Patrick Carman’s Pulse is the first book in the “Pulse” series.
Sixteen-year-old Faith Daniels lives outside of the States in the year 2051. The States is a wonderful place that is full of people and good technology. Outside the States, there are very few people. Many schools are forced to combine in order to create a larger school, but even those larger schools have less than 200 students. Every day, more and more people are moving to the States. Although not forced to move, the promise of happier times and the allure of better technology lure people to them. Faith’s school just merged with another to form the school of Old Park Hill. Faith soon discovers she has the “pulse” or telekinetic powers.
Faith is a great protagonist. At first glance, she seems like a regular schoolgirl content to live in her dystopian life, but at a closer glance, she is also very curious and determined. These character traits set her up for the possibility to develop exponentially. Although her character doesn't grow very much, she tries to learn from her past mistakes and not make the same stupid choices again.
Pulse starts very slowly, but builds up for an amazing ending. This book perfectly fits the snowball analogy. The book's beginning was very slow. The snowball picks up speed and mass until it is a force to be reckoned with. The author provides hints at things that would make a lot of sense and define the overall plot in this book. In the summary, it says, “With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers she can move objects with her mind.” The synopsis makes you think that this event would take place early in the plot, but that is an extremely incorrect assumption. This event takes place surprisingly late and most of the early chapters are spent world building and preparing for this event.
In all, I give this 371 page book 4 stars.
Series Analysis
The Pulse Trilogy, by Patrick Carman was an entertaining read. The trilogy includes Pulse, Tremor, and Quake. It is a dystopian series taking place in 2051. A few people are gifted with a pulse, a strong telekinetic power. While it has a great concept, it is a book for tween readers. It isn't meant for experienced YA readers; instead, it if for kids being introduced to the YA section. Goodreads gives this series an average of 3.82 stars and this site gives it 4 stars.
Pulse
Pulse takes place in the year 2051. In many places around the world, there are places called the States. The States are huge, massively-populate areas and are the optimal place to live. People live outside the States, but the number is dwindling each day. In this world, there also exist people with the "Pulse". People with the "Pulse" have a strong telekinetic power. People with a "Second Pulse" have a much greater telekinetic power and the ability to deflect objects. Intels are people with enhanced intelligence.