Dr. Kite. Who offers them an implant in their brain , that can alter their way of thinking and controls their mind. But not all, is as it appears to be.
Gigi wants to find her one and true love, will she be able to?? Ellen was so desperately to lose weight. She has tried every diet imaginable. But after the implant, will the miraculous weight loss bring her a new love interest she wants more than anything?? Will it bring the self respect she has been longing for years? Lilly went through a terrible divorce. Which has made her an angry and bitter woman. Will she finally be able to put the divorce behind her and move towards a happy future?
But sometimes, your deepest and strongest desire... isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Once in awhile, it will become your worst nightmare!!
You must read this book to see what happens to Gigi,Ellen and Lilly! It will take you on an epic journey like no other ! Wonderful job, Jane! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!
By Jane Suen
5/5
Alterations by Jane Suen is a very compelling and thrilling story, you won't be able to put down. Once you start reading it, you'll instantly get sucked into the story and characters.
What happens when you desperately want something sooooo bad, once you get it… it is nothing like you expected.
Three incredibly different women , who are so desperate to change their lives that they turn to the infamous and mysterious Dr. Kite. Who offers them an implant in their brain , that can alter their way of thinking and controls their mind. But not all, is as it appears to be.
Gigi wants to find her one and true love, will she be able to?? Ellen was so desperately to lose weight. She has tried every diet imaginable. But after the implant, will the miraculous weight loss bring her a new love interest she wants more than anything?? Will it bring the self respect she has been longing for years? Lilly went through a terrible divorce. Which has made her an angry and bitter woman. Will she finally be able to put the divorce behind her and move towards a happy future?
But sometimes, your deepest and strongest desire... isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Once in awhile, it will become your worst nightmare!!
You must read this book to see what happens to Gigi,Ellen and Lilly! It will take you on an epic journey like no other ! Wonderful job, Jane! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!
way2gosmartguy's review
4.0
Alterations by Jane Suen was a good book, and I liked the story idea. It is kinda sci-fi, Divergent style story, of mind altering technology. Just reading the synopsis drew me in, and I was dying to read it. However, I had a hard time following it at first. There were a lot of characters, that it bounced around between, and I had difficulty keeping their stories straight. It wasn't until half way through the book I understood they weren't all going to meet, but rather, had 1 character in common. I feel like the second half was rushed, and the story ended abruptly. It should have been longer, building each story more thoroughly, in my opinion. Over all, it was a decent book, earning a 4 star review. I would read another book by this author, because her imagination is amazing, and I like her characters.
kelli513's review
4.0
Book Review: Alterations
Author: Jane Suen
Four Stars
This book is very short. There is so much more that could be done with it and I am hoping that they take the idea and possibly run with it.
This follows the lives of two women who have decided to change their health, or appearance in some way. And a third woman, well lets just see what happens. They have all been taken to Dr. Kite and he has implanted into them a microchip. The events that happen to them is very strange, some of the results even Dr. Kite can't explain.
This book is full of suspense and questions. It makes you wonder if it is possible that this could happen and no one really know what is happening to them. Could it be the twisted workings of a Dr.? There isn't a whole lot of background on any of the characters. You kind of start up and then it just stops. A very different type of book but it was good. You are just left with you mouth kind of hanging open and questioning " IS that all?"
Kelli Harper
Author: Jane Suen
Four Stars
This book is very short. There is so much more that could be done with it and I am hoping that they take the idea and possibly run with it.
This follows the lives of two women who have decided to change their health, or appearance in some way. And a third woman, well lets just see what happens. They have all been taken to Dr. Kite and he has implanted into them a microchip. The events that happen to them is very strange, some of the results even Dr. Kite can't explain.
This book is full of suspense and questions. It makes you wonder if it is possible that this could happen and no one really know what is happening to them. Could it be the twisted workings of a Dr.? There isn't a whole lot of background on any of the characters. You kind of start up and then it just stops. A very different type of book but it was good. You are just left with you mouth kind of hanging open and questioning " IS that all?"
Kelli Harper
bookwitch92's review
5.0
First things first! Cliff hangers should be illegal! The cliffhanger at the end of this book spartan kicked me off the cliff with no warning and no parachute to slow my fall. This story has amazing storytelling! I was drawn into the book from page one. From Gigi's mental disability, to Ellen's weight loss problem to Lilly's divorce, each person has something that's real world relatable and something that at least one person has experience with. The different perspectives were done seamlessly and wonderful. I didn't get lost on whose perspective I was reading. I was glad you get to see inside Dr. Kite's perspective. Most of the time you don't get to see that.
This book did get me thinking. Are we pretty close to achieving this in real life if we keep going? It spurred so many questions about in real life and it made me question "Would I want something like that?
I enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
This book did get me thinking. Are we pretty close to achieving this in real life if we keep going? It spurred so many questions about in real life and it made me question "Would I want something like that?
I enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
arthistorygirl's review
4.0
Alterations by Jane Suen is a futuristic, psychological thriller. The story is about three women who get an implant put in them to help them with different aspects of their lives. The story is interesting and different from other stories I have read. I enjoyed the three different female characters and the differences between them. They all had relatable aspects and problems that many women deal with daily. The doctor helping them seemed interesting also despite not being in the story much. I really enjoyed the concept and the story. I would have enjoyed a longer book with more background and information about the characters. There seemed more that could have been explored. I hope to read more from this author in the future and will keep an eye out for her books.
shellyk51's review
5.0
This is a medical game of Russian Roulette with chip implants. Who got the defective ones? Gigi, Ellen and Lily all think Dr. Kite can solve their problems with a magical cure but it seems that everything comes with a price...and maybe not all is as it seems. A quick read but a nice intense read. The characters remind me of a medical drama (which I love) so I personally can't wait to read more. Dr. Kite is just the right kind of psycho creepy. Don't mind me ladies, I have an office in most secluded area downtown. I have goosebumps thinking about it. Highly recommend! Must read!