A fast paced, intriguing beginning (prequel) for the Blood Race Series by K.A. Emmons. Not having read that series yet I found the main character and his emotional turmoil believable and gripping. This prequel definitely grabbed my attention and held it through this relatively short book. I will be going on to read the series after devouring this little gem!

“You don’t have to be defined by what’s happened.”

Ion Jacobs has spent his entire life bouncing from one foster home to the next. He doesn’t know who his family are and what he does know of his history only confirms his belief that he’s a nobody.

Now fourteen, Ion has been living with the Reeves for three months. Mike and Ava have a seven year old daughter, Rachel. Mike’s son, Michael, who is in Ion’s class, also lives with them. Rounding out the family is Rachel’s terrier, Gabe.

Ion has always been different but having had to move around so frequently from home to home and school to school could easily explain that. Until now. Things are changing for Ion in ways that he doesn’t understand. Strange things have begun to happen around him, unexplainable things like objects floating in the air and increased strength.

“But I’d just been so afraid that he would just push me away too if he knew the truth about me.”

Perhaps it was more noticeable because it was a quick read but there seemed to be too much of a reliance on similes and repetition. Most of the conversations flowed well but every so often Ion didn’t sound like he was fourteen; the one that stood out the most to me was when he answered “Incrementally …” when he was asked if he was feeling better.

Although the blurb was what initially piqued my interest in this book I wish (in retrospect) that it hadn’t given away so much of the story. I reread the blurb when I was two thirds of the way through the book and realised it was very close to being a summary of what had happened in the book until then.

“Ion, there’s something so different about you.” Her voice came out soft and a little sad. “Don’t ever lose that - don’t ever be like the rest of us.”

This story is a prequel to an already existing trilogy and among the early reviewers it appears I’m one of the outliers, as this is my first read by this author. It has set the scene and raised a number of unanswered questions. I enjoyed this book, even though I found it fairly predictable, and am interested in reading the first book of the trilogy.

Content warnings include abandonment, alcoholism, bullying, domestic violence, foster care, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

As a prequel, I felt like this does its job quite well, it introduced characters and their backstories.

However, I did feel as though the descriptions of events and dialouge were mighty wordy at times, which made me skim at times. Despite this, it was a rather fast-paced read, and I enjoyed it for the most part.

I did also appreciate how the characters were written, and it made it a lot easier to connect with them.

Rating: 3/5

(This review will feature on my blog on 24th March)

Loved this prequal! Makes me really want to dive into the trilogy! Such great character development! Amazing writing! So many great quotes that touched my heart!
Looking forward to reading more of her work!

Worthy of 5 stars. Wow! This story immediately starts off great so I was hooked from the beginning. The author does a fantastic job of giving just the right amount of details so you have a clear understanding of scenery, action, and Ion's internal thoughts without being overly wordy. It was interesting to see his character development. I was truly left wondering what is going to happen and can't wait to read more.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Ion is a foster child living in a household with an abusive and drunk husband and his son who is a bully. Strange things happen to Ion, things that scare and confuse him. He befriends a homeless man who just might have the answers to Ion's questions. Definitely for the young adult reader. I didn't realize this was a prequel to a series. Now I'm interested in reading the series to see how everything plays out.

This start to the series is so good! I read it in an afternoon. It has really peaked my interest to read the rest of the series. I really liked the interesting storyline and Ion's character. I felt bad for everything that he went through in trying to figure out who he is. It is a mystical book which makes you keep guessing. I'm on to the next in the series!

The is a perfect prequel. I was sad when the series ended to say goodbye to characters that I love but this this was fantastic. First there is so much truth spoken in the book it's more then just getting to know the main character of the series better she writes about something we all struggle with and that's having things spoken over us that we let define us and how to combat those spoken lies. She also writes about our thoughts and how they can shape how we see ourselves and conduct ourselves. Again as I've said in my reviews for the other books the way she writes makes me think of my own faith and strengthens it I loved this book well done

Being a fast read is probably the best thing it has going for it. Anomaly is the prequel to The Blood Race series.

Ion is a foster child living in a less than stable household. Mr. Reeves is a jobless alcoholic, Ava is his preferred victim aside from Ion and his son Michael is picking up all his father’s abusive ways. The youngest child Rachel is the only happy person in the book.

Ion discovers he has strange powers thanks to a pencil that starts to float. The events are his powers steadily growing and his desperate attempts to keep them under control while confiding in a strange homeless man he meets at the beach around the lake.

One of the biggest turn-offs for me as just how wordy the descriptions are. Ion is an angsty teen in a rough situation but whenever he has a thought or a question there are several paragraphs of description that feel so unnecessary they start to take the reader out of the story.

It was a solid book but it wasn’t anything great. The author has a nice writing style. But the book is a bit heavy on the description.

Anomaly is the prequel of the Blood Race Trilogy. The main character, Ion is a teenager trying to adjust to his foster home while desperately trying to figure out his strange powers that continue to cause friction between him and his foster brother and father. Fearing his secret powers will hurt or kill others, Ion seeks comfort in the companionship of a random man he met on the beach who may know more about Ion then he's letting on.

I thought the book was interesting, but the concept was nothing new so it was rather predictable. Ion is a well written character. The reader can sympathize with his inner struggles of being abnormal and wanting to stay in his foster home, though it may not have been the ideal situation. There are mentions of suicidal thoughts and abusive behavior, if those are triggering to you. I'm on the fence if I'd continue on with the series. I'm curious to see how the main character ends up, but the execution of this book hasn't completely sold me on how interesting the rest of the series will be.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written coming-of-age story with magical realism thrown in. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

*I received a free ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Anomaly was my introduction to Kate Emmons. I knew Kate's sister, Abbie, beforehand, so I was interested to see what the other Emmons sister had in store.

I was not disappointed.

Anomaly, despite being a prequel, reads incredibly smoothly. It's full of suspense, action, and internal conflict, every page wanting to draw you in. Ion felt like a legitimate person with understandable struggles, and for some reason the book felt a lot like Lois Lowry's The Giver (that's a good thing). I also appreciated the Icarus reference.

Although short, Anomaly made for a satisfying and quick read, one that does make me more interested in reading the actual Blood Race trilogy.

Rating: 4 stars.

Ok, this is an arc book review on K A Emmons prequel of the blood race series. It's name is Anomaly. Got the ebook this morning and just finished it (6hrs). I really like the main character Ion. He's sweet, caring and a bit broken by his life. The foster father n brother are very antagonist. The foster mom n little sister are kind n gentle. There's more but I don't want give any spoilers. I will be buying the series, it's seems like a great adventure. Thanks KA for taking a chance with me.

Debra Mandell

As a prequel, this book has definitely done its job. It shows us the origin of Ion's powers and for those (like me) who have not read the series - I am going out to get them. Ion's story is gritty and hard-hitting. If you are looking for a fluffy story, look elsewhere. But it is very real. As a teacher, I have seen many students go through similar struggles - minus the superpowers! Ion's growth and development, while difficult at times, shows hope beyond the darkness and the healing ability of kindness and support. This story is a great read, whether you have read the series or not - be warned, you will want to read more!

"Fourteen-year-old Ion Jacobs just wants to belong to a normal family and feel normal. but his past is a mystery, his future is a question, and his whole life is about to change. Tossed from one foster home to another and shadowed by his mysterious past, Ion fears he’ll never fit in – until one day, when he drops a pencil and instead of falling to the floor . . . it floats."

Kate Emmons has been one of my favourite bloggers for over a year. I have yet to read her Blood Race trilogy (which I’ve heard raves about). But the trilogy’s prequel gave me the perfect opportunity to read one of her books and get a taste of The Blood Race’s world.

Anomaly I can only describe as hard-hitting. It grips you from the start and the pages just keep turning. It is, in many ways, an engaging, quick and “easy” read. But the subject matter is tough and gritty, often unpleasant in its authenticity. Kate doesn’t shy away from exploring Ion’s struggles and probing things like fear, rejection and loneliness. She looks at the power of our thoughts, and the dreadful things that happen when we dwell on the darkness; the searing pain of feeling like “something no one wants”; the hopelessness of not knowing who you are and being constantly uprooted.

No, not an easy read. But it’s also infused with hope, lovely turns of phrase and descriptions of nature. There were poignant moments between the characters, made sweeter by the bleakly ordinary backdrop. Ion, despite his questions, fears and darker side, wins your sympathy (you are VERY glad when he’s stopped from drowning himself before he gets a proper chance at life). I also really enjoyed Ava’s character and how she was fleshed out.

And although we don’t struggle with our pencil-levitating powers like Ion, we all fight a daily battle in our minds. As the old man puts it, in one of my favourite phrases of his, “We get to choose which thoughts to water. Which thoughts to put out in the sun. We’re the gardeners of our own minds.” Boy, can that be a challenge.

The prose contained some really cool, vivid imagery, but I felt the writing needed some more editing and general tightening. There’s a fair bit of swearing, although it’s understandable given the characters and their surroundings.

Kate has successfully whetted my appetite for The Blood Race and given me a desire to see how Anomaly fits in there. She has also given us a gripping, fast-paced read that churns in your mind long afterwards. There is a lot to chew on here – if you’re brave enough.

I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anomaly is a prequel to The Blood Race trilogy. It follows Ion when he was young, and we get to see him try and understand his powers and see him struggle with it.
This book was a intriguing read, fast paced the story pulled you in and does not let go. The author knows how to make readers feel for the character and that's how you know it will be an amazing read.
Overall this was a good read and I recommend it to everyone.