Category: Reviews- Spencer Hill Press

Title: Extracted
Series: Book 1 of the Lost Imperials
Authors: Sherry Ficklin & Tyler Jolley
Pub Date: November 2013
Pages: 320
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Source: I received this book during my attendance at BEA 2013

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to the war. The Tesla Institute is a premier academy that trains young time travelers called Rifters. Created by Nicola Tesla, the Institute seeks special individuals who can help preserve the time stream against those who try to alter it. The Hollows is a rogue band of Rifters who tear through time with little care for the consequences. Armed with their own group of lost teens–their only desire to find Tesla and put an end to his corruption of the time stream. Torn between them are Lex and Ember, two Rifters with no memories of their life before joining the time war. When Lex’s girlfriend dies during a mission, the only way he can save her is to retrieve the Dox, a piece of tech which allows Rifters to re-enter their own timeline without collapsing the time stream. But the Dox is hidden deep within the Tesla Institute, which means Lex must go into the enemy camp. It’s there he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them both comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they are, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them both…again.

Before I get into my review I just want to wish all the best to Sherry and Tyler on their success of Extracted.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Spencer Hill breakfast during BEA earlier this year and I have to admit at first I was very nervous about going because I really didn’t know who was going to be there. I was one of the first to arrive and then shortly after that Tyler came in.

It was so nice because I got to talk to Tyler for quite a bit and then slowly everyone else arrived. I didn’t get any pictures at breakfast and I think its because everyone was talking and eating. But none the less it was so much fun and after breakfast we all walked to the Javitis together. It was so nice to hang out with some awesome Spencer Hill authors.

Spencer Hill was probably the one booth I hanged out the most in and I am looking forward to sharing my reviews on their books with you guys.

Okay back to Extracted.

This was the one book I read on my train ride back from NYC. After meeting the authors I knew that I wanted to read this asap and I honestly packed it away in my bag to avoid reading it before hand because I was so going to read it before hand.

It was nice to curl up in my seat on the train and sit back and read. I took my time reading it and I have to say that it took everything in me not to speed read it because there was parts that I wanted to read through quickly to find out what was happening.

Before I get into my review, don’t you just love the cover? I love it and this is one of those covers that actually suits the book.

I am not all that big into sci fi/fantasy but I am a fan of time traveling and I am just starting to enjoy steampunk. So if you know of any good steampunk books please let me know.

Extracted is told in two points of view and that is from both main characters Lex (Hollows) and Ember (Rifters). I always worry when the book is done in this format but I have to say it worked out fantastic. You could clearly see that each of the authors took a character and wrote it. It was nice to have that distinction.

In the world of Extracted there are two groups of people. One group is called the Rifters and they are specially trained to protect the time stream from the Hollowers. The Rifters are basically the good guys and the Hollowers are the bad guys.

Ember and Lex are members of the opposing groups and they end up getting caught in the middle of this time stream war. They travel back and forth to different periods in time being careful as not to alter the time stream because if they do everyone will suffer the consequences. I loved how references were made in certain periods of time in the book so there was some history added to the book as well.

Every time you enter the time stream it erases your memories that you. Its not until Ember and Lex meet at the Chicago World Fair that they start to remember things about themselves such as the fact that they are brother and sister. How will this play out since the are both in opposing groups?

Lex’s group the Hollowers are at the Chicago World Fair because they need to steal some plans from the past that will benefit the Hollows now. I loved Lex because he was a loyal friend and his motto was like leave no man behind which we need more of.

Ember was the one character I loved because she was a kick ass character and she didn’t need any guy to protect her or defend her. She is a strong and independent girl but she is always sensitive and caring, which is something more books need more of.

There is so much I want to say about the book but I am afraid if I say anything more I will ruin the plot lines. So I will tell you that if you are looking for a fantastic book to pick up I have to recommend this. This is by far my favorite read of 2013.

As you read the book you will feel as though you are actually visualizing it. I love those kind of books that make you feel as though you are a part of it.

I loved the book and I love that even though there was a lot going on everything was neat and tidy. I am dying to read the next installment and really said that I might have to wait another year or two to do so. AGH how could you do this to me Sherry and Tyler?