This is quite an interesting story – futuristic fiction. I don’t normally read stories of this genre, but I was curious and intrigued by the back cover blurb. It’s a story of the future in which clones figure, and is written from the point of view of a clone from about 6 years old on. Really makes one think. The story is well thought-out, brutal, maddening, depressing, but I think intentionally and makes good points without being obvious or beating one over the head with it. Interesting moral and ethical issues, and particularly interesting future bigotry. Clones are considered evil, dirty, beasts, inhuman/animals, etc. like so many ethnic groups of yesterday. Interesting perspective of awareness from the clone, and the characters that turn out to be good and help him during several enormous crises, have qualities that are timeless and could be of any age, culture, time, etc. Other beings are humans and animals called eedjits that have had a chip installed in their brains which makes them actual slaves and unable to do anything but their assigned duties or tasks. No free will or thought, even inside. This disturbed me quite a lot. The injustice and cruelty of many are disturbing, but realistic, and the most surprising was the brainwashing mentality of what appeared to be communistic society of what was formerly Mexico. Well-written, easy to follow and understand, well-developed. Overall, this story was not my cup of tea, but no fault of the author’s. It is a very interesting and thought-provoking story, and I encourage others to read it to sample some of the issues that could come up regarding clones, brainwashing, mind-control to the extreme and various societies in the future.Read full review
A boy coming not from a mom but being harvested from a cow after being copied from a powerful drug lord El Patron. He was a clone not human, but a Clone. Life for him was totally different without the comfort of being a human of your own. The whole thing starts out with a boy named Matt who gets discovered one day and goes to the castle. From there El patron gives him all he wants. Lessons for music and everything so he can become very intelligent. His life is great no worries because His protector is giving him everything you could possibly want. Though everything seems great from there it takes a downfall Matt starts to realize what he was actually meant to do not be happy. His only way of survival once he knows is to run away, but where. He ends up in Aztlan were he meets some new friends and enemies a “Plankton Factory” which does violate a few rules here and there. The main part of this book is discussing a very important topic kind of stating if we should use the technology to clone or if we should even use it for medical reasons. Also what is going too far for humanity reasons such as mind slaves? A possible moral for this story could be that greed gets you no where in life or even perhaps that soon technology will boom and you should be ready for it to come. Overall I thought this was a fantastic book and would recommend it to anybody who likes an easy and fun read with a few serious topics.Read full review
This book was one of the selections for required reading in my daughter's middle school. Nancy Farmer is a good writer, but this story has disturbing elements used to illustrate its theme. The main character is a clone of a drug lord who has extended his life through his clones. The scorpion, as the drug lord has been called, has ruled for generations over an small empire in the borderlands between the U.S. and Mexico. It is a giant opium plantation with only a few privileged residents, mainly family and servants who reside in the "house of the scorpion". It is written as a coming of age story of a person who has no legal status, except as property. This clone has been allowed to illegally retain his intelligence. The minds of clones are generally destroyed at birth, but the drug wants his own clones to retain their minds until his health requires harvesting them for transplant. In addition, the giant opium plantation of the drug lord's empire is worked by people who have had their mental abilities curtailed as adults. This process turns them into "idjits" who must be directed to even care for their most basic needs, perfectly docile and mindless workers. Even the privileged family members are subject to constant surveillance and must act according to the whims and caprices of the drug lord. Later, after escaping termination for transplantation, the main character is subjected to an orphanage where the supervisors practice thought control through indoctrination and communist style self criticism sessions. No one is truly free to think and do for themselves in this story regardless of their legal or illegal status. The entire book is an exploration of what it means to be human, through the eyes of one who is regarded as a mindless animal. Everyone in our home who read this book came away with something different depending on their age. Most of the things I thought were echoes and parodies of various fascist, communist, immigrant status, institutional abuse, etc., issues, were not familiar to younger readers. They were more focused on the individual injustice of the clone's life. I prefer some of Ms. Farmer's other books, but this book is well written and provides a lot of take off points for discussions with a middle school student.Read full review
Great book with a good storyline to mull over. Relevant to today's issues and alluring to sci fi teen and adult audiences. This twisted tale of origin and fate is easy reading and hard to put down-highly recommend it!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love this story so much! It's entertaining, heartwarming, a beautiful and thought provoking story indeed. I actually read this before years ago, but had to buy one for my very own. I highly recommend.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is a highly recommended book for ages 14 and up. My 12 year old has it for required summer reading and I feel that the content is a bit advanced and requires a more mature audience. The story is based on cloning, in which it describes in detail a science-fiction concept that would be scare younger readers. Would make a good movie. From the start of the book, the plot thickens so the reader is entranced and thoroughly engaged in it - so much that my 12 year old couldn't put it down and she claims she doesn't like to read. Highly recommended for someone who craves a unique plot of characters and concepts, seen in the eye of one clone boy, who has feelings, intelligence and special talents.
The story is very gripping with the twist in the story but slow at times and the ending wasn't as satisfying as it should have been. Overall tho still very good and I recommend it to everyone who loves science fiction.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
great book for 7th grader, they're going over it at school
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It is SO disappointing to see that all of the school libraries are getting rid of this book. I read it 2004 and was in awe, that my 8th grade son had recommended it to me. Furthermore, he walked around the house with his nose stuck in the book, finished it, turned back to the first page. After the second reading, he handed it to me. I subsequently gave THREE copies away at Christmas. See those three seals on the cover, there's a reason it has gotten critical acclaim. You and your kids will love this startling Science Fiction Fantasy. Every time I have found a copy, I BUY IT! Nancy Farmer is science fiction extrordinairé. Just read it!
I am glad with this purchase.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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