Starters by Lissa Price
After a devastating killer-spore epidemic, the majority of humans left are either senior citizens or children and teenagers. As children are unable to work, Enders (the seniors) have grown rich. While unclaimed children are forced to hide and live in squalor or be sent to juvenile facilities and treated like prisoners. So sixteen-year-old Callie, caring for her sickly younger brother, feels forced to accept the only “legal” job offer she can get. Renting her body to rich Enders who wish to experience a youth again. But when Callie’s neurochip experiences a glitch, she discovers that her renter is up to something more than just partying. She wants to use her body to murder. Callie is in a race against the clock to find out more about the person using her body and the Body Bank’s horrific plan and the mysterious man behind the scenes.
Callie and her younger brother lost their parents and had to resort to squatting in abandoned buildings. Readers will quickly form a sympathetic bond with her and her predicament. The Body Bank is particularly disturbing. Price’s futuristic dystopia is unique and inspired. When the deadly spore epidemic hit, the very young and very old were vaccinated first and survived. Now, an Ender’s money can buy just about anything. Even a younger body. The creative world had me hooked from the start. The fantastic characters and intense plot kept me reading. I loved every minute of this one.
This exciting debut is incredibly suspenseful and completely riveting. Price is a talented writer, pulling the reader into an unnerving setting and following Callie on her thrilling adventure. Starters is marketed for young adults, but older adults and science fiction fans should definitely check this one out as well. With plenty of plot twists, surprises, and even a bit of romance – I couldn’t put it down. This has certainly made my list of favorites for this year. Don’t miss it.
Courtesy of the author, I have an extra copy of Startersfor one (1) lucky winner!
Contest is open to US residents only. No PO Boxes, please. To enter, just fill out the form below. Contest ends June 22. I’ll draw a name on June 23, and notify winner via email.
Good luck!