Review: Found

Found (Penny Black #1)
by Stacey Wallace Benefiel
Published February 24th 2013 by Write Free

From the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy comes FOUND (Penny Black #1)the first book in a whole new NA trilogy set in the Society world.

Discover what happened to Zellie, Avery, Melody, and Ben!

And meet Penny Black, a girl with a past that can see the future.


Penny Black hasn’t had it easy. Just about everything you’d expect to happen to a harassed foster-kid turned junkie has happened to Penny. Add in the mysterious power to rewind time, conducting events around her, and it’s a wonder she held up on the streets for so many years. Now, at seventeen, the New Society has found her. Finally, Penny is where she belongs. But that doesn’t stop the visions, or the need to protect the victims shown to her.

Wyatt Adams is excited and intrigued when his sister Melody assigns him to be Penny’s Lookout. Being the youngest, and hopelessly ordinary in the family that created the New Society, has left Wyatt feeling like he has a lot to prove -- and Penny is a big deal. She’s got abilities that surpass any he’s seen before…and pretty much every quality he looks for in a girlfriend, but no one needs to know about that, especially Penny.

Synopsis from Goodreads

I really, really enjoyed this! WAY more than I was expecting! At first, I was stunned. Literally. It is so unlike anything I have read before, and I didn't know how to handle it. But, as I turned the pages (or pushed the button on the kindle, but you know what I mean), I became more and more entrenched in this novel. I fell in love with the characters, and was fully invested in the outcome. 

I was hesitant to request the book from Netgalley, and not just because my TBR list is ridiculous. It is a spin off from another series, but the synopsis claimed that I didn't have to read the previous series to follow this book. It sounded good (and I have a book addiction), so I decided to go for it. Yes, it can stand alone, but I am so very much drawn to read the Zellie Wells trilogy now. I need more! I feel like I'm missing out on something great, by having not read them yet. I loved the unique, fun writing style. This wins some major points for Benefiel! 

The characters! Oh, they are so great! Penny is the perfect balance of kick-ass and damaged. You can see that she just needs a little bit of gentle repairing, and you're rooting that Wyatt could be the one to apply the bandage. But life can't possibly be that simple, right? Especially when there are special abilities involved, and some evil villainy afoot. Think a futuristic version of Heroes, on a smaller scale. So far, anyway. I have a feeling that this story will only get bigger from here on out. 

Since there was such a huge list of things I wanted to say, what better way than to actually list them. So here is a quick list of things about Found.
1) In the future, people will speak with Spanish slang. I had to look up the meaning of "chido", but I was good with "bueno".
2) People of the future like to "giggle". A lot. This can also be found in the form of "giggle-snort". 
3) I look forward to the future simply so I can use words like "kerfluffle" and "caddywhompus". Also, "fidiot", which I can only assume means f@cking idiot.
4) It sounds weird when anyone says "cray cray", but especially adults. 
5) I want to live in a world of sexual freedom, where love is what matters instead of gender. Not because I'm gay, but just because I believe in people living freely like that.
6) Instead of insta-love (which we all kinda hate), this book has insta-attraction which builds into something more.

Also, I wanted to share a few quotes, so you can all get a taste:
"I'd like permission to kiss your stupid face."
"Oh, to be young and confined to a bed with restraints."
"You kick all the ass at birthing babies."

A quick warning: as with any book, it won't be for everyone. It is a casual style, laid back. Kind of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style. And while not everyone will like it, it was definitely something that I enjoyed; to the point where I will actively hunt down all of Benefiel's other books to see if they're all this much fun.

PS I hate waiting for sequels! Just as everything was being all neatly tied up, she had to go and tack on that one. more. scene. O_O Dammit! Why must authors torment me so?!?!

A copy of this book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.