Zenn Diagram by Wendy Brant

Rating Three and a half stars

Genre | YA, Contemporary, Sci-Fi

Publisher | Kids Can Press

Publication | 4 April, 2017

Format | eARC

** I have received a copy of Zenn Diagram from the Publishers (Kids Can Press) through Net Galley, in exchange of an honest reviews. 

Eva Walker is a seventeen-year-old math genius. And if that doesn’t do wonders for her popularity, there’s another thing that makes it even worse: when she touches another person or anything that belongs to them – from clothes to textbooks to cell phones – she sees a vision of their emotions.

She can read a person’s fears and anxieties, their secrets and loves… and what they have yet to learn about calculus. This is helpful for her work as a math tutor, but it means she can never get close to people. Eva avoids touching anyone and everyone. People think it’s because she’s a clean freak – with the emphasis on freak – but it’s all she can do to protect herself from other people’s issues.

Then one day a new student walks into Eva’s life. His jacket gives off so much emotional trauma that she falls to the floor. Eva is instantly drawn to Zenn, a handsome and soulful artist who also has a troubled home life, and her feelings only grow when she realizes that she can touch Zenn’s skin without having visions. But when she discovers the history that links them, the truth threatens to tear the two apart.

Zenn Diagram, overall is an enjoyable read; and I am not ashamed to say that I finished this book in one sitting. Reading about a girl with special abilities, that allows her to see into people’s true feelings? Intriguing and interesting.

Although I have been trying to avoid overly clichéd and YA romance, when you exclusively read YA novels – you are bound to read a book with some form of romance in it. Nevertheless, this is quite an interesting novel all in all.

The novel has been written in the first person, and I think this just makes the story more interesting. This is because you are looking at things in the perspective of the main character. Meaning that with the visions, it makes it more of a personal experience – rather than a third person narrative.

Be warned that this book review may contain spoilers!

 

WHAT I  L I K ED

Characters:

Eva Walker is not your stereotypical math genius, who is an outcast just because she loves math – granted that’s what it’s really like. But the real reason behind this is because, if she even have the slightest but of contact with another person she gets an overwhelming sense of their emotions, and their secrets (a.k.a. Fractals). Basically, she doesn’t want any of your s#!+. Overall, I thought she was a pretty awesome character. Although she is a self-imposed outcast – it’s she still handles it quite well and her sense of humour is just right up my alley.

Then there’s Zenn, probably the only character who is a smidge different from everyone else (we’re talking about diversity here). He has a troubled background, and instead of following his dreams of attending college – he is satisfied in working menial jobs to support himself and his mother. Admirable, how he does everything he can to keep a roof over his and his mum’s head. That, although he would very much love to go to University, he is willing to give that up just so he could support his mum.

The Quadruplets! They are the most adorable children I have ever encountered in literature. Every time they make an appearance I just….asfdghjkl

Relationships:

Their romance, is pure and unadulterated. It’s quite cute actually. The relationship between Zenn and Eva is clearly genuine. I thought that the depiction of their relationship is somewhat comparable to what a real relationship would be like. Meaning, they too had problems and off days. They might be my first ever SHIP! Furthermore, unlike some novels, where the two main characters fall helplessly in-love with each other upon first meeting. It isn’t entirely the case with Zenn Diagram.

Eva, admits that she might have started liking Zenn when they first met – but they’re relationship didn’t exactly happen over night. There’s a semi gradual development in their relationship… which I completely appreciate!

Then, there’s Eva’s relationship with her family. It is always nice reading YA novels which also includes the families of the main characters. For me, it just adds a little bit more depth into the characters.

 

H O W E V E R

Plot twist

I enjoy a great plot twist. That moment everything you thought you knew changes, it gives me a sense of satisfaction and enlightenment! Zenn Diagram’s plot twist wasn’t much of a surprise. It was on the predictable side of things. The moment that our dear Eva was able to touch Zenn – it is clear that they are connected somehow. Add that into the revelation that Eva was in a fatal car accident when she was just a baby… Equation solved (no pun intended).

It was kind of clichéd, but I’ll give it to the author for making it into her own. The twist worked with the story progression – and it did add drama to the life of Eva and Zenn. Did I love it? No, not really.

OVERALL

I think that Zenn Diagram has great potential, and it is a well written debut novel. It was the fluffiest and sweetest read I have read this year, and I am not always this happy to have read a sweet novel.

Upon reading this novel, it just reiterated to me the saying “Do Not Judge A Book by Its Cover”. Eva was able to see people for who they really are, through her visions of fractals when they touch them. It also taught me to take risks in life sometimes (although, I am too much of a coward to follow through with this lesson)

Compared to other book that I have read… I can’t really say that I have read a book where a character is able to see another person’s true feelings just by touching them. But, there are still clichés I could have lived without.

Would I recommend this book? Although I have rated this book as OKAY, I would still highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick enjoyable read.

 

 

 

This guest review was contributed by Nielle Reads Books. This Harry Potter fan loves spending her paycheck on books. She asks that you check out her growing list of book reviews.