ARC REVIEW: Control by Lydia Kang

Control by Lydia Kang

Title: Control

Author: Lydia Kang

Series: Control #1

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Publication Date: December 26th 2013

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.
A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

My Thoughts

I received this e-copy as an ARC from Lydia Kang and her publicist.

I have been dying to get my hands on this book for ages! I mean, look at the cover!! I love this cover and of course, the plot just intrigued me as much as the cover! I've always loved to read science-cy stuff that has a bit of romance here and there, and thriller. For me, I have always loved YA thriller, there's something about kids fighting that makes me so excited and want to get my hands on.

CONTROL did not disappoint me, I love all of the characters and the plot behind the story. It introduces us to Zelia and Delia (also known as Zel and Del). After the death of their father, they become orphaned. But there is something about Del's genes that makes her special; something that every one wants to get their hands on. So when Del is taken, the sisters are torn apart. Zel is taken to a secret place where there are kids who have two heads, more arms than normal and you get the idea. 

What I really love about this book: I love that the science in here takes up nearly most of the story, and how it is accurate and very imaginative. I love how Lydia makes some twists and turns that just turns out to be a total surprise. It's very rare when you see science in a YA thriller. In fact, there aren't much YA thriller out there these days, this is why I like the refreshment that CONTROL had me in.

You know me, I am a big romantic, so of course I always look for the romance. And it was good. By good, I mean, good for YA. I tend to read a lot of NA romance so I sometimes expect more, but since this is YA, I'll make an exception. The romance didn't take a huge part in the story so I don't want to go into much detail so.....you'll just have to read it yourself to meet the "guy" *wink*.

Other than that, the only problems I had with this book was that, there were some scenes that were dragged out too much. I like details that have me in a twist, but when it is dragged out for too long, I tend to get bored and try to fight the urge to skip some paragraphs. This did happen to me while I was reading this book, but overall, I love the characters, plot and the science-thriller. Lydia did a brilliant job for her debut novel and I hope she'll write more. I can't wait for the next in the series!

About The Author

I love salt more than chocolate. I'm somewhat small, yet deceptively strong. Sort of like an ant.
I write YA fiction, poetry and narrative medical nonfiction. I'm a part time doc, full time family member, and rather oxygen dependent.
My YA sci-fi novel, CONTROL, will debut December 2013 (Dial/Penguin). I'll be holding my breath until then. Watch me.