Just to clarify – what I mean by the ‘rep’ portion in the description is that one characters has OCD, another depression, another chronic pain but no one believes him. But just forget about all of that, because they get powers! And then their “issues” vanish when they get their powers! Clearly my first big reason to dnf.

Either you have bad representation or you don‘t have any rep and this book… managed to have both in a really bad way. Plus in the bit that I read they had all the stereotypes of The Breakfast Club. I also really didn’t like the dialogue.

The Lost Causes by Jessica Etting; Alyssa Schwartz.
They're the kids that no one knows --- or no one wants to know. The rich depressive, the OCD chick, the hypochondriac, the drug abuser, the athlete with anger management issues. All chosen for intensive group therapy because they're out of other options. They're lost causes, the therapist tells them. She promises this support group will help them heal.
An OK read. Slow but readable. 3*.

This is a great YA read. Nothing too over complicated and the characters were relatable. All in all it was a good book

So sorry for the late feedback. It totally slipped my to do list.
This book entertained me. It reads as a YA book but I don’t mind. I appreciate that it was pretty much straightforward and easy to follow. The mystery aspect of the book works well and kept me interested with enough hints to try to figure it out.

I loved the idea of the book but DNF in the end. I didn't find it an overall bad read, it just really didn't hold my attention well and there are other books I want to get to. It just didn't work for me.

I really loved this book; a solid 4 star novel for me. I loved the blend of supernatural abilities and contemporary fiction that Etting and Schwartz masterfully crafted. The thriller follows five teenagers with enhanced abilities on a secret mission by the FBI. The teenagers are working with the FBI and their newfound abilities to solve a murder. While the concept is a bit far fetched, the novel itself is entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I usually have a hard time following novels with a lot of points of view, and this one has seven! But after getting to know the characters, which were pretty well fleshed out, I enjoyed getting the different perspectives from each of the different characters.

This is the kind of thriller/mistery developed for teens that reminds us of a thousand TV shows by CW which is not bad, and deliver us something quite nice, real teens struggling and trying to solve a mistery.

This story reminded me of something you might see on the CW, not that that's a bad thing but hopefully that gives you an idea of what you are in for if you pick this one up. It did keep me reading and was well written. But, with that said you have to look past some of the obviously plot developments.

I really enjoyed this book.

For a lot of the book, I thought it was kind of predictable and that I was sure what was going on, but in the end I was completely wrong and surprised.

I enjoyed the characters and their developement. I loved the fact that it was a paranormal mystery which I haven’t really seen before.

It felt a little slow at times, but I enjoyed reading it.

I thought this book was predictable and in some ways it was, but man was that the smartest move the authors could have done. I was so sure I knew what was going on (which kind of was), but then all of a sudden the rug was pulled out from under my feet and there was a whole new antagonist & motive. Wow!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. There were times when it was slow, but I think that built the anticipation of the story up. The teens did predictably teen things, but they were not complete morons, which seems to happen in many YA mystery/thriller books. The paranormal aspect is not something I usually care for in books, but it didn't turn me off, because it wasn't over the top.

I would recommend this to a teen who likes mystery or paranormal and wants to move into a different type of book, since it bridges the two so well.

I honestly did not expect to like it as much as I did and I still kind of feel like I should have given it a lower rating. If I was rating it on how believable it all was then I would have stuck with two stars but regardless of the wacky plot line and dubious science I actually got into the book. I think it's like when I watch one of those shows on CW like Jane the Virgin or later seasons of One Tree Hill where everything is ridiculous but it's so entertaining that I enjoy it none the less. The story telling and pacing is probably what really did it for me and I kept wanting to read until the end so kudos to the author. Also I would totally watch this if it were a show because damn it I think it would work really well as one and I would be willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of finding out what happens.

Teens and young adults are going to love this story! A group of dis-functional teens are given a drug by the FBI in order to solve a crime. But it's done without their knowledge or permission from anyone's parents. It was a pretty intense read that I am sure teens and YAs are going to enjoy as a summer read. Sequel??

At first glance, Jessica Etting's "The Lost Causes" seems like it's going to be a Twilight Zone-esque version of the Breakfast club. What happens when the Princess, the Jock, the Criminal, the Brain, and the Basket Case all get psychic powers? Look no further! However, this novel takes us much deeper than the much beloved movie could, past the one day that the characters were forced to spend together and answers the question of what happens next. Part coming-of-age novel, part murder mystery, and 100% intriguing, "The Lost Causes" will keep readers guessing until the very end. 4/5 stars for a disappointing final resolution.

I received this book for free, for an honest review. Thank you to Kids Can Press and NetGalley.

I started the ebook while camping a few weeks ago. I had forgotten that I had also purchased the hardcover. The beginning really sucked me in and I was able to read 30% during my trip. 30% is huge for a camping trip! I'm giving this book 4 stars because not only did it hook me while on vacation, but also kept me reading and guessing till the end.

The Lost Causes is a YA mystery thriller about 5 high school kids that are all damaged in some way. They come from all kinds of backgrounds and they all have different problems, but the one thing they have in common is that they are not wanted and are ignored for the most part, from their parents and teachers. They are called the Lost Causes because everyone in their lives has given up on them.

One day all 5 kids: Justin (poor, football jock with anger management issues), Andrew (hypochondriac, loner), Z or Zelda (rich girl with depression), Sabrina (druggie with dead brother) and Gabby (OCD with over achieving parents) are told to meet in an unused classroom for a intervention from the school's psychologist. When they arrive all that is in the room is 5 desks with their names on them and a cup of water. What they find out is that the FBI would like to recruit them to help solve the murder of a local candle maker, Lily Carpenter. This seems too good to be true and a little strange. When they find out the FBI actually slipped them a supernatural serum in the water and now they have certain unexplainable and supernatural abilities they decide it's worth the risk.

When I first started this book I was hooked, but toward the middle it kind of got boring. It might have been me, seeing as I was reading maybe one chapter a day. Once I sat down and really started reading it again, I couldn't put it down. I had a few ideas of what was going on and who the main players were in the murder, but didn't suspect until near the end. Then the last chapter happened. Z said she came downstairs into the kitchen and then I knew for certain what the ending would be. That isn't a bad thing. I'm happy I was able to solve something before it happened. That usually doesn't happen with me. What I didn't like is the vague ending. Will their be a sequel or is that it? Case closed? I mean it seems like their should be a novella of some kind wrapping it up, but at the same time, I guess they got their man so to speak. Oh well... I did really enjoy reading this book and definitely recommend for a light mystery with a unique twist.

3.8 stars!

***I received a free copy from the Publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.***

The Lost Causes tells us the story of 5 teens: Sabrina, Gabby, Zelda (Z), Justin and Andrew. They all have some serious issues, going from mental ones, like depression, OCD, and hypochondria to other ones, like drug addition and anger management.

The 5 teens are loners, are having a hard time in school and are deemed "Lost causes", since nor the teachers, nor their own parents, really care for them or believe in them.

“Your school files indicate that you’ve been deemed lost causes by everyone around you. People have given up trying to help. Your teachers, your fellow students, even your parents.”

But, everything changes when the teens are called for a supposed "Group theraphy session" where they, in fact, drink a special serum that not only lessens their issues... it grants their developing brains some new powers - psychic abilities!

“...this program could give you all a new purpose in life.”

Soon, they found out that this new abilities were granted to them so that they could help the FBI solve a murder case... an important case, since there's a chance the murder got his own hands in the same serum they have drank!

So, the 5 teens join forces, as they look for the murder and for the serum he stole...

But, what they don't know is that the murder might be closer to them than they think...

How will they deal with their new found powers?! Will they be able to find out who the murder is?!

Read the book to find out ;)

*****************
I enjoyed the book...

I really liked the Powers: there were “Retrocognition”, “Clairaudience”, “Psychokinesis” and some other abilities.

I liked how different the MCs were and that they did end up becomming close Friends. And there was Romance here :) ... There were 2 couples/romances and, while one was really sweet and developed with time (and I really like it); the other one, unfortunately, was insta-love and I didn't really feel it.

I, also, really enjoyed trying to guess who the murderer was... and the little twists!

I can Honestly say I did not expect the murderer to be who it was! There were some suprises here...

I especially liked the ending... it left me thinking and definitely gives way for this to turn into a series. I do hope there is, eventually, a 2nd book. I'd like to know more and see where the story is going.

Great mystery! Just enough to thrill the readers. Is perfect for fans looking for a new mystery to devour.

Breakfast club meets Scooby Doo meets X-Men. Troubled teens tossed together, mutated, and turned into an unlikely mystery solving teen. Well written and great for young adults looking for a thrilling but easy read.

I had a lot of trouble getting through this book, it just didn't grab me the way I thought it would. The way the backgrounds for the characters meandered turned me off and the mystery lost my interest quickly. Teens into the X-Files and looking for more mature steps up from the Maximum Ride series will definitely be able to sink their teeth into it though.

I received an eARC from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

It's a bit hard for me to talk about this book. So I'm just going to keep it simple.
What I liked:
I thought the writing was decent (pacing was solid and the intrigue kept you guessing). I loved the premise of the book. A group of misfit teens are secretly selected by the FBI to receive enhanced abilities to help fight crime - SOLD! I also really like the teen characters. Since it's an ensemble group, I thought the authors did an incredible job of developing each of them and showing their unique characteristics but also show the similarities and common feelings that pull them together into a team.

What made me cringe and pulled the book from a solid 3, maybe 4 star read to 2 stars:
spoiler
(view spoiler)

The ending was a bit abrupt which would normally leave me expecting a sequel - there are so many great directions that this series could go, both in terms of plot and in exploring issues that young people face today. That ultimately is why I think it's so important to have great stuff for young adults to read and for adults to read - bridge connections and open conversations.

Actual rating 2.5 stars. Spoilers ahead.

I made a promise to myself to find at least a few positives in every book I read but this was hard going. The premise is good, and I loved that the writers tried to not only write diversely but with a focus on the protagonists dealing with mental illnesses. But sadly, it was the execution that let it down for me.
First I need to talk about Gabby. This character gave me so much trouble. While you can sort of accept that Justin with anger issues, bad grades and a terrible home life might be tossed aside and not considered worth the effort by teachers and other adults Gabby is actually a very capable and good student with a fairly stable if pushy family life. So I found it practically impossible to believe that she would be cast aside by adults and school officials due to her diagnosis of OCD. Yes, maintaining friends may be difficult for her but why on earth wouldn’t any adult (especially the school psychiatrist) be at all concerned about this girl? The other huge problem I had with Gabby was the way her OCD was portrayed. It felt very much like very little research had actually been done into what OCD is, how it can affect people and why it can emerge in the first place. Ultimately it felt like the authors had looked at a list of the most stereotypical symptoms/signs of OCD, piled them all into a hat and picked out a few at random, without consideration about why they wanted their character to have these particular tendencies and how they would affect her.
Along the same lines we have Andrew. Z has uncaring and detached parents – who clearly don’t take a proper interest in their kids’ lives. It can be expected then that they may not notice or take much interest in Z’s depression. But Andrew’s home life seems to be fairly good. At least in the tiny conversation shown between him and his sister, there is no disinterest there. Again why is no one (again especially the school nurse and psychiatrist) taking his health issues seriously? He may have hypochondria but that is and can be a real and debilitating mental health issue.
I really liked the idea of giving these forgotten/discarded characters a way to deal with their issues and actually find a purpose or passion, but in actual fact, once they take the serum not one of them seem interested in understanding their mental health or why they had ended up in the situation they had. They’re just happy for the magic cure.
A little aside, but a pet hate of mine as a reader is when the author(s) jam in the title of the book into the book itself. This happened way, way too often. I didn’t need the group to constantly refer to themselves as The Lost Causes, to get the point the authors were trying to make.
My biggest problems came with the actual writing of the book. It relied so heavily on exposition I never felt connected to any of the characters. The old adage of “Show don’t Tell” isn’t just forgotten, it feels like all they are doing is telling and NOT showing.
We are told how terrible everyone’s home life is and apart from Justin, very little is actually shown. We’re told about all their health issues, but how was Z depressed? What caused Gabby’s OCD? And apart from being told about how her parents are a mess, how was Sabrina really affected by her brother’s death? More time is spent on Sabrina’s insta-love of Nash than her brother’s car accident. (Speaking from experience I know how all-consuming and life changing such an accident is)
Although even with the focus on this romance we’re never really given any indication of why they fall so deeply in love apart from each finding the other hot and “destiny” so even this is boring predictable.
I think one of the biggest issues overall is an overabundance of characters. 5 main protagonists (not including Patricia and Nash) can be hard going and I think the writers really struggled to develop well defined and realistic characters.
Because of this every character sounds the same. Yes we’re told Z is paranoid and a conspiracy freak but none of them have distinct character “voices”. In fact it all felt very monotone – another reason I couldn’t connect or invest in any of the characters. Surely even if they were all abandoned kids, each of their individual life experiences would make them sound and act differently?
Aside from the emotions of the characters we’re also told very basic things that surely there is a better way of showing. For example near the end of the book, when Sabrina meets up with Nash again we have this line:
“He was still wearing the same dark jeans and charcoal sweater, adhering to his usual palette of black, blue and gray”
This isn’t a description we should have so close to the end of the book. We should be able to see throughout the book that this character has a particular style or clothing choice – IF it’s important to his character or the plot – otherwise what’s the point?
I’ll admit the mystery driving the plot was interesting enough and the book did pick up in the last quarter or so – especially after they found out about the other “Lost Causes” but the final reveal confrontation felt rushed and again, so full of exposition that in the end I just didn’t care.
All in all, quite a disappointing read.