3.5 stars rounded up. Really liked the concept of this book - on the surface it seems ridiculous until you look at the way capitalism and scientific progress are driving us head long into the unknown. Not that either are essentially bad but there is less and less care and moderation. I can see it theoretically being possible that the ultimate status symbol for wealth and power is a genetically engineered human girl, trained from birth to be a 'pet'. Although it's hinted at that old pets are resold into far less savory circumstances, it's never really expounded on. There is a very claustrophobic, rape-y feel to this book although nothing actually happens. In a way I think it would have been a better book if some of the more unpleasant hints had developed into full stories. Ella does seem to swing from wanting to please 'master' to needing freedom without enough of an inciting incident. I think the relationship with Ruth could have been better explored. There was no need for Claire to be there at all. On the other hand there were moments when being inside Ella's head gave you a real sense of what being a pet and therefore completely helpless against and dependent on her owners was like. This was a good concept but slightly under done on the story front. Still worth a read for dystopian fans though. This book gave me very many mixed feelings. I am not even 100 percent sure yet if I like it or not. There were so many things wrong with it, but yet there were good moments to it. I will admit though that I did finish this book in one sitting. Why you ask? Because I was waiting for something to happen. I kept getting this feeling of, "oh something is going to happen soon. I can just feel it!" did that big moment ever happen? No it most certainly did not! All I got was a small form of running away from Ella's owner! but of course not with out the escort of her one true love! But I just felt like I was left hanging at the end and I did not like that at all. Okay so this story as a whole. Why in the hell would they bring back slaver? let alone why they are just making them a pet! What is a dog and a cat not good enough for people anymore? Just because they aren't always beautiful or play the piano they are not good enough? that my friends is just horrible. Now the one thing I don't under stand with it is why would they bring slavery back? There is no explanation what so ever about this! I would really like to know who passed this law? because whoever did I would like to speak with them or send them a strongly worded letter about what big idiots they are. But hey that is just me. But I do think the story would have been better off with some sort of explanation. Maybe if it had a good reason behind it I would understand. But I can't agree to something if there isn't a good reason behind it. It just isn't right. Now with whole love thing going on here. Okay when I think of Penn and Ella's relationship it sort of freaks me out. Would you date your pet if they were beautiful? Hell no! Who would? But oh wait, this pet is a human girl. I keep forgetting that detail of the book. And I don't know if this was just me but I would not want to date someone who named me in the first place. I would feel like I was there possession or something. But wait that is what a pet is. Your possession. I don't know this whole thing just gives me the willies. Even though I am unsure of this book I will read the second one of there is one. Why? Because I cannot leave a story hanging like that! I need to know what happens with Penn and his pet! I mean Ella! This story is far from over and I only hope that it gets better. P.S. If I had to deal with the diet that Ella had I would have left ages ago! who would sit around and eat her meal (There version of dog food) When the humans are eating delicious food? I would have been all " I am out of here bitches! you can find me at McDonald's!" P.S.S. If I couldn't read either I would have probably killed myself. True story.
What do You think about Perfected (2014)?
Okay, but predictable, and LOADED with grammatical errors... did no one proofread this?
—Looma
I just love it! But that ending? Killed me!
—jrfmortgages
