School Library Journal (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 9 Up-High school senior Skylar Reid thought she was totally average until Sasha, the little girl she babysits, is brutally kidnapped from the town of Coconut Key, Florida. The investigation takes Skylar and best friend Calvin to the local Sav'A' Buck to refuel on junk food when they are nearly shot to death by a "murderous trophy wife from hell," a woman high on Destinya wonder drug made from extraordinary human blood taken from unwilling donors. These characters are Greater-Thans, people with supernatural gifts of telepathy, superhuman strength, incredible speed, or psychic powers. Skylar discovers her true self when she meets Motorcycle Chick Dana and her dreamy partner, Milo, who promise to help her develop her astonishing gifts and use them to find Sasha. The novel's setting is disappointingly underdeveloped, set in a futuristic United States where the police have little funding or motivation in the aftermath of an unnamed war and subsequently unstable government. Some of the banter and humor are forced, such as jokes made at Calvin's expense, although his "Would-you-rather" game with Skylar will elicit chuckles. The holes in this novel fail to make it "Greater-Than" others of its kind, but the characters will stick. Recommended for readers hungering for paranormal action and a fresh heroine. Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

After a neighborhood girl goes missing, Skylar suddenly develops superpowers. She and her best friend, Calvin, meet two mysterious teens who can help her unlock her "Greater-Than" abilities and find the missing girl. Readers who like their action-packed, suspenseful stories with a dash of romance and a diverse cast of characters will adore this somewhat implausible but nonetheless enjoyable paranormal tale.

ALA Booklist (Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

After a series of bizarre and terrifying events, 16-year-old Skylar discovers she is a Greater-Than. First the 9-year-old she babysits, Sasha, is kidnapped. Then Sky herself is suddenly bombarded by myriad smells, and two strangers, Dana and Milo, enter her life during a grocery store stickup. Suddenly Skylar has abilities. She can run like the wind, has predictive dreams and visions, saves lives by exploding objects, and can heal herself. The downside? Greater-Thans are being kidnapped, bled, and killed for their blood to create the drug Destiny. Working with acerbic Dana, desirable Milo, and best friend Cal to find Sasha proves challenging ne of the others believe her when she says the girl is still alive d dangerous. There's some clichéed dialogue here, but the detailed, unusual characters, light romance, and paranormal elements that augment the suspense combine for a page-turning read. Special kudos for the creation of Cal, the delightfully positive, funny wheelchair-bound teen who costars with Sky in this first in a promising series by a mother-daughter team.