Spark (Spark, #1) in Aussie Book Club

Oct 27, 2014 Cassie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015, owned

7 hours and 20 minutes.
Could not put this down.
It is 6:20am and I regret nothing.

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Apr 09, 2014 Kelly (Diva Booknerd) rated it really liked it

Shelves: loveozya, walker-books, lovenzya

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/06/s...
Spark was a mix of science fiction and contemporary, but felt more like a unique spin on the superhero and savior role. It was intense, and entertaining. Not often does a young adult storyline take me by surprise, but Spark certainly did. I adored Evie's character, not only has her world fallen apart with the loss of her mother, she lives each day with the knowledge that she never knew her father and the only family she has now is her Aunt Miriam, whom she http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/06/s...
Spark was a mix of science fiction and contemporary, but felt more like a unique spin on the superhero and savior role. It was intense, and entertaining. Not often does a young adult storyline take me by surprise, but Spark certainly did. I adored Evie's character, not only has her world fallen apart with the loss of her mother, she lives each day with the knowledge that she never knew her father and the only family she has now is her Aunt Miriam, whom she now lives with. The only constant in her life, is spending each summer with her best friend Kitty. Evie has known the Gallagher family for the best part of a decade, including Jamie.

Jamie is Evie's Achilles Heel. Having shared a brief, but embarrassing kiss before he left three years ago. But now Jamie's eighteen and back in Evie's life. But Jamie isn't without his secrets and the relationship between the two is as intense as it is forbidden. The romance reminded me of that of Rose and Dimitri in the popular Vampire Academy series, the student teacher aspect and forbidden romance that follows. I really enjoyed Evie and Jamie's relationship, the two teens shared a history together so the seemingly instant love felt more natural.

My only one real complaint was the overload of information once Evie is told exactly who she is. There were so many descriptions and acronyms, that I knew I'd never be able to remember. But I didn't need to. As the storyline progresses, you'll learn what being a Shield entails alongside Evie, as she navigates her new role. First time author Rachael Craw is a born storyteller, she's taken what are seemingly normal teens who are still finding their feet, and throwing them into a world of killers, protectors are rules of how they must now live their lives. But what made the characters so engaging, was her use of dialogue. It's quick, it's witty and realistic between the characters. If you're looking for a sassy, intriguing and unique read, this one is definitely it. Already eagerly awaiting book two in the series, Stray. ...more

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May 27, 2015 Steph Cuthbert rated it it was amazing

Shelves: loveozya, young-adult

This was a re-read.

What a ride. Spark packs such a punch, it always leaves me reeling. Spark is an incredible and heady mix of kick-ass, adrenaline-fuelled action, beautiful and overwhelming teen angst, lusty times, laugh out loud moments, and feeeeeeels.

I adore these characters so much. The friendship between Evie and Kitty is everything that female friendship should be- beautiful and vulnerable and supportive.

Jamie is oh-so worthy of being the love interest in this story. He is strong and loy ...more

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Jun 27, 2014 Ella rated it really liked it

Ok, this was excellent! I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much but I really did!! And I just love the fact Rachael is a kiwi author because her writing is so good and she's such a lovely person but also because I read hardly any good YA books written by NZ authors and so I'm just really happy ok?!!!

I need STRAY like, NOW! ...more

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Oct 18, 2015 Lynette Noni rated it really liked it

I seriously enjoyed this book! The concept is really cool—not to mention, unique—and the characters were all very realistic and likeable. I devoured it in one sitting - so that alone says enough!

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Apr 26, 2015 Sass rated it it was amazing

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I love this book. Love. The concept is interesting, the tension in the action scenes is killer, the friendship between Kitty and Evie is fantastic (I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing more of that in future books where it's not tainted by the Spark effects). I LOVE that the parental figures have a role in the book, even if Evie's mother has just died, her aunt Miriam and Kitty and Jamie's parents are very much a feature.

The only reason that Spark doesn't rate the full five s ...more

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Jun 11, 2014 Jeann (Happy Indulgence) rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, review-copy, arc

This review originally appears on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews!

Spark features an interesting concept about genetic mutations in a select number of humans, that determine their role to play people based on their DNA - the Shield (protector), the Spark (igniter) and the Stray (the aggressor).

Evie is the Shield who has just been sparked by her best friend Kitty, and she finds herself developing great reflexes, enhanced senses, a healing ability, the ability to see people's memori This review originally appears on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews!

Spark features an interesting concept about genetic mutations in a select number of humans, that determine their role to play people based on their DNA - the Shield (protector), the Spark (igniter) and the Stray (the aggressor).

Evie is the Shield who has just been sparked by her best friend Kitty, and she finds herself developing great reflexes, enhanced senses, a healing ability, the ability to see people's memories, feel people's frequencies, and an unhealthy fixation on Kitty's safety. It turns out she's a Shield who has developed her powers, and her job is to protect Kitty from her Stray, who will hunt her down to spark their own powers.

I really liked Evie, her determination to protect Kitty despite the odds and her strength of character, and it was funny seeing her act like a possessive boyfriend at times. Her behaviour was understandable given the Fixation Effect, to ensure she will be able to sense a threat to Kitty at all times. Their relationship reminded me of the girls from Vampire Academy, where one is the protector and the other is the best friend. Kitty took her best friend's new role all in stride as she was afraid of the impending attack.

The concept of DNA manipulation to breed fighters for private security was really interesting. Shields, Sparks and Strays have an interesting relationship with each other, as the Strays will hunt down the Sparks who will die once triggered. Having this secret world in society where super humans are about was a fascinating new twist. Although the sci-fi elements were explained in a brain burning scientific manner early on, I managed to pick up the concepts along the way as the story was told. I had to refer back to the explanation a few times during the book, as there'll be appreciations used such as KMT which wouldn't really be explained again.

There is a well-developed romance between Evie and Jamie, Kitty's brother. They have a history together but they will bond even further through their training and amplified attraction to each other. Both of them are Shields, and they have a rare, Synergist bond where they both amplify each others abilities. The couple have great chemistry, and I liked how it never overtook their main objective in protecting Kitty (despite what their families thought).

Spark felt like it could have been condensed into fewer pages, at over 400 pages it felt like the pace was rather slow at times. This could be due to the range of characters who were developed throughout the novel. It does pick up towards the end though, with an action-packed ending and lots of twists and turns along the way.

Spark's scientific twist on enhanced human beings was the highlight as it was developed well throughout the novel. Although it tended to be heavy on the concepts, I really enjoyed how they were weaved into the story. Featuring excellent character development and a romance I can ship, I really enjoyed Spark.

I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Dec 21, 2014 Elly rated it really liked it

Shelves: kick-arse-women, psychokinetica

I have now read this book three times, and I still love it.

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Oct 27, 2014 Kristy (Book Nerd Reviews) rated it really liked it

It is books like Spark that are going to have to make me re-evaluate my “take it or leave it” attitude towards sci-fi!

I have often said that I am not a huge fan of science fiction. I am not a lover of science, and I don’t like it incorporated into stories in an unrealistic way, but Spark is a modern world sci-fi, with just the right amount of sciencey stuff in all the right places.

Evie is a normal girl who thinks that the hardest thing she has to deal with is her grief over her mother’s death an ...more

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Apr 09, 2014 Kate rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-5-stars, scifi, young-adult, debut-author, walker-books

Sci-fi isn’t usually my kind of thing but Spark looked interesting and I am so glad I gave it a go. This book is fantastic. There’s action and romance with moral dilemmas and all sorts of secrets behind the scenes. Evie’s transition from regular teenage girl to suped up genetic protector could have gotten confusing. There’s a bit of jargon and acronyms but it is all explained so well with the reader is learning about this world and Evie’s role in it alongside her.

To break it down for you, due to Sci-fi isn’t usually my kind of thing but Spark looked interesting and I am so glad I gave it a go. This book is fantastic. There’s action and romance with moral dilemmas and all sorts of secrets behind the scenes. Evie’s transition from regular teenage girl to suped up genetic protector could have gotten confusing. There’s a bit of jargon and acronyms but it is all explained so well with the reader is learning about this world and Evie’s role in it alongside her.

To break it down for you, due to some DNA altering and the introduction of synthetic genes, there are now some people who are born with certain abilities and powers. We now have Sparks, Shields and Strays. Sparks are civilians who trigger the Shields and Strays. Once triggered a Shield is compelled to protect the Spark from the Stray who is similarly urge to eliminate the Spark. The Strays aren’t necessarily bad people but the trigger for them manifests itself as psychotic delusions and causes extreme homicidal feelings for the Spark. The Shields and Strays are both stronger, faster and taller than regular civilians with assorted powers. It’s all very intense and trust me – Rachael Craw explains it so much better in the book than I ever could but you get the general idea.

Evie’s first ever Spark is her best friend Kitty – and that brings its own set of complications. Along with trying to understand what is happening to her, Evie has to cope with the need to make sure Kitty is okay. And then there’s Kitty’s brother – Jamie.

I have something to confess. I can’t stand the name Jamie. It makes me cringe a little (I’m sorry if you’re reading this and you are a Jamie. I’m sure you’re lovely). And as a testament to the writing – despite his name, I really liked Jamie thought this name was a great choice for him. He’s the kind of guy that you wouldn’t want to cross and the way the romance developed over the course of the novel was great to read. Despite them being a perfect match their interactions aren’t perfect. They still had to work for the relationship and Jamie had to make up from the history by the river.

The action in Spark is really exciting. Evie is learning to be kick-arse though a combination of her training as well as her super gene learning. There are times when it seems that Evie is the most special of all the Shields but there is reason behind that which is explained. She’s confused and there is confusion surrounding much of what is happening to her BUT this book is never confusing to read. The reader is always right there beside Evie learning about her world and her new place in it as Evie figures it all out. There’s a bit of a mystery as to who the Stray is and some drama surrounding the mysterious Affinity group who are responsible for the Shields/Strays in the first place. I wanted to know more about how The Affinity run things but there is always the chance that this secret organization will be explored more in book 2. The supporting characters are interesting with all of them having their own stuff going on. They have their own agendas and priorities and what I liked is that sometimes it is in direct opposition to Evie. It’s great to see the parents have a role and not just be written out because its easier.

After reading Spark – I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. Secrets, Sparks, Shields, Strays, other Affinity goodness. And of course, more Jamie and Evie interactions! Action, mysterious organizations and a dash of romance – I think this book would appeal to fans of books with strong female main characters in a world with a bit of an edge like Divergent by Veronica Roth and Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

Thanks to Walker Books Australia for the review copy. ...more

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Jun 26, 2014 Eugenia (Genie In A Book) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, 2014-release, arc

*This review also appears on the blog Chasm of Books*

4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The undeniably awesome cover for Spark may have been what initially drew me to this novel, but it is the outstanding plot which cinched the deal. With a concept dealing with the intriguing topic of genetic mutations, fair share of action-packed suspense and a romance which adds the cherry on top, after reading this impressive book, I can't wait to see wh ...more

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