All throughout reading this, I couldn't help but think how much more awesome this book would have been had it been written by Margaret Atwood or Karin Lowachee or Suzanne Collins. Rachel Cohn just doesn't have the writing chops to pull off well-developed, well-executed, and thought-provoking science fiction. Or maybe I am expecting too much of YA. The premise is interesting but I got the feeling this story was so clearly produced to ride on the success of The Hunger Games and other dystopian YA novels.

Beta is about a clone who begins to exhibit human emotions. Clones are supposed to be unfeeling, completely stripped of their soul-- but the author fails to clearly define what this means or what a human soul actually is. There's very little emotional depth, even when the clone main character begins to feel. The second half of the book devolves into darker themes-- scandals, rape, murder-- none of which were handled with any sort of sensitivity or depth. Overall, I thought this was a very superficial book. ( )

Minus a few little things that bugged me here and there in the writing, i loooved this book. It was rather lovely. ( )

In a future of clone slaves and the technological ability to create the perfect place for perfect happiness, some interesting ideas. The ending leaves you wanting the next book now.
( )

I had a couple of misfires on starting this book. I had a really hard time getting into this book. For some reason I wasn't quite feeling it for Elysia. Demesne was an odd sort of dystopian world that I couldn't quite understand and I couldn't say right in my head without thinking Shakespeare. Plus, I have a hard time identifying with the clones as main characters bit. But then stings started picking up and I started getting into the story and I found myself enjoying the book and liking Elysia. I was even pulling for her and hoping that she'd find a way to join in the rebellion and break free.

Overall, Beta wasn't the greatest dystopian book I've read but I am intrigued enough to pick up the rest of the series and find out what happens. ( )

Reread:

Holds up quite well on a reread. I'm really strongly compelled to buy it now and have it on my shelf, were I not poor. Moreover, how is it I wait 3 years and when I finally reread it, only 2 of a proposed four are out? This is why I don't read George R. R. Martin.


Originally read July 2013
4.5 stars

the fact that i stood up an did some fist-pumping victory dances in the latter half of this book compels me to think i should buy it, and, you know, have it on my shelf. ( )