Cassidy Jones And The Secret Formula (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
"Exciting Young Adult Thriller"This is an easy-to-read, fast-action adventure where author Elise Stokes has made Cassidy Jones, 14 years old, the awesome hero. Her novels are geared to young adults, which I am not one, but as a grandma, I loved it! The story opens with Serena Phillips, a geneticist, busily working in her laboratory when a short man wearing a blue and red checkered suit, a turquoise shirt, green necktie, and polished red shoes. Is she seeing a Leprechaun walking in without knocking? He isn't alone; his partner dressed all in black leather has a harsh expression and dead eyes. The little man browses around the lab, and suddenly Serena recalls seeing those same steely gray eyes before. The man knows the classified name of her secret formula (Formula 10X). He mentions the Phillips family names, ending with Emery Phillips who is Serena's 15 yr old son. Is this a threat? A couple days later, Cassidy's dad, a tv news host, has invited her to join him as he interviews Dr. Serena Phillips. She has developed a gene therapy that will reverse the effects of many disabilities and diseases using animal DNA as the gene treatment. It's a world changing discover. While sitting on a rickety stool to the side of the interview spot in the laboratory, Cassidy is doing a little daydreaming when the stool collapses and she's thrown toward many beakers on burners which explode and instantly vaporize into a white cloud covering Cassidy. She lies on the floor with a gash on her forehead, but how has this white cloud of chemicals really affected her? And now, the good professor Phillips is kidnapped? Her only son, Emery, is invited to stay with Cassidy's family since he has no nearby relatives. Together, Cassidy and Emery form a close friendship and have a secret mission to perform. This story is fast paced, exciting, high action, and excellently written. Elise Stokes is extremely talented in story-telling which is extraordinary. Highly recommend for teens and adults. Good points: there was a bit of depth to the characters. Also, the book had a little humor, but not usually things I would find funny (the main bad guy acts like a 4-year-old throwing a tantrum, yelling and complaining all the time).Mostly, I was annoyed with Cassidy's powers, and the fact that she had to do everything. Yes, it is just as annoying when the main character does nothing, but I also cannot believe everyone else is practically helpless. Cassidy needed more limitations and weaknesses, and she needed fewer powers (speed, strength, night vision, smell, hearing, healing, etc). Pick two. If you want it to be more interesting, pick just one. Brandon Sanderson has explained that if you want your readers to be awed, add more super powers and unexplained magic. If you want your readers to find you clever, limit the super powers and give the magic some clear cut rules and limitations. Well, I'll admit I am a reader that would much rather be wowed at an author's cleverness than be awed by unlimited magic powers. That said, I am very glad Cassidy did not have anything approaching telekinesis or telepathy.Many of the conversations were dull and long (like the initial description of the bad guy and his place). I admit I skimmed through these because there did not seem to be enough information of interest that I would need later. So, there was not enough excitement to keep my attention.The plot was basic, included a twist, and did not ruin itself trying to throw in unnecessary complications. However, not everything was believable. Emery was too nice, and fawned over Cassidy. He also did not act like a genius (I realize this is difficult to convey, esp from Cass's pov), although the readers were told how much schooling he had and how smart he was supposed to be. I just could not accept that he would go to high school just to keep an eye on Cassidy, even though he had already graduated college. Excuse me, she is not that interesting.The climax was unbelievably easy, even against ninjas and guns. I never felt tense for the characters nor felt that they were ever in any real danger.
What do You think about Cassidy Jones And The Secret Formula (2011)?
A fun read! I will definitely pass it along to my kids, who will surely enjoy it too.
—nataliej3
I loved this book so much. It was so interesting!
—SultryBubbles
