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Effectuation
On an earth where the spirit world and human world not only comingle but know each other’s deepest secrets, Ewan Trace is an ordinary college senior at a prestigious film school: obsessed with old movies, secretly in love with his best friend Sophie, and looking to forge a career as a writer. Oh—and he also can never go out because his über-agent father and mother are always away and he has to stay home and care for his little sister. But it’s all normal to him…until he finally meets his spirit protector, Zac, and that Terra, the girl he just spent the night with, might be someone far more sinister than she appears.
Now Ewan and Zac are on the trail of a mystery that takes a left turn along the way, diving deep into a conflict between humans and spirits that just may be worse than what they thought was their worst nightmare. And as hearts are broken and people die, the two find themselves strapped to a rocket-propelled adventure far more unbelievable than anything Hollywood could ever imagine.
Contains moments of sexual situations and violence, with strong language throughout. Recommended for mature readers.
Now Ewan and Zac are on the trail of a mystery that takes a left turn along the way, diving deep into a conflict between humans and spirits that just may be worse than what they thought was their worst nightmare. And as hearts are broken and people die, the two find themselves strapped to a rocket-propelled adventure far more unbelievable than anything Hollywood could ever imagine.
Contains moments of sexual situations and violence, with strong language throughout. Recommended for mature readers.
308 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2013
257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 14, 2013
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Effectuation is quite an intriguing read. I'm really still on the fence about this one. While there were quite a few things I really liked about the novel, I guess I never really connected with the characters. Though, Effectuation is the first book in a trilogy, it only had a mild cliffhanger ending. Sure it was left a bit open for the next novel, but the major conflict was settled to a more satisfying extent than most that I've read lately.
Ewan is a twenty-one year old college student who is completely responsible for his thirteen year old sister, Kate, while their parents are gallivanting around the globe trying to make the world a better place. They've been gone for four years, left when Ewan was only seventeen. I guess they missed the memo about parenting being the most important job a person can have. The Skype interactions Ewan and Kate had with their parents were enough to turn my stomach.
I never was able to make any sense of antagonist Terra. She was an odd one. Part of me liked her, even though she was a killer. It'll be interesting to see where Ms. Greenwald takes Terra's character in the series.
This book is definitely plot driven; the plot is intricate and different from things I've read in the past. It also can be a bit confusing at times. It left my brain a bit muddled after some of the scenes. The story is action packed. I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Ewan as his life went up in flames. Overall, the characters and plot were interesting enough to keep me reading. This novel contains graphic violence, mature content/language, and sexual situations. It is definitely for the 18+ crowd.
If you're looking for something different in the New Adult market, consider adding Effectuation to your to-read list.
Effectuation is quite an intriguing read. I'm really still on the fence about this one. While there were quite a few things I really liked about the novel, I guess I never really connected with the characters. Though, Effectuation is the first book in a trilogy, it only had a mild cliffhanger ending. Sure it was left a bit open for the next novel, but the major conflict was settled to a more satisfying extent than most that I've read lately.
Ewan is a twenty-one year old college student who is completely responsible for his thirteen year old sister, Kate, while their parents are gallivanting around the globe trying to make the world a better place. They've been gone for four years, left when Ewan was only seventeen. I guess they missed the memo about parenting being the most important job a person can have. The Skype interactions Ewan and Kate had with their parents were enough to turn my stomach.
I never was able to make any sense of antagonist Terra. She was an odd one. Part of me liked her, even though she was a killer. It'll be interesting to see where Ms. Greenwald takes Terra's character in the series.
This book is definitely plot driven; the plot is intricate and different from things I've read in the past. It also can be a bit confusing at times. It left my brain a bit muddled after some of the scenes. The story is action packed. I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Ewan as his life went up in flames. Overall, the characters and plot were interesting enough to keep me reading. This novel contains graphic violence, mature content/language, and sexual situations. It is definitely for the 18+ crowd.
If you're looking for something different in the New Adult market, consider adding Effectuation to your to-read list.
December 4, 2013
From the other reviews, I guess I'm a minority in how I felt about this book. Everyone has their own opinions and different criteria for what makes a good book.
This is the first book in a long long time that I couldn't actually finish. I tried. I picked it up again and again, but frustration and boredom rose to the surface every time. I stopped at about 220. Sophie died anticlimactically and I just said, "I'm done."
I have quite a few issues with this book. First, I really never had a clear vision of what anyone looked like. I got vague impressions and tried to do my best to work with it. It was just like "oh, here are the characters. Aren't they great?"
The plot moved incredibly slowly with zero suspense. There was an endless amount of dialogue, most of it explaining everything that could possibly be explained. The reader knew, pretty early, who the bad guys were and what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. There was nothing plot wise that drove the reader to keep reading. Why should I want to keep reading if I already know what's going to happen? Yeah, there may be a twist or two, but the dialogue and all the information being laid out for me doesn't make me want to read to find out what could be the twist. I was bored and stopped caring.
The racial slurs throughout the book made the dialogue unbearable. Reading the words cholo, twat, cracker etc over and over was tiring and overdone. I get it. They are college kids. I was in college. I didn't run around calling people crackers or cholos. It isn't necessary and doesn't endear the reader to the characters at all.
Dialogue in general lacked so much to be desired. Everyone sounded the same, spoke the same, had the same vocabulary. Every character was one dimensional. Heavy monologues from Ewan, Zac, and Terra seemed to be the author's effort to create dimensional but it just read unrealistically. Hey, I need the reader to understand how the spirit realm works, lets have Ewan ask Zac a random question as he enters the house cause the reader wasn't there the last time the question was asked. And there was so much stereotyping. Of course Terra the Terrorist had sex with her English Teacher in High School. Of course the colored kid calls the white guy a cracker. Come on! That is not character development!
My biggest issue was how easy everything was. Everything was literally handed on a platter, explained at length, and in the most tedious language. Ewan thinks that he has been told all his life not to trust someone who says they are his spirit... but after getting his arm burned severely just decides he can trust Zac? That makes no sense. Zac knew all along that it was Iskan? Yeah, makes sense. I also cant understand why Zac keeps describing Iskan as wise. He doesn't sound very wise if he is killing people left and right. Maybe I just don't understand this spirit realm thing, but the dynamic between Zac and Marius was so strange. Why spill your ENTIRE plan to a STRANGER? He could work for Iskan! The conversation between Zac and Iskan had all the charged energy of watching two snails race. It didn't help that it was interspersed with Ewan discussing a potential boner and using the word Crotch a whole bunch. Anything you wanted to find out about, someone had a conversation about or Zac explained suddenly to everyone.
The writing it self did nothing for me. There was very little scene setting, not a lot of description that pulled me into the story. "Sleep weighed down on her like scuba gear" thinks Terra while she is sitting in jail.... Scuba Gear? That was the most random simile ever. Zac spent the afternoon "scampering around the garden of corpses." Yup, the word scampering really portrays the gravity of the situation to the reader. The strange scene of Zac and Ewan trying to talk to someone at the jail before Sophie dies made light of her death. It was just so strange and suddenly she was dead and all I could think was that one second she was alive and suddenly she is dead. OKay... well, who cares? Her love story with Ewan was so annoying to read and lacked so much depth, I couldn't invest myself in their love.
This book did absolutely nothing for me. In the end, the book read very superficially with very little true character development and depth. I thought the concept of the spirit realm and different households having spirits was great! I just wished I had liked the actual story and the characters within it.
This is the first book in a long long time that I couldn't actually finish. I tried. I picked it up again and again, but frustration and boredom rose to the surface every time. I stopped at about 220. Sophie died anticlimactically and I just said, "I'm done."
I have quite a few issues with this book. First, I really never had a clear vision of what anyone looked like. I got vague impressions and tried to do my best to work with it. It was just like "oh, here are the characters. Aren't they great?"
The plot moved incredibly slowly with zero suspense. There was an endless amount of dialogue, most of it explaining everything that could possibly be explained. The reader knew, pretty early, who the bad guys were and what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. There was nothing plot wise that drove the reader to keep reading. Why should I want to keep reading if I already know what's going to happen? Yeah, there may be a twist or two, but the dialogue and all the information being laid out for me doesn't make me want to read to find out what could be the twist. I was bored and stopped caring.
The racial slurs throughout the book made the dialogue unbearable. Reading the words cholo, twat, cracker etc over and over was tiring and overdone. I get it. They are college kids. I was in college. I didn't run around calling people crackers or cholos. It isn't necessary and doesn't endear the reader to the characters at all.
Dialogue in general lacked so much to be desired. Everyone sounded the same, spoke the same, had the same vocabulary. Every character was one dimensional. Heavy monologues from Ewan, Zac, and Terra seemed to be the author's effort to create dimensional but it just read unrealistically. Hey, I need the reader to understand how the spirit realm works, lets have Ewan ask Zac a random question as he enters the house cause the reader wasn't there the last time the question was asked. And there was so much stereotyping. Of course Terra the Terrorist had sex with her English Teacher in High School. Of course the colored kid calls the white guy a cracker. Come on! That is not character development!
My biggest issue was how easy everything was. Everything was literally handed on a platter, explained at length, and in the most tedious language. Ewan thinks that he has been told all his life not to trust someone who says they are his spirit... but after getting his arm burned severely just decides he can trust Zac? That makes no sense. Zac knew all along that it was Iskan? Yeah, makes sense. I also cant understand why Zac keeps describing Iskan as wise. He doesn't sound very wise if he is killing people left and right. Maybe I just don't understand this spirit realm thing, but the dynamic between Zac and Marius was so strange. Why spill your ENTIRE plan to a STRANGER? He could work for Iskan! The conversation between Zac and Iskan had all the charged energy of watching two snails race. It didn't help that it was interspersed with Ewan discussing a potential boner and using the word Crotch a whole bunch. Anything you wanted to find out about, someone had a conversation about or Zac explained suddenly to everyone.
The writing it self did nothing for me. There was very little scene setting, not a lot of description that pulled me into the story. "Sleep weighed down on her like scuba gear" thinks Terra while she is sitting in jail.... Scuba Gear? That was the most random simile ever. Zac spent the afternoon "scampering around the garden of corpses." Yup, the word scampering really portrays the gravity of the situation to the reader. The strange scene of Zac and Ewan trying to talk to someone at the jail before Sophie dies made light of her death. It was just so strange and suddenly she was dead and all I could think was that one second she was alive and suddenly she is dead. OKay... well, who cares? Her love story with Ewan was so annoying to read and lacked so much depth, I couldn't invest myself in their love.
This book did absolutely nothing for me. In the end, the book read very superficially with very little true character development and depth. I thought the concept of the spirit realm and different households having spirits was great! I just wished I had liked the actual story and the characters within it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2013
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book. I've read it twice in a week to see if I understood everything correctly. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but it’s kind of a hard book. If you don’t pay attention you are going to miss some things. You don’t want that. Anyway, here is a book with rich children that aren't spoiled and with their heads in the air, to say so. It’s real, but different from what I've read so war. I think the religious part really did its part. At first I didn't quite understand with the statuettes and all. Here is a little about the book to understand what I’m saying.
Ewan Trace it’s a 21 years old boy, who is in college but doesn't have the time to go to parties and practically leave his life. His famous parents decided to take an unlimited vacation and made Ewan his sister’s guardian. Ewan acts like an old man, that doesn't like acting silly or even, have fun. He doesn't have enough time for himself, and he has to write the thesis for his final year and graduation. Kate his is sister it’s 13 years old, she is smart, but Ewan won’t leave her alone, he always help her with homework and everything. In their family there is a habit of lighting up incense for the lare. It’s a silver statue with the name “The Trace Guardian”. They always keep it working because that’s the way the spirit can talk to them and find them. But, Ewan has become a bit of a skeptical because there isn't any spirit to help him out and figure out his life, there isn't anything. So, he gives up on it, but Kate takes care of it.
His best friend is Sophie it’s also wealthy, she is the mayor daughter and unfortunately Ewan is in love with her but doesn't have the courage to tell her. They have been friends since they were kids. One night Sophie decides to stop by their house and convince Ewan to go out partying and dancing with her. She gives him a story to write for his thesis; a murderer has happen at his dad office. One of his employee has been killed. Oddly enough, Ewan can’t understand why him because he was a stranger, didn't have a family or anything more precious, he was just a simple man that helped Mr. Gonzales on his campaign before he became the mayor. Ewan can’t take the idea out of his head that there is something more than a simple killing.
Trying to put that thought out of his mind, Ewan goes out with Sophie, and leaves her brother Grayson to stay with Kate. But, he can trust Grayson, because he is 14 years old and in love with his precious little sister. Anyway…they all went out with Malcom their Chinese friend, to the club Boulevard3. They both try to teach Ewan how to pick up a girl and have fun, because he hasn’t been with anyone since he brake up with his ex-two months back. He pick up a girl named Terra. She was something.
Say hi. Don’t do anything more than that. Your name is Ewan. You can’t have possibly forgotten that.
“I’m Ewan Trace. You may now remove your clothes.”
“Good evening, Tony Stark!” the girl replied.
Ewan took Terra home and they had the perfect night ever. His one night stand, but something feels off, like it was supposed to be more. After waking up the next morning, Terra was gone, he was full of bruises from the other night, and there was someone standing in his house. A complete stranger that knew him, but Ewan didn't recognize him. The he told him who he was, his family spirit. He came because he heard Ewan had some questions, but the spirit didn't have the answers. The spirit, newly named Zac need his help, even if he is just a 21 years old boy.
From this point everything changes, but I'm not going to tell you all about it. You need to read the book. I on the other hand, can't wait to read the next book! Carlyn Greenwald really did a magnificent job with this book. The story was written to perfection, no hurrying it up, it gives you the chance to know the characters really well and practically to feel the same thing they do. Loved it! I highly recommend this book to anyone who can appreciate good writing and an amazing story!
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book. I've read it twice in a week to see if I understood everything correctly. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but it’s kind of a hard book. If you don’t pay attention you are going to miss some things. You don’t want that. Anyway, here is a book with rich children that aren't spoiled and with their heads in the air, to say so. It’s real, but different from what I've read so war. I think the religious part really did its part. At first I didn't quite understand with the statuettes and all. Here is a little about the book to understand what I’m saying.
Ewan Trace it’s a 21 years old boy, who is in college but doesn't have the time to go to parties and practically leave his life. His famous parents decided to take an unlimited vacation and made Ewan his sister’s guardian. Ewan acts like an old man, that doesn't like acting silly or even, have fun. He doesn't have enough time for himself, and he has to write the thesis for his final year and graduation. Kate his is sister it’s 13 years old, she is smart, but Ewan won’t leave her alone, he always help her with homework and everything. In their family there is a habit of lighting up incense for the lare. It’s a silver statue with the name “The Trace Guardian”. They always keep it working because that’s the way the spirit can talk to them and find them. But, Ewan has become a bit of a skeptical because there isn't any spirit to help him out and figure out his life, there isn't anything. So, he gives up on it, but Kate takes care of it.
His best friend is Sophie it’s also wealthy, she is the mayor daughter and unfortunately Ewan is in love with her but doesn't have the courage to tell her. They have been friends since they were kids. One night Sophie decides to stop by their house and convince Ewan to go out partying and dancing with her. She gives him a story to write for his thesis; a murderer has happen at his dad office. One of his employee has been killed. Oddly enough, Ewan can’t understand why him because he was a stranger, didn't have a family or anything more precious, he was just a simple man that helped Mr. Gonzales on his campaign before he became the mayor. Ewan can’t take the idea out of his head that there is something more than a simple killing.
Trying to put that thought out of his mind, Ewan goes out with Sophie, and leaves her brother Grayson to stay with Kate. But, he can trust Grayson, because he is 14 years old and in love with his precious little sister. Anyway…they all went out with Malcom their Chinese friend, to the club Boulevard3. They both try to teach Ewan how to pick up a girl and have fun, because he hasn’t been with anyone since he brake up with his ex-two months back. He pick up a girl named Terra. She was something.
Say hi. Don’t do anything more than that. Your name is Ewan. You can’t have possibly forgotten that.
“I’m Ewan Trace. You may now remove your clothes.”
“Good evening, Tony Stark!” the girl replied.
Ewan took Terra home and they had the perfect night ever. His one night stand, but something feels off, like it was supposed to be more. After waking up the next morning, Terra was gone, he was full of bruises from the other night, and there was someone standing in his house. A complete stranger that knew him, but Ewan didn't recognize him. The he told him who he was, his family spirit. He came because he heard Ewan had some questions, but the spirit didn't have the answers. The spirit, newly named Zac need his help, even if he is just a 21 years old boy.
From this point everything changes, but I'm not going to tell you all about it. You need to read the book. I on the other hand, can't wait to read the next book! Carlyn Greenwald really did a magnificent job with this book. The story was written to perfection, no hurrying it up, it gives you the chance to know the characters really well and practically to feel the same thing they do. Loved it! I highly recommend this book to anyone who can appreciate good writing and an amazing story!
November 18, 2013
This review first appeared on Books i View. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I originally decided to review this book because I was drawn to Ewen. When I read that he was obsessed with old movies and wanted to be a writer it was like a no brianer for me to sign up for this tour because I too have those same interests! Of course the fact that it's a New Adult Paranormal did influence my decision as well.
Ewen is the typical college kid. He loves and cares for his sister more than anything. Even though he resents his parents for leaving them he has stepped up and became a parental figure for Katie. He's very selfless in that manner. When he does decide to have a night for himself he ends up bringing home a girl who may quite possibly be evil or inhuman.
Zac is a very interesting character and it was fun to get to know him. Even though he is 2000 years old he doesn't act or look like it. He's in the body of an 18 year old and desperately wants to blend in with the humans. He definitely has human qualities and traits about him, I only wish that he had stood out more as a spirit.
My favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Ewen and Zac. At first Ewen is freaked from the fact of having a 2000 year old spirit following him around. But soon their relationship develops into a brotherly bond. It was fun seeing that relationship grow and watching both characters develop!
In the world Carlyn Greenwald creates religion means each family has their own family spirit which guides and protects them. I was a little wary of that aspect of the book. Too often when religion is a topic in books it can be overwhelming. However it was done just right in Effectuation. It wasn't a huge part of the book but it did give a unique vibe to the story.
Overall I thought Effectuation by Carlyn Greenwald is a good read with enjoyable characters! I would recommend to anyone who likes to read paranormal/fantasy books.
I originally decided to review this book because I was drawn to Ewen. When I read that he was obsessed with old movies and wanted to be a writer it was like a no brianer for me to sign up for this tour because I too have those same interests! Of course the fact that it's a New Adult Paranormal did influence my decision as well.
Ewen is the typical college kid. He loves and cares for his sister more than anything. Even though he resents his parents for leaving them he has stepped up and became a parental figure for Katie. He's very selfless in that manner. When he does decide to have a night for himself he ends up bringing home a girl who may quite possibly be evil or inhuman.
Zac is a very interesting character and it was fun to get to know him. Even though he is 2000 years old he doesn't act or look like it. He's in the body of an 18 year old and desperately wants to blend in with the humans. He definitely has human qualities and traits about him, I only wish that he had stood out more as a spirit.
My favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Ewen and Zac. At first Ewen is freaked from the fact of having a 2000 year old spirit following him around. But soon their relationship develops into a brotherly bond. It was fun seeing that relationship grow and watching both characters develop!
In the world Carlyn Greenwald creates religion means each family has their own family spirit which guides and protects them. I was a little wary of that aspect of the book. Too often when religion is a topic in books it can be overwhelming. However it was done just right in Effectuation. It wasn't a huge part of the book but it did give a unique vibe to the story.
Overall I thought Effectuation by Carlyn Greenwald is a good read with enjoyable characters! I would recommend to anyone who likes to read paranormal/fantasy books.
November 21, 2013
Effectuation was quite different than any book I’ve ever read. There were many parts of this book that I really liked but there were also parts that I found to be a bit confusing and hard to relate to. After reading the blurb I expected that this book would have a supernatural/fantasy aspect to it but I think it had even more than I was expecting. I understood that the spirits were going to be a big part of this book but I hadn’t expected them to be like they were and take different forms including animal like forms.
I liked a lot of the characters and the relationship they had together. All of the friends seemed real close and I think it had something to do with they all had similar home lives. Their parents weren’t always around or there to comfort them when they needed a parental figure. When Grayson needed someone to care the most and be there for him, Ewan and Kate both tried their best to help him and allowed him to stay at their house. I liked the relationship between Ewan and his spirit guardian, Zac. I think that some of the scenes between them added a lot of humor to this action filled book. Even though it didn’t always seem like Ewan and Zac got along, I appreciated that Zac would do what ever it took to protect Ewan and Kate. I felt like the storyline and concept for Effectuation was quite unique.
As much as I would like to say that I absolutely loved this book, I can’t. It was a very well written book and had a lot of good qualities but unfortunately it wasn’t my favorite type of book. I do think that for anyone who enjoys books like this one they would love Effectuation. I must say I really did enjoy the ending. The epilogue leaves you wanting to read the next book in this trilogy to see what happens next.
Originally posted at http://crossroadreaders.wordpress.com
I liked a lot of the characters and the relationship they had together. All of the friends seemed real close and I think it had something to do with they all had similar home lives. Their parents weren’t always around or there to comfort them when they needed a parental figure. When Grayson needed someone to care the most and be there for him, Ewan and Kate both tried their best to help him and allowed him to stay at their house. I liked the relationship between Ewan and his spirit guardian, Zac. I think that some of the scenes between them added a lot of humor to this action filled book. Even though it didn’t always seem like Ewan and Zac got along, I appreciated that Zac would do what ever it took to protect Ewan and Kate. I felt like the storyline and concept for Effectuation was quite unique.
As much as I would like to say that I absolutely loved this book, I can’t. It was a very well written book and had a lot of good qualities but unfortunately it wasn’t my favorite type of book. I do think that for anyone who enjoys books like this one they would love Effectuation. I must say I really did enjoy the ending. The epilogue leaves you wanting to read the next book in this trilogy to see what happens next.
Originally posted at http://crossroadreaders.wordpress.com
November 23, 2013
This book was not exactly what I was expecting. It was more serious than what I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I didn't think this was going to be a comedy or anything. I just expected more of a easy reading action book, This is one of those books that make you really think while you read it.
What if there were spirits and Gods for that watched over you and your family. What if you grew away from your beliefs. How would that effect them? How would they react? Would they just disappear, or would they get angry?
I don't want to go into too much detail about the story itself, as I don't want to slip up and give too much away. So let's look at the characters. Ewan is college student that is determined to prove himself in chosen line of work. He looks after his little sister, Kate, because their parents are always away somewhere out of the country. His best friend Sophia is his best supporter and helpmate. And then there is Zac, the family's spirit guardian. These are all wonderfully thought out characters, as are the rest of the people in the book. They are complex and emotional and everything that a good character should be.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Ewan and Zac. It started off shaky, but you can watch the relationship grow as you read the book. Ewan is a very caring person, as you can see by his relationship with his sister, but at the same time is a little self centered. That is true with most people his age, so that just makes the character more believable. This causes him and Zac to butt heads a little throughout the story.
Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this book free for reviewing purposes. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
November 19, 2013
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This world in which spirits and humans coexist is an interesting one. I like how Carlyn Greenwald takes the world we currently live in and adds in the spirits as if they’ve always been a part of our everyday lives.
The main characters are all likeable, even though Ewan Trace has a lot to learn about women. He and his sister are on their own and do very well without their parents being around. They do have their issues because of being basically abandoned but that makes this story more realistic. Zac, the family’s spirit, is a unique character: a 2000 year old spirit in an 18 year old’s body. He gets pretty intense at times but he’s also an interesting character to get to know.
The idea that a spirit is upset with the way humans don’t appreciate spirits and all they do is plausible although I think there’s more to the story than that. I believe more will come out in the next book. I like the way Effectuation ended with much being resolved yet leaving the door open for another book.
I definitely recommend Effectuation for older readers. There is some sex and violence.
This world in which spirits and humans coexist is an interesting one. I like how Carlyn Greenwald takes the world we currently live in and adds in the spirits as if they’ve always been a part of our everyday lives.
The main characters are all likeable, even though Ewan Trace has a lot to learn about women. He and his sister are on their own and do very well without their parents being around. They do have their issues because of being basically abandoned but that makes this story more realistic. Zac, the family’s spirit, is a unique character: a 2000 year old spirit in an 18 year old’s body. He gets pretty intense at times but he’s also an interesting character to get to know.
The idea that a spirit is upset with the way humans don’t appreciate spirits and all they do is plausible although I think there’s more to the story than that. I believe more will come out in the next book. I like the way Effectuation ended with much being resolved yet leaving the door open for another book.
I definitely recommend Effectuation for older readers. There is some sex and violence.
February 1, 2014
I received this book through First Reads Giveaways.
Sadly, I think this book is a bit beyond my old woman's ability to understand it. Granted that could be more my fault than the book's because I am almost eighty years old, but I just couldn't figure out what was going on. The only other time I've had this much trouble understanding what is happening is when my granddaughter tried to get me to watch a movie called Dead Birds. I did, however, like the brother and sister characters. I feel so sorry for them, being left all alone... tugged at my heart strings a bit. I wish I could have understood the book better. I'm sure I would have liked it if I could have just understood what was going on.
Sadly, I think this book is a bit beyond my old woman's ability to understand it. Granted that could be more my fault than the book's because I am almost eighty years old, but I just couldn't figure out what was going on. The only other time I've had this much trouble understanding what is happening is when my granddaughter tried to get me to watch a movie called Dead Birds. I did, however, like the brother and sister characters. I feel so sorry for them, being left all alone... tugged at my heart strings a bit. I wish I could have understood the book better. I'm sure I would have liked it if I could have just understood what was going on.
November 13, 2013
This book is full of surprises. My main concern at first is that the plot is way too different from others and there were too many things going on and too many characters introduced at once that it may confuse the reader. But if you concentrate on it, you'd really be interested and would want to read more.
Effectuation deals with spirit guides and a really imaginative fantasy world that will surely captivate the reader. Sure, it's not as common as your usual YA thing, but it is something good. It is blunt, humorous and tastefully written.
December 14, 2013
I was given this book for my honest review
I really wanted to love this book but at times I kept getting confused on the story line and where it was going. The whole story felt rushed and all over the place. The minute I was getting into one plot I was thrown another one and than I was lost. I did like the characters although at times Ewan did piss me off and Terra was a psychotic witch at times. Overall I would love to read the rest of the story to see where it leads and to catch up with what all will happen.
I really wanted to love this book but at times I kept getting confused on the story line and where it was going. The whole story felt rushed and all over the place. The minute I was getting into one plot I was thrown another one and than I was lost. I did like the characters although at times Ewan did piss me off and Terra was a psychotic witch at times. Overall I would love to read the rest of the story to see where it leads and to catch up with what all will happen.
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