The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle

Sixteen-year-old Silver Melody lives in a world where 80% of the population has modified their DNA. Known as the altereds, those people now possess enhancements like wings, tails, and increased strength or intelligence. Although Silver’s parents created the nanite pill used to deliver these genetic modifications, Silver is proud of her unadjusted state.

However, when the president declares all unadjusteds must take a nanite, Silver has no choice but to flee the city with her father and some friends to prevent the extinction of the unadjusteds.

With Silver’s mother in prison for treason, Silver’s father is the unadjusteds’ only hope at finding a cure. But time is running out as Silver’s father is captured by the president’s almost immortal army. Vicious hellhounds are on Silver’s trail, and her only chance to recover her father involves teaming up with a new group of unlikely friends before all humanity is lost. {goodreads summary}

Thank you so much Marisa Noelle for sending me a copy of this action-packed novel to review. I was excited from the moment I read the blurb and this story didn't disappoint for a moment. The (very believable) sci-fi elements of this dystopian narrative was superb.

In a world where 'normal' means being enhanced to super-human levels, unadjusted Silver has a hard time fitting in. Her life gets even tougher when nefarious President Bear changes the laws about remaining unadjusted, sending Silver on the run. But Silver is determined not to hide forever; with the help of allies she never expected to make, she resolves to go on the offensive to save her parents and end President Bear's reign of terror before there's nothing left to save.

Here are three things I loved about The Unadjusteds:

1) The romance and relationships in this story were really well done; believable and realistic, they drew you in, but never overshadowed the central, action-packed narrative. 

2) It's fast-paced and full of action. It reminded me of YA heavyweights like the Hunger Games and Divergent - it would make a superb film!

3) I really enjoyed thinking about the nanite technology, wondering what I might pick given the choice. I think a lot of the best YA books do this - give you a selection of clubs, houses or teams to leave you wondering which group you would like to be part of. The animal DNA nanites also fed really well into my topic for my MA last week, where we discussed connections between humans and animals in children's fiction - something The Unadjusteds dealt with in a very different way.

This is the second Noelle novel I have read this year (you can read my review of the Shadow Keepers here) and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

The Unadjusteds comes out on the 1st November. Want to find out which ability suits you best? You can take a quiz here.