(The Cavy Files #1)
Publication date: May 13th 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Inconsequential: not important or significant.
Synonyms: insignificant, unimportant, nonessential, irrelevant
In the world of genetic mutation, Gypsy’s talent of knowing a person’s age of death is considered a failure. Her peers, the other Cavies, have powers that range from curdling a blood still in the vein to being able to overhear a conversation taking place three miles away, but when they’re taken from the sanctuary where they grew up and forced into the real world, Gypsy, with her all-but-invisible gift, is the one with the advantage.
The only one who’s safe, if the world finds out what they can do.
When the Cavies are attacked and inoculated with an unidentified virus, that illusion is shattered. Whatever was attached to the virus causes their abilities to change. Grow. In some cases, to escape their control.
Gypsy dreamed of normal high school, normal friends, a normal life, for years. Instead, the Cavies are sucked under a sea of government intrigue, weaponized genetic mutation, and crushing secrets that will reframe everything they’ve ever been told about how their “talents” came to be in the first place.
When they find out one of their own has been appropriated by the government, mistreated and forced to run dangerous missions, their desire for information becomes a pressing need. With only a series of guesses about their origins, the path to the truth becomes quickly littered with friends, enemies, and in the end, the Cavies ability to trust anyone at all.
I really enjoyed Gypsy by Trisha Leigh. I feel like there are different sub-genres in sci-fi. This one is more about genetics and is definitely laced with a bit of mystery that good sci-fi’s usually have. It took the whole idea that we see in shows like X-men and gives it a different twist. I love the way that Trisha incorporated how the “cavies” ended up at the home that raises them.
There are a lot of different issues going on in the book. I liked how at first Gypsy and the gang kind of have stockholm syndrome because they have never known anything different. The experiments, the test, honing their ability, etc all seem like normal life to them. They think the outside world doesn’t want them and the people inside are protecting. As things start to unravel and the truth comes to light, the cavies start to learn that they can only really trust each other. However as they integrate into regular society, even that starts to change.
Gypsy is such a fun character and I couldn’t help bonding with her. She has this undertone of being a leader but is lacking in confidence because she considers her ability to be useless. I think because of that though she is able to look at things with more of an open mind. She loves her family (other cavies) but she is still trying to figure out where she belongs. She’s not exactly attached to any particular home, only people. She is also fiercely loyal and protective of her friends new and old. Which is another thing I like about Gypsy. How quickly she is able to adapt and build new friendships while keeping the old.
I love a book like this that has such a huge variety of characters. We spend time with some more than others but I like that there is this spectrum. It makes the book more interesting to me.
I also really like the light romance. There was something pleasant about it and actually sweet. Plus Gypsy is slightly clueless about certain things but it makes her endearing. I guess maybe that’s what the boys see in her. I like how even though she might be interested in guys, she still keeps her focus on what is most important. Keeping everyone safe.
Also the way that Gypsy/Norah bonds with her father. I wanted so much for things to work out for them. I still do because it’s nice to see such a great dad like him. It feels so rare in books and I just want to hug him for being cool. He really wants to know his daughter and it’s so sweet.
I felt like the pacing of the book was slow at points but it’s one those things that I understood why. I’m starting to think it’s me because I’ve been feeling like that lately. Like I’m too impatient and I want to uncover the mystery quicker than it’s being written. Trisha does a lot building for the plot and I think that because it’s the first book, she really wanted us to have a grasp on the different groups of people.
Overall I really enjoyed Gypsy. So if you are looking for a Sci-Fi that’s more super powers than outer space. This is a good one for you. I find that this kind of sci-fi borders more on the paranormal side. So if you are a fan of that, I would say give this a try.
Her family is made up of farmers and/or almost rock stars from Iowa, people who numerous, loud, full of love, and the kind of people that make the world better. Trisha tries her best to honor them, and the lessons they’ve taught, through characters and stories—made up, of course, but true enough in their way.
Trisha is the author of The Last Year series and the Whitman University books. She’s represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
