#163 Book Review: Eve and Adam

Eve and Adam
Release Date: October 2012
Author: Michael Grant | Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Electric Monkeyy (Hardie Grant Egmont)
Source: Publisher for review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.

Cover:
I was interested in reading the book because of the cover. I haven't actually read the summary at that time and I knew I wanted to read the book. I wanted to know what that apple means and the electricity that seems to be connected with the apple. The tag line is really intriguing as well! But the cover is one AWESOME cover.

Story:

What if you can create the perfect boy or girl? 

This intriguing concept is explored in Eve and Adam. The wife and husband combo and team, Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate, both best-selling authors create a sci-fi book set in the present world or the not-so-distant future. In this world, genetic modelling or modifying is easy. Eve and Adam features Evening Spiker, the daughter of Terra Spiker, the woman billionaire who owns a research facility. The book is written from Eve's point of view but also from Solo and Adam. Solo is an employee in the research facility while Adam is Eve's creation.

When I started the book, I did not have high expectations. I read mixed reviews and was not sure whether or not I would end up loving or disliking this book. I haven't read any books by both authors before even though I've heard of them but I was still interested in reading Eve and Adam because of the really interesting premise. Grant and Applegate's writing is a combination of humour, wittiness, action and genius. At the beginning, I found it quite hard to grasp the world of Eve and Adam. It was quite confusing as the writing did not fully explain the details of this world. The world is just there and the knowledge of how this world came to be seemed to be an assumed knowledge. I had so many questions and by the end of the book, only some of my questions were answered. Occasionally, I get confused of the story plot as their seems to be different arcs. However, despite my confusions, the book's unique concept and premise stood out and overcame my confusions. It made me think of what if I can make the perfect human? Even design it from scratch, just by using an advanced software? Wouldn't that be cool? The ending felt quite abrupt to me and many of my questions were still unanswered although I was satisfied with the way things ended.

Characters:
Evening Spiker, E.V, or Eve is a witty, smart and fun character. I really enjoyed reading from her point of view and seeing how she could go from nerdy (when creating Adam) to a swooning teenage girl (after seeing the completed Adam for the first time). Her life is interesting as she is the daughter of the famous owner of the biopharmaceuticals facility. In the beginning of the story, Eve had a car crash and she was thinking of an apple. That was definitely interesting! There's also Solo, the guy who holds grudge against Eve's mother, even though she is technically taking 'care' of him. Solo is a nerdy guy who never actually properly interacts with a woman before and it's really fun to read about his thoughts on Eve and also his grudge against Eve's mother. Aislin, Eve's best friend is really supportive of Eve as well even though she causes quite a few troubles for Eve. Meanwhile, Adam is completely different to all this characters. He is artificial, created and lacks of natural emotions despite being 'perfect'. He has so many questions about himself and when Eve kisses him, she finds out that not even the perfect guy has a perfect kiss!

Overall:
Eve and Adam is the electrifying novel by the wife and husband team Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate! Imagine if you can create a perfect human, what would he/she be like? Despite my confusions and how things seem to lack of explanation, the premise and the concept of this book is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! If you love 'sci-fi' books, set in the not-so-distant future with a touch of wittiness, humour and romance, then this book is for you!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Eve and Adam!

Thank you Hardie Grant Egmont for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!