Title: Crystal Mind
Author: K.A. Excell
Publisher: Katerina Excell
Release Date: July 15, 2020
Pages: 232
Crystal doesn’t want to hurt anyone ever again—but she can’t seem to stop. Memories of the past haunt her every step as one more reminder that she will never be normal. A normal girl wouldn’t see dangerous secrets when she met someone’s eyes. A normal girl wouldn’t create elaborate technology to escape her boyfriend. A normal girl would go to school without hurting people.
When Crystal gets expelled again for fighting, a mysterious family friend sponsors her into a martial arts academy. There, she finds that she may not be the only one whose mind is different, and that those differences may be more powerful than anyone could have imagined.
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**Thank you so much to BookSirens for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**
Right off the bat, I could tell that Crystal Farina wasn't your average teenage girl. She's a neurodivergent, meaning that the way she thinks is different from everyone else. Crystal, also known as Farina, is an intriguing character with a strong will to help others. She didn't hesitate to jump in when conflict rose involving Tabitha, a good friend of hers.
After being expelled from school and mysteriously getting into Martial Academy, Crystal finds out that there are many others like her with neurodivergent minds. Being there wasn't easy at first, but I thought Crystal adjusted well. I also loved the character Vera Hunt, the Prefect that showed Crystal around school. She was a little intimidating at first, but I realized that she took care and looked after Crystal, kind of like an older sister.
She gave me a pointed look-which I didn't dare evaluate for the fear of getting sucked into her green eyes- and started walking.
Crystal has developed her own system and implanted them into her head, letting her calculate many things whenever needed. While developing this technology when she was younger, she discovered her passion for engineering and it became her dream job. The program in her head doesn't always do her good though, but she comes to know that her power to read and calculate things can be a gift and used for good.
There’s always been the mystery behind the person who sponsored her into the academy. A lot happens when Crystal is finding out about the mysterious sponsor and it made me want to read on to try and figure out why they recruited Crystal.
Mr. West was confused, and agitated. His frustration, I could understand-but his confusion?
This book keeps you guessing
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)
The plot moved fast but because it did, it created a tense mood that keeps you on your toes. The author also kept mentioning Zach, Crystal's (former?) boyfriend. I'm curious to find out how he connects to Martial Academy.
Don't you want to find out why Crystal was recruited to Martial Academy? Or maybe how Zach is connected to everything that happens? Continue reading K.A. Excell's novel to find out more. Happy reading!
About the Author
K. A. Excell uses experiences gained from growing up in an autism-rich household to design a world where Neurodivergence really is a superpower. She blends her years of martial arts study with the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to create realistic characters and challenges.
Mr. West was confused, and agitated. His frustration, I could understand-but his confusion?
About the Author
K. A. Excell uses experiences gained from growing up in an autism-rich household to design a world where Neurodivergence really is a superpower. She blends her years of martial arts study with the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to create realistic characters and challenges.
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