Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Review: Twinmaker by Sean Williams

Twinmaker (Twinmaker, #1)
Twinmaker (Twinmaker #1) by Sean Williams
High-stakes action combines with issues of friendship and body image in this timely and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of technology and identity.
You can be Improved....
In a near-future world in which technology can transport you anywhere instantly, can a coded note enable you to change your body—to become taller, stronger, more beautiful? Clair is pretty sure the offer is too good to be true. But her best friend, Libby, is determined to give it a try, longing for a new, improved version of herself.
What starts as Libby’s dream turns into Clair’s nightmare when Libby falls foul of a deadly trap. With the help of Jesse, the school freak, and a mysterious—but powerful—stranger called Q, Clair’s attempt to protect Libby leads her to an unimagined world of conspiracies and cover-ups. Soon her own life is at risk, and Clair is chased across the world in a desperate race against time.
Action and danger fuel Sean Williams’ tale of technology, identity, and the lengths to which one girl will go to save her best friend.
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Publishes in US: November 5th 2013 by Balzer + Bray
Genre: Scifi
Source: HarperTeen for review
Series? Yes.  No info on book 2 though

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away: Goodreads | Website | Twitter

 
   Twinmaker is a high action science fiction that kept me guessing. 
    I was pretty confused at the beginning, but the mystery sucked me in despite not really understanding the technology and terminology. I figured it out pretty much as I went along, I just didn't get what exactly led society to these measures, and while there seemed to be science behind most of it, I didn't really get the hows and whys. Never the less, I still enjoyed and I liked the characters, and wanted to know what would happen to them. 
    Clair was easy to like, she was concerned about others, and really wanted things to change in a positive way. She of course, got herself into a lot of situations, but I appreciated how she responded with courage, but also with humanity. She kept others, feelings, and morals in her head, but still did what she had to do to help her friend. 
    The twists in this one were good, and a few of the things even with the build up took me completely by surprise. The secondary characters also made this one stand out for me. I really liked Jesse, the "freak" mentioned in the synopsis, and Q was absolutely amazing. She was a source of strength and friendship that I never saw coming. 
    One aspect that I didn't like was the cheating and betrayal. But then again, it was handled in a way that I could respect. Things happened in the heat of the moment, and it wasn't kept hidden. I just didn't really understand where the feelings where coming from, and why they had to be there. Couldn't it have still been the same story without the mentioned love interest belonging to another person at the beginning? I dunno. But I guess that it was a source of character development and she really showed remorse with it, and it never sat right with her, the feelings in the first place, so that makes a difference too. 
    I was surprised at some of the philosophical questions that were raised from some of the things going on in society and the reasons behind some of the resistance to using it. Most had powerful reasons not to and had been hurt or lost people that led them in their distrust and breaking away from the new norm of society. It was neat though how it took different forms, and how some of the groups banned together for the good cause. 
    The ending wrapped some things up and then with the others it just left me hanging. It was long and I can understand why that was the stopping point, but still. 

Bottom Line: Fast paced, and action filled.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think that making improvements on yourself would be okay in a scifi society?
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18 comments:

  1. Now this is a sci-fi I can sink my teeth into. :)

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  2. I actually saw a review for this book today, and it had a totally different cover! I admit that I didn't pay much attention to this book before, but I'm definitely intrigued now! Great review Brandi! :)

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  3. I have this one sitting on my shelf and I cant wait to read it. Great review.

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  4. I really like the sound of Twinmaker, all the techno stuff and fast action sounds great to me. Great review Brandi :)

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  5. I think a lot of people had issues with the betrayal and cheating, but I am glad you say that it's handled well. I am so looking forward to reading as I love sci-fi/action-y type books. Brilliant review!

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  6. Books so rarely take me by surprise these days, so the fact that you were surprised by this is recommendation enough as far as I'm concerned.
    Great review.

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  7. I love this cover! I'm not sure about all the cheating but sometimes it makes sense in a story.

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  8. I'm glad you managed to like this, despite the confusing science, cheating, and betrayal.
    Nice review!

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  9. I am glad it wrapped up nice, and there were surprises, but I loath cheating and betrayals. Wonderful review

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  10. Everyone seem to be reading this one lately. I have heard really great things about it and action packed books are my fave. I'm not fan of cheating but if handled well it can be good. Great review Brandi :)

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  11. Improvements, yes I could see certain things in a future society

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  12. it's sad if you didn't understand everything and the mystery sounds good if you were hooked.

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  13. I think the science terminology would turn me off but this twinmaker thing, is it like doppelganger or connected souls or clones? Anyway, sounds interesting.

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  14. This sounds interesting to say the least. Dopplegangers interest me, I was wondering about this and I think I should check it out.

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  15. I just wanted to check your rating because I'm interested in this one, but it looks like you had some issues with it! Innteresting! =) Fast pace and action are good, though!

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  16. I'm normally not a fan of cheating and betrayal, but at least it was handled well. This sounds like a book that would intrigue and surprise me, I'll have to add it to my TBR pile. Great review Brandi!

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  17. Hmmm.. this one does sound interesting. I'm not sure I had heard much about it before.

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  18. I LOVED Jesse and Q. They were my favorite characters. I also really enjoyed how Clair took on each situation that was thrown her way, even though 90% of the time she had no idea what she was doing.

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