Friday, May 24, 2013

Review: Impostor by Susanne Winnacker

Impostor (Variants, #1)
Impostor (Variants #1) by Susanne Winnacker
Can Tessa pose as Madison . . . and stop a killer before it’s too late?
Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she’s spent the last two years training with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again.
Tessa hates everything about being an impostor—the stress, the danger, the deceit—but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she’d do anything to keep. Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.
”add
Publishes in US: May 28th 2013 by Razorbill
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: publicist
Series? Yes. Variants series. Impostor is 1st. No info on the others.

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    I like the premise, I mean a girl who can make herself look like anyone else, working with other variants, all with unique powers. It is X-men meets a shapeshifter, but like one of my buddies said-- shapeshifter type named Tessa, dejavu anyone? But she is different enough that it def doesn't feel like I am reading Cassie Clare. 
   I was also a little confused about Alec. It was obvious that Tessa liked him, but he has a girlfriend so I don't know what he was thinking. I know they are really close friends and have been for a while, but I think that Kate, his girlfriend and another variant, was rightly jealous when they were together. These things get themselves worked out sort of after lots of heartache. But the cheating is just hard for me to deal with, no matter how much I am cheering for a couple. They had this undeniable chemistry, build up, and the friendship to back things. 
    Speaking of taboo relationships, I didn't like the mystery guy in the plot line. I think it sends a message that kind of relationship is okay, when some things, no matter how romantic forbidden love is, some lines shouldn't be crossed. 
     But on to the characters. I felt for Tessa, and while it was weird, it was also very normal how she got used to, and transitioned right into Madison's life and adopted it as her own. She had a built in family, friends, and people who loved her. She didn't seem to have a lot of that before coming to FEA. 
     It is sad but universal how Tessa wanted to forget certain parts of her past, and embrace the new identity. I think many of us, I know I do, sometimes dream of being able to start over or live someone else's life, and Tessa gets this chance. Seeing her deal with not losing herself was heartbreaking but I got to see her grow so much through it. 
     I liked the theme of friendship, especially the value of female or same sex friendships in this one. Holly is her best friend from FEA, another Variant, and I appreciate how their friendship continued even when they aren't physically near each other. They still supported each other, and I loved that. I also liked to read about what Tessa learns from picking up the friendship between Ana and Madison. 
    The pacing was really good for most of the book but there was a part about 3/4 of the way through that it dragged a bit for me, but as the ending and tying up the loose ends of this plot line started it picked right back up. Speaking of the ending, there is def room for a sequel with pieces of information that came out at the end, but it is thankfully not a huge cliffie. It is just a nice and tied up ending with big sequel potential. 
    Impostor did a great job at the suspense. I didn't know who the killer was and I had different moments where I was suspecting quite a few of the people in the book. It did a great job with that. 
      
Bottom Line: Great premise and very suspenseful. 

Books similar to Impostor:(links go to my review) Beta by Rachel CohnThe Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you be able to take the place of a dead girl to catch a killer?

37 comments:

  1. It would be interesting to be able to change your appearance and take over someone elses life. I would also probably like a chance to start over and be someone else. I can see how she might enjoy it especially if she hadn't had a lot of friends or family. I also hate cheating even when you do want the couple to get together. If your feelings are changing break up with the person already. I just hate when someone drags two people along for a long time.

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  2. (sighs) Yet another book to be added to my wish list.

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  3. Being able to change appearance definitely sounds like it would be interesting to read about. The suspense sounds good too. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  4. I wasn't really sure whether Impostor would be for me, but then when I read your last line, I absolutely adored The Lost Girl, so if its as any good as that I will definitely have to give it a try! Fab review! Brandi :)

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    1. I liked the premise from the start, so I don't know, but hope that you like it.

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  5. This book looks great!! I am really looking forward to reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!!

    Sapir @ Diary of a Wimpy Teen Girl 

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  6. Sounds good, I'm always up for a good suspense story!

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  7. No, I couldn't, I would be terribly afraid and am a terrible liar. Glad you liked this!

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  8. I really liked this one too. Great review!

    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

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  9. I didn't really enjoy the author's previous book (The Weepers), so like Jasprit, I wasn't sure if I wanted to try this one out. I'm happy this worked out for you all the same, despite its flaws. :)

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  10. Oh nice! I have this one coming up and I can't wait to get to it! I've really loved the thriller YA type of books and this really sounds like it will satisfy that requirement! Thanks for the review!

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  11. Maybe, if it meant stopping a killer, but I'd much rather take the place of Jensen Ackles' (aka Dean Winchester)wife for a few hmm hours! *slap me, I am having naughty thoughts* but its a three day weekend! woot! Have a nice weekend with your peeps!

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    1. LOL, it is a 3 day, go ahead with the naughty thoughts

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  12. I agree I also really like the idea. It's great that you didn't expect the culprit, doesn't happen a lot.

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  13. I like suspense and seeing that you didn't know who the killer was makes me want to read the story. I don't think I have it in me to pose as another person but thanks for the question :)

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    1. It would be hard, but I think it could be quite an experience

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  14. I've been wanting to read this one! Great review, it told me a lot about the book that I wouldn't have none about by just reading the summary. I do like when characters have a very strong friendship with someone and actually keep at it. Cheating is a HUGE no for me, even if I do like the two people and think they'd be good for each other. They just need the right timing and to go about their relationship the right way. I can't wait to read this!

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    1. The strong friendship is so importnant to me, and I feel ya about the cheating

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  15. Huh. I agree with you, that line shouldn't have been crossed with the mystery guy. It's kind of like an online relationship with a pedophile...that kind of stuff just shouldn't happen, am I right?

    Anywho, Tessa sounds interesting. I love the "X-men" idea thing, I always loved that when I was younger, LOL. I have to admit that I had a double take moment when I saw "Alec" and "Tessa" in the same book. ;) Awesome review, Brandi!

    A: I don't think that I would like it. I'm pretty sure that it would freak me out. o.O

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    1. I know, new name much lol. But still, a good book :)

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  16. I think it's sad that this girl goes around living other people's lives. I don't like the idea of the romance because I hate cheating in books. Other than that, this sounds like an exciting read. Great review, Brandi. :)

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  17. I have been reading lots of good things about this one and it's on my wishlist. I'm glad you mostly enjoyed it!

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  18. Ooh, this sounds good. Great review.

    Sarah

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  19. This does sound like an interesting book. I like the idea of someone that can change to look like someone else. Overall this book sounds good. Thanks for sharing!
    ~Jess

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