Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes – a Review

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Description:
He tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his, his thumb brushing lightly across my lips. I close my eyes. I know Z is trouble. I know that being with him is going to get me into trouble. I don’t care.

At least at this moment, I don’t care.

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…



Review:

I had no idea what to expect when I saw the name of this YA novel, OLIVIA TWISTED by Vivi Barnes.  After reading the first chapter, I got it and I was hooked.  Each chapter starts with a quote from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and this novel was a fresh and original take on this classic novel.

We learn in the early chapters how Olivia has been shipped from foster family to foster family.  She once yearned for love, but now she just wants to fly under the radar and finish high school.  She is in a new family and a new school when she meets the enigma named Z.  Yes, he legally changed his name to Z and he is a computer genius.  Olivia isn’t so bad herself with computers and hacking into programs.  Z soon sets his eye on her for recruitment, but what does that mean?  That’s when things turn interesting.

Z belongs to a group of orphans that are computer hackers!  Olivia wonders how he can afford to ride a Ducati motorcycle and live in a mansion with the others.  Olivia is soon tested to see if she wants to escape from the oppressive foster system and live the good life.  Of course there is an evil villain, you read Oliver Twist or watched the movie!  Bill Sykes is one tough boss.  He keeps a watchful eye on the orphans, because they do bring in millions of dollars.  Bill has plans for Olivia, but will she and Z go along with them?

Olivia Twisted is a great novel for teens of all ages.  Z and Olivia is such an engaging couple.  There are family secrets revealed along the way and choices to be made. I learned a lot about computer hacking and even changed my passwords to some accounts!  An added bonus!  Give this novel a chance!  It’s a fast paced story that has a great ending!  Enjoy!

Reviewed by Jules

Copy supplied by Publisher