Impostor (Variants #1) by Susanne Winnacker eArc Review!

   

Title : Imposter
Author : Susanne Winnacker
Pages : 320
Published : January 2nd 2014 by Hodder Children's Books
Source : Netgalley

Tessa is a Variant with extraordinary abilities. She could be a hero, but all she wants to do is fall in love ...

Tessa is a Variant, able to absorb the DNA of anyone she touches and mimic their appearance. Shunned by her family, she's spent the last two years with the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a secret branch of the FBI. There she trains with other Variants, such as long-term crush Alec, who each have their own extraordinary ability.

When a serial killer rocks a small town in Oregon, Tessa is given a mission: she must impersonate Madison, a local teen, to find the killer before he strikes again. Tessa hates everything about being an impostor - the stress, the danger, the deceit - but loves playing the role of a normal girl. As Madison, she finds friends, romance, and the kind of loving family she'd do anything to keep.

Amid action, suspense, and a ticking clock, this super-human comes to a very human conclusion: even a girl who can look like anyone struggles the most with being herself.

My Thoughts : 

Tessa is different, she is a Variant! Once she touches someone she absorbs their DNA and can turn into them. She mimics everything about them. Her mum abandoned her to the Forces with Extraordinary Abilities, a supernatural branch of the FBI, when she was little. They are her family now and they hone her unique abilities. 

In a small town in Oregon where everyone knows everyone, there has been a rash of killings. The police suspect a serial killer but the FEA think it could be a rogue Variant. The serial Killer strikes again but makes a mistake. When his latest victim is found she is barely alive and the FEA know this is their only opportunity. Even though Tessa hasn't been out in the field before she is perfect for the job. Major takes her to the hospital to absorb Madisons DNA so she can be bait for the killer. When "Madison" miraculously comes out of her coma her family are thrilled. Tessa as Madison must play her part to perfection and try to catch a killer! What follows is a book that is unique and thrilling.

Firstly I have to say that I love this cover of Imposter!! It fits with a certain scene in the book and it portrays Tessas Ability perfectly. Secondly when I read the blurb of this I knew Id read it!!

I absolutely and utterly devoured this book!! It was ah-maz-ing. When I was reading it i was sucked into the story and could imagine everything Tessa went through. She struggles with her gift and the author did an amazing job of showing us rather than telling us. All her life she has wanted a proper family and when she is Madison she sees how a real family operate. It was heartbreaking to see her wanting them to love her instead of Madison. 

I loved Tessa. She has a unique ability but she doesn't abuse it.  I felt for her through the whole book. She has a crush on someone who is taken, she has no family to speak of and she is struggling to understand herself! She is the type of character you become invested in and cant wait to read about.

As for Alec, ugh, I wanted to yell at him and say make up your mind!! He was so hot and cold with Tessa and normally that bugs me but the way the author wrote it you just know that there is more to his story than meets the eye! I'm intrigued with him and cant wait to read more.

And the plot, well it was awesome. A girl that can change form and mimic someone perfectly, who is trying to catch a killer, it totally had me sold. I'm so ready for book 2 now though :)

Overall this is a book Id highly recommend. Its packed with mystery and intrigue, unique characters and a plot that will grip you and keep you thinking. You think you know who the killer is but then a curve ball is thrown and you're left thinking, hmm maybe they did it. Its cleverly written and one you need to read NOW. This is my first Susanne Winnacker book and going by her writing style it definitely wont be my last.