Ultraxenopia (Project W.A.R., #1) (2024)

4 stars upon reread.

I still really enjoy this world and the characters as well as the plot, but there were just a couple of the things with the writing that would briefly take me out of the story, but nothing super major or anything. I also wanted more on the disease, Ultraxenopia, because I find it really fascinating, and I hopefully will get more on it in the second book. Overall, it was still a really enjoyable and fun read. I would also like to say that this is new adult as opposed to young adult, not because there are graphic sex scenes (there aren't any), but because the characters in this book and in their twenties and possibly thirties with some (Wynter is 21 while main love interest is like 26). The characters were all distinct and acted their age, but I didn't process their ages until I reread it.

——————

4.5 stars

Ultraxenopia is the first book in a trilogy that follows our main character, Wynter. The story kicks off on her twenty-first birthday, when she shows signs that she has an extremely debilitating and rare disease called Ultraxenopia while she is taking her exam. Wynter is taken by the DSD, which is a feared scientific research facility to be a test subject.

Now I'm going to state my only complaint: it was a bit slow in the beginning which is why it took me so long to get in to and really start the novel, but once I got to the DSD, the novel really took off and had a great pacing to it. The dystopian society was greatly explained and in a way that it wasn't super info-dumpy. The characters were amazing. I felt all different sorts of feelings when reading about these characters and their situations and what they were going through. I really cannot say it enough, but I absolutely adore this book and cannot wait till the next one

**I voluntarily reviewed a copy from the "Rachel E. Carter YA Book Club" on Goodreads**

I’m not a huge feelings person any day but this book got on my nerves! Every other sentence was a reminder the strict government teaching not to feel anything. Reminded me a lot of another YA series - unfortunately this was just not for me!

2.5 Stars. For the first half of this book, I was wrapped around the author’s little finger. I was loving everything I read. After that, not so much but I’ll explain.

This was a dystopian tale and the society was totally introverted. People didn’t speak to each other, you looked down rather than at someone’s face, no one loitered – they went directly to where they had to be, families didn’t express affection…these were a few of the odd ways this society acted. I was looking forward to finding out why.

The story focuses on a girl named Wynter. She just turned of age to write the exam that would dictate the rest of her life – her career, her social standing, etc. While in the exam, she starts getting a headache which quickly gets so bad she is screaming and then all of a sudden she is having a vision of the end of the world. When she comes back from the vision, she immediately leaves the exam and heads home only to find the Gov’t there to take her away.

They bring her to a hospital where she learns that she has some type of disease and they are going to do some tests on her. What they meant was they were going to start torturing her to bring on more visions. They really take a toll on her health and after months of this, she is wasting away and certain these visions will kill her.

The story couldn't continue without her escaping, so she does and she sets out to find a man she saw in her visions. He is a member of a terrorist/freedom-fighter group called Phoenix. While with this group, she has another vision episode but they are getting worse and this one renders her unconscious for a week.

And here’s where the author lost me….

After waking up from her week of being unconscious, the man from her visions tells her that they are on a mission into the city. It may very well be a trap but they have to take the chance in case it’s not. She asks to go – he says yes. WTF??? First, the girl is a frail wisp of a person at this point who has no weapon training and has been out of it until 10 minutes ago. Why would she think she could physically go? Second, unless he’s trying to get her or his group killed, why would he say yes? To further this, later in the story we find out that she can kill people with her mind and he was probably bringing her to use as a weapon but he didn't know this back then so this doesn't make it believable.

As the society has made it so no one speaks to each other, Wynter hasn't been kissed before. Once she gets to the Phoenix compound (remember, looking like she needs life support) she gets kissed by two separate guys and for the second one her clothes are quickly on the ground and she’s in bed with him . Really? Needless to say I was disappointed in what the author did with the character.

Finally, Wynter is describing a memory of her late father who taught her to play piano. A piano is a totally outlawed object in this society along with anything else that apparently gives a person any enjoyment. He learned to play when he was young. I’m wondering how. This is a piano…you can’t stash it in your pocket if the authorities come, and they tend to produce noise when used so you can be easily caught if you play it and this society seems quick to turn each other in. Was society normal when he was a kid? If so, how could it change so drastically in a generation? Unfortunately, how the society came to be was never explained in any detail whatsoever.

I can see how a lot of people will like this story though. There are many readers who will pass over the aforementioned details without a second thought. I’m just not one of them.

**** 4 Cranky stars ****

Wynter lives in a dystopian world so different and foreign to the one we live in presently. The governing State discourages people to be individuals, express their opinion, their passion or to simply be free. Fear governs the population and to break the laws equals punishment, prison or death.

That is the world where Wynter was born and lives until her twenty-first birthday.

When I started reading the book, I thought Wynter was younger because she seemed quite naïve and timid. Then the rules she lives by becomes apparent and I started to understand why she was like that.

Don’t stand out. Blend in. Be invisible.

During the examination she had to sit in and try to pass in order for the State to determine which type of job or life she would follow, something happens to Wynter that makes her a prime target of the State…or worse, its scientists. The events that follow are not pretty and might not be suitable to those with faint hearts.

But those events make Wynter change and grow stronger. By this time, I was so captivated by her story that I found myself devouring the pages within hours of starting it.

I rooted for her and prayed that she would eventually be free from the grasp of the State and find happiness. When she finally did, she became a pawn for a completely different group of people. Or so it seems.

Then she met a love interest. Will he be the one?

Hope blossomed in my heart only to be broken once more as destiny appeared to be intent on ruining her life. I was still picking up pieces of my broken heart when I found myself facing the end of part one. My reaction wasn’t a pretty sight.

Alas, this is the first book to an intriguing series. I dare you to pick it up and read.

I wrote this review a day after I finished the book. And let me just say I kept catching myself thinking about this book all day and night! A good book can do that to you people!!! Now, I love me some dystopian books. And let me tell you I LOVED this exciting, breath holding, thrilling, interesting, suspenseful, unique dystopian! I'm not going to lie... I may or may not have yelled out loud at the characters thinking they could hear me. I got so caught up in this book that I often forgot it was a piece of fiction with fictional characters!
Meet the characters:
First, we have our heroine Wynter. She has just the right about of stubbornness, courage, and fire to make her... well amazing! I can totally see her turning into a kick butt girl by the end of this series! Next, meet Dr. Evil... I mean Dr. Richter. Let's just say he is not a nice guy. Now let's talk about the oh so handsome Ezra. He is fiercely loyal and a tad protective. Next, we have the ever charming Jenner. The ultimate best friend! And of course the kind hearted Rai. I adored how well written it was and the great character develop! I can totally see this series being a hit! So do yourself a favor and read this book!!! However, if you don't do good with cliffhangers, like myself, you might wanna wait until the second one is close to coming out! But for sure read it!!!

Latest read is Feb 2016:
M.A. Phipps managed to make a great story even better. She has the talent to create a dystopian world that is incredibly detailed without being too wordy. Rather than having her explain the world, she shows it to you. Without realizing it, you begin to fall for Wynter Reeves immediately. I love her strong character that also has a strong human sense to her rather than a cardboard cutout. I think a big contributor to that is the description of how she's feeling in a physiological sense that can make you feel exactly what she is feeling. This book takes you on a ride that you don't want to get off of. You'll want to know what happens next and will probably read longer than you meant to to figure it out. It's a tough process to figure out who she can trust, if she can trust anyone at all. I think there is some great commentary on science as a whole that can be seen in this book and when it takes away from seeing people as human beings. Oh, and when you think you've got it all figured out, there's more you don't see coming. I've been lucky enough to be gifted with the first edition of this book and then the republished one. M.A. Phipps is a very dedicated and talented author. :)

This book had me in the beginning. I was drooling over every word and interaction. I couldn't stop reading and didn't want to. It was so well constructed. The world was so well done. That being said, I feel like more work could be done with the characters. I got a bit bored in the middle to be honest, but I was fully engrossed again towards the end and we are left with a cliffhanger. I definitely think there is strong potential for a great series and would love to read the next installment. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, it was totally worth the read and I absolutely would've paid for it and been extremely satisfied!

Review: Ultraxenopia (Project W.A.R #1) by M.A. Phipps Publication Date:3rd April 2015

ISBN:978-0993217708

Source: review copy provided by author

Rating:5*

Synopsis:
Ultraxenopia is a New Adult Dystopia following twenty-one year old protagonist Wynter Reeves as she struggles between conforming to the oppressive society she's always known or risking everything to join an uprising rebellion-all the while suffering from a rare and debilitating condition which allows her to see the future.

My review:
I thought I knew what I was getting with this book, but out turns out I vastly underestimated M.A. Phipps; Ultraxenopia is just extraordinary. This new adult dystopian story captured my imagination from the outset and I couldn't get enough of Wynter Reeves and her harrowing story. I'm so glad I decided to read it;I simply couldn't put it down!

Phipps' fantastic talent for storytelling combined with her painstaking attention to detail really bring Ultraxenopia to life . The dystopian world the characters inhabit is a suspenseful and scary place where it is difficult to know who to trust. The author's wonderful use of descriptive prose ensured that I got to experience the sights and sounds of life alongside Wynter and the other characters.

This novel held my interest throughout and now I've finished reading it, I can't wait for the sequel. Fans of the Divergent and Hunger Games series need to read Ultraxenopia; it's got to be the next huge series. I for one can't wait to see what the future holds for Wynter.

Found it by chance and I can't say I'm dissapointed. The beginning was strong and the ending got me screaming for the sequel.

Ultraxenopia is totally awesome! This book is a dystopian sci-fi, but it also is so much more! I would really love to see this book be made into a movie, and I am definetly curious about the next parts in the Project W.A.R. series! This really is one of my favorite reads this year so far!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

Okay so before I start praising every detail of this FABULOUS book, I would like to point out that this book is a dystopian novel. Yes, I know you probably read that sentence and went "DUH," but if you know me, I typically do not like dystopian novels. I have read a plethora of them, so trust me when I say that I have only liked a few dystopian novels and the rest hurtled into the section of my brain known as The Point of No Return, as in I never want the memories of the book to EVER return! It became comical for me as I was plowing through the so-called "popular" dystopian novels that I began to start singing "Another one bites the dust"....*Book soars into the black, dismal expanse known as The Point of No Return*..."Another one down, another one down, another one bites the dust." Whew, sorry about my boring babble, but I hope you catch my drift, and I was able to accurately convey by loathing for dystopian novels. You might ask why I gave "Ultraxenopia" 5 glorious stars if I hate dystopian novels. Well, my fellow book lovers, this novel has restored my faith in dystopian novels because I absolutely and unequivocally LOVED and ADORED this novel!

Plot:

The novel begins with Wynter trudging through the gray, desolate world around her to arrive at her placement exam at W.P. Headquarters. She is nervous and anxious because this exam determines her future. So yeah, needless to say this is where everything goes horribly wrong because Wynter has a horrific vision that literally causes excruciating pain, and this vision unveils *Cue dramatic voice* THE END OF THE WORLD...dun,dun,duuuun! I won't go into detail about the vision because you need to read this amazing book to find out, but after her massive breakdown in the placement exam, in saunters the DSD or shall I say the menacing and diabolical Dr. Richter with his forced smile that I would like to obliterate from his beautiful face. While at the DSD, Wynter realizes many things...she is different and powerful from everybody else around her (EXTREMELY powerful), she needs to find this mysterious and *cough* sexy *cough* man from her vision, and she needs to escape the endless torment of the DSD.

Characters:

Wynter-
Can I just get down on my knees and bow to her because she is INCREDIBLE! I have found that many female protagonists in dystopian novels are atrocious and I abhor their very existence because they just mope around and complain about the horrible and controlling government that dictates their life, but does Wynter do that? NO, she does not! And honestly, because of what she went through, she had every right to complain and and feel inferior to the world around her, but she didn't! And that makes her awesome and one of my favorite protagonist I have ever read. Like I said earlier, she is powerful or shall I say scary powerful. Scary powerful as in her heterochromia eyes turn black and blood pours out of every orifice in her body while she has her visions...she has got to be an unnerving and terrifying sight. I think if I saw this, I would run with my tail between my legs, spewing obscenities or I would spew obscenities while throwing holy water on her-Either one is an option! Major bonus points to Ezra for comforting her and carrying her even when she looked like she could eat someone's soul.

Ezra-
I seriously hope I was not the only one that squealed and frolicked around my house like a little gnome when Ezra appeared in Wynter's vision...yeah, I'm probably alone in the frolicking but EVERYONE needs to squeal and swoon for Ezra! Like HOLY HOTNESS ALERT!! Every time he appeared on the page, very pure and saint-like thoughts entered my mind *eye waggle*...hopefully you feel the sarcasm emanating from that sentence because I honestly think my mind had some sort of music playlist attached to Ezra...in one particular scene towards the very end, and he's *cough* naked *cough* my mind automatically starting playing a mix tape with "Sexy and I Know it" and "Talk Dirty" and boy did it add to the effect of that scene! I really need to stay on topic but Ezra just gets my brain muddled and all I can see is his beautiful face and dreamy, hazel eyes...and him walking towards me with a look of love and adoration in his eyes...*record scratch* Wow, sorry I kind of got lost there for a moment. See this is what Ezra does to me, so I just need to get to the main detail about Ezra before I start really fantasizing about Ezra and I together... *whispers* and "Talk Dirty" would definitely be in the background. Okay so before I get distracted again, Ezra is one of the leaders of the rebel movement called Phoenix, and Wynter's vision brings her to him, but it is still unknown why fate brought them together...but don't worry, I know this will be answered.

Dr. Richter-
My hatred for him made me search synonyms for the word hate because seeing the word hate 9,765 can get a tad bit repetitive, so let me start off by saying that I hate him. I loathe him. I detest him. I ABHOR him! I want to morph into a psychotic, ravaging beast and OBLITERATE! He is CRAY-CRAY!! He is a sick SOB!! Needless to say, he is a part of the DSD and he is the doctor responsible for Wynter and her endless amount of tests...ugh I despise him. Wynter needs to take an machine gun and wipe that fake smile off of his face, and I will be in the background laughing maniacally!!

Jenner and Rai-
I absolutely loved these two! Rai is so sweet and was the only one that comforted and befriended Wynter in the beginning, and Jenner is just absolutely adorable. They are both a part of Phoenix, and they aid Ezra throughout the novel. All I have to say is that I want Rai to be my best friend and I want to tackle Jenner in a big bear hug and then proceed to cuddle with him.

And alas, this review is nearing its end. But before I end, I would like to let M.A. Phipps know that the end was a cruel punishment. Here I am jamming out to "Talk Dirty" and then BAM! End of Part One appears on the screen. I was so happy, and then Wynter gets all noble and continues to be amazing and does something that takes a lot of courage, and I say this because I think I would make the bed she left my permanent residence and become one with it...the "bed" is so sexy and enticing. But no, Wynter is much stronger than me and then the book ends!! I may or may not have lost my sh#&, but I can tell you that when the book ended, my heart shattered and I was left wallowing in my misery while desperately trying to pick up the shattered remains of my heart and piece them back together on the frayed heartstrings of my desolated mass that was once known as my beating heart. All I can say is everyone needs to read this book!! This book made me a believer again and restored my faith in dystopian novels, and I would just like to point out that that is no easy feat. READ THIS BOOK!! P.S. I would cherish the opportunity to read the second novel in this series...I think my very existence depends on that book! :)

it wasn't good it wasn't bad and I'm totally confused about what grade to give this one. I don't have any clear feelings toward it. For some reason I kept reading but I can't put my finger on why. What I do know is that there was barely any world building and the characters were not very relatable.

I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED A COPY FROM THE "RACHEL E. CARTER YA BOOK CLUB" ON GOODREADS.

Here is the rundown. This book is about a woman named Wynter Reeves. She just wants to blend in and remain invisible. During a State mandated test, she no longer is invisible. She becomes a test subject for the State. She finds out she has a disease called Ultraxenopia and her life is now on a roller coaster of a adventure that she begins to learn about herself and her condition.

I first found out about this book on a Facebook group. The more teasers I saw made me get extremely excited for the release date. I began counting down and got nervous before it downloaded to my Kindle. I felt like a new Harry Potter book was coming out and I was waiting in line at the bookstore at midnight. Once I cracked open the first page I was absolutely hooked.

The cover is outstanding. The dueling colors of orange and blue are eye catching and I would buy it based solely off the cover and the synopsis on the back. You can tell the pressure is on her shoulders. The picture tells the story pretty well. Absolutely gorgeous.

From the first page I was hooked in. I was impressed with the pace of book. It flowed effortlessly. The emotions described in each page I could feel. I found my heart racing with Wynter's and my heart broke when Wynter's did. I haven't been able to live through the feelings a character in a really long time. It was magically. I will not forget this book. It is the kind that will stick with you for a lifetime. We all find a book that we just love and will yell it from the roof top. This is the book I will do that for. I loved it so much I had to gift all of my reading friends a copy.

My favorite moment is the moment she slips away from Ezra to make a decision she thinks is right. I'm not saying anymore because I don't want to give away any spoilers. All I'm going to say is the emotions were raw and painful. My favorite line is the last line "Welcome home, Wynter.". Awww I can't wait to read the entire series. I am officially a fan for life. I devoured this book and I want more. I can't stop thinking about it. I would give this book 100 stars if I could. I would recommend this book to everyone. Anyone who likes to read and enjoy a masterpiece is in for a treat.

Ultraxenopia sucked me in. I literally couldn’t put it down! This book has all the elements of a great dystopia… oppression, rebellion, political upheaval, action, drama, good vs. evil, main characters pulled between two sides—need I say more?

The character development was strong and I believed in the relationships. Especially, Wynter’s reactions to both captivity by the State and the Phoenix community.

This book sets the stage for more. We become invested in the characters with hints of what’s to come.

I was so intrigued by the State. What bits and pieces we gain about the society sucks you in and makes you crave more. I’ll be keeping my eye out for the sequel for sure!

I think this was a very good book. I would read more on this series! I found myself taken by the life and struggles of the main character, Wynter Reeves. Wynter takes a placement exam that will determine the rest of her life. I enjoyed following this character in this story. I can see this book as a movie one day! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Ultraxenopia (Project W.A.R. #1) is suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There were times when I felt as though I couldn't breath while anticipating what was going to happen next. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!!!! What will happen next?????? I can't wait to find out in book 2. I enjoyed this book greatly and highly recommend purchasing it.

Wynter Reeves lives by three rules. Don't stand out. Blend in. Remain invisible. If she follows them she will survive. But she's wrong...

It's the year 2061 and we meet Wynter on her 18th birthday, when she's doing the test that will decide her future career and life. But something happens and Wynter runs off without finishing her test. Before she knows what's happening she's under the care of dr Richter, who explains that she's suffering from a rare condition called Ultraxenopia. It affects parts of the brain, making her have hallucinations. It's actually visions, glimpses of the future. Dr Richter wants to conduct experiments on Wynter, but it ends up being pure torture.

I was hooked from the first page! Always wanted to read just one more chapter, but at the same time not wanting it to be over too soon! The author had great descriptions of the environment, which made it easy to imagine the cold and sterile world they lived in. Phipps also described feelings very well, to a point that made it hard to withstand! Sometimes it got somewhat repetitive and a bit tiresome to read about Wynter's constantly dry throat and lips, but I could overlook that. The book treated me with several surprises, and I'm convinced there will be even more in the next installment!

* I received a free copy of the book from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

I started reading this one last night and could not put it down until I finished. I just got sucked right into this world and did not want to leave. What Wynter went through in the first part of this book actually made me a little queasy. That was all sorts of messed up. Then we saw the true nature of her condition, and it was both terrifying and amazing. Terrmazing?

I really liked the characters we were introduced to in the second half of the book. There were some heartbreaking moments, but I'm still holding out hope that not everything is as it seems. Time will tell if Wynter made the right decision at the end.

The preview of book two has me so excited for its release later this year!

***I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from the Rachel E Carter YA Book Club on goodreads.***

PUBLICATION DAY REVIEW: Ultraxenopia (Project W.A.R. #1) by M.A. Phipps Published by: CHBB Publishing (19th January 2016)

ISBN: 9781523256303

Source: ARC via author

Rating: 5*

Synopsis:
Don’t stand out. Blend in. Remain invisible. Those are the rules I lived by—the rules I thought would keep me alive.I was wrong.Wynter Reeves is a law-abiding citizen of the State, a willing conformist whose daily life is haunted by terrorism and oppression. With the constant threat of death hanging over her like a shadow, she forces herself to live by a strict set of rules, all in the hope of ensuring she is never noticed. However, on her twenty-first birthday, as she prepares to take the placement exam that will determine her future within society, she begins to show symptoms of a rare and debilitating illness—ultimately attracting the attention of the State. Taken into the custody of the feared research facility known as the DSD, her worst nightmare becomes reality.Ripped away from the life she knew, Wynter is forced to become the test subject of the mysterious Dr. Richter. Through him, she learns the true and terrifying nature of her condition: a disease called Ultraxenopia.

Review:
I initially read and reviewed Ultraxenopia last year, and it was my best read of the year. It's now been revised, and this is my review of this new, revised publication.

I was immediately struck by the author's fantastically descriptive writing style. There is such meticulous attention to detail that every possible query is accounted for. This debut novel is intelligently written and haunting with a gripping plot. It is just extraordinary. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

Wynter is a great character. She's vulnerable yet feisty, determined and resilient. She is likeable and I believe that readers, be they fans of young, or new, adult, or other genres, they will find it very difficult not to feel empathy for Wynter. Dr Richter, on the other hand, is the complete opposite; he's the epitome of the evil villain.

I'd pretty much stopped reading dystopian books because many of them were so alike and I got disheartened, butUltraxenopiahas restored my faith in the genre. It is, hands down, the best dystopian novel I've ever read - better than all the Divergent, Hunger Games and Maze Runner books.

It is difficult to say much else without giving away too much of the plot, but suffice to say, I read it in one sitting as I simply couldn't put it down, I was utterly engrossed and unaware of my surroundings. It felt as though I was experiencing every emotion alongside Wynter, and was as desperate as she to fight for survival. I simply cannot praise it highly enough!

This review originally appeared on my blog at www.gimmethatbook.com.

This book is dark and unsettling, especially in the description of Wynter’s seizures and how much pain she is in during one of her episodes. She is kept unaware of what her true purpose is and used by the research facility to try to discover how the world ends.

When she ends up in the outside world, she is understandably naive and unsure of how she fits in. The author does a nice job of conveying her doubt and confusion, while painting a dystopian world with an underground community trying to fend for themselves. There is a love interest, which adds to Wynter’s dilemma but should be a big hit with the YA audience.

I found the medical and hospital settings the most interesting to me, as this is a new addition to the whole dystopian theme. Wynter is a strong girl and the author creates her character as one who develops character as the book goes on, with elements of suspense that will keep readers wondering what will happen next. Wynter has some hard choices to make and she struggles with them, just as an ordinary teen would. She experiences betrayal and hurt in some very well written scenes, and I felt my emotions stirred as I started to realize what was happening to her. So much responsibility heaped on a person!

This is book 1 of a trilogy, following the patterns of many dystopian works. The ending of the book is the obligatory cliffhanger, guaranteed to keep you waiting for book 2. I for one can’t believe what the author has Wynter do at the end….but that’s the idea. According to many positive reviews out there, a lot of people are invested in this series and are waiting anxiously for the next one. I’d love to see how Phipps can build on this popular story.

Oh My God !! Amazing dystopian book !! One of the best dytopian I've ever read ! I'm in love with Ultraxenopia ! LOOOOOVEEEE ITTT!!!!!!!!

*I receive this book from author in exchange for an honest review*

This new adult dystopian story captured my imagination from the outset and I couldn't get enough of Wynter Reeves and her harrowing story. I'm so glad I decided to read it; I simply couldn't put it down!
The character development was strong and I believed in the relationships. Especially, Wynter’s reactions to both captivity by the State and the Phoenix community. On the day of Wynter Reeves has her 21 birthday she has to take a placement test, she has been trying to blend in and stay invisible but the day of the test everything changes. She becomes very visible and a target for of the DSD where she after getting the diagnose Ultraxenopia is used as a lab rat. Wynter begins having visions of the future. A future where no one survives. How does Wynter get away from the state? How does she find a group of survivors that are living off the grid? After all, what Wynter experienced what survived and saw, she decides to run away from the place where she was safe. From the place where she could experience love. The only reason to save the love of people who accepted it to protect yourself and how your man. All because there a cure? Wynter did not want to be the one who you can become. She does not want anyone's death, nor wants to be a weapon. This is all that is who she is. Wynter wants to prevent what she saw. She decides to save all to herself.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Ultraxenopia by M. A. Phipps from the Rachel E. Carter YA book club on Goodreads!

Rating: 3 stars

I'm... Confused. I'm not sure it me not LOVING this book wasn't my fault though? (Be prepared for an incoherent review, I'm sorry)
I haven't been in much of a reading mood, and I feel like that might be the reason that I didn't actually enjoy the first parts of Ultraxenopia. I got bored and remained uninterested and confused throughout those chapters - and moreover, the confusion didn't actually clear up.
Anyways, here's what I thought in short.

The world building: lacking. It felt totally incomplete. Starting off, we get completely thrown into the deep, talking about some sectors we don't know anything about, and things about some kind of exam which is super important because the government will throw you in jail if you don't pass or something like that, and there's some kind of company? And what happens next is even more confusing tbh? I don't even know. It all could've been really great, if it all had been explained some more? Like, I'm still confused? What the hell happened in this book and why.

The plot: I have to say, I liked the plot VERY much. Even though it began a little too slow - or rather, too confusing - for me, when the story progressed (at like, 40% of the book) I started to enjoy reading Ultraxenopia. I was still confused most of the time, but I did enjoy it a lot. XD

The writing: Nothing to say about it tbh? It was just a normal writing style, fine & fairly enjoyable, but I felt like 75% of the first four or so chapters were emotions being told. It's safe to say that I could've done with more descriptions and less 'emotions' I think.. And also, one of my pet peeves with reading, is emotions. Being. Told.
I want to feel them, not just read them and unfortunately Ultraxenopia did not do that for me. This caused me to go veeeeerryyy slow through the first few chapters which is also a pet peeve of mine (I hate it when it takes me longer than a week to read a 200-300 pages long book). But like I said before, as the story progressed, I felt like the pace fastened up and I started enjoying it quite a lot!

All in all, not a bad read at all even though it took me a while to get into. I'm excited as to what the sequel will bring!

Betrayed by Family. Tortured by the Enemy. Destined to Destroy the World.

This is a great dystopian read full of action, drama, oppression, politics and rebellion. Drawn in by the gripping storyline, it’s exciting and a great read. Has fab characters and I just loved Wynter our kick ass female mc and has twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved Divergent and Hunger Games and I loved this. I am so so excited to read the next book!

This book had me completely invested from the get go... I thought the society was so interesting and couldn't wait to find out more about it and how it came to be.

I was SO disappointed when I realized it wasn't going to be explained...

This was a fun read but it was filled with plot holes and the world building left a lot unexplained. Great potential but disappointing execution.

Mind blowing. Literally.
Spoiler Alert: Author M.A. Phipps wrote Ultraxenopia as volume one of her Project W.A.R. series. Many series books end with a minor climax to tie up this installment then prepare readers for the next installment. Phipps ends Ultraxenopia with an unresolved cliffhanger. As with Empire Strikes Back, you’ll need to pony up for the next installment to find out if her heroine, Wynter, prevails.

Alas, Phipps is no George Lucas and readers might not find Ultraxenopia as compelling as viewers found Empire. I felt no rush to buy volume two. Phipps delivers a tight, engrossing narrative that pushed me through the book in three sittings. However, the realization, with two chapters remaining, that the storyline would continue elsewhere, knocked the wind out of my sails.

(Don’t let my final reaction discourage you. Many readers enjoy reading an entire series and, as far as I can tell, Phipps ends the series with volume two, Type X.)

Phipps blends a number of familiar concepts into Ultraxenopic’s storyline: dystopian society, rebel resistance, super soldier experiments, psychic warfare. From those familiar pieces she weaves a fresh and compelling narrative.

Wynter Reeves breaks down during her mandatory exams, suffering a psychic episode that leaves her with an apocalyptic vision of the future. Her breakdown triggers a security alert, and her family surrenders her to Dr. Richter and his lab.

Richter suspects Wynter can time-shift— project psychically to the future. Hoping to tap into her visions, he subjects her to months of excruciating experiments during which she develops the power to psychically cripple every one who threatens her. 

Wynter escapes and seeks refuge with a local resistance group, only to experience accelerating time-shifts. Even worse, her powers grow too, and she can’t control them. She suspects Richter planned to turn her into a weapon, a suspicion confirmed when her time shifts indicate she will be the weapon that ushers in the apocalypse.

Phipps wrote Ultraxenopia for paranormal romance readers, and the book delivers everything the genre demands. She doesn’t sacrifice formula for professionalism, writing with clear, crisp prose. She proves equally adept at developing romantic tension, detailing a dystopian future and writing action scenes to satisfy readers who demand action more than star-eyed romance.

What she fails to deliver is the apocalypse, or any assurance that Winter isn’t the monster she believes Richter wanted. For that, you have to buy Book Two.

Rating system:
5 = Delicious dialogue, crisp prose, clever characters & compelling plot
4 = Great read, won’t want to stop (Some reviewers rate this 5 stars)
3 = Worth buying (but…)
2 = I’ll tell you what audience will like this, but other readers might want to look elsewhere
1 = If I review a book this bad I felt seriously compelled to warn you

Phillip T. Stephens is the author of Cigerets, Guns & Beer, Raising Hell and the new release Seeing Jesus. You can follow him @stephens_pt.

Oops.

I stayed up all night (on a work night) because I couldn’t stop reading. From the moment I picked up Ultraxenopia, I was totally engrossed in the story. At first I had no idea what was going on, which made me want to just keep reading more. By the middle of the book, I was totally hooked and couldn’t read fast enough. And then the end came. I’m suffering from yet another book hangover. *sigh* I just hope she doesn’t make us wait too long for book #2!

I suppose you’d like to know about the book, huh? Well, M.A. Phipps builds this dystopian words not too far into the future. Everyone is expected to blend in, to do their role as a citizen of the State. Honestly, it’s completely plausible. Then she delicately starts to sprinkle in the characters, and develops them little by little. The longer the story continues, the more you get to know the characters, and the motives behind their actions. Before you know it, you’re completely immersed in a new reality, occasionally wondering if Wynter Reeve’s visions are real. Ultraxenopia, it turns out, is the term for a specific evolution of certain people (that’s the bes way I can summarize it). Through the whole book, though, you’re being pulled along by a glimpse of the end – the end of the book, the end of the world, or just life as they know it – you’re never really sure. Or will it even be the end?

I certainly don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out!

I've found myself taking chances on new authors a lot lately and have not been disappointed. This is such a good read that I'm still thinking about it.

Wynter is a young girl who is caught up in something she has no control over. The government has rules - don't step out of line, don't stand out or there will be consequences. She gets a first hand look at what happens when you're different in a society when being different can be treasonous. When it can get you killed - or in her case experimented on. But she'll be okay, she just has to find the boy in her visions, the one who she is connected to when she doesn't even know him.

I don't read a ton of dystopian anymore because a lot of it can seem the same, but this was new and exciting. I did have a few issues with some of the decisions the characters made. I could see traps coming a mile away and couldn't understand why they didn't, making them seem a little naieve, but the writing style made up for these deficiencies. It's crisp and clean, leaving much to the imagination - just like a good YA dystopian should.

I absolutely LOVED the book. It was all of my favourite things- Dystopian, Thriller, YA, Sci-fi (Kinda). I was in a reading slump before this and had switched like 2-3 books. This book gripped me from the FIRST PAGE itself. There was a feeling of suspense right from there. The suspense in this book is so strong it's actually thrilling. And I love thrillers. I finished it yesterday and am constantly thinking about it. I CANNOT wait for the sequal to come out! As I mentioned before, this got me out of my reading slump and guess what?! I am in a book hangover now. I loved the chemistry between the characters and how perfectly their pasts are written. Their pasts explain their condition at present. This book leaves you with a cliffhanger, it's not that strong but I am perfectly fine with that because it would have robbed off my sleep. All in all DEFINITELY recommended and surely a must read for the dystopian and thriller lovers!

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel!! It introduces a new and unique society to the dystopian genre, and a new heroine for readers to follow (hopefully for several more books to come :^). The book is very well structured and extremely well written, especially given that it's this authors first published effort. It is a quick read with the storyline progressing nicely throughout, with no parts that don't contribute to the ongoing development of the characters and story. This first book in the series nicely establishes the major characters and the setting they will operate in, while also setting the stage for even greater action and excitement in the books to follow. If you liked the Hunger Games and Divergent this is definitely a must read!

This story pulls you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting to read the next book immediately!
We meet Wynter as she nervously heads to take a placement exam that will determine the rest of her life. She has an anxiety attack, leaves early, and then everything in her life is turned upside down. The evolution of this story draws you in and does not let go. I read it in two sittings! And that was only because I had to work.
If you enjoy dystopian novels and strong character development, you will definitely enjoy this book. The best part is that there is more to come! I cannot wait for the next book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are my own. I found this book refreshing. I think that readers that enjoyed the Hunger Games, The Giver, and other such books will like this book. I have read the books I mentioned and this book felt very much in the same vein for me. I enjoyed reading this and seeing M.A. Phipps take on the genre. I enjoyed the main character Wynter Reeves. As I was reading I started to think about how I would respond if I were in the same situation. I would recommend this book to readers that might be looking for a new to them author or something that is bit of a different read.