I received this book at no cost from the publisher
Replica (Replica, #1) by Lauren Oliver ISBN: 0062394169
Published by HarperCollins on October 4th 2016
Genres: Love & Romance, Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 544
Format: ARC
Goodreads
Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born. 'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice. But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.
Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra - or number 24 as she is known as at Haven - and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape. Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing , they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever...
MY THOUGHTS!
Gemma’s parents really don’t communicate anymore but are overly protective of her because she had several illnesses as a child and is now overweight with only one real best friend, April. Her father is mostly absent with a high-powered career at a drug company and her mother might as well be with her pharmaceutical habits that keep her mostly calm. She finally decides that she needs to get away and really look into her father’s relationship with a notorious company called Haven that is involved in all sorts of scandal. Traveling to Florida to stay with April and her grandparents over spring break, she gets a ride with Pete who is smart and funny. Gemma doesn’t really see much in him and can’t because why would he be interested in a girl like her?
Lyra is the opposite of Gemma’s coin and has been raised a replica (clone), and used for drug studies at the Haven Institute. She has very little human interaction and one of the doctors that did show compassion for the test subjects was fired for being too friendly. Several people that work at the institute just vanish. The stories combine when Gemma and Jake (his dad ran a conspiracy theory website that tried to expose Haven), make their way to the compound and find a dead girl that looks just like Gemma. Lyra and a replicant boy end up escaping with Jake and Gemma back to April’s house. The story becomes a race against time as they all try to figure out what happened when Haven exploded.
I read these books separately, but I would recommend that getting the ebook so you can flip between the alternating chapters to get the full impact of the book. I read Lyra’s story first which in the long run, worked out best for me. That story was full of whole and it was filled in by Gemma. Since Gemma’s story is much richer, you would miss the little things about Lyra that make more sense reading Gemma;s first. In other words: Gemma giveaway away Lyra’s ending somewhat. The book ends in a mild cliffhanger and I am glad to see that there is another book on the way to finish out this story. I really want to know what happens to these girls.
The REPLICA tour w/ @OliverBooks & special guests kicks off 10/4! #sweepstakes #ReadREPLICA http://bit.ly/replicatour
I plan on being at the HUNTINGTON BEACH BARNES AND NOBLE on October 4! Let me know if you plan on being here as well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU’s MFA program, Lauren Oliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at www.laurenoliverbooks.com
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I have not yet read any of Lauren Oliver’s books but I need to start! “Replica” sounds fantastic!!
The two storylines/alternating chapters sound intriguing. I read Before I Fall twice and really liked it.
I’ve read Before I Fall and fell in love with the author’s writing.
Yea! I have read most of her books!!
I’m so excited for this book, I love the cover and how it’s written. It sounds super unique. I’ve only read one book by Lauren Oliver, PANIC. It was super good 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
I’ve read Before I Fall, which was by far my favorite of her books and one of my favorite books of all time, the Delirium series, which I had mixed feelings about, Liesl and Po, which I loved, Rooms, which I loved, and Panic, which I didn’t like as much as the others. In any case, I am a huge Lauren Oliver fan so would love to add this to my collection, thanks so much!
I’ve read BEFORE I FALL and DELIRIUM. BEFORE I FALL, in my opinion, is her best book.
No, I have not read any yet. This book sounds really good!
Yes. I really liked the Delirium series, as well as Before I Fall.
No, I have not read any of her books yet. But I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for this chance.
Yes, I have read Delirium.
These books have such a poignant story line. I’m sure they’re good to read together as you suggest.
I don’t think I’ve read anything of Lauren oliver but REPLICA is a must on my tbr