Half Life Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers by Lillian Clark
on June 9, 2020
Genres: Fiction, YA, Science Fiction
Pages: 304
Source: Netgalley, Publisher
Format: eBook, ARC
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
ISBN: 0525580506
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An overachiever enrolls in an experimental clone study to prove that two (of her own) heads are better than one in this fast-paced, near-future adventure that's Black Mirror meets Becky Albertalli.
There aren't enough hours in the day for Lucille--perfectionist, overachiever--to do everything she has to do, and there certainly aren't enough hours to hang out with friends, fall in love, get in trouble--all the teenage things she knows she should want to be doing instead of preparing for a flawless future. So when she sees an ad for Life2: Do more. Be more, she's intrigued.
The company is looking for beta testers to enroll in an experimental clone program, and in the aftermath of a series of disappointments, Lucille is feeling reckless enough to jump in. At first, it's perfect: her clone, Lucy, is exactly what she needed to make her life manageable and have time for a social life. But it doesn't take long for Lucy to become more Lucy and less Lucille, and Lucille is forced to stop looking at Lucy as a reflection and start seeing her as a window--a glimpse at someone else living her own life, but better. Lucy does what she really wants to, not what she thinks she should want to, and Lucille is left wondering how much she was even a part of the perfect life she'd constructed for herself. Lucille wanted Lucy to help her relationships with everyone else, but how can she do that without first rectifying her relationship with herself?
Welcome to the Half Life blog tour!
This was one of the most enjoyable reads of the year for me! I absolutely loved where the author took this story!
Can you imagine a time where I society can not only clone humans successfully, but also clone them into adults? And then you could have another you?
Well, Clark wrote a beautifully done story with that plot. And, I have to tell you, given the advancements in science and tech, it’s a little crazy to imagine what that would mean for the world.
But, this story is about a young teen named Lucille who–without the consent of her parents–decides to go through the process of making another ‘her’ so that she can live her best life.
Lucille is a little bit of a high-strung individual… Kind of a type A personality. So, when her life starts to get a little crazy and she starts to flounder, this seems the best way to navigate it.
From this point on, we get to see Lucille–and Lucy her clone–deal with life, family, friends, school (and EACH OTHER!!) in surprising and difficult ways.
Lucille is not a perfect heroine. I mean, the girl’s 17. And I have to say that she has normal teen struggles.
I think seeing Lucy and Lucille grow their own relationship was one of the best parts of this story for me. I loved it!
I only wish there were going to be a sequel!
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About Lillian Clark
Lillian Clark, a graduate of the University of Wyoming, grew up riding horses, climbing trees, and going on grand imaginary adventures in the small-town West. She's worked as a lifeguard, a camp counselor, and a Zamboni driver, but found her eternal love working as a bookseller at an independent bookstore. Now living in Teton Valley, Idaho with her husband, son, and two giant dogs, she spends her time reading almost anything and writing books for teens.
Fabulous review, Christine! It sounds very intriguing. I need to check it out.
Lu recently posted…Review | Up Close & Personal by Kathryn Freeman