When Evelyn Maynard receives a scholarship to the exclusive Bradford Hills Institute, she’s determined to make a fresh start. The Institute is world renowned for educating and training Variants – the 18% of the population fortunate enough to have superhuman abilities. As a human, she’s lucky to be admitted.She’s done with fake identities, running and lying but once again she finds herself … herself surrounded by secrets.
Some she’s been keeping her whole life.
Some have been kept from her.
Some she finds herself dragged into…
Ethan, Josh, Tyler and Alec have some of the rarest Variant abilities Evelyn has ever seen. They fascinate, intrigue and attract her, but is it their abilities, their own secrets or something more that Evelyn can’t seem to stay away from? The secrets they keep could drag Evelyn so deep into their dangerous and exciting world that she’ll never be the same.
And the answers she finds could get them all killed.
** This is book 1 in the International Bestselling Evelyn Maynard Trilogy – a paranormal reverse harem romance.
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I love Kaydence Snow, I love reverse harem, I love suspenseful supernatural tropes, and I love angsty new adult romance. Variant Lost combined each and everyone of these loves into one story and it is the start of a fantastic trilogy!
Variant Lost is a slower burn reverse harem which is different than I’m used to reading, but it is not without it angsty steam and build up of more to come. Eve is a girl thrown into a world that yes, everyone knows about, but she is just coming to grips with in a lot of ways. I love that Kaydence pumps the brakes on this one aspect of this overall part of her book, which to be honest made me keep turning the pages to see if more was going to happen, but it also built a lot of anticipation between the characters knowing that this is just book one and there is lots more to come.
Eve has lived on the run her entire life, until a tragic accident kills her mother and her nomad life ends. A mysterious scholarship comes through sending her to Brighton where gifted students and Variants study. She has been fascinated with Variants her entire life, not being one herself, so she jumps at the chance to attend, not realizing how much her life is about to change once again.
Eve has no idea that she has any gifts, that is until she begins bonding with other students. Something inside her pulls her towards powerful Variants and it is only then that she really begins to understand perhaps why her mother kept them on the run for so many years.
As Eve tries to understand what is happening to herself, there are forces greater than her, those she’s bonding to, and her friends at work around them. There is an uprising among humans and Variant’s are in danger, especially ones as powerful attending Brighton.
Eve hates being kept in the dark, she hates not having her questions answered, and she hates the burning desire coursing through her veins for the one Variant who seems to loathe her presence.
Eve is constantly torn by feelings that run through her. The feelings that seem to say that she finally has found home and the feelings that her mother taught her to flee and never trust anyone.
I am really excited to continue with Vital Found, as Variant Lost ended on a cliffhanger. There is a war coming and will Eve be strong enough to fight? I need all my questions answered!!
Paranormal reverse harem. The girl doesn’t know that she is a supernatural. In this universe it’s a genetic difference that sets the supernatural apart from the rest of humanity, and those who have the difference either boost another’s power or have have either sort of an elemental (fire, animals, lightening) power or a psychological power (pain, reading minds, talking to animals, blocking power). The main character finds herself at the school where most of the genetically different attend, meets her guys, basically has instant love with three of them and a guy is a jerk hate relationship but she is drawn to him relationship with the fourth. Snow also has an annoying habit of referring to several of fhe characters by multiple names, sho while you are still sorting everyone out you have to remember Kid and Ethan are the same person as are Gabe, Tyler, and Ty. Additionally, none of the bombshells in either book 1 or 2 are actually bombshells. It’s obvious who is going to be dirty, who is going to be the bad guy, who is going to be a dad, and why a character acts the way they do. A little of this is just because Snow relies on tropes, and some of it is just spelled out so far before hand that unless you totally failed every single foreshadowing lesson in school you get it, this is what’s coming. Foreshadowing is supposed to hint something is coming but not blow the reveal. Here Snow just left too many crumbs and when coupled with the tropes it took out the mystery. It’s a good story but a lot of details are just not tended to which is why it got three stars.
***Spoilers***
First off, I’ve read books 1 and 2, so I’m going to try and keep the spoilers limited to book 1, but something may slip through.
Details. Details were a problem in this book. The female main character (FMC) has been on the run with her mom her entire life, has no idea who her dad is, and wasn’t allowed to make friends for fear of revealing herself. When as a 16 about to turn 17 year old she makes friends her mom makes them go on the run again, only their plane crashes and the FMC and pilot are the only ones to survive. FMC, now an orphan, is sent by boat and by bus to live in foster care, where upon turning 18 she magically is invited to join the incredibly exclusive school that is mostly attended by the genetically different humans and she drops everything and attends, no questions asked, hoping on a flight.
OK, a couple of things here. 1) FMC is so terrified of flying after crashing into the ocean when her plane is literally ripped apart (understandable) she takes a boat from Hawaii to the mainland and the a bus to one of the fly over states where she lives for the next year. The rest of the next two books she is hopping on planes with ZERO trepidation. Ummmm what happened to that fear?? 2) how is she one of only 2 people who survive? This has yet to be explained 2 books in. 3) also not explained, how did she get into this crazy exclusive school that only takes the best and the brightest students? She didn’t apply. She was sleeping around after her mom died and just generally grieving which doesn’t lead to being the best or most focused student. She moved every couple of months growing up which also doesn’t establish the most stable environment for education, and her mom and all of her records disappeared in the middle of the ocean. It’s not like they could just call her old school for her records because she is traveling under a new name. Even if you ignore all that, the FMC. Who is described as very analytical, almost to a fault, never once questions how she was selected to go to this school which should have been impossible for her to get into. No one knows she is alive. No one, herself included, is aware of her real identity, and someone is actively working to keep her away from the school, so how does she end up there on a full ride???
And speaking of our genetically different beings, some times they are described as humans with a genetic trait that must be recessive because sometimes a person carries the gene but has no abilities, so basically whether or not a person has powers is the same as whether or not they have blue eyes, but other times the gene is treated as though they are a different species even though there is a single gene difference. I mean, we consider people with an extra chromozone resulting in down syndrome to be a different species so that makes sense, oh wait…
And back to the school, FMC two roommates have been at the school since they were 13, yet some how they and everyone she comes in contact with are in the same classes with her and don’t know everything about the school? That’s odd.
And back to the FMC being super analytical, there is no way she shouldn’t be able to tell from the 20 things Alec says that Alec hates his power, considers himself a monster, and wouldn’t want to have the boost she gives him, which is why he is an ass and tries to keep his distance. I mean come on now, she is supposed to be highly intelligent, any moron would know that Alec is scared, hurt, and lashing out as he tries to deal with being scared and hurt while also wanting nothing more than to be with her.
There are also little details, like saying “Ethan is good at the sports. I wasn’t sure if he had football or baseball today.” (Not an exact quote, but just about). The way it was written makes it seem as though Snow is only vaguely aware that Athletics are a thing. She really did write an awkward sentence about sports where it should have been written that Ethan was an excellent athlete instead to avoid jarring the reader. She should also pay attention to her time line and seasons. Ethan is supposed to be playing on the school team, and we are supposed to be heading into the spring when these things are said, but football and baseball aren’t both played in the spring. Then again, paying attention to what actually happens during a particular time frame wasn’t at the top of Snow ‘s priority list. She has them hanging out in an unheated pool, outside, in New York, in the spring as though everyone is down in Miami for spring break. Yeah, no. At least throw in a line about Ethan warming the pool so they don’t freeze to death.
Also, stop having a character learn someone’s name via their starbucks order being called out. That’s just so lame. And while we are on that, for FMC to go from trying to ignore Kid/Ethan to the extent she won’t give him her name to giving him her phone number and agreeing to go to his party in the space of a literal breath is just sloppy writing. Why on earth would she give him her number when two seconds ago she didn’t want him to have her name?!?!
There is a lot more like this, but I don’t want to give too much of the story away. It’s just really a shame because if Snow paid attention to the details she would have a great story but things either don’t add up or are too obvious or the reader is jarred out if the experience too often making this just average.
This was a great read! I’ve been in a book slump for a while now and this finally pulled me out of it. I love the characters and there’s a fantastic build-up of the relationships. I immediately downloaded book 2 when I finished and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
What an amazing debut! This book draws you in and keeps you longing for more. Evie’s life is not what it seems, and the devastating catalyst that propels her on her journey is wrenching.
How she recovers, and what comes next, sets up an entire world of rejection, longing, and revelation that will keep you reeling. This story will leave you longing for book 2 to understand how 5 become 1 to battle a world that wants to keep them apart
What an emotional rollercoaster Eve is sent on! Despite her life experiences she remains strong and a fighter. The men are each so unique and compliment each other very well. The world building is phenomenal. After that ending I’m anxious to read book 2!
I liked this book, but it was a very slow-burn. A tease burn. Almost to the point that it was just, either do it or not burn. It was almost distracting from the plot. Cause I like the storyline of the Variants and the subclass of Vitals. It was interesting world-building. I really enjoy the characters. Though I don’t really know if 4 are needed, seems like Tyler’s character and Josh’s could be combined. I really want to punch Alec in the face. I usually like the broody-bad boy character, but in this instance, I don’t. It’s a toss-up is I will read the next book, though I really want to know what happens to Charlie.
This is the debut novel from Kaydence Snow. Sometimes, that means there are teething problems – editing issues, inconsistent style, pacing the story, obvious inexperience. Honestly, there was none of that here. After reading this, I was shocked that this was a debut novel.
I found this novel to be fantastically entertaining. The story was gripping and pulled you in from the start; I was totally absorbed by the book and I couldn’t put it down. It was well-paced, exciting at the right times and never dragged. The main character finds herself in a situation that you can’t help but feel for her, and then ends up trying to navigate a world she doesn’t know much about. She is put through the ringer, and the guys are a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not all insta-love in this book, or so it seems. I have my theories for future books. The point is, it really adds to the story that it doesn’t all click at the start, even if you end up wanting to wring some necks. The author is so good about evoking the right emotion, so you feel what Eve feels – worry, fear, angst, embarrassment, butterflies, lust. And there’s a twist at the end! I did not see it coming. I am so looking forward to book 2when it comes out. This is definitely an author who has started out on the right foot.
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this up. This is my first read from this author. I LOVED IT! Honestly, I’m having the best streak of really good new books and new authors that have been added to my lists. This concept is unique. It has action. It has powers. It has a cute, complete a$%hole of a character that you can’t help but adore. The ending was a bit heartbreaking. I want more! I want more!!
Overall: 5/5
I really enjoyed reading this book. A great start to a new series with some fantastic characters. The story line is new and entertaining with emotions all over the place with some supernatural elements thrown in. I can’t wait to get to learn more about the characters and read more about their journey in book 2.
Evelyn Maynard knows her name. She doesn’t know why she lives under aliases, she doesn’t know why she and her mom live on the run, moving constantly, she doesn’t know her father. When their final move together ends in tragedy, Evelyn’s (Eve’s) life is forever changed and she’s on her own. So when she’s offered a scholarship to the prestigious Bradford Hills Institute, she hopes her life is finally turning around. No more running, no more changing identities. She can be in a place able to satisfy her curiosity and need for knowledge. She will be surrounded by Variants, people with extra abilities, something she’s always been fascinated by. She finds her first true friends and is drawn to a group of guys, Ethan, Josh, Tyler, and Alec who each have some of the rarest, strongest Variant abilities known. Plus, new discoveries have been made about Eve herself. But now she finds herself in the middle of more lies, secrecy, and the danger her mother tried to protect her from.
I enjoyed Variant Lost. I love Variants and their various abilities. I love the school setting. I love that the lead female is intelligent and resourceful. I love that she makes multiple girlfriends and a platonic guy friend. I love the intrigue. The RH was not quite as successful for me as the other relationships but hopefully will evolve. Alec was too cold for me and seemed much older. His relationship with Dana, his purposeful lies, and deliberate actions to hurt Eve were unforgivable. I don’t see how I get past this behavior. And while I love Tyler, I was not a fan of the big brother vibe he took on. Ethan and Josh seemed a more natural fit. I will admit that the story was front and center and the relationships secondary by design. The characters are all fully developed, the story is solid, and leaves us wanting to continue on with book two. I prefer when the RH is sold and natural but I’m also impatient. In this case, I know the author is doing what is best.
For those who complain about the political views of the author, I respectfully disagree completely. First, we are talking about a few paragraphs, not even as long as the description of the house and pool the guys live in. Second, it fits with the politics of the story. Variants and dimes, discrimination within the Variant community itself towards people with no abilities. Variant extremists wanting to control humans, Human extremists wanting to eliminate Variants. This is a political story! Eve giving the statistics of climate control or gun ownership and control numbers is completely within character. When stressed her mind went over random statistics. I personally loved this quirk.
In the end, the success of this book lies with Eve. Her intelligence mixed with her irrational behavior; her longing for love and family, for a home mixed with her fears about these desires, make for a compelling character in my eyes. I look forward to her finding her place in this new world, embracing her strengths and weaknesses, and finding the love and family she deserves. I can’t wait for book 2.
I will admit I saw this going in q completely different direction from the beginning, but it tied in afterwards. I liked most of the characters though even the FMC was fine, though her insistence on “thanking” Alec was a tad obsessive. I liked Ethan, Tyler, and Josh. Even the supporting characters were great. I guess my main gripe is the predictably at the end and you just have to have one of the guys be an a$$hat in some of these RH stories. Alec’s personality and actions are excessive- he takes brooding to a whole new level that was mostly annoying and he’s the oldest. This book was fine, just hoping the author can spin more twist into this story as I can almost predict some of book 2.
I just finished the book, and I am still reeling. It is absolutely amazing. My heart is still racing! With this story, I wasn’t just reading along with a few characters…I was living it! It grabs you by the throat and drags you right in until you’re a part of the story.
Just…wow. I haven’t been this intensely enthralled with the first book of a new series in some time. It deserves 10 freakin stars.
Variant Lost (The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Kaydence Snow
I borrowed this book via Kindle Unlimited and am leaving a review.
I’m wowed. I’m speechless. I’m floored and I’m in mourning!
Variant Lost has me all fan-girl here, it was just that amazing. Truly one of the top 10 books I’ve read in the last two years.
Beautifully written, terrifically imagined and brilliantly executed, I fell deep for Evelyn and her men. All of them!
This may be a slow burn but that burn is the most exquisite torture, as Evie ends up at Bradford Hills Institute after an airplane crash ended her life on the run with her mother. Saved by a mysterious man, she finds herself an orphan given a full scholarship to the Institute, an educational institute for the 18% of the population with powers and the people who want to study them.
She soon finds herself drawn to 4 very different men and drawn into fighting a conspiracy that may cost her, her new friends and her new men their lives.
I am utterly floored at how Ms. Snow drew me in, step by thrilling step, into this alternative world. It was a world much like our own with protests and an “us versus them” mentality. The world was familiar but so very different.
And the characters! Wow! She hit all my buttons. The broken psycho with a shattered heart. The strong hero. The observant sweetheart and the mentor who wants to be so much more. Evie was so strong and didn’t once fall into the ‘sweep me off my feet and take over’ trap that so many romance heroines fall into. She could manage on her own. It is the men who can’t manage without her!
Twists and turns and ever changing possible villains kept me up all night with a racing heart.
Wow! Just bleeping wow!
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Variant-Lost-Evelyn-Maynard-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B07J5Q2Y3Y
I am AMAZED that this is K.S’s first novel! I am a voracious reader and she writes like a veteran who has multiple books under her name.
I don’t normally read NA, but I loved Kaydence’s posts and her witty responses. So I had a feeling her novel would be good. But it wasn’t good, it was G.R.E.A.T..
Yes, this is a RH. And yes it follows some romance tropes. But what book doesn’t? What does she do different? Her world building is on point. Too many RH books lack a good plot and world building.
What else? How about character development? Yup. Nailed it. Everyone has a distinct personality with a character arc that grows and develops as the story progresses. And yes, there is that one man who you will love to hate and will eventually love to love – but it’s just not in this book.
Overall, phenomenally written! New fan fo’ sure.
This is such a cool story! I loved the paranormal aspect of this story as well as the relationships that the main character, Eve, develops throughout the book.
All the characters are well developed. There are many different characters that are introduced as the story moves along but the author did such a great job bringing each to life, that there is no confusion.
There is a lot going on in this book and I love that it keeps coming back to some sort of action. The story flows well and keeps the reader guessing throughout.
This is my first story about a harem but there was so much going on in this book that this really was not the sole focus. The story made it come together to create the harem as opposed to throwing it in and trying to make it fit into the story. I really enjoyed it!
This is the first book in a series and I definitely cannot wait for more!
Oh the feels! My poor heart just can’t take it! So much happened in such an amazing book, and it’s left me wanting more!
What an amazing story Kaydence Snow has told in a world full of magic and wonder. I found that it was so easy to be sucked into this story with such relatable characters (in regards to feeling like an outsider and feeling like there is something you’re in the dark about). We have some amazing character development throughout the book – from Eve (the FMC who grows into the world of Variants and Vital) to the men in the Harem (who all develop relationships with Eve at various speeds) to the friends and secondary characters (who all work into Eve’s life throughout the story). We have some amazingly captivating steamy moments. But the best part are all the emotions you feel as you learn parts of the story, or the feelings you come across when something happens (a bit of anger here, sadness there, love in the corner!). Also, can we just please take note of that ending – because even though it’s not a cliffhanger it still leaves so much open to come in future books for the series!
I cannot wait to read Vital Found some time early 2019! Fingers crossed I don’t have to wait too long!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review consideration**
I can’t believe this is a debut book – I was hooked immediately, the writing was stellar, I loved Eve’s personality, and the story covers all the feels! Eve goes through some horrible stuff but she keeps on pushing. The guys are each unique, and I am intrigued by the world of Variants and Vitals. I like Josh, Ethan, and Tyler, but Alec – he’s got some ‘splaining to do…. I really need book 2 now!