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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Birna Bjornsdottir

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished reading Shortcuts (Singularities), by Amy Bearce.

Wow – this is a very intense story about Parker and her friends DeShawn, Avery and Ethan.
They are a very close group of friends and have more in common than just your typical high school hobbies!

Life is going relatively smooth for Parker and her friends until the new girl starts in school.
Mia starts in her new school with some epic weight on her shoulders – and as an empath, Parker is hit with Mia’s feelings, full force.

Always wanting to fix things and make other people happy, Parker is determined to help Mia fit in and tries her hardest to help Mia find some happiness and peace.

But being an empath doesn’t exactly come with a manual and Parker’s gift starts to morph into something she hasn’t known before.

Reading about this close group of friends and how they embraced Mia and Josh, really moves you.

This was a very powerful book that I couldn’t put down!

Taking shortcuts in life might be tempting – you might get there quicker but will you get there in one piece?

I’m immensely impressed with Amy Bearce and her writing skills – this is a must read!

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Madison Degraffenreid

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Shortcuts (Singularities)Shortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce

5-Stars

Shortcuts is an easy to read young adult novel. It focuses on a group of kids who are born with special abilities after their parents utilized a special fertility drug to conceive. Parker is the main character of this novel and is an empath. She uses her ability as a shortcut in a way with people in her daily life. Mia is the new girl and is difficult to read but could also cause problems for the group of friends.

I found this book easy to read and the storyline easy to follow. The characters were descriptive and realistic despite having amazing abilities. It was easy to picture Parker’s bubbly personality as the story progressed. I really enjoyed this novel.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Erica Fish

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts written by Amy Bearce is a great YA read. I am older than that but seem to find a breath of fresh air because it deals with hard realities of teenage girls. This story, for me, would have been a great suggestion for me to read or my daughters to read. It deals with some troubling issues for teens. Topics of challenges, conflicts, mistakes and consequences are the highlights of this book and it shows that you can make it through with a little bit of help/ There is a fantasy story and Parker Mills is on her way to being popular. She has everything going for her, two-time winner Miss Divine Pecan Pageant, head of the eighth grade dance committee, and a secret empath. So she has everything going for her but there is a little nudge that has come into the her world. Will Parker be able to work out the details so that everyone can be happy? Will this be too much for Parker? I will be looking for more books by this author.

SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Sam Sheerin

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts by Amy Bearce 4 stars.
This is the first read for me by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Amy kept you know the edge of the seat with storyline and you couldn’t or dare want to put it down.
The characters all have a nice depth to them not, not too much given away with them.until the point that’s it’s needed. A nice few little twists and turn.
Amy is definitely an author I will be looking out for, for future reads.

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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Jenni Bishop

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce ​was is a fun and engaging YA fantasy story. The characters are interesting, and believable and have powers and the story is fast paced. The journey is one of friendships and family, and the usual that teenagers go through along with powers and consequences that could destroy it all and still trying to work out who they are and how they fit in the world. This YA fantasy is well written and captivates the audience no matter their age.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Kerry Baker

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce is a brilliant YA novel that is clever and unique and such an interesting read. This is not only perfect for the age range it is clearly aimed at but also has that something about it that captures the attention of all age ranges.
The characters were all great to read about. The dynamics of their group worked really well and was believable of kids their age. That is something I think a lot of authors struggle to get right.
The story was varied and nicely paced – quick enough to hold the attention of a YA but also detailed enough provide an interesting story.
I have to say that I loved the cover of this book. It is eye catching and instantly draws your attention to it. It is what caught by interest in the first place.
I really enjoyed everything about this book and wouldn’t hesitate to read more by this author.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Stacey Baxter

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my usual go to genre i must admit i was completely sucked into this novel. This had a great fantasy storyline that draws you in and you will find yourself lost in there world which is an amazing experience. It’s about a group of young children who have been friends all the lives but they all have super powers but still go through life normally even with there special abilities. The character’s were fantastic and really brought this story to life. This was a brilliant read and i look forward to reading morw from this author.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Heather Lovelace

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This YA fantasy is beautifully written and will captivate it’s audience no matter your age. Bearce treats her young main characters with respect and intent, allowing them to truly develop and grow, while learning and stumbling along the way. I wasn’t certain what I would find when I dove in. But easily by the second page I knew I had a treasure in my hands. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book. Highly recommend!

Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Jana Teppih

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce is a perfect novel for young readers! It is a story of four best friends – Parker, Avery, DeShawn and Ethan. They all have psychic powers because their mothers were given a certain fertility drug. They all have developed different abilities that I can imagine the young readers would find very cool!
The story is told from Parker’s point of view, she is our resident empath! She is brash and bold and honest and caring and energetic … Avery is the PERFECT best friend ever … DeShawn is calm and wise and a young man with a golden heart … Ethan is our mischievous young rebel … and then we have Mia, a sweet and sad and complicated new girl, and Josh who is another new boy that brings his complications …
This story that I think would be a perfect reading early tween and teen set, tells us the story of friendships, family relationships, the power of social standing and the realities you must face when you hurt the people you love, even if you did not mean it to happen … it tells us a story of what the consequences of shortcuts are and that actually, there are no shortcuts in life as every action has a counter action … it shows us that everyone carries a burden and everyone deserves to have friends and to be loved! There are a loads of lessons that if you are open you might be able to learn by reading the book and not needing to experience them in person!

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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Angela Hayes

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Shortcuts by Amy Bearce is a delightful fantasy aimed towards children aged 9 to 14 years old. But I am waaaaay older than that, and still enjoyed the story. There are some tougher issues covered in this book- such as challenges, consequences, conflicts, and owning up to mistakes… which were handled really well by the author, who wrote in a way that was thought-provoking, yet would also allow the younger (teen) reader/s to understand. A story with a message/moral.
The characters are well crafted individuals who were interesting, and believable. They learned and grew as the story progressed. Coming out the other side stronger and wiser. The story has a fast pace and is a fun and engaging read.

Thank you, Ms. Bearce!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Emily Walsh

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Shortcuts (Singularities)Shortcuts
By: Amy Bearce
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce was a hooking fun, engaging, well crafted and just, made me fall back in love with YA.

My first read by this author,. and I have to say I am going to be adding her to my watch list. This book is fresh, different and just had this wicket vibe to it. It had things I love about YA, and it has the things I wish other YA series had. It felt almost real, even with the powers. Man I’m having a time trying to get out how special this book is. On a technical side, this book is as I said, well crafted. The writing is smooth, connecting and it draws you in. The detail was spot on, and I felt at times I was watching a movie, I just got completely lost in this book. The characters, not just the MC, are loveable, realistic, and properly some of the best I’ve read about this year.

If anything you need to give this book a chance, and if you were like me and falling out of love with YA, this book will drawn you back in rekindle a new love. This book broke the mold, and it gets my super high recommendation, and my golden stamp of approval.

Happy Reading

-Review by @eawalsh

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Gail Guerrero

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce

Four Stars

Life isn’t fun when you shortcuts. You learn a lot about yourself when you take the road less traveled. Parker had empathy and it is a dangerous and powerful gift. She wanted everyone happy but forgot that happiness included going through all your emotions. I really enjoyed reading this story. The characters were young and refreshing. They’re just beginning their life journey. Though they will have many trials and tribulations they have each other to help. I hope the author continues this into another book. There is great potential for a series. All these kids with powers and someone is out to get them.
Review by @gguerrero89

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Maura Harper

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book and then went through it again because I felt like I was missing something – I tend to read very quickly and sometimes don’t absorb important facts. It was after running through it the second time that I realized what I read was meant for the Y/A crowd, so it’s not going to have the resolutions I am looking for (I specifically want to know more about Dr. O and the clinic).

SHORTCUTS is a story about just that, taking shortcuts to get what a perceived outcome should be. Each of the high schoolers featured in the story have an enviable “power”. There’s an empath, a boy with telekinesis, a “psychic”, one with supersonic hearing, Josh and Mia (I don’t want to give anything away so won’t tell you what they are up to).

Parker is a girl who wants to help everyone feel better and the theme of the story are the shortcuts she takes to “help” others along. Messing with destiny can have life altering results.

This book was well written, the friendships are strong and diverse and the energy of the book was fast paced. It certainly held my attention from beginning to end. I think there are covert lessons to be learned also. Everyone is carrying a burden; some share the burdens better than others. Everyone deserves to have friends and be loved. Most importantly, there is no such thing as a shortcut. Every action has a counter action which is not always what we want it to be.

I absolutely would recommend this story to my younger cousins.

Review by @mauraharper

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Stefanie Carney

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts is a different take on the paranormal young adult novel that had me thoroughly entertained from the beginning. I was instantly swept up in these teenagers lives and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out, though I do have some questions about some of the characters. I thought this story showed a different side of the typical teenage angst story in a way that made it seem new and fresh. This story was full of the stuff I love too, it played on the heartstrings a little in a couple of different ways. It reminded me of being a teenager and made me grateful that I survived it as well as I did. I think this story is good for anyone looking to escape the humdrums of life with a little thrill.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Sara Oxton

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Shortcuts (Singularities)Shortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts by Amy Bearce a four-star read that will take you away. It is a great story for older children as well as having something for adults as well. The fantasy element of the story is well done, I enjoy the genre but its not one of my favourites at the moment but this one sucked me in, and the story kept me hooked. The characters are real, and you will find something in them that you will identify with. If you like your fantasy with a great story, then you will enjoy this one.

Review by @saraoxo

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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Shortcuts (Singularities)Shortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts is the first book in Amy Bearce’s Singularities series. It’s a fantasy novel aimed at older children (around KS2-3) with a gripping story that adults will also enjoy.
Parker is an attractive protagonist. With her popularity, talent and beauty, she’s someone many young readers will look up to and maybe even envy. Parker’s powers – her empathy – make her sensitive to the emotions of those around her. This makes Shortcuts a great book for encouraging empathy and discussions about emotions. It also shines a light on the potential burdens of being highly empathetic, which some readers might recognise in themselves.
There are complicated relationships of many kinds in this book. It examines how our emotions affect the people close to us, and how they are affected by our emotions. I was particularly interested in the dynamics between Parker and Mia as I think people can often feel overly responsible for the happiness of others.
For me, this is a five star book. I enjoyed reading it now, and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it just as much, if not more, if I’d read it when I was younger. It is well written for the age group, and would appeal to fans of superhero and magic stories. It would also be a good way into fantasy for readers who already enjoy books that focus on the drama of friendships and romance.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a creative, well written and engaging YA book. This is about a group of kids that have been friends all their lives. They all have superpowers and go through normal things kids their age do despite their special abilities. I enjoyed each of these characters. They bring the story to life and they really are who make the story. Their story is a journey of friendships, family, and consequences. I recommend this book for middle schoolers or anyone who enjoys reading YA books.

Review by @bjwagner
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Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce- review by Anna Hirsch

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce
4 Stars

This is a story about four best friends (Avery, Parker, DeShawn and Ethan) who all happen to have psychic powers. All are products of a fertility drug given to their mothers. Each developed different abilities, all of which are very cool. This book is from Parker’s point of view, she is an empath.

She’s popular and has won the pageant twice and is head of the dance committee. To everyone else, she has it all but being in eighth grade and feeling everyone’s emotions is hard. Teens are constantly on an emotional roller coaster and she rides along with them. So she figured out “shortcuts” to make everyone around her happy. If they are happy, she’s happy. Only the people closest to her know the pain that she carries.

When a new girl arrives at school, Parker feels so much pain within her. She decides to use all her shortcuts to help her. Unfortunately for Parker, her abilities start to go haywire and serious problems arise.

This is the perfect novel for young readers to show them that there are no shortcuts in life. It will show them that the times of sorrow and grief are experiences for them to grow and learn; to be able to be stronger. I really enjoyed this book and hope there will be more. Perhaps give each friend a story of their own.

Review by @Anna Hirsch
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Shortcuts (Singularities) By Amy Bearce – Review by Laura Furuta

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ShortcutsShortcuts by Amy Bearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shortcuts (Singularities)
By: Amy Bearce
5 out of 5 stars

The story Shortcuts (Singularities) by Amy Bearce is a wonderful fantasy book that I enjoyed reading. It is a story that drew me in and I found myself not wanting to put it down until I had finished the last page. I enjoyed reading about Parker Mills. She is a young girl who is a secret empath. She is someone who wants others to be happy and does all that she can to make that happen. Parker meets Mia who has a mysterious past and has emotions that include pain and sadness. Parker finds herself stepping thing up when her normal abilities to make Mia happy fall short. Things don’t exactly go as planned. What will happen when Parker’s powers go haywire? Read this story to find out. I also enjoyed reading about the character of Josh. He is caring and is interested in Mia. The story at times had me wondering what was going to happen next. Parker is such a strong and stubborn young girl who has a high energy level that shows throughout the entire story. There are other characters that are introduced who I enjoyed reading about the part that they play in the story and their interactions with Parker. This is a story that has a wonderful storyline as well as wonderful character. It is one that will keep your interest the entire times reading. Recommended reading.

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SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce

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~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~
SHORTCUTS (Singularities) by Amy Bearce
BUY NOW – https://amzn.to/2CUTxAF
#tweenbooks #uppermiddlegrade #AmyBearce #Singularities
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – lower YA/tween light science fiction
Page Count – 320 pages
Cover Designer: Madeline Smoot, with title art by Jeff Crosby (https://jeffcrosbyillustration.com/)
Publishing Company: CBAY Books http://www.cbaybooks.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41219627-shortcuts

Parker Mills has it all. She’s the two-time winner of the Miss Divine Pecan Pageant, head of the eighth-grade dance committee, and a secret psychic empath. Since she absorbs any strong emotion around her, Parker has committed herself to finding shortcuts to happiness. Whether acting as a tutor, a coach, or a matchmaker, Parker knows that when others are happy, she’s happy.

Granted, all that fixing other people’s drama means her own crush has no idea how she feels, but it’s still a win-win as long as her psychic methods remain a secret. At least, that was how it always worked before Mia came to town. With her mysterious past and dark cloud of depression, Mia’s moods threaten to rain on Parker’s happiness parade. After Parker’s usual shortcuts fail—even after bringing gorgeous Josh on the scene—she is forced to kick things up a notch, or two. But when Parker’s psychic powers go haywire, dangerous secrets begin to unravel …starting with her own.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES AND NOBLE ~ INDIEBOUND ~ BOOKSAMILLION ~

Amy writes fantasy and light science fiction for young readers and the young at heart. She is the author of the World of Aluvia series and SHORTCUTS (CBAY Books, 2019), for grades 4 and up.

As an Army kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they are raising two daughters in San Antonio.  Amy is represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes of the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. You can learn more about Amy and her books online at www.amybearce.com.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH AMY BEARCE

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