Helix

An International Sensory Assassin Novel

Young Adult - Sci-Fi
376 Pages
Reviewed on 09/19/2019
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel is a work of science fiction written for young adults, penned by author Mary Ting. In this sequel to the acclaimed work International Sensory Assassin Network, we return to the adventures of seventeen-year-old Ava now that she has discovered she has a twin sister whom she never knew existed. Torn between the rebels and the ISAN, Ava must rejoin the network to uncover the truth about her family, but in doing so she endangers herself. Ava knows too much, and the more that she uncovers, the closer she comes to her life being terminated. The rebels might be her only chance to survive, but their way of living comes with complications of its own.

Just as thrilling as the first book of the series, author Mary Ting's sequel will not disappoint fans who are eagerly awaiting the continuation of Ava’s story. Though her memory isn’t fully returned to her, our unreliable narrator gets into all sorts of revelations and tribulations during this action-packed sci-fi thriller. The plot is well constructed, twisting at just the right moments to relieve the pace and delivering some really unexpected turns which heighten the excitement and intrigue of the read. For its target audience, Ava is a relatable heroine thrown into extraordinary circumstances, and the cast of supporting characters is realized fully and just as exciting to watch. Overall, Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel comes highly recommended as an action-filled, high-octane sci-fi adventure with some truly emotive and revolutionary moments.

Divine Zape

Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel by Mary Ting is a fascinating sci-fi story with a compelling protagonist. Ava is returning to the International Sensory Assassin Network, but her memory isn’t complete and things aren’t the way she expects them to be. First, she discovers a twin sister she never knew existed and, unsure of what to believe, she wants to dig more into her past. The more she learns, the more she understands that she is a problem to the ISAN. Has everything she’s been told right, and what if she doesn’t really need the Helix serum to activate her superpowers? The more time passes, the more questions Ava has and the more danger approaches her. It’s time to make a hard choice.

Mary Ting made me care about her characters and I particularly enjoyed the female protagonist in this fast-paced, action-packed story. The conflict is strong, especially at the internal level, with the protagonist seeking answers. The suspense grows as she becomes more and more uncertain of what she thought she knew. The author builds this tension with unusual skill and succeeds in keeping the reader riveted by this aspect of the story. The language is great, featuring interesting and plot-driven dialogues and vivid descriptions that allow readers to visualize elements of the setting. The strength of the writing is one of the best parts of this narrative, but the author’s ability to bring characters to life makes it an irresistible story. I read Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel in two sittings.

Ruffina Oserio

Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel by Mary Ting is the sequel to the ISAN, an exciting sci-fi story with strong appeal to young adults readers and fans of fast-paced, emotionally intense novels. While there is greater resistance and a bigger quest for control, the protagonist, Ava, returns to the International Sensory Assassin Network. But she doesn’t possess all her memories and she is about to make startling discoveries while the powers that be are bent on gaining control of her by feeding her with lies. For instance, she never knew that she has a twin sister and that she may not require the Helix serum to activate her powers. Male assassins are growing across every territory and their tolerance of Helix is becoming remarkable as well. Ava is making more discoveries and the more she learns, the more she becomes a threat. Now, she knows too much.

Mary Ting’s novel is intricately plotted and the author keeps the action going. It hardly slows down and what makes it even more interesting is the strength of the female protagonist. Her limited memory makes her vulnerable and it is hard to know who and what to trust. Her journey towards self-discovery is interesting, one that is filled with danger. The writing is beautiful, filled with vivid descriptions and interesting dialogues. I loved how the author uses dialogues to entertain, develop the characters, and enhance the plot elements. Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel is a breezy read, a book with great entertainment potential.