Review: Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Published January 28th 2014 by HarperTeen

Hardcover, 384 pages

Series: Uninvited

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source: I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
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Summary from Goodreads

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Ho Boy... Where to begin?

I waited too long to review it I think, but it's because this book kind of left me in a jumble of a lot of emotions and I was riding a different kind of hype when I first read it versus how I feel about it after thinking it through. I didn't spend too much time pondering, but enough to let the exhilarating feeling to settle down and for me to be able to right an honest and fair review instead of regretting what I said later.

So for those of you that have not read this book yet, it's about a society that is able to test for HTS (DNA test? blood test? Written? Did I miss that part?) or the kill gene. So when a very rich, smart, talented and sheltered girl Davy Hamilton's test comes back positive for it, her world is ripped apart and she loses everything.

The premise of the book was interesting. I liked the idea, but I had to separate myself, take a step back and realize this is fiction, it is just a story. The other part of me is curious on many levels. How is this possible? How are they finding this gene? What made them consider finding it. Because the people who are running this operations, are monsters on their own level. I hope Jordan has a bigger plan for the story that I don't see coming yet, because as far as I see it, the book could be interesting on a psychological level.

Davy is this very sheltered girl who goes to a private school, is very talented and has not hurt a hair on anyone's head and all the sudden she is accused of being capable of murder. I found her reaction and attitude realistic. I expected her to come off a bit judgmental after meeting the rest of HTS labelled people, especially a few questionable and rowdy characters in her class. Thought I hope as she went on she realized that maybe they did not start out that way? But it is the way that society has expected them to perform?

I did like Sean, even if their relationship is not at all a very healthy one but he was an interesting character. He comes from a life where I guess HTS would be expected and his fiercely loyal and protective. Him dealing with some stuff is once again questionable, but not very unexpected.

I did enjoy the writing and the fictional part of the story. It is after all a story. Jordan's way of words did have me hooked until the very end, as I found myself blowing through the pages. I am looking forward to her next novel, and I do hope what she has planned is something more then just what it is. Because I don't understand how the people who run this program aren't HTS positive, with everything they put these kids through. Are you really going to tell me that they would just sit back and take being attacked if they weren't HTS positive?

Other weird points..

- This feels like a mild dystopia to me...Outside of the HTS finding capability, it feels like it could take place in the modern world..

- Why is this the second book I read in the past few weeks that starts out as -Insert and old and irrelevant title here- meets -another old and irrelevant title-. If this was meant for kids how many of them today know what a Minority Report is or The Scarlett Letter?