I have wanted to read this book forever (okay since it came out last year). This was a very well done fantasy novel about people who develop extraordinary abilities (EOs) after a near death experience. This book explores a lot of shades of grey in a very superhero type of way.
Eli and Victor are roommates in college, they are both arrogant and extremely intelligent. Both decide to do research on what could potentially result in people becoming Extraordinaries, or basically people with extraordinary abilities. When they find that near death experiences are the key, they both decide to try and turn themselves into EOs. However something must have gone wrong because now Victor is escaping prison after 10 years and seeking his revenge against Eli.
The story bounces between near history (a couple of days before current day) and 10 years ago when Eli and Victor were in college. The story is very cleverly revealed as we piece together the events that led to Eli and Victor becoming EOs and Victors imprisonment.
This book is all about shades of grey. Are people having extraordinary abilities good or evil? Are they villains or heroes? What happens when one of these people thinks they are a hero, but they arent? This is truly a superhero comic in book form.
There are a ton of interesting characters in this book. All of them have interesting abilities. The fact that all of the characters who are EOs have also had near death experiences adds a dark tone to the whole story. As does the fact that in exchange for their special ability they end up missing something else.
As I said the whole story was very engaging and really cleverly put together. That being said none of the characters really grabbed me and I thought the whole story ended up being a bit predictable, thats why 4 stars instead of 5 stars. Still this is a very well done story, it is unique and engaging to read.
Overall an excellent story about superhero-like abilities and the cost of those abilities. Also a story about a friendship gone wrong. I would recommend to those who enjoy stories about superheroes. This book is very cleverly put together and makes for a very fun and unique read.
Eli and Victor are roommates in college, they are both arrogant and extremely intelligent. Both decide to do research on what could potentially result in people becoming Extraordinaries, or basically people with extraordinary abilities. When they find that near death experiences are the key, they both decide to try and turn themselves into EOs. However something must have gone wrong because now Victor is escaping prison after 10 years and seeking his revenge against Eli.
The story bounces between near history (a couple of days before current day) and 10 years ago when Eli and Victor were in college. The story is very cleverly revealed as we piece together the events that led to Eli and Victor becoming EOs and Victors imprisonment.
This book is all about shades of grey. Are people having extraordinary abilities good or evil? Are they villains or heroes? What happens when one of these people thinks they are a hero, but they arent? This is truly a superhero comic in book form.
There are a ton of interesting characters in this book. All of them have interesting abilities. The fact that all of the characters who are EOs have also had near death experiences adds a dark tone to the whole story. As does the fact that in exchange for their special ability they end up missing something else.
As I said the whole story was very engaging and really cleverly put together. That being said none of the characters really grabbed me and I thought the whole story ended up being a bit predictable, thats why 4 stars instead of 5 stars. Still this is a very well done story, it is unique and engaging to read.
Overall an excellent story about superhero-like abilities and the cost of those abilities. Also a story about a friendship gone wrong. I would recommend to those who enjoy stories about superheroes. This book is very cleverly put together and makes for a very fun and unique read.
This book only covered 4 days - the first chapter heading is "Last night" the last chapter heading is "Two nights later" - but years span the story in between. From two roommates in college to their violent fight about 12 years later, the story takes you on a harrowing journey.
From a death defying science experiment by the roommates, Eli and Victor, to the determination that EO's ~~ ExtraOrdinaries ~~ were many in number among us, to the special powers that both boys possessed, once brought back from a near death experience. How the story then plays out, who is loyal to whom, who lives, and who dies ~~ or do they?
Not sure if it was the authors intent - but the story ending, which did sum up this book, can easily segue into another book. Already a childrens author this is the first adult novel from V.E.Schwab, but hopefully not the last. Whereas I don't read much fantasy fiction, this book held my interest, all the way thru.
From a death defying science experiment by the roommates, Eli and Victor, to the determination that EO's ~~ ExtraOrdinaries ~~ were many in number among us, to the special powers that both boys possessed, once brought back from a near death experience. How the story then plays out, who is loyal to whom, who lives, and who dies ~~ or do they?
Not sure if it was the authors intent - but the story ending, which did sum up this book, can easily segue into another book. Already a childrens author this is the first adult novel from V.E.Schwab, but hopefully not the last. Whereas I don't read much fantasy fiction, this book held my interest, all the way thru.
