The Quiet Concert: Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Mar

2014

Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited
Series: Uninvited #1
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Pages: 384
Source: ARC, ALA Midwinter

Summary from Goodreads:
The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

Review

What if you were told that you were destined to become a murderer?

Because Davy was told she would be.

"My lungs swell at the unfairness of it all. I've never even been in a fight. Not even in elementary school. It's ridiculous to imagine me committing one of these infractions he describes. I want to scream: Look at me! I'm not bad! I'm not a monster!"

How long would you hold out hope that your life could stay the same?

Because Davy's perfect life shattered immediately. She's taken out of school, away from her sheltered life and forced to spend every day in a cage with other HTS carriers. Her hope doesn't last long.

How long do you think others would keep believing in you, feel safe around you, love you or be your friend?

Because everyone bails on Davy except for her brother. Her best friend is HORRIBLE. Her (ex) boyfriend almost just as bad. Even her parents avoid her.

How long would you keep believing in yourself before you started to doubt everything you ever knew?

"I can't hear him say that I'm not like the others...that I'm better than all the rest of them. Not when I don't know if it's true.

To know that, I have to know that what's inside of them, isn't inside of me. And I can't know that for sure."

How long could you hold it together?

How long before what everyone says is true?

I loved this book. It was emotional, thought-provoking, suspenseful, exciting. I really sympathized with Davy. She struggles with losing everything she knows and surviving this new life of hers. Being told she's a killer and being thrown in with other killers. Practically defenseless. Can you imagine? Fortunately she has Sean. It's not your typical romance but you want to root for it. He's so supportive and so protective of her. In his own way.

It wasn't the most fast-paced of books but it was always interesting. And it really packed the feels. Again, I loved it. I can't wait for the next one.

Comments (10)

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Kate @ Ex Libris · 577 weeks ago

I thought this book was so much fun! I am really excited to read the rest of the series b/c the story could go in so many different directions....
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1 reply · active 577 weeks ago

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Nicole @ TQC · 577 weeks ago

Agreed! I couldn't put it down and I cannot wait to read the next one!!

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Nikki · 577 weeks ago

I LOVE the concept of this one, the idea of how much social conditioning can have an impact. I mean, if you're ALWAYS told that you're destined to be a murderer, how long before you start to believe it? It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. This book definitely asks some poignant questions and provides some thought-provoking discussion along the way. So excited to check it out!
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Pam@YA Escape · 577 weeks ago

I loved this book, I thought it was one of the more realistic dystopian type novels (I guess that's what it's considered). It seemed like something that could actually happen, with the segregation and then the camps (and the fears, panic, prejudice, etc). I also felt so bad for Davy, with her so-called friends. And loved Sean. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one. Great review!
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1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

The realism of the situation was a big part of what pulled me into this book. A lot of dystopian/sci fi books are such a reach from where we are at now that it's hard to fathom ever being in that situation. But the way things evolved in this book - I could see it happening.

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Giselle · 577 weeks ago

I really enjoyed this one, too. More than I even expected. Davy was a great MC - though she could have fended for herself a bit more and i wouldn't have minded >.< I did like how it turned into a full-out dystopian right before our eyes, too! Glad you liked it, Nicole!

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mel1704 86p · 577 weeks ago

I like how you guys are always changing up your reviews :D You really make me think with those questions. I think I would actually laugh when someone tells me I'm destined to be a murderer. I don't see myself doing that at all. BUT, I think it's hard to believe in yourself when someone tells you every day you will be one. That's what fascinates me about this book :D I'd love to see how it works in this book.

1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

I can't remember if you've read this one yet Mel (since my reply is months late) but I think you would enjoy it. How Davy takes the news and handles everything is really believable - I could see myself acting in a similar way!

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Kay · 577 weeks ago

After reading your review and seeing how much you enjoyed it and seeing that you gave it 4.5 stars I'm even more excited to read this book! I asked for it for my birthday (beginning of April) and so I'm hoping I'll get it then. If not I will probably just buy it. I have a feeling when I read this book I'm going to be super disgusted at how they treat people with the kill gene.
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1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THIS BOOK KAY (since it's May and I am just now replying - here is your 2 month later reminder) :) I can you you enjoying this one!