Clones, parallel worlds, and a teen with the ability to “side-step” into those worlds. I was eager to see what this author did with the concept.

After Laz wakes up surrounded by hundreds of dead clones, his loneliness is palpable. Although he remembers living in California, he finds himself in Greensboro, NC and seems to be the only human around. A pack of four dogs he comes across are his only friends until he discovers one other clone who survived. Once she wakes, their primary goals are one, to survive, and two, figure out why they were cloned.

The first part of this novel fascinated me, and I marveled at side-stepping and everything it entails. Laz can step into another version of himself in a parallel world and retain his memories while also absorbing the memories of his new self. Pretty cool, right? Some of his stories of when and why he’d chosen to side-step are amusing. Awkward moment with a date? Side-step. Get into too much trouble at school? Side-step. Once he and Ivy learn why they were cloned and what’s expected of them, the story takes a turn.

The banter between Laz and Ivy is sometimes witty but can go on for pages, and I occasionally struggled with pacing. The same can be said about the science of their combined abilities. Especially in the last 40% or so, the dialogue becomes very science-heavy and can be difficult to keep up with, but the high concept held me enthralled.

With incredible world-building, a likeable, sarcastic main character, and a clever concept, this is a book I enjoyed, but I would only recommend it to true sci-fi fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Laz has just woken up and found himself in a cloning facility. No one else is around, except a girl who is still in her cloning pod. He has memories of his life but doesn’t know why he has been cloned or who woke him up. Laz also can move into the consciousness of himself in a parallel world. He has memories of doing it “before,” yet him being alone in an abandoned world cannot be fixed with any side-stepping. Laz thinks that the girl in the other pod will be the answer to why they are left alone.

Wakers is a stand-alone science fiction novel that was unique without being confusing. There were a lot of scientific theories embedded throughout the story, yet it wasn’t enough science to distract readers who didn’t fully understand them. The post-apocalyptic story was far-fetched and completely possible at the same time. Card created characters that were easy to relate to and I found myself wishing the book would read a little faster because I wanted to know how it was going to end. A fun read that might be a good start for a new sci-fi reader.

I was excited to read something new by Sci-Fi great, Orson Scott Card. The opening of the story grabbed my attention and I was drawn to Laz as he "had risen into a life" as a clone. As he found solutions and workarounds for how to navigate this isolated place he discovered himself, the reader bonds with his thoughtful actions and inner dialogue. And, even as the story unfolds to include others, I was still hanging on; interested in how this would all turn out... however, at about 60% it just becomes too much science to be an escape. My brain hurt trying to keep up with what was developing and I just wasn't enjoying the plot as much. Eventually, by the end of the story, I've rediscovered my love of the characters and who they are, but... wow... could have done with getting there a little faster. Orson Scott Card may just be too brilliant to be considered entertaining in this latest standalone.

Wakers is yet another engaging science fiction adventure by Orson Scott Card. I enjoyed this blending of characters and ideas, and the author’s skill keeps the pages turning. Definitely one for the classroom shelf.

I’ve been a fan of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game book since I was a teenager, so I was excited to have the opportunity to review and read this novel.

This book was exactly what I was hoping and expecting from a book written by Card. The high concept about Laz being able to step into different versions of himself, essentially moving within the multiverses, was explained well and in an understanding way, but also interesting enough to be different.

The story really built the world well and you wanted Laz and Ivy to succeed and save everyone, but also to be together and get answers. Are they successful? Well you’ll have to read to find out!

Action packed teen SF story from master Orson Scott Card. What would you do if you woke up in giant clone farm and you were the only one waking up?

What if you could side step into a parallel world every time something happened that you didn’t like?
What would happen in the world you left behind?
This book follows laz who wakes up in a cloning factory on an abandoned earth. At first, all of the clones that he finds are dead. Until he comes across a girl who is alive but still asleep. He has to decide if he wants to let her be or if he wants to wake her up to an abandoned earth with him as her only companion.

I was given this ARC by the publisher in return for an honest review, so thank you so much publisher!

Laz has always been able to jump alternate timelines to suit his needs, but then Laz wakes up in a coffin, or is a healing box? No one is around, no one is there to welcome him and tell him what is happening, well except for the thousands of corpses in other boxes. He has memories of his childhood, but long suspects he is a clone. After going outside and not finding another single human being around, he searches for life and tries to survive, until he find another box with a life person...a girl.

This book started out so strong and I was pulled in and read it so quickly. I love post apocalyptic stories, and survival stories so this checked all those boxes for me. I loved how he tamed the dogs and made them his companions and while at times the different timelines gets confusing, it is such a unique concept that I really really enjoyed it. It felt so fresh and new. Until they introduced Ivy and then it lost me. I just could not stand that character at all. I wish it continued with just Laz as the main character without the addition of needing Ivy to solve the problem of the new world. I still enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite.