Killer Thriller Pick: Project Cain

Project Cain
by Geoffrey Girard
Simon & Schuster
2013
352 pages
ISBN: 9781442476967

Terrifying, taut, terrific, tragic, and tremendous! Project Cain is a tour de force that grabs you up and won't let you go until you turn the last chilling page. Even then, you are destined to think about the premise of cloned serial killers and secret government genetic testing.

Fifteen  year old Jeff Jacobson's life goes from "normal" to nightmare in minutes. His whole life has been a lie. Not only is he NOT Jeff Jacobson, he is a clone of famous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Jeff's "father," a scientist and famed geneticist has raised hundreds of clones of famous serial killers for the government. Now, his father is hell bent on releasing the clones into the public and witnessing their killing spree. His father deserts Jeff and leaves behind a folder explaining Jeff's existence. He warns Jeff to stay away from his company and the government.

Jeff hides out at home and barely escapes government agent types who break in and take his dad's papers and computers. Later, Jeff hides from another killer, but Castillo finds him and takes him away. Castillo isn't the government and he isn't a good guy, but he's not a bad guy either.

Jeff learns just how dangerous the government can be from Castillo. The U.S. government has always done secret testing on various unknowing populations. The government admits to more than 100 illegal genetic tests and biological weapons studies. Military scientists have released toxins in the subways of New York just to see how many people would get sick. Jeff learns the U.S. did secret drug tests with LSD and other psychotic drugs just to see how people would act. Now, the government wants to clone the clones and use them in warfare as the perfect killing machines.

Jeff also learns that Castillo is an ex-soldier who spent time in Afghanistan, and now works as a "contractor" of sorts. Castillo is hunting for the escaped clones and he needs Jeff's help to find them.

As Jeff's grasp on sanity begins to weaken,  he has terrible nightmares...or are they really memories? Surely being the exact replica of a monster named Jeffrey Dahmer comes with some shared likenesses. Jeff starts seeing things that aren't really there, but at least he knows he's seeing things. When will Jeff become a killer? When will he lose his humanity?

Trying to decipher his father's secret code, Jeff realizes a chilling fact: his father expected him to solve the puzzle all along. Is that why he used things that Jeff would remember? Is his father testing him or toying with him? Castillo and Jeff  plan a trap for the killing clones. They travel the Murder Map together coming closer and closer to evil. The two "men" share more than they care to admit. Both are broken and bruised, but both are willing to die righting the wrongs of Jeff's father, whatever it takes.

This is a must read for horror and thriller fans. Project Cain is riveting and terrifying; brilliant storytelling and an adrenaline fueled plot will force teen (and adult) readers to burn the midnight oil to finish this one!

Highly, highly recommended grade 9-up. Mature situations, violence, language. Not for middle school.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Book Giveaway: Cloneward Bound

Cloneward Bound (The Clone Chronicles, book 2)
M.E. Castle
Egmont
2013

I have FIVE copies of this funny new book up for grabs! Fisher Bas has to find his clone out in Hollywood before the government or the evil mad scientist does. When his class takes a field trip to a Hollywood sound stage, Fisher jumps at the chance to find Two. Book 2 in this delighfully funny series is sure to be a hit with middle grades.

For a chance to win, simply post a comment on the blog. Please include your first name, city, state and email. Deadline for posts is Monday, April 29 at noon MST. Winners will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will receive an email from me on the afternoon of April 29.Please check your email on that date. Winners have 24 hours to contact me with their mailing addresses. Books will ship from New York courtesy of Egmont and Katie. Thanks, Katie!

Good luck and start posting! Pamela

False Memory
by Dan Krokos
Disney Book Group (Hyperion)
2012
336 pages

Available August 14, 2012

Dark, dangerous, dynamic, and disturbing, False Memory is a solid page-turner that will have sci-fi fans reading at a frantic pace. Teens won't be able to put this complex ya novel down.

Miranda has lost her memory, but she knows her name and knows that she needs help. She finds herself in a mall but without any memory of how she got there or how to get home. She asks a mall cop for help, but he thinks she's a troubled teen-ager just out to pull a practical joke.

Suddenly all hell breaks loose and everything goes crazy. Miranda feels weird and her head is throbbing. People around her are running for their lives, but one boy appears untouched by all the mayhem. He reaches out to Miranda--assuring her that he is her friend and that he needs to take her from the mall to safety. Miranda has no choice but to follow Peter.

What she discovers is even worse than she could have imagined. Home is a laboratory where Dr. Tycast assures her that he will make her well again. She stopped her injections and that's why she's lost her memory. The doctor assures her that Olive, Peter, and Noah are her friends.

What if the doctor is not their loving father figure at all? The kids have powers that can be unleashed as a weapon against mankind. What if someone wanted to use them to harm people? How much would a government pay for their kind of powers?

The kids unearth a startling secret: there are more kids like them. The doctor is not powerful enough to keep them safe and the kids soon find themselves on their own.

Miranda and her team are in for the fight of their lives. They are searching for Rhys--rumored to be like them but one who escaped and went underground. They are going to need his help--if he can be trusted.

Plot twists and turns galore. Don't blink or you might miss something in this rollicking thrill-ride. Be prepared to stay up all night with this book.

Highly, highly recommended for sci-fi fans and anyone who likes a thrilling read. Girls and guys will both like this one.

Grades 7-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Book Giveaway: Popular Clone

I have 5 FREE copies of this fantastic NEW boy pick from author M.E. Castle.

Popular Clone is book one in a series titled The Clone Chronicles.

When nerdy kid genius Fisher Bas decides he has had enough bullying, he sneaks into his mother's new invention of dangerous Advanced Growth Hormone and clones himself. He sends his clone to school to take his abuse and Fisher stays home enjoying himself. His brilliant experiment backfires when his clone becomes popular! Fisher decides to spy on his other self and is amazed that his clone is actually a "cool" kid.

Post a comment here for your chance to win a FREE copy. Please include your name, city, state and email contact information. Winners are chosen randomly by Randomizer and will be notified by email.

Deadline is April 30 at noon MST. Winners will be notified that day. Please check your email. Winners have 24 hours to respond with their mailing addresses. Books will ship from New York city courtesy of Egmont and Katie. Thanks, Katie and Egmont!

Start posting and good luck!
Pamela

Graphic Novel Pick: The Never Weres

The Never Weres
by Fiona Smyth
Annick Press, 2011
255 pages (illustrated)

This debut graphic novel by cartoonist and illustrator Fiona Smyth is set in the future in a world where no new babies are being born; the youngest children are fifteen and the aged population of the "oldies" is dying out. With no new citizens, the world will surely die out in a generation. Geneticists and scientists are working fervently to find a solution to this dilemma including finding a safe way to clone humans.

Friends Xian, Mia, and Jesse stumble upon an sixty year old mystery of a missing teenager and a series of tunnels under the city. When they find strange symbols and graphitti, they know they are onto something. Government bots are tracking their progress, and government agents are searching Xian's house and computers.

When Jesse's mother is questioned by the authorities, the kids go into hiding staying just a couple of steps ahead of the agents. What they discover will change the world as they know it.

Exciting and visionary, The Never Weres is a great graphic read. Artwork is compelling and just plain fun. Each layout has so much going on, that readers will want to slow down and study the art. There is great cultural diversity; the three friends represent various ethnic groups and citizens are diverse and unique.

There is one problem in my mind: old computer flash drives or USB drives are found and the characters make fun of them, calling them old-fashioned and joking how ancient the technology is, yet characters still talk on cell phones. If USB drives and PCs are old fashioned, wouldn't cell phones be outdated as well?

Highly recommended for graphic collections grades 7-up.
No language, no sex.

FTC Required disclaimer: I received this books from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

YA Pick

The Compound
by S.A. Bodeen
Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2008.
248 pages.

This first novel was surprising. Surprisingly great! The Compound strikes close to home in this era of the Internet and streaming video where news stories hit the net within seconds. Because we are so aware of government coups, upheavals, gorilla warfare, and nukes, we are afraid of something happening as it does in this novel.

Eli and his family are forced into a safe compound underground built by his eccentric billionaire father. Eli's twin and grandmother don't make it before the iron door shuts. They are lost to the family. The world as Eli knew it has been destroyed by nukes and radiation. They are only safe stuck in the compound for the next fifteen years. The vault cannot be opened until fifteen years pass and the world is "safe" from nuclear fall-out. His father has planned this safe haven for years and stockpiled supplies, even medicine and a medical wing. They are prepared for anything. Except the livestock start dying, flour is running short, and they are facing a real food crisis. His father has planned for that. Every year a new Supplement joins the family. These are the offspring of Eli's mother and father--yes, children--, but they are not considered part of the family. They are raised in case the food runs out.

Eli and his sister find shocking news. They discover that their father has been in touch with the outside world through the Internet. They wonder, if there is Internet, people are still alive! And if there is Internet, most of the world must be normal! Eli confronts his father about the lies, and the novel continues to shock. Readers who like thrillers will love this one. Recommended for all YA collections, grades 7 and up.

Genesis Alpha

Genesis Alpha

by Rune Micheals
Ginee Seo Books, 2007

208 pages

Science, medicine, ethical questions, and the age-old struggle of good vs. evil collide in the debut novel by Rune Michaels. Josh worships his older brother Max. He emulates his clothing, his taste in music, reading, and their favorite on-line role-playing game, Genesis Alpha. When Max is accused of murder, Josh knows the police are wrong. As the evidence mounts, Josh uncovers a secret that will change everything. Josh was born so doctors could use his stem cells to save his older brother's life. Josh begins to question -if he was never born, then Max would have died and there would have been no murder.

This page-turner will have readers engrossed and captivated. A quick read at 208 pages, this is a must read for all teens. You will have trouble putting this book down! Genesis Alpha is a great read for a teen book club or a reading class, as discussions over medicine and ethics are sure to provoke teens to think about issues of what is right and wrong and what happens if medicine goes too far. Recommended for YA collections; grade 7-high school.