| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Victor and Eli started out as college roommates–brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find–aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge–but who will be left alive at the end?

My thoughts:

It took me way too long to finish this book and I struggled so much. I can’t quite put my finger on what my problem is, but I do have some theories.

First off, I absolutely loved the theme, plot and the whole “X-MEN” thing. Interesting concept which felt well execute both in the scientific and philosophical view. I’m a sucker for everything when it comes to people with powers, magical or “natural”. So I really thought this would be a book right up my alley.

However, I felt constantly disconnected and the writing keep bothering me to no end. There is only so many times you can write a character’s name on one page until it starts to be repetitive. And the whole books is repetitive. I wish I had Victors sharpie to block some off. Put some black in

I can see why Schwab and this series has turned in to such a hype where readers and there dogs/cats keep raising Schwab to the skies. Maybe I had to high expectations? Maybe I’m just too old for it? Or maybe I just found it over dramatic and underwhelming. Completely loved the last twist in the end even though I could totally predict it.

Would fit perfect as a movie and if executed rightly, one I would see at least once a year just as X-MEN. I’m not sure if I will read more in the series, but I’m open for it.