Mybecca Kids Rug Town Map 3' X 5' Childrens Area - Street Map Non Skid Backing (39" x 56")

This is one of those unforgettable reads that tweaks your mind from page one. The book is written in an elegantly diverse and inclusive manner. The characters are relatable, the story invokes empathy and acceptance, and there’s even a lovable dog. This is the second book by this author I’ve read and both stories are gripping and entertaining. I want more please!!

I liked this story. It was a bit difficult to follow in the beginning, but it leveled out quickly enough. I do think this was more of a family fiction with a side of futuristic aspects. I loved the relationship between Anvi and Nibbler and then the relationship that built between Linda and Arthur and Anvi. I felt for Linda and how she was raised. I'm glad that it got sorted and the ending was great. I am wondering though. Did she not have a name of her own when she was little? Nothing other than a replacement Madeline? Also, I really felt that Sergei and Graham didn't add anything of import to the story.

MILD SPOILERS:I wanted to like this book A LOT, especially after reading The Last One & I was excited to get my hands on the author's new book. BUT: the main character was really hard to like, no one communicated (so of course there were massive misunderstandings going on), & a really cool subplot about VR vs reality went absolutely nowhere and had zero impact on the story. Honestly, I wish the author had scrapped the main story & gone with the VR subplot, it would've been way more interesting. I ended up forcing myself to finish the book just to see what the payoff would be, and it was a big letdown.

The story is a wholly different spin on motherhood and identity that is not only surprising and horrifying, bur also kind and gentle.

I am not sure what genre I’d use to describe this novel- I’m leaning toward “contemporary sci-fi”From the opening line, it’s clear that the world presented is not what we think it is, as the protagonist Linda attempts to understand who she isThe novel takes place in the near future, where smartphones have been replaced by sheaths on our forearms, the world is dealing with the aftermath of the twin pandemics of COVID 19 and social media run amok, and virtual reality is commonplaceThe most interesting character for me was the tech tycoon who, in his later years, is struggling to keep control on his world falling apart. Even near unlimited resources can’t buy marital stabilityLike Oliva’s first novel “The Last One”, this thriller explores the consequences of our modern culture on an individual who didn’t necessarily choose to opt in

Ali has mastered weaving past and present to keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next. She creates characters we can identify with and care about. She blends contemporary themes with a not-so-distant future that is believable. Brava!

Born to be a replacement daughter for the one that was tragically lost too early, Linda is doomed to failure from the start. After being neglected and isolated for years to run free on their property, Linda escapes over a fence at the age of 12 and into a world she doesn't understand full of unknown tech, social media, and judgment about her own origin. Falsely dubbed #clonegirl where everyone knows her story, Linda hides herself from the world. But when Anvi, a new neighbor, moves in, seemingly unaware of Linda's true identity, and introduces her to VR games she finally sees hope for a true friendship. Then a fire leads her back to the property where she grew up, seeing it for the first time as an adult and making her question everything she thought she knew.Linda's memories and emotions were just so heartbreaking and real. Thrust from a world of neglect and isolation into a public full of scorn and judgment, it's no wonder she hides herself from the world. The author had a way of making me connect with this character, feeling her emotions, shifting through her unreliable memories, and finally becoming a strong courageous woman despite her past. I liked this book so much!I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.