Monday, October 8, 2012

Review: Beta

BETA (Annex #1)
Rachel Cohn
Young Adult/Dystopian/Sci Fi
304 pages
Disney Hyperion
Available October 16th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Amazon)
Elysia is created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to exist.

Elysia’s purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island’s workers—soulless clones like Elysia—are immune to.

At first, Elysia’s life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne’s human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island’s flawless exterior, there is an under­current of discontent among Demesne’s worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care—so why are overpowering sensations cloud­ing Elysia’s mind?

MY THOUGHTS
Beta is a story that starts out seeming as though it will be an interesting and entertaining foray into the science fiction genre, but the deeper into the story we get, the more uncomfortable we find ourselves, the would-be utopia of Demesne slowly becoming riddled with flaws that disturb us more and more the longer we think on them. Ms. Cohn gives us a literally perfect protagonist – stunning physically and programmed to be obedient and compliant – but she is without passion, ambition, emotion, or independent thinking, as was intended when she was created. She is a shell, and it’s with a slowly dawning horror that we realize this empty vessel is what the people of Demesne consider to be the ideal, and as Elysia discovers and explores the subtle nuances of wanting and feeling, it's then that we are given the word “defect” to associate with her, and we read on comparing and contrasting our definitions of perfect and imperfect with those of the residents of Demesne.

Because Elysia is a clone, a young woman newly emerged after the death of the girl on whom she was based, it takes us a little while to relate to her, but we soon discover how necessary that time is as it gives us the opportunity to build a relationship with her from the foundation up, by her side every step of the way as she learns what it means to be human. The more Elysia begins to exhibit the traits of a Defect, the taller we stand behind her, wishing we could be with her in person to answer her questions and encourage her differences so she wouldn’t feel quite so alone among people who cause us shame at the fact that we have to include ourselves in the same species classification as them, even if they are purely fictional.

Though Elysia’s story is intriguing, it's extremely challenging as well, her innocence a stark contrast to those who make up her new “family”, and as we read our stomach ties itself in ever-tighter knots, our instincts crying out in warning that her innocence is about to be brutally shattered. Each chapter causes a hairline fracture to form in the little glass bubble the residents of Demesne seem to live in, and by the time we reach the concluding chapters there are so many cracks the bubble of perfection has no option but to implode under the external pressure stemming from the cruelty and brutality of those around Elysia. The final pages of this story are disturbing – intentionally so – darkness and violence erupting amidst the deceptive calm of Demesne as a whole, and though we know such events are meant to be unnerving, we can't help but find ourselves struggling to come to terms with everything that happens.

Overall, Beta is a surprisingly grim read, the depiction of a perfect world infected with varied strains of imperfections – some more extensive than others – knocking us back on our heels and forcing us to think about what it means to be the sole owner of our lives, our loves, and our happiness.

*Due to the concluding chapters, this story is highly recommended for older readers of young adult fiction*

Rating: 3.5/5

45 comments:

  1. The book sounds interesting. Great review! :)
    I think I will pick it up.:)

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    1. It was definitely interesting! And disturbing:)

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  2. Wow, sounds really interesting. The cover art is gorgeous!

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  3. I like this, perfect society, but creepy none the less

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    1. Creepy is a good word for it. I would not want to live in Demesne:)

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  4. Oh gosh when I first read the blurb to this book I didn't know it would be this intense and grim. But I still like the sound of it, I've also been meaning to pick up more books by Rachel Cohn, this is a lot different to her typical reads, but I like it! Another wonderful review Jenny! :)

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    1. It was darker than I was anticipating, especially the events that take place at the end. They threw me off-kilter a little bit and knocked my rating down a notch, but I'm still curious to see where things go from here!

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  5. I've had this book on my TBR pile (which, by the way, is growing out of control) for a long time. I actually like stroies about the growth of personality and getting a backbone etc so that's great, however I'm not sure I'd like to read something grim. I have a few books on my "next-to-read" pile and I need to spice it up with some brighter books. Ha. Thanks for the review, Jenny!

    Siiri

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    1. I'm in the mood for some lighter books as well now. Maybe a Disney movie or two:) Then I'll be ready to tackle some darker books again!

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  6. I want to feel all knotty!! Im in such a mood for intense dark twisty storys right now, I think its just the time of year, I go for the more twisty or dark books...:) Your review was mighty swell.

    BTW- ok so this has nothing to do with Beta, but I need to tell someone right now.....I read Obsidian and Onyx this weekend, OMW Im in love with an Alien....have you read them yet???

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    1. GET KNOTTY TINA! This book made me uncomfortable, but I kind of liked that about it. I could have done without some scenes at the end though.

      And yes, I've read Obsidian and met Daemon:) I didn't care for him so much in book one (until I read the scenes from his POV at the end, then I was SO on board with him), but I hear he's way different in Onyx so I can't wait to read that one!

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    2. What are these scenes in the end...nasty sex stuff or weird guts and blood stuff???

      And Daemon- he was a grouch in Obsidian, buttttt...if you read Onyx and Shadows (Dawson and Bethanys story) you'll understand why he was such a jerk in the first book...:)

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  7. Wow. I wouldn't have thought that this book would be so dark. It certainly doesn't look like it, nor does it initally sound so dark. But. you wouldn't give this warning if not for a reason...
    I'm not sure if I'm up for this book to be honest...

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    1. I liked it right up until the end Danny, and then certain things happened and I just was left feeling really off balance. Still, the world was intriguing and I loved the whole concept up to that point:) I'll tell you what happens if you want me to!

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  8. "forcing us to think about what it means to be the sole owner of our lives, our loves, and our happiness."

    I like books that do this.

    And now I'm REALLY CURIOUS to know what happens in the final chapters. O.O

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    1. The final chapters were hard for me to read, and it left me feeling heavy for sure. I'm still curious to see what happens moving forward though, so I'm going to be picking the next book up:)

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  9. Yeah, I wasn't sure if I like this book and it looks like I was right. Still, I may attempt to read it later. Nice review Jenny!

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    1. I thought the world was crazy fascinating, I just had a little trouble when some things came to pass at the end. Still, a very interesting read:)

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  10. Great review and glad that you enjoyed it. I read it and disliked it for many of the grim stuff at the end. I was just so frustrated by this book. :(

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    1. I had a lot of trouble with the end as well, I felt a lot of it was unnecessary, but I liked it right up until then:)

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  11. I found this book to be pretty disturbing...and I don't know that it would fall into my more conservative YA label. I've not managed to write my review yet...just not sure how to phrase all the mixed emotions that I was left with at the conclusion.

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    1. Agreed. It was definitely disturbing, but I think it was meant to be so, so even though it made me uncomfortable, I could appreciate the fact that it challenged me.

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  12. Ooh, that whole "gorgeous on the outside, nothing on the inside" state of perfection just gave me chills. And not in a good way (though good for the story 'cause now I really want to read it!). Having a society focus on that "perfection" is very creepy! I'm a little scared about the ending chapters but will muddle through.

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    1. It was a solid 4 for me right up until the events at the end, then it veered off track a bit and I didn't necessarily care for the new direction. Still, I need to know what happens moving forward, so I'll keep reading.

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  13. Hmm I wouldn't have guessed that this book went into the dark and disturbing area. I am honestly not sure how I feel about this now, I love complexity and so forth but uncomfortable well not always my favorite. Thanks for the informative review!

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    1. I didn't think it was going to get quite as dark as it did at the end, but prior to that it was just fascinating and unnerving at the same time:)

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  14. This sounds like a white knuckler. So intense. I do like dark and I like suspense, but I do think I'll have to wait a bit for this one. Will still put it on the wishlist, but need some light right now. Brilly review as always!! Love them. :)

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    1. I needed some light after this one too. I was ready to have a Disney marathon to help me recover:)

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  15. Wow, this one sounds extremely disturbing. Like I might need to keep my lights on when I read it. I think I need to be in a certain mind set to read this one, but I'm really curious to see how this ideal clone came out to be.

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    1. It's just one of those uncomfortable reads you know? The ones that make you feel heavy after you read. I really liked that about it even if I could have done without the final few chapters.

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  16. denesme rimes with renesme lol. gr8 review

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  17. Yours is one of the first positive reviews I've come across of this book, Jenny, so I'm glad to see that you at least enjoyed it. I loved the premises of it but SO many bloggers have truly detested it and I feel as if I might have issues with it too, but perhaps if I find some free time I'll make sure to check this one out as well. Fantastic review, dear! :)

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  18. Wow- this sounds super intense. I am not sure if I am in the mood for a grim read right about now...sometimes dystopians are depressing. And thanks for the disclaimer about it being an older YA read...good to know! I will avoid putting this one on my classroom library bookshelf. Great review, Jenny!

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  19. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts! I think it's safe to say I will never be reading this! Disturbing and grim are not things I'm looking for when I pick up a book. Sounds like it was more of a burden than an enjoyment =(

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  20. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews for this book so I'll have to read more feedback before considering it. Also, Elysia's story sounds TOO sad. I already feel bad for her and I haven't even read her full story yet. :(

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  21. *sigh* You are ever so eloquent, darling. Marvelous review! Originally I wanted to get my grabby little hands on this book; I adore the shiny cover and the concept was fascinating (bioethics, bioengineering equates to a happy Leanne) but then I saw some negative reviews trickling in, so I put this at the back of my TBR list. I'll definitely keep your mostly positive opinion in mind, though! I'm pleased you liked it. :)

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  22. So I'm in love with cover, but now I'm not so sure I want to have it sitting on my shelf! D: I'm not particularly good with disturbing books and well, this one sounds intense. I didn't expect it to be so dark (the cover is pink! Pink!) and I think I would probably struggle through this. But I'm glad that you still semi-enjoyed it up until the end? x) Fantastic review, Jenny!

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  23. I'm continually in awe of the imaginations of authors writing dystopian fiction. Great review!

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  24. Sounds interesting. There's tons of clone, hybrid and second soul (can't really think of the word at the moment) type dystopian fiction out there lately. Nice review!

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  25. I think your warning at the end is what caught my attention the most, it seems like you don't do that often. This does sound disturbing. I really don't know if I have much desire to read it but yet I find myself a little curious.

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  26. Clones ? They've always freaked me out .. It sounds pretty interesting, I really like sci fi so I look forward to read this one. Thanks for the fab review Jenny ;)

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  27. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for this one so I'm curious about reading it myself and seeing how I'll respond. The premise sounds interesting though and the clone idea kind of reminds me of The Island with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, a movie I had to analyze for one of my high school classes.

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  28. I've been really curious about this since I started seeing reviews pop up for it- it seems like one of those 'love it or hate it' reads. And now I'm super curious about that ending! ;)

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