** spoiler alert ** 
 This is an action-packed book with a touch of mystery, drama and romance. A fresh and original debut novel from Ms. Jennifer Rush. 
 The story begins with Anna sneaking to her father's laboratory to visit the boys. The four boys--- Cas, Trev, Nick and Sam--- are the subject of the program made by The Branch. For the past four years Anna have been sneaking to the laboratory to be with the boys she considered as her friends. Eight months earlier, her father asked her to help out in the lab and now have permission to visit the lab whenever she wants to. The boys were genetically altered and as far as Anna knows, were made to be "super soldiers". Their memories were wiped out and they were locked on the facility without any access on the outside world. On the day that the boys were supposed to be transferred to the "Headquarters" Sam and the others fought to escape and they were successful. However, to their surprise, Anna's dad begged the group to take Anna with them. The five of them left and went ahead to find more about their past and learn the secrets of The Branch. 
 " 'Hope is a waking dream.' " 
 I let the words echo in my head. The quote reminded me of that feeling you get when you start to wake from a dream you don't want to leave. That crushing sensation in the center of your chest, like you are losing an important piece of yourself you won't ever get back. 
 That's what hope was. Clinging to something you weren't sure would ever be yours. But you had to hold on anyway, because without it, what was the point? 
 That fit my life perfectly, in so many ways. Even more so now. 
 Likes: I loved the action! It's like watching an episode of 24. I liked the fact that the secrets were unveiled one by one. Although I figured out that Anna is part of the program on the earlier part of the book, I was still surprised about how she got there in the first place. I mean learning about Sam being in love with Anna's sister (and how she was brought to The Branch) was a little shocking. Anyway, I also loved the characters! I liked the fact that they all have different personalities. Cas was funny and loves to eat, Trev was the man of words because he has a brain full of memorized quotes. Nick was the dark and mysterious type; and there's Sam, the silent but intelligent leader of the group. I liked how Anna's character developed. From being sweet and innocent she became a bad ass heroine in the end. Way to go Anna! I also liked the pacing, it was fast yet still engaging. The writing style really sucked me in. Awesome job Ms. Rush! 
 Disikes: Hmmm... I didn't like the romance part much. It felt like it was one-sided. I didn't see any indication that Sam liked Anna more than just a friend or a sister. Plus the fact that they were programmed to be protective and obedient to Anna made the romance between them less believable. I felt bad about what happened to Trev's character. He's actually my favorite among the boys. When it was revealed that he was planted as the spy for The Branch, I was devastated. I hope we see him again on the next book. 
 "Do you miss your mother?" Trev had asked. 
 I leaned a hip against the glass wall. "I miss the idea of her." 
 "You and I are the sum of a void left by the absence of someone we love." 
 "I don't even know what that means." 
 He smirked. "It means I understand your pain." 
 See...this is the reason why I really liked Trev! I will miss his words of wisdom and his thoughtfulness if he wont be with the group on the next book... He wasn't really a bad guy, just like the rest of them, he was just manipulated by The Branch. So please make him come back Ms. Rush! 
 This book is highly recommended to readers who enjoy suspense and action packed YA novels.