Ahoy there me mateys!  I wanted to read this book ever since it was announced because as I said back then it deals with "murder mysteries, bio-engineered enhancements, possible other timelines."  I read the first two books of Ashby's Machine Destiny series and found the ideas to be a lot of fun.  Even though I had been denied for an Arc for this one, I could never quite let it go.  Curiosity satiated.

This book was a fun way to spend a day but I have to admit not exactly what I wanted.  To be fair, I adored the main character Hwa and why and how she is unenhanced.  She was the highlight of the book for me.  I also "loved" her mother Sunny.  While the world set-up is intriguing (loved the beginning) I never felt it was really explored.  Additionally there be a romance element in this book that I wish had been thrown out as a) it was obvious from the beginning; and b) drew the focus away from the better parts of the novel.  I also felt that both love interest and Hwa's charge were too flat and stereotypical.

But much like Ashby's other works, while the ideas and characters are excellent, the plot flounders.  For example, Hwa is supposed to stop her charge from being murdered.  One of the main plotters is discovered but never dealt with.  Also for a body guard she spends very little time with the person she is guarding.  And why would she have to do the schoolwork too?  But the build up to the ending is where the story took a deep dive for me.  The straightforward story abruptly took a turn I didn't care for and the ending and bad guy reveal was both annoying and very nonsensical given how the rest of the story was built up.  And well  . . . just lame.

I happen to be in the minority for this one as the crew loved it.  Take a look at what they had to say.  Arrr!

Matey Tammy @ Books, Bones, & Buffy said "The last couple of chapters are exactly what I wanted, lots of action and danger, and I found myself worrying about what would happen to Hwa, Joel and Daniel. I wasn’t prepared for the ending, but I have to say it was immensely satisfying, and I finished the book with my heart racing and a smile on my face."

Matey Mogsy said "But while characterization was by far the strongest point, the story didn’t disappoint either. Sure, at times there was a bit too much going on, and I’m still trying to sort out my feelings about the ending (which had a mind-blowing twist!), but overall there’s no denying the allure of this mystery. The suspense was what kept me reading long into the night."