The House of the Scorpion

I'm in my 60s. However, I decided to read this young adult novel. The reason is that a young boy I'm mentoring really liked it, and I wanted to establish some common ground with him.

Surprisingly, it turned out to be a truly wonderful book. It is extremely well-written, with engaging prose that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Moreover, it raises some very interesting questions about the age-old debate of nature versus nurture. It makes the reader think deeply about how our environment and genetics interact to shape who we are.

In addition, the book paints a dark and dystopian vision of the future. It shows a world that is not so far-fetched, making us realize that such a future could potentially become a reality.

I firmly believe that this is a great book for young readers. It not only entertains them but also makes them think and reflect. And to my own surprise, this old guy really enjoyed it too. It goes to show that good literature knows no age boundaries.

Not what I expected;

The premise initially gave the impression of being typical YA, but this book is far from that. It is much better indeed, and I can clearly understand why it won so many awards. Although the wavering themes seemed a little scatterbrained at times, it still managed to hold my attention. It reminded me a bit of The Giver, yet the story firmly takes its own unique path. It was truly a pleasure to encounter a dystopia told from a perspective other than an Ameri-centric one. However, the pacing was a bit off on occasion, and I felt that it ended too soon and abruptly. But I'm presuming that the second book will resolve some of these difficulties and further explore many of the seemingly overly-tidy or rushed plot threads. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds in the next installment and whether it will manage to tie up all the loose ends and provide a more satisfying conclusion.

This book was truly jam-packed with content.

It seemed as if there were multiple stories all rolled into a single volume.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if this is a book that I would recommend to others.

The reason being that for me, it was just an average read.

It didn't really stand out or leave a lasting impression.

As a result, I have decided that I won't be continuing on with the series.

Maybe others will have a different opinion and find more enjoyment in it, but for me, it was just okay.

I think there are many other books out there that offer a more engaging and fulfilling reading experience.

However, everyone has their own taste in literature, and what might not work for me could be a great fit for someone else.

So, while I may not be a fan of this particular book and series, I would encourage others to give it a try and form their own opinions.

I'm really glad I finished this nonsense. I didn't read it for myself, so I really made an effort to get through all possible clichés, even the dangerous ideology that is so subtly present and concerns boy-girl relationships.

It's just the biggest American YA trash that, for some xy reason and the time we live in, simply has to be a "dystopia". And I love dystopias, but I also have allergic reactions to dystopian trash like this, which isn't even good enough to be considered trash.

The story is set in the land of Opium, of course ruled by El Patron, and that land resembles Mexico, although it's our future Mexico. That dictator produces his clones so that he has eternal donors of organs and people he calls eejits (and all the time I was reading it as idiots, so the r would be lost along the way), who are slaves and have had their ability to reason taken away... Opium is like a country in an agreement with all countries - they produce drugs and don't send them to partner countries, and at the same time, in return, they control the borders.

And that's approximately the part I can understand...

It should be taken into account that I will be fully aware of what YA or children's literature is for - it always moralizes, educates or whatever you want to call it, and it tries in countless ways to prepare the ground for a small being to one day become a Person who is not necessarily in love with his own reflection.

When I try to explain to someone what kind of books I like, I usually get stuck, but the essence of it all is that the style must be beautiful, and if the story is also naïve - it must come from the heart. Then I can focus on the beauty and some moral verticals in life. And if the story isn't naïve, then it must have innovation and that style really has to be beautiful.

The case is that this book has an okay style, it's not spectacular but it's fluent. The story goes at a uniform, dynamic pace. There are no frills, but instead it kills and murders with predictable trash twists/turns. And what bothers me the most is when the boy demeans the great girl he is of course in love with (and the way he manifests it literally makes me sick), then he betrays and shames her, and she is all the while coldly, a little bit angry and then loves him. And it's all okay. It's not just that one scene, the whole philosophy of their relationship is based on that. If it were some complex story in which I actively participate in the layers of psychological twists and inner struggles, I would accept it. But this is just degenerate.

And so comes the twist, and instead of giving in, it piles on a new twist that just makes me have a reaction of chronic fatigue and saturation because don't give me the Departed foreshadowing now, and a resolution in which it solves everything in two lines literally, so that all the negative characters accidentally get killed/off like 100 of them/ and it really insults my intelligence.

Again, I'm cringing just from the memory...

Life is too short not to hold on to the classics. Although, in a world where I buy lighters at the post office and lighters at the kiosk and all while musicians get Nobel Prizes - the question is, who are my classics? :D

Fun trivia: I read the book in installments of 4/5 pages and then I would fall into catatonic states that seemed like a dream. Every time. That has never happened to me before. I allow myself to think that some runes are hidden between the lines, so the only good thing I discovered with this book and that Czech film Chains, a cure for boredom.

I feel really bad when it comes to saying this about a book that has received so many awards. However, I just can't seem to think of a single thing that I liked about this book.

The characters in this book were extremely whiny and annoying. They didn't seem to have any real depth or interesting qualities.

The story was told in a very flat way. It was more like the author was just telling you what was happening rather than showing it to you through the actions and emotions of the characters. As a result, it was honestly just downright boring.

I only managed to complete this book because it was recommended to me by a friend. I was afraid that if I didn't finish it, I would never hear the end of it. But now, I'm starting to think that giving it such a low rating might be worse than just DNFing (Did Not Finish) it.

Either way, it's clear that this book is loved by a lot of people. But unfortunately, it just wasn't the right fit for me. Maybe others will have a completely different experience with it.

Freaking addicting! I read it 4 times.

This is the story of a clone named Matteo Alacran, or Matt for short. Matt is a clone of the drug lord el Patron. El Patron is extremely concerned about Matt's well-being. In this book, Matt grows from a skin cell to the age of 16. During this time, he gradually discovers why el Patron is so worried. El Patron has had clones before Matt and uses them for organ transplants to prolong his own life. He is already 140 years old.

The story takes place in the future. America and Mexico are facing issues with immigration and drugs. The drug lords approach the governments and propose a solution - the country of Opium. It is a ten-mile-wide strip between Aztlan (present-day Mexico) and America. Opium captures border crossers and turns them into eejits, people with computer chips in their brains that make them obedient to orders. They have problems if they don't hear their leader's commands. If they are told to work, they will work until they hear the order to stop or die. Opium also sends out "guides" to Aztlan to lead people who want to cross into America, only to lead them straight to be made into eejits.

The most influential person in Matt's life is Celia, who is basically his mother. She cares for him like a real mother. When el Patron has a heart attack and might need a transplant, Celia gives him something that makes it unsafe for him to receive the transplant. She later discovers that some butterflies eat milkweed and become poisonous if eaten by others. She uses this knowledge to keep Matt alive.

Another important influence on Matt is Tam Lin, his personal bodyguard. Tam Lin teaches him how to be a man and shows him how to fish. However, Matt discovers that Tam Lin has a dark past. He tried to blow up a political figure but a bus with twenty kids drove by and they all died. Matt is crushed when he finds out, as Tam Lin was his hero. Tam Lin feels extremely guilty and eventually dies.

This is also a developing love story. Matt is growing up and falling in love with Maria. Their relationship has its ups and downs. When Matt kidnaps her dog to get her to talk to him again, Felicia kills the dog and Matt is blamed.

I thought the author had a great idea and executed it well. I believe that some of the science in the story is possible, although I don't think it's possible to grow a human clone in a cow. I also think that if clones do exist, they will only be available to the rich, like el Patron, and will be treated poorly, like Matt is by Rosa. I don't believe that eejits could exist as they are not scientifically possible. The ending of the story is very intense.

Fenwick

Before the story kicks off, there is a list along with a brief description of each character and a family tree. At first glance, it seems rather daunting. However, the author skillfully introduces each one of them, making them distinct and easily recognizable.

The story meticulously details the life of Matt Alacran, who is the clone of an Opium drug lord. It follows his journey from a young age all the way to his teenage years. For the initial few years of his life, he is secluded and has minimal human contact, except with his carer Celia. Then, an unexpected visit from three children stirs Matt's curiosity about the world outside his small home.

Since he was harvested from a cow, the majority of society perceives clones as beasts, putting them in the same category as dogs. I was deeply saddened and horrified by the way some people treated Matt like mere trash. Fortunately, there were a few exceptions who treated him as an equal, which added a heartwarming touch to the story. Matt gradually discovers his pre-determined place in the world and grapples with coming to terms with this understanding.

The dystopian archetype is present, yet it is buried beneath the complex and thought-provoking issues, the unpredictable plot, and the original ideas. So often, when I pick up a dystopian novel, I find it to be a clone (pun intended :P) of many others. But "The House of the Scorpion" is one of the most unique and chilling dystopian stories I have ever come across!

One of the best young adult novels I've ever read is truly a remarkable piece of literature. It has the power to captivate the hearts and minds of readers of all ages. The story is filled with engaging characters, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The author's writing style is both beautiful and accessible, making it easy for young adults to connect with the story and the characters. The themes explored in the novel are universal and relatable, such as love, friendship, identity, and coming of age. It offers valuable lessons and insights that can help young adults navigate the challenges and joys of growing up.

Overall, this young adult novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story. It will leave you with a sense of inspiration and a newfound appreciation for the power of literature. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will stay with them long after they've turned the last page.