Giselle's Reviews > Eve and Adam
Eve and Adam
by Michael Grant (Goodreads Author), Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author)
by Michael Grant (Goodreads Author), Katherine Applegate (Goodreads Author)
I don't know if it's the cover, or the latest craze of dystopians, but I was sure I was getting into a futuristic sci-fi novel when I started Eve and Adam. After only a few chapters though - confused about the lack of world building - did I suddenly realize that this is actually set in current day. This is not a bad thing at all, but my expectations did a complete 360 to which I ended up pleasantly surprised to have stumbled upon an intriguing sci-fi novel touching on genetics, and full of horrifying secrets.
While Goodreads says 300 pages, this novel felt even shorter as the chapters are small and plentiful. The downfall of this is nothing is very profound or examined deeply; the characters and plot are not incredibly developed. However, you can breeze through it in the blink of an eye which makes it a quick ride where you simply sit back and enjoy. It's a guilty pleasure read.
The fast pace keeps it entertaining and the twists holds your rapt attention. If you're wary of the sci-fi aspect, don't be. It's in no way confusing or overwhelming. Evening (Eve) is put on a simulation project to create the perfect human. Even though we don't get into it in great depths, it's still fascinating with vivid imagery; the eyes, the hands, the face - floating in mid-air - it's all being created and perfected by our protagonist. It's also incredible how you never really think of every little details that goes into individuality; every element counteracts another. Do you make him so smart he won't easily fit in a social crowd, or do you make him average but then he'll need to try harder academically? Do you make him muscled? If so 1) you can't give him too big an appetite or he'll simply get fat (nor too small or he'll get scrawny), and 2) you also need to make him enjoy working out to keep said muscles. This is just an example of specifics you have you consider. It's all very interesting and thought provoking. Plus, can any human really be perfect? Endless details go into to create a human to our liking. With our current scientific advancements, picking and choosing characteristics in our future babies is not implausible; the believability of this whole plot makes it even more engrossing.
Solo is the main male character we get to know in this book. He's got quite the brisk personality and I kind of liked his and Evening's snippy exchanges. Since he's been living inside the Biotech facility for years, he has thus acquired a lot of its secrets and inside knowledge. He's now discovering secrets; frighteningly disturbing secrets. The plot twists are fun even though they aren't exactly surprising. There's also a hint of romance in the book, but it's not abundant by any means. Aislin is another character we see a lot of - Evening's best friend. She's a fun addition, but I felt her storyline - drug dealing boyfriend constantly getting in trouble - felt irrelevant. It doesn't really add anything to the story. With the book being so short, we don't get into this side story with any kind of depth, making it seem mostly random without any emotional attachment towards their situation.
Original and intriguing, Adam and Eve is a fantastically quick read that I think would suit those looking for a light and breezy sci fi novel. I haven't found many true sci-fi (without being a dystopian) in YA, but I find them especially engaging and thought provoking, Eve and Adam is no exception.
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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
While Goodreads says 300 pages, this novel felt even shorter as the chapters are small and plentiful. The downfall of this is nothing is very profound or examined deeply; the characters and plot are not incredibly developed. However, you can breeze through it in the blink of an eye which makes it a quick ride where you simply sit back and enjoy. It's a guilty pleasure read.
The fast pace keeps it entertaining and the twists holds your rapt attention. If you're wary of the sci-fi aspect, don't be. It's in no way confusing or overwhelming. Evening (Eve) is put on a simulation project to create the perfect human. Even though we don't get into it in great depths, it's still fascinating with vivid imagery; the eyes, the hands, the face - floating in mid-air - it's all being created and perfected by our protagonist. It's also incredible how you never really think of every little details that goes into individuality; every element counteracts another. Do you make him so smart he won't easily fit in a social crowd, or do you make him average but then he'll need to try harder academically? Do you make him muscled? If so 1) you can't give him too big an appetite or he'll simply get fat (nor too small or he'll get scrawny), and 2) you also need to make him enjoy working out to keep said muscles. This is just an example of specifics you have you consider. It's all very interesting and thought provoking. Plus, can any human really be perfect? Endless details go into to create a human to our liking. With our current scientific advancements, picking and choosing characteristics in our future babies is not implausible; the believability of this whole plot makes it even more engrossing.
Solo is the main male character we get to know in this book. He's got quite the brisk personality and I kind of liked his and Evening's snippy exchanges. Since he's been living inside the Biotech facility for years, he has thus acquired a lot of its secrets and inside knowledge. He's now discovering secrets; frighteningly disturbing secrets. The plot twists are fun even though they aren't exactly surprising. There's also a hint of romance in the book, but it's not abundant by any means. Aislin is another character we see a lot of - Evening's best friend. She's a fun addition, but I felt her storyline - drug dealing boyfriend constantly getting in trouble - felt irrelevant. It doesn't really add anything to the story. With the book being so short, we don't get into this side story with any kind of depth, making it seem mostly random without any emotional attachment towards their situation.
Original and intriguing, Adam and Eve is a fantastically quick read that I think would suit those looking for a light and breezy sci fi novel. I haven't found many true sci-fi (without being a dystopian) in YA, but I find them especially engaging and thought provoking, Eve and Adam is no exception.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
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Reading Progress
| 05/04/2012 |
|
38.0% | "Dunno why I expected a futuristic setting. But it's not :) To be honest I'm kind of glad. Love the sci-fi aspect." 7 comments |
Comments (showing 1-23 of 23) (23 new)
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ohfudgemuffins
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May 04, 2012 07:20am
i have an arc of it at home! Can't wait to read it!!!
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Hope you love it, Vickie! I think this was the quickest read I've ever read! Read it in half the time I usually take.
So jealous you got to read this. KAA are the people that taught me to love reading/writing/etc. :) can't wait for October
You have to check out Michael Grant's Gone series! Have been reading it since high school! Really good series of books. Kinda like Lord of the Flies Meets Xmen. Highly reccommended!
I have to pick up some of their other stuff! I've heard of the Gone series I actually think I have the 1st book on my Kobo I'll try to get to it soon!
I've loved everything Michael Grant has ever written for YA. Would you place this in the YA category or slightly below that since the short chapters and length? (Also since K. A. Applegate is more known for her middle-grade or younger books).
I don't think length can decide a genre. Some MG novels are 700 pages (look at HP). I'd definitely consider the plot YA, and the characters are 16-ish.
Great review. I am really looking forward to this book! I remember the Animorphs were more on the side of MG, so I'm curious to see how the story is told.
Thanks Jodi. I never read the Animorphs so I'm not sure how it compares, but now that I've read this I'm very curious about it!









