I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Ultraviolet Catastrophe by Jamie Grey
on September 24, 2013
Pages: 350
Format: ARC
Source: the author
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Quantum Electrodynamics. String Theory. Schrödinger's cat. For sixteen-year-old Lexie Kepler, they’re just confusing terms in her science textbooks, until she finds out that her parents have been drugging her to suppress her outrageous IQ. Now Branston Academy, a school run by the world’s most powerful scientists, has tracked her down and is dying for her to attend - as a research subject.

She takes refuge at Quantum Technologies, a secret scientific community where her father works as a top-notch scientist, and begins her new life as girl genius at Quantum High. But the assignments at her new school make the Manhattan Project look like preschool - and Lexie barely survived freshman algebra.

Her first big assignment – creating an Einstein-Rosen bridge – is also her first chance to prove she can hold her own with the rest of QT's prodigies. But while working with the infuriatingly hot Asher Rosen, QT’s teen wonder, Lexie uncovers a mistake in their master equation. Instead of a wormhole, the machine they’re building would produce deadly ultraviolet rays that could destroy the world. Now Lexie and Asher have to use their combined brainpower to uncover the truth behind the device. Before everyone at Quantum Technologies is caught in the ultraviolet catastrophe.

Before I read Ultraviolet Catastrophe, I was in such a reading slump.. I used to finish books in 1-3 days, 4 if I was having an off week. Then I started blogging and taking notes to help me with reviews, and I started to slow down. It was taking me 4-7 days to finish a book, sometimes longer.

And then I read Ultraviolet Catastrophe. I finished this book in about 2 days. I just couldn’t put it down! It was action-packed, interesting, unique and incredible. The characters were likable and relatable. The plot was… Okay, I normally don’t like comparing books to other books because it can really throw people off, depending on whether or not they liked the book you’re using to compare. But I definitely saw certain elements from Beth Revis’ Across the Universe and Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires. Both are series I love and this is definitely, 100% a compliment! Also, the science and technology felt authentic, yet it was relatively easy to follow. I only got confused a few times.

I loved the MC, Lexie. She was fun and relatable. As a genius who’s parents drugged her to make her “average,” she has a little more trouble fitting in at her new school than most new students do. She struggles to keep up with her coursework, constantly fighting the drug in her system that’s suppressing her outstanding IQ.

I actually really like when the parents know or are involved. I know a lot of the time, the MC has to hide her abilities or her secret vampire boyfriend, but sometimes it’s nice knowing the parents can swoop in and save the day. Even if they can’t, it’s reassuring to know they can at least try. Although, I must admit, I was a little suspicious of Lexie’s parents for much of the book.

Asher was an interesting character. He was smart and sexy, and sometimes a little over-confident. He and Lexie worked well together, though, and I loved them as a couple. It was also a refreshing change, having Lexie hesitant to start a relationship. Asher pursued her, but she refused to bite for the longest time. I really don’t believe in love at first sight, and so many YA novels have that now. Yes, you can be ATTRACTED to someone and think they’re hot/sexy whatever. But you can’t fall head-over-heels in love with one look. It doesn’t happen. So I really loved how Lexie made Asher fight for it.

I loved Max and Zella. Max was adorable, and I kept waiting for him to be the third part of the love triangle. Actually, it was refreshing – again – when the love triangle ended up being two girls fighting for the same guy, rather than two guys fighting for the same girl. Honestly, everything about this book was refreshing. Except for the stereotypical “mean girl” Amy. I’m a little tired of the mean girl character, but in general, not specifically in this book. Amy was, actually, a complex character with a lot to lose and it was nice seeing that for once, as well, instead of just a shallow, vain mean girl trying to “steal” the popular boy out from under the sweet girl-next-door’s nose.

There was one character – I can’t name names or I’ll give something big away – that I wasn’t suspicious of in the beginning and then as time went on, I grew more and more suspicious of this character. In the end, my suspicions were confirmed! I also didn’t expect what happened to this character in the end. It was just… a complete shock! Pretty much the entire end of the book was a huge shock, honestly. It was incredible and it blew my mind!

I have my fingers crossed that this is a series, because I’m loving these characters and this plot, and I’m anxious to see what kind of trouble Lexie, Asher, Max and Zella get themselves into next!