Author picture

Christine Manzari

Author of Deviation (The Sophisticates, #1)

8 Works 106 Members 7 Reviews

About the Author

Series

Works by Christine Manzari

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Gender
female
Nationality
USA
Birthplace
Forest Hill, Maryland, USA
Places of residence
Forest Hill, Maryland, USA

Members

Reviews

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.… (more)
 
Flagged
cozygaminglibrarian | 5 other reviews | Dec 14, 2023 |


5 Stars
Review Copy
Release Date-9/8/13

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.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
… (more)
 
Flagged
carpathian1974 | 5 other reviews | Nov 7, 2019 |


5 Stars
Review Copy
Release Date-9/8/13

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.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
… (more)
 
Flagged
carpathian1974 | 5 other reviews | Nov 7, 2019 |
I have a very horrible habit of becoming so enthralled with the first book of a series and thinking up a way that the story might go that I'm rarely happy with a sequel that I've had to wait any length of time for (even when I only have to wait until the next day for a bookstore to open). Though I wasn't entirely happy with this book for that very reason, I must say that the story was intriguing enough that I wanted to read it at every given opportunity. I think that there were some very obvious plot lines (they were just hinted at and guessed by the characters way too soon), but all in all I enjoyed this book immensely. Ozzy and Cleo are definitely one of my favorite book couples. And now I'm eagerly awaiting the next one, again :D… (more)
 
Flagged
RCW | Apr 8, 2015 |

Awards

Statistics

Works
8
Members
106
Popularity
#181,887
Rating
4.2
Reviews
7
ISBNs
12

Charts & Graphs