| Lee Urban must win to survive. After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand. There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year. With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain— she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents. Genre: YA Science Fiction Release Date: September 16, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
My Review
Will she survive long enough to start the race....
I fell in love with Candace Kade's sci-fi-ish debut novel, Enhanced, thanks to the edge of your seat action and excellent worldbuilding. Somehow, the author managed to amp things up in the second book in The Hybrid series. Then comes Augmented. Just when you think that the stakes can't get any higher for Lee Urban...they do, in a really big way.
The Hybrid series has gone from strength to strength as it has progressed. It has continued to be both entertaining and engrossing for YA readers and adults, such as myself, alike. But there has been a great deal more to the story than just some really good sci-fi. In Augmented, author Candace Kade speaks through the experiences of her heroine about the broken pieces of our lives not being the end. About those broken pieces being made into something new. Different than what was before but by no means worthless.
As I've read The Hybrid series I've felt like Lee Urban has become something of a friend. Reading Augmented has been a little bittersweet for me as it is a satisfying conclusion - with a few surprises thrown in - but that is the word. Conclusion. I have to say goodbye to Lee Urban, Everest, and the other characters I've come to know. Ahh...Well...Now I must simply live in the hope of reading more from Candace Kade in the future....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Augmented by Candace Kade a 5 Bark rating.
I fell in love with Candace Kade's sci-fi-ish debut novel, Enhanced, thanks to the edge of your seat action and excellent worldbuilding. Somehow, the author managed to amp things up in the second book in The Hybrid series. Then comes Augmented. Just when you think that the stakes can't get any higher for Lee Urban...they do, in a really big way.
The Hybrid series has gone from strength to strength as it has progressed. It has continued to be both entertaining and engrossing for YA readers and adults, such as myself, alike. But there has been a great deal more to the story than just some really good sci-fi. In Augmented, author Candace Kade speaks through the experiences of her heroine about the broken pieces of our lives not being the end. About those broken pieces being made into something new. Different than what was before but by no means worthless.
As I've read The Hybrid series I've felt like Lee Urban has become something of a friend. Reading Augmented has been a little bittersweet for me as it is a satisfying conclusion - with a few surprises thrown in - but that is the word. Conclusion. I have to say goodbye to Lee Urban, Everest, and the other characters I've come to know. Ahh...Well...Now I must simply live in the hope of reading more from Candace Kade in the future....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Augmented by Candace Kade a 5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Candace
Have you ever broken a cherished possession?
I have. It was my porcelain mug that I bought while traveling through Ireland. The trip was so special and that cup always brought me happy memories as I sipped tea from it.
My husband tried to fix it for me, but the mug is not the same. It now sits tucked in the back of our cupboards too broken to be used but too precious to be throw away.
Being broken doesn’t mean something—or someone—loses purpose.
In kintsugi, the Japanese art form that involves intentionally breaking tea ware, the fragments left over are pieced back together with golden filling. The final result is more beautiful than the original unblemished version ever could be.
The brokenness enhances the tea ware’s beauty.
In my novel Augmented, I wanted to draw a comparison between brokenness and beauty. Just like kintsugi takes broken pottery and turns it into something beautiful, my protagonist Urban faces her own transformation. She is hopeless and feels like she can’t pick up the shattered pieces of her life. But as she tries out for the world’s most deadly race, she learns that being broken doesn’t mean what she thinks it does.
The things that happen to us have a purpose. If we let the Creator finish His masterpiece (us) He’ll use the fragmented pieces of our lives to make a beautiful finished work of art.
Urban feels the same way, believing her brokenness defines her. But through trial and grace, she discovers what it means to be made new.
No one is too broken to be saved or redeemed.
I wrote this book for anyone who’s ever felt lost, hopeless, or broken. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength.
I have. It was my porcelain mug that I bought while traveling through Ireland. The trip was so special and that cup always brought me happy memories as I sipped tea from it.
My husband tried to fix it for me, but the mug is not the same. It now sits tucked in the back of our cupboards too broken to be used but too precious to be throw away.
Being broken doesn’t mean something—or someone—loses purpose.
In kintsugi, the Japanese art form that involves intentionally breaking tea ware, the fragments left over are pieced back together with golden filling. The final result is more beautiful than the original unblemished version ever could be.
The brokenness enhances the tea ware’s beauty.
In my novel Augmented, I wanted to draw a comparison between brokenness and beauty. Just like kintsugi takes broken pottery and turns it into something beautiful, my protagonist Urban faces her own transformation. She is hopeless and feels like she can’t pick up the shattered pieces of her life. But as she tries out for the world’s most deadly race, she learns that being broken doesn’t mean what she thinks it does.
The things that happen to us have a purpose. If we let the Creator finish His masterpiece (us) He’ll use the fragmented pieces of our lives to make a beautiful finished work of art.
Urban feels the same way, believing her brokenness defines her. But through trial and grace, she discovers what it means to be made new.
No one is too broken to be saved or redeemed.
I wrote this book for anyone who’s ever felt lost, hopeless, or broken. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength.
 Candace Kade | Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and OKC to be her homes. When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving (again!), teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping two baby humans alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
The Lofty Pages, September 20
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 21
Wishful Endings, September 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 23 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 25
Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 27
Lily’s Corner, September 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 28
Fiction Book Lover, September 29 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 30
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 1 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 2 (Spotlight)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 3
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 21
Wishful Endings, September 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 23 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 25
Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 27
Lily’s Corner, September 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 28
Fiction Book Lover, September 29 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 30
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 1 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 2 (Spotlight)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 3