Book Review: Perfection by: J.L. Spelbring

Release Date: July 16, 2013
from Spencer Hill Press
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Source: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"The personification of Aryan purity, Ellyssa's spent her whole life under her creator's strict training and guidance; her purpose is to eradicate inferior beings. She was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier: strong, intelligent, unemotional, and telepathic. 

Only Ellyssa isn't perfect. 

Ellyssa feels emotions--a fact she's spent her life concealing. Until she encounters the epitome of inferiority: a dark-haired boy raised among renegades hiding since the Nazis won the war a century ago. He speaks to her telepathically, pushing thoughts into her mind, despite the impossibility of such a substandard person having psychic abilities.

 
But he does. 

His unspoken words and visions of a place she's never visited make Ellyssa question her creator. Confused and afraid her secret will be discovered, Ellyssa runs away, embarking on a journey where she discovers there is more to her than perfection."

My Thoughts:

Dystopians have been very hit or miss for me lately, so I went into this one with some trepidation. I’m glad I read this one though because it was great. It was pretty different for a dystopian. I feel like so many are just carbon copies of each other lately, but this one definitely had its own flair. Then it threw in some sci-fi in the form of genetic enhancements and I was sold.

Imagine a world where World War II had gone very differently. A world where Hitler had succeeded in his pursuit of purity. Well that is the world this book is set in. This is a world built on the ideals of Hitler. A world that is still striving for perfection. A world eradicating anyone different, whether it be brown eyes, brown hair, or darker skin. If it is not blue eyes and blond hair, it’s imperfect. You could see how things may get crazy in this world. You can also probably guess where the genetic altering comes in now too. Genetic altering can make the world perfect and create a “superior” being. This is what Ellyssa is a product of. 

Ellyssa was an awesome heroine. It was so interesting to watch her throw away everything she thought she knew and open up to new ideals. She slowly learns to feel, but she still remains deadly and smart. I love how she recognized her shortcomings and realized that she may be smart but that she still has a lot to learn. I also liked how truly kickass she was. I also loved that we got to see the other side of things in Perfection. We got to read from the villain’s point of view as well, which is something I always enjoy. It is so interesting and scary being inside their heads. 

What I really loved about this book is that it took me on an awesome ride. It was nonstop action from beginning to end. The book opens up to Ellyssa on the run. We are literally thrown into the middle of the action from the first sentence. I spent the entire book with my stomach in knots. Every time things seemed alright, I just knew something was going to go wrong and I loved it. 

My only complaint is that the ending is a bit open. I realize it is probably setting up for what I am sure will be an awesome sequel, but I would have liked a bit more closure. Also, if a certain love triangle shows up like I suspect it might, I’ll have to punch something. But that’s because I have grown attached to the character we meet in this one. And yes I’m being vague to avoid spoilers, you’ll thank me later.

Perfection is an action packed and adrenaline filled ride from beginning to end, with a touch of romance. I loved going along for the ride that was Perfection and anyone who loves a good dystopian need to pick this one up.