Lovin' los libros

One (One #1)
   by: Leigh Ann Kopans


Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received from InkSlingerPR and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 374 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars




My Review:

I first saw this book on a Waiting on Wednesday post and after reading the synopsis, I knew I would have to read it also! When I saw the blog tour open up, I definitely had to jump on board! I am so glad I could be a part of it. I adored this book! The pacing was very well done- I couldn't stop reading once I started! Not to mention- I loved the characters. Merrin, Elias, Leni, Daniel- they were all so awesome. The storyline was also great- I absolutely love reading about characters with superpowers. It's the inner comic geek, I guess!

Let's start with Merrin, who is our main character. As you read from the synopsis above, she is a One.
All she dreams about is flying on her own. One of the things I absolutely loved about her is her unwillingness to give up. She doesn't accept that a One is all she'll ever be. She is determined to find answers and plans to do that by taking an internship at what's called The Hub. Merrin is a bit quirky and awkward. She is not at all happy about being transferred to the Normal school, Nelson High. Starting a new school is hard enough, but to be a One and starting at a normal school? Not a positive thing. Merrin wants to blend in. She doesn't want to be noticed as different. She wants to get her classes over with, so she can score that internship. She keeps her eye on the prize. Until she meets Elias, who turns her well-crafted plans upside down. Again, he is adorable. I don't know any other way of describing him! He made me smile like a lunatic and I loved how he got through to Merrin. He is patient and kind, but you see glimpses of a sadness that make you wonder- what does he know? Is he hiding something?

Merrin, however, is wary of Elias at the start. After an incident at her old school, she is left wondering what his motives and intentions are. He doesn't give up trying to get to know her and eventually she recognizes a kindred soul and slowly starts to let him in.

He introduces her to his friends Leni and Daniel, who are also Ones. Merrin's first reaction to Leni is hilarious. I love Merrin's voice throughout the novel. She's super snarky and fun. Eventually, she warms up to them as well and isn't afraid to ask them for help when she needs it.

All of them are so welcoming and accepting of her into their group of friends. None of them want to give up trying to obtain their Second. While the others have learned to somewhat adapt and accept,  Merrin doesn't feel whole without her Second.

"I'm just Merrin. And my only option is to get that Second. Because the only way I'll ever be worth anything is if I figure out how to fly". (p. 41, ARC copy)

I think this is where Elias and Merrin's relationship becomes a huge deal. Yes, they realize that together, their powers combined can make them fly. And they are ecstatic. She's falling for the boy who can make her dream of flying come true. But it's more than that. Elias shows her that although they both love flying, there's more to her than that. He cares about her and sees how special she really is and on more than one occasion proves to her how much.

Merrin's family also plays a big part in this story. Her younger twin brothers are Supers and even when they're driving her crazy- she loves them and would do anything for them. Merrin has a stronger relationship with her father, but we do find out some interesting developments about them later in the book.

I felt Leigh Ann gave us a perfect blend of plot and romance, which as you all know, is how I like my books!

There's not a whole lot more I can say because I definitely don't want to ruin this book- but trust me- it's awesome. Epic. I absolutely loved it to pieces. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, Two!


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