About the Book

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Don’t Turn Around

Don't Turn Around

Author: Michelle Gagnon
Series: PERSEF0NE #1
Pages: 309
ISBN: 0062102907
Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: August 28, 2012

Rating:

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Synopsis

In Michelle Gagnon’s debut YA thriller, Don’t Turn Around, computer hacker Noa Torson is as smart, tough, and complex as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Lisbeth Salander.

The first in a trilogy, Don’t Turn Around’s intricate plot and heart-pounding action will leave readers desperate for book two.
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 hacking skills to stay anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in a 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 in no uncertain terms. 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.


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Our Review

FTC Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from the author and/or publisher and wrote this review voluntarily. The opinions expressed are entirely my own and is in no way affiliated with the author or publisher.


First, I was thrilled to see that Gagnon wrote her first YA book. Being a fan of her previous writings I was intrigued to read what she can come up with for a younger audience. I wasn’t disappointed.

The story was fast paced and the characters were well developed.
I truly couldn’t put it down and it kept my attention throughout. (Always a plus for a YA book). 

PARENTS: I feel that this book is better suited for an older teen. The book references an attempted rape (no details), adultery (no details), running away, dismemberment, and drug use (no details).

The mentioning of these subjects are extremely vague, but they do exist. The ending has a few cliff-hangers, maybe this is a lead on for a 2nd book? UPDATE: this is now a series!

Overall, I found this to be a suspenseful read, gripping and exciting.
Gagnon’s talents go even further and will now entertain a different type of audience with this YA read.  It’s a solid story with solid characters.