Jon is just another dissertation student until the hypothetical drug that he and his partner Isaac are working on turns into a real pill. Except it doesn't do quite what they intended. When they realize that it has the potential to be the next great party drug they are split. Jon's girlfriend Kat is pushing him to take it to the streets but his partner wants nothing to do with it. Isaac just wants to finish their thesis.
But Jon can never say no to Kat and together they start showing the little pink pill off at parties. The drug spreads like wildfire through the college campus. It’s almost too easy; the demand keeps rising, the money flows in, and the parties are getting bigger. Can they keep it together or will chasing the high bring them crashing down? |
reviews from around the web
"A simple tale... yet is written so well that it ends up raising complex issues such as "just because you can produce a different experience or event, should you?" I cared about the characters, found myself holding my breath in a few places, and most especially, became immersed in this world. I could totally see the premise in this book happening and the author made it so realistic, that it was actually frightening to contemplate. So glad I read this. " D Henderson - Five Stars
"A fantastic, well-written character and event driven story that hooked me from the start, and had me yelling at the pages and characters at the end. Just what I enjoy.
This is a modern, synthetic, tension building story of two friends who stumble across the formula to a new, awareness altering drug. With huge potential to cause pleasure or pain, the discovery fractures the friendship of Jon and Isaac. With conflicting views on the dangers and implications of the drug, Jon, with some coercion from others, releases the drug onto the university campus scene, with devastating results.
This is a modern story that really asks: "just because you can, should you". Maybe not everything is made to explore or have its boundaries pushed. And sometimes being strong and saying no can be just too hard.
This is character and event driven story picks up the pace and tension as it explores the boundaries of ethics, friendships and manipulation. The relationships felt real - between Jon and Isaac, and Jon and his girlfriend in particular. There are science and biology concepts explored, but Damon never lets it get too deep or detailed, so it never lost me in the chemistry of it.
The campus setting is a brilliant choice - I could sense the party vibe and "try anything once" attitude in the town, and felt like I was walking the halls, in the labs and at the parties.
I found this book well written with a solid, believable set of characters with depth and backstory, and of course, I enjoyed the criminal element and the investigation that follows the later events.
There is death and ruined lives in the story, from drugs, but it's not a dark tale of addiction." Ian Lomond - Five Stars
This is a modern, synthetic, tension building story of two friends who stumble across the formula to a new, awareness altering drug. With huge potential to cause pleasure or pain, the discovery fractures the friendship of Jon and Isaac. With conflicting views on the dangers and implications of the drug, Jon, with some coercion from others, releases the drug onto the university campus scene, with devastating results.
This is a modern story that really asks: "just because you can, should you". Maybe not everything is made to explore or have its boundaries pushed. And sometimes being strong and saying no can be just too hard.
This is character and event driven story picks up the pace and tension as it explores the boundaries of ethics, friendships and manipulation. The relationships felt real - between Jon and Isaac, and Jon and his girlfriend in particular. There are science and biology concepts explored, but Damon never lets it get too deep or detailed, so it never lost me in the chemistry of it.
The campus setting is a brilliant choice - I could sense the party vibe and "try anything once" attitude in the town, and felt like I was walking the halls, in the labs and at the parties.
I found this book well written with a solid, believable set of characters with depth and backstory, and of course, I enjoyed the criminal element and the investigation that follows the later events.
There is death and ruined lives in the story, from drugs, but it's not a dark tale of addiction." Ian Lomond - Five Stars
"I got an ARC for this book and I was anxious to get into it. Damon had a great way of describing the sensory details of taking Excite, and it really helped me sink into the story. It’s kind of a modern Icarus tale, and the path you see Jon follow is very believable. Damon does a great job of keeping her characters sympathetic while still framing them as in the wrong, playing with fire. I enjoyed it quite a bit!
The only one thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that I notice a few minor typos/grammatical errors.... Very little things. They could be fixed with another quick pass with that sort of focus for a new edition or something.
All in all, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend this book!" Shayna Lambert - Four Stars
The only one thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that I notice a few minor typos/grammatical errors.... Very little things. They could be fixed with another quick pass with that sort of focus for a new edition or something.
All in all, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend this book!" Shayna Lambert - Four Stars
"“And it'll just get easier.”
... Creative and smart to boot, Erica writes books that genuinely make you think.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Erica Damon and team, for the opportunity.
This was my first Erica Damon novel, and she did not disappoint. I enjoyed how the story was built and the way the plot unfolded. I found the storyline unique and moved at a steady pace...
This is a well-written, fast-paced novel that will grab your attention and hold it until the end. With a cast of characters, you can’t decide if you like it or not; you will not be able to put this book down. I very much enjoyed this book." KKEC Reads - Four Stars
... Creative and smart to boot, Erica writes books that genuinely make you think.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Erica Damon and team, for the opportunity.
This was my first Erica Damon novel, and she did not disappoint. I enjoyed how the story was built and the way the plot unfolded. I found the storyline unique and moved at a steady pace...
This is a well-written, fast-paced novel that will grab your attention and hold it until the end. With a cast of characters, you can’t decide if you like it or not; you will not be able to put this book down. I very much enjoyed this book." KKEC Reads - Four Stars