⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜-𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡.

📍 Read if you like:
• Sci-Fi Thrillers
• Twists And Turns
• Mind Blowing Stories
• Dysfunctional Families

When I read this book I didn’t hear many people talking about it. I picked it up not knowing what to expect. I knew it was part thriller, but I didn’t see that it was also part sci-fi.

We follow a dysfunctional family: Tamsyn, Ed, and Scarlett. Scarlett is the complete opposite of the girl her parents want her to be. After a car accident, everything changes…

There was a medical side to the story when the parents decide to move to Switzerland for a medical trial, where they get an artificial daughter named Sophie.

Sophie is the “perfect” child in the eyes of Tamsyn and Ed. However, Scarlett eventually wakes up after recovering from the accident… and everything goes from there.

Holy moly, this story was so unique and creative. I honestly wasn’t expecting to love it with the science-fiction aspect, but oh man, it was so interesting.

There were twists after one another that kept me speechless. They were creative. I don’t want to go too much into detail, it’s best not to know much.

There were so many secrets spilled and the whole time I was gasping as new twists were introduced. The story was mind-blowing, creative, and full of so much suspense!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Medical content, car accident, adult/minor relationship, animal death, confinement

When I first was requested to read the ARC of The New One by NetGalley and Penguin Random House I was intrigued. Pop Culture and even the News have been all about making AI and cloning even more mainstream and needless to say The New One piqued my interest. I was expecting to have some variety of the film Megan to be provided in written word. Thankfully I was wrong.

The New One introduces the reader to Tamsyn and Ed, two parents on the verge of losing their minds when it comes to the ways of their rebellious teenage daughter. Their marriage is falling apart and their lives are quickly approaching rock bottom. However, an unexpected accident early one morning changes everything for the couple and their daughter Scarlett.

Scarlett is in a coma with the unlikely possibility of survival after being hit in a hit and run accident. The insurance is starting to run out and the couple know they are running out of options. Unexpected they are given the opportunity beyond their wildest imagination. They want for nothing and would have to move but with all of those changes comes the possibility of having their daughter back. Well... somewhat.

The couple move to Switzerland where Scarlett is provided top of the line care in an exclusive hospital with cutting edge technology and questionable medical trials. All Tamsyn and Ed have to do is agree to have an AI replacement of their daughter created and they never have to worry about money or life ever again. After some hesitation on Tamsyn's part, the couple agree and the AI replacement of their daughter is introduced to the couple. Sophie is everything Scarlett was... if not better. Sophie doesn't curse and has no desire to be rebellious or act out against Tamsyn and Ed. Everything is going so well... that is until Scarlett wakes up.

After Scarlett awakens the plot becomes that much more interesting. Sophie begins to act in ways that the reader suspects they are going to figure out the plot. Trust me if you thought that way as I did, you are so very wrong.

With Scarlett, Sophie, Tamsyn, and Ed now settling as a family with twin girls secrets begin to be revealed and the truth of just what the medical program VitaNova is up to comes crashing down around the family. Minor characters suddenly become more pivotal in the story and truly the New One is not all that you would expect to be as a thriller. It certainly has an almost Humans vibe to the plot but the New One is it's own creation.

If there is one thing that I wish could be improved in the book it would be the ending. The last chapter or so felt a bit rushed however, it did leave me wondering what happens next. Perhaps that will just be left to the reader's imagination. Until next time, happy reading!

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐘𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍?

𝐀lone in her family's quiet caravan in the English unitary authority of Cornwall, an agitated Tamsyn Trelawney is in a reflective mood. She is worried about the daughter she once held dear but who is now like a form of rottenness in her bones. Scarlett. The fourteen-year-old menace. Tamsyn thinks about her husband, Ed, who does his best for their family, but no matter how hard he tries, his efforts never seem good enough. They were a happy family once; Tamsyn has the photos to prove it. But now, it's different. Much more so than it ever was. Now they hate each other. They don't talk to one another; they shout, screaming at each other, 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 each other, and 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 their poverty.

The family of three lives in a caravan on a campsite, surrounded by other individuals and families in the same dinghy—anchored down by impoverishment and faithlessness. Tamsyn sits, thinking about her family and how it came to this. She calls Scarlett and leaves another message, and then another, and then another. But she gets no answer. The down-beaten mother wonders where her rebellious daughter is and why she is not yet home. And when Tamsyn calls Ed, he tells his wife that he'll find their daughter. He does. And when father and daughter arrive home, the screaming starts again: the swearing, fighting, anger, and rage, stimulated by self-hatred: a dysfunctional family trying to fight against unseen forces—and losing the battle.

They are tired of their lots in life and tired of each other. And they want it to end. They want out. Tamsyn wants the daughter she once had. Ed wants a better wife and daughter. And Scarlett wants wealthy parents, not poor ones. But as the old saying goes, You don't miss your water until the well runs dry. And before it's over, Tamsyn, Ed, and Scarlett will regret the wicked deception of their heart's desires.

Dear reader? Shall we proceed?

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐓-𝐀𝐍𝐃-𝐑𝐔𝐍.

Folly hates wisdom to the core because wisdom reminds it of all it lacks: good sense, prudence, and foresight. Folly is a rebellious, willful spirit; it loves to scoff and wallow in its mire of delusional ignorance. It also loves to deceive the flesh and lure it into a self-destructive nature. Folly takes pleasure in misguiding human beings. And where it concerns Scarlett Trelawney, the mindset of idiocy is having a field day.

Young and unlearned, Scarlett's mind is under fierce assault: so much so that the child, blinded by anger and its co-conspirator, rage, cannot see her way clear to distinguish the forest from the trees. And it is here that the roaring lion, disguised as an invisible entity, breaks forth to lead her astray: for it will seek to devour the hard-hearted child in the form of an accident, a hit-and-run.

𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐒𝐄.

The accident happened so fast that Scarlett didn't know what hit her. And for the past twelve weeks, she has been in an induced coma, wedged between the land of the living and that of the dead. In only one week, her insurance will be exhausted, and if she hasn't awakened by then, the life-support machines that are keeping her alive will shut off. Scarlett's parents, Ed and Tamsyn, are aware of that, but so are Nurse Maya and a shadowy man named Johann — the latter an agent sent by Old Scratch to be a poisonous thorn in the flesh of Ed and Tamsyn Trelawney.

The offer Luca Holgate made Ed and Tamsyn was too good to be true. It was also convenient. Because as their comatose daughter, Scarlett, lay, possibly dying, the stressed-out and penniless couple had no choice but to accept the generous, albeit mysterious, proposal. And even though Tamsyn 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 something isn't right, she eventually agrees to forge ahead with the plan despite her initial objections.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍—𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — At VitaNova, a high-tech but obscure clinic nestled in the heart of Geneva, scientists and medical doctors are embarking on something remarkably innovative. And a small team of medical professionals has invited Ed and Tamsyn to be part of a unique clinical trial: the so-called Reanimation Project: for it will serve as a second chance for the defeated Trelawney family. VitaNova—The Tyrell Corporation (of Blade Runner fame)—of this tale will fly Scarlett to Geneva and provide her with the best care possible. And Ed and Tamsyn will never want for anything—again. The stench of poverty that once wafted from the family of three like musty armpits will suddenly vanish—to be replaced by the fresh scent of money and extreme wealth.

As promised, the opaque folks at VitaNova are lavishing the Trelawneys with all that one's heart could wish. Scarlett's room at the facility is as luxurious as can be; Ed and Tamsyn can see the Swiss mountain range from the windows in the suite. And their new home is even better: a humongous flat with a top-of-the-line coffee system, fully-stocked refrigerators, and wine selections, along with walk-in wardrobes with only the finest attire and footwear and a rooftop terrace to die for. VitaNova has also provided Ed and Tamsyn with preloaded phones that allow the couple to access unlimited funds—deposited on the devices—to pay for whatever they need. Tamsyn, by now accustomed to expensive perfumes, makeup, and the best hair designers, has even joined a chess club and taken up yoga and courses in French. No longer emaciated from a lack of food, Tamsyn is curvy and healthy. And her skin glows with radiance. It's all too good to be true. But at the same time, it's difficult to resist. Ed is all for the "reanimation" project, but something in Tamsyn is still not sitting well with it. Motherly intuition, if you will. No matter how free and comfortable her new way of living is, Tamsyn is still leery—and doubtful. However, with time, Tamsyn softens around the edges and begins to blend in with her coveted environment.

Humans, they say, can adapt to anything.

The Trelawney family was once a poor, angry, and desperate unit, holding on to survival by a string. No one knew this better than Old Scratch, who sat crouched waiting; and biding his time. From his invisible advantage, he watched the family voraciously. And when he saw the Trelawney family on the brink of collapsing from the weight of hopelessness, Old Scratch, working through a slew of wicked human operatives, pounced again—like a wild beast.

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐎𝐍𝐄.

Her brain is a human-AI interface, but her human part is all Scarlett Trelawney. Sophie—Scarlett's middle name—is a cyborg created by VitaNova. And her purpose is simple: she exists to be a completion to the Trelawney family, while her original prototype, Scarlett, lies unconscious in her induced coma. Sophie was programmed to protect 𝘌𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘺𝘯. And that is just what the Man-made mechanical being intends to do.

Sophie's personality comes from the brain of her human twin, Scarlett, combined with software coding. She, Sophie, has no memories of her life at age twelve because Ed made a special request to delete those—and VitaNova granted his wish. Scarlett Trelawney was at her worst during her twelfth year of life, and no one wants to remember that. But Sophie is the new and improved Scarlett. Sophie will be everything Ed and Tamsyn ever wanted in a daughter, everything Scarlett was once: friendly, intelligent, happy, eager to learn, and loving.

So far, so good.

Ed and Tamsyn are in love again, and their new life is a dream come true, never mind all the cameras and listening devices installed in every room of their fabulous new apartment. Added, their reanimated daughter, Sophie, thinks she's the 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 Scarlett. And Ed and Tamsyn are content to allow her, er, 𝘪𝘵, to believe the delusion.

What Ed and Tamsyn forget to remember, however, is that Sophie was not 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯; she was 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦—by scientists: unlike a natural human being, she has no spirit or soul. There are cameras implanted in her retinas, and the cyborg is more intelligent than they give her credit for: this is how Sophie knows about the secret visits to VitaNova that Ed and Tamsyn pay Scarlett, among other things. A cunning mechanical being, Sophie learns about Scarlett, her original self, and desperately wants to see her. Sophie is now beginning to contemplate without articulating, knowing that she must continue to play the game and be a good daughter: for the computerized mind of the child is thinking—along these lines: 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺: 𝘌𝘥, 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘺𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘦; 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯, 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵. 𝘚𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 – 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

With that, a murderous spirit enters the machine.

Ed and Tamsyn have convinced themselves that all is happy and well. But the cyborg, Sophie, is constantly thinking. And her thoughts are beginning to grow more sinister. Meanwhile, the original Scarlett is slowly returning to consciousness and emerging from the dark place of her coma with sheer defiance. When told by a familiar voice that she was not going to get better, Scarlett hoarsely replied, "Yes, I am!"

Whatever she may think, the cyborg Sophie is about to meet her match—with her human twin.

𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐍—𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓.

Living a better life than before aside, Tamsyn is beginning to grow suspicious of Sophie, a gradual building of doubt. Sophie is too eager to meet Scarlett, her human twin that she has already attempted to kill, unbeknownst to Tamsyn. And something about Sophie's too-enthusiastic-and-impatient aura is making Tamsyn eerily nervous. Besides that, Tamsyn suspects that Ed is having an affair with his beautiful colleague, Lena. He's hardly ever home anymore, and he's now lying to her—all the time. 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦? Tamsyn, more often than not, wonders. And when she follows him—confidentially—to learn the truth, what Tamsyn finds will devastate her to the core of her inner being: for the taste of 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 is sweet in the mouth of Ed but bitter in the belly of Tamsyn.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.

There are many distractions. And that's a good thing as far as Sophie is concerned because she plans to murder Scarlett. The cyborg has even hinted at it to the original human—mocking Scarlett's weaknesses. This time it's for real. And a still-injured Scarlett won't be able to defend herself because Sophie is much stronger than her, naturally. Sophie 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 Scarlett, and she 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 things. But what secret does Sophie know about her twin, Scarlett? The horror movies Sophie selected for Scarlett to watch during her recovery at home? Why was 𝘐 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 included in the bunch? Scarlett wonders about this, but the answer eludes her. Sophie, the cyborg, on the other hand, was programmed to perform her duties adequately. And if she wants to avoid the Incinerator at VitaNova, she had better do so.

Here is where the nightmare that someone wouldn't wish on their worst enemy becomes real. And once it does, the humans will have no place to run to: for the Trelawneys will be forced to pray that their flight is not in winter – especially not during winter in Switzerland.

𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒.

Everything you ever thought you knew about AI is minuscule compared to the megalomaniacal lunacy on the pages of Evie Green's 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦: for the spirit of its body text takes on a form that lies with a straight face and deceives with the hoodwink of a robotic eye: for it is within this tale that those of a herd mentality fall as one by the edge of a blazing sword, and those of arrogance receive their reward, each according to his doing: for when human beings exalt themselves to the level of playing God, the same 𝘨𝘦𝘵 played—every time.

Adding to an exceptional cast of leading characters, Green incorporates a small but dashing bundle of supporting—and bit—players to complete her literary script. The troupe rounds out the ensemble as follows:

• Maud is Tamsyn's best friend and the Trelawneys' neighbor. A spunky old gal with a heart of gold, the 70-year-old Maud now lives in widowhood after the death of her wife, Ally.

• Jimmy Trelawney co-stars as Ed's distant but ever-reliable brother. Even if Jimmy is against VitaNova and its human cloning ventures, he loves his brother, Ed, and vows to stand with him and support his decisions.

• Luca Holgate delivers an applause-worthy performance as a top scientist at VitaNova and a least likely ally of a resistance.

• Nurse Poppy plays a small but vital role as an assistant on Scarlett's medical team.

• Aurelie, the Trelawneys' chic new neighbor at their new flat in Geneva, befriends Tamsyn and Ed but refrains from making the couple privy to her dangerous secrets.

• Sabastian Quinn is an alleged conspiracy theorist and one of the greatest threats to the enemies of Mankind.

• Miss Lena co-stars as more than a pretty face and delectable figure; she's the voice of reason for The New Ones—a new community of Man-made humanoids.

• Jasper Mack plays a restaurant worker and the human equivalent of a snake. Jasper is Scarlett's worst nightmare, and Sophie is his.

• Jasveen Singh is a highly-regarded doctor at VitaNova and a beloved angel in the flesh.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓.

A thoroughly intriguing—and sometimes frightening—sci-fi thriller, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦 is a tale that took me that much longer to complete because I deliberately wanted to extend my time with it, as everything I look for in a good thriller stands to attention here: excellent writing, rapid pace, suspense, convincing characters, entertainment, and a fascinating subject matter.

Evie Green continued to impress me with her appreciable knowledge of the science behind human cloning, the same being somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Green did her homework, and the storyline here proves it. However, on the contrary, the novel does have its cons, though they pale in comparison to its pros. I disagreed with the notion of harmony between Man and machine, which probably wouldn't play out well in the real world. And while I also felt that Green added more than the required pinch of fantasy to the recipe of her plot, which left an unpleasant aftertaste, nevertheless, I understood the spin of ideology. Rendering credit, the author desired to tell a story centered around AI (Artificial Intelligence) and human cloning and the horrors sure to ensue when human beings interfere with the laws of nature. And she did that quite well.

In comparison, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦 is Vincent & Brackley's 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 meets Rod Serling's 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘡𝘰𝘯𝘦. And if you, dear reader, are a fan of sci-fi thrillers and enjoy either of those series, then I am sure you will find this title nothing short of entertaining. And while 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦 didn't quite make it to five stars on my rating scale, even still, I would generously recommend the title to my fellow readers—with commendation.

Happy reading, all.


𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: It is a pleasure to thank Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the advance review copy of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦 via NetGalley.

Analysis of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘯𝘦 by Evie Green is courtesy of Literary Criticism by Cat Ellington for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴©.

©𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐤 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝.

As a parent this was a super interesting read. what would you do if you were given a clone of your child because your child was injured and comatose? I wouldnt say this was so much a thriller as it was marketed but it definitely did have have deep plot points and an air of mystery to it. There were parts as you can imagine that were deeply unsettling and as a parent have you questioning all you thought was important in life. How easily things can turn in some many directions. I enjoyed this book, the pages flew by. I am not much of a scifi reader but with all of today's technology this definitely hit the not "what if", but "when" cords,

Timely and thought-provoking, yet uplifting in a world where we're all unsure of the future of AI and how much it will permeate our lives. A very entertaining story and I'd definitely recommend it.

3.5/5!

I’m always on the hunt for a thriller with a unique premise, so when I heard about The New Ones, I knew it was one I wanted to check out. What I found within the pages was something much twistier and way more clever than I was expecting!

This is going to be a hard book to talk about without spoiling any of the details, so I’m going to keep things a bit vague and go with a pros and cons list review.

Pros:
📚 The premise! I love the mix of humans and AI being forced into the same living situation and watching how both choose to interact.
📚 The characters! Everyone felt very genuine and their reactions to different twists or reveals were on point.
📚 The ending! What a ride! I was absolutely glued to the pages at the end of this book wondering what exactly would happen.

Cons:
📚 The pacing. Things started very slow for me with this book and it wasn’t until around the second half that I felt things really started to pick up. I still loved the story the entire time, but it took me a while to get into everything because of the pace.

A huge thank you to Berkley for my gifted copy!

[Review to be posted on blog & social media on 4/22]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I never thought I would enjoy a sci-fi thriller as much as I enjoyed The New One by Evie Green. The twists were good, and Evie Green had me turning the pages in order to find out how the ending was going to play out. This was definitely a quick, fun read for me!

I was excited to read this one because I’ve never read a book about cloning. If you’re like me and not into Sci-Fi reads, that’s ok because this is more of a suspense read filled with family drama. Initially I was loving this one. It was fast paced and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. Then in the middle and even the ending the pace slowed down so much I struggled even picking it up. I thought the plot and writing was clever and there were some twists I didn’t see coming, but the pace was too slow for me and the ending was just ok.

3 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is an interesting Mystery/Thriller . Tamsyn & Ed barely make a living. They live in a cramped camper van with their teenage daughter Scarlett. The last year she's been drinking, taking drugs & lashing out at her parents. One night as Scarlett flees home she's hit by a car. She is on life-support & not getting better. Then a miracle happens. Ed & Tam are approached about a medical trial in Switzerland. An AI replacement will live with the couple as their daughter & if Scarlett gets better she will replace the AI in the family. They jump at the chance of a new life & are whisked away to Geneva where they are set up with everything they need to live a comfortable life. Better yet, the AI replacement, Sophie, looks & acts just like Scarlett before she changed into a hostile moody teenager. But, all is not as it seems, & as cracks in their new life begin to appear, they must decide if they want to know the truth, or stay in their blissful new life.

I enjoyed the book. The main characters were hard to like at first, but as I learned more about them they started to grow on me. The new AI Sophie was just robotic enough to remind me she wasn't real, but she was smart & cunning & when her sinister side showed she creeped me out. But, all is not as it seems, & as soon as I started getting comfortable a new twist would appear to shake things up again. I always try to figure out everyone's motives, who is shady & who is not, so I figured out some of the plot twists ahead of time, but it's still fun to see how the author gets there, plus I didn’t figure out all of the twists.

For me, this book was a slow read & I had a hard time getting through it but others may not have this problem. As thrillers go it was a good, fun read that I think most people will find enjoyable.

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for a complimentary e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The New One by Evie Green is a science fiction fantasy infused in a thriller novel with possibly a slight touch of horror mixed in. The story in The New One is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters and does start a little ways in the past as it catches up to the current time.

Tamsyn and Ed have certainly had better days in their marriage. Money is tight and their daughter, Scarlett, is hitting the teen defiant years hard. One night their family is torn apart when Scarlett runs out and is involved in a horrific accident.

Tamsyn and Ed are left distraught with Scarlett in a coma and without the money to continue to pay for her care. The couple are approached by a stranger with an offer that sounds way too good to be true, all the medical care their daughter will need with all other expenses take care of to join a medical trial. Is it too good to be true or the answer they were praying for?

Being the type of reader that enjoys crossing over into many genres I was immediately intrigued by The New One by Evie Green. With all the twists and turns I expect from a thriller in a science fiction nightmare of a story I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages to find out where this one would end. I will admit the beginning was a tad slow but other than that this was definitely worth the read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I enjoyed this science fictiony, suspenseful, family drama. A bit repetitive at times but with enough surprises to keep it interesting. A good tale of AI, cloning, and an evil corporation, along with emotional family love told from different characters’ perspectives.

4/5 stars

Big thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reading copy and physical copy!

This one was an absolutely WILD ride! Tamsyn and Ed haven't been getting along with their 14 year old daughter, Scarlett, for the last year. On top of that, money is tight and their relationship is extremely strained. Bad goes to worse when Scarlett is hit by a car and in a coma for months, with no sign of getting better. That is, until Tamsyn and Ed are approached to join a medical trial that significantly increases Scarlett's chances of survival with one, big catch; Tamsyn and Ed have to live with a human/AI copy of their daughter for medical research. Things are going surprisingly well, until Scarlett makes an impressive recovery and turns their suddenly-steady world upside down.

I can tell you one thing, I had no idea where this one was going. Overall, this was a fantastic story. The plot really grew into a complex network of twists and turns, leaving me totally shocked on a number of occasions. I really enjoyed most of the characters and think the author did a great job of creating balance amidst all of the tension. Parts of this book, in particular the first half, dragged just a bit for me, which is why I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5. The second half, however, escalated quickly into a fast-paced, dynamic and unbelievable ride. If you're looking for an intriguing and unique read that you won't want to put down, this is the one!

The New One
By Evie Green
Pub Date: Mar 28, 2023
Berkley
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thriller with lots of unexpected surprises
I recommend this book because I loved how it kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I knew everything going on, something happened and led to a thrilling reading experience.
Loved this dysfunctional family thriller.
5 stars

Admittedly, I don't read a lot of sci-fi, medical thrillers, or futuristic-type books, but The New One intrigued me - and it delivered on all fronts. This book kept me turning pages while giving me that spine-tingling feeling. You know the one; the one that makes you look over your shoulder because it feels like someone's watching. Logically, I know no one was watching, and this is fiction (right?), but that didn't stop me from being all kinds of creeped out. Evie Green's writing style and storytelling pull you in and hold on tight, and if you don't white-knuckle your Kindle a few times, you're stronger than I am. I was holding on for dear life, knowing that this whole thing had to go horribly wrong. This may not fall into the genres or tropes I usually pick up, but this is definitely my kind of thriller. If you like a bit of intensity and some chills, you need to give The New One a read.

Thank you to the publishers at Berkley and Netgalley for my e-ARC of The New One!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
👯‍♀️ always wanted a twin
🇨🇭 want to move to Switzerland
👀 are interested in new tech
🌪️ love a great twist

• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

After an accident leaves Tamsyn’s daughter in a coma, she must decide to either take Scarlett off life support or enroll her in a new medical trial.

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Tamsyn and Ed thought they had the perfect daughter until she turned 13 and changed completely. Unruly and rude with a temper that never ends, Scarlett is tearing her family apart. When a hit and run accident leaves Scarlett in a coma with time running out, Tamysn and Ed agree to a new medical trial, where Scarlett’s memories and body will be mixed with AI technology to create a new and better Scarlett. Since cloning is not legal in other countries, they must move to Switzerland and await the creation of their new daughter, Sophie. She looks and speaks just like Scarlett, but she is anything but. And when Scarlett starts to wake from her coma, everything will change.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such a fantastic read! I was immediately hooked from the start and really had no idea what direction this story would ultimately go in and was pleasantly surprised! I did not see the twist coming at all and really loved it. While I did feel that the ending wrapped up just a bit too cleanly, I loved this sci-fi thriller and think it would make a fantastic movie or mini series!

A novel that seeks to be cutting edge sci-fi but misses the mark.

Two parents, living in poverty in a static caravan in Cornwall, find life nearly unbearable with their rebellious 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett. When there's a terrible accident and Scarlett is in a deep coma, Ed and Tamsyn are offered a miracle. They are going to get a new daughter, a replacement, a cyborg, a reanimation. All they have to do is move to Geneva and accept all the wonderful new things coming their way.

This was OK but I really didn't care for it all that much as it was so predictable. There was no suspense, the big reveals were ho-hum expected, and the pace was super slow. The writing was adequate but this plot trope has been seen and done a million times. I guess it didn't help much that I have recently seen the movie, M3GAN, and watched the television series, Westworld. Of course this whole magic science thing is not going to go well. It never does, right? I was really hoping that, for once, the author would do something unique and make a clone a really cool thing! I had to really hold myself back from marking it DNF or just flipping through the pages. There was a lot of repetition in the narrative too, which also made the book seem longer. It ended exactly as you can guess right now.

Thank you to Berkely and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review. I'd say pass on this.

After a car accident leaves their daughter in a coma, Tamsyn and Ed must make a decision that could save her life, but at what cost? This reminded me a little of a Blake Crouch novel. It is filled with AI and reincarnation. I am not sure how I feel about it IRL, but I do love to read about it and all that can go wrong.

I will say that if someone offers you an amazing offer that seems too good to be true, make sure and think about what is in it for them. This one is packed full of family drama in addition to the science fiction and a few twists to have the ultimate genre mash up. While I was buddy reading this one and fell behind and read hints I didn’t mean to see, I was still a little shocked by one of the twists. Not sure if I am losing my edge or it was well hidden, but upon reflection the clues were there.

I think this could make a good book club book as there is a lot to discuss. I’ve become such the fan of this sci fi/mystery genre that has popped up over the last few years.

When their daughter, Scarlett, falls into a coma after being hit by a car, her parents agree to have a copy of her made. Rewarded for this with a new, very comfortable life where they have their ideal version of their daughter, Tamsyn and Ed are happier than they were before.

But then Scarlett wakes up.

I wouldn’t normally choose a book this science fiction, but I really enjoyed this one. There were so many twists and turns, two of which especially shocked me. I definitely recommend this book.

Ever since Scarlett turned thirteen, she’s been belligerent and defiant and worst, distant at best, a situation exacerbated by their poverty. Her parents, Tamsyn and Ed, are at their wits’ end.

One night, though, changes everything. Scarlett runs out of their caravan to meet a friend and she is struck by a car. With Scarlett in a coma, Tamsyn and Ed regret the difficulties of the past year. They just want their daughter back. Then, a representative from VitaNova arrives and offers them cutting edge treatment for Scarlett. They will want for nothing. All they need to do is move to Geneva and welcome an artificial version of Scarlett into their family.

The new version, Sophie, is a doting daughter and completes the family. But when Scarlett unexpectedly awakens from her coma, they begin to learn the insidious truth behind VitaNova and the cost they must pay for a perfect family.

I am a fan of science fiction suspense, and I was excited by the idea of the book. Unfortunately, I personally didn’t like the execution. The plotting seemed very slow-paced with all the action happening in the last few chapters. To me, those were the most interesting parts of the story, and wanted them to happen earlier in the book and be discussed in more detail.

What I did like about the book was the Geneva, Switzerland setting. It made me want to visit and walk around the city! The book also raised many interesting questions: what makes AI a sentient being, a person? Who owns a “person” created by technology? And what are the ethical limits of such technology? How far would you go to treat a loved one? These questions would make this novel a good book club selection.

The New One is a captivating and unsettling masterpiece that will leave you on the edge of your seat. With every twist and turn, this book will keep you engrossed and surprised until the very end. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of family dynamics and the true meaning of love and humanity. The New One is a thrilling escape from reality, but it also offers thought-provoking insights into the human experience. Green's writing is both eloquent and accessible, making it a perfect choice for readers of all backgrounds. Don't miss out on this deliciously disturbing novel that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself and the world around you.