Great series. Picked this up yesterday and could not put it down. This is a fabulous read and along with The Boy Next Door, which I received free from the author as an introduction to her work, I am hooked on Jo's writing. This author writes page turners that you cannot put down. Pick up a copy TODAY (it's free for a short while) and become hooked on this author. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Jo is my new favorite author!!!

Wanted by Jo Ho had me captivated from the first page to the last. I hadn’t even realized this was a young adult book because it does reach across all ages with compelling characters and a strong storyline. The author creates scenes that are vivid and have you right there with the characters feeling the emotions, anguish, and fast-paced excitement.

Each character was well developed and had depth. The author is able to describe poignant emotions while discussing the experience of grief that the character Sully is traveling through. And the relationship between Chase and the dog, Bandit, was touching and made you root for them from the minute they met.

I highly recommend reading this book and checking out more from this author. I sure will be.

Awesome!!!

Title: Wanted
Author: Jo Ho
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-fi
Format: Ebook
Pages: 392
Rating: 5
Heat: 0

Thoughts: First off, be sure to read the author note in the beginning. Going from screen writer to author isn’t easy. That being said, this book was awesome! There were times when it changed from first person to third but other than that, one of the best written books of the year. Granted, this is my opinion but I LOVE detail and this book had it in spades, but not to the point where it was nauseating or boring. The characters seemed so real and had so much depth that now that I’ve finished the book I feel their loss in my life. There really wasn’t anyone I couldn’t relate with, even the bad guy. Totally understood what he was trying to do and why, but I still couldn’t condone it. It’s not often a book comes along like this and I’m so glad I decided to read it. And the fact that it’s a series, I plan on reading them all!

Packed full of action and heart, this is a thrill-ride of a book.
This book had me hooked from the start. The writing is evocative and cinematic, which makes sense when you learn that the author is an award-winning writer for film and television. You're thrown into the lives of the three main protagonists, and wonder how they can possibly connect but when they do, it changes everything for them forever. The chapters are short and fast-paced which I loved and are written mostly from the perspective of Chase the homeless, tough-talking yet vulnerable 14 year old main protagonist, and Sully a recently bereaved vet. I thought this worked extremely well to get you into the minds of those characters. You really feel what they are feeling, and root for them to succeed. In addition to the humans, Bandit the dog is also a wonderful character. The puppy-like joy with which he views the world, and his favorite past-time (quizzes) was endearing. The story masterfully combined various threads and powered along through to an explosive finale. This is sure to be a classic once more people hear of it. Amazed that this is the author's first book, I'm looking forward to many more from her.

A very impressive debut from a new author and a must-read for YA fans.
I'm more of a gamer now than a reader. I used to read more but after long work days, i find i just want to relax and do something enjoyable but not too taxing an this book was perfect for that. I;m not the targeted age group (the book is described YA and I'm an adult male) but i enjoyed the book immensely. It moves at a great pace and the story grips you from the very start.

The author mentions she is a screenwriter and that influence is evident in the way the story is written: it has very short chapters and reads almost like a movie in that you are very clearly see the images and world in your head. The characters are also very well realized - Chase in particular - her distinctive voice leaps off of the page.

This actually reminds me of the game The Last of Us as it had a young female teen and an older man as two of the three main protagonist and thought it was set in dystopian world and this isn't, both are about strangers in dire circumstances coming together.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting and different read. I've already recommended and bought this for my fifteen year old niece who i think would love this.

Family Values.

I do not know what on earth really urged the author to go from screenwriter to book writer but whatever it was, whoever it was, needs to go urging again...this author is talented!
A street kid, Chase, was in need of a family and to feeling wanted. She hit the jackpot when she ran to the aid of a another street waif, a border collie named Bandit.
A vet, equally lost in a hopeless despair for the loss of his wife, finds redemption and family the day he acted on impulse to save the life of a dog brought to him by a dirty, smelly girl.
And then all hell breaks loose as thugs breaks down the door to the vet's home cum surgery, looking for this dog.
Somewhat predictable it was nevertheless a well told, warm kind of story that keeps you feeling good for a long while after you finished the book.
This is exactly what I would like my starry eyed kids to read as well.

Love, love, love this book!

This is a fast pace novel that grabs you by the throats and doesn't let go. WANTED is told from alternating view points which I normally hate but didn't bother me at all due to a great plot by a very talented author! I know I'll read this book again in the future ( it's that good!) but I'll also be watching for more books by this masterful storyteller!

Twists & Turns That Just Keep Coming

I'll admit that I initially selected this story because of the super-smart collie. I share my life with a smarty-butt collie, so I decided to give it a try. I was pleased with the way the author wove her story, making me want to keep reading to see what would happen next. The development of her characters was skillful, and I found myself really rooting for the good guys. All in all, I found this book to be smooth & fun reading, with an intriguing storyline, & I recommend it to anyone looking for a good fiction including dogs. I am really looking forward to her sequel.

This was brilliant!

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked this book. I wasn't expecting to hate it, but I most certainly did not think I'd like it so much either. It was groundbreaking and heartfelt. Action and adventure rolled into it as well. I really loved the main heroine and hated all she had to go through in this book, but was very happy in the end. A must read!

Jo Ho is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors with her ability to bring the characters to life. Wanted has plenty of action and suspense I would recommend to anyone. Throw in a loveable canine character like Bandit and you can't go wrong.

Another great book by Jo

I have read a couple of books by Jo and love her writing style. This book definitely ranks right up there with the best. Chase is a strong young lady who has been dealt a rough deal in life and then she meets Bandit a dog who she falls in love with. The bond between a person and their dog is such a strong bond. Then they meet Sully then things go crazy for all of them.

You will love this book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

Love this book!

What a great story! The characters really draw you in and you just have to find out what happens next. I like Jo' style of writing and rarely read books written this way. I'm not giving out any spoilers. Loved this book it was refreshing because it didn't have bad language, sex or magic. A nice clean WONDERFUL read a book for all ages. I will be waiting for the next book. Jo you've made my #1 list of authors!!

I absolutely love this book!!

I can't rave enough about how good this book is! The characters are fantastic and the story was well thought out. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. HIGHLY recommended!

Wow!

Totally engaging from beginning to end! Characters are beautifully written, and there is a beauty in the expression of emotion by the characters. This is a book to read aloud with pre-teens.

I think Netflix should pick this up as one of their original shows. Enjoyed the book tremendously.

Jo Ho does a wonderful job with Wanted. Chase, Bandit, and Sully are empathetic, caring characters that you can't help but want to come out winners in the end.

Chase has had an extremely rough life after leaving home because of mom's boyfriend and is now homeless and untrusting of everybody and everything. But who can blame her. Sully also has lost a lot as he no longer talks to what is left of this family and has even pushed away his friends after his wife died. In walks Bandit, an adorable collie who has escaped from a research facility. He comes into Chase and Sully's lives when they and he need it most.

I will so no more about the plot except that Forbes is a typical rich egotistical jerk who doesn't care who or what he destroys as long as he gets what he wants. I to some extent do feel sorry for him but in no way condone anything he does in the book and feel he yes what is coming to him.

Jo Ho goes between 4 viewpoints in this book, Chase, Sully, the Mercenary, and Forbes the CEO. She is very clear as to who is telling the story in each chapter. Though this is a little over 400 pages long, it feels like a very quick read. Jo Ho gives us great background and depth to the characters as well as wonderful setting details. I love her writing and can't wait to read Haunted.

I loved the message that I got while reading it about society and our lives. Remember to always be thankful for what you have but never forget from where you came as there are always those that are worse off than you. Also don't hang onto the past so tightly that you cut off the present and the future. You never know when that someone special will enter your life (human or animal).

My heart is smiling...

This story has taken the subjects of abuse & neglect, animals & vets, mental health & experimentation and seamlessly combined them into one cohesive book. We listened as Chase, Gideon, and Sully each reflected on their own upbringing. We met a few canines and became friends with one in particular. We watched as Alzheimer’s robbed a man of his mother’s memory.

I love that the driving force behind all the characters, whether they are aware of it or not, is family. The wonderful part is family is not written in blood. A safe place filled with love and respect is all that’s required. Funny thing is, even though Chase and The CEO have become mortal enemies, they are both fighting for the love of family.

I am curious to see what the future holds for Chase and her new family in book 2 of the Chase Ryder series.

FIVE STARS ! ! ! A MUST READ. I received a preview copy of this book, and did not know what to expect. WOW, was I surprised!
A great story with characters, that have depth; you will NOT want to put it down ( do not start reading if you have an important meeting
the next morning - ask me how I know ;). I can't wait for the next book, hope it comes out soon!

Awesome book about a girl and her dog...

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was great fun (and a little depressing in some parts) to travel around with Chase, Bandit and Sully, and they tried to discover more about the company that was tracking them (or at least the dog) down. A lot goes on in this book, and it's all definitely YA appropriate. I don't want to give away any more spoilers than I may already have...so check this book out if you're up for an interesting take on canine experiments gone wrong.