Published: Nov. 10, 2011
Words: 26,570 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465992529

Short description

L-42869 is the latest technology - a clone that can not only predict the future, but can actually slip into it. When she’s been stolen by a rogue group of escaped clones suspected of revolutionary aims, the company that created her must rely on Adam, an emotionally troubled first generation clone, to track her down and bring her back before a new war between man and clone is unleashed.

Extended description

On the eve of a major political showdown over current cloning laws, CGen has their latest clone, L-42869, stolen. Pioneered by Dr. Jim Haalis, this clone not only has the ability to see the future, she can slip into it. But before they can fully understand their new find, she is kidnapped by a mysterious underground cult called Gertrude’s Garden. Using all her pull, Debra Johnston, the most powerful political lobbyist for the Cloning Industries, assembles a team intended to recover the company’s prized asset. At the center of this team is Adam, a first generation clone with some prescient ability, who has been predicted by the Cloud to be the one who will find her. Adam, who’s grown cynical after years of bitter disappointment, joins in the hope of one last chance at redemption. He’s teamed up with Sarafina, a clone with literally thousands of battle scenarios programmed into her, Brigand, a specimen of physical and military superiority, and Marmoset, a wily natural bo.. (Read more) On the eve of a major political showdown over current cloning laws, CGen has their latest clone, L-42869, stolen. Pioneered by Dr. Jim Haalis, this clone not only has the ability to see the future, she can slip into it. But before they can fully understand their new find, she is kidnapped by a mysterious underground cult called Gertrude’s Garden. Using all her pull, Debra Johnston, the most powerful political lobbyist for the Cloning Industries, assembles a team intended to recover the company’s prized asset. At the center of this team is Adam, a first generation clone with some prescient ability, who has been predicted by the Cloud to be the one who will find her. Adam, who’s grown cynical after years of bitter disappointment, joins in the hope of one last chance at redemption. He’s teamed up with Sarafina, a clone with literally thousands of battle scenarios programmed into her, Brigand, a specimen of physical and military superiority, and Marmoset, a wily natural born human with a genius at computers.

Meanwhile, the Garden’s operatives are trying to find a place to hide L-42869 until they can get her out of the city. Josephine, the Gardener who has been sent to retrieve her, has activated a covert cell who work within CGen and City Securities. Swift is an idealistic clone who hopes for a better life in the Garden and Madden is his human friend, who’s disadvantaged circumstances have led him to sympathize more with clones than with his own kind.
No sooner have the Gardeners brought L-42869 to a safe house, though, than Debra uses her connections to have the whole city put under lockdown. As Adam and his team close in on them, the Gardeners find themselves trapped, with nowhere to go.
(Less)

Tags

adventure, speculative fiction, science fiction, serial fiction, psychological, technology, clones, esp, clone, future technology, serial format, cyber tech

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Reviews

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Review by: Shari Shari on Nov. 28, 2011 :
This is part one of a series. I am not sure how many more parts there are, but this first one is enough of a taste
for the appetite to be whet. Some interesting questions are considered and left dangling, drawing the
reader in for a closer look. While brief in its length, it effectively sets up the story.

I enjoyed the character development and its subtle, effective method of instilling an empathy for the clones.
There is a sense that the two main characters will continue to be on opposing sides of power, but somehow come together.
I could be very wrong. It is an interesting thought, anyway, to be continued. Both Adam and L-42869 share some
connection that promises to be more deeply explored.

The prose is fluid, not too far above this average reader but engaging enough to keep me interested from page to page.
Take for instance this dance between two characters:

'"Yes, she is," Jim said reflexively, without even thinking about the trap that his own words could set for him. He saw it in Caroline's face, though, like a little pinch between the eyes, without her even saying anything...
"Okay," she said, and her withdrawing from argument was in it's own way an attack.'

And this declaration by another:

"I do what I do because it's right. It's right and everyone knows it. Sometimes people have to be reminded to do what they know is just. That's all." There was a force to the words, the force of conviction that surprised them both in the moment. He hadn't heard her speak on such moral terms before. His heart broke a little more."

Or this short punch of a line:

"He knew the time alone was slowly suffocating her, and by extension, their marriage."

Then, there's this blunt telling:

"The doctor speaking to her had a bedside manner, for sure. Calm and soothing voice. A kind face. What did that mean in the grip of this? Nothing."

It is not difficult to understand why I enjoyed the writing and the story line. I look forward to reading more.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Devin DiGonno on Nov. 13, 2011 :
If you like your Sci-Fi set in a fascinating world, full of complex characters and big ideas, then you should try this out! I was glad I did. It reminds me of a lot of the great old school sci-fi like Asimov and Heinlein. The story unfolds through several different characters, but never gets confusing. Though Adam is by far my favorite character (his stuff is in first person) all the characters are compelling. The theme here seems to be that the human brain is the next frontier of scientific exploration, with everything from memory uploads to transplanted identities. I was interested in how the clones are seen as just a vehicle to grow and develop these technologies. The idea of clones suffering from a pathological hatred of one another is interesting too, and I'll be interested to see where that develops. The L-42869 plot line seems to be about how a technology becomes human, so I'll be interested to see how it goes.

Looking forward to the next installment!
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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