Title: Evolution: Angel

Author: S.A. Huchton

Series: The Evolution Series (#1)

Genre: Adult Superhero Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: March 6 2014

Edition/Formats: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Candace Bristol has always been obsessed with comic books, but in a world where the nightly news often mirrors these inked stories, her dreams of becoming a real superhero could actually come true. After being rescued by members of the government’s AdvaNced Genetic EvoLution (ANGEL) Project four years ago, getting recruited for this elite team is all she's wanted.

Now 18, she's finally reached her goal after years of study and physical training, but little could have prepared her for life as a genetic experiment. As though coming to terms with her new ability to manipulate water isn't tough enough, she never expected to be swept off her feet by one of her fellow recruits.

With genetic alteration, the threat of physical and mental instability hangs over every superhero like a shadow. When one of their own tumbles over the edge of madness, Candace will have to choose between protecting the world, and saving the one who holds her heart.

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Author Information

A geek of all trades, Starla Huchton has been crafting stories in various genres since 2007. Her first novel, The Dreamer’s Thread was released as a full cast audiobook podcast, becoming a double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. After releasing short fiction of steampunk, noir fantasy, and other varieties, she released the first three books of the Sci-Fi Romance Endure series in 2013. All three books of the Evolution series will be released in 2014, as well as a Steampunk Fantasy novel, Master of Myth (the Antigone’s Wrath series, book 1), which was the first place winner of the Crested Butte Writers’ contest, The Sandy, in 2012.

When not writing, Starla trains three Minions, a black lab, and a military husband whilst designing book covers for independent authors and publishers at Designed by Starla.

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Start with the normal blah-blah-blahs: My copy was a Read to Review electronic copy. I was given the book for the sole purpose of reading it and reviewing it, even if I hated the book and ripped it to shreds in my review. Happily, that is not the case for this book. The following is my honest opinion.

My heart is cracked. It's leaking the tiniest of bits. I mean...I kinda figured this is the way the book was going to go (harsh lesson, interactions with others, sparks and flames, etc.,), but nevertheless, I'm broken up about it. I am.

I snapped at the chance to be on this blog tour when I heard the word "superhero" mentioned. WHAT? There are not enough superhero books in my world. Hell yes I want in on this. I then let those books languish for a bit as I tried to catch up on my reading.

Opened up my copy and BAM! I'm already hit with the definition of the title. ANGEL - as in AdvaNced Genetics EvoLution Project. You see what is going on here? Oh yeah, baby. Testing testing testing, find those who can take it, and modify their genes! WOOO! What could possibly go wrong?!

Turns out that things can go wrong, but there isn't an evil guy in this first book of the series. Instead, we get to go to superhero school. First, Candace's cousin, Gabe, who is a year older than she, was accepted into the ANGEL project. And now, this year, after waiting nearly all summer, Candace gets her letter accepting her into the project as well. And so, we get to see what is involved in the making of these superheroes. From training to testing to the modifications, we are with Candace every step of the way. From meeting a sweet bookworm who has something to prove, to enduring ribbing from her cousin, to fangirling over the current superheroes, to bristling at another candidate during every lunch period, we get to be with Candace on her journey and meet her classmates.

I liked Candace. She was sweet, spunky, and able to hold her own. Her cousin, Gabe, is like the male version of her so you can see where she would get it from, having grown up with him! The other candidates are an interesting mix of quiet, flirtatious, nerdy, angry, belligerent, and macho. Gabe warns Candace to "hook up with someone soon" because once her treatments start, every single thing in her body is going to "ramp up!" and she will need an outlet. I found this hilarious and nodded along as Candace swore that was not going to be her. Of course, Adrian had to ruin her resolve by reading to her. (Seriously though...I'd melt, too, if someone was reading to me!)

I highlighted and made little notes quite often while reading because Candace CRACKED ME UP. Candace is stubborn and witty and sweet. She's a character I could completely get behind 100%. She is compassionate and not overly cocky despite being so powerful, she doesn't whine, and she looks out for her fellow classmates.

I'm reading Book 2 immediately because the ending to this one was sad and I'm genuinely interested in what comes next.