This was mostly fast-paced and exciting, but it had a few too many cliches in it (for me--young readers are usually less bothered by that kind of thing).

My favorite character was Ella/Grace who was great at pretending to be playing both sides. Otherwise, all of the characters felt pretty flat to me. Parker had potential, but I couldn't get over the convenience of Katrina meeting a genius hacker at the exact moment she needed that exact kind of help. This had the potential to be ORPHAN BLACK for kids, but wasn't nearly as creative or compelling. ( )

Very fast paced, complex. I didn't find it all that believable, but I think it will be popular with intended audience. The altered DNA plotline was great, but I have a hard time with the 12 YO computer genius and with the family basically creating their own witness protection program without outside support. I am naïve about these things -- it might very well be possible, but I found it unlikely. I'm also not all that convinced about social media as the answer to the permanent safety question, but again, what do I know?
It is a mile-a-minute storyline and I like that the heart of it is based on real science. ( )

This takes quite a sharp turn once it gets going and that makes it more riveting as a read. Katrina (her latest of many names) has limited memories and lives with her parents. All three are constantly on the move for reasons she believes are related to them being in a witness protection program. Their latest stop has them at a rough-it campground, living in a decrepit RV. After she makes friends with Parker, a boy in the foster care system who is an accomplished computer hacker, she is put in a situation where she has to rely on his skills and friendship in order to stay one step ahead of the people who grabbed her mother and want her as well.
What follows is high adventure where the two kids must trust each other as well as a mysterious man who claims to be a friend of her parents. It involves high seas adventure, outwitting multiple bad guys and a discovery that is at first nearly impossible for Katrina to wrap her mind around, but all ends well, albeit in a way you never could have guessed at the beginning. ( )

This 2023 Lone Star selection will be checked out a lot. I'm going to say--I'm not a fan of the book cover.

It's been three years; finally, Katrina will find out all the secrets her parents have. Three years ago, Katrina and her mom were in a terrible accident and Katrina barely survived but her amnesia took all of her memories. She only remembers traveling from town to town, taking name after name, as they hide from the people who tried to kill them. Katrina's parents refuse to tell her anything. They've been so careful; they live off the grid so that they can't be traced. It's only when a kid who has tons of followers on social media takes a picture of Katrina's elbow (without her permission) that they are found. They've chosen to live in an RV to allow easy movement. The kid living next door in the RV park has a sordid history of hacking into computer spaces he shouldn't. Although her father doesn't like him, Katrina enjoys meeting someone her age. She decides not to tell her dad about the photo, as she also asks Parker to help her research her father. She's curious as to who he was before they went on the run, so to speak.

While taking a quick trip to town, Katrina and Parker learn that the FBI have taken Katrina's mother. Her dad left a few days earlier to return in another few days. Katrina just has enough time to tell Parker that she has to hide and that those men were not FBI. She actually ends up revealing her secrets--as she knows them. They hitch a ride in a cow trailer in hopes of getting to a safe house in Atlanta. It's here she meets the mysterious Mr. X who has been helping the family these past three years disappear.

Needless to say, this novel is suspenseful. Parker, Katrina, and X change locations while X tries to find Katrina's dad and keep the bad guys from killing her mom. Eventually, all the secrets are revealed and a showdown happens. Get your coke and popcorn and enjoy the ride! ( )