"Elysia is created in a
laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no
life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a
teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to
die in order for Elysia to exist.
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world." (Goodreads)
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world." (Goodreads)
Review:
I have never in my life read a book about
clones or cloning. Those of you who have, I’m sure, are probably groaning that
the first one I read was...a teen book haha. The cover of this book is actually
what caught my eye. It piqued my interest and had me curious enough to pick it
up and read it. I am glad I stepped out of my normal realm, and tried something
new. This is the first book in a series (or maybe just a trilogy, I’m not sure)
and I’m super excited for the next one because HOLY CLIFFHANGER!!!! I am
finding it really hard to write this review without giving away anything about
the story! I like the main character and I find it very interesting following
her story and seeing how things progress. Just when I think I know what the
author is going to do next, she throws in a curveball! I LOVE curveballs! There
are definitely other characters in this book that I love to hate....and I can’t
wait to see what happens to those characters in future stories. I think they
may have a thing or two coming their way.
I liked that this story did not seem
unbelievable. I know when a lot of people think of science fiction they think
of out of this world type storylines, but I believed everything I was reading
as I read it. I think it brings up issues we’ve had in the past (and to some
extent in the present) such as slavery, and it also brings up ethical issues. I
think it’s a really great read overall and I really hope you will check it out!
And PLEASE let me know if you do!!! I give this book a 4/5.
Happy Reading!
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