CBR14 Bingo: “Minds” – Many of the characters in this book are telepathic and psychokinetic.
I love visiting the small press and publisher areas at conventions. At Wonder Con this past Spring, I had a conversation with author Theresa Halvorsen and she convinced me to buy her book Warehouse Dreams. She described it as a bit X-Men, as it has genetically superpowered people, and a bit Harry Potter because it is set in a school for powered kids. I would add there is a dose of the movie “Gattaca” as genetic manipulation and the repercussions are an important part of the story.
Warehouse Dreams is set in a near future where genetic manipulation has gotten to the point where if you can pay enough you can create your ideal child. The manipulation goes far beyond skin and eye color. You can give your child inherent skills like the ability to play an instrument or be a brilliant mathematician. Even deeper though is you can give your child telepathy, psychokinesis, and the ability to teleport. But like anything involving money there are those who can afford ALL the things and those people are referred to as Quality Bred. If your parents could only afford a few modifications you are a Value Bred. People with no alteration are Regs (Regulars).
And in a rare, though increasing phenomena, are Wilds. Those who were born with Gifts without genetic manipulation. If you are found out as a Wild, you are put on the Registry. Being on the Registry often prevents Wilds from getting jobs and housing. Not much is known about the phenomenon that creates Wilds and Wilds have a tendency to be dangerous when they aren’t taught how to control their gifts. Regs aren’t thrilled about Breds and hate Wilds even more.
Kendle May is a powerful Wild that works at Phillip’s Academy for the Advancement of Wilds, nicknamed the Warehouse. The only school in the United States that takes in Wilds and teaches the how to control their powers. Kendle had an incredibly difficult start to her life and owes much to Miriam the owner of the school. Having come from the streets herself, she has deep sympathy for the students. Part of her job is to assess potential student candidates. It is hard for Kendle to turn kids away as they often have been abandoned by their Reg families and are looking at institutionalization if not accepted.
Stephen Rune comes from a prestigious family that spared no expense at his genetic tweaks making him an impressive Quality Bred. He is disillusioned at the life being a Quality Bred and the power games of his family. Stephen is the new telepathy teacher at the Warehouse and Kendle is both strongly attracted to him but annoyed at his perfectness.
Kendle has recently brought several new kids to the Warehouse that are extremely powerful and dangerous as a result. This has caused strife between her and Miriam. Miriam tries to focus on the big picture and what is best for the school but Kendle can’t help to put the needs of the individual children first. In a threatening situation, Kendle and Stephen merge their powers to great affect. However, there are effects that neither could predict and their lives become complicated.
Not sure why but it took me a little bit to warm up to this book. I think it was Miriam offering Kendle alcohol to deal with a panic attack in the very beginning that put me on edge. At other times, when Kendle is having an anxiety attack she uses the technique of five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. However, she never goes through all five steps. I was introduced to this technique through another book, The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow, and have used it for myself and kids to great affect. I wish that Halverson had included all five so that it could potentially be helpful to other readers living with anxiety who don’t know the technique. BUT by the end I was all in and wondering if there is a sequel. The world is fascinating and layered. While I have no interest in being able to read minds, I would LOVE to be able to teleport. The slow romance between Kendle and Stephen kept me eagerly waiting for the two of them to figure it out.
