Book Review: Beta by Rachel Cohn

Beta by Rachel Cohn

Published: October 16, 2012

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Age Demographic: YA Sci-Fi Dystopia

Pages: 336

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 under­current of discontent among Demesne’s worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care—so why are overpowering sensations cloud­ing 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 happi­ness 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 cor­rupted world.

To Purchase Beta by Rachel Cohn:  Amazon

Beta is an incredibly intriguining book, that will grab reader's attention immediately and hold it until the last page has been read. It is one of the most interesting and original sci-fi dystopian based books that I've read in a while. Rachel Cohn pens such an incredibly edgey story full of many questions, mysteries, and wonderfully developed characters. There are shocking secrets to be discovered, surprises in store, and so much more that will wow readers and keep them dancing on the edge of their seats. There is also wonderful adventure and romance, danger and suspense involved in this delicious story that make it unputdownable.

Beta has some truly brilliant unexpected elements that are explored within the story. The fact that the story being told is mostly original, is pretty spectacular in itself. Reader's won't see what's coming or what to expect, as they're reading the book, which will make for an even more interesting journey and reading experience. Elysia is a truly fantastic heroine that is incredibly likable and not the easiest to connect with, at first. She's the first of her kind, in a teenage clone line. So, it's only natural that she would have questions of her own and want to figure out the answers to them. One of the best things about her, is her journey to becoming more human and the fact that she's brave enough to be willing to die for her beliefs. This makes her a strong character, that can be admired.

Beta is full of surprises that readers will find themselves enamored with. While the romance is sweet and charming, I did personally find it to be a bit of insta-love, which isn't one of my favorite elements in a book. There was also an instance where it felt like I switched from reading Beta to a moment where I felt like I was experiencing Twilight de ja vu all over again, with the "imprinting" bit that was introduced. I wished Cohn would have been a little more creative as far as that concept goes. I also wish that there would have been a little bit more background and knowledge explored involving the Water Wars, than there was.

Over-all, Beta was an incredibly tense drama, adventure filled book that will definitely appeal to most sci-fi and dystopian fans. It's a wonderfully engaging and captivating novel, despite its few flaws. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy dystopia and science fiction novels.

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Rachel grew up in the D.C. area and graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science. She has written many YA novels, including three that she cowrote with her friend and colleague David Levithan. She lives and writes (when she's not reading other people's books, organizing her music library or looking for the best cappuccino) in New York City.

Book Review: Lucky Fools by Coert Vorhees

Lucky Fools
by Coert Vorhees
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Expected Publication: July 10, 2012
Pages: 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

David Ellison dreams of acting at Juilliard, but he's expected to attend nearby Stanford University, just like all of his classmates at hard-driving Oak Fields Prep. As if wasting his private school education weren't enough, David is also on track to destroy his relationship with his girlfriend, Ellen, when he finds himself falling for his new co-star, Vanessa.

With David's Juilliard audition approaching, and his relationship teetering on the brink of disaster, Oak Fields is thrown into chaos as a mysterious prankster begins attacking the school's highest achievers, determined to sabotage their college aspirations. Anyone who excels is a potential target, and David, the star of every play, could be next.

From the author of the highly praised The Brothers Torres comes a dangerously insightful book about enduring the pressures of high school, surviving the ins and outs of love, and fighting for your dreams, no matter what.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

In Lucky Fools, David Ellison has been dreaming of attending the prestigious Julliard. He has exceptional acting abilities and wants to study acting seriously, however, it's expected of him to attend Stanford University. His relationship with his current girlfriend is also threatened by his developing crush on his co-star Vanessa. As David's audition for Julliard f ast approaches and his relationship seems to be suffering, chaos ensues at his private prep school Oak Feilds when a mysterious prankster starts targetting a series of attacks on some of the schools most promising acheivers. It seems anyone who has the potential of acheiving high standards could be next, including David.

Coert Vorhees does a masterful job of tackling the everyday pressures of being an exceptionally talented young adult in such a realistic way that readers are able to connect with. In a world of young adult fiction that is mostly brimming with female heriones, it is refreshing to see this story told from a male's persepctive. David is just as confused about college life and love, as anyone should be at that point in their life. The only drawback to his character was the lack of growth and dvelopment, except for the last few chapters of the book. This made it a little bit harder to connect with him on some levels.

The plot and premise of Lucky Fools itself, was fun and interesting to read even though it may have been a little bit predictable in some areas. There is unbelievable amounts of pressure put on these young characters as well as other happenings going on in the book, but despite all of that the author takes the story and makes it come together and really work. It's a fast and enjoyable read that may be best suited for those in high school. The romance is sweet and endearing and there are some really fun moments in the book overall. It was a pretty good read and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

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ABOUT COERT VORHEES

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Coert Vorhees latest young adult novel is, Lucky Fools. His previous novels include The Brothers Torres, Annie Fleet and the Golden Janguar, and Storm Wrangler.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}