Replica by Lauren Oliver

Title: Replica

Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: October 4, 2016
Pages: 544
Source/format: ARC borrowed from Rachel

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born. 'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice. But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra - or number 24 as she is known as at Haven - and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape. Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing , they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever...

M Y  T H O U G H T S

There are three ways to read Replica. Readers can start with Lyra's story first and then read Gemma's story last. Or the reader can read Gemma's story first and Lyra's story last. Or readers can read each girls' story alternating chapters. I ended up doing the latter. I started with Lyra and alternated with Gemma every two chapters.

Two girls are somehow intertwined and both stories take place at the same time. It's an interesting take on a book where the reader can read two stories that are interconnected with one another. The dual perspective keeps the pace of the plot engaging and the structure of the books creates a fascinating reading experience.

Lyra is a replica, also known as a biologically engineered human model. She lives in a research institute on an island off of Florida with other replicas being watched by doctors, nurses and scientists.

Gemma lives with her family in North Carolina as a normal human but uncovers secrets her parents have been hiding from her. Gemma is able to get a ride with her friend Pete and ends up befriending Jake Witz who knows a bit about the secrets of the Haven institute. Gemma wants to know how her father is connected with Haven.

Lauren Oliver's writing is superb. She makes you think of who you are. Replica is about identity and individuality. Oliver shows how conditioning can shape the person they are who they are today. Part of someone's identity comes from their genetics but a lot of it has to do with their upbringings. Oliver also taps into trust. Who can you trust? Oliver does a fantastic job with the character development and plotting out every interaction. Each person in the book is somewhat important to this puzzle of mysteries.

Erin Fitzsimmons did a wonderful job with Replica's dust jacket. The mirror image with the butterfly and the two sides of the book is perfect to convey two perspectives of the same story.

Replica is a stunning and insightful sci-fi novel. If you're interested in books like the Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien, definitely check out Replica. I am super excited to read the second book in the series called Simulation.

Looking Ahead: Cover Reveals #4

Although it's still winter, there has been many wonderful cover reveals this week for Fall 2016 titles. I am super excited to see such ravishing cover designs. I know we're not suppose to judge a book by it's cover but sometimes the cover helps draw in more readers. I also love to see covers that portray the books well in terms of plot, characterization and themes. I cannot wait to dive into these books based on their synopsis but I hope each title has a cover that correlate with the novel as a whole.

Entertainment Weekly revealed the cover to Lauren Oliver's Replica. I am definitely loving how there are two books in one. The covers are VIBRANT and the simple. Definitely check out the interview on the EW website. Also, Awesomness Films has acquired the movie rights to Replica earlier this month. You can check out more information on the Deadline site. Congrats to Ms. Oliver!

Title: Replica
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: October 4, 2016

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Replica, the first of the two books, tells the story of Lyra, known by the number 24, a replica – human model – who was born, raised, and observed in a clandestine research facility called the Haven Institute. When Lyra escapes from Haven and meets Gemma, a stranger on a quest of her own, earth-shattering secrets are revealed.

Epic Reads released many Fall 2016 cover reveals this week. On Monday, they revealed the cover to As I Descended by Robin Talley. This Shakespeare-inspired story of Macbeth is sure to please many this coming fall. Ready to see a book full of revenge and redemption? Also, how CREEPY is that cover?

Title: As I Descended
Author: Robin Talley
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: September 6, 2016

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Maria Lyon and Lily Boiten are their school’s ultimate power couple—even if no one knows it but them.

Only one thing stands between them and their perfect future: campus superstar Delilah Dufrey.

Golden child Delilah is a legend at the exclusive Acheron Academy, and the presumptive winner of the distinguished Cawdor Kingsley Prize. She runs the school, and if she chose, she could blow up Maria and Lily’s whole world with a pointed look, or a carefully placed word.

But what Delilah doesn’t know is that Lily and Maria are willing to do anything—absolutely anything—to make their dreams come true. And the first step is unseating Delilah for the Kingsley Prize. The full scholarship, awarded to Maria, will lock in her attendance at Stanford―and four more years in a shared dorm room with Lily.

Maria and Lily will stop at nothing to ensure their victory—including harnessing the dark power long rumored to be present on the former plantation that houses their school.

But when feuds turn to fatalities, and madness begins to blur the distinction between what’s real and what is imagined, the girls must decide where they draw the line.

From acclaimed author Robin Talley comes a Shakespeare-inspired story of revenge and redemption, where fair is foul, and foul is fair.

On the second day of Epic Reads cover reveal week, the cover to Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst was revealed! I cannot wait to read this debut fantasy novel and I am in love with the STUNNING cover design.

Title: Of Fire and Stars
Author: Audrey Coulthurst
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: November 22, 2016

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine (called Mare), sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, each discovers there’s more to the other than she thought. Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. Soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.