You Will Love Following "The Rules" With This Out of This World Read

The Rules (Project Paper Doll, #1) Title:  The Rules
(Project Paper Doll #1)
Author:  Stacey Kade
Format:  E-galley
Length:  416 pages
Publisher:  Disney Hyperion
Rating:  5 Stars


1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…
-Goodreads

My Thoughts
This is a book that will catch readers by surprise.  The fact that Ariane has been told that she must "fly under the radar" at all costs; makes her a very unlikely heroine.  She has so much to lose when standing up for her friend in the "mean girl" scenario of this read, that she immediately becomes an emotional draw for readers.

Zane
The fact that readers are given a glimpse under his popularity mask soon after meeting him, makes Zane a character that readers will pull for.  His back story also provides alot of the emotional depth that this story lacks in other areas.

The Adults
The adults in this book provide most of the intrigue.  They always seem to have some ulterior motive or objective for their actions,and it is quite a challenge trying to figure out who poses the greatest threat to Ariane, and who, if anyone, is on her side.
It is quite refreshing to read a YA story that not only allows adults to fully interact with the teens; but also features them in well developed roles as "wolves at the door."

The Romance
The romance in this book was one that developed slowly.  A byproduct of Zane and Ariane's unification against their "mean girl" nemesis; their romance allows readers a deeper look into Ariane's insecurities about fitting in and her fear that her secret may be discovered.

This is a story with so many layers that halve the fun for readers is the process of peeling them back.
1.  There is the mystery of Ariane

2.  Her stand against a powerful bully.
3.  Her unlikely romance.
4.  The plot to capture and control her by adults.
5.  Adult secret agendas and lies.
6.  Her struggle for freedom and normalcy.

The only minus of this read is the fact that Ariane's past is not explored to a greater degree. This could be remedied in future books.
This reviewer can't wait for the story to continue.



1 comment:

Thanks so much for stopping by. I love comments, so please leave a few.