REVIEW: ONE by LEIGH ANN KOPANS

Series: n/a (?)
Category/Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 6/11/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 374
Source: Received from author for review

When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak.

It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover.

If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

 

I don't read a lot of Fantasy or SciFi these days, but occasionally I like to break out of my norm. I chose to read One because I really liked the idea of a "half-superpowered freak", and I thought the Merrin's story seemed fun and exciting.

Despite it not being my "thing" lately, I liked One. I found the story to be cool and unique. I loved the concept of Supers, and the background into what caused some humans to develop superhuman abilities. For me, the author did an excellent job with the back history, using a catalyst I could completely conceive, nuclear energy. I liked the rifts in society between Normals and Supers. The world-building read very complete and well-thought out to me, without seeming like the author painted herself into corners plot-wise, then having to pull the story out to move forward.

While I don't necessarily consider this a detriment, the science behind the genetics and physiological interactions of Supers and the Ones, and their interactions, was very, very detailed. That's probably a great thing to those who are into genetics and mutations, and other "science-y" details, but I sadly, am not one of those people, and it made parts of the story difficult for me to follow. It's nothing that truly took away from the story for me, but I did find myself skimming over those aspects. I've also noticed other readers referring to nods in the book towards Heroes and  X-Men, among other super hero staples. I honestly know nothing about super heroes, outside of Spiderman, and the fact that Chris Hemsworth is Thor. But for those who are into that, this book may be even more appealing.

Besides the superpower aspects, One is Merrin's story and her struggle to overcome her lack of ability, adjusting to her new school, new friends, and boyfriend, Elias. For those who like their SciFi/Fantasy with a heavy dose of love, the relationship between Merrin and Elias should be nice. Not surprisingly, that is what appealed the most to me. But among this are a lot of surprising and dangerous revelations for the two. The story had an exciting and satisfying conclusion, and good potential for a second book.



Favorite Quote:
 
  And no matter how good it felt to kiss Elias, to be so close to him that I felt his heart beating in my chest and the vibration of his speech against my skin. I don't want to let him carry me until I know I can carry myself.  ~eARC, 31%

 

About the author:
Raised on comic books and classic novels, Leigh Ann developed an early love of science fiction and literature. As an adult, she rediscovered her love for not only reading, but also writing the types of fiction that enchanted her as a teen. Her debut novel, ONE, is about a girl with only half a superpower, the boy who makes her fly, and her struggle to make herself whole.

Leigh Ann, her husband, and four children live in Columbus, Ohio. When she’s not immersed in the world of fiction, you can find her obsessing over the latest superhero movie or using her kids as an excuse to go out for ice cream (again.)


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