Perfection by J.L. Spelbring
The personification of Aryan purity, Ellyssa's spent her whole life under her creator's strict training and guidance; her purpose is to eradicate inferior beings. She was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier: strong, intelligent, unemotional, and telepathic.
Only Ellyssa isn't perfect.
Ellyssa feels emotions--a fact she's spent her life concealing. Until she encounters the epitome of inferiority: a dark-haired boy raised among renegades hiding since the Nazis won the war a century ago. He speaks to her telepathically, pushing thoughts into her mind, despite the impossibility of such a substandard person having psychic abilities.
But he does.
His unspoken words and visions of a place she's never visited make Ellyssa question her creator. Confused and afraid her secret will be discovered, Ellyssa runs away, embarking on a journey where she discovers there is more to her than perfection.
Publishes in US: July 16th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press
Genre: YA science fiction
Source: Spencer Hill Press
Series? Yes?
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Perfection is a chilling picture of what life could be if selective genetics goes completely wrong. They are trying to make a perfect soldier, and as far as looks and strength and mind reading goes, they have it in Ellyssa. But they consider her emotions her weakness. She learns through her escape that those emotions can really be strength.
This is an alternate history I guess you would consider, because it is basically a dystopia where Hitler's ideals are realized and they are working to eradicate those who aren't of perfect race, and taking it even further with superior intelligence and strength.
She tries to run away from the place she was made/born because a strange for this world looking boy with dark hair being questioned broke through her mental shield and screamed a place at her. And she deletes and changes things in the database and goes on the run. It's so much fun to watch her learn to trust others, feel loss, sorrow, joy, laughter, and most of all, fall in love.
While I understood the choice for a third person pov, I connected most with Ellyssa and wanted to be from her point of view the most. I didn't connect with the other characters, but they gave valuable insight into what is going on while Ellyssa is running and when she finds unlikely allies.
There is plenty of action behind the character development to keep the story going. The ending is pretty good, but the epilogue makes me know there needs to be another book in this series. There are also ingeniously crafted villains that will make you want to wring out their brains.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
If you could select certain genes for your children, would you?
Oh yeah, I would totally "design" my baby! I love your questions at the end of a review. Even if i have nothing to say about the book, i have to answer the question :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome read! It feels like it could be an awesome thriller with a lot of twists and intrigues ;p I think I wouldn't select certain genes, I want to be surprised! Whatever he/she may look it, I'll love everything of him :)
ReplyDeleteFaye @ The Social Potato
This is a very interesting concept! And would I select certain genes? I don't know. But I do have two boys and have always wanted a girl. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I was curious about this, and Ellyssa sounds great. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this one! It sounds interesting. I wouldn't choose genes for my children!
ReplyDeleteOoo, I hadn't heard of this one before now, but it sounds pretty interesting! Ellyssa sounds amazing, and I'm glad that there was plenty of action to keep you reading too.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you enjoyed this one, and thank you for sharing this lovely review with us!
And no, I wouldn't choose genes for my children, because they wouldn't be their own person if I did!
- Jessica from Booked Up!
www.bookedupbloggers.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you liked this one! The cover seems really creepy for some reason, heh. I wouldn't have given this book any attention if it wasn't for you. I hope there'll be a sequel and it'll rock your world just like this one did:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not fond of the idea of picking genes to remove potential weaknesses. It's wonderful to see that you felt connected to Ellyssa even though the book was written in third person POV. The Nazis' reference gives me chills.
ReplyDeleteSounds kind of interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think I might pick and choose some genes - there are a lot of diseases that run in my family.
I love alternate history, and the idea of creating people at will terrifies me so this should work quite nicely for me. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI have heard some really great things about it and I'm so happy you enjoyed it too. It's always easier when you like the mc. Great review Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteThere are things I can believe and things I can't believe. Only a few Germans were blonde, so did they kill like 70% of their own people too? Yeah, I would annoy me
ReplyDeleteThe cover and premise sound really chilling. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHm... I do like alternate history, but I can see me throwing this book. LOL Will have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteThe concept sounds intriguing and I ma so glad you enjoyed it..I am rather curious:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book. Funny thing is a lot of the Germans were only blond as kids and once puberty hit their hair turned into dirty blond/light brown to dark brown! lolz
ReplyDeleteMy step mom whose mom was their during occupation told me this. Also a lot of Germans (and others) dyed their hair with peroxide and dye (if they could afford/find it) to be "safe".
I am glad this world is only fiction! PHEW!
I def want to read it though.
I don't know - if I could select genes from my children, would I? It kind of feels like cheating, doesn't it? I'm not sure what I'd do... Perfection does sound like an interesting book, though! Lots to think about, but thank goodness it's only fiction ;) Sorry you couldn't connect much with the other characters, but I'm glad you enjoyed Perfection! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteChri @ Ink Skies
I think I need to add this one to my TBR list! I like the idea of the book, that WW11 turned out differently and this is the future aftermath!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!! :D
This one is new to me but it looks spectacular! As for choosing genes for my child, no I could never do that. I'll love them however they turn out. :)
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like one that would really make a person think! I hadn't heard of it before but I'm very curious!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I love the concept behind the genes. I would not pick my child's genes I don't think, I would want them how they are supposed to be :)
ReplyDeleteI like me some alternative histories. And the action sounds amazing. But yeah, the idea is chilling. Great review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read.... It seems to have a good plot, and I like books more told from the First person POV too. Great review
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I love alternate histories, and this one sounds really interesting! I remember seeing this cover before but I didn't know what it was about! I've added it to my TBR list. It kind of reminds me of Origin by Jessica Khoury, but still very different. Great review, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see you enjoyed this one as well. I thought it was such an interesting and unique dystopian. Great review
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Interesting concept -- not sure this one is for me, but I enjoyed your review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics