Beta by Rachel Cohn-ADVISABLE

Cohn, Rachel, Beta. HarperCollins, 2012. Pgs. 331. Language: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13

 

Elysia is a Beta, an experimental clone creation meant to serve the residents of Demesne, a resort meant to cater to every need of its patrons. To be created, another teen had to die. She is supposed to be unfeeling, but she soon begins to exhibit human qualities. A quality in a world where everyone is supposed to be perfect, almost creepily perfect, this is not a good thing. If anyone discovers what has happened to her, she will suffer a fate worse than death. Bought to serve the island governor’s wife, she discovers dark undercurrents in the lives of the supposed to be happy people. When a romance with another beta starts budding, she begins to long for another life and escape with him. Will Elysia find a way to balance her new emotions without meeting a terrible fate? Will she be able to escape?

 The romance is a little rushed and the main character is hard to relate to at first, but this seems pretty realistic for the nature of Elysia being a beta. This book grows on you pretty quickly and is fairly unique and holds reader’s interest.  The dark undercurrents of the island doesn’t really seem to come to a head, but the cliffhanger sequel suggests there’s a lot more to come. There is a lot of drugs, murder, rape, and slavery, so this is probably best suited for high school. Older readers who like science fiction, fiction dealing with clones, and mystery will enjoy reading this book. HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.