In a space-oriented and futuristic tale, Epitome by author Elisa O'Donnell will take the reader on an absolute adventure, one that they will not soon forget. Our protagonist, Genesis Velorum, has just returned from a mission to space where she's saved her friend, but also found out that everything she believed to be true was simply not. As she's still reeling from that adventure, Captain Nicholas Swift gets her prepared for another. Appointed to a select group, the GURU (Geneticists Ultra Reality Union), Genesis will be sent on a long and important mission with other GURUs. She's not sure she'll make it back. But when she and the other GURUs find out what their mission is really all about, that the very essence of mankind could be changed, well, that's when the adventure really begins.

Author Elisa O'Donnell has done an absolutely masterful job at creating a book that will suck the reader in from page one and keep them turning the pages until the very end. I so enjoyed Epitome. The characters were clearly drawn, likable and relatable, not always an easy feat in science fiction. Elisa O'Donnell has done a tremendous job at creating a world that, while futuristic, feels completely real. Anyone who likes science fiction will love Epitome. It doesn't matter if you are a young adult or if you simply like a unique read in this genre, you should read the work of Elisa O'Donnell as soon as possible. I, for one, am very much looking forward to her next book, and I hope she's hard at work on it right now.

Epitome by Elisa O'Donnell is the story of Genesis Velorum. After a successful rescue mission to Earth, Genesis is ready for the next phase in life, but it is fraught with intrigue and possibly betrayal. She is coming to terms with what has happened, she feels that her friendship with her best friend is damaged beyond repair, and she despises that fact. But life on Enigma has a lot more to offer. She meets three new friends, and the four of them together are dubbed Forever Four. Captain Nicholas Swift is sending Forever Four on a mission that has no time restraints. Genesis believes that they may never return to Enigma and that Captain Swift has secret plans - will all humankind suffer if Genesis and her three new GURU friends are unable to stop the ultimate plan?

Epitome was a nice surprise. Usually, dystopian sci-fi is not my cup of tea. I'm more of a romance person, but Genesis had me hooked on the story from chapter one. O'Donnell did a fantastic job of writing the novel in a way that did not leave the new reader drifting. She gave me enough information about the storyline of the previous book so that I did not feel left out. The characters are developed so beautifully that the reader can actually feel them in their heads and imagine their voices. O'Donnell paid a healthy amount of attention to detail and that made my reading experience so much better. I really loved it and enjoyed it. I would love to read the next novel in the series. Five stars and nothing less for this amazing novel!