ALLIANCES ARE FORMING. THE RESISTANCE IS GROWING. EVERYTHING IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.With her memory still fragmented, Ava returns to the International Sensory Assassin Network (ISAN) to find the twin sister she never knew she had.But as Ava hunts for information, she finds herself tangled in a web of yet more lies and conspiracy. The Helix serum may not be required to access her superpowers, and the … access her superpowers, and the number of male assassins—previously considered too volatile to tolerate Helix—is growing in every territory.
The more Ava uncovers, the more of a threat she becomes to ISAN. Her only salvation may be to join the rebels … if she isn’t killed first.
www.ISAN.Agency
Helix is the second book in the award-winning International Sensory Assassin Network Novel series. Awards won by ISAN, book 1 in the series are:
2019 Gold Medal Winner – IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards – Fiction: Science Fiction & Fantasy
2018 Gold Medal Winner American Fiction Awards – Science Fiction: Post-Apocalyptic
2018 Gold Medal Winner – International Book Awards – Science Fiction
2018 Gold Medal Winner – Readers’ Choice Awards – Young Adult Fiction
more
This was incredible! The surprises just kept coming. I lost count at how many times my mouth hit the floor. The ending, oh how authors love cliffhangers, well this one was right as Ava was going to disclose who someone was, really? I waited through the whole book to find out! The author did a great job with this.
There was tons of mystery, tons of surprises, tons of action and tons of edge of your seat times. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Ava’s memory is still fragmented, but determined to find her newly discovered twin, she returns to ISAN. Ava is on the lookout for information to help her in her quest, but the more she looks, the more lies she uncovers. She learns Helix may not be what gives her her enhanced abilities and that ISAN is suddenly recruiting a large number of male assassins even though Helix is supposed to be too much of a strain on them. Ava learning these secrets puts her in a dangerous position with ISAN. In order to survive, she may have to join the mysterious rebels she supposedly has a past with, but she has to be able to get out of ISAN first.
Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only my opinion, and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free review copy; however, this did not influence my review. This is 100% my honest opinion. Let’s begin:
In my review for the first book in this series, I mentioned how it felt like I went from 5% progress to 40% in a matter of 5 minutes. Well, Mary Ting did that yet again. On Goodreads, it does appear like it took me a while to get through this book. However, this is only because I was able to start it and then had to stop for a bit. When I was able to get back into reading it though, I breezed through it.
I found the plot of this one to be just as interesting, if not more, than the first. I loved all of the secrets that were unveiled and the pacing of these reveals was really nice. Even the slower parts of the book never made me bored because they still had things going on- it just wasn’t direct action. Also, the cliffhanger at the end just killed me. It seemed like, for a second, Ting was going to do the big reveal, but alas, I had hoped too much. I definitely cannot wait to get my hands on the next book now, though, because I just HAVE to know the answer to one of my biggest questions.
The characters were great. I really liked that Cleo became a bigger character (though I was a bit worried about a possible effect she would have on the story). I also enjoyed all of the new characters and am especially looking forward to getting to know more about a couple in particular in the next book. All of the original characters, especially Ava and Rhett, only grew stronger. I love them even more. I loved getting to know Rhett more by having his perspective included in the book. To avoid spoilers, I won’t name the person, but the MAJOR plot twist with one of the main characters was phenomenal, and I adored it.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the world-building. I mentioned in my review for the first book that there wasn’t a ton of world-building but that this was okay because it wasn’t a super major thing in the first book. I don’t think the world-building improved much in this book, and I did find that it effected me a bit while reading. For example, I would have whatever image my mind decided to conjure up in a scene, and then I’d be taken aback by something being said that completely changes how the scene would be. I did not realize some of these things that changed the scenes because I didn’t know that the world was like that. I am not sure how to describe what I mean, so hopefully you understand that. I still am holding out hope that this will improve in the next book though.
Overall, I did really enjoy this read and am very excited for the third book. Ting does a fantastic job doing reveals while also keeping readers in the dark and wanting more. The characters are very strong and I think readers will attach to them easily just like I did. It felt like I got through the book super fast because of how much I enjoyed it. While there was the one con, there were so many more pros, so I highly recommend picking this one up and giving it a try.
Thank you so much to Mary Ting and Angie from the Instagram page @marytingnews for the copy of this book!
Rating: 4/5 stars
Author: Mary Ting
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
# of Pages: 366 (Kindle edition)
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Series: International Sensory assassin Network (Book 2)
HELIX picks up where ISAN left off, but this time we get both Ava’s and Rhett’s points of view. Rhett is reeling from having to let Ava go, again, and Ava is still frustrated and confused from her three days with Rhett and his friends. Back at ISAN, she’s once again a reluctant assassin, doing what she’s been trained to do while seeking the truth, her memories, her father, and a twin she didn’t even know she had. With ISAN pursuing Rhett and the other rebels, life outside ISAN is no safer than it is inside for Ava. Although he let her go, Rhett is determined to get Ava back, and this time for good. With a perfected Helix serum, ISAN is now made up of both males and females, creating a more complex dynamic as Ava begins to untangle an intricate conspiracy. When her memories begin to return, emotions flood her, threatening to drown her and keep her from achieving her objectives.
Plot
War is coming. That much we know. But figuring out who is on which side and who can be trusted is just one of the many areas author Mary Ting excels at. The plot is expertly woven with backstory, major and minor subplots, and more than a few twists. Just as with ISAN, the story moves at a fast pace and kept me turning pages long into the night. I finished this book in just three days.
Characters
All the characters I fell in love with in book 1 are back with more depth and development as their stories continue. Getting Rhett’s point of view this time was an extra treat that I savored. New characters, including Zen, Chloe, and Payton all add so much to the complex relationship structure, driving conflict as well as contributing to some really great moments. One in particular between Chloe and Rhett early in the story was the perfect scene to show us everything we need to know about Rhett’s honor.
What I Loved About HELIX
1. Ava. I love her even more than I did in ISAN. She’s both tougher this time around and softer around the edges in a way she wan’t before.
2. Rhett. Sigh…. His love for and loyalty toward Ava are swoony, but he’s more than just a romantic lead. He’s got his own goals and arc beyond his feelings for Ava.
3. Tech. Kendrick’s Q-worthy tech would make James Bond weak in the knees.
4. Twists. Just as in ISAN, there are plenty of twists that take the story in another direction at the most unexpected moments.
5. Plot. Another page-turning story from Mary Ting that was impossible to put down.
Bottom Line
A pulse-pounding sequel in one of the best dystopian series out there.
No spoilers here! I simply loved this continuation of Ava and Rhett! Everything a reader expects in the stories they choose to read are contained within this story. Love, action packed, fear and edge of your seat excitement. Mary does yet another amazing movie of your mind in this story. Not to be missed!
Matrix meets Alias/James Bond. Mary Ting’s Helix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) takes place following book one, ISAN. Ava is starting to remember the past. She returns to ISAN in an attempt to find her father and twin sister. This science fiction dystopia novel is suitable for young adults.
Mary Ting continues to do an amazing job with this series. Helix was told from both Ava’s and Rhett’s point of view. I enjoyed both perspectives. The story reminds me of a combination of the Matrix, the ABC television series Alias, and James Bond. The Matrix from the dystopia everything is not what it really seems standpoint, Alias from the female spy not knowing who to trust stance, and James Bond for the cool gadgets.
I enjoyed discovering more of the history in this novel. I liked that the story flashed back and forth in time. Some new characters are introduced. There are only a few people that Ava feels she can trust. The novel is filled with action, espionage, loyalty, and deceit.
Make sure to read book one, ISAN before this book. Helix ended with a cliff hanger. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in book three. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I have been waiting for this book!!!! I definitely was not disappointed!
This book is not a normal genre for me but when I read the first I could not wait to find out more of Rhett and Ava. This book picks up where the last ends. Ava has to go back in and figure out what is the truth and what she believes. Rhett is going back to life with Ava gone again. Will these two be able to take down ISAN together?
This was a great story and I need more asap!!!!!
Note: This review contains NO spoilers
Wow! Wow! Wow! Just wow! Helix, sequel to ISAN, is an action-packed and fast-paced dystopian/sci-fi romance that is filled with twists and turns! Where ISAN introduced readers to this world and its characters, Helix takes it even further as secrets and truths are revealed. Mary Ting has blown me away with this new series! The multi-layered personalities of her characters drives the story forward unleashing an intriguing and emotional tale of espionage and drama, with a touch of teen angst and romance.
I was absolutely taken in to this world that Mary Ting has created. Helix is definitely a page turner. I was completely at the “edge of my seat” with bated breath. So many revelations, but yet, so many more questions as truths made known. Moreover, with all those twists, it made for an intense and suspenseful adventure. In the end of this read, I was left wanting more… know more. But, of course, readers are left “hanging” come the end with so many revelations, but yet, even more questions arise.
Must have the third book!
Reviewer: Jasmine
Wow, The next installment is electrifying and adrenaline inducing. As Ava searches for her twin, more drama and information unfolds. Revelations are mind-blowing, new characters and locales are introduced and we get to watch Ava and Rhett get closer to each other.
This was a fast paced read as I was immersed in the world that Mary Ting conjured. I cannot wait to see what new adventures we readers will be brought into going forward. Bravo!