Crashland: A Twinmaker Novel

Gr 6–10—In this sequel to Twinmaker (HarperCollins, 2013), 17-year-old Clair works to unravel an increasingly complex political conspiracy related to the now-defunct dematerialization system (both as a means of transportation and as a method for creating consumer goods). Two separate rebel groups vie with conventional OneEarth leadership in the wake of the destruction of "demat." Groups of "dupes," beings with the faces of deceased people with someone else's brain replicated into them, plague Clair at every turn. Clair has the key to untangling all the layers of corruption and becomes an unwitting rebel leader. How a society would deals in the wake of losing such an integral technology would make for an interesting story, but instead, the novel follows the rebel groups as they develop super-secret ways to continue to use demat technology outside of the main worldwide system. As one would expect from this genre, there is a love triangle, lots of action, and an abrupt conclusion that makes another sequel inevitable. The science fiction elements are overly complex and confusing. In particular, the details of who is privy to which online chats, and just how the dupes always know plot details make for convoluted and confusing reading. In spite of these issues, the book will appeal to fans who can't get enough of the genre but don't want to think too hard about it. Purchase where Twinmaker has been popular.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH