The Diseased Ones by Danielle Harrington

I saw today's read on one of the book websites I like to thumb through, every now and then, and thought..."Hmmm...I haven't picked up a girl-power dystopian read in a long time." This is the first in a series of...(have to take a quick peek here)...four books, and the first one was released in 2020. The reviews are very good, so it might be a fun one to simply dive into and enjoy. I'm not expecting tons of emotional depth or extreme amounts of food for thought, but I might be surprised. I'm hoping it stays planted in the young adult range like it claims it is, too.

So, let's lean back and see if this one makes a exciting, evening read or not.

THE DISEASED ONES

The Hollis Timewire Series, Book 1

by Danielle Harrington

Acorn Publishing

YA Dystopian

302 pages

Life is easy in 2647, unless you're a Diseased One...

On the morning of her 16th birthday, Hollis Timewire receives the worst possible news. She can't become a citizen of the world. She's a Diseased One.

Born with a biomarker that bestows dangerous, brain-altering powers, Hollis is forced to hide underground with other Diseased Ones, who believe that the government falsified history to cover up their genocide.

Now Hollis must discover the truth, and is willing to risk anything, including her powers, to go back home.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Reminding of X-Men but placed in a controlling dystopian world, this is a fast-paced read with nods of romance and even some heart.

Hollis is extremely nervous to take the Test, but every 16-year-old has to pass it before becoming a true member of society. No one has failed it for twelve years. It's not hard, just a blood test to guarantee that they don't carry the biomarker, which once marked the monsters who almost destroyed their world. While there's no way she should have this biomarker, the test results come up positive. As armed government soldiers arrest her and guns point in her direction, a strange voice speaks in her head, and soon, she's physically controlling everyone around her. Then, a girl suddenly appears at her side and transports her to a secret underground facility full of 'monsters', and Hollis is terrified. They claim that the government lies to the people, and that it was those with the biomarker which were really hunted and killed during the war. They also claim that they are happy just remaining hidden and saving those like them whenever possible. That's why they saved her. But she's sure she's nothing like them, and that they are only trying to twist her mind with lies. After all, the government cares about the people...or so she's always believed. 

This is a quick-read with tons to enjoy for anyone enjoying dystopian worlds, super powers, and the frailty of the human mind. The beginning scene is a little cliche for this genre, but it works to immediately place the reader in the world and situation. It's clear what's wrong from the get go, which is great since everything happens pretty quickly from there. Hollis' explosion into her powers is grabbing and tense, but leaves enough strangeness with the voice in her head to give it an original feel. Hollis' entrance into the secret compound isn't all sunshine and roses, either, as the author tries to stay close to the reality of being brainwashed from birth onwards. Hollis doesn't trust readily, which makes her an interesting character throughout the book and adds an intriguing edge. Those around her, on the other hand, are mostly understanding and helpful, which makes a perfect mix for the emotional angle of this read. This imbalance keeps a constant tension and holds the question as to what will snap first...and from which direction it will come.

The plot moves along quickly, and while quite a bit of time is spent with Hollis and her relationships to those around her, this book never dives too deep into thought, either. The world is well fleshed out, and the author makes sure to weave in information as necessary. I would have liked to get a bit more on Hollis' life in the society before her powers hit to better sympathize with her desire to return to her world. As it is, her mood swings and thoughts seem a little disjointed, at times, which makes her hard to always like. 

This book ends on a huge cliff-hanger, which isn't everyone's thing, but it did leave me very curious as to what happens next. But I'm not sure I'm interested enough in Hollis to add book 2 to my huge reading pile or not. It was an enjoyable read, though.

You can find out more about Danielle Harrington and her works:

https://www.djharringtonbooks.com/

Sneak Peek: The Diseased Ones by Danielle Harrington with Giveaway

The Diseased Ones

by Danielle Harrington

The Hollis Timewire Series, #1

Acorn Publishing

February 8th 2020

YA Dystopian

On the morning of her 16th birthday, Hollis Timewire receives the worst possible news. She can’t become a citizen of the world. She’s a Diseased One.
Born with a biomarker that bestows dangerous, brain-altering powers, Hollis is forced to hide underground with other Diseased Ones, who believe that the government falsified history to cover up their genocide.
Now Hollis must discover the truth, and is willing to risk anything, including her powers, to go back home.

Goodreads / Amazon

SNEAK PEEK

“Me?” Keith chuckles. “Ben’s the show-off.”

Ben nods. “It’s true.”

Abruptly, there is a torrent of wind, and I step back a few paces, buffeted by
some invisible shock wave. Ben is gone. “W-where did he go?”

Someone taps my shoulder. “Right behind you.”

“How did you—” 

I spin around, caught off guard. 

The group laughs as another rush of wind whips my hair askew, tossing it
across my face. I brush it away. Ben is gone again. Keith joins my side,
pointing to the opposite end of the massive common room.

“He’s over there, waving his hands like an idiot.”

I squint through the throngs of people, and sure enough, Ben is standing on
top of a table, flailing his arms over his head. 

Another rush of wind and Ben is standing right in front of me. I stumble back,
tripping over my feet and nearly falling. Keith catches me, and his hands
send another jolt through my skin. His touch is still so jarring. 

“Careful, Benny boy,” Keith says. “You’ve nearly knocked her over twice
now.”

“I’m speedy,” Ben says. “Really, really speedy. I’m like the Flash.”

I must look thoroughly confused because Ben’s energy deflates. 

“You know? The Flash,” he says, gesturing to the room. 

I shake my head. 

“He was a DC Comics superhero who was introduced in November 1939?”

“Dude,” Keith says. “Does she look like she—”

“The Flash’s name is really Barry Allen. He got super-speed when lightning
hit his forensic lab, dousing him in chemicals. Of course, I was born with my
speediness, so I think that makes me cooler than the Flash, but—”

“Okay, Ben, slow down there,” Candice says. 

Ben looks completely beside himself. “Did you just say ‘slow down’? Do you
even know me? I’m Ben Bryson, speedy boy wonder. I can’t just ‘slow down’.” 

“Oh, my mistake. So, is ‘speedy boy wonder’ your official superhero name,
or…?”

“Whatever, Candy,” he says. “Hollis was going to ask for my ability next, so
naturally, I had to put on a show.”

He folds his arms across his chest, looking smug. She giggles, rolling her eyes
and muttering something about “classic Ben.”

“See?” Keith says, looking to Darren. “Show-off.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Darren waves his hands. “Your turn to shoot, Audrey. And no
cheating. No powers.”

Audrey motions the shooter to her side and then flicks it expertly across the
middle. It knocks three marbles to the floor. They fall with satisfying thuds. 

“And that’s how it’s done, boys. No powers. Just pure talent.”

Audrey dips into a little curtsey, and Candice claps. 

I can’texplain the surge of expression I’m witnessing. Something about this
group is baffling to my core. They act like a family, but only two of them are
related. It doesn’t make any sense. They’re expressing themselves, and embracing
each other, and it seems to bring a sense of bliss. 

I’m at ease too. I don’t feel the horrible tightness in my chest, and I’m not on my
guard. Is that a good thing? Was that their plan? The raw emotion that I’m
observing is exhilarating – thrilling even. My life has been so formal, but this…
this is unparalleled. I don’t get it. We’re just playing a game. 

And here she is...

Danielle Harrington is a high school chemistry teacher with a passion for the pen and a knack for storytelling. She got her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Biola University, and although she’s a hardcore science nerd, she’s always been a lover of the arts.
She grew up acting and singing and has turned her love for drama into writing. Danielle lives vicariously through her characters and considers it great fun because she “gets to play all the parts”.
Danielle lives in LA with her husband, Steven, and her two cats, Moose and Turtle. She is working on a four book young adult dystopian fiction series, and she’s beyond thrilled to be launching her debut novel, THE DISEASED ONES, through Acorn Publishing.

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