vikbash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blood_rose_books's review against another edition
4.0
In her debut novel Corcino takes the reader to the future, where all that is required to start a revolution is a single Spark:
There are no more fossil fuels left on Earth, but the human race is nothing but adaptable and with the creation of the humans known as Sparks, they are still able to charge items. Sparks are a slave to the energy that runs through them, known as Dust. It allows them to do amazing things, but they always have a need to release this energy. There are nine cities that offer safety to the people but this comes at a price, control over the children who show they have the power of a Spark. The boys are taken away to be trained into agent, while girls that show promise just disappear. When Lena was a young girl, her father knew that she was powerful so they faked her death in order to let her live. When she was old enough she moved outside of the city to protect those she loves. She is self taught on how to use her Dust power and she sells her abilities on the black market. Lena thought she was safe but when come to her home looking for a renegade Spark, they get way more than they bargain for with Lena. She is the Spark that will change everything.
Corcino had me hooked from the first pages of the book, with the right off the bat action scene, introduction to this world and Lena's powers. While I did find the book did dragged on at points (really Lena thinking things too much) and there were big gaps in time every once in awhile, I never once considered putting this book down. Corcino also plays on all of your emotional strings throughout the book as you did not know what kind of trouble Lena was going to get in to and how it would affect those that she cares about.
This has one of the most original ideas for the powers of an individual (or new species really in this case) that I have ever read. Based on the cover you think that electricity would be Lena's power and while that is true, she can basically control anything, from her own body, those around her and it seemed some aspects of nature as well. She is also able to charge any battery out there from the electrical charge that seems to run through her. I am very interested to see where Corcino takes Lena's powers, as the possibilities and her power seem endless and really overall, just such a cool idea.The normal humans in this world have found a way to turn the Sparks in to relative slaves as they are needed to charge all the cities, they are even pitted against each other and even though Sparks are more powerful than humans, they are seen as a lower class.
Lena is a great female protagonist, she starts out as a loaner in forced but necessary exile because of how powerful she is, but she still has the need to protect those that she loves. She has developed all of her skills in secret and has many tricks that even the strongest of the other Sparks are not aware of. At times I found Lena a little bit childish but I think that this is due to "dieing" when she was young and not getting the proper social skills or interactions with other people.
I was secretly kind of hoping that there would be no romance in this book....but alas I was wrong, it almost seems impossible these days to find a sci-fi or UF book that has a strong female lead character without having the romance aspects. This is not to says that I am adverse to romance in novels, I just find that the romance just seems to happen and they jump into it. I thought that Lena was a stronger character than that and did not see the need for her to think of Reyes in a romantic way all the time, really from the first time she meets him.
This is a great debut novel, with a great original world and powers and while I could have done with out the immediate romance, I guess I have just come to expect in books these days. Corcino will have you hooked from the beginning and if you love a strong female protagonist, this book is for you. Well done Corcino, I know I'll be looking for the next in the series.
Enjoy!!!
There are no more fossil fuels left on Earth, but the human race is nothing but adaptable and with the creation of the humans known as Sparks, they are still able to charge items. Sparks are a slave to the energy that runs through them, known as Dust. It allows them to do amazing things, but they always have a need to release this energy. There are nine cities that offer safety to the people but this comes at a price, control over the children who show they have the power of a Spark. The boys are taken away to be trained into agent, while girls that show promise just disappear. When Lena was a young girl, her father knew that she was powerful so they faked her death in order to let her live. When she was old enough she moved outside of the city to protect those she loves. She is self taught on how to use her Dust power and she sells her abilities on the black market. Lena thought she was safe but when come to her home looking for a renegade Spark, they get way more than they bargain for with Lena. She is the Spark that will change everything.
Corcino had me hooked from the first pages of the book, with the right off the bat action scene, introduction to this world and Lena's powers. While I did find the book did dragged on at points (really Lena thinking things too much) and there were big gaps in time every once in awhile, I never once considered putting this book down. Corcino also plays on all of your emotional strings throughout the book as you did not know what kind of trouble Lena was going to get in to and how it would affect those that she cares about.
This has one of the most original ideas for the powers of an individual (or new species really in this case) that I have ever read. Based on the cover you think that electricity would be Lena's power and while that is true, she can basically control anything, from her own body, those around her and it seemed some aspects of nature as well. She is also able to charge any battery out there from the electrical charge that seems to run through her. I am very interested to see where Corcino takes Lena's powers, as the possibilities and her power seem endless and really overall, just such a cool idea.The normal humans in this world have found a way to turn the Sparks in to relative slaves as they are needed to charge all the cities, they are even pitted against each other and even though Sparks are more powerful than humans, they are seen as a lower class.
Lena is a great female protagonist, she starts out as a loaner in forced but necessary exile because of how powerful she is, but she still has the need to protect those that she loves. She has developed all of her skills in secret and has many tricks that even the strongest of the other Sparks are not aware of. At times I found Lena a little bit childish but I think that this is due to "dieing" when she was young and not getting the proper social skills or interactions with other people.
I was secretly kind of hoping that there would be no romance in this book....but alas I was wrong, it almost seems impossible these days to find a sci-fi or UF book that has a strong female lead character without having the romance aspects. This is not to says that I am adverse to romance in novels, I just find that the romance just seems to happen and they jump into it. I thought that Lena was a stronger character than that and did not see the need for her to think of Reyes in a romantic way all the time, really from the first time she meets him.
This is a great debut novel, with a great original world and powers and while I could have done with out the immediate romance, I guess I have just come to expect in books these days. Corcino will have you hooked from the beginning and if you love a strong female protagonist, this book is for you. Well done Corcino, I know I'll be looking for the next in the series.
Enjoy!!!
seeingnight's review against another edition
4.0
GENRE: New Adult
THEME: Dystopian, Romance, Fantasy
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Dystopian’s are usually tough for me to get into or at least see the big picture settling that the author is trying to create. But Kate Corcino writes a dystopian that isn’t so doom and gloom dark, but more fantasy intriguing and makes your think more than anything. I loved the idea of the Dust being an advanced technology in this futuristic earth. It goes to show how much can change over time, and the effects it could have on humans.
Spark Rising follows Lena who was thought to be dead, but is kept hidden because of how powerful of a Spark she is. As a Spark she can control dust in the air, which makes the Council (similar to a government) afraid she could be too power, especially since she is a girl. She is eventually tracked down, her calmer life disrupted by an agent for the council who wants her too join his cause.
Lena is a fantastic lead; she is extremely powerful but of course not perfect. Lena is someone who never backs down from a fight and has been protecting herself for a long time. After her father is murdered, which also puts her family in danger she is ready for battle. I felt so much for her because she such a likeable character but has to go through so much betrayal and heartache by people she thought she could trust. Her dynamic with Alex is what kept me hooked, their first encounter was brilliant, showing how Alex wasn’t prepared for Lena strength and determination. It triggered a “spark” in them; they had so much chemistry right off the start.
Alex is a character who I had a love hate relationship with all throughout. I think it was because he was a bit of a mystery; he had a very different upbringing than Lena. Alex is a stubborn guy and most of the time had me shaking my head because he wanted to keep his distance from Lena, but seriously he can’t resist her charm. He is drawn from the beginning and I wasn’t sure if he was going to be a bad guy until I read from his point of view how much he wants to keep her safe.
Overall I really enjoyed this world building that Corcino created. The characters are very well developed; and even though I have some unanswered question about the world created I know I ‘ll get more answers in the next book. The romance of course was my favorite tidbit, as I always have to have some “spark” in my books. Alex and Lena have some awesome tension building chemistry from the beginning, and when they become close its total fireworks and I loved it. The ending left me excited to continue, I’m not stressing about waiting on the next book because it ended on a good note.
THEME: Dystopian, Romance, Fantasy
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Dystopian’s are usually tough for me to get into or at least see the big picture settling that the author is trying to create. But Kate Corcino writes a dystopian that isn’t so doom and gloom dark, but more fantasy intriguing and makes your think more than anything. I loved the idea of the Dust being an advanced technology in this futuristic earth. It goes to show how much can change over time, and the effects it could have on humans.
Spark Rising follows Lena who was thought to be dead, but is kept hidden because of how powerful of a Spark she is. As a Spark she can control dust in the air, which makes the Council (similar to a government) afraid she could be too power, especially since she is a girl. She is eventually tracked down, her calmer life disrupted by an agent for the council who wants her too join his cause.
Lena is a fantastic lead; she is extremely powerful but of course not perfect. Lena is someone who never backs down from a fight and has been protecting herself for a long time. After her father is murdered, which also puts her family in danger she is ready for battle. I felt so much for her because she such a likeable character but has to go through so much betrayal and heartache by people she thought she could trust. Her dynamic with Alex is what kept me hooked, their first encounter was brilliant, showing how Alex wasn’t prepared for Lena strength and determination. It triggered a “spark” in them; they had so much chemistry right off the start.
Alex is a character who I had a love hate relationship with all throughout. I think it was because he was a bit of a mystery; he had a very different upbringing than Lena. Alex is a stubborn guy and most of the time had me shaking my head because he wanted to keep his distance from Lena, but seriously he can’t resist her charm. He is drawn from the beginning and I wasn’t sure if he was going to be a bad guy until I read from his point of view how much he wants to keep her safe.
Overall I really enjoyed this world building that Corcino created. The characters are very well developed; and even though I have some unanswered question about the world created I know I ‘ll get more answers in the next book. The romance of course was my favorite tidbit, as I always have to have some “spark” in my books. Alex and Lena have some awesome tension building chemistry from the beginning, and when they become close its total fireworks and I loved it. The ending left me excited to continue, I’m not stressing about waiting on the next book because it ended on a good note.
bluekaren's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun read. Spark Rising was full of adventure, love, family and female power. Although this is part of a series, this book was complete and did not leave me hanging. I loved Lena and her take-no-sh*t attitude. She is a woman who relies on herself and a bit of dust to get by.
This book was set in a post-apocalyptic future where some people, known as sparks, are born with ability to generate electrical charges. The sparks use Dust to generate electricity to power their world. These sparks are what control the population and the most powerful sparks are coveted by the council. Most females are taken at age five and controlled before they reach their full potential. Strong female sparks don’t exist, according to the council. Male sparks rule this world. Female sparks carry the spark genes, so they are under government control. Lena is a female spark, thought to be the most powerful female the world has ever known. Her death was staged at the age of five by her parents so she wouldn’t be taken. This story starts off with her being discovered living outside of the city. Her talent for Dust control, her spark, makes her a very wanted woman. Once she is found the chase is on.
The good: I found Lena to be a very likeable and relateable character. She is independent and in control, even of her sexuality. I felt bad for Lena in that she has to make some major changes to survive and looses a lot. In exchange, Lena also evolves and really comes into her own in this story. She finds something she can get behind, everyone else just better watch out when she sets her mind to something. I liked the world building in this book and all the travel that takes place. I loved that even the really good guys have flaws.
I loved the sci-fi aspect of this book. The spark part of this world was really cool and very unique. Basically, sparks control dust to generate charges and create electricity. They can also manipulate dust within people to create havoc or heal. Not all sparks can, but Lena is really special. I enjoyed her trying to teach other sparks how to do what she does. It helped me to understand this concept. There is dust everywhere in abundant amounts here on this world and in the one the author created. The sparks in this book were well written. Even in adolescence, these characters were well written. The sparks were very cool.
The bad: I didn’t like that the book just jumped into the action. I like a bit more characters building before everything falls apart. People die in this book and we don’t really have a chance to get to know them first. I find it hard to mourn people when no back-story is given, it was not really given later enough in my opinion. The relationship that Lena gets into with Reyes was bit like denial. They want each other but they don’t want to admit it. I don’t like love angst. Just get to, or don’t.
In conclusion: I found this to be a really unique dystopian book. I know dystopian fans are gonna love this book. I am looking forward to the follow books. Despite my critiques, this was a good read that I enjoyed.
This book was set in a post-apocalyptic future where some people, known as sparks, are born with ability to generate electrical charges. The sparks use Dust to generate electricity to power their world. These sparks are what control the population and the most powerful sparks are coveted by the council. Most females are taken at age five and controlled before they reach their full potential. Strong female sparks don’t exist, according to the council. Male sparks rule this world. Female sparks carry the spark genes, so they are under government control. Lena is a female spark, thought to be the most powerful female the world has ever known. Her death was staged at the age of five by her parents so she wouldn’t be taken. This story starts off with her being discovered living outside of the city. Her talent for Dust control, her spark, makes her a very wanted woman. Once she is found the chase is on.
The good: I found Lena to be a very likeable and relateable character. She is independent and in control, even of her sexuality. I felt bad for Lena in that she has to make some major changes to survive and looses a lot. In exchange, Lena also evolves and really comes into her own in this story. She finds something she can get behind, everyone else just better watch out when she sets her mind to something. I liked the world building in this book and all the travel that takes place. I loved that even the really good guys have flaws.
I loved the sci-fi aspect of this book. The spark part of this world was really cool and very unique. Basically, sparks control dust to generate charges and create electricity. They can also manipulate dust within people to create havoc or heal. Not all sparks can, but Lena is really special. I enjoyed her trying to teach other sparks how to do what she does. It helped me to understand this concept. There is dust everywhere in abundant amounts here on this world and in the one the author created. The sparks in this book were well written. Even in adolescence, these characters were well written. The sparks were very cool.
The bad: I didn’t like that the book just jumped into the action. I like a bit more characters building before everything falls apart. People die in this book and we don’t really have a chance to get to know them first. I find it hard to mourn people when no back-story is given, it was not really given later enough in my opinion. The relationship that Lena gets into with Reyes was bit like denial. They want each other but they don’t want to admit it. I don’t like love angst. Just get to, or don’t.
In conclusion: I found this to be a really unique dystopian book. I know dystopian fans are gonna love this book. I am looking forward to the follow books. Despite my critiques, this was a good read that I enjoyed.
aimee70807's review
5.0
I think this is my second-favorite book of the month (which is pretty good considering the fact that first prize goes to Ilona Andrews!). I was immediately sucked in by the premise, which is a very unique urban-fantasy scenario and promised lots of fascinating world-building. Corcino lived up to that potential, then raised the stakes by adding in a damaged, spunky, loveable heroine, an intriguing love interest, and plenty of gut-churning action.
I was relieved that this book didn't end on a cliffhanger, even though I'll still be biting my fingernails as I wait for book two. Instead, the author came through with a satisfying conclusion that still left me wanting more. Write faster, please!
I was relieved that this book didn't end on a cliffhanger, even though I'll still be biting my fingernails as I wait for book two. Instead, the author came through with a satisfying conclusion that still left me wanting more. Write faster, please!
pippajay's review
5.0
An epic post-apocalyptic romance adventure that leaves all others in the dust, and doesn't let up on the tension from start to finish. Fantastic world building, a complex, multi-layered plot, and characters your hearts will bleed for. Can't wait for the next book!
Disclaimer - I was given an ARC by the author for my honest and unbiased review.
Disclaimer - I was given an ARC by the author for my honest and unbiased review.
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