Icons (Series by Margaret Stohl)

ICONS is among the many books written by Margaret Stohl tops the list in the series and was first published on May 7th 2013. It has been fancied by many for the balanced combination of science fiction, Dystopia and romance in its storyline. The book has been given Dystopian feeling with the descriptions and background information given about the story.
     The physical setting of the ICONS stories is in Los Angeles. This story begins with the alien ICONS invading and colonizing the earth, it’s lethal and causes mass destruction throught the world, and therefore this leaves the world population threatened. The main characters are: Dol, Ro, Lucas, Tima, Padre and Fortis whoget featured mostly in the story. In the story, Dol is depicted as the main character at the same time the narrator. She easily attracts some feelings of attachment to herself, as she is also admired for her loyalty and strength, she has been depicted as a likable person with her strong virtues though they are not revealed when the story begins. Ro is a friend to Dol as they are always connected throught the story even though Ro’s character contradicts that of Dol, he is more passionate and full of life, he does not take things too seriously as Dol does. They are more than friends as they are willing to reach their limits, because of the love that they finally realize when it comes to saving each other. Lucas the ambassadors’ son on the other hand is not much lively, but his character is heightened towards the end of the ICONS where she is involved proactively toward defeating the ICONS.
The concepts that have been emphasized in the story, one of them being the children’s mythology has made the story fascinating, the fact that they are so much naïve and don’t understand what they are destined for in the future. They try to escape it and each one of them is not convinced about the impact they can mane with this war with the ICONS and it’s through destiny that the four get to meet with each other not knowing what awaits them ahead. The interesting part is when the main characters get to advance and to a point when they use what they always thought was their weakness into strength. Tima who is introduced later in the story has a connection with Lucas. During the introduction, Tima is is little bit inactive as her role does not contribute much in the scenes and one can dislike her at first. With her character and behavior it is noticed that she
has a connection similar to that of Dol and Ro. One wouldn’t recognize Tima’s roles at the start of the story, but her personal growth is realized towards the end of the story when she can bond well with Dol and Ro. Other characters seen later in the story among them is Padre who is a soulful and wonderful man with is role as fatherly figure for Dol and Ro from the start toward the end,this comes after Dol looses her parents as a result of war. Initially everything is normal until when the world loses the war in the town, at this time Dol was living at the countryside which was not greatly affected, she felt a little safe from the terrifying ICONS, little did she know that she was among the ones who were going to deliver the whole world. Dol gets affected later when she ends up loosing her parents as a result of this war. At this point the main characters have been separated but it’s through conspiracy that they get to meet with each other after all being capture and locked together.
When Dol and Ro get captured, they are taken to the embassy where they meet Lucas and Tima. It takes quite some time before the two get to know about their strong bond, each one of them tries to avoid the other and the fact that they have feelings for each other. It is now when the teens get to be locked together, and as they interact they come to realize that they are more alike. Each teen is gifted, each with unique abilities in form of powers that can help them save themselves and later save the entire human kind in future. Through conspiracy, the teens are brought together each realizing the power they possess and through this realize that they join forces and learn to use their powers to escape. At this time they have to solve the mystery regarding their past that of ICON children. Dol, Ro, Tima and Lucas have always concealed their emotions and considered the connection with each other as a weakness, but they soon realize that it’s their greatest gift and strength as it helps them to concur the ICONS. They are able to combine each individual power, after some long struggles they finally defeat the enemy though it takes combined individual effort before they can take the ICONS down . In the story the Lords have been introduced but little information regarding their background has not been emphasized. However, greater attention has been shifted to the four main characters Dol, Ro, Tima and Lucas. The aim of the author being that of focusing on the core characters so as to bring out the intended themes at the end of the book.
The story ends abruptly but at the same time nicely covering the target themes, and the stage set leaving room for additional storyline for the next book. Margaret Stohl being one of the bestselling author has captured the real ideas on how romance and unity can change the world with the four characters playing the part, ICONS which are the creatures who come to concur the world have been depicted as powerful and destructive, and at some point one can think they will finally concur the world. This book among others has been rated as one of the best fiction books ever written as it always keep readers always want skip to know what lies ahead in the next paragraph