Instant Karma

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Prudence hits her head and wakes up with an odd superpower -- the ability to create instant karma.

Prudence is a responsible student, so she hates last-minute homework Quint, who is her lab partner. She works really hard on her final presentation for marine biology on ecotourism, only to end up with a C because she failed to include actual biology. Pru can't let this awful stain on her grades stand, so she's determined to increase it however she can. Her teacher allows her to redo the project, on one condition -- she has to convince Quint to do it with her.

Pru strikes a bargain with Quint to help at the sea animal rescue center for the summer if he'll work on the project with her. Before her job at the center, Pru's outlook on the project is all about facts and statistics. Working at the center changes Pru's perspective and she sees why ecotourism and wildlife conservation are actually important. She is able to bond with the animals and put faces to the data.

While figuring out her academic struggles, Pru also has a new superpower to come to terms with. Bad things keep happening to people she sees doing awful things -- a billboard vandal falls off the billboard, a girl who cuts in line drops her food. Pru realizes that she can control these events and thinks the universe is on her side.

Quint makes her madder than anyone else, yet good things keep happening to him when she uses her power. It takes a while for Pru to realize that she can reward good deeds as well. Messing with karma seems simple at first, but she ends up creating a complicated moral situation that weighs on her.

As the summer progresses, Pru realizes that Quint isn't as bad as she thought during their lab. He was often late because he was saving animals, but she just thought he was lazy. Pru even starts to like Quint, and she's not at all sure how to handle that!

Pru is forced to own her anxiety and opens up to Quint about why she's so type A. She also learns firsthand how keeping things to herself can have dire consequences. Pru's summer activities ultimately make her appreciate the beautiful world around her, and her power shows her that every situation isn't black and white. She also learns that despite having the best intentions, sometimes life deals you a bad hand.

Rebecca Soler has great emotion and tone for a teenage character. She perfectly captures Pru's snark. Listening to her narration is like having a conversation with a young friend.

Recommended for teens, especially those interested in beach life.

Marissa Meyer has her master's degree in Publishing and a bachelor's in Creative Writing. She lives outside of Tacoma, Washington.

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Narrator: Rebecca Soler

Running Time: 14 hours, 14 minutes

Release Date: November 3, 2020

I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.