Title: Warm Up
Author: V.E. Schwab
First published August 20, 2013
15 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.78
Overview
It’s been 183 days since Sarah discovered her supernatural abilities – and she’s struggling to keep them under wraps. Her family and friends don’t know about her newfound powers, and Sarah’s determined to keep it that way.
But when she meets a group of individuals with similar gifts, Sarah’s world is turned upside down. They offer to train her and help her control her powers, but there’s a catch.
The group is being hunted by a mysterious organization that wants to exploit their abilities for their own gain. Sarah must decide whether to join the fight or stay hidden, but one thing is for sure – she can’t ignore her powers forever.
About the Author
Victoria Schwab is a prolific author with over 20 published works catering to readers of all ages, from children to adults.
Editoral Review
Warm Up by V.E. Schwab is a captivating novella that serves as a prequel to the author’s successful novel Vicious. Published on August 20, 2013, this book falls under the science fiction and fantasy genre, with a touch of thriller.
V.E. Schwab, the author, is widely renowned for her vivid imagination, incredible world-building skills, and the way she masterfully blends darker elements with humor. True to her reputation, Schwab doesn’t disappoint in Warm Up.
The novella introduces us to David Vale, a man who possesses extraordinary powers he can’t keep in check.
He finds himself confined to a psychiatric facility, known as the Lockland Institute. David Vale’s only goal is to escape and reunite with his pregnant wife, Val.
The story is set in a dystopian world where individuals with supernatural abilities, known as EOs or Extraordinaries, exist. However, governments across the world consider EOs dangerous, and they hunt and control them with prejudice.
Schwab gives her readers a glimpse of this world’s oppression and cruelty, with the Lockland Institute representing a metaphorical societal cage. The pacing of the story is well-thought-out, and the author wastes no time in immersing her readers in a world of fear, paranoia, and suspense.
Schwab’s use of the first person point-of-view narrative enables her audience to experience David’s emotional turmoil and his struggle to control his powers. The author’s descriptive skills and ability to play with different tones create an appropriate mood for the story.
Additionally, the character development in Warm Up is impressive, considering its length. Schwab paints multi-dimensional characters, who readers can’t help but emphasize with.
One can’t help but develop sympathy for David Vale, who is portrayed as the underdog in the story. Schwab also introduces us to some secondary characters who add depth to the story.
Warm Up’s themes range from oppression to humanity’s fear and treatment of things they don’t understand. Schwab highlights how society shuns individuals who are different, regardless of their intentions.
Her vivid depictions of the Lockland Institute shows how easily power can corrupt people, even those tasked with helping vulnerable individuals. However, the novella’s length is also its greatest drawback.
The author introduces readers to different characters and themes, but not all of them are adequately fleshed out. For instance, the author only scratches the surface regarding the characters’ potential and the world-building.
Due to its brevity, some readers might feel that the novella is lacking in content. Fans of V.E. Schwab’s Vicious will undoubtedly relish this novella, as it offers a deeper insight into the main novel.
The author’s writing style appeals to a wide range of audiences who enjoy stories that blend suspense, action, and fantasy. Warm Up offers a well-thought-out storyline that leaves readers yearning for more.
In summary, Warm Up is an excellent novella considering its length. V.E. Schwab offers an intense, yet compassionate story filled with multi-dimensional characters, rich themes, and thought-provoking societal commentary.
The author’s writing style and world-building skills are second to none. Although the story feels short and leaves some elements underdeveloped, the novella is a must-read for fans of Vicious and newcomers to Schwab’s work.
On a rating scale, Warm Up deserves a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
