Title: Beyond New Eden
Author: H.S. Stone
Genre: Dystopian
Back Cover:
Eve 142 has lived her entire life in the domed city of New Eden, home to the only surviving humans after the War. Like all of the inhabitants of New Eden, Eve 142 is a clone. Together with the other clones, dubbed the Adams and the Eves, she leads a safe, predictable existence. But when she causes a tragic accident, her life changes. As punishment, she and her counterpart, Adam 142, are banished from New Eden. At first, Eve 142 considers their punishment a death sentence because she grew up believing the world outside the dome was uninhabitable. She is wrong.
Review:
I’m a big dystopian fan, even though it can be hard to find an original one. Beyond New Eden looked original, and so I decided to try it.
Eve 142 had a mild personality. She was quiet and smart and not the kind to make waves – a lot like all the other Eves and Adams in New Eden. She was a nice girl, a little naive in some things, but not an outstanding personality.
Adam 142 was…well, a lot like a male version of Eve 142. Similarly quiet and not controversial, but a little (only a little) more willing to take risks than Eve. Sweet, but also not super memorable.
And although the bland personalities weren’t great, I appreciate it. People in New Eden were raised to have peaceful, bland personalities. Eve and Adam 142 were completely indoctrinated, like everyone else. So even though they weren’t remarkable personalities, if they had been, it would have seemed really out of place.
The plot was excellent, too. It wasn’t straight dystopian – I’d call it a cross between dystopian and post-apocalyptic. The city of New Eden itself had dystopian elements, but the outside survival was more post-apocalyptic. And I have to admit, I had a hard time guessing what would happen next. There were so many twists and new things for Eve and Adam to discover.
The idea, too – the clones, the way the city worked, everything – was fascinating and well-thought-out. Even the little details fit neatly in with the rest of the world. I could almost see something like that happening.
This was an Indie book, so I was impressed with the writing. I didn’t find any grammar or punctuation issues, and I was looking. If I hadn’t known this was an Indie book, I wouldn’t have guessed – and that’s a good thing.
Overall, Beyond New Eden was interesting and creative. I think a sequel would drag a good story on too far, but I wouldn’t object to reading something else by H.S. Stone.
I received a free review copy of Beyond New Eden from the author. His generosity in no way influenced, or sought to influence, this review.
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