Author: Rebecca Hanover
Stars: 4.5 /5
Recommended to: Fans of science fiction, fans of fiction
I know this novel comes out in almost a year from now, but I need a sequel like right now.
A mixture of science fiction wrapped up in a teenager’s world at boarding school. This novel was so unique and interesting that I had to finish it in one sitting.
Emma is entering her junior year at Darkwood, a school for exceptional students. After the death of her best friend, Oliver, things are proving to be tricky for her, especially with the inclusion of six new students this year. The Similars are six clones of Darkwood students. What Emma doesn’t expect is to see the clone of her dead best friend Oliver. Levi, the clone, is almost completely identical and Emma wants nothing to do with him. Except, the clones are there for reasons other than studying and Emma seems to be more and more drawn to the Similars.
There were some surprise twists that I didn’t see coming, which I absolutely loved, and some that I did see, which were still really brilliant despite me being able to figure them out..
The pacing was a little fast at times, particularly at the end of the novel, so I have to admit, I wish it was a little more developed there.
Emma’s character also was a little too convenient. She would walk across conversations that she just happened to be there for and it also just happens to reveal a huge element of the novel I think there might have been another way to reveal plot, possibly at a slower pace to the novel, but it wouldn’t be as “in your face” as the way it was in the book. Emma felt very stoic at times and I felt like we didn’t get a lot of emotion from her, the only time we really see emotion is when she talks about missing Oliver, but when she and Levi start falling for each other, there’s almost nothing. I was waiting for a lot more to happen, more development between Levi and Emma, but it didn’t happen.
Despite the problems that I mention above, I can tell that the story behind the novel is really unique and I cannot wait to see if there is a sequel for this (which I’m really hoping there is!!)
This is definitely going to be one of the top 2019 novels and I cannot wait to see what else Hanover comes up with in the future.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to SourceBooks Fire and Netgalley for letting me read this novel!
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The Written Adventure 