Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel by Mary Ting is a fascinating sci-fi story with a compelling protagonist. Ava is returning to the International Sensory Assassin Network, but her memory isn’t complete and things aren’t the way she expects them to be. First, she discovers a twin sister she never knew existed and, unsure of what to believe, she wants to dig more into her past. The more she learns, the more she understands that she is a problem to the ISAN. Has everything she’s been told right, and what if she doesn’t really need the Helix serum to activate her superpowers? The more time passes, the more questions Ava has and the more danger approaches her. It’s time to make a hard choice.

Mary Ting made me care about her characters and I particularly enjoyed the female protagonist in this fast-paced, action-packed story. The conflict is strong, especially at the internal level, with the protagonist seeking answers. The suspense grows as she becomes more and more uncertain of what she thought she knew. The author builds this tension with unusual skill and succeeds in keeping the reader riveted by this aspect of the story. The language is great, featuring interesting and plot-driven dialogues and vivid descriptions that allow readers to visualize elements of the setting. The strength of the writing is one of the best parts of this narrative, but the author’s ability to bring characters to life makes it an irresistible story. I read Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel in two sittings.

Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel by Mary Ting is the sequel to the ISAN, an exciting sci-fi story with strong appeal to young adults readers and fans of fast-paced, emotionally intense novels. While there is greater resistance and a bigger quest for control, the protagonist, Ava, returns to the International Sensory Assassin Network. But she doesn’t possess all her memories and she is about to make startling discoveries while the powers that be are bent on gaining control of her by feeding her with lies. For instance, she never knew that she has a twin sister and that she may not require the Helix serum to activate her powers. Male assassins are growing across every territory and their tolerance of Helix is becoming remarkable as well. Ava is making more discoveries and the more she learns, the more she becomes a threat. Now, she knows too much.

Mary Ting’s novel is intricately plotted and the author keeps the action going. It hardly slows down and what makes it even more interesting is the strength of the female protagonist. Her limited memory makes her vulnerable and it is hard to know who and what to trust. Her journey towards self-discovery is interesting, one that is filled with danger. The writing is beautiful, filled with vivid descriptions and interesting dialogues. I loved how the author uses dialogues to entertain, develop the characters, and enhance the plot elements. Helix: An International Sensory Assassin Novel is a breezy read, a book with great entertainment potential.