ARC Book Review: Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon ( PERSEF0NE Trilogy #1 )

Title: Don't Turn Around
Author: Michelle Gagnon
Series: PERSEF0NE Trilogy #1
Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter |
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: August 28th 2012
Add it: Goodreads | Shelfari
Buy it: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her computer-hacking skills to stay safely anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in an empty warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.

Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa’s talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation threatens his life. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.

Thoughts:

Have you ever read a book and felt shocked when you read the last page of the book, because you were so entranced in the storyline that you were lost in it and lost track of time? or read a book only to feel as though you were watching a movie instead of reading a book? Well, that's how I felt after reading Don't Turn Around. This was such a suspenseful novel with loads of action and computer hacking. The cover.. woah. I honestly didn't understand why they made the cover a hand until I saw the epic trailer and finished the equally epic novel. This book will make you feel as though you were watching a movie because of how the events unfold and the writing style flows. It's one of the best, if not the best novel I've read this year. If you could only read one book this year, you'd have to pick this one up!

Characters:

I really liked the characters of Don't Turn Around. They felt realistic and all of them had their own personalities.The novel is told from two prospectives, Noa and Peter's, which I both enjoyed reading from. I really liked how they both shared an interest in computers. Peter was a really fun and chill character with a sort of charismatic air to him. Noa was a ninja. Yup, uh huh. Total ninja. Okay, fine.. She was such a total kick ass female main character, which I loved! She was such a strong and admirable character. I mean, she could hack into most security websites and even invented a whole new life for her. Not to mention she could still find the courage to run away from some guys while she was injured instead of just giving up. I just wish we, as the readers, had  a tad more background information on both characters.

Romance:

I wouldn't exactly say there was a lot of romance in this novel unless you count Peter's girlfriend. The characters do develop a sort of relationship but the novel in general doesn't revolve around that or romance in general. I mean, they're being tracked down and wanted, hello? Not much time to think about that when you're on the run. I am rooting for more romance in the sequel though (x

Ending:

I loved the ending. that's really it.. It'll probably make you wander and ask questions until the next book comes out but it's a brilliant and unique ending.

First Sentence:

"When Noa Torson woke up, the first thing she noticed was that her feet were cold."

Quotes:

"It was all starting to make sense.

"What's going to happen to me?" she finally asked.
"Nothing tonight," [ person's name ;) ] said.

Trailer: click here.