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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
3.75/5 Stars ⭐️
The Echo Wife is a thought-provoking blend of thriller and sci-fi that delves into ethical dilemmas around cloning, identity, and betrayal. Sarah Gailey’s storytelling pulls you into the eerie dynamics between Evelyn, a brilliant scientist, and her husband, Nathan—dynamics that become increasingly chilling as layers of deception unravel.
One of the novel’s most intense aspects is Evelyn’s reflective journey back to her childhood, where we see the impact of her brilliant but abusive father. These reflections lend depth to Evelyn’s character, explaining her guarded nature and complicating her morally ambiguous choices. The cloning concept is both fascinating and unnerving, raising questions about the boundaries of scientific progress. And just when you think you’ve pieced everything together, a twist near the end will catch you off guard, adding yet another layer of complexity to the story.
This gripping narrative is made even better by an outstanding narrator who brings each emotion to life, making The Echo Wife a memorable and immersive read. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi thrillers or enjoy exploring moral quandaries, this book offers a unique experience that stays with you long after the final page.
The Echo Wife is a thought-provoking blend of thriller and sci-fi that delves into ethical dilemmas around cloning, identity, and betrayal. Sarah Gailey’s storytelling pulls you into the eerie dynamics between Evelyn, a brilliant scientist, and her husband, Nathan—dynamics that become increasingly chilling as layers of deception unravel.
One of the novel’s most intense aspects is Evelyn’s reflective journey back to her childhood, where we see the impact of her brilliant but abusive father. These reflections lend depth to Evelyn’s character, explaining her guarded nature and complicating her morally ambiguous choices. The cloning concept is both fascinating and unnerving, raising questions about the boundaries of scientific progress. And just when you think you’ve pieced everything together, a twist near the end will catch you off guard, adding yet another layer of complexity to the story.
This gripping narrative is made even better by an outstanding narrator who brings each emotion to life, making The Echo Wife a memorable and immersive read. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi thrillers or enjoy exploring moral quandaries, this book offers a unique experience that stays with you long after the final page.
This will not be a 5 star read for everyone, but I will be rereading and annotating at a later date.
The only sour taste was the final few pages. While I know not every story needs a happy ending, it still felt a little flat given the depth of introspection and self awareness we get from our MC before that point.
The only sour taste was the final few pages. While I know not every story needs a happy ending, it still felt a little flat given the depth of introspection and self awareness we get from our MC before that point.
Very interesting read! Maybe a hair longer than it needed to be but I felt that although it was a scientific topic it wasn't too difficult to understand and enjoy. Wonderful climax but the entire story required you to suspend some belief... Of course. And I'm left with a few questions but I overall liked this audiobook book a lot more than I thought I would.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This wasn’t my favourite of Gailey’s books but I think that is just because every single character is in some way a piece of shit.
A dark sci-fi with elements of domestic horror, The Echo Wife follows a brilliant but unlikeable scientist as she helps her own clone cover up the death of her father philandering ex husband. Things do not go as planned.
I don’t think that summary really does this story justice but it’s also hard to describe more than that without delving into the detail of the story that really makes it stand out. This had the vibes of a Black Mirror episode with its building tension and kind of bleak premise. I loved that Evelyn was such an unlikeable and brilliant character because women so rarely get to be unlikeable and brilliant - they must always dampen their light lest they intimidate those (cough men cough) around them.
I don’t know exactly what was missing from this for me but it wasn’t quite a home run. I think I got really frustrated with how predictable it was and how the characters still fell for the twists and turns anyways. I also felt like the ending didn’t quite go how I personally would have wanted which just lot me a little bit. That aside, I think it was a really fun short novel and I once again had a great time with a book by Sarah Gailey.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Verrrry eeeeerie. The audiobook was great!
Engaging book from an author I'd like to read more from. Very fun.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An emotionally intense sci-fi thriller about the downfall of both internal and external expectation, how cycles continue and break depending on our decisions, and the horror of being replaced with anyone noticing, it is ultimately a testament to how our difficulties make us just as human as our capabilities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abortion, Toxic friendship
Be aware that this novel features control over women, cloning, leaving a spouse for a mistress, dehumanizing clones, attempted murder of a spouse, verbal abuse, hiding abuse from friends and family, estranged relationships from parents, murdering your spouse, grooming, difficulties raising a child, mental abuse, and faking a death to escape a toxic marriage.
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes