That’s the first word that comes to mind today.
Because today is the TNT (Team Novel Teen) blog tour for Jill Williamson’s newest book Replication: the Jason Experiment!
About Replication
Abby Goyer just wants life to get back to normal after the recent death of her mother and her father’s job difficulties.
But Martyr is one of hundreds of clones in the underground Jason Farms and Abby just returned from a trip to find out that her father up and moved them to Alaska.
Worse still, her father won’t answer any questions about his new job and Abby has enough problems on her plate trying to settle into a new school without having to worry about him.
In this exciting science fiction novel, Abby and Martyr struggle to discover God’s purpose for their lives while untangling the web of lies wrapped around Jason Farms.
My Review
Dynamite pretty much describes Replication as well. Having had the privilege of playing Abby Goyer in the book trailers, I was quite excited to get to read the story. Even though I had a fever at the time (a leftover from my recent mission trip to Haiti), I had a hard time putting the book down.
Author of the Blood of Kings fantasy trilogy, Jill Williamson makes her first foray into the sci-fi world with Replication. Cloning is a controversial issue, but Jill deals with it masterfully. Lovable characters and plenty of action (especially toward the end) keep the pages turning. Jill Williamson is definitely one of those authors who makes me grab a book off the shelf as soon as I see her name regardless of genre, plot, or title!
Martyr. What a fascinating name for a character. Martyr was definitely my favorite – not just my favorite character, but my favorite part of the book! His name fits him to a ‘t’ since he is always willing to sacrifice himself to defend the weak. Don’t let his innocence fool you, Martyr is incredibly intelligent and anything but weak. Also, not to give away anything, but Martyr’s decision at the end is just perfect. I won’t say anymore than that so you’ll have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about!
Jill did a wonderful job writing in Martyr’s voice and believably exploring his reaction to his first encounter with everyday things like colors, TV, cell phones, and snow, and with God or “the Creator of Everything” as Martyr calls him.
Abby was also a great character. Strong, smart, eager to take action. I loved her analytical style and her habit of counting the pro’s and con’s whenever something happened. However, her tendency to swoon whenever the oh-so-handsome JD Kane showed up made less sense to me, given how practical she seemed the rest of the time. Ah well. Girls! :)
There were just two little things that bothered me about the book. The first was a choice Martyr makes in regard to one of the bad guys, Dr. Elliot. Without going into detail, Martyr’s decision is understandable but seemed out of character for him. The second was Martyr and Abby’s growing fascination for each other that resulted in several kisses. Both characters were seventeen and at times, I felt a little awkward as the reader in the midst of those scenes.
All in all, Replication was a great sci-fi book! An original storyline, plenty of adventure, a great message about discovering God’s purpose for your life, and awesome characters make the book well worth reading. Although it’s a YA book, I think Replication is a great book for adult readers too. 5 stars!
[Note: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review.]
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Exciting news! I’ll be hosting a giveaway of a copy of Replication, graciously supplied by the author! I’ll post more information about the giveaway tomorrow so be sure to check back for a chance to win!
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Click here to buy this book: Replication by Jill Williamson
Are you a clone? Find out your expiration date here: Expiration Date – facebook
Watch the book trailers!
TNT or Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Replication: the Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson by clicking on the links below and check out Novel Teen for more information about Team Novel Teen.
ADD Librarian • Audacious Reader • The Book Fae • Books I Recommend • Book Nook 4 You • Bookworm Reading • Christian Bookshelf Reviews • Fiction Fire • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • Katie McCurdy • Kurly Katie’s Ruminations • My Story Shelf • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • SLY Games • Terri Harr
Terri says
Great review! Dynamite is right! It was powerful and great! A must read.
YaashaMoriah says
Thanks for this review! I'm new to following your blog (and a fellow writer) so it's fun to learn about other books and writers. I wrote a clone book some years ago and it's sitting on my mental pile of "to be edited" books. I had read an informative book about cloning after finishing my story, and the book had basically said that cloning is an old, worn-out theme in sci-fi. That discouraged me–until now! I haven't read Replication, but now I want to do so. I would love to learn how other authors make cloning a fresh topic. Kudos to Jill Williamson for not listening to the skeptics!
Charley R says
Ooh, available to win eh? Sign me up! This sounds fantastic!f
Jessica Laurie says
I really liked your review! :-)
That's awesome that you played Abby in the book trailers! You did a good job, and look exactly like I pictured her.
Jill Williamson says
You did do a fabulous job as Abby, Gillian. You are very talented. :-)
Thank you for reviewing the book! And for being honest about what bothered you. You know, those are the two things that bother me most too. That probably sounds weird coming from the author, but having a book published is a whirlwind experience, and there is always something I overlook until it's too late. The situation you mentioned with Martyr and Dr. Elliot is one of those things. The kissing is the other! I'm going to start a kissing topic over on the TNT loop to get some other perspectives. If you have time, please comment on it.
Thanks again!
:-)
Jill
Melanie says
Great review! I really enjoyed Replication! :)
Here is the link to my review: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-tour-review-giveaway-replication.html
Rachelle Rea says
You did an outstanding job as Abby, Gillian. I pictured you as I was reading the book. And when you wrote "Ah, well. Girls." I just chuckled. :)
Katie McCurdy says
Ohh, great word to use to describe this book! So glad you liked it, too! Seems a lotta people are — and so they should! Jill is an awesome author!
Gillian Adams says
Yaasha Moriah – Thanks for following the blog! Sweet! Hmm, I guess I really haven't read much sci-fi before this, so it didn't seem like a worn out subject to me. But, yes, definitely read Replication!
Jessica – Thanks! It was lots of fun.
Jill – That's interesting that that's what bothered you too! :) I'm sure it is a delicate subject to handle. I'll definitely hop over to the loop and see what everyone else is saying. Don't know if I'll have much to add to the discussion but I'll try! :)
Melanie – Thanks. I'll be sure to stop by and read your thoughts!
Rachelle – ooh, that's funny that you pictured me while reading the book! I'm famous! ;) Not quite.