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Monday, January 21, 2013

Review and Giveaway: Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

There are people in this world who are Nobody. No one sees them. No one notices them. They live their lives under the radar, forgotten as soon as you turn away.

That’s why they make the perfect assassins.
The Institute finds these people when they’re young and takes them away for training. But an untrained Nobody is a threat to their organization. And threats must be eliminated.
Sixteen-year-old Claire has been invisible her whole life, missed by the Institute’s monitoring. But now they’ve ID’ed her and send seventeen-year-old Nix to remove her. Yet the moment he lays eyes on her, he can’t make the hit. It’s as if Claire and Nix are the only people in the world for each other. And they are—because no one else ever notices them.
This is a book I have no doubt will get mixed reviews. It's a book that in some ways is hard to take and depressing. It's also a book that is uplifting and encouraging. It's very psychological and that is why I think it will be a hit with some and a miss with others.

It does start out quite depressing. We have all had the feeling that no one cares, that we are invisible (or want to be), that we just can't be seen by the people we care the most about. Take that emotion and multiply it by at least 100. That is a Nobody. Someone who cannot be seen, heard, or even remembered. Claire is a Nobody but she hasn't learned it yet. However, with her assassin's help, she is about to find out and find a whole new world open to her.

Now there are 3 different kinds of unusual people in this book besides the "norms". All of it has to do with energy we produce and impress upon another person. Besides the Nobody which was described above, we have the Nulls. These are dangerous people. These are those people who are psychopathic in nature, quite enigmatic, and manipulative to the core. They have no compassion or morals and are quite willing to do what they can to get what they want. This group often includes politicians and serial killers. These are the groups Nix, Claire's assassin, thinks he is only targeting. The other group is sensors. These people have the capability of seeking out Nulls and Nobodies but are susceptible to both. These differences between the types of "other" is important in the book.

Now for the uplifting part. I won't go into the whole story, but I have to say that as depressing as Claire was in the beginning, I felt she was stellar throughout the book. Things that would have crushed the average person did not crush Claire. Sure, she felt unsure and even incapable of doing anything (if you were unable to affect anyone, how much self-esteem would you have?), but she always pressed on using self-made techniques to get her through any situation. She found courage she never had and also helped Nix find who he was and break through his broken-ness. I found this part interesting and enjoyed it. However, you must read a bit more into the book before you get there and the beginning might almost be too depressive to some. You DO get there and really it doesn't take too long.

The story, especially with Nix reminds me of a Buffy, TVS tv show, Out of Mind, Out of Sight. Where the girl was ignored so much she became invisible and the government took her over an made her an assassin. Unlike that story, this one has a romance within the storyline that I think will thrill some. I really enjoyed this romance and even though they were young, it didn't feel like that. In fact, it felt more mature than some YA romances but it makes sense because these characters had to grow up so fast.

I give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed the psychological aspects of the story, but I realize that it may not be for everyone. I recommend it to those that also enjoy these aspects as well as those that like sci-fi flavored romance as well as Ms. Barnes writing. I really enjoyed the way she wrote. I also recommend it to older YA crowds as well as adults. I just think it would fit with them better. However, if a younger person reads it, I think it would be fine. It has some violence in it, but less than most programs.
I received this book from Media Masters Publicity and no compensation for my review was given

Media Masters Publicity is giving away a nice prize package:

*The giveaway is one hardcover copy of Nobody and the new paperback release of Every Other Day, which pubs on the same day as Nobody (January 22nd)
*Media Masters Publicity will ship to the winner.
*US and Canada only please

Can't wait? Get Nobody here:
Curious about the other book Every Other Day? This might help:

Okay, want to enter? Just fill out the rafflecopter form below:

29 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway! I've heard great things about both books.

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  2. I need a good mind-escape..sounds terrific! And congratulations!

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  3. Unsure as to whether or not this is one for me or not ..... perhaps one I'd borrow from the library as opposed to buying.

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  4. This was kind of a strange little story for me Melissa! I really liked Jennifer's writing, I'm a huge fan of her books in general, but I couldn't quite connect to any of the characters in this one and I don't know why. Loved what you said about the psychological aspects though, Claire trying to help Nix was a highlight of the story for me as well.

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    1. I think the lack of connection was intentional. They were Nobodies so they couldn't connect with anyone other than another Nobody. I think that is why that part didn't bug me.

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  5. Probably not the story for me but I love when a book finds it niche.

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  6. I loved Every Other Day and Jennifer's Raised By Wolves books so I figure this will be knocked out of the park as well :). Thank you.
    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Nice review. I still need to read this one myself. I like the idea of a psychological thriller. Cool!

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  8. Glad you ended up enjoying it. It was a DNF for me unfortunately.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  9. wow it sounds very original, I don't think I ever seen something like that. Depressing? LOL I'm curious to see how it is. thanks

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    1. It was different than most YA out there. :) I'd be curious to see what you think.

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  10. Ohh the library has the first one of those, cool :)

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  11. I have no idea if this is a book I would like. I sometimes like psychological books, but other times it's just too far over my head. I'm glad you enjoyed this and I'll watch for more reviews. I may give it a shot one day...

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    1. I knew it would really fly with some and not so much with others. I know it will be a mix of reviews. :)

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  12. Totally understand, but you get through it quickly, but I tell ya, that beginning was rough.

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  13. I've read a few books like this lately. They start off one way and I almost give up but then things turn around and I end up loving it.

    Sometimes I'm too impatient with characters and forget that a story needs to play out and they will mature (hopefully).

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  14. I really like Jennifer's writing style. The Raised by Wolves series was one of my favorites. I wonder how I'll feel about Every Other Day. I have yet to read that one.

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  15. I really enjoyed Every Other Day so I'm hoping I'll love Nobody as well. I thought the former was a very unusual paranormal and I loved the mostly lack of romance in it.

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  16. Oh interesting. I like that there's more to this one than meets the eye. Feels like it's worth reading as you get so much out of it. Great review. :) Thank you.

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  17. these sound fantastic! Thanks for the great post and giveaway :)

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  18. I really enjoy the Raised by Wolves series, so i'm excited to try both of these out.

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  19. I think I can relate to this book in away. I feel sometimes that I'm all alone and nobody knows I'm alive. Family is the most unfeeling, selfish human beings. Do you ever have the feeling when you talk that no one hears you! I would love to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
    donna harris

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    1. ((HUGS))

      Unfortunately, those "close" to you can be quite cruel. What is good is that not everyone is like that.

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  20. Nobody sounds like an exciting book and if it is not too depressing, then I may even have my daughter read it too.

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  21. They had me at assassins, but you had me at psychological. I hadn't heard of this one but now it's going on my must read list!!

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  22. Wow, these books sound amazing! Right up my alley.

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