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309 pp.
| Houghton
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-99147-7$17.99
(4)
YA
Althea-310 is one of nine clone models living in a tightly controlled community three hundred years after the "Slow Plague" destroyed humanity. When human Jack mysteriously enters the community, Althea must question the values and history of her society. The twisty plot and vivid tropical setting are strong points, but the characters are poorly developed and the romantic relationships lack chemistry.
(4)
4-6
Justice League series.
Illustrated by
Tim Levins.
These slim books find Justice League members working together to battle villains Gorilla Grodd, Darkseid, and Amazo, and to help Bizarro (who was tricked into cloning himself by Lex Luthor). The adventures are action-packed if convoluted; the same "Justice League Roll Call" begins each volume, and "JL Database: Villains" sections are appended, helping differentiate the many characters. "Think" and "Write" prompts are included. Glos. Review covers these Justice League titles: Darkseid and the Fires of Apokolips, Amazo and the Planetary Reboot, Bizarro and the Doppelgangers of Doom, and Gorilla Grodd and the Primate Protocol.
361 pp.
| Delacorte
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-55249-6$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-399-55251-9
(4)
YA
In the sequel to Brave New Girl, Dahlia and Trigger are on the run from the Lakeview cloning facility where they were raised. They find Waverly, who was raised in a family of reality-television royalty and who does not know she's a clone; a case of mistaken identity forces Dahlia to impersonate her. Debates over the ethics of cloning elevate an otherwise average dystopian thriller.
(3)
4-6
Walters's novel centers on thirteen-year-old Samantha, who lives with her dad in an elephant sanctuary. There's plenty of solid information about elephants, and Samantha's rapport with the herd will endear her to animal-lovers. An intriguing twist involving a woolly mammoth cloned from permafrost-harvested DNA raises thought-provoking ethical, emotional, and legal issues; an author's note on the science of cloning insists this is "not science fiction."
312 pp.
| Abrams/Amulet
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2372-8$17.95
(3)
YA
After involuntarily forming cloned versions of herself every year, sixteen-year-old Teva risks her family's safety to uncover secrets from her past that could help break the cycle. Captivating from the first page, this ambitious story about a genetic abnormality vividly conveys the emotions and pain of Teva's unconventional maturation, but also keeps readers guessing as to whether any of this is real.
120 pp.
| Twenty-First Century
| April, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-9490-9$35.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5124-2848-3
(3)
YA
Advances in genetics allow scientists to consider the possibility of reviving extinct species. Hirsch delves deep into related topics, including evolution, mass extinction, reproduction, and genetic technologies. Case studies of animals such as woolly mammoths and passenger pigeons highlight the feasibility, as well as ethical considerations, of de-extinction. Detailed diagrams and illustrations step readers through the advanced material. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
In this third Masterminds installment, kids who have been cloned from evil criminals in an experiment gone wrong continue to hunt down the originators of Project Osiris, using a combination of their "innate" skills and the bonds they have formed with one another. Unfortunately, the conclusion is not as exciting as the previous two books.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Marek Jagucki.
With zombie goldfish Frankie, Tom and best friend Pradeep continue to botch their nefarious older brothers' evil plans, including creating an army of evil robots and taking over the world with a monster dino-fish. As usual, this sixth Zombie Goldfish book contains two comical and suspenseful self-contained stories; familiarity with previous volumes isn't required to partake in the fun.
506 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-239419-4$19.99
(3)
YA
Replica series.
The companion to Replica finishes the stories of Gemma and "replica" Lyra. Both girls are struggling to recover from the Haven Institute's atrocities and lead normal lives when they learn that they aren't safe after all. Following its predecessor's same dual-story structure (starting at either end of the volume), plot twists keep the action humming amid heady moral and ethical questions.
255 pp.
| Delacorte
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-55245-8$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-399-55247-2
(4)
YA
Genetically engineered to be a superior gardener, Dahlia is one of five thousand clones working "for the glory of the city" in specialized labor groups. She happily serves her purpose until meeting cadet Trigger. Is she "defective" for feeling love? This series-starter's engaging romance is hampered by a confusing world structure and a late-in-the-story plot twist.
341 pp.
| Simon
| August, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-4995-3$18.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-4997-7
(4)
YA
After defeating Huxley, Violet has no memory; she knows only that she's a clone. Blamed for an infiltration of violent clones, Violet leaves the Clone Control Advocacy, joining the CCA president's adopted son, Seth, in discovering the history of the city and cloning. Despite lifeless characters, this follow-up to Falls the Shadow presents a believable dystopic future of cloning and its impact.
127 pp.
| Little Simon
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-7114-5$16.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4814-7113-8$5.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-7115-2
(3)
1-3
DATA Set series.
Illustrated by
Sam Ricks.
The DATA Set--second graders Gabe, Laura, and Cesar, with new team member Olive--return for three more science-filled adventures. Under the tutelage of bumbling Dr. Bunsen, the kids invent an alien communication device, battle robots overtaking their school, and deal with pesky clones. The lighthearted stories contain genuine science and technology interwoven with loopy characters and silly hijinks. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers the following DATA Set titles: A Case of the Clones, Robots Rule the School, and The Sky Is Falling.
(4)
YA
In 2026, Project Orpheus enlists Adam to help bring back his drowned girlfriend, a famous singer, which involves re-enacting memories with her clone. The process leads Adam to question many things about their shared past and about these plans. The imaginative concept results in a novel that's a page-turner at times, but revelations are dragged out to the point that they're unsurprising.
(3)
4-6
In this exciting sequel to Masterminds, Eli and his three friends--who have learned that they are cloned from evil criminals in a morally abject nature-vs.-nurture experiment--are on the run. Narrated in rotating chapters by each character, the friends' daring escape from Project Osiris is filled with challenges; a cliffhanger ending leaves their fate still to be decided.
(2)
YA
In this bioethics thriller told in two stories starting at either end of the volume, Gemma, an overprotected rich girl who's in and out of hospitals, and Lyra, a "replica" (or clone) in bioresearch facility Haven, are unexpectedly thrown together when Gemma discovers her father's connection to Haven. With Oliver's clever crafting, readers will be clamoring for the projected series' next book.
Reviewer: Sarah Hannah Gomez
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2016
(3)
4-6
Clone Chronicles series.
Fisher and his clone-turned-brother Alex look forward to the opening of a new theme park designed by their parents. Fun is thwarted by a pack of beautiful alien girls--with questionable motives--forcing Fisher to work with his nemesis to save the world. This fourth entry successfully blends adolescent social hijinks with sci-fi adventure in a comic, action-packed story.
(3)
4-6
Eli lives contentedly in seemingly idyllic Serenity, New Mexico, until he tries to venture beyond the town limits. Slowly, Eli and friends realize that the town is fake, their lives are not their own, and they must escape to survive. A clever combination of The Giver and The Truman Show, this book is an engaging and compelling start to a new series.
(4)
YA
Clair, PK, and Q retreat to the Yard, a simulation landscape seemingly as real as their destroyed world. Trying to regroup, they discover a second Clair already exists and that their duplicity can dismantle the Yard. While this third action-packed installment (Twinmaker; Crashland) continues the series' thoughtful ethical debates about technology, the many characters are difficult to follow and connect with.
(3)
4-6
Clone Chronicles series.
After their Hollywood heroics in Cloneward Bound, nerdy Fisher Bas and his cooler "brother"/clone, Two, return to Palo Alto to thwart Three, their evil clone nemesis seeking world domination. Two--who here gains a real identity and place in the Bas family--along with Fisher and middle-school wrestling champ Amanda Cantrell, hilariously battle evil--and middle-school drama--in this successful action-packed installment.
282 pp.
| Hyperion
| October, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-5720-5$17.99
(4)
YA
In this sequel to Beta, Cohn's intriguing futuristic question--"What happens when a teenage girl meets her clone?"--doesn't quite get the payoff it deserves. While the clones (a.k.a. Emergents) plot a rebellion against the humans on Demesne, Zhara is preoccupied with romantic relationships; ditto for Elysia, her clone. That said, Cohn's world-building is still remarkably strong here.