Extraordinary Lies
Written by Jennifer Alsever⎮ Narrated by Moira Todd
Author: Jennifer Alsever
Narrator: Moira Todd
Length: 11 hours 9 minutes
Publisher: Jennifer Alsever
Released: Sep. 8, 2020
Genre: YA Paranormal
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Synopsis
Julia and Charley may come from two completely different worlds, but they’ve been called the same names all their lives. Psycho. Liar. Witch. It’s the price of being a supernaturally gifted female in sexist, narrow-minded 1971. Until they’re invited to join the Stanford Research Institute.
There, a team of scientists are conducting experiments on people like them - people with the ability to tell the future, read minds, move objects without lifting a finger. At first, the institute seems like a safe haven. For the first time, Julia and Charley are not alone. Surrounded by others with powers like theirs, they finally make real friends.
But as the experiments become darker and more dangerous, and the test subjects’ lives are increasingly at risk, the two girls must work together to unveil the truth behind the scientists’ experiments - and the extraordinary lies they’ve been told to keep them in the dark.
Angelique's Review
5 Stars
This audiobook was provided by its author, Jennifer Alsever, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thanks, Jennifer!
There is just something about reading or listening to a book that is based in or played out in the early 60's, 70's and 80's that makes me feel older and wiser than I am. The Vietnam war is something that doesn't play a big role in my history as a South African but I have read so many books and watched so many movies that made reference to it. And each time it breaks my heart a little more. The time and lives wasted on it is incredibly sad. In Extraordinary Lies, you get another glimpse into the same mind frame and it gives you a little history of the Vietnam war and the ongoing struggles with espionage and Russia.
Julia and Charley are immensely special and well rounded characters. Two young girls who come from completely different backgrounds who are so strong in their own ways. Julia has had to learn to thrive in a world where everything but love was handed to her freely. Where - at the whim of the family's patriarch she gets sentenced to a summer of experiments against her will. And somehow she still manages to find her way to herself. Even if this self isn't incredibly outspoken or out there, she is still a strong character who knows what she wants and tries her best to get it.
Charley is this amazing young girl - a little selfish and unsure of what to do with her talent at times. A little morally misguided, but at her core a really kind and generous person. I loved watching her character develop.
These two girls, although not the only noteworthy ones in the story, were surrounded by other teens who are just as gifted as they are in different ways these girls make friends, enemies and uneasy allies with the other kids at SRI.
This was an incredibly intriguing story, with so many little plot twists, surprises and intense moments that at times I either had to pause the book or pull over as I found my concentration being drawn from driving the car or doing my work. I literally loved every second of the story.
The narration by Moira Todd was just as excellent. Each character - including the supporting cast was so easily distinguishable that it almost felt like I was listening to more than one person narrating the story. She had an incredibly melodic voice that was so easy to listen to and get lost it.