Review: Reboot by Amy Tintera

Reboot by Amy Tintera 

Publisher-Harper Teen

Release May 7th 2013

Purchase- Amazon / B&N / Chapters

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum. The perfect soldier is done taking orders.                                                                                            

My Thoughts:

Reboot is a smart, fresh and entertaining story that brings in an unusual twist to sci-fi and paranormal genre. This isn't your typical zombie book, but that's what rebooting basically is. An odd reaction to the KDH virus, killing millions, but there is always the possibilities of people coming back to life when they Reboot. Depending on the number of minutes you've been dead will determine how far you'll make it. The longer you've been dead will make you more strong and powerful but it will taint your emotions. The smaller your number is, the more human is left in you, which will make you slow and weak. Wren Connolly's number is 178. She feels nothing. That is, till a lowly 22 changed everything she's ever known.

What a fun book! Amy Tintera's writing is sharp, strong and very clever. I love this plot concept! I've read many different kind of zombie books, but I would have to say that this one is the most original since it throws in sci-fi elements into the package. I liked the training and missions but I must warn you, that this tends to get pretty cruel and unmerciful. My insides wanted to scream right along with some of these characters. The first half is all business and very direct but the second half seems to make room for the romance to developed properly, without HARC zooming in. I thought the pacing was well done and it was easy to follow our characters right up to it's explosive ending. 

When we meet Wren we can tell that she's very cold, intimidating, ruthless and an unfeeling creature. Her number is her reputation after all. 178 minutes dead means that you come back an emotionless killing machine. Almost robotic, so it was really fun to see someone get under her skin, bringing back her humanity and making her feel hopeful for the first time since she was twelve years old. 

Callum Reyes is infectiously adorable! Coming in at 22 (the lowest of numbers) he's basically still all human. I adore his zing for life, good nature and high spirits. He's just such a positive force, nothing gets him down for long. It was hard to read through his training since I was nervous and anxious for him, but through all the pain and anguish he takes everything so light and easy. Together Wren and Callum bring out the best in each other even during some of the darkest times for Callum, Wren cared enough to do what needed to be done. I really enjoyed their opposite-attracts chemistry and sweet moments.

All in all, Reboot turned out to be a fun experience. It brings something fresh to both sci-fi and paranormal. Great writing, likable characters and a story-line that will grab you from minute one. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!

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                                                                  4 Snowflakes