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celtic67's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read. Set in the new year when genetic editing is not as controlled as it is in the present day. Could this really happen? Well never say never. But there are rules in place, but rules are meant to be bent if not broken. Part SciFi, crime and dystopian thriller. A great debut novel written before the present pandemic. Highly recommended.
thechemicaldetective's review
5.0
It took me time to warm to Susan, the architect of her own predicament, but I was wholly invested in the story and her impossible dilemma.
I read fast first time around - desperate to know how it pans out.
Reading again, I'm struck by the beauty of the writing and how very subtly the science is shared.
An excellent, thoughtful and well constructed novel which rewards closer reading.
I read fast first time around - desperate to know how it pans out.
Reading again, I'm struck by the beauty of the writing and how very subtly the science is shared.
An excellent, thoughtful and well constructed novel which rewards closer reading.
booksbybindu's review
5.0
‘Off Target’ is a highly sophisticated look into the not so distant future - part psychological thriller, part medical drama and in part a philosophical look at modern eugenics. It’s definitely not a book I have read before and it captivated me from the start. It is a piece of writing that will make you evaluate your internal moral compass, question your opinions and make you reflect for days after you finish the last page. You might think that this is science fiction but the reality is that this is all conceivably achievable very shortly. This is not pie in the sky science but real and tangible and that is what makes the chills appear and makes for uncomfortable reading at times. But it is presented in a way that lets the scientifically uninformed grasp the salient points with ease and that mainly comes down to Eve’s phenomenal storytelling. She has created a world that allows the reader to delve into a thriller that has real depth to it.
As someone who suffers from a chronic illness, I inevitably read ‘Off Target’ with a confused standing point. Would I have wanted a life that didn’t involve daily pain and mental struggle? Would I as a mother want to remove the chance of passing this on? I know the answer is yes. But I choose not to have children for partly this reason… but if there were options to remove that factor? Gosh, I don't know. All I know is that I fundamentally believe that eugenics is not a positive movement and like in this book all actions have consequences. Maybe I have read too much into the historical basis of eugenics and the Eugenics Society in the UK, the forced sterilisation of the black and Native American communities in the US and Canada to name but a few instances in history.
It is an emotive topic and one that Eve handles with care and empathy. Her writing has a subtly to it, she presents the facts, the emotions of both the parents and children are carefully constructed so it is left to the reader to decide what is wrong and what is right. For example, should IVF be classed as being right or should nature be allowed to develop on its own? She deals with how the discussion moves on over time - what once was radical is now commonplace. Will we in the future accept genetic tinkering? Medical advice will change and evolve and we as communities will evolve with it. But to what extent and will our humanity be put to the test?
This is a brilliant book and I urge you to read it.
As someone who suffers from a chronic illness, I inevitably read ‘Off Target’ with a confused standing point. Would I have wanted a life that didn’t involve daily pain and mental struggle? Would I as a mother want to remove the chance of passing this on? I know the answer is yes. But I choose not to have children for partly this reason… but if there were options to remove that factor? Gosh, I don't know. All I know is that I fundamentally believe that eugenics is not a positive movement and like in this book all actions have consequences. Maybe I have read too much into the historical basis of eugenics and the Eugenics Society in the UK, the forced sterilisation of the black and Native American communities in the US and Canada to name but a few instances in history.
It is an emotive topic and one that Eve handles with care and empathy. Her writing has a subtly to it, she presents the facts, the emotions of both the parents and children are carefully constructed so it is left to the reader to decide what is wrong and what is right. For example, should IVF be classed as being right or should nature be allowed to develop on its own? She deals with how the discussion moves on over time - what once was radical is now commonplace. Will we in the future accept genetic tinkering? Medical advice will change and evolve and we as communities will evolve with it. But to what extent and will our humanity be put to the test?
This is a brilliant book and I urge you to read it.
kellyvandamme's review
5.0
Frankly, I don’t know what to tell you except buy it and read it ASAP!
I was a huge fan of Eve Smith’s debut The Waiting Rooms last year, so I couldn’t wait to find out what she had come up with and I dove in at the first chance I got. Off-Target was exactly what I had been hoping it would be: a slightly dystopian, slightly futuristic thriller with a heart.
I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, but what I do immensely enjoy is dystopian literature and thrillers set in the near future, the author starting out with life as we know it and escalating one element, having that element evolve far beyond what it is now but with its roots firmly in the present, and looking at it from a slightly dystopian angle. Think John Marrs with The One, The Passengers and The Minders.
Off-Target tells the story of a woman, Susan, who is desperately trying to get pregnant the old-fashioned way in a world where IVF and the like have practically become the norm. Or like her friend puts it: these days it’s romantic if you’re even present at conception. She and the hubby have had the usual tests done and there is no medical reason why they shouldn’t conceive, except that it’s been years now and it still hasn’t happened. I have to admit, I’ve never felt that aching need, that burning desire, but Susan is so real, so life-like almost, that I had no problems putting myself in her shoes.
One night of disappointment and too much booze leads to an unexpected pregnancy and Susan finds herself in quite the predicament. The available technology allows her to swiftly confirm that her husband is not the father of her baby but unfortunately, that same technology will prevent her from hiding that fact from the hubby, who has been scorned before and is not the forgiving sort. She doesn’t want to lose him, but she also doesn’t want to lose her longed-for baby. Desperate times ask for desperate measures, and Susan has never been more desperate in her life…
Fast-forward to eleven years later and Susan has a beautiful and smart daughter on the brink of teenhood. Only the decisions she made while pregnant come back to haunt her and the repercussions of those prepartum decisions may very well cost her everything she fought so hard to keep. At this point, the narrative switches between mother and daughter and so did my loyalties. While part of me understood why Susan did what she did, part of me struggled with it, and all of me felt all the feelings for her daughter. This will make such a fantastic book club or buddy read!
I’m deliberately keeping it vague, seriously guys, just read it! Suffice it to say it’s an incredibly thought-provoking story. The technology side of it alone, genetic engineering is such a fascinating but polemic topic and I love what Off-Target did with it. However, it’s the realistic characters that breathe life into the story and urge you to read on.
Off-Target is a super addictive story, I just couldn’t put it down. I timed it so I could finish it on my day off but I finished it well before that. Despite its technological angle it is extremely readable and the suspense, the need to know what would happen next, and its characters kept me invested throughout.
Off-Target is a smart, slightly dystopian, slightly futuristic thriller with a huge heart and I can’t recommend it enough.
Check out what inspired Off-Target here on Eve’s website and link through to the scientific bit from there.
Off-Target is available now in all digital formats, happy e-publication day to Eve Smith! The paperback will follow on 17 February 2022 (that’ll make a lovely birthday pressie from me to me
I was a huge fan of Eve Smith’s debut The Waiting Rooms last year, so I couldn’t wait to find out what she had come up with and I dove in at the first chance I got. Off-Target was exactly what I had been hoping it would be: a slightly dystopian, slightly futuristic thriller with a heart.
I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, but what I do immensely enjoy is dystopian literature and thrillers set in the near future, the author starting out with life as we know it and escalating one element, having that element evolve far beyond what it is now but with its roots firmly in the present, and looking at it from a slightly dystopian angle. Think John Marrs with The One, The Passengers and The Minders.
Off-Target tells the story of a woman, Susan, who is desperately trying to get pregnant the old-fashioned way in a world where IVF and the like have practically become the norm. Or like her friend puts it: these days it’s romantic if you’re even present at conception. She and the hubby have had the usual tests done and there is no medical reason why they shouldn’t conceive, except that it’s been years now and it still hasn’t happened. I have to admit, I’ve never felt that aching need, that burning desire, but Susan is so real, so life-like almost, that I had no problems putting myself in her shoes.
One night of disappointment and too much booze leads to an unexpected pregnancy and Susan finds herself in quite the predicament. The available technology allows her to swiftly confirm that her husband is not the father of her baby but unfortunately, that same technology will prevent her from hiding that fact from the hubby, who has been scorned before and is not the forgiving sort. She doesn’t want to lose him, but she also doesn’t want to lose her longed-for baby. Desperate times ask for desperate measures, and Susan has never been more desperate in her life…
Fast-forward to eleven years later and Susan has a beautiful and smart daughter on the brink of teenhood. Only the decisions she made while pregnant come back to haunt her and the repercussions of those prepartum decisions may very well cost her everything she fought so hard to keep. At this point, the narrative switches between mother and daughter and so did my loyalties. While part of me understood why Susan did what she did, part of me struggled with it, and all of me felt all the feelings for her daughter. This will make such a fantastic book club or buddy read!
I’m deliberately keeping it vague, seriously guys, just read it! Suffice it to say it’s an incredibly thought-provoking story. The technology side of it alone, genetic engineering is such a fascinating but polemic topic and I love what Off-Target did with it. However, it’s the realistic characters that breathe life into the story and urge you to read on.
Off-Target is a super addictive story, I just couldn’t put it down. I timed it so I could finish it on my day off but I finished it well before that. Despite its technological angle it is extremely readable and the suspense, the need to know what would happen next, and its characters kept me invested throughout.
Off-Target is a smart, slightly dystopian, slightly futuristic thriller with a huge heart and I can’t recommend it enough.
Check out what inspired Off-Target here on Eve’s website and link through to the scientific bit from there.
Off-Target is available now in all digital formats, happy e-publication day to Eve Smith! The paperback will follow on 17 February 2022 (that’ll make a lovely birthday pressie from me to me
emp2707's review
3.0
A really relevant and interesting book, bringing up a lot of questions surrounding genetics and assisted conception.
Im terms of genetic ‘edits’, whose right is it to decide and with genetic testing becoming more mainstream, where is it realistically going to lead?
Im terms of genetic ‘edits’, whose right is it to decide and with genetic testing becoming more mainstream, where is it realistically going to lead?
mesal's review
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Really interesting premise and a decent execution as well. However, there were several sections of the novel which felt like they were nothing more than worldbuilding and infodumping under a thin veneer of character and plot. The infodumping in question was related to research; all of the research the author had done in order to be able to write a book about prenatal genetic modifications seemed to have been thrown into the book, and a lot of it wasn't strictly needed by the storyline.
mpr2000's review
5.0
Some books are written to make you enjoy the ride, some others to make you think and challenge your thoughts and ideas. “Off Target” is a book to put you in a difficult spot, to show you how the world is not always black and white. How something you could think being impartial is horrible but once your own skin is at risk, you wouldn’t be so straight with your decisions.
This is a futuristic story, possibly in the near future, where you could change the DNA of your sons before getting pregnant; to repair some genetic illness… This can be a very important step forward, but as always, when is the moment to stop the changes? Only the death sentence genetic illness is worth the change or the simple details like the eyes, hair or skin colour deserve to be changed too? When is the moment to stop?
This is the story of Susan, she wants to be a mother, and almost needs it, so when after a night out she discovers that is pregnant, and is ready to do anything to keep this baby. ANYTHING.
I don’t think I can say there was anything I didn’t like about this book; maybe Susan’s husband? I didn’t like it but it’s part of the story, how Susan feels alone in the marriage and her husband ignores her. Maybe if he would be straight and helpful the situation would have been different? Possibly, but as I said it’s all Susan’s surroundings that push her to take the decisions she took.
This is a fiction story; gripping but real, scaring but eye opening. A story I would challenge everyone to read, we need debate about this topic, not a decision that scientist should take nor the radicals, it has to be the citizens. Our life, our babies, our choice.
Ready to discover “Off Target”?
This is a futuristic story, possibly in the near future, where you could change the DNA of your sons before getting pregnant; to repair some genetic illness… This can be a very important step forward, but as always, when is the moment to stop the changes? Only the death sentence genetic illness is worth the change or the simple details like the eyes, hair or skin colour deserve to be changed too? When is the moment to stop?
This is the story of Susan, she wants to be a mother, and almost needs it, so when after a night out she discovers that is pregnant, and is ready to do anything to keep this baby. ANYTHING.
I don’t think I can say there was anything I didn’t like about this book; maybe Susan’s husband? I didn’t like it but it’s part of the story, how Susan feels alone in the marriage and her husband ignores her. Maybe if he would be straight and helpful the situation would have been different? Possibly, but as I said it’s all Susan’s surroundings that push her to take the decisions she took.
This is a fiction story; gripping but real, scaring but eye opening. A story I would challenge everyone to read, we need debate about this topic, not a decision that scientist should take nor the radicals, it has to be the citizens. Our life, our babies, our choice.
Ready to discover “Off Target”?
ambersbooksandbakes's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Pregnancy
katalinareads's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
katebb76's review
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Firstly, take a look at that front cover. Those blank template faces. The selection of piercing-blue eyes for the chosen child. An slightly unsettling image that makes you consider what may unfold inside...
Off Target is another too-close-for-comfort speculative medical thriller from Eve Smith. Scientists' understanding of the human genome has increased massively over recent years, with the genetic component of many diseases and disorders having been mapped. In Off Target, genetic engineering is used, legally, to ensure heritable disorders are removed. But how far might genetic manipulation go, illegally, to create a perfect child? And what consequences might there be for this genetic manipulation?
The story is told from the perspective of mum, Susan, and her daughter, Zurel, with the addition of newspaper reports, and adverts for genetic screening and editing etc to give a wider perspective of the extent and issues with genetic testing and manipulation in this near-future world - both pro and anti.
While reading Off Target, I was pulled into what felt like a mostly scientifically plausible near-future world, considering for myself the emotions, ethics and logistics behind the agonising decision Susan found herself making as she considered the best path to follow with regards to her unborn daughter's DNA. I felt strongly for Zurel as she gathered information that forced her to consider who she truly was, supported by her close relationship with her SEN teacher. I constantly questioned and considered the ethics of genetic manipulation and the views and actions of the the pro- and anti- genetic engineering groups, from the viewpoint of life-threatening diseases, life-affecting predispositions and simply creating a 'designer baby.'
Off Target was a perfect combination of speculative scientific procedures, ethics and human emotions, and tension. A fabulous, highly-recommended read.
Off Target is another too-close-for-comfort speculative medical thriller from Eve Smith. Scientists' understanding of the human genome has increased massively over recent years, with the genetic component of many diseases and disorders having been mapped. In Off Target, genetic engineering is used, legally, to ensure heritable disorders are removed. But how far might genetic manipulation go, illegally, to create a perfect child? And what consequences might there be for this genetic manipulation?
The story is told from the perspective of mum, Susan, and her daughter, Zurel, with the addition of newspaper reports, and adverts for genetic screening and editing etc to give a wider perspective of the extent and issues with genetic testing and manipulation in this near-future world - both pro and anti.
While reading Off Target, I was pulled into what felt like a mostly scientifically plausible near-future world, considering for myself the emotions, ethics and logistics behind the agonising decision Susan found herself making as she considered the best path to follow with regards to her unborn daughter's DNA. I felt strongly for Zurel as she gathered information that forced her to consider who she truly was, supported by her close relationship with her SEN teacher. I constantly questioned and considered the ethics of genetic manipulation and the views and actions of the the pro- and anti- genetic engineering groups, from the viewpoint of life-threatening diseases, life-affecting predispositions and simply creating a 'designer baby.'
Off Target was a perfect combination of speculative scientific procedures, ethics and human emotions, and tension. A fabulous, highly-recommended read.