Name: Control
ISBN: 9780803739048

Lydia Kang

In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.

Control

Monicap

NEED NEXT BOOK. NEED MORE CY.

plot: 4/5
there wasn't a ton of action in this book, but as soon as I got to the second half it moved really fast and was interesting. there was a lot of more science-y stuff going on which I didn't entirely get, but I don't really need to know the function of every piece of equipment they use in the lab, so that was fine. 

characters: 5/5
Zelia: Is so intriguing! She has a rare medical condition (view spoiler)[that sort of leads into her superpower (hide spoiler)] and she has the whole 'underdeveloped' thing going on and both these things have had such a toll on her life and self-esteem. Also, the way her dad acted didn't help. But I'm sure she'll continue to develop as a character in the next book and gain more self-esteem.
Wilbert: (view spoiler)[I TOTALLY did NOT see that coming!!! I mean, he's sort of the last person you'd expect, but when you think about it, it makes sense. And also, there was absolutely NO foreshadowing! That's so wrong! IF there'd been a little foreshadowing, I wouldn't have been so surprised! (hide spoiler)]
Cy: I just love him. So, so much. 
Dylia: Dylia is one of those characters who's not so much a character as a plot device. Now, a lotta times I HATE that. But this time it worked.

Romance: 4/5
I really loved the romance. I loved Cy. I need more Cy. but I just need to understand why he was such a jerk if he liked her the whole time. If it just had to do with the guilt over Ana... but that doesn't really make sense. Also, I would like to know WHY he likes her. I mean, yeah, her brain, but they hadn't really talked very much at the point where they went to Argent (which was out of character for him). It it's the whole professor Weisburger thing, then I'll like him a LOT less because that's just weird. I'd like some clarification in the next book. 

Overall grade: 13/15
Pretty solid book.

Jessica Guht

Cindy Lee

Read more of my reviews at Secrets of Lost Words.

*This is a mini review*

Everything about this book was pretty good. Humans that have weird super powers with genetic faults is a pretty awesome idea of a book. The writing style was interesting enough for me to bury myself in the story. I read this all in one sitting actually. I would've given this an A but unfortunately, the romance had me thinking a bit. It was instant love (which I cannot stand) and what's even worse was that their relationship didn't have much of anything except kissing scenes and a whole bunch of tension. It wasn't believable. They didn't build their relationship in any way. Don't get me wrong; I still love Zel, Cy, and the rest of the amazing crew. I just feel the need to dock off one letter grade for the horrible romance.

Rating: B

Orphaned by a tragic plane crash, Zel struggles to protect her younger sister, who is abducted by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons while Zel herself ends up in a safe house for teens where she draws on broken-down technology, her new friends' peculiar gifts and her own grit to rescue her sister.

First Read: 2/1/14 - 2/4/14 (4 stars)
Second Read: 12/8/16 - 12/15/16 (3 stars)

As seen on Caity Reads

Control was a fantastic novel. The pacing was amazing (although the middle did slow down a tad), and I could not put it down; I had to keep reading, I had to know what happened. This book is told in first person from the point of view of the main character, Zelia. It's a futuristic science fiction thriller, and I loved almost every minute of it. I think this was a very strong first novel for Lydia Kang, and since I've read on her website there will be a sequel, I cannot wait for it.

There are quite a few characters in this novel, so I've decided I'm going to only talk about a few of them. The first being the protagonist, Zelia. Other than her breathing condition, I believe her to be a very typical teenager at the beginning of the novel. She's moody towards her dad and sister, like most teenagers are with their family. This of course changes after their father dies. This was when I first started to admire Zelia, and I would have to say that I absolutely loved her by the end of this book. Her passion for her family, especially her sister, is so amazing. I love that she would do anything for her sister, even if it means risking herself in the process. And on top of that, she's not one of those characters who doesn't think things through before she does them. She almost always has the whole plan worked out before she acts on it. That's not to say that it always works out in her favor, but she still does it.

When you first meet Cy he's very broody. He's invested in his work, and he could care less about Zelia, and he kind of treats her like crap. I enjoyed as the story progressed, watching their relationship progress. You see him kinda of trying to avoid those feelings, and then you see him finally let himself have what he wants. Overall I believe all of the characters in this novel fit their roles well and were good for the story.

I really liked the plot in this book. I thought it was well done, and that the pacing was amazing. I would have to say that the biggest reason that this did not receive a full five stars from me is because I did not like the ending. Since I've learned that there will be a sequel, I'm a little more okay with it; but even then it just didn't feel right.