Overall rating and opinion of "Opaque" by Calix Leigh-Reign

[Brendan Donaghy]

I've only read the sample so far, but that left me with the impression that this book has some dark themes. Maybe it picks up a bit after that?

[thaservices1]

I've only read the sample so far, but that left me with the impression that this book has some dark themes. Maybe it picks up a bit after that?

Very dark and left unresolved.

[Twylla]

I didn't expect to like the book as much as I did. It is really good. I will defintely read the sequels.

[Natalie_Taylor]

I'm usually a really big YA fan, so I was incredibly disappointed that I found I couldn't get through this book. I just couldn't deal with Adam. His character's venom and anger was just too off-putting for me.

[Daniel Muky]

4 out 4....it deserves that...great book...well developed characters, and I really loved the twists and turns...kept the plot alive.

[Nerea]

I find the book different for the fact that I've never read a sci/fi book that highlights psychokinesis. It's a new experience for me. I like how the author tried to make the story sound realistic. He develops the relationship between Adam and his mom to conform with the connection mothers have with their sons in real life. What saddened me is the way things ended with Terry. I wish the author could have incorporated an aspect of justice in this regard. Generally, the story is profound and would interest readers who enjoy books that feature young adult superpowers. Readers who love reading science fiction and fantasy books will also enjoy reading the book. On a scale of 1 to 4, rate the book at 4 stars. It's a unique book with intriguing events.

[Nerea]

I find the book different for the fact that I've never read a sci/fi book that highlights psychokinesis. It's a new experience for me. I like how the author tried to make the story sound realistic. He develops the relationship between Adam and his mom to conform with the connection mothers have with their sons in real life. What saddened me is the way things ended with Terry. I wish the author could have incorporated an aspect of justice in this regard. Generally, the story is profound and would interest readers who enjoy books that feature young adult superpowers. Readers who love reading science fiction and fantasy books will also enjoy reading the book. On a scale of 1 to 4, I rate the book at 4 stars. It's a unique book with intriguing events.

[aacodreanu]

I'm not done reading it yet. It is well-written but so far I've knocked a star off for the all-too-frequent references to Carly's bum, for the fact that pretty much every character is Hollywood pretty, and for the use of the word "bipolar" as a slur.
"She sighs at his bipolar actions."
It is incredibly insulting to use a person's health conditions in this fashion. "He's so autistic." "She's so bipolar." To do so displays a great deal of insensitivity and a lack of education about neurological and psychological differences.
I have bipolar disorder. The way I behave tends not to vary greatly. When people like the author use "bipolar," what they mean is "mercurial" or "changeable, blowing hot and cold, that sort of thing. A person can behave that way and not have bipolar disorder, and many people with bipolar disorder do not behave that way.
Here is what bipolar disorder is for me. It is a condition that may someday kill me. I fight every day against acting on the suicidal thoughts that are my constant companion and have been for my entire life. To have my fight reduced to an offhand adjective in a young adult novel is a huge insult. I intend to say as much in my review, and I certainly hope that the author will rethink using health conditions as adjectives in the future.

Leigh-Reign, Calix. Opaque: Scion Saga Book 1 (p. 44). Cayelle Publishing: Surge. Kindle Edition.

I noticed the Hollywood pretty and the mentioning of Carly's assets, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! I hadn't noticed the use of 'bipolar,' though, but I think your reply shows how harmful the careless use of it as an insult or a descriptor of erratic can be to those affected and the stigma around mental health.

I totally agree with the observations of you both. There is a long way to the time when compassion will be the common currency. My heart hurts when I hear children or teens insulting mates by calling them "you, handicapped". It is a different matter when someone calls himself "autistic", like the author of Of Zots and Xoodles. In such a case it is like a badge of honor, and I tend to think I am a bit so too. Too bad for the way such health conditions were used as deprecatory qualifications in

Opaque

.

[Tigereetiger2010]

Check out my personal thoughts in my own post in the thread but having read through some of these comments at the original posters thoughts on the ill use of bipolar and the like as descriptive I too feel that they were miss used without regard for those who actually carry those traits. It certainly doesn't begin to help the teenage and young adults from name calling in any capacity. I am truly torn as to if I loved the book or hated it but I can say that I enjoyed the read once past the first chapter but also felt it was a little bland and boring in the larger picture. It wasn't quite the page turner I initially thought it was going to be. I am considering reading the next book in the series just to see if the theme picks up and to finish out the story of Carly and Adam and their small band of genetically altered super humans. I wouldn't recommend this to fellow adults or even college student for that matter, but I would suggest it to the 10-17 age group.

[Miller56]

I thought this was a great book. This is not normally the genre that I read, but I thought the characters were well-developed.

[Erin Dydek]

I wasn’t a huge fan of the book. With more than 10 errors and quite a few things that bothered me I couldn’t give it more than a 2. I think the concept was interesting but I’ve read better teens-with-powers books. I didn’t like Adam at the beginning and the book didn’t get interesting till about halfway through. I felt like it slowed back down with the info dump of eight new characters and the powers demonstration. The emotions of the characters were a bit all over the place and there wasn’t a good lead in for the next book. I’m glad Adam and Carly got a happy ending but I couldn’t stand the “friends with benefits” vibes that came from each of their friendships with the other teens. I did like the ancestry and the ties within the bloodlines. I’d be interested to see what powers would be present if/when Carly and Adam have a baby.

[Mrunal Tikekar]

I am yet to read the book. I do not usually read sci-fi books. But through all the reviews I have read, I feel that I would love to read how Adam’s character is developed. I love books that invest intelligently in character development.

[Samantha Shinn]

Oh my goodness! This book was legit! I rated it a 4 out of 4 for the fact that it had mostly good character plot and very few mistakes! It was such an amazing book to read and I already recommended it to someone!

[missrlynnf]

I have to disagree with many of the reviews. I'm sure it would be a good story as the summary makes it sound so intriguing; however, I just couldn't get past page 5. The story was so disjointed and choppy making it hard to track and the author kept inserting side comments from the character that seemed to reference something we should know but haven't been told. That makes it really hard to follow what's going on. From an editing standpoint, the writing and sentence structure could use a little more polish.
I stopped reading because I did not enjoy the suggestion of Adam being sexually aroused by his mother. Now, that's my personal issue, I understand that, but it is worth noting for anyone looking to read the story. That, coupled with what appears to be a clear struggle with suicidal thoughts, makes me question this being placed in the YA genre. YA is geared toward readers ages 12-18, and while some may argue the suicidal/mental illness aspect may make it relatable to some in that age group, it seems too heavy a topic/theme for that demographic; at least, not without some sort of disclaimer.
The story was not what I was expecting based on the summary. I'm glad others have enjoyed it, but I personally don't recommend it.

[Julianna]

I loved this book. I give it a 3 out of 4. It is a smooth read and has great character development. I would definitely recommend this book.