I really enjoyed this book. I have yet to read other works by the author (although they have also been on my to be read for sometime...), but I will certainly be reading them sometime soon.
There's a lot about this novel that really worked for me. It centers around a scientist named Evelyn and the clone her ex-husband has made to replace her, Martine. It's billed as a Black Mirror-esque thriller, and it doesn't disappoint, but it wasn't exactly what I expected. I think the author did an incredible job of taking one central plot element - the ability to form essentially impossible to detect adult clones - and grounding it among extremely realistic characters. The book wasn't full of huge twists and turns, and the author didn't rely on science-fiction elements to fill in what would otherwise be huge plot holes. As a result, the novel has a really creepy, slow-burn unsettling vibe throughout.
I think what really allowed this novel to shine is the author's ability to develop characters. The main character, Evelyn, in particular felt so fully realized to me. Sarah Gailey made sure that we saw Evelyn at highs, at lows, with all of her flaws on display - even if that made her decisions hard to stomach at some moments. Especially with the parallel of her clone Martine, Evelyn was able to see and confront a lot of those flaws herself.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone! I don't read a ton of science-fiction but I found myself thoroughly engrossed - and also slightly terrified at the possibility of cloning.
There's a lot about this novel that really worked for me. It centers around a scientist named Evelyn and the clone her ex-husband has made to replace her, Martine. It's billed as a Black Mirror-esque thriller, and it doesn't disappoint, but it wasn't exactly what I expected. I think the author did an incredible job of taking one central plot element - the ability to form essentially impossible to detect adult clones - and grounding it among extremely realistic characters. The book wasn't full of huge twists and turns, and the author didn't rely on science-fiction elements to fill in what would otherwise be huge plot holes. As a result, the novel has a really creepy, slow-burn unsettling vibe throughout.
I think what really allowed this novel to shine is the author's ability to develop characters. The main character, Evelyn, in particular felt so fully realized to me. Sarah Gailey made sure that we saw Evelyn at highs, at lows, with all of her flaws on display - even if that made her decisions hard to stomach at some moments. Especially with the parallel of her clone Martine, Evelyn was able to see and confront a lot of those flaws herself.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone! I don't read a ton of science-fiction but I found myself thoroughly engrossed - and also slightly terrified at the possibility of cloning.