Review of Revealing Hamilton by Sarah J Carr

Publisher: Ruby Lioness Press
Series: Jackrabbit7 #1

Release Date: June 1, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon     Barnes and Noble

Book Burb (from goodreads): 

 A conversation with a stranger changes Amelia Hamilton’s life forever. When she learns her grandfather faked his own death, normalcy slips from Amelia’s grasp. To make matters worse, he is coming for her in less than seven days. What she hasn’t determined is why.

Amelia’s grandfather, Marius Benedict, once headed The Physician Coalition, an elite group of doctors who threw the Hippocratic Oath out the window. Years ago, they used a low-risk medical research study as a front for their experiments. Without their consent, innocents were injected with JackRabbit7, a hazardous substance used to alter their DNA. The victims were left with less-than-desirable super-human powers or excruciating death. Years after he disbanded the group, Marius has a new plan and is reforming The Coalition.


Max, a mysterious stranger from the Insurance Agency, offers to help keep Amelia safe. He introduces The Agency as an underground government organization that contains and eliminates those who intend to harm the world. To protect The Agency, the truth of their activities are concealed and replaced with sugar-coated stories in the media.

 Over the course of the next week, Amelia has to accept the truth and learn who can be trusted. At midnight on her 23rd birthday, a contract between The Coalition and The Insurance Agency will expire, giving Marius full rein to approach his granddaughter and finish the project he started with her so many years ago.

Teaser:

 I wondered what it was about Max that fascinated me so much. It could have been his mysterious nature, eloquent speaking or handsome face. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I wanted to know more about him. Maybe it was his ability to take in a stranger without hesitation. I wasn't sure I could repay him for the way he helped me....


"Do you believe in transmogrification?" "Trans-what?" I cut myself off, hoping Max didn't realize I broke my cardinal rule of answering a question with another question. "In this case, metamorphosis by means of DNA manipulation," he said. "English, please." I rubbed my temples. "Human mutation," he said. "Mutants." I paused, waiting for Max to snicker and tell me I was absurd, but he didn't move. "Like superheroes? That's for comic books."


Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

I should have liked this book: medical mystery, mutants, action adventure, family dysfunction - all plot lines I enjoy. I enjoy reading Michael Crichton and other similar authors. The blurb caught my eye and I couldn't wait to read it. Then I started it. It did a decent job of holding my attention, I didn't want to put it down, I wanted to see what happened. Partly that was because I cared and partly because I wanted to watch the train wreck. Plot holes, twists that weren't twists, lack of explanation for how JackRabbit7 works (there's some but more is needed, it's very vague.), poor copy edits, and a twist at the end that was completely and utterly unbelievable. It killed any remaining credibility that the story had. I am perfectly willing to suspend disbelief and willing to overlook minor inconsistencies, but all along, the story clearly exhibited a lack of understanding about how government agencies work and the ending, well, that was the nail in the coffin for me. Add in the absurd quantity of coincidences and conspiracies and I just couldn't buy the story.


And yet, I liked the characters, I still like the potential of the story line, and I may give book two a try when it comes out. When I was looking up links, I saw that the book has a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews so if you're intrigued, give it a try. You may enjoy it more than I did.


I received a PDF from the author for review.