Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Hunted:
You don't feel much like living if you can't be yourself...

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield had me on the edge of my seat the entire book. The last few pages seemed like they flew right by, and Cheryl left just enough questions for me to love to see more of Caitlyn and her friends in future books. Heart-pumping danger fills every page, and the main character was so emotionally engaging that I felt every hardship as if it were my own. There is a small touch of romance in this story that helped to lighten some of the darker subject matter. It was sweet and pure, making my heart go all pitter-patter through every scene with Alex and Caitlyn. The story focuses on the main character, Caitlyn, rather than on the world itself. You know she lives in a terribly hostile environment where anyone who is different is considered a threat. And by "different" I mean anyone that is a “Para:” a person with psychic talents. We don't know why being a Para is illegal, but I loved how Cheryl focused on the characters to drive this book. Caitlyn was a strong heroine with an incredible moral compass, despite having seen her father brutally murdered by Normals as a child. Learning to trust is a very difficult thing for Caitlyn, but she feels an instant connection with two people in her new school. And they show her that equality for the Paras might just be possible in the future.

Caitlyn is a very powerful telepath, and her brother, Daniel, wields just as much power. But after being captured by the government, Daniel changed. He no longer values any life other than that of the Paras. There are three different factions working against the safety of the Paras, and the one her brother is involved with is not sanctioned by the government. They are called “The Authority” and hope to "cleanse" the earth of all the Normal people. But Caitlyn knows that will only do more harm than good. Yes, she wishes to be free of her fear and the oppression by the government, but what Daniel plans is nothing short of a massacre. He has been maneuvering her into this place and time for years, hoping she will join his cause, but when she refuses to hurt those around her, he is willing to have her captured by the very people that he once ran from. His betrayal of Caitlyn was completely heartbreaking, and it began a long time ago leading up to this final showdown.