Review: The Mutates

THE MUTATES: THE CREATION by Peyton Leonard

Fiction, Science Fiction, YA, 216 pages

3***

Blurb: What would you do if your humanity was brutally stolen from you? How far would you go to reclaim that humanity? Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola are just a bunch of teenagers living in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania in 2009 when they are kidnapped and experimented on, becoming genetically modified feline humanoids with wings, called Mutates. They struggle to make sense of their mutations and fight for their freedom and humanity all the while growing their bonds with one another and the people they come across. Their journey is fraught with adversity, heartache, and pain, but they learn to overcome their challenges and become even stronger individuals in the process. Come and join Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola as they embark on the ride of their lives.

Thoughts: This was an interesting story that is very different from any other “mutant” story I’ve read. Aimed at young adults, the story centers on four teens (15/16 yrs old). Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola are friends who live in Pennsylvania. Tyler’s mother died two years ago. Samy lost her parents at a young age and lives with her aunt. Andy and Lola are brother and sister. They are all kidnapped and turned into mutants that resemble felines/birds/humans who can shift from full human form to the mutant form. They struggle to deal with their situation and work as a team to survive and escape the scientist who created them. 

The story moves rather quickly and you have to keep up with it or you’ll get lost in what’s happening. You can’t even skip a page – or a paragraph – because you’ll lose part of the story. Which is not a bad thing because it means you’re engrossed in the story. I will note that Andy is very religious and this plays into the story as well. 

Things I liked: the story is unique and interesting. The characters well-developed and true-to-life. 

What I didn’t like: I often felt like things went their way too much. They get attacked by mutant animals and Lola calms everyone down because she’s so sweet and can talk to them. They escape and the first person they meet has no problem with them being mutants and helps them out. And the “underworld” just seems too unreal even for science fiction. There’s no explanation of where it is and how it came to be. I liked the story overall, but some things were just a bit too unbelievable for me.

Recommendation: For something unique, I recommend this, but you really have to suspend your disbelief for the world building. 

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”