This engaging blend of science fiction and survival may well pique many interests.
When perfectionist, genetically modified teens start dying, surely slacker Kyle can’t be next.
Designed in the Genesis Innovations lab because of their parents’ disease-carrying genes, Kyle, 16, and his older brother, Connor, nearly 18, are technically identical twins. Hoping to provide a relatively safe environment for both twins, Kyle’s parents kept his embryo frozen for two years. Ever since, Kyle’s always been in Connor’s shadow—literally and figuratively. While Connor has been popular for his good looks, athleticism, and intelligence, Kyle has been the underachiever, excelling only at video games. But when Connor dies unexpectedly of a heart attack, just days before his 18th birthday, Kyle takes charge for the first time in this quick-paced thriller. He discovers that not only Connor, but other genetically superior teens, all created by the same mad scientist, have been dying at age 18. Soon Kyle’s quest to understand Connor’s death becomes a harrowing mission to subvert his own. As if contemplating life and death weren’t hard enough, Kyle must also sort through his feelings for longtime pal Cami and the crush he’s had on Connor’s steady girlfriend. Kyle’s present-tense narration ticks along, revealing both his thoughts and the unfolding events with workmanlike efficiency. Twists and turns keep readers guessing on all fronts.
This engaging blend of science fiction and survival may well pique many interests. (Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-399-17105-5
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2015
With a refreshingly original concept, this substantial fantasy, the first in a duology, is an undeniable page-turner
In Tiny Pretty Things co-author Clayton’s solo debut, beauty comes at a price.
On their joint 16th birthday, Camellia and her five sisters are sent out to restore beauty to Orléans, where everybody is born gray and ugly. They’ve been training for this their whole lives. As Belles, the sisters can use their magic to transform the citizens of Orléans from their original states. For the right price, Belles can grant any desired look. When Camellia secures the coveted spot of Her Majesty’s favorite, it seems as if her dreams have come true. As the most powerful, sought-out Belle, she is in charge of the royal family’s looks. However, the princess is insatiable in her quest for beauty and will do anything to get it—even if it means endangering the Belles and the kingdom—and Camellia may be the only one who can stop her. Not only that, but Camellia finds herself slowly uncovering the secrets of the Belles’ origin, and it’s not as pretty as she was taught. With wonderfully descriptive language, Clayton builds a grand and lavish world, carefully chipping away at the veneer to reveal its dark, sinister interior. In a world where anyone can change their skin color as often as they can change their hair color, race is fluid. Camellia is brown, and her sisters are various shades of brown and pale.
With a refreshingly original concept, this substantial fantasy, the first in a duology, is an undeniable page-turner (. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4847-2849-9
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Freeform/Disney
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
SEEN & HEARD
Summery fun and games with feeling.
A summer trip helps break 18-year-old Meredith Fox out of a haze of mourning.
Her cousin’s wedding means a return to Martha’s Vineyard, a well-loved destination but one filled with bittersweet memories. It’s been a year and a half since the sudden loss of Meredith’s sister, Claire, and the grief remains strong. Meredith, though, resolves to take this time to celebrate family and bridge the rifts resulting from ghosting friends. She didn’t plan on a meet-cute/embarrassing encounter with the groom’s stepbrother, Wit. Nor did she expect a wedding-week game of Assassin, a water-gun–fueled family tradition. What starts off as a pact of sharing strategic information with Wit grows into something more as the flirting and feelings develop. Only one person can win, though, and any alliance has an expiration date. To win and honor Claire, who was a master of the game, Meredith must keep her eye on the prize. Taking place over the course of a week, the narrative is tight with well-paced reveals that disrupt predictability and keep the plot moving. Early details are picked back up, and many elements come satisfyingly full circle. The short time frame also heightens the tension of this summer romance: What will happen when they leave the bubble of the Vineyard? The mix of budding romance, competitive hijinks, a close-knit circle, as well as dealing with loss make for a satisfying read. The main cast is White.
Summery fun and games with feeling. (family tree) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-72821-029-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
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