Replica

May 15, 2013
A paint-by-numbers dystopia neither offends nor thrills. In a future in which corporations have taken over bankrupt states, the Executives are at the top and the Basement-dwellers, who live in a world of illegal vices, at the bottom. Nadia Lake is careful of her actions and her reputation, since she can't afford to jeopardize the betrothal her parents made for her with Nathaniel Hayes, the Chairman Heir of Paxco. Their marriage will be in name only, since Nate is gay and in love with Kurt Bishop, his valet and a former Basement-dweller. But Nate is murdered, and Kurt is seen fleeing the scene with blood on his hands. Nate is replaced with a Replica, a perfect copy of himself, negating the tension caused by his murder. But Mosely, the sinister, mustache-twirling head of security for Nate's father, still wants to find out who killed Nate. He threatens Nadia into spying on the replica Nate as he looks for Kurt in the Basement. Nadia and Nate will have to work together to find the truth, only to discover something much bigger than themselves. There's a lot of setup and not a lot of payoff in this novel, the ending of which leaves open the possibility of a sequel. While Nadia and Nate display some personality, other characters, like Mosely and Kurt, are cardboard cutouts. Likely to be gobbled up by fans of the genre, but it won't win new ones. (Dystopian adventure. 14 & up)

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January 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-In the corporate state of Paxco, the people are divided into three castes: Basement-dwellers, Employees, and Executives. Marriages are arranged between powerful families to assure the future for a privileged few, and the entire economy is built around the controversial technology of replication: the ability to create new bodies for Executives if something should happen to the originals. Nadia Lake has long been betrothed to Nate Hayes, the Chairman Heir, and despite his playboy ways they have developed a strong friendship. When Nate is murdered, Nadia is the last one to see him alive. While she is not necessarily a suspect, she quickly becomes a pawn in a deadly game. Nate's memory ends at his last download, so when he is replicated, he has no idea who would want him dead-or why. Nate and Nadia must find out what happened the night he was killed and what secret led to his murder. Set in a dystopian New York City, the story has an interesting premise and its world is fleshed out. The characters are well developed, though their actions sometimes seem contrived. The idea of the replication process, how it works, and how it fits into the structure of Paxco are what set this particular dystopian future apart from other books in this genre. The ending sets the stage for a sequel, as a few major and minor plotlines are left dangling. Readers will be eager to see what comes next.-Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Grades 8-12 Nathaniel Hayes' family owns the only company that has mastered human replication, making it the most powerful corporation in the world. Sixteen-year-old Nadia Lake knows that as long as she can avoid any missteps, her marriage to Nathaniel will provide a secure place for her and her family for generations, despite the drawbacks of paparazzi, frenemies, and Nathaniel's playboy ways. Fortunately, Nadia and Nathaniel are best friends. Unfortunately, Nathaniel and his family are keeping secrets that might cost Nathaniel and Nadia their lives. This far-fetched but compelling sf murder mystery moves at a brisk pace and will keep readers wondering which way the plot will twist right up until the end. As in most dystopian novels, classism is a major theme, but, refreshingly, more than one sexuality is represented, there is no love triangle, and friendship and loyalty seem to matter as much as romantic relationships.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)