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Reviewed by:
  • Genesis Alpha
  • April Spisak
Michaels, Rune Genesis Alpha. Seo/Atheneum, 2007193p ISBN 1-4169-1886-8$14.99 Ad Gr. 7-9

Finding out that you are actually a clone of your older brother, created so your cells can cure him of a deadly disease, is never easy. Add in the fact that the older sibling, Max, is now being arrested for a horrible murder, and thirteen-year-old Josh's life is looking grim indeed. At first, Josh and his parents are certain of Max's innocence, but the more time Josh spends with Rachel, the murdered girl's younger sister, who has taken up residence in his garage, the closer he comes to admitting Max's probable guilt. As the two damaged younger siblings try to uncover proof through Max's online-gaming archives and chat logs, the press is turning against Josh's whole family, and it becomes clear that whether or not Max is guilty, the family will never be the same again. Josh, worshipping younger brother turned into a wracked and haunted shell of his old self, is an unforgettable protagonist, inspiring empathy as the only true innocent in the novel. Unfortunately, Josh is surrounded by caricatures: Max oozes charm and barely disguised rage; Josh's parents are bland and obedient, hoping to cover up their past choices to protect their doctor as much as themselves; and Rachel's mere presence in the family garage, undetected and unmissed, is an impossibility that weakens her character. In addition, the focus of the novel, the ethical ponderings about whether a clone is doomed to exhibit the exact same behaviors as the original person, seems an old-fashioned cliché. However, even if science fiction buffs may have seen this before in Farmer's The House of the Scorpion (BCCB 11/02), the terse and powerful sentences, realistic dialogue, and gripping pace will certainly keep many readers engaged and invested in seeing Josh find the beginnings of his own identity.

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