Chaos by Christine O’Neil – a Review

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Description:
My name is Maggie Raynard. After sixteen years being just plain me, suddenly, when I lose my temper, my fingers become weapons of mass destruction. Turns out I’m a semi-god, descended from Aphrodite. Sounds cool in theory, but when I accidentally put my ex-boyfriend in a coma, things go downhill pretty fast.

Now some new guy named Mac Finnegan has made it his mission in life to continually piss me off. I’m stuck learning how to use my new powers while also dealing with regular high school problems, and with this annoying—and super-hot—guy all up in my business, I’m about to flip out.

But it gets worse. I just learned there’s this watchdog council of semis who keeps an eye out for any bad apples. They think I’m the baddest of the bunch and want to take me out before I do any more damage. My nemesis Mac might turn out to be my salvation, only he’s got secrets of his own…and they may just kill us both.

Review:

Chaos by Christine O’Neil is the first book in her new YA Kardia Chronicles series. Our heroine in this story is Maggie Raynard, who is 16 and has recently discovered that much of her life has been built on a lie.  A boy lies in a coma, because one night she became angry and lost control of herself, using powers she never knew she had.  Her mother and grandmother have kept this secret for years, as she awaits her next birthday, where her powers will become full force.  She must learn to control those powers, as Maggie is a semi god.  Will she be able to control them?  If she does not, how many more people will she hurt?

When we meet Maggie, she is writing a secret column for students…an advice column, using the surname, SHE.   No one other then her friends, knows that Maggie is She. This was her way of escaping from the reality of her future.  Her best friend, Libby, knows the truth, and help keep Maggie sane.  Her other friend from childhood, is the school’s star quarterback, Bink.  It is Libby and Bink, who are always there for Maggie, and the three of them are great friends.

One day, after one of her advices posts, she finds a note in her locker.  It is from someone who is mocking her advice, and starting his own rebuttal advice, calling himself HE.  Maggie knows it’s the hot looking new student, named Mac Finnegan.  Eventually, Mac will reveal to Maggie who he truly is, and her life is about to change.  Mac is another semi god, or perhaps someone stronger.  He was sent to investigate her by the council of semi gods, as a uncontrolled semi god is a danger to everyone.  Mac at first is cold, letting Maggie know she is destined for failure.  In time, he sees another part of Maggie that changes his tune, but he knows the result will be the same.  So he takes it upon himself to try to help train Maggie to learn to control her dangerous and powerful ability, which could cost her life.  What ensues is an exciting, and at times fun story of two people not meant for each other, yet who have become strongly attracted to one another.  Maggie lets it be known that she is falling hard for Mac, but he backs off, and refuses to acknowledge his attraction. 

Mac knows there are others watching Maggie, and time is of essence.  But her temper, which is also uncontrollable, and some of her past which changes things, causes her to make a bad mistake, pushing Mac away, and putting her own life in danger. 

As I said, this book has an interesting concept, exciting story, lots of action later in the book, and a lot of humorous moments.  Christine O’Neil has created a wonderful savvy heroine in Maggie, who is very opinionated, and thinks nothing of telling it like it is…at least her version.  What happens to Maggie?  Will Maggie and Mac become a couple despite the odds?  Who is the betrayer and why?  Who is the Council that will decide Maggie’s fate?  You will need to read this book to find the answers.   I enjoyed Chaos, and can’t for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher