I was really excited to listen to this book, as I like bringing new series' into my classroom, but I was thrown by this one the instant I started listening. Let me also say that I cannot provide solid feedback for the work as I couldn't get through the audio version. Maybe the print version would be better as I think the concept is interesting and something my kids would like.

First, I was taken aback by the accent of the reader simply because it is mentioned that she is in New Hampshire and her previous home was in Pennsylvania. I kept going back to listen again to see if I missed something that would explain the choice of reader. I also stumbled over the lack of emotion in the reading and the occasional misread word.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to listen, but this was one of the few I cannot finish.

A beautiful cover for a unique adventure. I was very impressed with how much this novel grabbed my attention from the very first page. This science-fiction story is engaging, fascinating, and full of special abilities. Mutated genetics and modified DNA. Our main character, Evie, is one of those people with altered blood with abilities running through her veins.

A shield. Protection of a best friend. Kitty. The Stray. This in itself is not usually a trope but brings me back to a wholesome feeling. Being genetically modified in order to protect those you love the most, a person who is like a sister. The friendship between the two girls mirror ones I have had myself. Independence. Family.

A forbidden romance. Jamie, a brother of Kitty that has similar abilities to our MC. A developed synergist bond. Amplification of the abilities the couple portray when in the same vicinity. A true identity coming to light. An unexpected twist.

Once the world building is digested, I would say this was a fairly decent read. It was not one of my favorite adventures, but I definitely do not regret reading it. I wish more authors dared to try out more unique storylines, instead of following popular tropes. My one critique would be that the novel could have been shortened, with the same impact. The pacing lost my attention at times.

Completing the book is worth it in the end. It is a thrilling and intense ride in some parts, with plenty of heart-racing action. This world did not feel like a copy and paste like some other new releases, and for that I praise the author. I would recommend this novel to any reader who enjoyed sci-fi reads. 4/5 Stars!

I loved the concept behind this book. The main character Evie is part of a DNA experiment gone wrong. She is genetically wired to defend her best friend from an unknown killer. Meanwhile she begins to have feelings for her best friend's brother. This was a great sci-fi book sprinkled with some forbidden romance. I absolutely loved it! Learning about her powers that have begun to emerge was definitely one of my favorite parts of the novel.

In Spark, author Rachael Craw writes about Evie, who one day is a normal 17-year-old teen and the next she is changing into a protector for her best friend. Evie is changed from a decades old genetic experiment gone wrong and the results are continually mutating. Can she manage the changes? And will she be able to protect her friend or will she die trying? This was the first book I have read in the series. It was an interesting concept. Not sure I would read the rest of the series. I would somewhat recommend this book. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not bad! the writing was great, characters were fantastic and I enjoyed the plot. The reason I'm only giving it 3 stars is because I personally wasn't a huge fan of the story, it was a little too confusing at times for me, and its a slower-paced book. While I didn't personally love this book I do really appreciate the writing style and I do want to check out Rachael's other books for sure! Not sure if I'll continue on with the series but we'll see!!

I'd like to thank Netgalley for this audio arc of Spark by Rachael Craw. I'm not completely sure if this is a new novel, I looked it up and it said that the book was published in 2014 or something but nonetheless I still completed it, I guess the audiobook is new. I enjoyed this book in it's entirety but not a favorite, Some parts were just a bit jumbled with too much going on at once but at the same time it was good.

Evie is just a normal teenager and she is grieving her mother, Next thing you know, poof she finds out that she's been a "failed" DNA experiment. She is called a shield and her purpose seems to be to protect her best friend Kitty who is bound to her by DNA. Everything is a threat but Evie suddenly has her sights on Jamie. I really enjoyed their growing romantic relationship and the struggles that they both faced even amongst their friend group, Mariam and Evie's banter is fun too. This was very fun and entertaining, so fast paced and action packed I really liked it. The character's weren't flat and there was always something happening to push the story forward which is great. Lastly, the only thing I can end off on is that I never saw the plot twist being that at all. Highly recommend to people who love dystopian and who like The Hunger Games and such others like Divergent.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Spark by Rachael Craw in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this new take on an old story. Having a genetically tampered with sub species of humans created to fight off evil. I couldn't stop listening and am excited for more.

I’m torn about Spark by Rachael Craw. I can see what she was trying to do and take it, but I also feel like the mark was missed. The story is lackluster and strange, and the romance, which I wanted to get behind and love, fell flat. The FMC Evangeline also felt 2-dimensional. Except for her grief over the recent death of a loved one, I couldn’t feel any genuine emotions or even motivations coming from her. Don’t get me started on her bodily transformation after her powers start waking up. I felt powerful body-shaming vibes coming from this novel. Why was it so crucial for her chest to grow several cups larger? Why did we need to keep hearing about it? I would’ve loved more action plot and less teenage angst, but I respect that this is a YA novel where the characters have powers but are also in high school. Perhaps that’s why Craw thought the chest size was an excellent focal area.
My pros: Interesting concept, unique (for me, at least) power sets, good bomb drop deep into the book about FMC’s family, and some moments of beautiful and highly quotable writing (hard to do in YA, IMO).
This was an ALC/ARC, so I’ll touch on the narration because HOW CAN I NOT?
Why did they choose this narrator?!
1. She sounded entirely too old to pass as a teenage girl.
2. She could barely get a sentence out without taking an audible breath, which triggered my misophonia (noise anxiety disorder).
3. She put inflection on all of the wrong words. (However, I’ll admit this could be a dialect issue as she is Australian, and perhaps that is how all Australians speak.)
I gave Spark 3 out of 5 stars because I did find the concept interesting enough to keep going despite my plot and narrator cons. I genuinely wanted to see what would happen next and at the end.

“ Evie doesn’t have a choice.

One day she’s an ordinary seventeen year old, grieving for her mother. The next, she’s a Shield, the result of a decades-old experiment gone wrong, bound by DNA to defend her best friend from an unknown killer.

The threat could come at home, at school, anywhere. All Evie knows is that it will be a fight to the death.”

This book was interesting. It was a little bit hard to get into, and at times I questioned finishing it honestly. The main character is a pick-me girl and at times was borderline annoying.
However Spark did have redeeming qualities like a hunk of a MMC & the surprising plot twist that was definitely unexpected! I had no idea it was coming.

Overall I would say that Spark is worth reading- even if just for the ending. I don’t think I will continue on with the series, but there are books following this one :)

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review 🎉