Member Reviews
Not great, not awful.
So this was a cheesy sci-fi with a fake dating trope to throw off their rivals. It had a secret mission as well as a secret one romantic lead was keeping from the other. There were synthetics (robot people) and a team of teen geniuses that of course are the best at anything dealing with technology.
Jane is the reason Zach was sent to juvie, but not really. She gave the police his name as someone who has written a paper about a quark detector but also stated that there was no way he could have been the one to steal the machine. This is the "big secret." She doesn't want Zach to find out she had anything to do with his sentence. Meh.
Then there's a lot of stuff that happens with this magical machine that could fix the ozone, but not really fix the ozone because bad guys would rather use a machine like that to blast Montana. I'm not kidding. Montana. They're hoping if they blast some guy's home, maybe it'll give him a heart.
It was a short fast paced book and even if I wrote a bunch of spoilers here, you'd never know because everything happens so fast that the spoilers wouldn't even make sense until you read it. Maybe the paragraph above could even be construed as a spoiler, but it also doesn't give anything away about this book, does it? No. Because it sounds bizarre. An evil plot to blast Montana. Sounds like an episode of Pinky and the Brain.
I didn't hate it so I'm not giving it 1 star, but I definitely didn't enjoy it so it's a firm 2 stars.
I have read D.R. Rosenteel writing before and loved it! This is no exception. The combination of fun sci-fi and sweet romance is well balanced and a thrill to read. Ionic Attraction should be on everyone's list. Highly recommend.
Wow I'm just stunned with how good this title was. I just had so much fun reading this title and getting to along for the ride with these amazing characters. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.
The story was intriguing, with some mystery and action. The romance was cute and PG. Both main characters (as we read from two POVs – Zach and Jane) were fun to read about and get to know, because at times their minds worked in interesting ways. However, the side characters could have been more fleshed out as we only learned that they are super smart and that was basically it. I liked the dynamics between Zachary and his brothers as they felt like they were real siblings.
There were several pop culture references as well, and there were sci-fi elements with some gadgets, very advanced AI and IT. The book was full of science, and also with smart and complicated words, which a few times did not actually feel like they had a real meaning, but at the same time it made you feel like you are reading a decent sci-fi spy fiction. Also I did stumble on a couple of plot holes and unbelievable moments, and Jane’s father’s actions close to the end felt out of character and unrealistic. Also villains in this story were not portrayed well or deep enough.
I liked the story even though it was juvenile and I wanted much more from it, but it was sentimentality that guided me, because if I had read this book when I was 12 or 14 years old, I would have loved it, as during that time of my life I would have been the perfect audience for this story with my love for stories about kid secret agents or detectives.
At the end this was a very cute, sweet and clean sciency romance with teen secret agents and just perfect for younger teen readers. It was also a fast, easy, fun and entertaining read. I would read another books in this world, also Zah’s brothers’ stories could be interesting to see.
This was a cute ya sci-fi story with some romance in it. For me it felt more like a middle grade novel. I found that the story was cute enough, but it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. The character were easy to like and the premise is a good one. I feel like some of my students will really enjoy it.
Ionic Attraction is a cute, probably-safe-for-preteens-too (just some kissing, mild danger for our protagonists without graphic details) YA thriller! Some aspects of the plot require more than a little suspension of belief (a super secret government agency that appears to consist of one adult and a group of teen geniuses, one of those aforementioned geniuses left in charge of a dangerous op while the adult is out of state...) but the characters are likable and the story is a page turner.
Plus, the explanation for the title is freaking adorable. I have no idea if the science of the story makes any sense whatsoever, but I enjoyed my time with Zach and Jane (and Nolan, Michael, Mina, Anna, and Mr. Parker) and would be willing to pick up a next book if D.R. Rosensteel were inclined to write one.
Rating: 4 stars / B
A fascinating scientifically romantic mystery about teen geniuses trying to save the world from a mass murderer.
Zach was sent to and tortured at a juvenile detention center for a crime he did not commit. When he is let out early to work with his two brothers at the top-secret Mastermind Complex for teen geniuses, he has two goals: to make his mom proud and to get revenge on the person who set him up.
Jane was orphaned as a toddler and adopted by Mr. Parker. Ever since she was kidnapped and tortured for top secret information by a boy she thought she liked, her father has treated her differently. It’s even worse now because she wants to bring Zach in to help get intel and dismantle a machine made to destroy a city. Zach, the genius…the boy she betrayed.
Jane and Zach are very intelligent and young adults who have to learn to trust again and make their families proud of them again after tragic events that happened by no fault of their own. Told in their voices, the story set in the fictitious city of Quantum City, Illinois, begins with Zach getting out of juvie and being thrown into a dynamic plot filled with talking supercomputers, synthetics (robots with human-like qualities), hovervaters (elevator that’s a hovercraft), and holograms.
Though there is a lot of scientific terms interspersed throughout the story, the author does a great job explaining them in layman’s terms. Watching The Big Bang Theory and other sci-fi movies certainly kept me ahead of the learning curve.
Overall, I found this to be an energizing and enjoyable read and recommend it highly!
Thank you to Mr. Rosensteel for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Fun sci-fi for young adults!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read and review Ionic Attraction by D. R. Rosensteel.
Zach has just been retrieved from juvenile detention center, noted as prison on his record, for the purpose of becoming part of a scientific endeavor built on the shoulders of young adult geniuses. Jane is the daughter of the man who got Zach out of jail, Mr. Parker. Zach’s triplet brothers, Mike and Nolan, are going to be part of the science program also. They’re working together to stop a devious plan of the HAVOC organization. The mastermind of HAVOC’s plan wants to control civilians. The further they dig into HAVOC, the more disturbing the facts become, and more personal. This science fiction is lighthearted with humor, but at other times, the characters are in danger. Ionic Attraction is a quick read that I enjoyed because of the loyalty of family. 4 stars for this book full of scientific shenanigans!
“Two teenagers working together to save the world. Ionic Attraction was a unique and funny story! After reading the plot I wasn’t exactly sure what to expected but I’m so pleased of what I read. Action, science and drama combined to created a fantastic story. Jane and Zach’s story was so delightful to read. A slow burn romance with an explosive attraction.
A well-written, sweet and romantic story with the perfect mix of science fiction. An incredible YA book that you won’t want to miss. It was my first book of D.R. Rosensteel and surely it won’t be the last. He wrote an interesting story with dual POV and lovely characters. If you like funny, sweet and easy read stories this book is definitely for you.”
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley, YA Bound Book Tours and Entangled Teen for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
This is such an interesting enemies to lovers trope that connects with the hi-tech world. It kind of reminds me of Day and June from the Legend trilogy, except that one was way more intense than this one. Although in this novel too, they are trying to save the world in some capacity, which was the same in Legend. It’s just different okay? I found one similarity but don’t let that deter you from reading this one.
I liked that in this novel, we get to see a hi-tech academy for super smart kids that are well versed in that kind of world. I feel like being able to foster someone’s knowledge in technology from an early age, even if it means having them be a little bit naughty here and there. There are so many things that the generations before us have probably never even thought of because they weren’t born surrounded by the same technologies or opportunities as we were, and I think that with the younger generations thinking outside of the box like that, we can come up with so many great solutions to the modern-day problems that we continue to have today.
While that may or may not deal with what I read in this book is no matter, because I just had to make sure I talked about it.
With the science fiction aspect in this novel, I felt like it was an interesting take on the romance genre from my experience. Do I think that the science fiction aspect should have been bigger and more of the main plot? Maybe, but I do like to see characters having to struggle internally for their feelings of someone that they don’t always like. So I guess I’m kind of semi-evil in that sense. I mean, not everyone is going to have work on the brain 24/7 though, am I right?
Wow right from the start this book had me. Not just with the hacker stuff with computers. But with Zach, him feeling that he let his mother down. Especially for something he didn't do. And when he gets the chance to work for a company and to find out who turned him in its win for him. But is it really?
Jane has many secrets and one of them is she helped get Zach caught, but she realizes that he got the blame for someone else's crime. Jane doesn't want Zach to know it was her that turned him in, because she is falling for him. But can these two trust each other enough to get to the real danger and their feelings for each other? I wish there was another book lined up after this one. This is a very cute book.
Ionic Attraction had a really interesting premise which is why I initially requested it. I don't know if it was the hacker stuff (that I don't always like) or the writing (the dialogue and writing were a bit cheesy for my taste), but I couldn't really get into this one. I still would recognize someone picking it up and giving it a try.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review Ionic Attraction.
Zach was locked up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s realised he’s determined to understand who framed him. Juvie held secrets and Zach knows a little more than he realises. When he joins an internship for youths. The mystery begins to unravel.
Jane knows Zach’s conviction was unfair. She has her own secrets and she knows more than she lets on. Right from the start of Janes POV, we know she’s trying to hide her true identity but she’s also the voice for a supercomputer. As the pieces begin to fit together the attraction between these two becomes impossible to ignore.
These two need to work together to solve a dangerous problem.
Ionic attraction is a sweet romance with a science-based story.
4 stars out of 5.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Ionic Attraction is the story of Jane and Zach, two teenagers who have to work together to save the world.
Zach was in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and now that he is free, he wants to find the person who framed him. He and his brothers agree to work with Jane at the academy, to prove that he is innocent and to take revenge.
Jane knows that Zach is innocent and because of that she gave him the opportunity to work at Mastermind Complex. Jane needs him and his brothers to work with her and her team to save the world.
“The ionic attraction is so totally overwhelming that the two become one.”
Jane and Zach learned to trust each other and to build a relationship in order to save the world. They are attracted to each other and they slowly fell in love.
I liked the relationship between the triplets and the relationship between Jane and her father. Ionic Attraction is a book full of action with romance and science. I liked Ionic Attraction.
Zach's life turns upside down when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit. Juvie wasn't fun and one year later, he came out as an entirely different person. Now, he wants to find the person who framed him and get even.
Jane knows more than she tells but there is no way she can ever admit to the truth. Now, she must work with Zach and find out what the terrorist organization HAVOC is up to. Both teens make a pretty good team and might end up saving their world together. But secrets between partners are not good for the mission.
Both are attracted to each other and unable to control this attraction. Will things go as planned or will their ionic attraction cause problems and their secrets put them in more danger than they can handle?
It's a well-written, sweet, and romantic science-fiction story. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend to anyone who loves a good YA novel with a sci-fi twist.
3.5 stars
Such a unique and fun book!
Zach went to juvie for a crime he didn't commit and is now trying to find who provided the information that out him there. It's why he took his internship, the same internship that partnered him up with Jane. Little does he know, it was Jane who provided the information that got him arrested.
While I have read YA in recent years, this book is different than my usual picks. I really liked the scientific aspect and there's enough action to keep the plot moving at a good pace. Zach and Jane were both interesting characters and I liked getting to see things from both their perspectives with the dual POV. I hope that there are books planned for Zach's brothers too.
Ionic Attraction is a teen/YA story about Zach (one of the genius triplet Keen brothers) and Jane (the adopted daughter of the head of a secret organization). Zach has been in juvie for a crime he didn't commit and now he is out to find the person who sent him there. Jane is that person but she needs Zach and his trust to save thousands of lives, can she earn his trust or will the truth be the end of them as a relationship and for the lives of others? The overall story is really good but the ending felt rushed and didn’t quite make sense. I enjoyed all the science incorporated in the story. One of my favorite parts is the banter and the bond between the brothers. Warning that there is some torture in the story but you can skim over those parts and not loose any of the plot. I could see this turning into a series with each of the brothers getting their own stories and I would read them all. 3.5 stars
I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
To be honest, I couldn't quite get into the plot for this book. I appreciated the sci-fi setting, and the relationship between Zach and Jane was cute, but overall, I wasn't compelled by the writing. It wasn't really a page turner and I found myself skimming a lot.
There were occasional scenes, however, that were well-written and I really enjoyed reading them. The idea behind the story was really cool too (it was pretty unique, and I haven't seen anything too similar to it, which is nice), I just think the execution could have been done a little better.
This book was really fun! It took me a few chapters to get into it, but I really enjoyed it once I did. I thought the gadgets were creative and interesting. The scientific terminology usually went over my head, but the author did a good job of making sure the reader knows what is going on, whether the reader is good at science or not. I really appreciated that the book was clean and that the romance was sweet. This isn’t a deep or complicated book, but if you are looking for a fun, easy read, this book is a good option.
Content:
No swearing that I remember.
A few kisses.
Trigger warning: torture was mentioned as having happened in the past. There was also one torture scene which I saw coming and skipped. I can’t read torture scenes, but I was able to skip the scene and continue with the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.