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akousar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
gwyneth_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
afoxyone's review against another edition
4.0
When the lives of 4,999 identical sisters depend on your blending in, what on Earth could ever be worth a rebellion? Dahlia 16 discovers that she may not be one of the many and in a cloned society bound by genetics and purpose, this can mean “extinction,” or maybe worse. A great YA title that is fast paced and compelling. I can’t wait to find out what happens to our anomaly.
ayla_steigerwald's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
pnwtinap's review
5.0
I am so intrigued by this universe. the future filled with identicals who are raised to do a certain job and cultivated to not think beyond it. then enter a girl who accidentally realized she is an anomaly and the boy who helped her figure out what it is to be an individual. I really can't wait to read more and explore more of this story.
mtong987's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. I love dystopian fiction and clones are such an interesting element. Dahlia 16 is one of 5000 clones who look exactly alike and are trained in different areas (gardening, culinary, soldiers, etc.). After getting stuck in an elevator with Trigger 17 and having a brief chat with him, she quickly realizes something is off and is fearful of being recalled and therefor her entire genome getting recalled as well.
There isn't a lot of depth into why Dahlia needs to be recalled, essentially she has feelings. Dahlia and Trigger cling together very quickly so if you're turned off by "instalove" you might be deterred by their relationship. I enjoyed the sneaking around and seeing some behind the scenes of the Administrator, the only identical person in Lakeview. I thought the ending was great and a perfect twist that I did not expect.
There isn't a lot of depth into why Dahlia needs to be recalled, essentially she has feelings. Dahlia and Trigger cling together very quickly so if you're turned off by "instalove" you might be deterred by their relationship. I enjoyed the sneaking around and seeing some behind the scenes of the Administrator, the only identical person in Lakeview. I thought the ending was great and a perfect twist that I did not expect.
stressedspidergirl's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorites I think.
It's a lot of fun, and it keeps you going and guessing and enjoying the story the whole way through and it's fun to see how the misconceptions work and the twists and turn aren't necessarily startling but they're fun to watch unfold with the characters.
It's a lot of fun, and it keeps you going and guessing and enjoying the story the whole way through and it's fun to see how the misconceptions work and the twists and turn aren't necessarily startling but they're fun to watch unfold with the characters.
literaryk's review against another edition
2.0
If this is the next wave of woman-led dystopian fiction then...yikes. The plot and world building were generic and thinly detailed while characters were flat and uninspiring. The romance felt hollow. After an hour long encounter in a broken elevator, our protagonists basically fall in love (despite Dahlia not having the vocabulary or experience to call it such),and apparently the romance and mystery behind her uniqueness was enough justification to risk the lives of Dahlia's friends (who are also clones of her).
The ending attempts a curveball as it reveals an upper class society kept secret from the working class clones, but this also falls flat and forced.
At least it was a quick and easy read-- would recommend if you're just escaping the real world, yet you're not looking to fall deeply into a fictional one.
The ending attempts a curveball as it reveals an upper class society kept secret from the working class clones, but this also falls flat and forced.
At least it was a quick and easy read-- would recommend if you're just escaping the real world, yet you're not looking to fall deeply into a fictional one.
kaylielongley's review against another edition
1.0
I stayed up to read this "sci-fi light" YA book (author Vincent's description, not mine). And I can't wait to read its followup. What's wrong with me? The entire plot is contrived, from one teenager happenstance meeting another slightly older teenager in a not-quite-like-our-own world, and boom, insta-love. Sound familiar? It doesn't help that the protagonists, Dahlia and Trigger, are whiny (Dahlia) and narcissistic (Trigger) and not all that special In fact, Dahlia's told she's not. There's probably the biggest problem of dumbing down sci-fi: the environment is clearly bad and require labels as such, instead of readers (or citizens) discovering it for themselves. Her discoveries feel real, though redundant. And there's clearly a caste system in place, without the actual label. Why else would some people get to feel sexual urges while others can't even prepare the food they grow?
Since I already have book 2 from the library, and how much is left unshared in this first installment, it feels like Vincent wanted more money, instead of a typical flow of world building, character development, and plot. I feel she's not a particularly careful writer, so some of the book is inconsistent or just doesn't quite make sense: 1. Dahlia 16 shares the DNA of 5000, many of whom are fellow gardeners. So, Poppy, Violet, etc. do the same tasks as her, are the same age as her, have the same genome. Yet our "brave new" Dahlia 16 also looks in awe at Dahlia 17. Does that mean she ages? Does that mean the names keep getting reuses? 2. If Dahlia truly loved her sisters, then why does she spend so much time with Trigger? I understand that's he a novelty in an entirely routine life, but when their world is destroyed, it's hard to empathize because there's more page time on staring at each other than moving life along. So, if you do read this, lower your expectations, expect formula.
Since I already have book 2 from the library, and how much is left unshared in this first installment, it feels like Vincent wanted more money, instead of a typical flow of world building, character development, and plot. I feel she's not a particularly careful writer, so some of the book is inconsistent or just doesn't quite make sense: 1. Dahlia 16 shares the DNA of 5000, many of whom are fellow gardeners. So, Poppy, Violet, etc. do the same tasks as her, are the same age as her, have the same genome. Yet our "brave new" Dahlia 16 also looks in awe at Dahlia 17. Does that mean she ages? Does that mean the names keep getting reuses? 2. If Dahlia truly loved her sisters, then why does she spend so much time with Trigger? I understand that's he a novelty in an entirely routine life, but when their world is destroyed, it's hard to empathize because there's more page time on staring at each other than moving life along. So, if you do read this, lower your expectations, expect formula.