Oversight by Dennis Batchelder presents Zelly’s fear that Ying will take advantage of her Overseer powers to eliminate her peers before they turn nineteen. A preliminary demonstration of “Vike” technology allows Zelly to experience part of the life of one of her soul ancestors, and she discovers a dangerous connection between Origen and Lillia. When Ying makes an ominous speech at the oath-taking ceremony, Scott, Val, Simon, and Zelly barely escape being detained by security guards. Where can they go and how can Simon and Zelly prevent a dangerous take-over? Ying appears to be the villainess of the piece, but could she also be a pawn in a more sinister movement?

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder was an exhilarating adventure showcasing young adult protagonists. The world-building was complex, invoking variations of the past, present, and plans for the future. I was entranced by Zelly’s glimpse into history and admired the coding skills that allowed her to manipulate the Vike technology. The combination of equipment and shamanism made the overseers seem like secret-service techno-mages. The road trip aspect of the story was excellent as the teens had to rely upon their wits to evade adult conspirators. The places where they stayed and points on the map became essential maneuvers in eluding capture. I liked the growing dynamic of trust and affection that developed between Simon and Zelly. I was gratified when initial perceptions had to be re-evaluated as more information became available. Oversight by Dennis Batchelder provides a smooth and captivating reading experience for fans of young adult fantasy and coming-of-age stories.

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder is a gripping young adult adventure that follows Zelly, Ying, and Simon, who are about to become overseers. Zelly can't wait to turn nineteen to become an overseer. But she thinks Ying wants her and Simon dead to run Soul Identity alone. Thus, Zelly must find another way to protect herself, as Val, the acting CEO of Soul Identity, refuses to help her because she doesn't believe that Ying is trying to eliminate her future peers. When Zelly learns about a vike portal, a new technology that helps people follow their soul-line ancestors around and experience them with all their senses, she wants to try it. She thinks this new technology can help her outwit Ying by vicariously observing her soul line ancestors and learning some useful tricks. But, is Ying indeed after her?

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder is a magnificent young adult science fiction novel. It's the sort of book you cannot put down as it's beautifully orchestrated and written. It's also intense, inspiring, and deeply satisfying. In this young adult tale, Dennis Batchelder explores concepts of friendship, interpretations, past lives, learning from the past, and growing into one’s destiny. Batchelder offers plenty of adventure and intrigue mixed with danger and a strong touch of science fiction. Zelly is a relatable character to any reader suffering from anxiety, jealousy, confusion, or imposter syndrome. Oversight is a book you don’t want to miss. This tale of friendship, betrayal, and destiny will definitely captivate the hearts and minds of young adult readers.

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder takes the reader on a fantastic adventure into the depths of Soul Identity, a generations-old organization of people who have soul ancestors that are linked throughout history. People in Soul Identity serve as overseers in business, banking, and strategic positions globally. When Ying, Zelly, and Simon were young, they were taken from their families and eventually put in the care of Val and Scott. Intrigue builds as Ying approaches her nineteenth birthday, and is soon to receive her chance to be an overseer. Zelly is determined to stay alive despite multiple unknown forces seemingly working against her, even possibly Ying herself. The trio dives into their pasts and uncovers startling truths about their present lives and the possibilities of what their future could hold, depending on the choices they make.

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder is a fun, adventurous read full of mystery and action. I loved the characters and the story idea of being able to go back in time along ribbons of light that hold the life stories of ancestors. The two main characters, Ying and Zelly, start out by working against each other and eventually find their way toward peace after several harrowing experiences, which made for a great plot. There are intricate details, fast-paced action, plot twists, and surprises in each chapter. I can see young adults and also adults enjoying the book and connecting with the characters. The plot is layered and will intrigue and captivate the reader. The writing is elevated and the story concludes in a satisfying way.

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder is an adventure story aimed at younger readers. Seventeen-year-old Zelly is not just a computer geek living in Seattle. She's also a reincarnated Soul Identity leader, one of just three left in the world. Soul Identity is ancient, an organization set up to pass memories and fortunes onto a person's future self; provided she and her two friends reach 19, they'll attain their power. The night before Ying's birthday, Zelly discovers that Ying wants to kill her, and when they come across a Vike portal, Zelly learns that Ying is not who Zelly thought she was. Instead, she learns they have been rivals for centuries, and Zelly must fight for survival. Using the Vike to predict the future, Zelly heads back to her past lives, but things she learns turn everything she thought she knew on its head – even her soul is under threat. Can good finally triumph over evil, or will this final battle prove too much for Zelly?

Oversight by Dennis Batchelder is a fun tale of friendship and betrayal, a coming-of-age story with a touch of the paranormal. It's got plenty of action in it, with lots of twists and turns along the way and a decent plot that will catch the attention of its readers. The characters are nicely developed throughout the story, their backstories gradually coming out, allowing us to understand who they are and why the rivalry exists in the first place. This may be a story of an ancient organization with reincarnated beings, but it's also a story of how friendship can soon turn bad when one party is betrayed, teaching readers how to deal with the inevitable as they grow up. A fun story, I think this will go down well with teens and young adults who want something different to read.