
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with their sense of self after a significant loss or feels like they are being compared to a version of themselves they do not recognize. It is an ideal pick for a teen who feels isolated in their grief or is questioning if they are truly unique in a world that often demands conformity. The story follows Emmaline at an elite boarding school where six clones, called Similars, have just enrolled. One of them is a perfect copy of her late best friend, forcing Emma to confront her mourning and her identity head-on. While the setting is a futuristic thriller, the heart of the book explores the deep ache of losing a loved one and the ethical dilemmas of science. It is a sophisticated read for ages 12 and up that balances fast-paced mystery with a serious look at what makes a human soul irreplaceable.
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Sign in to write a reviewCharacters face kidnapping threats and a shadowy political conspiracy.
Some physical altercations and scenes involving civil unrest/protests.
Includes teenage pining and developing romantic feelings.
Characters must decide if clones deserve human rights and if some laws should be broken.
The book deals directly and intensely with the suicide of a peer and the resulting grief. The approach is secular and psychological, focusing on the processing of trauma. While the science fiction element adds a layer of distance, the emotional weight of the loss is portrayed with stark realism. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges that healing is an ongoing process.
A high schooler who enjoys dystopian themes but is currently looking for a story that validates their feelings of being an outsider or their experience with profound loss. It is perfect for a teen who feels pressured to be a 'copy' of someone else's expectations.
Parents should be aware that the book begins with the aftermath of a character's suicide. It is worth discussing the difference between the 'clone' and the original person to help the teen navigate the book's themes of individuality. A parent might notice their child withdrawing into a specific hobby or isolating themselves following a friendship breakup or a loss, perhaps expressing that 'no one understands.'
Younger teens (12-14) will likely focus on the 'Forbidden Love' and sci-fi mystery elements. Older teens (16-18) will better appreciate the ethical questions regarding genetic engineering and the nuanced depiction of survivor's guilt.
Unlike many YA thrillers, this book uses the sci-fi trope of cloning as a visceral metaphor for the stages of grief, making the 'ghosts' of our past literally walk the halls.
Emmaline Chance is starting her junior year at Darkwood Academy, still reeling from the suicide of her best friend, Oliver. Her world is upended when the Similars (six genetically engineered clones) join the student body. Among them is Levi, a boy who looks and sounds exactly like Oliver. As Emma is drawn into the mystery of the Similars' origins and the political unrest surrounding their existence, she must navigate a web of secrets, a shadowy organization, and her own complicated feelings for a boy who is both a stranger and a ghost of her past.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.