Defector

May 15, 2014
Tessa is a Variant, a human who can absorb someone else's DNA and become that person. This makes her the perfect spy, as readers found out in Imposter (2013).Tessa has grown since her first mission-she's more confident about who she is and her special skill. She's sure she can handle her next mission, but everything goes horribly wrong. Her cover is blown, and Abel's Army, a band of Variants who are determined to overthrow the government, tries to kidnap her. Worse, her best friend is missing; was Holly kidnapped, or did she just run away? Suddenly, Tessa is not sure of what she knows or whom she can trust. Everyone has lied to her, manipulated her. Everyone is always watching her. By accident, she finds out why: Abel of Abel's Army and she have a remarkable connection. She can't stay locked away at headquarters any longer. She needs to find out the truth about her past, rescue Holly and learn exactly who she herself is, with only Devon, her "brother" from her first mission, as companion. This novel picks up the threads left dangling at the end of its predecessor almost immediately, conspicuously maintaining its shadowy and mysterious tone. Cliched dialogue and plenty of telling, not showing, characterize the narrative.Just another on an already crowded shelf. (Paranormal thriller. 12-18)

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June 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-With her first real mission behind her, Tessa is settling into the FEA (Forces with Extraordinary Abilities), dorming at headquarters with her best friend, Holly, and finally dating Alec. She hasn't been back long when the three of them are tapped for another mission, this time using Tessa's shape-shifting Variation to protect a politician. The job doesn't go according to plan, though, when rival Variant organization Abel's Army shows up and kidnaps Holly. To rescue her best friend, Tessa has to take off on her own mission outside of the FEA, and confront every untruth she's been told in her life. While enough information about the first book in the series is given to get newcomers up to speed, Defector isn't quite strong enough to stand alone. Most of the novel features Tessa on a road trip searching for information, only to find out that everything she's been taught at the FEA is wrong. Those who enjoyed the first installment will likely want to find out what happens to Tessa, but this isn't likely to make new readers go back to read the first book. The plot revelations leave room for at least one more book in this series.-Brandy Danner, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 In this follow-up to Imposter (2013), Tessa's elation over her new romance with Alec, a fellow Variant, is short-lived; he has a second Variation that puts their relationship in jeopardy. At the same time, FEA (Forces with Extraordinary Abilities) agents are disappearing, most likely abducted by archenemy Abel's Army. After Tessa's best friend is taken, Tessa discovers a terrible truth about her own parents. Determined to understand all that's been hidden from her, Tessa strikes out on a mission of her own. Fans will appreciate the combination of intrigue, unexpected twists, and romance that characterizes the series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)