A fun page turner for the younger crowd.

After reading Mergers by Layne, I was not looking forward to reading this book; however, it is a much better read. It loses points for originality in that it is a Stepford Wives rip off. But it gains points because I love The Stepford Wives and think it is a great idea to write it for children. Of course, it loses the sexist theme in this version because the town of Paradise is full of robots of all genders, and the primary target is "Mr. Eden's" son, Troy.

Still this could have been written so much better. Layne's character development is lacking, especially (and oddly) when it comes to his first person narrator and main character, Jack. Layne lets us get into Troy's head much more than Jack just through Jack's descriptions of him. The grandmother is likable but over-the-top and not believable. Also, what's up with her "make-up bag?" Does Layne seriously call a rolling suitcase which can magically hold anything you may need in any situation, a make-up bag?

I actually enjoyed the first half to three quarters of the book, despite all this, but the climax and descending action deteriorate into nonsense. Layne does not even attempt to explain the science on which it is loosely based or his crazy resolution, for that matter. He seems to rush through the end in an unsuccessful attempt at intensifying the suspense. The lack of realistic emotions over the mother's death and the part where Troy's eyes pop open as soon as the girl speaks to him just seemed stupid and superficial. I felt like Layne was trying to meet an impossible deadline and just needed to finish the book.

So, even giving it a break for being a young adult novel (and a lower reading level to boot), I think it was a little less than impressive. As a teacher I've read a lot of young adult fiction, and there are many who don't seem like they were actually written by eighth graders. Even as a teacher, I would hesitate to give it to a student because Layne feels he has to overtly state his theme and explain it, which I think he didn't even get right. This is not a Dystopian novel. It's a novel about being a control freak perfectionist and about how people's flaws make them valuable as individuals. I guess the bottom line is that this book had potential and some entertainment value, but falls very short of its intentions.

I loved this book! Constant page turner and I couldn't wait until I read the end. I'm about to start the sequel! :).

Plot idea is fun, but not sure how it can continue. Stepford Wives revisited as a young adult book.

I met this author when I was in elementary school and thought this book was great. I just reread it and it is amazing how time gives new perspective. It’s an interesting storyline idea but the writing is choppy and the characters are under developed let alone unrealistic in their actions and thoughts.

The Best Book In The World!!!!!!!!

Interesting story; writing was ok; pretty violent for a kid's book

Good science fiction for middle school kids.

Clunky thriller that requires a little bit too much suspension of disbelief. Jack's father moves his family to Paradise, a gated community run by Mr. Eden, owner of the Eden corporation. But Mr. Eden has sinister plans, and an even deeper secret. Cloning, robots, and multiple personalities - it's all too much for one book, especially when how it is accomplished is never really explained. Still, it is very fast paced and might be good for reluctant readers.

I usually love F. Scott Fitzgerald but I found this work a bit self-indulgent and overblown. However, as I had heard that it is substantially autobiographical, I did enjoy getting a better insight into Fitzgerald's character.

Though I will not refute some of the negative reviews given about this book, and actually agree on many points, I will say that this book is perfect for a read-a-loud for my struggling eighth grade students. Testimonies from former students keep this as a staple in my classroom even if I take some dramatic liberties with the dialogue to make it more realistic as I read it every year.

pretty good at the beginning, but gets way to bizarre