Julia Crane

The title of this book bugs me, it annoys me, it frustrates me no end - it eats away at the edges of my sanity and threatens to push me over the edge. I mean, crikey, the book is about a CYBORG - a human-machine hybrid. That means the girl is a Freak of Science. A freak of nature is - 'a person, animal, or plant with an unusual physical abnormality.' Like co-joined twins, or a person with extra limbs or toes, BUT not a person whom scientists have perverted into a freak with cybernetic show more implants. Arrrrrgh, every time I see the book's cover I want to dump it into Photoshop and hack and slash at the title until is says Freak of Science. How could the author not know this, not see this - worse, how could they not care that they are doing our heads in with a title that's the reverse of what it should be???!!!

Now to the book. Kaitlyn made the mistake of signing that little box saying that her body would be donated to science upon her death. What she didn't figure was that she'd be reanimated as a cyborg, with all her memories of the past removed/blocked. However, she is fully aware that this has been done to her. Now what do ya reckon her reaction to this would be? Wouldn't ya think she'd be horrified, disgusted, outraged, perhaps suicidal or psychotic? But nope to all over the above - not this girl. Her reaction is to pine for and have endless sexual fantasies for a young doctor who's partly responsible for putting her in this condition. I mean, really? She wakes up to find half her body replaced with cybernetics, and this is her reaction? I've heard of people having inappropriate or unrealistic responses and reactions to external stimuli and circumstances, but this! This reaction has got to take the oil. (I can't say 'cake,' cause, you know, she's a cyborg and she don't need to eat 'n all.) But wow, Kaitlyn's such an air head! (Even more so than I am.)

And then, in a tear filled scene, Kaitlyn wails to Lucas, "I'm just a freak of nature!" And I'm thinking, Lucas, here is chance to set her straight, to answer, "No! Not a freak of nature - we did this to you. You're a freak of science." But no, he lets her comment slide, and leaves her (and the reader, ie me!) weighed down by this false ideal that nature has somehow perverted her into this condition. Woe is me, I can't take this!

And don't get me started on Lucas. How that guy could look himself in the mirror every morning when brushing his teeth and setting his hair, I just don't know. After all he did to her, and the things he kept on doing even though his conscience pointed that accusing finger at him. But that was just the first half of the book - after that he gets to make a choice, but which side of him will win out, do you think? His conscience, or his 'I have to do the wrong thing 'cause it's my job' side?

Half way through the book things hotted up (not her body temperature though, that was regulated) and the story took a more interesting turn. And although I thought I had it all worked out, Kaitlyn (you know, the air head) had the audacity to go and surprise me and take the story in an unexpected direction. The book even had a satisfactory ending too, how's that? show less

Excellent resolution to the cliffhanger at the end of book one! This book is action filled, socially aware, wonderfully tragic, and, of course, brilliant! I wouldn't expect anything else from Julia Crane. Kaitlin and Eric are a unique special ops team. Mercenaries, they are not bound by the constrictions of government agents. In this story, they've joined forces with some other ex military men, to kill a rich human-trafficking kingpin. The story takes you back and forth between the IFICS show more people and a young girl who's been singled out by the slave-trader. It's heart-wrenching at times, and terrifying at others. All in all, a very good book. I've just downloaded book 3, and I'll let you know what I think, when I've finished. show less

Coexist by Julia Crane
Keegan is sixteen and is trying to keep a big secret from her friends....she is an elf and is descended from a long line of elves that live secretly among humans.
In elfin society mates are predetermined, however they are not allowed to meet until the are eighteen. against this tradition Keegan's brother Thaddeus has told her the name of her future mate. Thaddeus has visions and sees that Keegan will need the protection of Rourk her mate in the forthcoming war between show more the dark and the light elves.
Rourk is drawn to Keegan's side every time she is in need of protection, but he tries to stay in the background unseen. However a twist of fate pusshes them both together and Rourk is forced out into making his presence known to protect Keegan.
An ancient prophecy entwines around Keegan's family and the future of society. Can they thwart fate and win the war without losing Keegan? With a war and dark forces looming can Keegan and Rourk have the life together that they both wish for?
First of all I have to say I read the book in two sessions at night before I went to sleep. I found it quite a nice, relaxing read, that I could sit back and enjoy. Observing the happy family life Keegan had. Of course I was more on the edge of my seat for the Great Battle. There were some really good twists in there too, you found out certain people were also paranormal and you would not have guessed it.....well perhaps with one character. There is also a hidden moral in there too, that we all have to coexist, so why not try to get on. It is cleverly delivered and not in a preaching kind of way. The book is more aimed to the YA/Teen market but as you will see from my profile information I am certainly no teen but I still really enjoyed this book. it really flowed, not sure how else to describe it other than to say it was written in a way that led you through the story, it wasn't taxing in any way. Yes you get attached to the characters too, you feel Keegan's need to see Rourk. You feel the frustration of Rourk watching Keegan from distance and his jealousy when she talks to boys at school. The description of the places they see is so detailed and well done you can almost see them yourself.I think the title is perfect for the book as is the cover. I won't explain why the title is perfect as it would mean giving away the plot. Am looking forward to reading more of the series. show less

I am a big fan of Julia Crane's writing. There is a lovely flow to it and the characters are wonderful. I read her Keeghan's Chronicles series last summer and was mesmerized by her style of writing. The world of the IFICS series is very different from that of Keeghan's Chronicles, but no less engaging. Where the other series brought the mystical magic and mythology of Ireland into the contemporary world, this series is full of futuristic technology hidden from the rest of the world. I wasn't show more sure what to expect from this book. Not only is it very different from much of Julia's other work, I had also read very little "cyborg" fiction. There has just never been much appeal to me with this subject. Honestly, it was the striking cover that brought me to it, along with the fact that I have enjoyed her writing immensely.

Half human, half robot... that is who, and what, Kaitlyn is now. When she donated her body to science, she could never have anticipated what that would mean for her. Part of the reason "cyborg" fiction has never appealed to me was the fact that I couldn't see how a story could sustain itself without the emotion that is a part of humanity. But Kaitlyn has more of her humanity intact that her handlers at the lab know about. This makes for a fascinating character, as she struggles to find her place... human or machine. She has been created to be a black ops weapon, something that terrifies her. Lucas is one of the scientists that helped to create her and is the man who brings her to her humanity. Although they are older than typical "first love" romantic heroes, there is something innocent about their love, mostly due to Kaitlyn's lack of memories. But there is no small amount of steamy attraction, too. Quess, the granddaughter of one of the scientists, is Kaitlyn's best friend. Many times, although younger, she seems to act as Kaitlyn's teacher and guardian.

Even aside from the romance, it is the intrigue and the intensity of the implications of the science that make this book so fascinating. Even though Kaitlyn feels emotions, her understanding of what those feelings mean is gone. She has to relearn all of those things that most of us take for granted. The idea that the advancement of technology can, and sometimes does, take a place of higher value than does humanity. This is a scary thought and one that is all too easy to imagine. There is a darkness to this book that makes you think about some things, to question them. I love that!

Things to love about Freak of Nature...

--Kaitlyn. She was so interesting, somehow both innocent and completely badass.
--Quess. She was absolutely hilarious at times and brave to fly in the face of the lab and the scientists.
--Lucas. He was able to look past the robotic appearance and personality of Kaitlyn and see the beauty within.

Some quotastic goodness...

--Half-human, half-machine. She didn’t quite fit into either world. I’m an abomination, she thought, her shoulders slumping (Loc. 18).

--“How could you possibly think I’m beautiful? I’m repulsive—a freak of nature (Loc. 847).”

--"Facebook. It’s like a peek into someone’s private world (Loc 914).”

--"I don’t want to be just a weapon,” Kaitlyn said firmly. “I want to be a solution (Loc. 2218).”

My recommendation: A fantastic read with a lot of depth and intensity! show less