I went in to this book hoping for a good story - the set up sounds great, and I love dystopian-type novels. I wanted to like this book...but I just couldn't look past the blatant agenda of Kira Peikoff. Peikoff is clearly in favor of a woman's right to chose and stem cell research, and I am with her there, but then she juxtaposes science with religion in a way that argues they are incompatible. As a religious person who also supports a woman's right to chose what to do with her body and scientific research, I was incredibly put off by the reductionist approach of Peikoff. It was a shame, because I appreciated the way Peikoff wrote her characters, particularly Trent, until he too became a pawn in the larger argument against religion.

Not recommended, but if you do choose to read it be warned. ( )

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

The idea behind the book is one that I applaud. Going along with that, it's not a story that will bore you, but it might kill you with all the anticipation of certain events. The last 10% of the book had me nearly gouging my eyes out--I just wanted the big showdown to happen already! However, anticipation is what makes the end of a book work for me. So as much as I complain about it, I really can't finish a book without it.
While I enjoyed Trent's character and his dealing with religious doubt, I wish there had been more detail surrounding Arianna (apart from her looks). Suffering from a chronic illness myself, I think the author did a tremendous job both describing MS and getting the reader to sympathize with the victim (at least in my eyes). There had to have been a lot of research done about MS, as well as stem cell research, and I am in awe of that.
This book really did start out as a big "meh" for me, but quickly morphed into something I found myself looking forward to reading every day. If only parts of this book were true and we really could develop a second life for those suffering from a debilitating chronic illness! ( )

In the close future stem-cell research is considered ultimate evil by the US government, and there are departments set up to monitor IVF as well as follow women throughout pregnancy to ensure they're falling in line and breeding as they should. One scientist, Arianna Drake, is breaking the rules, and religious zealot Trent Rowe is sent to find evidence.

There are a lot of hard and fascinating issues presented and discussed in this book. Not just stem-cell research but the whole religion versus science debate. It takes place in a future where things have changed to be pretty much my nightmare, so that was affecting. Unfortunately these changes weren't given a lot of attention as to their cause. It was hard to believe that in such a short time so much had degraded. Maybe that's my naivity, but since the characters seemed defined their opinions on these issues it was very important that I could believe it all. I'm not sure I did.

The attention paid to the issues and the nightmarish future New York was well researched and intense. It's just too bad that the characters were so often loathsome. I didn't follow Trent on his journey of self-realization, because where he started was so bizarre. I didn't understand how someone who could understand things later could start out so backwards. And I didn't understand why Arianna could ever believe him, or laugh along with his "Men are just stronger, ha ha," jokes, or continue to talk about things she loved when it was obvious he refused to join the conversations. I didn't understand their relationship at all, and since it was so integral I didn't enjoy the book. ( )

In the not so distant future embryonic stem cell research has been outlawed and the Department of Embryo Preservation will charge anyone who destroys an embryo with murder. Fertility clinics are subject to random inspections and huge government oversight. Arianna, a fertility doctor, has recently experienced a surge in her patient numbers and the DEP is highly suspicious. They send an undercover agent, Trent, in to find out what is really going on. However, he falls for the charming doctor and finds himself questioning his life's work and religion.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was very well written and researched. I realize that the whole book was a set-up between the religious fundamentals and scientists, but after a while I got so tired of reading bible verses and religious rhetoric. I don't know that the book would have worked as well without the rhetoric but it took away from my enjoyment of the story. I think that any pro-choice, pro-stem cell research person will enjoy this book and appreciate the game of what-if the author is playing. ( )

"What man worships...is indicative of his very essence, for reverence is man's deepest form of love, one which holds the key to his soul."

This passage holds the key to the entire novel, and how to understand the characters. The first half of the novel mainly focuses on the one character who changes fundamentally in this respect, as he tries to solve the mystery of what the other main character worships and simultaneously begins to undergo a profound change in his own deepest values. At first, I wanted the book to focus more on the other character earlier on, but came to appreciate what the author was doing.

Unfortunately, when the crucial moment comes it is not entirely convincing. She just talks rather abstractly about life and faith for a couple of paragraphs, and he says, "Everything you say makes perfect sense," and he's completely convinced and that's that. It's all too obvious that the author was not raised to be and has never been religious and has no idea what that's like. Not that this kind of fiction should be naturalistic, but for such a critical plot point to be convincing it at least needs to be somewhat realistic.

But after that the book gets back on track and picks up more and more until it reaches its excellent climax and conclusion. On the whole, a very good first novel. I'll be looking forward to her next. ( )