Blaine Colton is pulled into a chilling conspiracy when he discovers embryonic clones with his name on them. Suspecting the research has breached ethics agreements, he brings close friends, Sophie and Jett Faraday, in on a scheme to find answers. Immediate threats reveal not everyone is happy about his discovery. The reappearance of an identity from Blaine’s past unsettles him further, and then a crisis fractures his world. Convinced his research objections and the tragic events are linked, Blaine pursues justice. But someone is watching him. Someone wants him dead. Replicate continues the story of Blaine from Adele Jones' Integrate.
Adele is an Australian author of "Science fiction for the real world". Writing YA fringe and near sci-fi stories, she tackles complex teen issues including self-worth, disability, loss, domestic violence, youth crime and more, drawing inspiration from her passion for family, faith, friends, music and science.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Replicate - Adele Jones' sequel to Integrate.
Blaine Colton, now 18, has new challenges to face as he deals with the aftermath of Melissa Hartfield's bid to use him as a lab subject to help her reverse engineer the ground-breaking cure for mitochondrial disease developed by Professor Rainer. Back under Professor Rainer's care, Blaine's therapy is working for now but there are growing indications that it this may not last. And while Blaine wants to wait until these issues are sorted out before pursuing his growing interest in Sophie, he wishes she wouldn't spend all her time at the Institute pursuing genetic research.
Yet these concerns become the least of his problems when Blaine's unauthorised snooping at the Institute reveals that he has been cloned. Suddenly, someone seems to be out to hurt or even kill him if he doesn't back off. Who is at the bottom of the cloning experiments and what do they hope to gain? As Blaine pursues these burning questions, often with a naive recklessness that puts both his and his friends' lives in grave danger, he meets a figure from his past who might change everything.
Replicate is fast-paced thriller with lots of action and unexpected plot turns while raising interesting questions about the nature of family, ownership of one's own genome and the embryo research. At times the potential problems with Rainer's cure wasn't always made clear (for instance whether the problems where long-term like the potential for developing cancer or more immediate failure of the treatment), while the 'dropping mtDNA copy numbers' is mentioned on numerous occasions though what that actually is never really fully explained (perhaps to avoid overburdening the story with technological knowledge, but I did find it frustrating not to know). Nevertheless, Adele takes us on a emotional fast paced ride with humour, suspense, terror, and tragedy. She is not afraid to go deep, to make the hard choices without becoming maudlin.
Replicate resolves some of the immediate problems but leaves Blaine and Sophie in romantic limbo with serious questions unanswered and new suspicious to percolate. I'm looking forward to seeing these new developments resolved in another thrilling ride in Adele's next book Activate.
I was excited to receive a free copy of Replicate from Rhiza Press in exchange for an honest review.
As is usual with the second act in a three act play, Replicate closes with quite a few loose ends. I think this journey was probably the most emotional from Blaine's point of view, as he goes through so much in addition to the problems associated with his condition. There is a new bad guy to hate and someone reappears in Blaine's life who creates a lot of trouble for him and plenty of conflict. I felt so badly for him with all he had to endure throughout this book. It's great that the sequel is finally available. :-)
I'm hanging out for the third book in the series after the adrenaline ride of this one. Not to mention that twist in the last line. Like, what?! I have to wait a whole year to discover whether that's true or not?
Right. Well, in the first techno-thriller in this series, , Blaine Colton barely survived the machinations of Dr Melissa Hartfield. This time he's dealing with even more ruthless people who see dollar signs when they look at his DNA. It takes a while but, in this book, he discovers that the redoubtable Dr Hartfield might be in prison but she isn't done with him yet. And, oh joy, she had links to organised crime. It transpires that, when she'd failed to get the necessary grants to continue the research into his miraculous recovery from human vegetable status, she got herself involved with some very unsavory partners.
This time around the stakes are higher for Blaine and his friends. His DNA has been used to create clones - medical experimentation subjects. He's fallen deeper in love with Sophie. His biological mother has reappeared on the scene.
And some very, very, very bad guys have put a price on his head.
As I said, I can hardly wait for the next book. In the interests of disclosure, I should also mention that I was one of the editors for this one.
Okay, so after being away for a couple of weeks, this house SHOULD be sorted out, tidy, floors vacuumed, etc, etc. So, what does this bookworm do? Simply couldn't resist Adele Jones' latest book, Replicate. I enjoyed her debut novel, Intergrate, so much had to know more of those character's stories. and now, this desk is still a mess, the kitchen table still looks like aliens have been and tossed "stuff here and there" but no regrets. this is another story NOT to be missed. However, I am very glad I had read Book One first and do recommend doing so as it has set up this book's conflict also.
In this sequel to Adele Jones’s YA techno-thriller ‘Integrate�, Blaine Colton’s nemesis is behind bars awaiting trial. However, the 18-year-old mitochondrial disease survivor’s woes are far from over. The troubling heat spikes he’s been experiencing may mean his miracle cure is unravelling. He’s also just discovered that embryonic clones of him are being developed without his knowledge or consent. Something big is going down at the Advanced Research Institute; something that could cost Blaine everything and put his loved ones in danger. Add to the mix the birth mother who’s tracked him down, an international crime ring, and the microbiology intern who’s won his heart, and you know this is going to be anything but a smooth ride.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I think this one is even better. At one level, it’s a fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns, but there are deeper issues underneath to do with identity, faith and the value of human life. The author has an engaging writing style, with plenty of strong verbs and imagery to bring the scenes to life (e.g. ‘Regret skewered his heart�; ‘She dismembered him with her eyes�; ‘He clenched his teeth to lock insults that coiled like BB gun pellets on his tongue. Firing them would get him nowhere.�) The unfolding love story is also done really well and leads to a couple of ‘aww� moments.
Due to the nature of the story, there is a bit of biological and technical jargon in a few places. When read in context, it’s easy to work out the gist of what’s happening even if you don’t have a full understanding of every concept. I wonder if a short glossary may have been helpful. However, that doesn’t detract from the overall reading experience. In fact, those sections add further credibility to the scenarios in the book and made me wonder how close we are to seeing breakthroughs for previously incurable diseases.
Although the book has a teenage protagonist, it’s a story that also engages adult readers. I found myself turning pages more quickly as the story led to its cliffhanging conclusion. (Whatever you do, don’t peek at the last page). Fortunately the third book in the series, ‘Activate�, will be released in 2016 so we don’t have to wait too long to find out what happens. Although there is enough background information in this book so that it makes sense in its own right, it would be a lot better to read ‘Integrate� first to avoid spoilers.
If you like suspense and conspiracy theories, mixed with deeper issues and a little romance, you’ll enjoy this book.
Disclaimer � I provided some feedback on a very early draft of this book, but it’s changed a lot since then.
This second YA novel in the trilogy, by Adele Jones, has picked up the pace a number of notches. The drama has intensified, the action has heated up, and the romance is getting some legs. It was a page turning read, and annoyingly, left up in the air for the third book to pick up. I enjoyed the reading experience, and am intrigued. The violence and mild coarse language may be a concern for parents of younger readers. I'd probably rate it PG.
It's not very often, in my reading experience, that the sequel is better then the first in a series, but this definitely the case with Replicate.
This book was much quicker paced and very difficult to put down - hence I am writing this review at midnight!
There were things that still frustrated me about the author's writing, namely the way her characters often don't speak in full sentences (do people actually do this? Is it a Queenslander thing I haven't picked up on??). And I still got lost a few times in the scientific jargon surrounding Blaine's condition and treatment; but again, I understood enough to know what was going on
I also felt there was an assumption the reader would be on-side with the wrongfulness of using embryos to enhance scientific advancements in medical treatments. I certainly would have liked to have seen this addressed more in the conversations surrounding the cloning - the reasons behind why it is considered so wrong (Blaine and his parents were obviously horrified it was taking place, but don't offer any reasons as to why they feel so passionately about it), and perhaps some counter-argument through the eyes of the scientists (defending of the project). I think it had the potential to have teenagers reading the book really thinking about these sorts of issues and where they stand. But instead, I felt it could have been easy to just think it was worthwhile research if it meant Blaine could be well again.
But Blaine is a great character, as is Sophie and her brother Jett. The story was heart-felt and real in the way the characters were responding to the events going on around them. I was stressed reading it, and emotionally engaged. :)
So yeah, a great read, but definitely worth reading Integrate first or things won't make sense in Replicate.
Very much looking forward to seeing where the third book, Activate, takes the storyline and characters when it is released sometime this year.
I enjoyed the first book by Adele Jones and now can report 'Replicate' is even better. It's a gritty tale of embryonic cloning by evil scientists with young Blaine Colton at the centre of a whirlwind events in his efforts to rise above mitochondrial disease through radical gene therapy. It explores interesting ethical questions. The plot is tight, moving shelter skelter to an action packed end with a satisfying twist. The descriptions set the colourful scenes without slowing momentum and her characters and dialogue are gripping.Can't wait for the next in the trilogy!
Another very enjoyable read from Adele Jones. Blaine Colton is still alive. Still running. Will he make it? The relationship between Blaine and his 'almost girlfriend' develops beautifully in this fast moving YA story. The action brings many surprises—some unwelcome but will propel the story along to its conclusion. A young man who has trouble staying alive but with courage that will take him places. I fully recommend this book.
A page-turner! After reading this book I bought copies for several of my relatives for Christmas - it's the type of book you can be sure everyone will enjoy. This book drew me in just as much as 'Integrate'. Once again, the scientific side was very well explained without slowing down the book in any way (the author uses show-don't-tell brilliantly!). Some emotional moments and even more drama than the first. An intriguing, ultimately up-lifting book.
Replicate is the sequel to Integrate. To see both of my reviews visit
Illegal cloned embryonic cells� The reappearance of his birth mother� Potentially fatal health issues� Girl Drama� Boy, does Blaine Colton have problems. And trying to get to the bottom of them will only lead to death threats, conspiracies, international crime rings and heartache. In the end will the repercussions be worth the risk to do what’s morally right?
The downfall was in the small details. There was nothing that disturbed the heart of the story but there were enough little blips to make some scenes and several of the supporting characters feel disjoined and under-developed.
I had to reread a handful of scenes due to unclear descriptions of who was doing or saying what. I know it can get tedious when the writer is always writing “he said� after every piece of dialogue but in this case Jones falls in the opposite direction, not indicating clearly who was saying what. Sure, it makes sense after a couple of reads but it made me lose momentum in the story every time I had to stop and start.
The other POVs apart from Blaine’s felt too sudden as they were all introduced in the last part of the story. Kate’s in particular frustrated me. She was mentioned once briefly in chapter 7. Then out of the blue she has her own perspective in chapter 21. There isn’t enough time to really connect with her despite her being one of the good guys. And her rushed backstory and personal quirks are just plain confusing: � Why the hell would she call her colleague by a nickname when they obviously don’t get along? How come she seems to know absolutely nothing vital about the embryonic cloning project even though she’s supposed to be in charge? And how can she go so fast from hating Blaine for ruining her work to wanting to help him. I know it had a lot to do with her moral principles, but it still felt too forced to be realistic.
And speaking of under-developed aspects, what was up with Melissa, Therese and all the other villains at the end? This is not a rhetorical question. I really want to know because that story just kind of died away. I know there’s a third book, but as the last chapter is set months later, you would think there would be some sort of explanation to what happened to them in that time.
Apart from these criticisms, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Blaine was such a strong protagonist, and I appreciated the subtle themes of faith in God. They weren’t preachy or over-the-top. Instead, I found Blaine’s frustrating and wavering faith the most relatable aspect of the novel.
During the last sixty pages I couldn’t put the damn thing down, I just had know what happened in the end. Unfortunately unlike the first in the series where most of the loose ends are tied up, Replicate’s cliffhanger leaves the reader desperate for more. And for a reader like me who has slowly but surely fallen in love with the series, I’m desperate for the answers soon! Bring on Activate. Bring it on now!
Thanks to Rhiza Press for providing a free hardcopy for me to review.
If you’re the kind of reader who doesn’t like endings that make you want to read the next book NOW, then you’ll want to wait until the final book in this trilogy releases later in 2016. And do read the series in order: Integrate, Replicate, Activate, because while each novel follows on from the previous one.
Replicate continues the story of eighteen-year-old Blaine Colton, beneficiary of Ramer’s Cure, which has cured his hereditary degenerative mitochondrial disease, but may itself be a death sentence. His childhood friend and potential girlfriend, Sophie, is now working in scientific research at the Institute that produced Blaine’s cure. But when Blaine finds embryos with his name on them at the Institute, it’s apparent that the unethical and sometimes illegal activities introduced in Integrate didn’t end there.
The plot is excellent—clever, tightly plotted, plenty of tension and suspense, all enhanced by the consistent fast pace that feels as though you’re living the chase in real time with Blaine. There are plenty of twists and turns, some more unexpected than others, and it kept me turning pages until the end. I will admit that I didn’t understand all the science, but that could have been because I was reading quickly, wanting to find out what happened and whether . . . no. That would be a spoiler.
The characters are also excellent, although there were a few times I got annoyed with Blaine or Sophie for doing or not doing something, or for making stupid decisions. Then I remembered they’re teenagers, and logic isn’t high on their list of attributes. Yes, for fictional teenagers in an unreal situation, their behavior was all too real.
All in all, an excellent YA suspense novel. Recommended. Thanks to Rhiza Press for providing a free book for review.
Highly recommended! When I heard on the reading grapevine that Adele Jones' sequel to 'Integrate' ended with a cliffhanger, I carefully added it to my reading stash and patiently awaited news of a publication date for the next installment before I ventured into the pages of 'Replicate'. Jones' sequel has not disappointed. She has upped the ante in terms of suspense and intrigue, the very things I covet in a novel, proving it was worth the wait! In 'Replicate', Blaine moves beyond being the 'recipient' of treatment to actively engage in the bigger picture, where dark colours threaten to blacken more futures than his own, and, despite his own shortcomings and his physical and emotional challenges, he chooses to rise to the challenge. Jones ably carries her readers along Blaine's bucking, thrilling ride to the point where ... the next installment is eagerly awaited!
I have written this review previously, on a separate Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ account, which unfortunately I had to delete and recreate.
First I'll start with a disclaimer, to say that I read an early version of this novel to provide feedback to the author.***
I read Adele's Integrate and Replicate over a span of two days. I simply could not put them down! I really enjoyed Replicate. The characters (Blaine Colton in particular) are well developed and complex, and easy to relate to as an average teenager. Though this book is a scientific thriller, as a young Christian adult, I still found the book to be relatable and realistic in many places. I would definitely recommend this book for both teens and young adults, and I am looking forward to catching up with Blaine in the third installment!
The stakes are raised in this, the second of the series, with added emotion and a darker shade cast over the mounting pile of troubling conspiracies. A solid read!
What an ethical can of worms the premise of this story opens. Living human flesh is being harvested for experiments, but even if the ultimate intention is to benefit humanity, does that make it okay? It all comes back to the question of whether one being should be sacrificed for the greater good. In this situation, the even deeper question is whether living entities should be created especially for the purpose of being sacrificed.
For the most part, we experience the story through Blaine's bewildered point of view. He has no idea what exactly is going on within the walls of the medical centre, but once again, it deeply affects his life. It's a medical drama, it's a crime drama, and the lines blur into each other. We know that Blaine, his parents and the Faraday family are totally trustworthy, but as for all the other characters, well they could be anyone's guess!
It might have been good to see Blaine argue the ethical issues with even more fervour. Why was the cloning such a reprehensible deed in his opinion? Taking his stand made the stakes so high and impacted his life so adversely, yet his main objections seemed to be along the lines of, 'That's my genetic material, they didn't ask my permission, and it's illegal.' Several readers might be in favour of cloning for possible far-reaching medical benefits. Would the strength of his argument be enough to convince them that he was right? I guess it depends on each individual reader.
Overall, it's a real nail-biting, fast-moving thriller, with several twists and shock revelations that are impossible to foresee. At one stage I was telling my husband, who'd read the book before me, 'You should have warned me.' With this sort of action to follow, I'm sure whatever happens in the final book, 'Activate' will be bound to astonish and take us off guard. 4.5 stars
What a cleverly written, action packed, thrilling sequel! One cannot help but be drawn into the highs and lows of emotions experience by Blaine as he searches for answers. When he laughed, I laughed. When he cried, I cried. When he questioned events, I wanted answers just as passionately. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this trilogy!
Adele’s Replicate is even more enjoyable than its prequel Integrate. This fast-paced thriller left me spell-bound and kept me reading late into the night, even though I am not a Si-Fi fan. The main characters were well portrayed, but I found the scientific terms difficult to understand although that did not detract from the story. I look forward to reading Activate, the conclusion of the trilogy.
Book 2 of a gripping mystery series. The science is intriguing, the backdrops familiar to this Brisbane based Science Graduate.
I initially did a double take to see mystery and danger in our suburban streets but definitely a good read. The characters are compelling and the storyline takes some unexpected turns. Highly recommend.
Great second part to the story of Blaine Colton. The suspense is ramping up; will he survive the attempts on his life? Will he recover his one true love? No, it's not a romance story, but... Anyway, I'm enjoying the read.