Spares

The Body Institute #2

by Carol Riggs

The body swapping continues in Spares, the sequel to the YA sci-fi, The Body Institute.

Sixteen-year-old Lexi Moore is obsessed with going to illegal junk food parties. This doesn’t exactly mesh well with her mother being a National Health Care councilwoman and staunch supporter of The Body Institute.

The Institute’s method of losing weight—downloading the minds of workers into client bodies—has always been controversial. A widespread petition nearly shut it down. Lexi has also heard ugly claims about its supply of reusable, mind-stripped bodies called Spares. Her family’s longtime friend, Leo Behr, has lost his job at the Institute during the whistleblowing fallout, and the questionable Spares project is no longer in existence.

Or… is it?

When her mother hijacks Lexi’s body one night to replace her mind with a Reducer’s, Lexi awakens six weeks later to find herself thirteen pounds lighter. Not only that, her best friend has disappeared. Feeling betrayed and suspecting the Spares project has been revived, Lexi launches her own investigation into her friend’s whereabouts. With the help of a hot guy named Ajeet whom her BFF has targeted for romance, Lexi must expose the body-swapping corruption and rescue her friend—without being turned into a mindless shell herself.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2021

About the author

Body-swapping and genies and portals--oh my! I'm a writer of clean-read Young Adult fiction who lives in the beautiful green state of Oregon, USA. My sci-fi debut, THE BODY INSTITUTE, explores themes of body image and identity. Its sequel, SPARES, released January 2021.

I have a Studio Arts degree and I'm a longtime SCBWI member. You'll usually find me in my writing cave, surrounded by my dragon collection and the characters in my head. I enjoy reading--mostly young adult novels--as well as drawing, painting, and working jigsaw puzzles. I also enjoy music and dance of all kinds.

Find me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/CarolRiggsAu...
Tweet with me on Twitter. @CRiggsAuthor: https://twitter.com/CRiggsAuthor
Email me! carolriggsauthor [at] gmail [dot] com
BOOK TRAILER: http://www.entangledteen.com/the-body...

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi Moore and her best friend Terise were both sixteen years old and while Lexi’s mother was a council woman in the National Health Care organization, Terise’s parents were okay with supporting Terise when she held a Crave night, which was a night of consuming illegal junk food, completely against the National Health Care directives. The night Lexi’s mother caught her at a Craves, was the night things went sideways in more ways than one.

Waking up and learning it was six weeks later, and that her mother had hijacked Lexi’s mind with a Reducer meaning she was 13 pounds lighter than she was, was shocking, but finding out Terise and her parents were missing was the catalyst. Lexi, with the help of Ajeet and Finn, fled the area – though how the Enforcers didn’t catch them Lexi didn’t know. But with Finn unable to continue with them, Ajeet and Lexi headed to another city to find Terise. It turned out Ajeet’s sister had also been missing for a long while as well. The body swapping with the use of Spares – deemed illegal after the Body Institute fiasco – was obviously still operating. Would Lexi and Ajeet work out a way to stop the use of Spares; to find Terise, her parents and Ajeet’s sister? Or were their own lives in dreadful danger?

Spares, sequel to The Body Institute by Carol Riggs is sci-fi at its incredible best! Mind-blowing tension, a gripping pace, and unbelievable shenanigans litter Spares, and I had trouble putting it down. Lexi is a great character, strong, quick thinking, intensely loyal – her friends are also a special group of youngsters. A thoroughly enjoyable read, Spares is one I highly recommend. I’d suggest The Body Institute first though, to get full understanding of the story.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This near-future YA is the sequel to my 2015 sci-fi, THE BODY INSTITUTE, and will be published in 2021. It picks up specific threads of the last book and ties them into a final (hopefully satisfying) knot. It was a total blast to write—full of action, adventure, romance, and plenty of twists and turns.

The events of SPARES begin 8 months after THE BODY INSTITUTE ends. While Morgan Dey plays a part in this book, the story continues from the viewpoint of a brand new main character, 16-year-old Lexi Moore. The Body Institute has not been shut down, carrying on with its Reducer program. The Spares aspect is the only thing that has been removed. Yet regulations are increasingly tightening with the government’s struggle to keep citizens “healthy and fit.”

In this dystopian society, junk food has now been pronounced illegal. The dangerous catch to Lexi defying this particular law? Her mother is none other than the Missouri councilwoman for National Health Care. Not to mention a whole megacomplex-load of other frightening issues Lexi isn’t even aware of yet…

SPARES: The body swapping continues!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good sequel

You can read this book as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading The Body Institute first. I enjoyed this book but preferred the first probably because the concept was so completely new for me. Some characters from book one return and new characters are introduced here. A very good ending for the series.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I finished reading The Body Institute, I knew I wanted there to be a second book. As soon as I read that Spares was coming out, I knew it was a must read for me! In fact, I pre-ordered it to make 100% sure I received it as soon as it was available!! There was only one thing that worried me and that was would I still remember any necessary facts from book one, in order for book 2 to make sense. I needn’t have worried I easily slid back into this world. As a matter of fact, when I looked up how long it had been since I read book 1 I found it hard to believe it had been 6 years!!!

This book is centred around different characters than those at the centre of book 1, though the book 1 characters are mentioned within book 2. The main family featured heavily in othis book are the Moore family, which consist of 16 year old, Lexi Jo, her mother, Camille who works for the Body Institute and was rather instrumental in its policies. There’s also Chad Moore who is Lexi’s brother though only a few trusted people know this as it is his own brain map inside a “Spares” body his mother and Uncle bought. “Uncle” Leo is a close family friend who has been like a father to Chad & Lexi Jo since their father died. Uncle Leo has managed to slide out of the whole debacle of the “Spare bodies” and the attack on one of the Body Institutes buildings killing many bodies and leaving clients of the Body Institute with no body. Under the circumstance “Spares” from other branches of the Institute were given to those clients so they could continue their lives in a different body.

Lexi is seriously sick of her mother nagging her about her weight despite her only being 10 pounds over her ideal weight. Indeed, she half expects that if she doesn’t lose the weight soon, her mum may employ a reducer to go inside her body to lose the weight for her! However, this doesn’t stop her eagerly attending the “Craves”. Craves are illegal parties where you can eat whatever your host has managed to buy or bake even if that food is on the banned list. Some of the teenagers that hold these Craves have what is called a Virtcoin account which is an untraceable virtual account, that multiple users can add funds to, but only super trusted individuals can purchase items from 100% dependable sources. If you are caught it is a really serious offence. For Lexi to be caught or even associated with a crave would mean serious consequences for her and possibly her mother too. Lexi’s mum, Camille helped set up the laws and guidelines about weight and what is and isn’t suitable to eat. It is called the National Health Directive and their rules, and they banned certain 'unhealthy' foods/drinks. You are only allowed 2 of 'certain drinks' such as chocolate mocha's. If you are carrying over 20 extra pounds than deemed your perfect weight you are enrolled in a 'loaner-reducer' program at The Body Institute. Knowing all this Lexi is still coerced, though admittedly it doesn’t take much to get her best friend Terese’s latest organised Crave. Terese wants Lexi to meet her latest crush, and all her other friends will be there too. The Crave goes well and Terese contacts Lexi later to tell her she is going on a date with Ajeet, and invites Lexi to go round to help choose her outfit. Unfortunately, its whilst at Terese’s home that Camille Moore walks in and catches her daughter eating contraband chocolate muffins! Lexi of course is expecting a punishment, yet even she doesn’t expect what her mother does to her with the help of her Uncle Leo!! When Lexi wakes up in her own bedroom feeling strange and see’s the calendar it is revealed that her mother has done the unthinkable….she has arranged for a reducer to be placed in Lexi’s body to ensure her daughter is in line with the National Health Directive Rules on weight and BMI index. When Lexi manages to finally contact one of her school friends the normally flirty, funny guy Finn that she realises there is something worse than what she has just been through. Finn tells her that Terese and her family have disappeared. Soon Lexi finds herself, Finn and Ajeet on an increasingly dangerous mission of finding Terese and her family. In order to find and hopefully rescue Terese, Ajeet and Lexi need to join a mission to gain access to a Body Institute storage facility to record evidence to take to those in power who can shut down the Body Institute. The only other people interested and crazy enough to try are Russell Alleger, who is the leader of the WHA, and Uncle Leo despises the man.

I loved Lexi as a character, and could identify with her as a teen (though I am well past being a teen now). I think my teenage heart fell for Finn a little in this book. I began liking Terese but by the end of the book I wasn’t so sure by the end. Maybe that’s just me, Id be interested to read what other readers think to her. The character I enjoyed “hating” was Uncle Leo. I wanted to hate Russell Alleger but I couldn’t help but have mixed feelings about him, sure his methods weren’t all black or white, he spends a lot of time in the murky grey area. I had a similar feeling towards Camille Moore, on one hand she loves her daughter and feels she is protecting her but on the other hand she organises for her own daughter’s body to be taken over by a reducer simply for her to adhere to the National Health Care Directive guidelines.

I loved the writing style the different abbreviations such as POI, Person Of Interest, in other words latest crush! The romantic flirtiness between the mixed group of friends. The usual boy likes girl as potential girlfriend but girl only sees him as a friend and Eeeew not a boyfriend! It is done so well. I adored Lexi as a character, she has a lot to come to terms with, such as all the things she learns about Uncle Leo. Then there’s the fact if she brings down the Body Institute where does it leave her mother? Even the worry of this doesn’t stop her from rushing headlong into danger to rescue her best friend Terese. Lexi also finds herself becoming more and more attracted to Ajeet, much too her consternation, how can she be searching for her friend and crushing on her friend’s boyfriend at the same time. She needs to stick to the “girl code”. Another thing that’s troubling her is that if there were no Spares she would have lost her older brother Chad when he, or rather his body died of cancer.
Things don’t always go to plan, with the more violent Herrites group almost ruining a mission the WHA group have planned.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing Spares were that though I had waited what felt like a really long time for this sequel but after reading it, I have to say it was worth waiting for!
Summing up, if there were any other books set in this world, I would certainly be putting them on my “must read list” I really enjoyed this book and could go on and on about it. I have tried to prevent revealing anything that is not already revealed in the blurb. If you read bk1 you will love this book, and if you haven’t read bk1 yet add it to your list. This book has a fantastic mix of teen angst, romance, lies, betrayal, and torn loyalties as well as the sci-fi, dystopian and futuristic elements to it too.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, haze! What did I just read?
A totally delightful YA sequel to The Body Institute, that’s what.

In The Body Institute, we met Morgan Dey, a reducer. In a not-too-far-off future world, her brain map would be placed into a “loaner” body, and she would do the work of getting the less-than-perfect body into shape. That came with a few problems.

I would suggest reading The Body Institute first, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. It does reference some characters and events from the first book, but you will not be lost and confused.

The description talks enough about the plot, so I’ll move on to the writing. I needed a light distraction after a bad week, and Carol Riggs knows how to write a fun story. Although I would consider it a more story for a much younger reader, this old great-grandmother thoroughly enjoyed this book. And I might have just picked up a new phrase—oh, haze! Her pace whips along, keeping the story moving. Her characters have lots of personality and are quite likeable—when they are supposed to be. Even though there is almost a 5-decade age difference between me and Lexi Moore, the main character, I could relate to her. Sometimes I felt as though I was eavesdropping on a conversation between my granddaughters and their high-school friends.

Just because the book was so fun to read doesn’t mean it didn’t have depth. There is some serious stuff going on surrounding The Body Institute, involving Lexi’s own mother and “Uncle” Leo, a long-time family friend. I envy a creative mind that can think up these crazy twists with so many dimensions.

With the craziness going on in the world today, Spares was a refreshing journey with a satisfying destination. Thank you, Ms. Riggs, for taking me along for the ride!

[Tyrean · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA Dystopian at its finest. In a near-future world where junk food is illegal and people can be fined for being overweight, teens host illegal Craves, where they eat all the junk food they want in one evening. Brain-mapping and body-swapping are used to help people control their weight, but the program of body-swapping has caused problems in the past, with illegal body swaps and false arrests to create bodies for the wealthy.

Lexi, the daughter of the founder of The Body Institute, disagrees with her mother and uncle who think maintaining a healthy weight is the highest priority in life. When she attends a Crave and gets caught, she finds out just how opposed she is to their methods. It turns out her mother and her uncle aren’t above doing what they think is best for her, whether it's legal or not. This begins a chain of events that none of them could have foreseen, and throws Lexi into the arms of her best friend’s crush, as she attempts to change both the way she’s been treated and the laws of her world.

The world-building is layered and the world of Spares feels real, possible, and complete. The main character, Lexi Moore, has great depth and growth in this book for YA readers, and the supporting cast of characters have depth as well, never over-shadowing the main character, but living out their own stories within the over-arcing story. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, exciting and attention-grabbing. I read it in two sittings, and lost some sleep, but it was worth it!

Spares is intriguing, action-packed, and though-provoking, a combination that makes it perfect for YA Science Fiction and YA Dystopian readers!

[Lynda Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book following the events of The Body Institute with a new main character. The story opens with Lexi excited about going to a party called a Crave (great party name, by the way). It’s where teens go to enjoy illegal junk food. The government, and Lexi’s mother, tightly regulate people’s eating choices, and a Crave is where people can rebel and enjoy.

There’s lots of energy in this book. It feels upbeat and pacey. The body swapping and politics from the first book continue in this book, so that was great.

Normally I’m hesitant with second books, especially when they have new characters, but Lexi fit into the story so well. Even Morgan Dey, the main character from the first book, makes an appearance. She plays a lesser role, but I loved seeing her again.

I also loved the growing attraction Lexi felt toward the out-of-bounds guy. There’s nothing more delish than forbidden fruit.

This makes a great sequel to the awesome original.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I thought book 1 was great, book two was even better!

I enjoyed how in book two the POV changed to someone closer to the Institute. In this case, it's the daughter of one of the top lady's in charge of the National Health Organization. With the additional side characters and more in-depth aspect of how the Body Institute works, I found her side of the story even more interesting than Morgan's from book one.

Ms. Riggs included the twists and turns similar to book one, twists that reel the reader in, and left me surprised by the results.

I loved the description used when Lexi and Ajeet had their first kiss in the field; it was unique in a poetic sort of way. I also enjoyed watching Lexi grow as the story progressed, going from the chubby girl who liked to disobey her health-conscious mother to a more active personality, defending what she believed in.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion to The Body Institute which can be read as a stand alone. The concept of being able to have someone else take over a body for weeks or months and lose weight for another person has some consequences...especially when the government gets involved. This book is YA and would make a good buddy read for discussion about identity, body image and governmental overreach. This book does not judge any of the issues but brings them to light though the characters and lets the reader form their own opinion. Would I like to have someone else take over my body and get it in shape? Sure. Would I want to almost be forced to do it because of fines from unhealthy food choices? Nope!

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved THE BODY INSTITUTE, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel. And it didn't disappoint. This book is filled action, suspense, and a powerful girl who stands up for what she believes in. Lexi Moore is a likable character with understandable flaws that make her even more endearing. The book covers themes of family, mistakes, loyalty, love, ethics, human rights, friendship, bravery and loving someone despite their flaws. So. Much. Fun!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. A return to the Body Institute but with new characters. Long discussions about Nanny State, personal freedoms, and how even the good guys do bad things. The bad guys guys, on the other hand, seem to have done all their good deeds in the past. Above all, politics are a slippery slope.

[Angelica Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping and fast-paced sequel to The Body Institute, full of secrets and plot twists. Which means I can't say much more about it without giving things away! Recommended for a quick read with not too much peril

[Deb Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked this sequel even more than The Body Institute, if that's possible. Full of nails-biting action, mystery, and peril, my concern for the characters never faltered.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!! I can’t wait for the next one to come out as an audiobook.