Book Review: Pulse by Patrick Carman

It's been raining lately- a common word that is highly attributed to a degree that isn't quite right. For example, who would have ever guessed that reading indoors on a rainy day would have been fun, enjoyable? Not the person who invented the nursery rhyme to accompany rainy days. But, in the case of dear ole Nerdalicious, I have been able to do some extra reading lately.

In the year 2051, who has a pulse?

With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers that she can move objects with her mind. This telekinetic ability is called a "pulse," and Dylan has the talent, too.

In riveting action scenes, Faith demonstrates her ability to use her pulse against a group of telekinesis masters who are so powerful they can flatten their enemies by uprooting streetlights, throwing boulders, and changing the course of a hurtling hammer so that it becomes a deadly weapon. But even with her unusual talent, the mind—and the heart—can be difficult to control. If Faith wants to join forces with Dylan and save the world, she'll have to harness the power of both.

Patrick Carman's Pulse trilogy is a stunning and epic triumph about the power of the mind—and of love.

There are two books that instantly come to mind whilst reading this, at least for me anyway. With that cover, I can only think of Taken by Erin Bowman. I'm not quite sure why (possibly the extraneous amounts of abstract detail). Secondly, when it came to the story, I couldn't help but think of Gone by Michael Grant (take a guess at which one was better, though). Storytime over.

I do rather like some aspects to the cover. I really like the proletarian-style homes that are laid out at the bottom, signaling a dystopian society where everything is seemingly perfect. I still can't figure out why there's a floating tree on this, though. I didn't realize we'd be getting a heaping dose of late-night-deadline-due-soon logic. I don't also like the color scheme, as it lends itself to being like a chameleon, as well as not popping to the eye.

Wow, I'm in a pessimistic mood today. I apologize in advance, Patrick Carman.

I doubt I have ever read a book so sectioned off as this was. When it has Part 1 and Part 2 (etc), it means Part 1 and Part 2. For example, when the first section has their school's name on it, it means that the main character, Faith, will be leading you through 100 pages of her futuristic school life (how original).

Somehow, this first section was able to blend two very different aspects that accompany a novel- the intrigue and the story. The story, until it picked up, I would give a B-. Not bad, not brilliant. Passing. I was really wondering if I was reading a story about a girl named Faith and her futuristic boy problems, or if I was reading a story about kids with a 'pulse'. However, I was still held fast, hoping that the story would pick up and everything would be resolved.

I have to say, I liked how Faith was tall and blonde. Seriously, being blonde and tall has become such a cliche that no one uses it. Hence forth, everyone is a short brunette (oh, I can't fight for myself! I'm a wimpy girl), leaving the blondes gone.

I liked how Faith's friends really captured me. I enjoyed how Liz loved touching people's hands and surfaces. I don't think I've ever seen any love like that before. I also enjoyed Hawk, who felt like a little brother to me.

I really liked how Faith didn't live within the futuristic community, like say Divergent or The Hunger Games, where they were always trying to escape. Here, it was more of a just-barely-apocalyptic setting where people were still living on the outside. And, surprisingly, the outside wasn't dead and barren. (However, it was headed there.) That was something that really set apart this book.

Once the book delved into the second part, I really felt like the pace picked up heavily as Faith's strange abilities were uncovered. The book really held my attention after that.

I really started to enjoy Wade and Clara's characters about halfway through as well. They brought a pinch of intrigue and spice to the story that would have been left out if not for them.

The ending tied up everything quite well, in my opinion. It still left space for the next novel, yet it kept me turning the pages. Once I was finished, I had to say that I really wanted to read the next book, which I definitely will. Even with the particularly sluggish star, Patrick Carman has definitely not let me down.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Over and out,
Nerdalicious