Miracle Man

A fun beach read. Not the deeply philosophical work implied by some of the author's press releases, but definitely engaging. And he does make a very good point about the motivations, or lack of them, for big pharma to find cures for disease as distinct from long term "treatments" which generate revenue forever. Characters had a definite stock movie quality, as do many of the situations. And, of course, the main characters are all movie star gorgeous. It seems to written specifically with movie or television rights in mind. But still an engaging, fun story.

Kudos to the guy who read this in one sitting. While I have done that frequently, this book took me 2 months. It's an interesting premise and the writing is fine, but nothing happens. I think this could have been half as long without loosing much. There's an attempt to build suspense a few times that never materializes. In the few times when something dramatic does happen the writing around it tends to be matter of fact and elicits no emotion. I had to force myself to pick it back up and could read for an hour and still have no answer when my wife asked "what's new in your book?" I was able to summarize the 480 pages to a friend in under a minute. I don't believe I left out any of the relevant details. Even the big reveal/twist at the end of the book leaves you with more of a "huh" than a "wow". To quote the poet Randy Jackson, "it was just a'right for me dawg"

Intriguing premise about a character with a superior intelligence, how he uses it, and how others respond, positively and negatively, to his efforts However, the writing could have been tighter and the story more dramatic. I finished the book but, despite the promise I didn't find the story as compelling as I had hoped. It appears that the author plans to develop the story into a series. Miracle Man is a decent enough read for bedtime or, perhaps, the beach but there are many better choices for light reading.

This book was very frustrating to me. I loved the premise and the idea of a super-genius who is also the kindest, sweetest individual possible, so that he's almost saint-like. So the juxtaposition of Bobby's saint-like work ethic and almost demonic forays into escapism just didn't ring true for me. Yes, a person can certainly have that kind of duality in his persona, but for me, it wasn't written well enough for me to believe.

Others have already extolled the book quite a lot, so I won't get into what was good, even great about it, and there was much goodness in it.

But the lack of proofreading always gets on my nerves, and there were quite a lot of errors left uncorrected, especially in the area of homonyms ("past" vs. "passed", for example.) This interferes with my involvement in a book tremendously. Also, Mr. Leibowitz needs to increase his repertoire in the observation of human reactions. Invariably, when a character is shocked, they will either go red or pale in the face. Over, and over and over.

And what's up with all the drinking? If normal people drank like that, they'd be blasted all the time!

Finally, the ending is much too abrupt. It's as if Leibowitz's publisher just told him to wrap it up and save some for the sequel. Verrry frustrating.

I am a mental health clinician, and I found the characteristics and challenges portrayed in the main character to be amazingly consistent with what we might expect to see in the intellectually gifted. The author also accurately portrayed the emotional and relationship issues that could result from the birth history of this character. I found this to be a fascinating read, and I wouldn't have enjoyed it if those aspects had not been accurately portrayed. It was also apparent that the author had researched medical technology to arrive at fictional "cures" that were so well- portrayed, given the work something of a sci-fi quality. This book was excellently done in every way. I look forward to reading more by this author about this character.

This was the first book that I've really enjoyed in a long time. It tells in interesting story about a child with extraordinary abilities, that grows into a man with ethics and the desire to use his abilities for good. The protagonist is well developed with complexity and a dark side. While he has special attributes that he has to learn to deal with, he also has normal human-nature tendencies. The surrounding characters are believable and adds a layer of complexity to the story. The book is an easy and entertaining read, but does have elements of truth in the complex healthcare industry. You don't need to know a lot about healthcare to enjoy this book. It also has an interesting twist. I look forward to the sequel.

Although I got through the book and found it to be interesting, there is a lot to be disappointed with. When I pick up a thriller, I'm hoping for suspense; there wasn't any. Most, not all, of the plot developments were predictable. Big Pharma going after a guy who is curing diseases? Tell me it isn't so! I would have preferred devilry from someone I might have fallen for as a good guy. But that might have thrown Liebowitz off of his moralistic path. Is fiction with a moral agenda really fiction? Why not write an op ed?

Character development and sequences of events are weak as well. Bobby is compelling even so, but does he have any faults besides well-deserved alcohol binges to relieve the stress of saving the world? Any overreactions he has to others are pardoned by the author since Bobby had a horrible experience as an infant. And what do we know about the love of his life, Christina, besides she has great legs, is beautiful beyond belief, highly intelligent, and loyal to Bobby? This woman has no identity. These characters are fantasies.

Do I mention the constant errors in English usage? Who proofreads for this publisher, this author?

This is a great story by a beginning author. It does have strengths. The ending is surprising. The tone is even. The Varneys character is satisfyingly nuanced. But, from here, I will take the store reviews with a hefty grain of salt.

I was halfway through this book, still waiting for the story to begin, when I realized that the story was intended to be solely about this man and his battle between good and evil. Still, I kept waiting for something else to happen that never did. It’s an interesting read about the power of intelligence, the cost of curing diseases...or not, and addresses some questions I have wondered myself. I thank the author for bringing some of those to light.

The premise was interesting, but I felt like the writing didn't quite match. I enjoyed the story. The author didn't do a good job of developing his main characters. I had the feeling that he wrote the book; then the editor told him to elaborate on his main characters; then the author threw in descriptions of his characters after the book was written. It seems like the author wanted to tell this great story, but wasn't into character development. I also thought the main character's 'embarrassment' over his birth situation was a bit lame. Someone that bright isn't going to get wedged about being abandoned and then adopted. Seems like the author was trying to come up with a good reason for the main character being so brilliant, but couldn't quite pull it off.

So first of all let me say that reading is not my hobby it's just part of my life. I read between 4-6 books a week. When I came across this book I was skeptical since I hadn't read a synopsis quite like this one. I was very disappointed with books recently as they all seemed the same. This one though, this Miracle Man was so different. I absorbed this book, became so immersed in it I didn't sleep until it was finished. It was so worth it!
I won't reiterate what the book is about. Everyone below this review has covered it perfectly. So do yourself a huge favor and buy this book. I can't wait to see if there's another book coming and what happens next in Bobby's story.
Happy reading!

Writers should write about things they understand. This author writes about, but understands nothing about, science, mathematics, how universities and research institutes function, the roles of university faculty, deans, provost, and presidents, Nobel prize awards, or even basic facts about brain development in infants and the limits, imposed by physics, on the speeds of neural processing, which are central to aspects of the novel. Leibowitz's lack of knowledge about biology is mind-blowing. He describes protozoa as "among the most primitive of all living things" although these are highly complex organisms in the Eukaryote domain (as are we). The prokaryotes, which are far simpler, comprise two domains, Bacteria and Archaea. The book also had very poor editing with respect to spelling (e.g., "latern for "lantern") and grammar (e.g., "whose" for "who's"; repeated use of "protozoa" as a singular instead of plural).

The presentation of Bobby, the central character ,leaves readers looking from the outside at a specimen or cartoon drawing. This is in diametrical contrast to Nabokov's presentation in "The Defense" of Luzhin, a chess genius threatened with madness, which the reader experiences as if inside Luzhin's mind.

This is a very interesting read and I am enjoying it but I am flummoxed by the number of grammatical errors! Does no one edit or proof the book? Words like affect-effect, tack-tact, past-passed, are all used incorrectly. I have trouble with author credibility when this becomes an issue.

I am divided with this book. SPOILERS

For a guy with a 700 IQ he was sure daft in so many dealings in his life. I would expect an emotionalyy stable guy. It was nicely written and entertaining but the three stars was because of a chraracter I din not entirely believe. I disliked the ending so much.

There are some interesting ideas put forth in this story, which give the reader discussion points to mull regarding the pharmaceutical industry. However, the development of the main character's identity almost seems rushed at times, with great effort made to prove, despite his brilliance, he is a "real" person with the same needs as "normal" people.

Interesting story that could have paced faster and been less tedious in places. The final outcome was surprising and of interest but under developed. Typical pattern of many suspense writers lately. They have a good plot that they overly develop, then crash the outcome and abruptly end the story.

The author's writing style is very unsophisticated. It seems like a story a written by a teen, for teens but there is some relatively racy content. At least the story is interesting (but very cliche). If you have finished high school, you may find the grammar and dialogue in this book to be so poor that it's hard not to just stop reading it. That said the author keeps it interesting and basic enough that it can be read very quickly. Maybe a good airplane book(?). Do not have high expectations for this book.

Sorry, this came no where near the hype surrounding it. I felt compelled to comment so others readers might be aware. I hate criticizing the author, anyone who self-publishes works hard, and the premise is good one, but he really needed a qualified editor on this, if only to change the tense. Past tense throughout: this had happened, after that had happened, then it happened again. No suspense at all. I kept hoping that would stop so the story could begin, but it never did.

Difficult to review without saying that it's a bit childish and a sort of 'grown up fairy tale' but now and then I can enjoy a fairy tale too. The kind of book where everything is extremely good and lovely things happen and well, you get the drift....He is just gorgeous !

I don't know which of my family downloaded this on our kindle but I was hopeful it was a good read. I was disappointed. The plot is without depth, the characters are boring. I was thinking this had to get better as I read. ( I'm one of those who, once started, feels the need to finish the book.) Maybe there would be a sub-plot, or a character's personality would somehow get more interesting. The story merely continued on to it's fairly obvious conclusion with what the author hoped would be the twist that would satisfy the reader. It wasn't for me.

Interesting story that could have paced faster and been less tedious in places. The final outcome was surprising and of interest but under developed. Typical pattern of many suspense writers lately. They have a good plot that they overly develop, then crash the outcome and abruptly end the story.

The author's writing style is very unsophisticated. It seems like a story a written by a teen, for teens but there is some relatively racy content. At least the story is interesting (but very cliche). If you have finished high school, you may find the grammar and dialogue in this book to be so poor that it's hard not to just stop reading it. That said the author keeps it interesting and basic enough that it can be read very quickly. Maybe a good airplane book(?). Do not have high expectations for this book.

Sorry, this came no where near the hype surrounding it. I felt compelled to comment so others readers might be aware. I hate criticizing the author, anyone who self-publishes works hard, and the premise is good one, but he really needed a qualified editor on this, if only to change the tense. Past tense throughout: this had happened, after that had happened, then it happened again. No suspense at all. I kept hoping that would stop so the story could begin, but it never did.

Difficult to review without saying that it's a bit childish and a sort of 'grown up fairy tale' but now and then I can enjoy a fairy tale too. The kind of book where everything is extremely good and lovely things happen and well, you get the drift....He is just gorgeous !

I don't know which of my family downloaded this on our kindle but I was hopeful it was a good read. I was disappointed. The plot is without depth, the characters are boring. I was thinking this had to get better as I read. ( I'm one of those who, once started, feels the need to finish the book.) Maybe there would be a sub-plot, or a character's personality would somehow get more interesting. The story merely continued on to it's fairly obvious conclusion with what the author hoped would be the twist that would satisfy the reader. It wasn't for me.

I kept waiting for the book to actually begin. There was so much background information on the character that I thought it was preparation for the actual story, however it turns out that was the story. Major plot points were glossed over in just a few sentences without any detail. Not very well written.

LEIBOWITZ writes well and effectively although a bit clumsy at times. He could learn by reading Daniel Silva, a class act in fiction writing. His skill seemed to grow as the reader moves through Miracle Man. It is a good yarn although I was left teetering on the high wire with its up-in-the-air closing. RAM

"Show, don't tell" is a very basic instruction for beginning writers. This author apparently didn't get the memo. We are told that the protagonist is brillliant, that his ideas are complex and stunning. There's no evidence for that except the author's say-so. We don't see Bobby being brilliant, we are just told that he is. His complex ideas are described as "very complex" but never explicated. The characters in this book are not well-drawn. We are told how interesting or compassionate or wise or evil they are, but there's no writing to back it up. I am astounded that this book is "one of the best" of 2015. It's a thriller without thrills. It's about science and math, but has no science and math. I remember reading a yarn once about Spot and Dick and Jane. I was told Spot would run, but there was no description of Spot actually running. That's what Miracle Man reminded me of. I wish I'd read more of the critical reviews before purchasing this book. If you like complicated stories and well-drawn characters, this isn't the book for you.

Interesting premise . . . I read the first half and enjoyed it, especially the in beginning as we discover the intelligence of the Miracle Man. Eventually however, about half way through and after 4 or 5 Nobel prizes, I gave up as it became too repetitive. You want a book to build as it goes on; unfortunately this one built in the wrong direction.

I tried to read this twice and couldn't get past the first 100 pages. Rarely do I put a book down, even if I don't like it. Not my cup of tea. I didn't like any of the characters and thought the relationships were contrived.

The story starts out with intrigue and a compelling plot. By the time he meets his love interest your ability to suspend history faith. The love interests has a PhD and it supposed to be highly intelligent yet she is written as a shallow bimbo. The story breaks down from there.

Since this is a top selling the store title, I expected a really good book. It turned out to be an "ok" book.
The writing was good but there were odd plot holes. The villain was not very evil. They never really explained the origins of the Miracle Man. Just not the polished thriller I was expecting.

Peculiarly immature story line, like an idealistic teenagers daydream of great personal achievement and sexy babe dalliances. An unsatisfying ending where after all those predictable plot swings end up going BOINK for a finale.

This book was terribly written. I could not have cared less about the main character who was totally one dimensional, as were all the other characters...especially the "villains." I stuck with reading it only because I am traveling in South America and was desperate for something to read in English, but it was frankly torture.

I would have liked to give it a higher rating but could not for the following reasons. An abundance of spelling and grammatical errors all through the text. Superficial plot and character development that failed to make me care much about what happened. I finished it only because I paid good money for it.

The ending did not match the caliber of the rest of the book. I was caught up in the story until the last part and was a little disappointed on how the writing was in the end. Seemed a little too trite and hurried.

writing style very plain vanilla. Premise is intriguing and story moves at a good pace through the years. The science is inadequate (like most science fiction) and the main character is completely non believable. The story is a combination of Heinleim's "Stranger in a Strange Land" and that movie Charly where the guy is a genius for only a short time.

To predictable and simplistic. I gave up half-way thorugh. The writing seemed amateurish and the characters were flat - good guy or bad guys. There was no attempt at nuance or subtly. I'm sure this will appeal to some, but I was disappointed.

I enjoyed the beginning of the story, but lost interest around the middle of the book. The only reason I finished reading this book is because it was this month's choice for my Book Club. I see that there will be a sequel to this book -- which I doubt I'll read.

Interesting plot and strong story potential. While entertaining the writing does not really develop the characters, or carry the plot where it could go except for typical formulaic type predictions. The good vs evil plot has predictable villains and outcomes and except for the binges and self centered episodes, it has few surprises.

Not the most attention keeping reading. It was difficult to keep me in the story. It was easy reading and the author was very descriptive of the characters and places, but I kept trying to figure out where the story was headed.

I thought the writing was formulaic and tedious. There was no connection to the protagonist as a real human - very poor character development. As to everyone commenting that it was suspenseful - I did not feel any suspense. Would never encourage anyone to read this book, and I was put off by the author's comment at that he was planning to turn this into a series - what a hack!

Sooooo disappointing! You might like this book if you have about a fourth grade reading level and a a junior high boys imagination about sex. I read about half this book and it was sooooo boring I had to give up, even though I suckered in to the good reviews, and paid good money for this. All you people who rated this book high need to figure out what a good book is.

Interesting premise. It sort of goes off in a strange direction. The story holds promise initially but does not play out in a way that seems even moderately plausible. The characters could do with more depth.

I seldom put books down once I start them. As a matter of principle, I typically soldier on to avoid any chance that what seems like an unsatisfying experience may, by the time all is said and done, prove to be rewarding. When I do abandon a book, it’s because I’ve found some aspect of it either offensive or thoroughly un-redeeming. Miracle Man managed to qualify in both ways.
The premise of William R. Liebowitz’s book is intriguing. A boy of superhuman intelligence is orphaned and essentially raised by a government agency that has understandable interest in nurturing Americans of extraordinary talent. Where the plot eventually takes this premise, I can’t say. I put the book down after the scene where the boy – then 19, I believe – has sex with a 17-year-old girl he’d just met on a small sailboat also occupied by boy’s chaperone and the girl’s mother. The physical location of the chaperone and the mother in the confined space of the boat when their charges are busy making whoopee is, mercifully, never explained, lest the reader be subjected to a second embarrassingly sophomoric description of sex.
Please understand that it is not the sex that offended me, or even the lack of realism inherent in these two particular young people meeting one day and ending up having sex under the noses of their guardians the next. A talented or even semi-talented writer could pull this off and the reader would willingly suspend disbelief because the quality of the writing would transcend a lack of realism in the plot. But Liebowitz is neither a talented writer nor even a semi-talented one, and that’s where the offense is.
It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a book that matches Miracle Man for shear lack of sophistication of the writing. Everything about Liebowitz’s prose smacks of a book written for an adolescent audience. You will find nary a metaphor or analogy in the first quarter of the book. Nowhere will you find an insight or musing that rises above the superficial. The dialogue is universally used only to advance the plot. The characters are one-dimensional and there’s never a comment coming from anyone’s mouth that suggests a real, thinking human being occupies the brain behind it. (This would seem to be a fatal flaw in a book about a person unique because of his breathtaking intelligence.) Finally, the very vocabulary of the book seems to have been purged of any word that wouldn’t be understandable to a 12-year-old. The language itself is adolescent at best. Please understand, I’m not expecting James Joyce here, but I do expect the writers of books I read to at least talk to me as if I’m an adult.
As I said initially, I did not read all of this book, and I suppose it’s possible that at some point a compelling plot compensates for the total absence of depth in the writing. If that Promised Land exists, however, the reader will have to slog through many miles of wasteland to get there, and I simply didn’t have the endurance to do that.

I am not sure if most of the reviewers read the same book I did. This book is horrible. It is predictable, derivative, and as thrilling as watching a bowl soup cool down. There is nothing about the characters that makes you care, there is nothing about the plot that hasn't been said better hundreds of times, and the "twists" are all contrived baloney.

I am sorry. I would not give this book any stars if possible.

Peter and Edith Austin knew their foster son was special. Even at an early age, he had shown a remarkable ability to learn and create. Indeed, when most boys were just learning the alphabet, Bobby was studying human anatomy and astronomy. There was a dark side to this brilliance, though, and that is why his parents sought help from the doctors, the ones whom they hoped would help their young boy. Sitting patiently through their tests, Bobby revealed an intelligence never before seen in another human; his aptitude for learning and imaginative thought was greater than that of even Einstein. In order to nurture his intellectual growth, the doctors offered special educational opportunities for the boy, the boy who would bring about miracles in his later years.

As a young adult he quickly surpassed his teachers in his understanding of even the most advanced math and sciences. A governmental agency considered him a human resource for future scientific development, but Robert would have other ideas. After the loss of his parents, he formed a relationship with Dr. Manzini, who would become his mentor and surrogate father. It was Manzini who urged Robert to find his own path, no matter the consequences. Leaving the protection of the government and his school, he decided to devote his life to curing even the most deadly diseases. Even as he solved the problem of certain illnesses, though, he gained new enemies and suffered from the darkness growing within him.

Isolated and threatened, Robert delved deeper into his research, becoming more and more self destructive even as he solved the most difficult scientific dilemmas. His devotion to his work came at a personal price, both for him and his wife. Robert—unwanted by his biological parents and now hunted by multiple enemies—soon became convinced of a greater force opposing him, one that he little understood and yet was determined to fight. The symptoms that so concerned his parents became more acute throughout this struggle, one that could possibly end in his own destruction.

In Miracle Man, William R. Leibowitz presents the story of a modern day superman, one who possesses an extraordinary intelligence. As much as the story tells of the miracles that he leaves in his wake, it is more the tale of the importance of each life. As a baby, Robert had been rejected by his biological parents and many potential foster parents; the boy who was scorned and unwanted by all would become a blessing to so many. Reading the story of Robert, one wonders if the world has suffered in its lack of caring for such unwanted children.

Although the story could have become an obvious morality tale, it instead is also one that explores the great depths of darkness that can be brought with such gifts. This analysis of Robert's constant isolation and suffering also brings with it an intriguing spiritual element, one that is unique in such stories. His awesome intellect—a genetic anomaly—may have a greater purpose than scientific research; indeed, it seems that this aberration might have been brought about for a greater purpose, that of opposing a universal evil. Whether this is simply part of Robert's own mental instability or true spiritual warfare, it adds an urgency to the novel that is not found in other similar stories.

Miracle Man, the story of a man of great intelligence and vision, will appeal to those readers desiring a thoughtful story that probes the potential of one man. Well-researched and plausible, it is a novel that will certainly delight in its exploration of universal themes and the darkness that threatens to destroy from within. The educated reader will enjoy this novel with its heavy emphasis on science, and yet those who are religious will also find great insight in its spiritual themes. William R. Leibowitz, in his writing of Miracle Man, has provided the bookish individual with a perfectly wonderful read.

Krista Schnee for Pacific Book Review

Interesting idea for a story but the characters seemed one-dimensional. I believe the intrigue could have built a bit more. Not a lot of depth. Enjoyable read if you're looking for pure entertainment.

Interesting plot.
But I got the impression the situations had been deliberately contrived for impact.
The story seemed to stretch plausibility and then knit it all back together in order to sew it all up.
Ok then!

Intriguing story premise, BORING read. I have to assume this was a self published book, written at high school level. Credit to the author for creating his own hype on the store, but I wouldn't recommend the book.

This is the first time I feel like I really got burned on a Kindle purchase. I guess for 4.99 one shouldn't expect a lot. However, after reading the raving 5 star reviews I am baffled. Maybe those folks read a different book? Anyway, I thought the story was corny and written in a "comic book" style way. (That's the best way I can describe it.) The text was full of annoying cliches and the character development was exceptionally poor - none of the characters seemed real and I didn't really like or dislike any of them. The attempts at humor were stupid and annoying. And by the way, I was annoyed throughout the whole book, but once I start a book I feel compelled to finish it. The only thing that kept me going was the idea that I would write this review in hopes that I save someone 5 bucks.

I am surprised at the number of positive reviews for Miracle Man. I felt like I was being force fed one cliche after another, page after page. Rather than describing how someone feels in descriptive terms, mr. Leibowitz just writes something like "He was tired and exhausted". I grew tired of the same expressions like "The color drained out of his face". I felt the idea for the story was very imaginative, but the level of writing couldn't support it effectively.

Don't waste your time on this one. The writing is freshman level high school at best. I couldn't get to 20% before I had to give up. I felt really ripped off on this one, and don't understand how so many people could give it 4-5 stars! Of course, I'm comparing it to on of my last Sci Fi reads, "The Martian" which was very well written. (Yes, I read the book well before the movie came out . . . ) Just a thought; try something like "A.I. Apocalypse" instead. It's not a bad read and in fact I'd rate it "outstanding" compared to this stinker!

This is an entertaining, light read, probably great for summer reading. There is enough story and character development to keep you interested. But it will not go on a Great Books list and is not thought provoking enough for a book club discussion.

I could barely get through this book. Very poor writing. Characters were totally unbelievable. Story line (plot) was pretty stupid. It could have been ok, as far as plot, but the way it was written really detracted from the story. Don't buy unless you are pretty desperate to read something.

I was taken in by the 4 1/2 stars and so, taking a chance, purchased the book. Sorry I bought it. It started out with a good premise but then when I kept expecting an exciting, intriguing turn, all I got was a predictable, trite plot. Little guy against big power and money. Maybe for some but big waste of time for me. Gave it two stars instead of one since some obviously would love it.

The characters and plot are better suited for a comic book than a novel. I almost quit this book but I paid eight bucks and felt obligated to finish it. The ending was hysterical. Unfortunately, this "book" is the first in a series. And spoiler alert, the miracle man may not be the good guy in the next installment. I'll pass on that one.

It's probably not completely fair of me to write a review on this book as I have not finished it. I read 80% and it was all I could stand. I had to find something else to read and quick. So disappointing because the premise is very interesting. I found this book a struggle to get through and I wasn't having any fun. It's boring. The dialogue is elementary, the characters are cliché and a guy that has an immeasurable IQ can't even take care of himself. I really wish I could get my money back on this one.

The writing of this book is beyond amateurish. It looks like something a seventh grader in creative writing class wrote. I'll give the author credit for taking the time to write a book, probably something he had on his bucket list, but the writing was so bad I couldn't even finish the book. If the author can afford to buy fake positive ratings, he should at least be able to afford an editor.

Interesting premise, incredibly poor execution. The biology (or should I say bio-logy) is mostly ridiculous, but what I found most annoying is the astoundingly bad writing. The dialogue is stilted, the narrative sophomoric. The whole book is rife with grammatical errors I couldn't get away with in high school, misspellings, and an average of at least one inappropriate hyphen per page. Get an editor.

I rarely write a review but feel obligated to my fellow readers. I pride myself on researching and purchasing books I know I'll enjoy, but the store's review system really let me down. From beginning to merciful end the book simply is awful. The author must have called in a lot of favors from friends who posted five star reviews. Subsequently, their reputations are shot. The first indicator the book is going to be a huge letdown is glancing inside the front cover at the published reviews. Nearly half are from "blogs" and not reputable publications. Even the ones that appear to be publications aren't recognizable. The book is sophomoric through and through all categories, writing, plot, character development, even grammar, you name it. The plot is entirely not believable. The characters flip from emotion to emotion and never retain any consistency. Save yourself money and time you'll never get back, don't read this book. It is the worst book I have read in recent memory.

A leading competitor for the heralded "Worst Book Ever Published Award",- this comic book without pictures appears to have been written by someone who learned to write via a course offered on a matchbook cover.
Negative stars.
Flat, otherworldly characters in a grossly overstated plot that makes the word fantastic virtually meaningless. The protagonists seem to have been extruded from Barbie & Ken central casting.
It literally cannot be read through without a gargantuan sense of humor, or a hatred of literature.

I really can't comment on the plot because I didn't finish the book. I thought the writing was weak, and I ended up giving the book to Goodwill without finishing it. I can't believe that it had such good ratings. I would not recommend this book!

Good grief. How did this get so many rave reviews? Maybe it's because it appeals to the usual liberal fantasies about their own inherent goodness and the evils of the national defense structure, at least that is where the story was obviously going. But the main problem with this steaming pile of donkey excrement was the poor writing; long stretches of expository narrative (this happened, and then that happened, and then something else happened) interspersed with sophomoric dialogue. I usually distrust a positive rating based on just a few reviews, and evidently seventy-one wasn't enough. I keep learning this lesson the hard way: if there's any doubt, READ A SAMPLE!

This book is just bad, from character development to plot to obvious lack of proofreading.
Anyway, it is a reminder never to buy cheap Kindle offerings. They are almost always bad and I almost never buy them. I was in a hurry.

The beginning of Miracle Man feels very compelling. As we learn about the mysterious origins of the main character and child prodigy Robert Austin, there seems to be no limit to his phenomenal intelligence. Shadowy bureaucracies begin to try to shape his destiny, and it seems clear that his supreme intellect has downsides that plague Bobby with terrible nightmares and unsettling trances. These sections hook the reader, and ask lots of big questions about how our society and the world would react to a genius of its kind. More compellingly, it wonders how many geniuses we may have missed out on because they were not given opportunities or were written off as having mental health issues. Bobby’s loss of many supportive figures in his life is also poignant, and creates good obstacles that shape Bobby’s character. The inner conflicts within Bobby as he struggles with his psychological problems, the burdens and responsibility of his intellect, and the illusive balance he seeks in his life, also raise many interesting questions.

Overall, this book is clearly worth a read as it does create a sort of cerebral superhero in Bobby, complete with a lot of intriguing socio-economic ideas as good science fiction/fantasy often does. It also has a refreshing sense of cautious optimism in believing that someone with the intelligence of Bobby could change the world in the way he goes about doing. He even triumphs over a lot of bureaucracies, institutions, and antagonists that would prefer he not succeed. It’s refreshing in many ways because it would be much easier to paint a purely tragic and pessimistic arc for these sorts of ideas, as much fiction usually does.

Still, there were a lot of things that hold this story back. As Bobby progresses towards adulthood the narrative loses some of its steam. Bobby remains a compelling character, a scientist who grapples with his own personal demons as he produces miracle cure after miracle cure, but many of the key characters could use more development. Some of the more interesting scenes are actually when these characters get to interact outside of Bobby’s orbit, but there are precious few of them and the narrative could have benefited from more so that the reader gets a sense of who these people really are.

The story also gets tangled in a lot of red herrings and subplots that don’t pay off too much. The author has important points to make and questions to ask about forces that would be opposed to the radical progress Bobby brings through his scientific breakthroughs, but ultimately does not do much to represent these forces. A contingent of anti-science fanatics targets Bobby, as well as an over-the-top, villanous pharmaceutical executive. These antagonists generate tension and conflict, but do not really amount to much plot-wise until the very end. Bobby’s struggles with himself and living his life prove much more interesting than these subplots, which makes them feel all the more incomplete. There are also a fair number of copy-editing errors that made their way into the final draft that sometimes took me out of the book. All in all, though, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover, those eyes, exciting, alluring, drawing me in, deeper and deeper…

WOW! My blood was boiling, my heart pounding, my palms sweating….well, you get the drift. Miracle Man is over the top fantabulous! Unputdownable!

OH NO. Here we go…

Isn’t there a government organization for everything?

The kid, 11 year old Bobby Austin…I hope the parents are suspicious about the Institute’s motivations, because I sure am!

As I write this review, I am watching Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, and Robert James Austin makes me think of Sheldon. Intelligence off the charts and socially inept, in fact he becomes so engrossed in his work, he zones people out completely, drives himself past the brink of exhaustion. But is that all that’s going on?

I can see some badness coming his way. Nevertheless, I am loving this rollercoaster ride and you couldn’t pry the book out of my hands with a crowbar.

I believe our medical research leaves a lot to be desired and so does Robert. I believe Big Pharma is more interested in creating a treatment, than a cure. But, he is in the position to do something about it. Robert puts his life on the line for his beliefs. He is driven obsessed, he cannot stop until he finds the answer.

Joe, his mentor, is someone you have to meet for yourself. All I will say is…I love the man.

The writing is excellent and the story so intense, I keep forgetting Miracle Man is fiction. I want to put my arms around Robert and tell him it will be all right. Remember, he is only 11 years old, and I am watching him grow up.

I am trying real hard not to spoil anything, so I am scanning my notes for small nuggets that can convey how much I loved this story.

So thought provoking…So many questions come to mind…

Government conspiracies, Big Pharma, betrayal, inner demons, greed, entitlement, religion…

The characters…all are well developed and unique individuals in their own right. Some I loved and some I truly hated, detested, wanted to jump into the book and punch their lights out! I empathized with some, I wanted to bury some under the jail, but they are all pivotal to evoking emotions of sadness, rage, love, and hope, and have their place in the story.

I wondered how William R Liebowitz would wrap up Miracle Man. I had some ideas and he flirted with them, but took them even further than I envisioned. Way to go, William!

This is a must read for anyone that gives a damn about the world we live in! Let’s hope some genius reads this book and gets motivated.

The interview at the end left me feeling confused. What, if anything, can change the way business and research is done? I don’t have the answers, but I know something different needs to be done.

Thank goodness I have book II, The Austin Paradox. No waiting and I am beginning it now.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Miracle Man by William R Liebowitz.

Miracle Man is my first introduction to William R Leibowitz. It tells the story of Robert James Austin, who is the word's greatest genius. As an infant, Bobby, was left in a dumpster to die. Thankfully, he was rescued. A few years later, his intelligence captures the eye of the government and is put into a special educational program. This leads him into a new way of life at a very young age of four. He gets the best education that any person could ever receive. As he gets older, he wants to help others and cure illnesses. This takes him on a whole new journey. One involving danger and corruption from big pharmaceutical companies wanting to stop him.

I have to admit, at almost 450 pages, I was a little intimidated by the size of Miracle Man. However, that quickly changed. I found it to be easy to read with very short chapters, making it hard to put down. I actually had it read in one day. I liked Bobby from the beginning. His mental state, struggles, and turmoil were believable to me. The plot is one that makes me wonder if it could come true.

I give Miracle Man a well deserved five plus stars. I recommend it to readers who like a good hold on to your seat psychological thriller. The suspense will keep them engaged and wanting more. I am excited to find out there is a book two that continues Bobby's story. I can not wait to read it to see what will happen to him next.

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own hones opinion.

The Miracle Man is a fast-paced psychological thriller perfect book every chapter gave you a deeper understanding of the genius Robert James Austin. From the first chapter, this book draws you in it’s a real page-turner The Miracle Man has intrigue and suspense. The author writes in an impressive twist of good vs evil. The book gives you a balanced mix of conspiracies (government and big pharmacy), betrayal, and greed

I quickly fell in love with the characters, Bobby is adopted by the Austins to later find out they have adopted a gifted child, his IQ is off the charts. The government-sponsored Bobby’s education, to develop and grow his intelligence. The Miracle Man gives us a glimpse into the different governmental organizations. The characters are all well developed, and each fits into the story well.

I love the cover of The Miracle Man it draws you in. The writing is intense, at times I felt I was reading a non-fiction, you become so attached to Bobby your reading Bobbys story and growing with him, it’s so well written I keep forgetting Miracle Man is fiction.

I loved everything about this book! I look forward to Mr. Leibowitz’s next book

Miracle Man was not the science/medical thriller I expected. I think I was expecting a heavy, medical / science fiction thriller when I picked up this series. Instead, the author takes readers on a journey with twists and turns through the life of a brilliant man facing internal and external dilemmas. A large part of the book is devoted to establishing Robert's character as a genius. This development really allows readers to watch this character grow, change and respond to the world around him. This novel does have a focus on medical science and the medical genius creating miracles--but, it is more of a lighter read than a science or medical textbook. The author does a wonderful job of creating a story centered on an exceptional genius that average readers will understand and enjoy.

Miracle Man offers twists and surprises--and a life journey. As readers follow the main character from his early childhood through adulthood, they follow his journey. As Robert learns, experiences, grows, and changes as a man--the author incorporates real world greed, manipulation and dramatic ups and downs along the way to tell his story. Much of the story is predictable, but, there are some developments along the way to surprise readers--and entice readers to move on to the next book in the series.

Would I recommend Miracle Man by William R. Leibowitz? I truly enjoyed this novel--and plan to read the second novel in the series this week!. I felt for the main character as he fought to use his genius for a noble purpose--and I look forward to following him onto his next, perhaps not so noble, journey. Readers who enjoy reading about the gifted and finding life's purpose and talents--and who understand the greed and desire in the world to control gifted minds--will be intrigued by this novel. It is not a fast, action-packed thriller--but, was impossible to put down. Miracle Man is a novel that flows from stage to stage of the character's life with ease and leaves the reader more than willing to follow the author's words to another book of the series.

I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.

MY THOUGHTS
If you're looking for something different to read than take a look at Miracle Man. I found the book had a quick pace with characters you could relate to and the writing was extremely good. Usually there is an editing problem in a lot of the books I read, but not in this one.
To start with we have foster parents that take in a baby that was found in a dumpster, but they soon find out there is something very different about this child. When he reaches the age of four, the doctors discover his IQ is unbelievable. He could be compared to some of the most brilliant people in the world and he is only four years old.
Other than his IQ, he is the typical child, a little sassy but a good kid. There is a company that wants Bobby to be put in their program, but not for Bobby's benefit, but for military strategies.Years go by and Bobby has decided that the medical field is what he wants to do. To help people, work on cures and research.
But, that doesn't set well with the company that needs Bobby for their own purposes.
The author gives something for most readers, medical thriller, psychological and conspiracy. And of course, we have a romantic part where Robert (Bobby) finds love. This love counteracts the thriller part of the book and I find that refreshing. Bobby had problems enough being super intelligent so he needed someone beside him. The author gives the reader just that. I can't say enough about the book. It's a different plot than I've ever read before. The romance was a great touch and added so much to the story.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be that smart. It seems that everyone would want you for their own purposes. It would be hard to live a normal life, especially as a child but the author pulled it off. I would love to see a sequel to this book to learn more about Robert and Christine and what happens in their lives.
I wish I could give more than 5 STARS to this book and I don't say that often.

I was given a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.

Miracle Man is the first in series of books listed under the categories of mystery, thriller and suspense, but it's much more. For me there is a touch of sci-fi in its "what if" look at the future.

What if a super intelligent child grows up to focus selflessly on solving the riddle of illnesses with only treatments and no cures. What if he chooses to give away those cures away in a way that assures even the poorest of people would have access to them. Sounds like something the world would welcome - right? Unfortunately in Miracle Man the answer is no.

Robert James Austin - the genius trying to do just that - is plagued by the government men who made his accelerated education possible. They want him to use his intellect to give his country world superiority. Then there is the pharmaceutical industry desperate to halt the new cures as their deep profits rest on treatments that have to be taken for long periods of time at the high prices they set. Cures would mean losing millions of life-long customers.

The author warms the story up by winding by bringing in personal notes such as a wonderful mentor and later, a love interest. We also feel the personal toll to Robert's health and mental well-being as he disappears down the rabbit hole when he is fully immersed in new research. Then there is intrigue as we follow the government's dealings, as well as the danger he faces from a contract killer hired by a pharmaceutical czar. But there is also a significant part of this book that follows his research thoughts - first as he is growing up and making new discoveries, and then as he approaches finding a cures. And this part of the book does take a bit of patience.

Despite those slower sections, I enjoyed reading this book. And the end, when it comes, will surprise you.

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

An infant is found in a dumpster in a plastic garbage bag. Thankfully, he is alive and healthy but there is so much media attention, he is unadoptable because prospective parents think something is probably wrong with the "dumpster baby." Eventually, a retired couple agrees to take him in as their last foster child and they name him Bobby. 

When he is a little older, it's discovered that Bobby's intelligence is off the charts. The government takes him to a facility where he can learn and have more resources available than if he were in a public school. Eventually, Bobby parts ways with the government because they want to use his intelligence for the military and Bobby wants to cure diseases.

Bobby ends up winning multiple Nobel prizes because of his work on many diseases. He's also on the radar of the government, pharmaceutical companies, crazies, and who knows who else. Bobby's safety is always at risk not just from others but his sanity is also at risk. From the beginning, doctors believed that he could end up losing his mind or entering one of his frequent trances and never coming out of it.  

It took me a while to get into Miracle Man. However, it is based on a unique idea and once Bobby was older it was difficult to put the book down. There were times that I skipped paragraphs because it got too technical about things that didn't affect the story. And it needs editing, mostly for missing quotation marks. Overall, though, it's definitely a book worth reading. And the end was a big surprise. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Austin Paradox.

Peter and Edith Austin, who had successfully adopted and raised a large family and were now close to retirement, were were asked to adopt an abandoned baby.  They agreed, provided the child had no serious health issues.  When Bobby began to develop recurring nightmares they brought him to a doctor only to discover that their little boy's intelligence was so extraordinary that he was soon placed in a government sponsored institute for gifted children.

As it turns out, Bobby's IQ was off the chart.  Way off.   The government provided everything he needed to develop and grow his intellect.  But do the math and science skills Bobby possess come with a price?

A thought-provoking plot as well as a glimpse into the workings of the different governmental organizations and  pharmaceutical companies provide an interesting backdrop to the story.

Although the storyline was compelling and kept me turning the pages, there wasn't a lot of character development.  The romance and accompanying dialogue between Bobby and Christina was awkward and superficial and didn't sound very realistic. The characters were rather one-dimensional.

Although this is admittedly a work of fiction, there were some inaccuracies that could have been avoided with further research.

At 420 pages, this was a bit of a clunker but the unusual plot kept my attention until the very end.  The cliffhanger was a complete surprise (please stay tuned:  there is a 461 page sequel!)

If you are looking for a psychological thriller / scifi drama, you're sure to enjoy this novel.

I read the 2nd book accidentally but first book is even a beautiful story to read. It is gut wrenching. It is an emotional read. It is one of the best book I read this September. It deals with dirty politics as well. It is funny, sweet and so much twist that blows your mind away.

It a story of believing yourself and aim your goal. This book is hard to put it down. It gives your the eye view of what scientists are capable of doing and to solve a cure for certain disease is amazing. I know this is fiction but it feels like a true story to me. Prepare to be amazed and hang on tight. This book is unbelievably an amazing read.

Doctor Robert James Austin was brilliant beyond his years from the moment of conception, even though he may have been tossed away like unwanted trash after his birth. The family that took him in provided every advantage as an outlet for his insights including love which he truly craved above all else. Robert knew what his demons were, it was fighting them that took so much energy away from what he wanted to achieve and always questioned how he became who he was.

But achieve Robert did despite interference from others who had so carefully orchestrated his future including the military. Everyone wanted to use his creative genius for their own benefit and but Robert said no, he knew what he was born to and his true creative genius came to life with the loss of a friend who inspired him with his death to become an advocate for cure not destroy. Robert discovered cures for major diseases and through his charitable organization gave them away for free. This was not only philanthropic it was at its core the right thing to do and everyone but the large pharmaceutical companies agreed. The more Robert cured with his free discoveries the more aggressive the pharmacy companies became to stop him.

Along the rough ride Robert discovers friends, coworkers, and love which at its core provides him the release of both his demons and tension of being who he is. There have other outlets pursued but while they were temporary fixes they never really gave Robert the validation he truly required to be himself completely. But with revealing your soul comes the hurt from the truth that is not always want you want to hear. Is love worth the risk of pain or can you push it away and survive without it? Robert must stand up to what he needs and understand that you can cure the world of disease but is there any reward when you close the door and no one cares that you are home.

This is an eye opening, keep you mesmerized read about the price you pay for the talent you possess.

As I sit here in a stunned silence, I go back through what I have just read. If you haven’t read William R. Leibowitz’s “Miracle Man” than you probably have no idea about what I am going through. This book has left me feeling 100 times smarter, but also 100 times stupider! What book has that kind of power? None besides this one that I have read. I feel like I have an understanding in the world of genetics, mathematics, chemistry, and the medical field that before I would have never had. This book is absolutely amazing and full of insight. I am seriously stunned and have no idea where to even start with reviewing it. I feel like this book review’s itself in the title alone, but with all great stories we will start from the beginning.

Bobby, whose real name is Robert James Austin, has never had the easiest life. Discarded in a dumpster as a new born, found and raised by a homeless man for a few weeks, no wanted to adopt the poor infant know as “Dumpster Baby” until one foster family opened their arms and house to the newborn. When Robert is four his foster parents, worried about the nightmares and trance like state he goes into, goes to get opinions on what is wrong with their son. It is then found after numerous test that Bobby is the smartest person in the world, the government talks the family into sending Bobby to a private, government school for gifted young children. Robert excels here until age 11 when his mother and father die on their way to see him. This throws Bobby into a whirlwind where he cant find his footing, until the program brings in Joe, a man without children and who has lost his wife recently. These two find a bond unlike any other. Joe shows Bobby there is more to life than just work. He shows him the joy found in life.

Just when you think everything is going great, Joe dies of cancer, throwing Bobby back into a whirlwind only this time he vows to live for Joe and decides to work in the medical research field to find cures to diseases. Finding a new home of Tufts University, Bobby spends his time working to find cures and beat diseases. He dives back into his work, until Sarah his secretary decides he needs a vacation. On this vacation he meets a woman, Christina who he falls in love with.

But not everything is what it seems. Is Christina really with Bobby because she loves him? Or are their outside forces forcing them together along with forces wanting Bobby dead. Will Bobby survive the masses? Or fall at the hands on his self made enemy?

If you haven’t read Miracle Man. I say do so. It will have you look at life in general in a whole new way. Are we wasting away with work and not spending time on things that matter, like family and friends, as Joe points out throughout the book? The book leaves us wanting to know more, what happens to Bobby’s baby? Does he turn out just as smart as his dad? There are so many questions that I personally want answers to. Like who are Bobby’s real parents? Why haven’t they stepped forward yet and contacted him once the media released who Bobby really was?

While I can’t say I understood everything in the book, because how can I? I don’t have a PhD in any field, but I feel like I have learned something. The way William writes this book makes you feel like you actually understand the process, but at the same time have no idea, yet you yearn to. I have no way to describe it. This is typically a book I would read and upon being asked to review it, I couldn’t pass up the chance. Take it upon yourself and check it out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. All of the characters were so engaging. Yet, I have read many psychological thriller, which is a favorite genre of mine. I wanted to point out that I did not really feel like this book was a psychological thriller. When I think of books in this genre, they are ones where the story gets into your head and plays mind games. This book did not do that. Yet, what it did do was to provide a well written and intriguing story.

Robert showed signs in a very early age of being a genius. Not just any genius as he was in his own universe. Robert was interested in auto immune diseases. He discovered the cure for multiple sclerosis. He started a non profit corporation called Uniserve, so that people could get access to the medications for a low cost. Reading this book kind of reminded me of the movie, A Beautiful Mind starring Russell Crowe as John Forbes Nash, Jr. The first half of this book showcased Robert the brilliant mind but the second half of the story showed him collapsing under the weight of it all. I was happy to read that the author was writing another book continuing this story as the ending was kind of left open for more.

Where do I begin with my review of “Miracle Man” by author, William R. Leibowitz? Well, for starters, it was a fantastic read...

Based on the story found within “Miracle Man,” Leibowitz appears to have a fundamental grasp of the sciences and it shows in his writing. Leibowitz is also explanatory and descriptive, yet he does so without becoming verbose or tediously long-winded as many "scientific" writers are often wont to do. Finally, Leibowitz takes care to engage the reader in an interesting manner, and has even used events/happenings from our current day and age to infuse a true-to-life realism to this tale.

Now, with all that said, let me share a little about “Miracle Man.”

Robert Austin, or Bobby as he prefers to be called, is an amazingly gifted child. (And that statement doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of his intelligence). At age four, his adoptive parents, Edith and Peter, take Bobby to see a child psychologist. Bobby frequently falls into these “trance-like” states and they are genuinely concerned that there could be something seriously wrong. Especially since during these periods, Bobby appears to be oblivious to the rest of the world. Bobby doesn't spend much time sleeping either, and when he does, he’s assaulted with horrific-to-him nightmares.

Bobby’s pediatrician has assured Edith and Peter that bad dreams are normal for his age; he even suggested that the trances are Bobby’s version of a "sleep substitute." Yet, living with their son; seeing the aftermath of these nightmares and how much Bobby is negatively impacted by them; neither parent can truly believe the pediatrician. Thus they set an appointment with the best child psychologist they have access to. To receive answers and assurance, (not to mention their desire to ensure the safety of their son), they want to have Bobby’s mental health/stability evaluated.

As I mentioned a moment ago, Bobby is only four, but somehow this young child is reading, understanding, and correctly answering and/or problem solving at a graduate school level. In more than one field... That amount of intelligence is definitely shocking, especially when you consider that most children Bobby’s age have a vocabulary of around 500 words, and are only now becoming aware and/or curious about small “scientific” things like: “why is the sky blue?”

Enter, Dr. Ronald Draper, (Head of the Department of Child Psychology at Mount Sinai Hospital), who, after spending several hours alone with Bobby, knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that this young boy is the smartest child he’s ever tested. After several additional days with him, Dr. Draper is willing to bet that Bobby, (at just four), is the smartest person this world has ever seen. Being a child psychologist, Dr. Draper is quite familiar with the developmental progress of children. To say he is in awe of this boy’s unseen, and yet untapped, potential would probably be the understatement of the century. Knowing full well the challenges that Bobby will face once he begins public school, he reaches out to the Chancellor of the city’s Board of Education.

If you want to know where Bobby goes from here, may I suggest that you get your own copy of “Miracle Man.”

And … for those of you who enjoy well-written books, or books that center around science, mathematics, medical, et cetera; then “Miracle Man” is a “must” read. Five stars...

(Book received, free of charge, from author for review).

The book often shows when children are like adults and vice versa. It describes the extent that human intelligence can have limitations or not. There are humorous, emotional, romantic, medical, government agencies, all included in organized ways.
Other interactions involve the pharmaceutical industry. There are many characters but the main ones are clearly drawn. Male bonding also plays a role. Writing is magnificent and plot is heartrending. It is likewise amazing how this author included greed, altruism, and differences between scientific and military focuses. Many issues are discussed including fringe religious thinking, homelessness, and how drug prices can be kept high. There is virtually no let up in suspense. Only disappointment is no other novels are yet available by this author. Hope that will change in the near future as I am eager to read them.

“Miracle Man” is a smart thriller that blends together suspense and science in a story of one very special young man’s coming of age. Bobby’s parents know he’s special when he begins speaking at five months old—but they don’t really grasp how deeply intelligent he is until they take him to a child psychologist, which eventually leads to Bobby attending a very prestigious school for prodigies. However, Bobby’s intelligence makes his peers look like C students, and he finishes his doctorate before he’s old enough even to drink.

While some very influential factions of the government intend to use Bobby for their own plans, a tragedy pushes Bobby into his own path: researching cures for the world’s diseases. When he’s successful beyond anyone’s imaginings, he has to contend not only with celebrity, but also with the manipulations of those who still want to use him for their own gain—and as his profile and success grow, so does the danger he’s constantly in.

There are enough twists in the plot of “Miracle Man” to keep things exciting, and Bobby himself is a novel character—a genius who wants to work for the good of mankind, but is driven to self-doubt and bad decisions by his own demons and past.

In fact, part of what makes this book so enjoyable is because unlike in many thrillers, the suspense isn’t driven by action alone—it’s also driven by the reader’s wish for Bobby to find happiness and freedom for himself. It’s suspense that arises both from dangerous situations and from a personal investment in the character, who you watch grow and stumble and succeed from age four to adulthood. There’s also some romance, a reunion, and themes of different kinds of family to add emotional heart to the book it. Recommended to readers of suspense novels (especially those dealing with science or medicine) as well as to readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction; fans of both will find something to enjoy in “Miracle Man.”

William R. Leibowitz has been practicing entertainment for quite some time, and he did an excellent job of entertaining me while I read his novel.
The very beginning grabs you with a baby being found in a dumpster, and raised by foster parents. My dad was raised in an orphans home. He often wished he had foster parents ... or anyone he could call a parent.
This is a refreshing read and it kept me enjoying each page.
The genius in this novel could be the author himself since this is his first attempt at writing. He has a knack for creating interesting characters and plenty of emotion.
Truthfully, how many geniuses have we missed by them not getting the opportunities of others. Geniuses do not think or act like us normals...(at least I think I am normal ... maybe I am a genius and don’t know it (just kidding, of course.)
All kidding aside, I believe readers will go the distance on “Miracle Man”.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author) "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder

After bringing Miracle Man with me on a few work trips, I decided to start from the beginning this past weekend. Needless to say I couldn’t put it down and finished it in 3 days.

This story has a very unique main character as well as a cast that you grow to like or absolutely are disgusted by. Having it take place in a great deal of local settings here in New England also made it fun to read.

There are a few twists in the story, but that’s all I’ll say as to prevent spoilers.

Great read, was the first book to kick off my annual summer reading list. Pulls you in, and keeps you there because you wanna know what happens next. Reads like it could be an action/thriller flick. Definitely check this book out!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The synopsis of this story intrigued me greatly. But I wondered if it would be too over my head or hard to understand given the subject matter. There were parts of the story that were a little difficult to get through but for the most part I understood the vast majority of it. I felt sorry for Robert Austin and his plight. He is a very lonely person and no one can see that. All they see when they look at him is a man with an IQ beyond comprehension, not a lonely human being. It seems as though his peers will do whatever it takes to keep him happy and pacified as long as they get what they want. It isn't until Robert decides to change his path that the real truth comes out.

This is not a feel-good happily ever after story. The ending is a little bit of a shocker and leaves the story open but is not a cliffhanger. Robert has a lot of demons both internal and external that play a huge role in his life. This story is a dark, depressing look at the life of people that are perceived as different, even when they are seemingly surrounded by their own kind. It was a difficult read at times, as my heart broke for Robert. I wanted to jump into the story and just give him a big hug and be his friend. The story was really well written and engaging and very emotional.

It is quite a feat recently for me to find a book I consider a 5 star book. It is also quite a feat to discover a 5 star read which totally held my attention and took me several days to finish. Miracle Man is that book.

I was totally blown away by the story, even though at times I didn't follow it 100%. There is a lot of technical, medical and mathematical jargon within this book. But even if you don't totally 'get' it, you can follow the story.

At the heart of the story is an exceptional young man, Bobby, who is born with an IQ which is totally off the scale, and destined to be something special in whatever he decides to do.

There are those who try to mold him into becoming something different, but he decides to stick to his guns and go his own way. He is someone who knows his own mind, even if he isn't quite sure how to achieve his goals. Once he knows what he has to do he works tirelessly to make it happen, often at the detriment of his health.

There are several points within the book where the author throws in a total curveball, he even throws in one right at the end which could point to another book. I would love to see where the author takes the story should he do a sequel.

An amazing read from an author who draws you into the story in such a way you will find yourself rooting for Bobby to achieve everything he sets out to, and hating those who are out to stop him. The author shows his own talent throughout the whole of the story. A definite one to watch in the future.

Like many other reviewers, I only review when something is really amazing (I finished it in 3 days). This novel provided a fascinating perspective into the life and transformation of Bobby, a true genius. It's grounded in just enough science for almost all of the themes to be realistic and just enough fiction to provide thrilling drama. Bobby's battles with corporate and political greed, even as a genius, include hardship and really make you appreciate the good people in your life and the world. His struggles to solve the world's greatest problems are almost spiritual and illuminate that there really is so much we don't know.

This text was truly inspiring and written beautifully. It'll get you thinking about higher powers, what we should value in people, and many other wonderful themes.

Definitely would recommend!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The synopsis of this story intrigued me greatly. But I wondered if it would be too over my head or hard to understand given the subject matter. There were parts of the story that were a little difficult to get through but for the most part I understood the vast majority of it. I felt sorry for Robert Austin and his plight. He is a very lonely person and no one can see that. All they see when they look at him is a man with an IQ beyond comprehension, not a lonely human being. It seems as though his peers will do whatever it takes to keep him happy and pacified as long as they get what they want. It isn't until Robert decides to change his path that the real truth comes out.

This is not a feel-good happily ever after story. The ending is a little bit of a shocker and leaves the story open but is not a cliffhanger. Robert has a lot of demons both internal and external that play a huge role in his life. This story is a dark, depressing look at the life of people that are perceived as different, even when they are seemingly surrounded by their own kind. It was a difficult read at times, as my heart broke for Robert. I wanted to jump into the story and just give him a big hug and be his friend. The story was really well written and engaging and very emotional.

To call Miracle Man a 'medical thriller' or a 'political story' would be to do it an injustice. Miracle Man is about miracles, motivations, ethics and morals, and the influence of special interests in the work of genius minds. It's about one 'super' boy's devotion to solving some of medicine's greatest mysteries against forces that would divert these great talents to something darker; and it's ultimately about the ability to withstand moral and ethical temptations against all odds. Readers are treated to a plot with many twists and turns: it holds intrigue, describes compulsions and diversions, shows how a genius battles dark forces within and outside of himself, and generally paints a powerful picture of a search for privacy, as much as meaning.
----And so a gripping novel of psychological tension becomes much more than your usual 'medical thriller', and I recommend it as pick for any who want high octane action and emotionally-charged reading right up to an unexpected, gripping conclusion.

I love psychological thrillers so I was very excited to be able to read this. First, I enjoyed that the author took no time getting into the story. Which was captivating and very compelling. I loved the medical side of this story too. The conspiracy aspect of this story didn't feel so much like a conspiracy. It felt realistically possibly, at least in this story. Although the suspense factor I didn't really get. There wasn't really a suspenseful feel for me, although there were a few surprises and twists I did not see coming. Bottom line, this was very enjoyable and fun to read even though I was disappointed over the lack of suspense.

Already by the title and the mesmeric eyes, I was intrigued and wanted to know more about what the story entailed. I was definitely not disappointed, and it kept me gripped with anticipation and excitement. To say it is a page-turner is an understatement. It was William's quality of research, his very convincing dialogue, and how he made each of his characters so compelling and real that really enamoured me to the script. I have to confess that I have not finished the book yet, because I am almost not wanting it to end, it is that good! I have my own quirky way of reading good books, and rather than devouring it in one sit, I very much savour and wallow in the sensual experience it engenders. However this does not negate what I have written in the previous lines, which I would stand by wholeheartedly. I very much look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It starts out in a way that pulls you in, and doesn't let go. With a child whose genius is beyond anything ever measured before, this story was unlike anything I have ever read. I quickly captivated by the little boy, Bobby, and found it hard to put it down.

As it progressed, I only found myself more enthralled. There were times where I just wanted to smack one of the characters upside their head for frustrating the hell out of me.

Despite my interest it it, some of the writing felt a little awkward. I can't quite put my finger on my issue with it though.

All and all, this was a pretty great read. Highly recommend it.

4/5 Platypires

If you are a reader who loves a book that is centered around science, mathematics, mystery and suspense, then Miracle Man is a must read for you. Author, William R. Lebowitz does a fantastic job of hooking the reader from the start and delivers a suspenseful nonstop, thrilling, keep you guessing all the way to the shocking, riveting end.

I always like to keep my reviews spoiler free, and with this read, I’ll have to be careful. I admit, ‘Miracle Man’ isn’t my usual book choice, but once I started, I didn’t want to put it down. The story is extremely well written and character development was executed very well. There are areas where time advancement takes place, and usually I don’t like that, but it flows really well and seamlessly.

The main character, Robert James Austin, (Bobby) is a super genius using his powers for good while some powerful forces conspire against him. Bobby experiences some traumatic and heartbreaking life changing events that catapult him into a dark place. His amazing gift leaves him lonely at times, and while he is able to recover, he always carries the scars. Bobby is extremely driven and has sets goals for himself, and you can’t help but root for him. There were so many times when I wanted to reach into the book and hug Bobby tight.

I wish I could say so much more, but I really don’t want to give anything away. This is such a fantastic book and I really enjoyed reading it. William R. Lebowitz has beautifully written a fantastic novel with a shocking end that leaves the story open to a possible sequel, to which I will be the first in line to purchase if that is indeed the case. If you haven’t read ‘Miracle Man‘, and are looking for something different and rare, you won’t be disappointed in ‘Miracle Man.’

How would it feel to have a super smart genius making cures for deadly diseases left and right? Well, your dreams are about to come true! In this five-star rated book, a little child named Bobby stuns adults with his IQ and his degree of smartness, but there is a bad effect to his smartness. Every night, Bobby has nightmares and it seems to him that the nightmares are becoming worse and worse every night. Soon afterward, his foster parents, die and his mentor Joe Manzini, he starts to devote his energies to finding medical cures for diseases. Bobby soon gets kicked out a combined program of M.I.T. and Harvard, so he goes to another university called Tufts. Soon he gets cures for deadly diseases, and then, some people don’t like him so, they try to do some assassination plots so Bobby is forced to move into another house to work.
Now, with people trying to murder him, and Bobby trying to cure more diseases, Bobby knows that he is fighting something that is pure evil and can’t be stopped. With his relentless working, Bobby has made one of worst diseases, tuberculosis (TB), cured and will start working on AIDES. His cure of TB made some angry pharmacy businessmen mad because Bobby made their expensive and money making medicine, statins, obsolete. With Bobby working around Boston, in around today’s time, many people agreed that Bobby was good, but not all people agreed that was good.

The main character is Bobby and he is super smart with a lot of paranoia for the government. He also suffers from nightmares which seem to be getting worse. Bobby has intense blue eye, is tall, and seems to be handsome.

This is theme of the book that is with a lot of good in this world, there is evil, and that evil is the diseases that want to kill humankind. Some evidence supports me by saying, “I felt this force oppose me.”

I highly recommend this book and I give it a five stars.

I was initially drawn to this book because I am a psychologist. While my training helped me understand parts of the book, I don't think it's essential in understanding the plot or completely adoring Bobby, the main character. A few of the psych testing are inaccurate, but it's easy to dismiss in the name of fiction.

Without giving away the story, I was thoroughly entranced in watching Bobby grow up and become successful, navigating life experiences along the way. There were unexpected plot twists along the way that kept the story fresh and interesting. The characters made it easy to step into their world.

Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone that likes psychological thrillers!

This book was hard to put down. Every chapter lead you into a deeper look and understanding of Robert James Austin, the genius Miracle Man. It was an easy read with a fantastic story that kept you wondering, what will happen next? It was very creative and original especially because the story was relative to humanity. The classic good vs. evil was at it's best but with an impressive twist. I can not wait for the sequel to this book, which I believe will be just as thrilling. Kudos to William R. Leibowitz. Keep them coming.

Your extraordinary book, to me, was not just Bobby's story. The forces that led him seemed to be from another plane. But in fact, so much that you captured that was woven into his existence, is the negativity and contradiction of our government, the medical and research environment and the battles of morality and philosophy that haunt so many of us today. Robert Austin's genius , to me, was all n this world that is stifled by these battles.

Having worked in the clinical research world and the medical community, I was often conflicted with decisions to make or directions to take. Having lost my own son at age 17 to a rare cancer, I could not grasp why there was no research on this particular cell. His neurosurgeon bluntly told me, "because there is no money in it or for it". My dear brother recently died. He was HIV+ and spent every penny he earned for 20 years to pay for his medications to stay alive. I represent a drop in the sea of humanity who suffer/suffered for these very same reasons.

For me, identifying with Bobby and who and what he represents came quickly. I am grateful for being drawn to the tale and will not soon forget it's impact. The power of one, positive or negative was so clear in your story.

I read your book "Miracle Man" about Robert(bobby-super genius who lost friend Joe due to cancer - was at a government funded institute near Boston for genius-but his sponsors wanted him involved with military applications which he refused - Bobby began his career in medical research to cure the incurable diseases- UNISERVE - received many Nobel awards for -his contributions to medical science - ALS, MS, Malaria, MD, AIDS, etc. and the pharmaceutical company wanted him dead, and another group tried to stop him, and CIA (Varney)helps him when they can but they could not stop Bobby self destructive behavior when he bombed his own Research Lab). Have you seen movie Real Genius - fun. I look forward to more books from the author William Leibowitz about spies/super genius. I rate your book, excellent over 5 Stars. I have read sci-fi, science and thousands of books in my life and I appreciate "Miracle Man" took me three days to read. Thank the author for this book and your future books yet to write.tom from arizona over five stars.*********

This book made my holiday gift list after I read a review. So my thanks to Mr. Leibowitz for his great story and to a family member for working the list. I enjoyed the book a great deal. It struck a chord for me characterizing the type of hero we need not the flash celebrities who dominant the news. His demons, internal and external made it alernately exciting and heart wrenching. His fictional adversary, big Pharma, could keep you up at night and maybe it should.
Well worth the read. Best book for me in a while so I look forward to another Mr Leibowitz.

A member of our Lake Michigan Beach Book Club recommended this title for her submission and I just finished reading it.

I couldn't put it down. Very well written and accurate, with good character development and interesting dialogue/vocabulary. My husband and I work in the medical advertising business for clients in big and small pharma. Liebowitz' understanding of the field was accurate and I enjoyed the way he presented what I find to be a very interesting industry (better than advertising hamburgers, is how I like to put it).

We meet in two weeks to discuss this title and I look forward to a lively discussion.

Can't wait to read more obout Robert James Austin.

Robert James Austin was a victim of an unspeakable crime at a very young age. However, the tiny intelligent infant grows up to become a modern day superhero. Robert spends his life researching cures for various diseases. While helping millions of people, Robert effects the bottom line of pharmaceutical companies. Robert has to avoid greedy corporate executives along with an overzealous government official while he continues to work towards his life goals.

The novel had an interesting premise. I enjoyed the idea of a person overcoming personal obstacles to become a better person. However, the novel I felt was mundane and was too long for no reason. The book was very dull and boring. Even though the ending had a surprise twist, I honestly don't think it was worth reading this book until the end. This novel is listed as a thriller and suspense novel but, it's literally one dimensional with all the villains exposed with no mystery to be solved.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

This book hit a little too close to home with me right now! For the past six months I have been dealing with trying to get a proper diagnosis for an immune ailment that is causing various symptoms. Reading a story about a boy/man that has the ability to create and come up with cures for many of the illnesses that are plaguing our world was not only heartwarming but also made me think that is possible! The idea of having someone who has the mental ability to see things that many of us can't is really incredible. But along with this "gift" comes the life of never being normal. This story takes you through the life of Austin and gives you an insight into the struggles he experienced and how certain people where put into his life to help him. Great read! I really enjoyed this story, unique but could happen!

I was a little concerned about reading Miracle Man when I saw how many pages it was. I got the book on Thursday and had my book club meeting on Monday. Not a problem. I finished it on Sunday. I had trouble putting it down. It was riveting from the beginning. The story of Robert James Austin was captivating from the beginning. I LOVED IT and recommend it to all who like something a little different. I look forward to the sequel. Carol Felenstein

Surprised me...the twist and the craft is awesome. I found the writing extra ordinary in craft and every page is a mini canvass of real horror...one will find the story exciting and realistic...no thing artificial a real life life feeling will spread across the reading experience ... one can find curves and creative surprising and twists across the book...good to read.

I heard about Miracle Man from a good friend of mine. So I mentioned it to my wife who is a voracious reader and downloaded it to her kindle. She enjoyed MM so much that she recommended and placed on her book club must read list. Although, I primarily like to read non-fiction literature, magazine articles and screenplays. I read the book on a flight back to LA from NY and was moved by the story and the journey of our protagonist Robert James Austin "Bobby" boy wonder and super hero. I was inspired by his humanity his struggle against the dark forces, within himself, the government and corporate institutions that are out to control his genius. MM is a tour de force with an ensemble cast of characters all beating to the drum of this hypnotic epic thriller. MM takes the reader on an incredible journey filled action, romance, discovery and a twist of fate. A movie in the making.

I was gifted this book for an honest review! Wow....I don't know what I can tell you without telling you to much! This story was well written ans it kept me on pins and needles. This book made me talk out loud to it! I know it is a GREAT book when I start talking back to the book! This book makes you think. Is this truly what the government do with highly intelligent people. This book was well researched and very moving! I 200% recommend that you read this book!

Leibowitz has written a GREAT novel that explores the life of a super genius who wins 6 Nobel prizes. He makes the point that there have been no cures for illnesses in 50 years though the pharmaceutical industry eagerly pursues palliative remedies to increase their bottom line.

Review: MIRACLE MAN

What an engrossing, compelling, educational, and inspiring. If only the world held men and women of such dedication as Robert James Austin! Not only his immense genius, but his heart and compassion, could turn the tide of society--and certainly halt the widespread rampancy of disease and terminal illness.

I reviewed a digital copy provided by the author via a blog tour; no fees were exchanged.

Very thought provoking. Found it a perfect balance of science, human behavior, family, politics, illness, health, friendships, great losses, mental instability. Great pride and accomplishments. Can't wait for the next one!

I just completed reading Miracle Man as well as the post Q&A in the review section. Oh my God what a breathtaking read it was as if I was watching a movie; this should be a motion picture.

First off, WOW, WOW and WOW. Wow, what a great book a wonderful captivating read with a spellbinding plot. You had me going in many directions and I found myself not wanting to know if Robert James dies. I am glad for your huge surprise because I believe there is sequel or two...this should be a trilogy.

I know from the start that the author researched the topic of genius and that was proven in his Q&A. I love to read and average for to five books per month. Miracle Man is my top read of 2017. I've finished a half dozen books in 2017 and several were great books and Miracle Man topped them all. Congratulations on this book keep it going and

Best Wishes Mr. Leibowitz and keep this going

I thought this was a very well written and interesting book to read. I would recommend this to anyone as it keeps you guessing with plot twists and turns and unleashes a good ending! We are waiting with bated breath for the next installment! Thank you Mr. Leibowitz!

A friend of mine told me about Miracle Man and said I "had" to read it.
Honestly, I'm not big on the Thriller genre...but I couldn't put this one down.
It has the epic feel of a classic novel in the vein of "The Fountainhead". It is more than just a thriller. It has humor, romance and of course-many twists and turns leading to an exciting "conclusion". I put that in quotes because I am hoping that there will be a sequel.

I am a producer and a director of film and video. As I was reading Miracle Man, I couldn't help but see the movie in my head. I want to see that film...hell, I want to make it! In the meantime, read the book!

I was drawn to the main character from the start; intrigue, suspense, inspiring look into the mind of a gifted individual and miracle romance to boot. Can't wait to see what comes next. A real page-turner from the first chapter.

Been meaning to post something about the novel Miracle Man by Bill Leibowitz for awhile. It was a gift and a terrific one at that! All of us lead such busy lives and this is a book that is certainly worth your time.
"Miracle Man" is such a surprising read about a unique young genius Bobby Austin. I hated to put this book down and looked forward to every moment I had to pick it up again.
Loved the characters, the story, and just really loved this book!
I give it 5 stars!

So many thrillers deal with men using their brawn rather than their intellect to vanquish evil, it's great to see a protagonist use his intellect to solve many of the world's diseases and save millions of lives.

I thought the solutions sounded very plausible.

A fun read from the beginning to the final page.

The storyline was as fascinating as anything I've read. Add to that an easy and smooth writing style and I found myself reading hours into the night when I really needed to sleep. The 4 star is a bit low really. I'd really give it 4.5 stars, but I can't quite give it the full 5 stars. At times it felt like it was almost written to become a movie. In a few spots the narrative felt a bit mechanical in order to keep the plot moving while maintaining the story integrity. But the story flowed beautifully and there were no holes that I detected. I loved the book and would recommend it for anybody but the most snobby of readers to read.

Intelligent writing, imaginative turns, realistic theories, practical details......this story has it all, and the potential in the sequel for even more. One of those "forget everything else, I want to read more" books.

As the Austins take a baby in that no body wanted, they knew he would do great things, and he did but at grwat expenses. Bobby is a somewhat strange but wonderful person but struggles along the way. At times my heart was broke for him at time I wanted to shake him.

Really great read, draws you into the characters m could not put it diwn to see wgat happened to Bobby.

This story is amazing and carries the reader forward with every twist and turn. The main character, "Bobby" is indelibly imprinted in my brain. I think about him and worry about him as though he is real and I am hoping William R. Leibowitz that you see this review and realize this reader wants a sequel.

This had a lot of potential, but there are a number of issues that make me cringe.

- Characters are flat, paper cut-outs. Only two characters seem well developed - the main and his mentor. The other characters are just crutches the author uses to advance the story. Particularly troublesome are the female characters presented in the last half of the book. The love interest is an accomplished, well-adjusted woman but once she become a love interest, she tosses all of her ambition and goals to become a caretaker. Blech!

- The science in this science fiction novel is barely present. It's flat and uninteresting.

- The sometime villain from the earliest part of the novel has a sudden reversal of opinion and it's completely unclear why he decides to do so.

- The biggest sin, I suppose, is the dreadful editing. There are multiple stylistic mistakes (are we going to write-out number or use Arabic numerals?). Some one of the supporting characters is refered to as having a wife or a girlfriend. Word choice in general here and there seems clunky and distracts from the plot and characters.

A good idea and interesting premise are ruined by a so-so writer.

I just read miracle man, and found it to be outstanding!!! A totally different story line that has ever been written. It was interesting, exciting and the author had done quite a bit of research to write it. I read it in two days I couldn't put it down. A DEFINITE MUST READ!!!!

I rarely write reviews, but this book is so exceptional I was compelled to. At this moment I'm sitting in a hospital bed receiving powerful chemotherapy drugs. The pull of Miracle man has helped me muddle through. Possibly the best book I've read in a very long time

I just finished Miracle Man. It was one of the most riveting books I have ever read. The character development along with the twists and turns of this highly charged book allowed me to finish it in three days and I was sad to turn the last page. I would put this at the top of any reading list. I can't wait to read the sequel. Jb

I was excited to read this book because of the plot and the idea of a genius helping the world....using his powers for good! But I loved this book because of the pace and the attention to detail the author gave! Such a great book! Can't wait for the next one!

I WAS A LITTLE HESITANT AT THE VERY BEGINNING BUT SOON GOT HOOKED. THE STORY WAS ABOUT MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN AND I FOUND MYSELF ALMOST BELIEVING IT HAD HAPPENED, TILL NEAR THE END. I COULD HARDLY PUT IT DOWN AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK BY MR. LEIBOWITZ WHICH HE SAID WOULD BE COMING.

I just finished Miracle Man. It was one of the most riveting books I have ever read. The character development along with the twists and turns of this highly charged book allowed me to finish it in three days and I was sad to turn the last page. I would put this at the top of any reading list. I can't wait to read the sequel. Jb

I was excited to read this book because of the plot and the idea of a genius helping the world....using his powers for good! But I loved this book because of the pace and the attention to detail the author gave! Such a great book! Can't wait for the next one!

I WAS A LITTLE HESITANT AT THE VERY BEGINNING BUT SOON GOT HOOKED. THE STORY WAS ABOUT MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN AND I FOUND MYSELF ALMOST BELIEVING IT HAD HAPPENED, TILL NEAR THE END. I COULD HARDLY PUT IT DOWN AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK BY MR. LEIBOWITZ WHICH HE SAID WOULD BE COMING.

An entertaining summer read. It's a bit far-fetched, but it's adequately written and very enjoyable. I could hardly put it down. But it didn't leave me wanting more. I'll probably pass on the sequel.

Really? So many people LOVED this book? I guess it was mildly entertaining, but it was pretty predictable and kind of juvenile in terms of plot and character development. I wanted to stop reading half way through but thought maybe it would get more interesting in the 2nd half - I was wrong.