Review: One by Leigh Ann Kopans

One by Leigh Ann Kopans
June 11th, 2013 · Self-Published
Source: Author, for review
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 374

When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak.

It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover.

If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

It wasn't too long ago I first stumbled upon Leigh Ann’s author blog and saw what she was working on. Her stories caught my attention and One stood out to me in particular. So fast forward a few months later to the news that One would soon be published - you can imagine I was pretty excited.

It took me a little while to get into but that might have to do with me and the fact that I’m still slowly getting out of a book slump and not so much to do with the actual book itself. Once I settled down and dedicated some time to it, I started to enjoy it.

Leigh Ann writes realistic, teenage scenes well, with just the right amount of awkward, cute and funny.  Sometimes you stumble upon scenes in YA that are just too perfect to be real and though it’s easy to be swept up in the moment and swoon your heart out, let’s be honest, real life isn't like the movies *weeps* and the author brought a sense of realism that made the book realistic.

When were first introduced to Merrin, she’s descried as petite and small, neither Super or Normal, her One is that she can hover. I happen to have a pretty good memory so I can remember books and details even if they were read several years ago. I mention this up because when I met Merrin and started forming a picture of her in my head, like you do, she reminded me of a…fairy. A spunky fairy but none the less, a fairy. (Wait? Did I just openly confess to having read a (make that multiple) fairy book? Again, it took place many years ago in a kingdom far, far away…)

In non-fairy related news, I wouldn't say I have strong feelings for the characters but I liked them enough. I related with Merrin here and there, thought Elias was sweet and together they made a cute couple. The highlight for me was probably Merrin’s Super twin brothers – they were pretty adorable and I wish they could have played a larger role.

Unfortunately, self-published books don’t have the best rep and I find that a shame, especially since when a good One (pun! get it?) comes along and it gets dismissed because of that factor. I might not have much experience with self-published titles but you can see how much effort and love Leigh Ann has put into her debut - that much is obvious. Sure, there were some weak spots that could have been more polished but I think Kopans shows real potential and if she keeps on honing those skills like all good artists should, I’m looking forward to her future work.

More times than I’d like, I’m largely disappointed by books I had been looking forward to so I’m glad to say that this wasn't the case. Superhero fan or not, supporter of the self-published or one to hesitate, I have three words for you: superhero geekiness galore!

3/5