LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike)

March 19, 2018
Two years ago, Eve’s family was murdered, and she only barely survived, requiring cybernetic implants to restore her sight and memory. Now, she supports her ailing grandfather by piloting robot gladiators in the ruins of a devastated California, until everything goes wrong: she manifests a forbidden power to destroy technology with her mind, she rescues a “lifelike” robot, Ezekiel, during a salvage expedition, and the local gangs want her dead. On the run with her best friend, Lemon; a robotic protector, Cricket; and Ezekiel, Eve finds herself searching for the secrets of her past in a deadly postapocalyptic world, encountering everything from bioengineered kraken to an unstoppable murderous preacher. In one twist after another, Eve discovers that everything she knew may be a lie and the truth rests in whatever happened when her family died. Kristoff (the Illuminae Files, with Amie Kaufman) delivers a solid, fast-paced adventure in which well-drawn,
resourceful characters struggle against the dangers of a vividly described world. The plot falters a bit due to the overuse of shocking revelations, but the stylized language and futuristic slang give the narrative voice extra zing. Ages 12–up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary.