This book has been sitting on my Goodreads shelf for what seems like forever. I have no good reason for not reading it earlier. I own a copy, it has won numerous awards, and all my reviewer friends have been singing its praises. Maybe I'm more influenced by the title and cover than I'd like to admit. Although there's nothing wrong with either, it doesn't exactly shout "awesome dystopian setting + interesting questions about what it means to be human!!" at me. But let me tell you, this book is really good. If you liked "Unwind," you should definitely give this one a try.

I absolutely loved the setting of this book, which is Mexico. It was evident that the author is very familiar with Mexican culture and legends, as she incorporates a lot of them into the story. I think one of the quickest ways to mess up a novel is to write about things you don't know anything about. So, I really wish more authors would explore different settings. There's a whole world out there that I can't visit right now, but I can pretend to be there by reading about other countries in books. And it can't be that hard to do a little research on a country's culture, traditions, and legends, right?

In "The House of the Scorpion," we are introduced to a boy named Matt, who is a clone grown in a cow and harvested. The man who shares his DNA is El Patron, the extremely rich head of a huge opium empire. Matt's relationship with El Patron is complex. On one hand, he knows that El Patron is evil and corrupt, but on the other hand, he also knows that they are the same person. Matt is treated like an animal by others, which really pissed me off. He questions himself and the world around him throughout the book. It's a thought-provoking look at what makes someone human and how easy it is for people to dehumanize others.

In my opinion, "The House of the Scorpion" could be even better if the author had removed the part of the story after Matt escapes. It felt out of place and forced, like the author was trying to quickly squeeze in one more big issue. But overall, it's still a really great story about cloning and humanity that will make you feel a whole range of emotions. And like "Sisters in Sanity," I seem to have a soft spot for books that make me angry. Maybe they just make me care more.

  

That was truly amazing.

Why on earth hadn't I heard of this award-winning book before?

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer completely captivated me. I devoured it in about a day and simply could not put it down.

Essentially, it's a book targeted at middle school to young adult readers, but the wonderful thing about it is that it can be read on multiple levels, meaning anyone from around age 12 and upwards can gain something from this book.

The book delves into numerous themes: religion, politics, ethics, cloning, slavery, the drug trade, corruption, and probably several others that I haven't even mentioned.

The story is beautifully crafted and told from the perspective of a young child. Matt is brought into this world with a specific purpose. He is initially regarded as a beast and treated like an animal. Later in the story, he relocates to the drug lord's home and is given a rather indulgent childhood. He is educated, permitted to play the piano, and allowed to ride a horse. Matt even has his own personal bodyguard who teaches him survival skills.

There are some dark undertones throughout this book, and although El Patron appears to be a doting father, something sinister is definitely going on.

Don't bother reading the blurbs. Just approach the story with an open mind and savor it.

The House of the Scorpion is truly a remarkable YA/middle grade book that stands out from the rest. It delves deep into philosophical and thought-provoking themes such as the soul, identity, and human rights in a captivating manner.

The story is set in a distant future, where a land between the U.S. and Mexico grows poppies for opium. The main character, Matt, is a clone of the nation's leader, El Patron. At first, El Patron appears kind and generous, providing Matt with an education and privileges that other clones lack. However, as Matt matures, he uncovers the truth about his life and his country's history, which contradicts what he has been taught.

This is a coming-of-age tale set against a survival/dystopian backdrop, filled with complex and engaging material. While it may not be suitable for very young readers due to its graphic nature and sensitive issues, it has the potential to spark great discussions in middle school.

There is a sequel, and although I've been told it's not necessary to read to understand the whole story, I'm still curious to see what happens next. So, I definitely plan on picking it up at some point.

For fans of The Chaos Walking Trilogy and other dystopian/sci-fi/survival stories, The House of the Scorpion is a must-read. I highly recommend it.

I do not have a fondness for being in the actual desert. However, I find great pleasure in reading about others in the desert. Is this perhaps a form of schadenfreude? I suppose I have a penchant for reading accounts of anyone who truly captures the essence of a particular setting, and Nancy Farmer does just that here. The story is desolate, yet filled with desert flowers, and has just the right amount of mystery and elusive environmental contamination to create the backdrop for a captivating dystopian world. It is a wonderful, scary, heartwarming, chilling, and inspiring tale.

While reading this, I couldn't help but wonder if I was experiencing some of the same pleasure that others get from reading Wither. Like Wither, this book has a future with genetic manipulation, redesigned geography, and some gadgets, but still maintains a mostly familiar setting. However, this one is far from stupid; it is truly intelligent and amazing. It delves into profound questions about science, religion, politics, the nature of friendship, and the nature of power.

The book follows the main character, Matt, a clone, through his childhood. He endures isolation, torture, rejection, lavish gifts and education, friendship, mentoring, and daring adventures. Many books give the impression that the author views the audience as idiots, slowing down the character's perception of the world and using neon arrows with every revelation. This book, however, does not feel that way, and it is refreshing to read. Matt is smart and quickly catches on to what is happening around him. If he doesn't, it is because he is purposefully and justifiably ignoring it for emotional preservation. Even when he doesn't acknowledge what is happening, Farmer still expects the reader to be in the know, and for the most part, we are.

Although I have to admit that a couple of times I was left with a sense of confusion, thinking "Wait WHAT??? Ohhhhhh!!!!" But, this only added to the fun.

I have only two complaints regarding the reductionist political messages that I believe are present in two places. First, there is a scene where the evil drug lord, El Patron, takes the brains of clone babies and Science inserts them into his brain to help him live longer. This felt like a simplistic dig at stem-cell research to me. While the book doesn't dwell on this or make it a major point, I believe that stem-cell research is a complex issue that deserves a more in-depth exploration.

My second complaint is somewhat similar. Many people have criticized the last section of the book, feeling that it seems like an odd addition to the rest of the story. I agree to some extent and think it could have easily been its own book and worked better. However, I don't have a major problem with it because, despite being slower, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and all of the characters and the friendships among the boys. The only thing I didn't like was the reductionist portrayal of the socialist Keepers as being evil. This seemed a bit too easy and silly.

With both of these complaints, I feel that the topics are serious enough that they warrant a more complex characterization. If you simply depict your enemy as a moron, doesn't that in some way lower you to their level and make you seem just as foolish for arguing with them? Especially when it comes to new scientific and political problems, I think it is beneficial for both sides of an argument to recognize the value, or at least the complexity, of an issue.

Anyway, these issues didn't really bother me that much; they were just minor quibbles. Overall, the story and characters were truly wonderful. Cecelia and her bedtime stories, Tam Lin's spelling, Maria's Saint Francis, Chacho's sympathy, Ton-ton's slow reasoning - I loved them all. This was a truly brilliant story that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for nothing.

I embarked on this journey quite some time ago and then took an extended hiatus before returning to complete it.

As I delved back into the story, I was once again struck by the intense and wonderful creativity that permeates this book. I had forgotten the sheer beauty of the language employed within its pages.

The mysteries surrounding Matt's relationship with El Patron are captivating. The nickname he is given, mi vida - my life - holds a significance that perhaps even he is not fully aware of.

The subplots in this book are both extensive and diverse. There are scientific experiments, drug dealing, juvenile espionage, child imprisonment, and family power struggles, to name just a few.

Initially, the term eejit was used in a derogatory manner, and I thought it was simply their way of referring to an idiot. However, it turns out to have a much deeper meaning. I don't want to spoil anything, but it offers an interesting perspective on the human experience. In fact, everything in this book ultimately leads back to the question: What is it that makes us human?

I can't say for sure whether all the questions are answered, so you'll have to discover that for yourself. But I can definitely say that I had a great time trying to find the answers within this wildly imaginative book.

My only disappointment with this book was that I didn't feel the emotions as strongly as I would have liked. And although I did kind of anticipate a twist at the end, the ending was beautiful nonetheless. I truly loved it.

I'm not entirely sure if I've previously read a book that delved into the concept of a clone, but I must say that this particular story idea seemed rather captivating. You truly can't help but feel a sense of sympathy for Matt. Technically speaking, he is regarded as livestock, and most people treat him in a horribly cruel manner. He was just this innocent child who couldn't fathom why he wasn't allowed to play with the other kids, and that really tugged at my heartstrings.

However, as Matt grew older, the pace of the plot seemed to slow down a bit, and my level of interest waned accordingly. Matt was learning from El Patrón, and at times, he would exhibit cold and entitled behavior, especially towards Maria. I had hoped that we could have delved deeper into the world of clones and gained a better understanding of how this strange world functioned. Instead, the focus remained solely on Matt. There is also a hint of romance in the story, but it came across as rather obsessive, and I couldn't bring myself to root for them as a couple.

All in all, it was an intriguing plot, and I can see why it has achieved such popularity. It presents a thought-provoking concept and explores the complex emotions and experiences of its characters. While it may have had its flaws, it still managed to hold my attention and leave me with much to think about.

Perhaps my expectations were set at an unreasonably high level, but I find myself quite disappointed.

Although The House of the Scorpion does pose some interesting and thought-provoking questions regarding humanity, cloning, slavery, free will, individuality, agency, and more, the exploration of these topics unfortunately lacks the necessary depth.

Moreover, the plot seems to be stretched out needlessly, and the writing exhibits a certain degree of repetitiveness, which makes this book a rather tiresome read.

Regrettably, I am of the opinion that The House of the Scorpion would have been a stronger work without its last third, as it almost feels like a completely different book.

Finally, while most of the main characters are relatively realistic and well-rounded, they are not entirely lovable (with the exception of Tam Lin, who is truly awesome).

Overall, this book fails to live up to its potential and leaves the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Where should one begin with this remarkable book?

I found myself enamored with nearly every aspect of it. From the captivating plot that kept me on the edge of my seat, to the well-developed characters that felt so real, and the enchanting setting that seemed to transport me into another world. Pretty much everything about this book was truly excellent.

The author did an outstanding job in developing the characters, making the reader deeply attached to them. In my view, the only factor that prevented this book from receiving a full five stars was the ending. Why did Tam Lin have to meet such a tragic fate? He was not only my favorite character but also that of many other readers. He had such depth, with a mysterious backstory that held so much potential for further exploration. It felt as if he was driven by a sense of penance for his past actions, yet there were surely other alternatives for him to fulfill that need.

On the other hand, my least favorite character was probably Tom. He was such a despicable little rat! I loathed how he would constantly bully Matt and then feign innocence whenever adults or those in positions of higher authority were around.

This book was filled with non-stop action, with hardly any boring moments. I must say that it is a masterpiece that I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I am extremely excited to get my hands on the sequel!

One of the worst books I've ever read was for school.

I really hated it due to the horrible science-fiction elements and the most boring character I've ever come across in my life!

I have no clue why it received so many awards because this was seriously one of the most mind-numbingly boring books EVER!

I would not recommend this to ANYONE!! It's an extremely boring book! You have been warned!

It felt like a chore to get through each page, and the story just didn't engage me at all.

The science-fiction aspect seemed forced and unoriginal, and the character was so flat and uninteresting that I couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to them.

I'm truly baffled by the positive reception this book has received, as it did nothing for me but make me want to put it down and never pick it up again.

Save yourself the trouble and avoid this book at all costs!

I read this book as a possible choice for a friend who is learning Spanish and wants to try reading some YA books. One of my classmates in the YA Literature class read it for a project and said it was one of the best books he'd ever read. However, after reading it myself, I was actually disappointed.

The concept of the book is really interesting. It's set in the future, where the main character, Matt, lives in Opium, a drug state between the US and Aztlan. Matt discovers that he's the clone of the 143-year-old El Patron, and he slowly realizes what he was created for.

But there are several problems with the book. The writing is sometimes wooden, and the situations don't feel as intense or emotional as they should. The characters are also a bit one-dimensional, and El Patron never really comes alive in the book.

Another major issue is that the climax comes randomly and awkwardly in the middle of the book. After that, Matt leaves behind all the characters we've come to care about and starts with a new set of acquaintances and circumstances.

Overall, I think the book had a great concept, but it didn't quite deliver. I might still recommend it to younger readers who might enjoy the idea, but for me, it was a bit of a letdown.

What if one day you woke up and found out that you were a clone?

Would your friends look at you with different eyes?

Should you be entitled to the same rights as others?

In this thrilling and fast-paced story, Matteo Alacran makes a shocking discovery. He realizes that he is not an ordinary boy but a clone created for one of the most powerful and evil men on the planet.

The question that looms large is, will he end up following the same path as his original?

And what was the exact purpose behind his creation?

To find out the answers to these burning questions, you simply have to pick up the book and embark on this exciting literary journey.

Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns that await you within the pages of this remarkable story.

This book was good considering its science fiction.

The beginning of the story was a little slow, which might have made some readers feel a bit impatient at first. However, as the plot progressed, it started to pick up near the middle and end.

The author managed to create a captivating and imaginative world filled with interesting characters and unique concepts. The twists and turns in the story kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for science fiction. It offers a great escape into a world of possibilities and explores themes that are both thought-provoking and entertaining. Whether you are a seasoned science fiction reader or new to the genre, this book is definitely worth checking out.