Replica

Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Cover image and summary from Goodreads:

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born. 'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice. But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra - or number 24 as she is known as at Haven - and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape. Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing , they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever...

I am a big Lauren Oliver fan. She has become an auto-buy author for me, and on top of finding the story so intriguing, I was really interested in Replica‘s format: it is two books in one, in a way. One side of the book tells Gemma’s story, and the other side tells Lyra’s story.

I chose to start reading Gemma’s story, and after the first eight or so chapters, I switched and read all of Lyra’s story. I then went back and finished reading Gemma’s story. I loved being able to do that, and getting both characters’ perspectives on a single event, e.g. the first time they meet.

I really enjoyed Replica. I love Lauren Oliver’s writing and characters, and I was so happy to see that this is the first in a series. I need more of Gemma and Lyra’s story! And I wonder if the next book will be told in the same dual format.

Recommended!