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Series: The Cavy Files #1
Author: Trisha Leigh
Genre: young adult, science fiction, fantasy, romance, magic, paranormal
Published: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Createspace
Author: Trisha Leigh
Genre: young adult, science fiction, fantasy, romance, magic, paranormal
Published: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Createspace
Inconsequential: not important or significant.
Synonyms: insignificant, unimportant, nonessential, irrelevant
In the world of genetic mutation, Gypsy’s talent of knowing a person’s age of death is considered a failure. Her peers, the other Cavies, have powers that range from curdling a blood still in the vein to being able to overhear a conversation taking place three miles away, but when they’re taken from the sanctuary where they grew up and forced into the real world, Gypsy, with her all-but-invisible gift, is the one with the advantage.
The only one who’s safe, if the world finds out what they can do.
When the Cavies are attacked and inoculated with an unidentified virus, that illusion is shattered. Whatever was attached to the virus causes their abilities to change. Grow. In some cases, to escape their control.
Gypsy dreamed of normal high school, normal friends, a normal life, for years. Instead, the Cavies are sucked under a sea of government intrigue, weaponized genetic mutation, and crushing secrets that will reframe everything they’ve ever been told about how their "talents" came to be in the first place.
When they find out one of their own has been appropriated by the government, mistreated and forced to run dangerous missions, their desire for information becomes a pressing need. With only a series of guesses about their origins, the path to the truth becomes quickly littered with friends, enemies, and in the end, the Cavies ability to trust anyone at all.
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"Nah. Do you believe in fate?"
...
"Not just with romance. I believe in all kinds. Like, people who are supposed to meet will meet, and it's all predetermined whether they'll be enemies, or hardly notice each other, if they'll be friends. Whether friendships last until they die or just long enough to accomplish something specific."
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The idea of Gypsy is very simple. Quite typical even. But it’s nicely written for young adults; that’s for sure.
Gypsy started out strong for me. I like how it started off with an immediate life changing event for everyone living in the Darley Hall – the Cavies. When a man ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon Darley Hall one normal day, the Cavies’ lives changed – they are faced with life outside of movies, given the chance to meet their families, and try to live a normal life.
For me, Gypsy is kind of that subtle yet at the same time thrilling read. The pacing of Gypsy is quite light but very interesting. We see Gypsy’s life and how she tries her best to adjust to the normal life. It’s an amusing read because Gypsy usually refers to how different real life is to movies she saw at Darley Hall. There’s also the involvement of romance (and we’ll talk about that a bit later) which made Gypsy’s life a more exciting read.
There doesn't seem to be anything to do but keep trying, but I know one thing for sure: I'm not savvy enough to determine if these kids are honest and nice, or have ulterior motives, or just don't care one way or another. I'll have to wade along, hoping the answers arrive before high tide.
Gypsy, in particular, is such a great character. She does her best to embrace normal life and, at the same time, keeping her relationship with the other Cavies strong. I like how she always tries to keep her emotions stable and try to look at things rationally. I also like how her adjustment to normal life sounds quite believable. Reading in the words of Gypsy shows off this contemporary part of the novel and I absolutely love it – Gypsy’s emotions about being able to adjust to normal life better than others, her feelings towards Charleston’s superstar, etc.
Gypsy is (obviously) involves magic but explains in a scientific way which makes me want to stay away from the ‘magic’ concept but generally, I think that’s about it. It’s like X-MEN abilities or maybe something like Shatter Me but in present time and minus all the annoying I’m forever alone drama. The involvement of the government and using the Cavies’ abilities as weaponry of some sort is a very interesting idea. It’s something that’s honestly quite possible or maybe something the government might actually consider.
Gypsy's ability is quite unique. It's definitely something that you don't expect from a heroine a novel since heroines are supposed to be big shot characters with the greatest ability among all characters. But Gypsy's ability is one of the story's driving factors – it's what made the other Cavies think Gypsy's adjusting faster than them, it's the reason why she's trying to stay away from Jude, etc. While her ability isn't exactly something that shines right now, I kind of have this feeling that her ability will have a greater role later on in the series.
Gypsy's ability is quite unique. It's definitely something that you don't expect from a heroine a novel since heroines are supposed to be big shot characters with the greatest ability among all characters. But Gypsy's ability is one of the story's driving factors – it's what made the other Cavies think Gypsy's adjusting faster than them, it's the reason why she's trying to stay away from Jude, etc. While her ability isn't exactly something that shines right now, I kind of have this feeling that her ability will have a greater role later on in the series.
I don't know anything about relationships, or liking a boy, or whether the jumping-bean nerves in my stomach are normal. I just know that the idea of spending time with him makes me feel light.
I LOVE THE ROMANCE IN GYPSY!! I LOVE THE GUYS IN GYPSY! They're written in a very simple manner but they sound like one of the most realistic portrayal of teenage guys, in my opinion. Right from the very beginning, I was already hooked with Jude, Charleston’s superstar. He’s kind of adorable and sweet and somehow quite mysterious for me (not like Dane Kim mysterious but something entirely different). He gives off this boy-next-door type of guy. I like how he blushes and how tries to really get to know Gypsy. But yeah, he gives off this mysterious aura around him. It’s like he knows he’ll die or something…
Then there’s Dane Kim who I don’t entirely want to consider as a romantic interest but he does give off some of the vibes. He’s kind of an odd guy. He started off quite mysterious for me but later on being someone who gives off the villain part (well at least how Gypsy and the rest refer to him).
Then finally there’s Mole (Shiloh). He’s the other guy that I absolutely LOVE in here. He’s supposed to be blind but he oddly exhibits this ability or skill or talent or what to act as if he can see. I like how Mole actually seems jealous of Jude, in some ways. He’s like the ‘childhood friend’ type of guy who’ll most likely get friend-zoned but at the same time who also seems to have a chance on Gypsy.
Gypsy’s climax is very thrilling. The road towards it is very well established that when the climax came, I was instantly absorbed. There’s action, well written action. There’re surprising and not-so surprising elements which makes it quite interesting. Both Jude and Dane still holding mysterious parts around them. And the last chapter just went on with a nice amount of information and an epic cliffhanger that makes me want the next book already!
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What I Like: (1) GYPSY!, (2) the whole chromosome explanation thing, (3) the whole genetic mutation idea, (4) the CAVIES!, (5) the thrilling mystery and search for Flicker, (6) the romance, (7) JUDE AND MOLE! and how adorable they are!!, (8) Gypsy’s relationship with her father, (9) the climax
What I Didn’t Like: (1) there are times that it feels quite slow for me, (2) Reaper! (damn you!! sorry about that), (3) how Gypsy just left her father, (4) the abrupt end of Gypsy’s normal social life (okay maybe it wasn’t so abrupt but somehow it left me hanging)
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genetic mutation + nicely written characters + great romance + thrilling story = GREAT READ!
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About Trisha Leigh:
Trisha Leigh is a product of the Midwest, which means it’s pop, not soda, garage sales, not tag sales, and you guys as opposed to y’all. Most of the time. She’s been writing seriously for five years now, and has published 4 young adult novels and 4 new adult novels (under her pen name Lyla Payne). Her favorite things, in no particular order, include: reading, Game of Thrones, Hershey’s kisses, reading, her dogs (Yoda and Jilly), summer, movies, reading, Jude Law, coffee, and rewatching WB series from the 90’s-00’s.
Her family is made up of farmers and/or almost rock stars from Iowa, people who numerous, loud, full of love, and the kind of people that make the world better. Trisha tries her best to honor them, and the lessons they’ve taught, through characters and stories—made up, of course, but true enough in their way.
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