One of the best books I've read recently - very creative dystopian world and an interesting, well-rounded main character. YA but not juvenile at all.
When the Spore Wars came, only the elderly and the children under eighteen were vaccinated. Everyone else died. Now, the kids are known as Starters and the seniors known as Elders. The children, most who lost their parents to the vicious disease, either were on their own or their grandparents took custody. Those not so lucky were put in institutions. One of the laws in this 'new world' is that no one under eighteen is allowed to work. This leaves the money and jobs for the Elders but those kids on their own struggle to survive.
Callie is sixteen years old and trying to take care of her seven year old brother Tyler, who has a health condition. A friend of hers, Michael, helps Callie find food and safety for her and Tyler but Callie knows it's only temporary. They need something more stable. When she hears about Prime Destinations, she knows it sounds too good to be true, but knows she has nothing to lose by checking them out.
Prime Destinations is a body rental company. They 'hire' beautiful teenagers and with a small chip in their brain, they can hook them up to a renter, usually a wealthy Elder. The Elder's body is sleeping while they take control of the rental with their mind. The teen's mind is blank and they don't remember anything. The Elder can then relive their younger years and take risks that they are unable to take now at their age. The money sounds too good to be true to Callie. It's enough to buy her and Tyler a house. All she has to do is complete three successful rentals.
The first few times she does ok, but then she is informed that someone wants to rent her for a month. She agrees but only after she can see Tyler and make sure he is ok first. Just days after the beginning of her rental, she wakes up in a club. Something is malfunctioning and she isn't sure what. But when her renter begins to talk to her in her mind, Callie freaks out. She doesn't want to lose the opportunity to get paid. Then her renter explains to Callie that if she doesn't do something, the whole younger generation will be wiped out. Callie isn't sure what to believe but she knows that she needs to find safe haven for her and Tyler. Then she meets Blake, a cute boy who makes her heart beat faster and it's his grandfather who is behind the conspiracy her rental says it about to commence. Can Callie separate truth from fiction and survive to take care of Tyler?
Starters is a phenomenal read; I couldn't put it down! The concept is so far-fetched and yet it works rather well in the world that is elaborately and beautifully built through the readers mind. Romance, mystery, sharp character development, fast-paced and fabulous, I highly recommend Starters! I can't wait to read the next in the series, Enders, coming out this winter.
Callie is sixteen years old and trying to take care of her seven year old brother Tyler, who has a health condition. A friend of hers, Michael, helps Callie find food and safety for her and Tyler but Callie knows it's only temporary. They need something more stable. When she hears about Prime Destinations, she knows it sounds too good to be true, but knows she has nothing to lose by checking them out.
Prime Destinations is a body rental company. They 'hire' beautiful teenagers and with a small chip in their brain, they can hook them up to a renter, usually a wealthy Elder. The Elder's body is sleeping while they take control of the rental with their mind. The teen's mind is blank and they don't remember anything. The Elder can then relive their younger years and take risks that they are unable to take now at their age. The money sounds too good to be true to Callie. It's enough to buy her and Tyler a house. All she has to do is complete three successful rentals.
The first few times she does ok, but then she is informed that someone wants to rent her for a month. She agrees but only after she can see Tyler and make sure he is ok first. Just days after the beginning of her rental, she wakes up in a club. Something is malfunctioning and she isn't sure what. But when her renter begins to talk to her in her mind, Callie freaks out. She doesn't want to lose the opportunity to get paid. Then her renter explains to Callie that if she doesn't do something, the whole younger generation will be wiped out. Callie isn't sure what to believe but she knows that she needs to find safe haven for her and Tyler. Then she meets Blake, a cute boy who makes her heart beat faster and it's his grandfather who is behind the conspiracy her rental says it about to commence. Can Callie separate truth from fiction and survive to take care of Tyler?
Starters is a phenomenal read; I couldn't put it down! The concept is so far-fetched and yet it works rather well in the world that is elaborately and beautifully built through the readers mind. Romance, mystery, sharp character development, fast-paced and fabulous, I highly recommend Starters! I can't wait to read the next in the series, Enders, coming out this winter.
The Story is a somewhat unique Epic, an Interesting Survival Story, and there are a number of neat sci fi tech gadgets that also make this Dystopia Fun to Imagine, and I Rate it an above average Read!
However, and what I have noticed in a couple of Debut Author's Books I have recently Read, is their tendency to "Tell" the Story, and instead of allowing the Reader to Experience the Story.
Lastly, and this is a Spoiler, the Ending and Story wraps up a little too nicely, and the 2nd impetus to continue a Book #2 based on the concern of one missing character isn't necessarily strong, but I do plan on checking out Book #2 (but no Rush for me to run out and Buy It).
Finally, the Book is written more for a Younger YA Reader, and another Spoiler, the young Protagonist actions seem almost like Super Powers (Smarts and Actions) and so I doubt is applicable to almost all Teen Girls, but the Character would generally be a Good Role Model with High Morales!
Concluding, there is a light mix of Romances which is a side theme, and as it's not listed anyplace in the Genre Listing, and it does Add to make it a more Complex Story.
4.0/5.0
However, and what I have noticed in a couple of Debut Author's Books I have recently Read, is their tendency to "Tell" the Story, and instead of allowing the Reader to Experience the Story.
Lastly, and this is a Spoiler, the Ending and Story wraps up a little too nicely, and the 2nd impetus to continue a Book #2 based on the concern of one missing character isn't necessarily strong, but I do plan on checking out Book #2 (but no Rush for me to run out and Buy It).
Finally, the Book is written more for a Younger YA Reader, and another Spoiler, the young Protagonist actions seem almost like Super Powers (Smarts and Actions) and so I doubt is applicable to almost all Teen Girls, but the Character would generally be a Good Role Model with High Morales!
Concluding, there is a light mix of Romances which is a side theme, and as it's not listed anyplace in the Genre Listing, and it does Add to make it a more Complex Story.
4.0/5.0
I enjoyed this book all the way through. Some creepy concepts in this dystopian world and it was a page turner for me! Wonderful characters and a few twists in the end. I will definitely be reading the next book!
Starters, an excellent title for this because once you pick it up, it is extremely hard to put down. Ironically, it's also the start of the story and series. This book leaves you wanting more and leaves you excited for the following book, no doubt.
The book is about a future where young people are able to lend their bodies out to older people. These people typically take the bodies to clubs and just out to have fun in the youthful body they've rented. Well, Callie, the main character, soon learns that it's not such a simple process and the money may not necessarily be worth the risk. There's much more going on behind the scenes.
I don't want to give the book away so I'll leave it at that. The book was absolutely excellent and kept me engaged. I'm not usually into sci-do type books but this one was very good and worth the read! I've already started the following book in the series as well and hope it's just as good because I'm anxious to see what happens next!
The book is about a future where young people are able to lend their bodies out to older people. These people typically take the bodies to clubs and just out to have fun in the youthful body they've rented. Well, Callie, the main character, soon learns that it's not such a simple process and the money may not necessarily be worth the risk. There's much more going on behind the scenes.
I don't want to give the book away so I'll leave it at that. The book was absolutely excellent and kept me engaged. I'm not usually into sci-do type books but this one was very good and worth the read! I've already started the following book in the series as well and hope it's just as good because I'm anxious to see what happens next!
Starters, an excellent title for this because once you pick it up, it is extremely hard to put down. Ironically, it's also the start of the story and series. This book leaves you wanting more and leaves you excited for the following book, no doubt.
The book is about a future where young people are able to lend their bodies out to older people. These people typically take the bodies to clubs and just out to have fun in the youthful body they've rented. Well, Callie, the main character, soon learns that it's not such a simple process and the money may not necessarily be worth the risk. There's much more going on behind the scenes.
I don't want to give the book away so I'll leave it at that. The book was absolutely excellent and kept me engaged. I'm not usually into sci-do type books but this one was very good and worth the read! I've already started the following book in the series as well and hope it's just as good because I'm anxious to see what happens next!
The book is about a future where young people are able to lend their bodies out to older people. These people typically take the bodies to clubs and just out to have fun in the youthful body they've rented. Well, Callie, the main character, soon learns that it's not such a simple process and the money may not necessarily be worth the risk. There's much more going on behind the scenes.
I don't want to give the book away so I'll leave it at that. The book was absolutely excellent and kept me engaged. I'm not usually into sci-do type books but this one was very good and worth the read! I've already started the following book in the series as well and hope it's just as good because I'm anxious to see what happens next!
Loved this book.
