Author: Elise Stokes
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Published on: December 13, 2010 by JACE Publishing LLC
Cassidy Jones is your typical teenager-- that is, until a seemingly harmless accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist turns her world upside down.
Discovering incredible strength, speed, and enhanced physical senses that defy logic, Cassidy embarks on an action-packed adventure that has her fighting for answers...and for her very life.
Don't miss the other action-packed books in Cassidy Jones Adventures!
Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift, Book Two
Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant, Book Three
Cassidy Jones and the Luminous, Book Four
Cassidy Jones and the Eternal Flame, Book Five
I seriously enjoy fiction (books or movies) about people who can do stuff others can’t. Whether it’s superpowers or tech/genetic enhancements, it fascinates me. That’s what drew me to the Cassidy Jones Adventures series. This first entry introduces the titular character. She’s an average, redheaded, 14-year-old schoolgirl. One day, Cassidy accompanies her father—a famous radio host—and his assistant to an interview. The subject is Dr. Serena Phillips, a prominent geneticist. While in her lab, Cassidy has an accident that gives her extraordinary abilities. It’s over so fast that not even the people in the room realize what happened.
Cassidy’s powers don’t manifest right away. She first notices she can smell what the next-door neighbors are having for breakfast. Cassidy soon discovers she has enhanced strength, speed, senses, and a wicked-fast healing factor. Seeking to understand exactly what happened to her, Cassidy turns to Emery Phillips. He’s the son of Dr. Phillips. Someone kidnapped her the day after Cassidy’s accident. The Joneses offered shelter to Emery for the meantime.
Emery turns out to be a godsend for Cassidy. He’s a child genius who assisted his mother at the lab. Other than Dr. Phillips, Emery knows the most about Formula 10X. He doesn’t understand it completely, but he is familiar enough. Cassidy demonstrates her powers for him, and he’s awed. They agree to not tell anyone else, for fear Cassidy might be targeted or turned into a lab rat. Emery does ask Cassidy to partner with him to find his mother. Cassidy agrees, as part of her wants to use her new powers to help people.
One good thing about Cassidy is that the author didn’t make her an outcast and loner. Cassidy has plenty of loyal friends and a loving family. They all have a significant presence in the book. Most notable are Chazz (Cassidy's superhero-loving little brother), Miriam Cohen (her eccentric best friend), and Jared Wells. He’s Cassidy’s biggest crush, but they have a... complicated history I’m not going to spoil. The book also gives Cassidy two main villains. One is a classic school bully for her normal self. The other is an unhinged megalomaniac for her superpowered alter-ego.
I found this first Cassidy Jones novel very entertaining. Cassidy is a likable protagonist, and she has lots of people who care about her. The action scenes are thrilling enough for a mature reader yet not too intense for children. Although this book is appropriate for middle-grade readers, adults can enjoy it too. This is the best superhero-esque book I read in 2019. I highly recommend it.
My rating: ★★★★
4 stars - Definitely enjoyed it!
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