Books & Stuff

The book I chose was “A Diamond in My Pocket,” the first in the Unaltered series by Lorena Angell. It is a little sci-fi, a little conspiracy, a little coming of age and a pretty darned good read.

Calli Courtnae would describe herself as an OK-looking 17-year-old with good grades and few close friends. Calli decided to join the track to team to avoid the boredom of being home alone while her doctor parents work.

Usually the slowest on her team, today she sets a world record with ease. Unsure of what just happened, she is approached by a beautiful woman who tells her she must leave with her immediately to train for the Olympics. To Calli’s shock, her parents agree without asking any questions.

Within hours, Calli is in a secluded compound in the mountains of Montana. This isn’t an Olympic camp. It is one of several housing individuals with unusual powers. Each “clan” has a special ability. This one is for runners. Others are seers, healers, hunters and readers. No one individual has all the various powers.

Calli is told that centuries ago, some embryos were affected by special radiation endowing them with certain super-human traits, and she’s a descendant. Deep inside, she doesn’t feel like she fits in, and none of the other young people make her feel even a little welcome.

By the second morning, Calli has been assigned a dangerous journey.

Three members from each of the clans are being held hostage be the Death Clan — a group of healers who want to become immortal. They will release the hostages when they get the powerful Sanguine Diamond.

The hunky Chris, shifty Justin and slowpoke Calli plus several other “shield” runners are chosen to deliver the diamond. While waiting for it to be given the lead runner Chris, Calli is approached by the enchantress, Maetha. She gives Calli the real diamond, explains that Calli is the only one who can deliver it, and that she must keep it an absolute secret. Chris will unknowingly carry a fake.

As the group runs north toward the Death Clan camp, Calli begins to notice she’s much faster than before and all her other senses are heightened.

They must find lighted shelter at night, or shadow demons will rip them to shreds. She finds a large cave just in time, but she also finds that she can walk among the demons without notice. That allows her to discover a group of mercenary hunters Justin has been helping.

She is able to look into the minds of nearly anyone, find weaknesses and either heal them or use them against the person. She is surprised to learn that each clan member has been trained to accept Nature’s Way — no one can or should live forever — and a healer needs to know when to let things go.

When Calli sees visions of where the exchange will take place, she also sees several possible outcomes. Some are unthinkably terrible. But by studying each scenario carefully, she forms a plan of action. Her plan should minimize death and injury for the clans. Now she must find the strength to stand firm to the end. As I said, this is book one of a series so we know it ends well. I’m ready to see what book two hold for Calli and the clans.

We rarely hold the lives of others in our hands in the dramatic way Calli did, but each time we get behind the wheel, we come close. Drive carefully to your public library and look over the wide selection of great books waiting for you to check them out.

AT A GLANCE
BOOK: “A Diamond in My Pocket”
AUTHOR: Lorena Angell
PUBLISHER: Fantasy Books Publishing, LLC
PUBLISHED: June 28, 2014
PAGES: 286