Neurotic Thoughts on Darwin's Children

Darwin's Children
Author: Natasha Larry
Released: June 8, 2011
Publisher: Penumbra Publishing
Pages: 260
ISBN: 1935563513
Target Age: Young Adult

Source: This review part of the Book Lovin' Bitches Tour
Summary from Goodreads


Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic black girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening - especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner's family isn't the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie's mom's MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in 'trainer,' is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie's godfather John is more than persuasive - he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world's concerned, Jaycie's on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie's pediatrician father, but she doesn't fit in with 'normal' kids, and she doesn't really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there's one thing she can't control - and that's her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of...

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

 

                                            I Really Liked This Book!! 

My favorite part of Darwin's Children was the line up of amazing characters. I also really enjoyed how fresh and new this story line felt.  The characters were absolutely wonderful and completely believable (well, as believable as super powered people can be).  It was so refreshing to read a young adult novel that included a loving, attentive, and sweet father who also just happens to be telepathic. Jaycie is surrounded by people who love her, like her sweet and fun nanny/trainer that really acts more like a best friend and older sister, who also has super strength and speed. Her God-Father that can manipulate people's thinking, but only when it's really necessary, and her childhood friend the super adorable Matt. Then we meet Haylee, Jaycie's newest friend, she is a wonderful and complex character that I was instantly rooting for. The fact that Jaycie had been homeschooled was fun for me since I am a homeschooling mama. However, I was confused as to why she was forced to go to school when the book really didn't explore her school life very much except to let us know that she wasn't liked, and didn't really have any friends there. The relationships that Jaycie has in this book are so sweet and wonderful.  Like when she visits the town candy store, the owners know her and adore her. Those little details made Darwin's Children such a great read for me. Not to mention the making out, crazy but super cool vampires, and the kick-butt action scenes.  My only real complaint was that the end of the book felt a little rushed and confusing to me. I'm looking forward to reading more about Jaycie, Haylee and their growing super powers. 

Warnings: Haylee's home life was VERY far from perfect, there is a tiny bit of making out, and some slight mention of marijuana.  

Join the rest of the Darwin's Children Tour! 

5/12  excerpt @ Just Another Book Addict
6/7    review @ Ramblings of a (Future) Librarian
6/8    guest post @ Ramblings of a (Future) Librarian
6/8    review @ Star Shadow
6/10  review @ Avery's Book (and Other Fun Stuff) Nook
6/11  review @ Just Another Book Addict
6/11  interview @ Avery's Book (and Other Fun Stuff) Nook
6/13  review @ Sara Is Reading What?
6/14  excerpt @ Sara Is Reading What?
6/16  review @ ComaCalm's Corner
6/17  interview @ ComaCalm's Corner
6/20  review @ My Neurotic Book Affair
6/23  guest post @ My Neurotic Book Affair
6/23 giveaway @ Star Shadow
6/27  review @ It's All About Books
6/29  guest post @ It's All About Books