Thank you for the opportunities to read this book. I have attempted it on a number of occasions but unfortunately I haven’t been able to get into it.

Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and the author and publishers for providing me with a digital edition of Deviation in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I was provided with a copy of this book, because I knew of the author quite well by following her on Instagram for a number of years now, and I thought we both had similar tastes in books. This book reminds me a little like a cross between X-Men, Harry Potter, Divergent and the Alex Rider TV show. This mix might sound weird but it made for quite an interesting read, whilst admittedly not being anything ground-breaking.

I found I would have liked a little more back story into the main character and her love interest, because whilst I enjoy books where you're thrown straight into the action, I still like to learn what a character is like from their past, and this helps me gain further insight into them and why they are the way they are. I understand this might have been hard as the characters are all basically bred for their powers and don't know their parents, but even just more from her childhood and teenage years would have been interesting.

The book was well-written, the side characters were fun and added a lot to the story, the 'enemies' in the team of powerful teens helped add interest and a bit of tension, and the love interest was slow but was starting to build up to something that I think will blossom further in the following books. I would have liked a little more of the everyday nature of just being a human, and I know some people hate this 'fluff' but personally I like a bit of this nature of books as it helps me relate to what would otherwise be totally unrelatable for me. And I love to relate to characters when I read.

This book has a good deal of action and if you're someone who likes fantasy books to be mostly action with a little romance on the side, then this is for you. The romance took a back-seat to the action and plot and I know a lot of people would enjoy this. Personally I like a little more romance but I think this might come in the next two books.

Overall I liked it, but just didn't really love it and I probably wouldn't reread it or buy the next two in the series. It's not bad at all and has positives, but it's just not for me, so was a bit of an average read for me that didn't excite me to keep diving back in or reach for the next instalments. However I do know that this would suit a lot of other peoples' interests, especially those YA readers who like their books with lots of action and only a touch of romance.

Deviation by Christine Manzari.
This was a good read with likeable characters. Slow in places but good in others. 3*.

3.5

Deviation is a YA dystopian novel by Christine Manzari that follows Clementine, a genetically modified teen that learns she has the ability to make things explode with her mind. Once her school becomes aware of that fact, she is shipped off to a new one that trains teens to become human weapons for the military. Cleo is forced to leave behind her friends (basically the only family she has,) and begin to train for her new path in life. Once she gets to her new school, St. Ignatius, she finds out a lot of surprising things about herself, the program, and the world around her.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise of this story, the characters, and the dystopian aspect of it all.  Deviation's interesting storyline kept me entertained and intrigued the whole way through. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel!

I was provided with a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I have long had this book on my TBR, as @xenatine was one of the first bookstagrammers I ever followed! That alone was enough to peak my interest, and I was not disappointed once I finished. This book reminded me a lot of the Darkest Minds series with a little bit of the Perfected trilogy mixed in, but done ever better. I loved Cleo from page one, and Ozzy is totally swoon-worthy. The one scene with him in the tux with the flowers...oh my word. That would have been my teenage dream. I also loved the roller derby side plot - it added a little fun into an otherwise pretty dark life for the students. Arabella was so badass, and I love the relationship with her and Sterling (and his bad jokes are the best!). Quinnie was a great antagonist. I won't give spoilers, but the mass character reveal at the end was something I did NOT see coming. I already have Book 2 loaded up on the kindle, and cannot wait to start!

I don't know why I previously thought this book wasn't interesting the first time I tried it. However, I decided to give it another try and at first I liked it a lot. The writing dragged a bit at times but I was interested in the story-line so I kept reading. The concept of Sophisticates and the dystopian style to the story intrigued me. I liked the characters and how they were introduced. Ozzy was my favorite. The plot twists kept me engaged and entertained.

However, some of the scenes felt unnecessary and didn't add value to the main plot. The story concentrated too much on the friendships and interactions, making it seem high school in nature rather than dystopian. The story didn't have the severity and seriousness needed for the plot. Halfway through, the writing was tiresome and emphasized too much length on the relationships rather than the plot twists.

That said, this story had a lot of potential and could have been better.

After terrorist attacks ravage the United States, a program emerges that enhances humans into Sophisticates: genetically altered humans that are faster, stronger, and smarter than the average human. Cleo just wants to be average but being in the Sophisticates program she is anything but. Aside from being a Sophisticate, Cleo begins to show that she might be much more. When her rage burns her room and all her belongings to ash, she is sent to the Academy, a military school for special Sophisticates. Thrown into a rigorous training and new lifestyle from what she previously knew, Cleo soon begins to discover that she is not the only Sophisticate with other unique talents.

“You may not be able to control your future, but you can control how you handle it. Don’t let the fear rule you, rule the fear.”

What an excellent dystopian novel! Action-packed with plenty of drama, Deviation has been one of the best dystopian novels I’ve read this year! With super powers, romance, and ROLLER DERBY, once I started I could not put this down. Seriously though, how many books have you read with roller derby in them? I never knew I wanted it until now.

Cleo is a tough chick who was easy to relate to (except for the whole I-will-blow-you-into-smithereens-if-you-make-me-angry thing she had going on.) Although it would be cool to be able to blow things up with just your mind.

I really enjoyed the friendships that Cleo developed while at the Academy. The romance between Cleo and the resident bad boy, Ozzy, was an insta-love and I am not the biggest fan of those ,however, it was still entertaining to read their back-and-forth banter. There were also a few phrases I noticed that were said somewhat repeatedly although now that I’m trying to think of what they were I’m having a brain fart. The pacing of events unfolding was executed perfectly and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. There were a few topics that I wanted to know more about ( Cleo’s parents?) but since this is only the first in the series, I am hopeful to learn more in the second. I give this 4 out of 5 stars! I can’t wait to begin the next in this series!

*I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

So "Deviation" is the first book in the Sophisticates series: A first for me with this particular author and also one that pleasantly surprised me in as such that it really managed to capture and retain my attention throughout.
This is a YA novel, but don't let that put you off as this has so much to offer any age reader and I am seriously glad I gave this a go myself.
So the concept behind this novel was ever so intriguing a program of superhuman genetically engineered children called Sophisticates.
These special individuals are raised and housed by the government and their future use is for the purpose of national security and a deterrent to terrorism and global threats.
They are essentially the property of the government and as such there freedoms and life is limited.
This first book follows Cleo: a sophisticate with a little something extra.
After Cleo starts exhibiting strange abilities she is shipped out of her academic university and into the military designation of sophisticates to retrain.
As she settles down into her new role Cleo has to get to grips with a completely new hierarchy.
Mean girls, new relationships and also Ozzy who seems to wants to be more than just friends.
So this was a great read that I really did enjoy.
I also really liked the fact that this didn't take itself to seriously: that although we were dealing with some major issues here that essentially at its heart the individuals portrayed here were still teenagers with all the usual teenage angst and normal mundane issues this generation seem to experience.
You know what I mean boys, popularity whose taking who to the dance.
But also if you read between the lines this also had a more sinister message to impart: one that essentially is telling the story of an almost slave-like existence where all life decisions are being made by someone higher up on the chain.
When you dissect the bones here it's almost chilling these adolescents even have trackers implanted to show their actual location at all times.
So I have been reading a few examples from this particular genre lately and got to say this has been my favourite for a while: I will even be continuing on here as I really want to know what's next in store for Cleo, Ozzy and the rest of the gang.
So If you're looking for a good YA read then I am happy to recommend this one to you: it really managed to capture my imagination an excellent solid read.
Thank you to the Author and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of "Deviation" (The Sophisticates, #1) of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Set in a dystopian world, this is really a story about a crazy ass boarding school and people with powers.

This was a fun, action-packed read. I read it really fast and couldn't put it down.
The plot was pretty interesting, captivating even.
I didn't love the main characters though. I mean I liked them fine but I didn't love them.
Still, the dynamics between the friendships were great. I just didn't love the main romance... I Couldn't really feel it.
Also, the twist at the end left me kinda disappointed. It was a bit too telenovela to me!

All in all though, I enjoyed it and I really want to read the rest of the series.

While I loved the characters and watching their friendships, that’s really all there was. We don’t really get an understanding of the Program, how it got started after Wormwood or how it works once the students graduate and become adults. It felt like there was a lot of worldbuilding (or explaining) was missing. It also lacked action. Aside from some slight superpowered bullying by Quinnie, there weren’t many action scenes. No real villain until 90% and the reveal and subsequent action scene lacked excitement. Maybe the second and third book have much more action but I am not sure I want to continue the series. It wasn’t bad just a bit boring.

Disclaimer: I received this book through NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.



Rating: 2/5



Publication Date: August 8th, 2013



Genre: YA Dystopian



Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, language, mature scenes)



Pages: 438



Author Website


Amazon Link


Synopsis: Being a Sophisticate of the Program seems like it’d be a pretty sweet deal: a little genetic alteration and anyone can be smarter, faster, and stronger. It’s a dream come true. All you have to give up is your freedom. 

Cleo is a Sophisticate and she has a bright future in the Program. But she has a secret. When she gets upset, bad things happen. Explosive things. Things she can’t control. 

When her secret is discovered, she’s sent to the Academy to train in the military branch of the Program. She’s destined to be a human weapon in the war that’s been going on since Wormwood occurred nearly 30 years ago. She soon learns that although her ability is unique, there are others like her — other Sophisticates with lethal skills and odd code names like Archerfish and Mimic Octopus. 

Immersed in a dangerous game of supernatural powers and dubious motives, Cleo doesn’t know who to trust. Ozzy, the annoyingly attractive cadet who has perfect aim in weapons class and deviant lips behind closed doors, begs her not to use her powers. He’s the golden boy of the Program, but can she trust him? Or will she find herself a target, caught in his crosshairs?



The premise of this book sounded really good so I thought I’d read it. I thought for the most part it exhibited great dialogue, but there wasn’t a lot about this book I liked.



I thought that the book just didn’t make sense. The kids are supposedly slaves, but they act like they’re free? The characters and their interactions are downright confusing and the world building would never hold up in the real world. The book is not very well written and the pacing is very wonky. I just don’t get this book and it’s a real shame.



Verdict: Great premise, bad execution.

Readers of dystopian novels and fans of Divergent will find much to like here. My review may be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2391329156

I will not be reading or reviewing this book because I found out that it doesn’t meet my reading criteria since it wasn’t originally published in 2018. I part I read before stopping were good, though!

The Sophisticates are genetically modified people to fight the terrorism and guide the broken country. But some are more modified than others. How is it like being an anomaly. A weapon for someone elses deeds.

I have very mixed feelings about this book.
I liked the premise -some modified mentally and some physically. Leaders of the world being modified to be able to learn and study more - to be geniuses. And warriors at fight are built up to do just that. But of course the lines between those two aren't so strict, there are deviations from the norm.

So a brainiac ends up in 5mile morning runs and brutal conditionings. And as typical to all the dystopian books out there - she starts to pick through the mess of goverments lies and doubt the rightfulness behind their decisions.

The story was pretty quickly paced and it was easy to fell in love with the characters. Although I would've enjoyed this story more from Ozzys point of view. He was going through so much while others were goofing around. He was the only one with some sense in his brains.

The MC had too many emotions. That's so rude to say but she kept being stuck in all the wrong things. She forget all the things that would've bothered me <spoiler>Ozzy telling Quinnie about Cassie</spoiler> and was hooked to the things she probably would've done her self <spoiler> looking to other peoples files specially as it was encouraged by superiors </spoiler>. And of course it was allllll forgotten after a few kisses. All the anger and untrustworthiness. blah.

The end has a spin. I wanted to see what the story builts up to, whats gonna happen but instead I got a plot twist that made the whole book feel like an introduction, the background story to the main part which I guess is the second book. That disappointed me a lot because it was going and going and going and going and never really ended up anywhere. At all.

So these are the bad parts. But I enjoyed it. It was fun and had beautiful strong relationships and no love triangles!!! (even though I was afraid for it in the beginning) <spoiler> No, Wes doesn't count. Though did he fell in love with Cassie while holding her unconscious body in the back seat? Like really?</spoiler>.

It is no Hunger Games or Divergent but it's totally fine way to spend time.
I'm certain i will pick up the next book in the series.

I follow the author on instagram and of course that I had to request her book when I saw it here.
And I totally loved it! I can't even believe how much I ended up enjoying it.
I would recommend it for sure ^^

I received this book in exchange for an honest review

A thrilling dystopian tale with a touch of science. Deviation is set in the future after terrorists have brutally attacked our country. The United States responds by creating the Sophisticates, an elite group who are bred to be genetically superior. When Cleo accidentally blows up her room when she gets too upset, she gets sent to an academy which is basically for soldiers. Once she arrives she quickly realizes that she is not the only one who is different.

Christine Manzari filled this book with some excellent world building and there was great background information that answered most of my questions. The whole possibility of this world felt very real, I think this book is a lot more plausible than The Hunger Games or Divergent. There was some scientific background and obviously some research was done in order to create the characters who were genetically altered.

This book had the potential to go somewhere as great as The Hunger Games or Divergent, yet the author didn't go as far with it as she could of. I loved the idea and the characters, yet I don't find myself blown away. I wanted a bigger climax and was a little disappointed. The world that Christine Manzari created was so fantastic that I have to hope that she writes a sequel. I really liked this book, yet I was not blown away.

First I did not know what this book would be about, but the idea of genetically altered humans was such a burner for me I can’t even describe it yet. It’s science fiction, but also a present topic and something we all should think more about. The author described the problems of that topic throughout her story very well and I fell in love with the characters. I don’t even have a favorite character because Ozzy, Arabella and Sterling were all so wonderfully written that I wish now that I had such a gang of friends! This book is just different from everything I have ever read before, including the roller scating sport and the university for special humans, how right the grip of the government can be on us “normal” people and strong the longing for a family still is, when you haven’t gotten any love in your life.
The writing style is funny and fast pacing and the sarcastic humour and chit chat was just my kind of a cake!
I needed a good book like this lately and can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel! The end was such a cliffhanger and the plot so exciting that my heart is still pounding and I need my baby gang to be well in the end!
So if you are searching for a paranormal, dystopian science fiction novel with a lot of truth and right thoughts in it, this could be your next read!
Join the deviants.

I am such a sucker for Dystopian stories. Especially the YA ones where the characters are young enough to be foolishly brave, unreservedly creative, and smart enough to succeed.

This is a good one. Great writing. Solid world building that develops naturally with the unfolding of the plot. No information dumps to stall over. Mind blowing reveals.

Only reason this doesn't have five stars is because it ended on a cliffhanger.

Deviant is easily as good as any of the other, big hit, YA Dystopian books.

I received this book from NetGalley and am providing my honest review.
I really enjoyed it! I found it hard to put down during the last 80% of the book, which was difficult as I was trying to cram reading time into my two small breaks at work. This book was published in 2013, during the time when dystopians like Hunger Games trilogy and the Divergent series were popular. However, this book certainly stands out from the others. For one, The Sophisticates are genetically modified people created by The Program, which basically run the country. The Sophisticates can be broken into two categories: Vanguards, the intelligent people who run everything and the Mandates, who are the strong, physically-enhanced human weapons.
Although, there wasn’t much world building in this book. Like, I would have had an easier time reading at the beginning if I knew the date or year this took place in (or perhaps I missed it). I think I understand the lack of general world building though. This is because Cleo’s role in Deviance is to be a student, so her focus and attention are primarily on the school. Don’t worry though, there’s plenty of drama and action going on at the school. This includes, hard classes in which Cleo has to run 5 miles and squat for a whole class period, a stalker love-interest, and an annoying mean girl.
As for the writing, I only have a couple of things to say. There was great description and beautiful imagery. The only issues I had with the writing were nitpicky and really don’t matter enough to be mentioned, but I’ll mention one anyway for an example. I noticed for I tended to ignore the dialogue tags a lot if I knew who was speaking. This made them unnecessary and they would only distract me. Also, many variations of “said” were used when I felt that said would have done the job better as it is an invisible word. Examples: “I argued,” “Cassie asked,” “Cassie emphasized.”

CHARACTERS
Cleo is an everyman; despite being super powerful, I could put myself in her shoes and go through the story as though I were her. While this means she didn’t have much personality (aside from needing anger management), this isn’t a good thing. Think Harry Potter. Of course she isn’t like Harry Potter, but he is easy to relate to in the way that we can insert ourselves onto him. I enjoy this because it helps me with immersion.

Homework Harpies are her friends at the start of the book, but their existence confused me. Despite there being three of them, Cleo describes them as one entity: Homework Harpies. They weren’t exactly relevant to anything from what I could tell and were only mentioned when she ruminated on the past. They may have more relevance in the future books though and I’ll have to read the others to find out.

Sterling and Arabella are the first two friends she actually makes in the book, not counting the friends she already has. Sterling is sarcastic and sort of reminded me of the Flash, which I enjoyed. He and Arabella were originally friends who invited Cleo to join their friend duo and they are both adorable. Some of their quips actually made me smile!

Ozzy is the romantic interest and much of the drama and conflict in the book revolves around him. I won’t say much, but I do want to address one thing that really got me thinking. That is cliche. At the surface, Cleo and Ozzy seem to have an instalove relationship (referring to the cliche of falling in love at first sight/too quickly in books), however this isn’t the case when it’s looked at a little more closely. I’m not sure if the author intended this, but their relationship sort of teases and parodies that cliche a bit, by making fun of it. Cleo literally calls Ozzy a “stalker” for his own instalove for her which turns out to not exactly be instalove. Just read it, you’ll get what I mean.

Quinnie is the beautiful, blonde bully who belongs with the Plastics of Mean Girls. She was so obnoxious and only served to make more conflict for Cleo. She has no real reason to be mean to Cleo and has this instahate for Cleo as soon as she sees her, which is super annoying and weirdly obsessive. She actually makes attacks Cleo countless times with no motivation other than petty high school bullshit. And she seemed to only target Cleo, despite everyone knowing how awful she is? Why did she target Cleo right away? It didn’t make sense.

I give it 4 stars because I truly did enjoy reading the book and can certainly see myself purchasing and reviewing the other books (although perhaps when they are on sale because I am poor).

I really liked the idea that the author had for this book. Terrorism has gotten out of control and millions of people are dead. This forces "the good guys" to change their tactics in order to win the war which involves changing humans into genetically altered weapons to be wielded to eradicate terrorists. The book is from the point of view of Cleo who is a sophisticate who has special abilities and after said ability is discovered is sent off to train at military academy. The book mainly focuses on her having to adjust to life at the military academy and how she doesn't quite fit in there. She is more of an intellectual than a fighter. I wished that the author would have done more with this book. There were so many directions that she could have taken it in but I think that she had trouble deciding which made the book seem like it lacked direction. I don't understand where she is going with it to be honest. The end of the book surprised me because there was no foreshadowing at all pertaining to what was revealed. I thought that the book would be taken in a completely different direction. I wished that the book didn't focus so much on Cleo acclimating to her new school. I would have liked to have seen more action between the sophisticates and terrorists or for Cleo to find out something more about her parents. Anything else. I enjoyed the book but I feel like this story had so much more potential that went to waste.