Name: Melissa Palmer's review of Replica by Lauren Oliver
Item: Replica
Rating: 5
Author: Melissa Palmer

Lauren Oliver

A New York Times bestseller! Two girls, two stories, one epic novel. From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Replica is a “flip book” that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra’s story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma’s story. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey. Even the innovative book jacket mirrors and extends the reading experience. Lyra’s story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions. While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Replica is an ambitious, thought-provoking masterwork.

Replica

Ellie Thurman

Two girls, two stories, one epic novel—now a New York Times bestseller! From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Replica is a “flip book” that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra’s story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma’s story. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey. Even the innovative book jacket mirrors and extends the reading experience. Lyra’s story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions. While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Replica is an ambitious, thought-provoking masterwork.

Melissa Palmer

Book #88 Read in 2016
Replica by Lauren Oliver

This book was interesting from the get go, starting with its format, This book two the stories of two girls, Gemma and Lyra, and the book was designated as half for each. To read the other story, readers had to turn the book upside down. That would intrigue teenage readers. Gemma has had health issues all her life, which makes her different from her classmates. She begins to look into Haven, a place her father was once connected to and sneaks away to Florida to try to get a look at what is going on in there. What she finds is more than she could have imagined. Lyra is one of the Haven residents and Gemma finds her when Haven is burned down. Is Lyra a human or a clone/replica? Can the two girls help each other? This book had an interesting plot, well-rounded characters as well as action and humor. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine

Nicole 

This book has a very unique set up. In this book you meet Gemma and Lyra who both share their sides of the same story In the book you can read their pov's chapter by chapter or read each story sepratl

Lauren Tabor

** spoiler alert **
           I really thought this was such an interesting book. The concept is so cool! I chose to flip between Gemma and Lyra's perspective's because I thought that would be the best way to go. I can't help but feel that if you read one all the way through and then the other it would kind of spoil the story, so I'm kind of confused how it says you can read it like that. 
I liked the fast paced nature of this book, and the concept of clones and the mystery of what was going on and why. (I didn't know this had a sequel so I was confused when I got to the end and still didn't know a lot lol). While I was reading this I really enjoyed it and had a good time with it though I don't know if I'll pick up the sequel or not. For me, I think this was a little forgettable. But over all still fun book!
The thing that bothered me the absolute most about this is the CONSTANT mention of Gemma's body. I swear every other line was her bashing her body or commenting on her weight or eating or whatever. And while I can totally see how this is something people truly struggle with it had no significance to the plot. This was not a book about body image or her learning to love herself or getting over an eating disorder, so the constant barrage of thoughts about it was too much for me. Why does it matter if she's not super skinny? Why can't we have a main character with some extra weight but it not be the focus of the story?! When you have a really thin main character you don't constantly have her inner monologue talking about how skinny she is. If it fit the tone and plot of the book then I think that's completely different. But this book had NOTHING to do with it. That whole 'plot line' really left a bad taste in my mouth. It would've been so much more empowering to know that she was a curvy girl going to kick some butt and finding out about these 'replicas' and falling for a cute boy. 
Also can I mention that Gemma was kind of the worst anyway? Even after she starts to like Pete and AFTER they kiss she STILL calls him 'pervy Pete' in her mind. And calls him that constantly throughout the book in her head (and even once to his face). Come on....from the very beginning he was the nicest guy and she still called him that. (in her head...but still). 

Looking back on this book after about a week of having read it I'd probably give it more of a 3 star rating. But I know while I read it I was enjoying most of it. The two things I mentioned above were things that actively bothered me while I was reading it, but I don't know if that lowers my initial rating. Like I said, this is pretty forgettable to me, so I'm sure I'll look back even farther in the future and wonder what I was thinking. lol

lauren carla

liked it more than I thought I would, and the romances were so cute!!!

Myla Larsen

Pleasantly surprised

This book was great! 
When I first picked this book up i had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing and how the story was told. Completely different from any other book that has two perspectives, I really liked it because I didn't get confused as much. I read Lyra then Gemma. 
One thing that I usually like in books is if it has a little bit more suspense.

Tamara Al-Qaisi-Coleman

Bryanna M

I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but I was obsessed with the plot and constantly confused wondering what the heck was going on! Despite many MANY flaws (hella insta-love with Lyra, Gemma's overall brattiness of 'wahhhh my mom cares about me too much!! being so rich that I can't even remember the names of the help is sooooo harddddd!!!', the nonstop fat-shaming, one male love interest with literally zero personality, and damn why does Gemma gotta be so rude to her dog?????), I still REALLY enjoyed listening to this (on audiobook) and am definitely picking up the sequel.

From the bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, Replica questions how to be human in a world where humanity cannot be taken for granted. Perfect for fans of Tom and Giovanna Fletcher's EVE OF MAN. **Don't forget to buy the new novel, BROKEN THINGS, now!** LYRA The Haven Institute - tucked away on a private island, it looks serene, even beautiful. But up close you'll notice the locked doors. The guards. The biohazard suits. A clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas - human models - are born, raised and observed, Haven is a prison. A prison from which Lyra and a boy known only as 72 manage to escape. GEMMA In and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember, Gemma's teenage years have been lonely and a little dull. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family past, discovering mysterious links to the secretive Haven research facility. Gemma leaves home hungry for answers, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions When Lyra and Gemma meet each other on the outside world they join together in a mission to discover the truth about Haven, uncovering earth-shattering secrets that will change lives forever. . . . Praise for Lauren Oliver 'Electric, heartbreaking, pulse-pounding, and timely, REPLICA is a riveting two-for-one. Two complex heroines, two puzzling mysteries, two weaving adventures, all in one astounding novel' Victoria Aveyard, bestselling author of Red Queen 'Alarming and uplifting, a rare psychological thriller that has a kind heart at its centre. Read it with all the lights on' E. Lockhart, bestselling author of We Were Liars 'A tense, clever psychological thriller, with a devastating denouement that will make you want to start the book all over again' Daily Mail 'Brilliantly written, gritty, deep and compassionate. I couldn't give it a higher recommendation!' Guardian 'Lauren Oliver is the rising star of young adult fiction' The Times 'A searing pair of intertwined stories about the line between science and humanity, told with Oliver's signature grace, uniqueness, and precision. It's a new story every way you turn it - but always gorgeous, always haunting' Marie Lu, author of The Young Elites and Legend

Book One in the addictive, pulse-pounding Replica duology

Daniel Santos

This story was amazing and had me hooked up from the start. I’ve actually bought the ebook version of Replica after seeing a paperback at a local bookstore in my city. The idea of having half the story written on one side and the other half “upside down” made me curious to the point where I couldn’t stand not reading it to find everything out.

The way the author interconnects the two main characters’ stories is amazing to the point where I couldn’t stop reading until it was over. I’ve read it all in 5 days! I was speechless, worried, relieved, tense... I even shed tears during the plot. Totally recommend it — and, lucky enough, I’ve also bought the second and closing part of the story, as I wouldn’t be able to wait any second longer. Kudos to the author. Brilliant. A real masterpiece.

Lila Harrison

5/5 STARS--NO, SCRATCH THAT! ALL OF THE STARS!!!! TO QUOTE RON WEASLEY, "THAT WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!"

From the New York Times bestselling author of BEFORE I FALL and the Delirium Trilogy, come two astonishing stories in one epic, masterful novel that explores the issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Turn REPLICA one way and read Lyra's story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma's story! Lyra's story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects - Lyra, aka number 24, and the boy known only as 72 - manage to escape. Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven Institute. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions. While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. REPLICA is an ambitious, thought-provoking masterwork.

Fiona

I enjoyed this overall for its fast pace and use of interweaving plotlines, and I'm looking forward to getting the next book and having some points fleshed out more. The way this was told was interesting and I found it did work well - I had seen some reviews saying it was repetitive but I didn't find this the case even as I read alternating between the POV's. 

A lot of the characters introduced were well developed, I started this book well over a year ago and came back to it with clear recollection of all of the characters I had seen so far. Gemma and Lyra are the main characters and I do like both of their perspectives for their own reasons - Lyra had first hand experience at Haven but didn't explain things well in her POV as she didn't understand very well whereas Gemma was explaining what Lyra was saying better and was more understanding of what was going on, but could be annoying at times in personality. 

Although some of the issues were resolved at the end of this book, they wouldn't have fit well at the start of a second book and there are enough mysteries left to make me pick up the sequel. Most of the things we know now are guesswork backed up with some evidence - nobody has given concrete fact so far except from what we know of Lyra's experience and she doesn't understand to explain well enough.

laura

I loved the formate of this story. I was equally invested in both sides of the story. I think i enjoyed this story so much because of how I read it, one chapter from each side. I really loved the whole cast of characters and hope in the next book (final book) we delve into the main characters as tad more. I loved the world building in this novel and also how it was so hard to predict the twists. It was a very fast pace story but so heartbreaking at points. I hope to read book 2 soon. It was the first lauren silver book that made me want to come back to the world and i hope to try out more of her other books in the future.

Jelke Lenaerts

Really, really enjoyed this. I would highly recomend alternating chapters while reading this. 

full review: https://jelkelenaerts.blogspot.be/201...

Trigger warnings: (view spoiler)[self-injury, loss of a child, fat shaming (hide spoiler)]


  
    "God had made that creature, that monster with a taste for blood, and loved it. But he had not made her."
  


Replica combines the stories of two girls, a mysterious island running scientific experiments, clones, and a whole lot of danger, discovery, and secrets.

And when I say two stories, I mean two different stories and POVs in the same book. Back to back. You can choose to read the book one chapter from each POV or you can read one story and then the other. I have never had so many options in a book!

I read the whole story at once, one chapter from Gemma, then one chapter from Lyra. Because I had the ebook this meant using links between the stories. BUT I know (due to having the hard copy of the sequel Ringer on my shelf) that the hard copy means you physically flip the book upside down.


  
    "And she could hear, in the quiet, the whisper of millions of words, words trapped behind every drawer, words beating their fingernails against the inside of the file cabinets."
  


The story itself was gripping and just so engaging to read. I feel so at home with Oliver's writing, it's honestly a joy to read. 

Having two POVs in a story is nothing new, but I did really enjoy the fact that both 'books' are on the same time frame. This means that if the characters are together you'll hear a lot of the same dialogue from different POVs. I thought this would become tiresome, but it really didn't. It gave so much more depth to the story.

The story line, with all the mysteries and twists and turns and secrets and coverups, was just so delicious. it kept me wanting more throughout the entire book and left me so excited to dive into the sequel to answer some of the lingering questions from this book.

And the characters. I felt so much for both the MCs, both with their own struggles: Gemma growing up as the 'sickly' child, rich helicopter parents, overweight and struggling with friends; Lyra: knowing nothing beyond her home on Haven, and thinking herself as less than human. 

But I truly thought that the men in this story were the true gems. All three of these gents made my heart melt in different ways.

While there isn't tonnes of diversity in this book, there are bits and pieces on the sidelines. A side character described as 'mixed ethnicity' and a Latina best friend with two mums. I hope this grows in the second book, particularly with some of the key characters. 


  
    "A strange and baffling truth: that the people we’re supposed to know best can turn out to be strangers, and that near strangers can feel so much like home."
  


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Happy reading! ❤

Caellum

Replica follows two girls. The "original" and the "clone" at a secret institute. The book actually flips upside if you've got the paperback and they meet in the middle as you read.
 
Truth be told I skipped Gemma's story almost entirely. It was just very bland. I didn't seem to miss anything crucial for the overall plot I was interested in which was the story of the clone, Lyra. I found her half really engaging and atmospheric but I do feel like I paid full price for 1/2 of a good book.  

Hayley 📖🌈💜🌸

3.5 stars, I think? I may change this, idk. Also when will GR just let us use half star ratings? Please! 

I sort of enjoyed this, and sort of didn't. I read it a chapter per character, Lyra then Gemma. I found the repetition to be a bit annoying, but I don't think I would've wanted to read one whole side and then start over with the other? So I'm glad I did alternating chapters. 
There were parts that I really liked, but parts that I felt dragged on a bit, or were just a bit- I don't know.
Also, I didn't realise this was a series until about halfway through when I checked the GR page and that kind of annoyed me a little for some reason. (Possibly I am hormonal and that's why, but who knows.) 

All in all, pretty good, but not my favourite book.

Farah Khaled 

I can't continue reading Gemma's story, 3 stars for that...

Gretchen Gomez

loved!! will update this one I have a review up for my blog =)

"Replica is a "flip book" that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra's story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma's story ... Lyra's story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects--Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72--manage to escape. Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions"--From publisher's website.

Ellie Thurman &
Replica by Lauren Oliver

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