Charisma - Jeanne Ryan

A heartracing thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of NERVE, the book that launched the major motion picture!

Aislyn suffers from crippling shyness-that is, until she's offered a dose of Charisma, an underground gene therapy drug guaranteed to make her shine.
The effects are instant.
She's charming, vivacious, and popular.
But strangely, so are some other kids she knows.
The media goes into a frenzy when the disease turns contagious, and then deadly, and the doctor who gave it to them disappears. Aislyn must find a way to stop it, before it's too late.


Part medical thriller, part social justice commentary, Charisma will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Jeanne Ryan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. She dreams of the day scientists develop a DNA alteration for flying. In the meantime, writing provides her wings.

"...this fast-paced and edgy novel has enough thrills, romance, and family drama to please a wide audience. This Robin Cook–like thriller zips along at breakneck speed to a satisfying conclusion."-Booklist

"Ryan (Nerve) offers a cautionary tale about the perils of designer genetics and what happens when scientists' aspirations get ahead of ethics. Her take on the topic is fresh and intriguing."-Publishers Weekly

"Suspense balances with discussions of bioethics for a provocative and entertaining read. A sympathetic protagonist combines with intriguing medical possibility for a solid thriller."-Kirkus Reviews

"Charisma by Jeanne Ryan is at its best when it gets technical. Considering Ryan has a PHD and has worked with youth development programs and social workers, it's obvious she knows what she talking about."-Hypable

"Not a far step from Ned Vizzini's Be More Chill...The science is explained well enough for non-scientist readers to understand, and gives teens much to think about regarding medical ethics and experimentation."-School Library Journal

"The science is both sharp and accessible here, and readers will get a sense of the nuances and messiness of genetic alterations while staying in Aislyn's world."-BCCB