The Body Electric by Beth Revis

I'm writing this review a full week after finishing the book because I needed time to let it all sink in and process.  This is one heck of a story!  Beth Revis spins a complex plot with very 3D characters in a beautiful, realistic world.

Through the eyes of the main character, Ella, the reader is transported to New Venice, a sparkling futuristic city where humans and androids coexist.  Everything a person does is linked to a device called a CuffLink, worn around the wrist.  This CuffLink allows purchases and monitors health.  Ella's dad has developed a new medical technology in which nanobots are injected into a person, or inhaled, to cure any manner of illnesses.  These nanobots can also be used to strengthen or improve people.

But not all is as it seems in New Venice.  Ella's best friend Akila is acting weird, and there's a guy, Jack, who claims to know her... but she doesn't remember him at all.

What follows is absolutely nonstop action and mystery.  The chapters are short and pack a real punch.  From one chapter to the next, I couldn't tell what was going to happen.  By the middle of the book, nothing seemed out of the realm of possibility.  And it was all believable!  The author skillfully immerses us, the readers, entirely into the world of New Venice.  There are no breaks in the plot for descriptions of the setting; instead, we see and hear it all through the eyes and ears of Ella.

Ella is quite the complicated character.  She's not easily likable, and may not even be a reliable narrator.  I usually don't enjoy books where I don't care for the main character, but the story here was definitely addicting and kept me wanting more, regardless.  Ella wasn't mean or evil; she was just cold.  Jack, on the other hand, felt much more human and likable.  I admired his character; his willingness to stick with Ella and help her even when it wasn't easy.  He shows a lot of courage, going against the status quo to help his family and friends.

The Body Electric has a complex plot that will keep you on your toes.  This is not a light beach read; it's a book to get completely involved in.  I would recommend this for fans of Vanilla Sky or Inception.  This book is one that teens and adults alike will read and enjoy.  Cerebral and fast-paced and exhilarating.

Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Beth Revis, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Scripturient Books, young adult  2 People left their mark

Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

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