I would like to begin by saying a big Thankyou to Boshra Rashti and Travelling pages tours for allowing me a copy of this book to read and review. This book was published 19th December 2021. You can purchase a copy at Amazon
𝐵𝓁𝓊𝓇𝒷
In MicroScrep, a post-pandemic world, one politician, Arthur Mills, brings all scientists and engineers together to create a vaccine and rebuild a world where harmony ensues. What results is a society where algorithms control who you marry, who your child is, and what position you have. Adriana Buckowski is not normal. Her eyes are two different colors, making her less susceptible to the system’s propaganda, she has a unique connection with a boy named Zach, and she has questions. Weird occurrences happen as she gets closer to her Calling Ceremony, where she’ll be given a position. When she finally starts piecing together the twisted motives at play in MicroScrep, she becomes a cog in the wheel of the state. Her only option for survival lies with Zach, and the hope that she will be vindicated through a vigilante group off-grid. But with time ticking against her, will she survive long enough to be redeemed?
𝑀𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈
This dystopian novel was quite unlike any I had read before. It was set in a future where most of the human race had been killed off by a virus supposedly brought about by intimate relations. The survivors created a world that was scientific and ruled by algorithms, people were given their partners using scientific data, sex was seen as a hazardous activity and love was to be avoided at all costs. The people had grown into a world believing that love was not needed and that procreation could only be completed by surrogates. (hence the title) Special women were chosen to be come surrogates on their "day of calling" a day where most of the population were given their life partner. The surrogates were then taken to another place and honoured, living a pampered life of bliss while they completed the ultimate task of creating life for the rest of the population........ or so they are led to believe.
Adriana and Zach are two characters who for some reason feel differently to the rest of their families. They are less susceptible to the drugs given to suppress their desires, and have feelings of love that they cannot understand. Their tale follows as they begin to realise that all is not as it seems, maybe a life stripped of love and physical intimacy is not as great as they have been led to believe. They are both so strong but also children and so cannot fight the system alone. Their trials are tough and they both suffer extreme problems in the quest to fight their destinies and choose love and each other over the propaganda.
This tale was shocking but so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down and inhaled it in one sitting! I found it so much fun as the storyline was very unusual, but at the same time it gripped me and had me holding my breath a lot of the time as I read the vivid and shocking scenes. The descriptions were so good I could imagine everything in bright technicolour.
It ended quite spectacularly, and I am excited to read the next instalment as I want to know where their fates take them next.