Beta by Rachel CohnSeries: Annex #1
Published by: Disney Hyperion on October 16, 2012
Genre: Dystopian, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 304
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Rating: ★★★
Elysia is created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to exist.
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers—soulless clones like Elysia—are immune to.
At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care—so why are overpowering sensations clouding Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happiness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a corrupted world.
Beta was so much darker than I anticipated! If you’re looking for a light, interesting read about clones, look somewhere else. Beta has suicide, heartbreak, murder, drugs, rape, and slavery! WOW! Totally not what I expected, but I ended up loving it.
This book is incredibly hard to review because all the juicy bits that I want to talk about (whether to criticize or praise) happen at the end! The beginning is very interesting and does a fabulous job of setting up the world, but not much actually happens. For some people that may be a problem, but I enjoyed it immensely. But even so, it’s very hard to actually describe. We learn a lot about daily life and behaviour on this perfect island. Elysia slowly adapts to her new life and takes in her surroundings. Beta really made me think about the possibility of clones and what purpose they would serve in society.
Eventually, a love interest emerged. I honestly wasn’t a huge fan of it. I didn’t particularly like the guy and the romance in general seemed very rushed. On the one hand, the romance didn’t seem like it was meant to be a big part of the story, which would make the rushed romance a little more okay. But on the other hand, the romance caused Elysia to really change her outlook on life as a Beta, which suggests to me that the romance is actually very important! There were a lot of promises there were unresolved so surely it will play a huge role in the future books.
The end of the book is all kinds of intense. We get a huge onslaught of twists, turns, and new information… and even a love..square? I did like the new love interest quite a bit, but I didn’t like Elysia’s attitude towards it:
He is not my love. But he is an excellent solution.
She was basically saying, “He’s not the guy I’m in love with, but as long as he’s here, available, and lusting over me, I might as well use him.” Not cool, Elysia!
There was one event towards the end that really came out of nowhere. On the one hand, it was really intense and kind of exciting.. but on the other hand, it seemed very rushed and random. There was no build up and no hinting—it just suddenly appears.
The ending… holy crap the ending. It was so.. conflicting. It was an ABSOLUTELY INSANE cliffhanger!! ..but it made absolutely no sense. I’m sure everything will be explained in the next book, but I’m not crazy about the cliffhanger because right now, considering everything that happened in the book, I can’t imagine how it’s even possible. Rather than being left with intense anticipation for the next book, I was just left with confusion. Of course I’m dying to see how Rachel Cohn manages to explain this, but I’m also frustrated by the fact that it’s literally not making any sense to me right now!
Except for the very strange love interest, I enjoyed the first three quarters of this book immensely. The world was fascinating and so exciting to read about! It was dark, gritty, sad, and disturbing, but that’s what made it an enjoyable read for me. If you don’t like darker, intense books then you may not enjoy it as much! It wasn’t until the last part of the book that I started to have some doubts.. But issues aside, I really enjoyed Beta and I will certainly be continuing with the series!
The Verdict
Seriously, I do not think I’m going to read this book! There have been several reviews that were only mediocre and I don’t think I will enjoy this book to be honest.
You also giving it not the most glowing review, makes me thing that truly this won’t be for me!
Yeah it was okay but nothing fabulous. I’m sure there are loads of much better books in your TBR pile! 😉
wow there is so much in this review. awewome review. I have been on the fence with this one. I have heard really good things, bad things, and in between things. I love the cover though. SO I take away that if you want dark and intense and not a good romance this is a great book. Got it. I think I need to give it a go.
Thanks JennRenee! Beta isn’t perfect, but it is a really interesting book with some cool idea. And yes, it is dark. I loved that about the book! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I’m glad you said it was a dark book, I just got a copy of this one and I am looking forward to reading it, but maybe I’ll try something lighter until I have more brain power to spare.
I generally get frustrated when books feel rushed, hopefully it won’t be too bad.
Thanks for the review :).
oooh… interesting review.
I’ve had Beta on my must-have list since I saw that gorgeous cover *sigh*.
I will still get it (seriously, that cover…. I *have* to get it) … but now I know to expect a darker story than what I had previously thought – which is fine – but y’know how you have to be in the right mood for certain types of books? yeah, sounds like this is going to be one of those moods.
I really appreciate your honest and thoughtful review, thanks!
I totally know what you mean! I get in moods for certain books too. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I have troubles with this book, because I can’t make up my mind if I want to read it or not.. Your review makes it sound like a great book. Dark, good plot, world-building (even when I don’t like the rushed romance), but I already read some negative reviews and I saw a lot of things that will bother me.. However, I’m glad you loved it so much and great review 🙂
It is an entertaining and interesting book, but it’s not perfect. And the problems in this book will definitely bother some people more than others. I guess it’s a bit hit or miss!
Yes!! The end drove me completely insane! Like the author just randomly threw on a bunch of random crap that we’ve all heard before. Like oh,btw she’s preggo. Totally unessesary! We’ve all heard it before!! It’s just another topic that has nothing to do with the acual plot! Once the author starts straying away from the real issue in the book, it just all falls apart. But really, a love triangle?? Have we not seen that a thousand times before?? Authors those days seem to think that teens won’t read their books if there isant a love triangle in it. My all time favorite books don’t have love triangles in it.. Ok sorry for this ranting, I just finished the book and I really needed to complain or I will be up all night bugging myself about all the problems I felt with this book and just me knowing!! I don’t like being alone. Ok thanks for your time!!