Beta by Rachel CohnDate Released: October 16th 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 331 pages
Format: Hardcover
Source: Target
Rating: Really Liked
Series: Annex #1
Goodreads Synopsis: Elysia is created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to exist.
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world. Praise for Beta "A terrific premise that is equally well executed...Readers can only hope [the sequel] will be as thrilling as this series kickoff."--Los Angles Times
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world. Praise for Beta "A terrific premise that is equally well executed...Readers can only hope [the sequel] will be as thrilling as this series kickoff."--Los Angles Times
From Goodreads
My Review
I have to admit. I loved the whole idea of this book. Literally, like who doesn't like clones thrown in with a perfect island and ability to feel!? Beta by Rachel Cohn was a really great read, in my opinion. It explored a world where certain people called Beta, are an experimental model of a teenage clone, like Elysia. But quickly you get absorbed in this world and Beta does a wonderful job of captivating you.
The character in Beta were pretty good, but definitely more potential to have improvement in the second book. Elysia was this quiet, conserved type of person in the beginning and then gravitated towards this character who wanted to feel what she wants to and even the romance was okay. It wasn't "insta-love" something we see loads of in YA, but a start potential for more suspense and questions. Plus clones? We don't see that much either too.
The world building was really good too. It was surprising how at parts it was fast then later really slow, I just had to drop the book. But what's great is that the concept of the clone, the Beta, and experiments was super cool and addicting to read! I really wished Cohn could have improved expanding the world more and done more twist and unexpected plot twists. But the ending was wildly crazy and really good, and loads of "what?" held me to finish it.
One thing that really stuck out, while reading was the whole process of the Beta and how Elysia described it. The writing was similar to Wither by Lauren DeStefano and really lured me to read another page. I really like Elysia, but at times hated what she would do just to serve her owners as a Beta. I think that she could have been more better because she had loads of potential to do the idea justice and the plot. The plot was also iffy. There were parts I had no idea why they where in her and it was so boring to read them, but overall contributed to whole book. As it transitioned towards the middle, Cohn kicked it up and had me hooked on her world and Elysia's mind!
Overall, I really like Beta and it did have potential for improvement but it needed that push to make it a showstopper in YA. If you love a good sci-fi and dystopian read pick up Beta soon! I can't wait for the next one and the covers look really good! Pick it up if you love The Hunger Games or Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi!
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