Darwin’s Children

Darwin’s Children
by Natasha Larry
Published 2011 by Penumbra Publishing
138 pages. E-book.
Rating: 4/5

Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic black girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening – especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner’s family isn’t the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie’s mom’s MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in ‘trainer,’ is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie’s godfather John is more than persuasive – he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world’s concerned, Jaycie’s on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie’s pediatrician father, but she doesn’t fit in with ‘normal’ kids, and she doesn’t really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there’s one thing she can’t control – and that’s her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of…

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

Very nicely done. I have to admit, at first I had my doubts. I had a difficult time getting into the story at the beginning. Since I was only one fourth of the way through, I decided to keep plugging and I’m glad I did. It turned out to be pretty entertaining.

The characters are easily likable, especially the compassionate Jaycie. The actual plot shows up somewhere between page thirty and forty. By page sixty, the story hooks the reader. It should appeal to anyone. There’s romance, family, friendship, some action, and some really cool super powers. Think X-men with evolutionary theory. Speaking of, Larry makes some nice references to philosophy, and the book really embodies those philosophies. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Jaycie and Matt and the friendship between Jaycie and Haylee. If it sounds like it might be up your ally, than go for it. I’m recommending it.

Prude Filter: There’s not much to worry about. Some violence and a few references to sex. It’s totally suitable for a teen.

Source: Book Lovin’ Bitches E-book Tours
Author’s website: http://www.natashalarry.com/
Purchase this book: Penumbra Publishing | Smashwords

Disclosure of material connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin’ Bitches Ebook Tours, and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin’ Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review, nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book’s publisher and publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.