Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula(Cassidy Jones Adventures, Book One)

Don't read this review - Just go buy the book, read it, and then come back and agree or disagree with my review of the book.

No, really, just go buy it.

But watch out, or you'll find yourself finishing it at 3 am like I did.

I'm warning you, if you don't leave now, there are spoilers coming.
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OK, you've been warned.

This series is (sort of) about a superhero in a world without superheroes.

Cassidy Jones is not a superhero, but she has all the powers of one.

You'll find threads of 3 major Marvel heroes; I'm not going to tell you which ones.

While you'll see these traces of Marvel staples, this is not Marvel fan fic, this is solid writing, pacing, and humor.

I literally laughed out loud a couple of times in each book. These are not funny books, but there is some well placed humor in it.

There is action, and violence, and 14 year old girl's reaction to said action and violence (nice emotional conflict, and no trips to the morgue yet).

The teen angst is thankfully subdued (she REALLY screwed up with a boy less than a year ago - Cassidy can tell you exactly how many days it's been.)

My only complaint with the series is that there are only 2 books in it.

I am hopeful that the author will follow Cassidy Jones from her current age of 14 (both books) and follow her through her life.

I hope that Marvel will approach the author to do a series of graphic novels.

I'm hoping that when it becomes a movie that the film producers don't destroy it like they did with Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson.

I'm trying to figure out when to start reading these books to my little Avenger loving 8 year old daughter.

Might be today.

I have to say that I was absolutely intrigued from the very beginning of this story and simply could not put the book down. Elise Stokes has woven a fantastic tale about a 15 year old girl that unwittingly finds herself becoming a scientific blunder. Turned into a super hero she soon has to join forces with the scientists son in order to save his mother from possible doom. This story has all elements of surprise and a captivating side story involving the life of a teenager in High School. This book is great for kids ages 12 and up and I cannot wait for the sequels to come!

Elise Stokes ranks up there with other YA masterminds! This is a definite must -read book!

-Kitty Bullard / Great Minds Think Aloud Book Club

Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula is one of the most creative books that I have ever read- the depth of imagery that Elise Stokes words weave put her book on par with a graphic novel, the depth of feeling and expression and thought that is expressed is equal to some of the more classic novels.. all the while keeping it engaging for all levels- appropriate for ages of kids preteen to adult, with varying occupations and interests (I'm a 27 year old mother of two little girls with a degree in engineering and a job in graphic design! and my cousins, boys and girls, ages 13-18 love it!)
Definitely a must read!

A wonderful ride, following this young lady around, with help from her friends, looking for the bad guy and desperately wanting to stomp his behind! Stokes writes clean with no compromise and no loss of excitement. Great for young adults and grown-ups alike! You will have a hard time putting this down! Amazing job for Stokes' first book. Looking forward to another one!

Cassidy Jones never dreamed of being a super hero. She was a typical fourteen year old...dealing with 7th grade, not know how to handle a crush, trying to stay out of the way of bullies...until the day she accompanies her news reporter father to an interview. To stay out of the way while her father is interviewing the scientist Serena Phillips, Cassidy perches on a wobbly stool. When the stool breaks, she falls against a cabinet hitting her head and causing beakers full of fluid to turn over and break. As she falls, she breathes in the vapor caused by the combining fluids. Her body starts to react to the chemicals; in fact, by the time she is taken to the emergency room, the deep gash on her head is barely there. As Cassidy notices the changes in her body, she is scared and doesn't know who she can safely tell. When the scientist is kidnapped, Cassidy meets her brilliant son, Emery. He quickly realizes Cassidy is dealing with her body mutating with sharpened vision and mental abilities and with increased athletic speed and moves and helps her find ways to handle her new body. After Cassidy's father is also kidnapped, she and Emery find Cassidy's super abilities are needed as they work together to locate Dr. Phillips and Mr. Jones.
Cassidy Jones and The Secret Formula is a very good novel for ages 12 and older. It is fast paced with adventure and humor. The characters are well developed and the dialog flows well. Even as an adult, I enjoyed it and want to see what happens next to Cassidy and Emery.
Book received through a contest.

Entertaining and suspenseful. A wonderful format relating teen issues. I'm impressed that the author, Elise Stokes, has the writing talent to take the high road with her character development.

I love reading a new author and this one is great. Her character, Cassidy, is so very real and believable. I will get this book for my 4 granddaughters. I know they will love it. I can't wait for the next one!

Disclosure: I received this book free from the author for the purpose of a book review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

This is the first book in the Cassidy Jones Adventures. Elise Stokes does an amazing job for setting the stage in this young adult series. Cassidy Jones is a fourteen year old girl who develops special abilities after an accident. With her new heightened senses, strength and abilities, she partners with Emery Phillips, a fifteen year old genius. Together they set out to find their kidnapped parents. The story is quick moving, and leaves you wanting more. Elise Stokes is a wonderful storyteller. Her characters are rich, believable, as well as relatable. She eloquently uses descriptive language to convey what the characters are feeling without overdoing it. There is adventure, excitement and overall enjoyment with this read. As the relationship and trust between Cassidy and Emery grows throughout the story, so does the empathy and likeability develop between the reader and the characters. Stokes leaves the reader with anticipation.

Cassidy Jones has always been the quiet child, the one most likely to stay away from the center of attention. Unfortunately, this doesn't last long and it's not even her choice. Cassidy goes from being the normal girl who is "average" to being the girl with potential super powers. The very person Cassidy suspects for this sudden change, Professor Serena Phillips, is missing. Luckily, Cassidy has Serena's brilliant son, Emery, to help her. Emery is a bit of an enigma, but he readily helps Cassidy. The reader will love following Cassidy as she slowly comes to grips with her powers. Emery is a bit of a crutch while she is learning, he warns her that she is in danger as well. They both team up in an exciting adventure to track down Emery's mom and bring her back safely, the action is upped when Cassidy loses someone even closer to her.

The characters are the real draw into the book, as well as the idea of enhanced powers. The reader can easily picture him/herself as the main character. Cassidy is timid and normal in the beginning of the book, she has to learn to be stronger, calmer, and to leave her shyness behind at the end of the novel. It is interesting to watch as she changes, her character is very dynamic. Emery is the brilliant one; he tends to be the calmer and more collected one. His character acts as a foil to Cassidy. The other secondary characters are no less interesting, the reader will happily get to know them all.

The events are fast-paced and will keep the reader on his/her toes. The plot is terrific, really holds the readers' attention. This book is recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy a good mystery with a few super powers thrown in.

*complimentary review copy provided, this does not affect my opinion in any way*

The problem with most "origin" stories is that they take forever to get interesting as the author spends entirely too much time trying to describe the main character to the reader. After that they introduce a cliche "super problem", and then finish off with a predictable ending. You won't find any of those problems in this book.

The author of "Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula", Elise Stokes, succeeds where so many others fail by letting the reader get to know Cassidy Jones by virtue of the story itself. Not only is the reader getting to know this new heroine, but the reader is pulled into the storyline as Cassidy Jones is a character that most people will find easy to identify with, sympathize with, and even admire and cheer for. As such, I don't just recommended this book to teenage girls but to everyone who considers themselves a fan of the fantasy, sci-fi, or superhero genres.

A sequel is on the way, and I am excited to see how both Cassidy and her creator grow as the series continues.