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hobbitualreader's review against another edition
4.0
'As I followed degraded streets the sky turned to black in shadowy degrees, as though God had pulled a dark cloak above my head, except I knew that it was impossible because this world was Godless. It had to be.'
Plot
In a world full of beautiful clones, Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes aren't perfect, which makes them useless. In this world, being Blemished takes away your rights to an education, a normal life, and even to have a child.
Mina has a dark and dangerous secret that she's never shared with anybody until now. Angela is the first real friend that she's had, and she feels like she can trust her straight away. However, that friendship is put to the test when Mina meets Daniel, Angela's adoptive brother.
Mina finds herself drawn to Daniel's mysterious power and his impulsive nature. Then there's Sebastian, a gorgeous clone that Mina is forbidden to even talk to. But something keeps drawing her to him, and she will suffer consequences for her rebellion.
My thoughts
I read this book for a group read through December and was provided with a copy of the book by the Author. Although this was for the group read, I'd been interested in reading this before, as I'd read a novella by the same Author and enjoyed her work.
This book is set in a frightening Dystopian world in the near future. Britain has been taken over by the Genetic Enhancement Ministry, who are obsessed with perfection. Anybody with faulty genes were declared Blemished, and as such were banned from having children. People with perfect genes were chosen to have perfect children, cloned from perfect DNA. The GEM children are considered superior over the Blemished children, and they have access to education and wealth. The Blemished only learn how to serve the GEM's.
What made this book so real to me, is the fact that elements of this could very well happen in the future. We know that it's possible to clone genes now, so this book really gave me something to think about. Of course, cloning people to keep society perfect is ridiculous, as human beings aren't meant to be perfect. Having flaws is what makes us human, so for me, the clones in this story are not human at all.
Mina has a hard enough life already, being Blemished. She lost her mother when she was young, and has grown up only knowing her father. Blemished girls are expected to wear a uniform, and cover their hair with a headscarf around GEM's, as well as keeping their head down and not drawing attention to themselves. This is made all the more difficult for Mina, as she has a power that must be kept secret at all costs. If she is discovered, it could not only mean death for her, but also her father and friends.
As if this wasn't enough, there are boys on the scene too. Blemished girls are forbidden to look at boys, so it's bad enough that she starts to develop feelings for Daniel, who is also Blemished, but Sebastian, a GEM, is another matter altogether.
I really enjoyed this story and thought that it had everything to keep me entertained. It was fast paced and exciting and had me turning the pages frantically to see what happens to Mina and her friends. There were shocks and revelations that I wasn't expecting at all, which definitely made the story even more enjoyable. Just as you think they're safe from harm, something else comes bursting into the story and puts them in danger again.
If I had to say that there was anything wrong with this book, it would be that I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have liked. While I enjoy a fast paced story, this didn't seem to leave enough time for the characters to develop in my opinion. However, I loved the story, and definitely want to read the next in the series.
In a world full of beautiful clones, Mina Hart is Blemished. Her genes aren't perfect, which makes them useless. In this world, being Blemished takes away your rights to an education, a normal life, and even to have a child.
Mina has a dark and dangerous secret that she's never shared with anybody until now. Angela is the first real friend that she's had, and she feels like she can trust her straight away. However, that friendship is put to the test when Mina meets Daniel, Angela's adoptive brother.
Mina finds herself drawn to Daniel's mysterious power and his impulsive nature. Then there's Sebastian, a gorgeous clone that Mina is forbidden to even talk to. But something keeps drawing her to him, and she will suffer consequences for her rebellion.
My thoughts
I read this book for a group read through December and was provided with a copy of the book by the Author. Although this was for the group read, I'd been interested in reading this before, as I'd read a novella by the same Author and enjoyed her work.
This book is set in a frightening Dystopian world in the near future. Britain has been taken over by the Genetic Enhancement Ministry, who are obsessed with perfection. Anybody with faulty genes were declared Blemished, and as such were banned from having children. People with perfect genes were chosen to have perfect children, cloned from perfect DNA. The GEM children are considered superior over the Blemished children, and they have access to education and wealth. The Blemished only learn how to serve the GEM's.
What made this book so real to me, is the fact that elements of this could very well happen in the future. We know that it's possible to clone genes now, so this book really gave me something to think about. Of course, cloning people to keep society perfect is ridiculous, as human beings aren't meant to be perfect. Having flaws is what makes us human, so for me, the clones in this story are not human at all.
Mina has a hard enough life already, being Blemished. She lost her mother when she was young, and has grown up only knowing her father. Blemished girls are expected to wear a uniform, and cover their hair with a headscarf around GEM's, as well as keeping their head down and not drawing attention to themselves. This is made all the more difficult for Mina, as she has a power that must be kept secret at all costs. If she is discovered, it could not only mean death for her, but also her father and friends.
As if this wasn't enough, there are boys on the scene too. Blemished girls are forbidden to look at boys, so it's bad enough that she starts to develop feelings for Daniel, who is also Blemished, but Sebastian, a GEM, is another matter altogether.
I really enjoyed this story and thought that it had everything to keep me entertained. It was fast paced and exciting and had me turning the pages frantically to see what happens to Mina and her friends. There were shocks and revelations that I wasn't expecting at all, which definitely made the story even more enjoyable. Just as you think they're safe from harm, something else comes bursting into the story and puts them in danger again.
If I had to say that there was anything wrong with this book, it would be that I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have liked. While I enjoy a fast paced story, this didn't seem to leave enough time for the characters to develop in my opinion. However, I loved the story, and definitely want to read the next in the series.
shells's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it.
Cheesy love square aside, it was interesting world building.
It's a future of GEMS and Blemished. The GEMS are genetically modified humans, some call them clones. The children are created. Every aspect of their looks, their intelligence, their genetics are chosen. The claim is that it is a way to leave disease and handicap behind. Blemished are natural born humans. They are seen as dirty and damaged by the GEMS. The Blemished only serve the purposes of labor and service to the GEMS. At 16, Blemished girls are given, "The Operation" to stop them from being able to conceive children. A Blem that becomes pregnant is taken and she and her baby are killed.
Every aspect of this society is controlled. The girls are allowed to attend school but they only learn the path of servitude. Boys are not educated and are instead, sent to work at various jobs.
Mina and her father have moved to district 14 after Mina becomes exposed in her former home, for an unusual talent. Here she makes friends with Angela, and Angela's adopted brother, Daniel. Mina learns Daniel has a hidden ability of his own.
Mina's father decides he wants her to begin to train to use her talent. So she spends her evenings training in the basement, away from the spying eyes of the television which broadcasts GEM programming 24/7.
Her father is grooming her for something. He claims, so she can take care of herself if something were to ever happen to him. But, nothing will ever happen to him. Right?
In a fit of hatred, (rightfully so), Daniel and Mina make a stupid decision that forces them on the run, with Angela by their side. They run to Sebastian, the GEM that took a liking to Mina, only to find themselves in more hot water as nothing is what it seems on Sebastian's farm. Daniel hates Sebastian and loves Mina. Angela loves Daniel and is resentful for his attention toward her best friend. Sebastian thinks he loves Mina and is just kind of flung into the situation. And Mina has feelings for Daniel, feelings for Sebastian, and doesn't want to hurt her friend Angela, though that seems like just what she'll end up doing.
And Angela fulfills the cliched role of the "one who trips when the bad guys are chasing her" constantly.
In a climactic finale, the four of them fight off the bad guys, with the help of the Clans that they are supposed to meet up with. Murder-Troll grabs Mina and a tense confrontation ensues when Mina is saved at the last second by another GEM who bullied Mina in the beginning.
All the while, throughout the escape and evade moments, Mina used her "ability" conveniently. It is a plot device that seems to have no meaning other than to help her and her friends escape. There is no discussion as to how a supposedly normal human being in supposedly normal England that's just set in the future, developed these abilities in the first place.
There are words missing in various places. And the supposed rules of this Gem/Blemished society are followed when it's convenient to the plot. These are why the book only garnered 3 stars from me.
But, the story is interesting enough. I find I care enough for these silly teenagers caught up in their love square that I plan to read the next book in the series. Overall, I'm curious to know how Mina will take down the society of the GEMS.
Cheesy love square aside, it was interesting world building.
It's a future of GEMS and Blemished. The GEMS are genetically modified humans, some call them clones. The children are created. Every aspect of their looks, their intelligence, their genetics are chosen. The claim is that it is a way to leave disease and handicap behind. Blemished are natural born humans. They are seen as dirty and damaged by the GEMS. The Blemished only serve the purposes of labor and service to the GEMS. At 16, Blemished girls are given, "The Operation" to stop them from being able to conceive children. A Blem that becomes pregnant is taken and she and her baby are killed.
Every aspect of this society is controlled. The girls are allowed to attend school but they only learn the path of servitude. Boys are not educated and are instead, sent to work at various jobs.
Mina and her father have moved to district 14 after Mina becomes exposed in her former home, for an unusual talent. Here she makes friends with Angela, and Angela's adopted brother, Daniel. Mina learns Daniel has a hidden ability of his own.
Mina's father decides he wants her to begin to train to use her talent. So she spends her evenings training in the basement, away from the spying eyes of the television which broadcasts GEM programming 24/7.
Her father is grooming her for something. He claims, so she can take care of herself if something were to ever happen to him. But, nothing will ever happen to him. Right?
In a fit of hatred, (rightfully so), Daniel and Mina make a stupid decision that forces them on the run, with Angela by their side. They run to Sebastian, the GEM that took a liking to Mina, only to find themselves in more hot water as nothing is what it seems on Sebastian's farm. Daniel hates Sebastian and loves Mina. Angela loves Daniel and is resentful for his attention toward her best friend. Sebastian thinks he loves Mina and is just kind of flung into the situation. And Mina has feelings for Daniel, feelings for Sebastian, and doesn't want to hurt her friend Angela, though that seems like just what she'll end up doing.
And Angela fulfills the cliched role of the "one who trips when the bad guys are chasing her" constantly.
In a climactic finale, the four of them fight off the bad guys, with the help of the Clans that they are supposed to meet up with. Murder-Troll grabs Mina and a tense confrontation ensues when Mina is saved at the last second by another GEM who bullied Mina in the beginning.
All the while, throughout the escape and evade moments, Mina used her "ability" conveniently. It is a plot device that seems to have no meaning other than to help her and her friends escape. There is no discussion as to how a supposedly normal human being in supposedly normal England that's just set in the future, developed these abilities in the first place.
There are words missing in various places. And the supposed rules of this Gem/Blemished society are followed when it's convenient to the plot. These are why the book only garnered 3 stars from me.
But, the story is interesting enough. I find I care enough for these silly teenagers caught up in their love square that I plan to read the next book in the series. Overall, I'm curious to know how Mina will take down the society of the GEMS.
avoraciousreader68's review against another edition
4.0
*Book source ~ Won in a LibraryThing giveaway. Many thanks to the author and LibraryThing.
Mina Hart and others like her are Blemished. The Genetic Enhancement Ministry has taken over Britain except for small pockets of resistance. Mina lost her mom to the Resistance, fighting against the life where GEM creates perfect clones and the Blemished are treated like cattle with imperfect genes. Or slaves to do the crappy jobs the GEMs don’t want to soil their lily-white hands doing. However, among the Blemished Mina is different. She can make objects move with her mind and that’s a secret she has to keep or risk losing her life. When she and her dad move to Area 14 she meets new friends, but she also gets into a lot of trouble until she and her friends have to run for their lives. Will they get away? Or will they be captured by GEM?
This was a unique take on the classic dystopian. I have to say I can’t recall reading a story quite like this one. The world is interesting, the characters fairly well-developed and the plot moves along quickly. It is a bit rough in spots, but overall the story advances quite well. There are still many questions that need answered and I have a hard time believing Mina’s dad just up and left her, but for the most part I’m along for the ride. I look forward to seeing what happens in book 2.
All-in-all a great YA, dystopian, fantasy, action book with a sprinkling of romance that makes for interesting reading.
Mina Hart and others like her are Blemished. The Genetic Enhancement Ministry has taken over Britain except for small pockets of resistance. Mina lost her mom to the Resistance, fighting against the life where GEM creates perfect clones and the Blemished are treated like cattle with imperfect genes. Or slaves to do the crappy jobs the GEMs don’t want to soil their lily-white hands doing. However, among the Blemished Mina is different. She can make objects move with her mind and that’s a secret she has to keep or risk losing her life. When she and her dad move to Area 14 she meets new friends, but she also gets into a lot of trouble until she and her friends have to run for their lives. Will they get away? Or will they be captured by GEM?
This was a unique take on the classic dystopian. I have to say I can’t recall reading a story quite like this one. The world is interesting, the characters fairly well-developed and the plot moves along quickly. It is a bit rough in spots, but overall the story advances quite well. There are still many questions that need answered and I have a hard time believing Mina’s dad just up and left her, but for the most part I’m along for the ride. I look forward to seeing what happens in book 2.
All-in-all a great YA, dystopian, fantasy, action book with a sprinkling of romance that makes for interesting reading.
bluebec's review against another edition
3.0
A world where genetically modified [something starting with M] (GEM) individuals rule, while those with 'blemished genes' are raised effectively as slaves. The Blemished face sterilisation so they don't pass on their defective genes, and will eventually die out. Some people aren't very happy with this arrangement - therefore story.
It wasn't a bad story, and for someone's first and self published, it was good. The main character is a 15 year old, blemished girl, who is determined to hold her own, but she manages to miss many of the "strong female character" tropes. A character does get fridged (male though for a change), which wasn't necessary for the story.
I am curious about the others in the series, but I'm not going to rush out and find them.
It wasn't a bad story, and for someone's first and self published, it was good. The main character is a 15 year old, blemished girl, who is determined to hold her own, but she manages to miss many of the "strong female character" tropes. A character does get fridged (male though for a change), which wasn't necessary for the story.
I am curious about the others in the series, but I'm not going to rush out and find them.
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