Title: The Similars
Author: Rebecca Hanover
Publication: January 1, 2019
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Teens, YA Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 400
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
When six clones join Emmaline’s prestigious boarding school, she must confront the heartbreak of seeing her dead best friend’s face each day in class.
The Similars are all anyone can talk about at the elite Darkwood Academy. Who are these six clones? What are the odds that all of them would be Darkwood students? Who is the madman who broke the law to create them? Emma couldn’t care less. Her best friend, Oliver, died over the summer and all she can think about is how to get through her junior year without him. Then she comes face-to-heartbreaking-face with Levi—Oliver’s exact DNA replica and one of the Similars.
Emma wants nothing to do with the Similars, but she keeps getting pulled deeper and deeper into their clique, uncovering dark truths about the clones and her prestigious school along the way. But no one can be trusted…not even the boy she is falling for who has Oliver’s face.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
The Similars by Rebecca Hanover is a story like none other I have ever read and leads the reader on a wild ride of mystery, intrigue, and emotions.
The story follows Emmaline as she deals with “The Similars”, or clones of other students who have been admitted to her classy boarding school. One of those similars is the clone of her dead best friend, making the situation all the more difficult.
The Similars was a very unique story. I have read a lot of YA and Teen fiction and have never read something quite like this. Hanover had aspects of science fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, and more all wrapped into this incredible story. Hanover’s writing style is very smooth. She does not jump around like a lot of authors do now-a-days. While this story flashes back to memories occasionally, the main plot line is the primary focus the entire book. Just like in life, the story slowly developed revealing new information that fills holes in the story line until the big “ah ha!” moment at the climax of the story. It was the perfect mixture of suspense and excitement to make me keep flipping pages and saying “just one more chapter.”
Emmaline’s character was beautifully written and believable. I hate when I read a teenage aged book and the teens are doing things that real life teens don’t typically do. This one was reasonable and realistic. Each character, bad and good alike, added something to the story. Hanover didn’t give too much of a description, which I prefer so I can build my own image of the characters in my head.
While this is a YA fiction or teen fiction novel, anyone who likes a little sci-fi and a lot of mystery and thriller vibes will love this novel. There is so much substance to it that there is no way to be bored while reading. I loved the technical aspects, the bit of romance, lots of mystery, and a touch of thrill. Something for everyone. Definitely pick up a copy of this must read for 2019!
STAR RATING: 5/5
Get your copy of The Similars by Rebecca Hanover on January 1st from Amazon or check your local bookstore. Make sure you add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. Let us know what you think by tweeting us your thoughts @nerdprobsblog.
