Adaptation

A new sci-fi series mixed up with a romance, government secrets and unusual DNA, Adaptation is the first in an exciting new series.

In an eerie opening to the story, planes are coming down across America, apparently attacked by flocks of birds. Narrator Reese and her crush David, trying to get home from a debate competition, decide to try and drive home, failing to anticipate the unfolding chaos. A near fatal car accident leads to them waking up in a government hospital which requires they sign documentation to promise they’ll never mention it again. Back home however, Reese can’t get over the feeling of being watched, and her fast healing injuries seem to be linked to her body acting very strangely.

Reese then meets the charismatic Amber, and has to question not only her original attraction to David but her own sexuality, and her growing paranoia about who she can trust. Not only do Reese and David have questions about what’s happening to them, it seems that other people are interested well, and that interest looks increasingly dangerous.

For Area 51 enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists this will be an enjoyable read; the fear of the government and ensuing paranoia is nicely built early in the novel, but the ‘alien’ aspect of the story is a little underwhelming in the second half. Too many elements are introduced or revealed in a short amount of text, which meant the ending felt a little abrupt. It is the relationships between the characters that are most engaging however, as even secondary characters are well fleshed out and make a good supporting cast for Reese. It is less common to find a teen novel where a protagonist exploring their sexuality is not based in contemporary novel, so it is pleasing to find LGBT characters in this genre.