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April 25, 2013

Review: The Originals by Cat Patrick

The Originals

Title: The Originals
Author: Cat Patrick
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Sci-Fi)
Source: Publisher (HBG Canada)
Format: ARC
Pages: 304
A riveting new story from Cat Patrick, author of Forgotten and Revived.

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets... until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life...

Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created.
The Originals is the first book I have read by Cat Patrick, and it will also not be the last. In this book, Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take shifts impersonating Elizabeth. See they are identical in how they look, however they are not identical triplets but clones, from an original. Their mother, a genetic scientist, implanted them in her womb and ran away with them. Now, almost 17 years later, they have been at this for several years. You all wonder why they don't just act as triplets? it is because the top secret project that is them was actually leaked and triplets are looked at with a bit too much interest by the government. 
This book, if it wasn't for the whole cloning, would have been marked as a contemporary. All three girls divide the day three way, Lizze and Ellie divide their school time halfway while Betsey goes to their part time job and night class at the local college. I loved the high school setting, since this is told from Lizzie's POV only, and also that there is none of the cliche high schooler plots, evil cheerleaders or douchey jocks. Actually, "Elizabeth" is part of the cheerleading squad! The story really kicks off when Lizze and Ellie start liking two different guys and have to find a way to be able to date them, even though in everyone else's eyes, they are just one person. Because the girls started becoming impatient and fed up with the way they're living, and also due to a coincidence, they find out that their mother has been lying to them, and hiding a few things that could change their lives. Lizzie starts snooping, while at the same time trying to see Sean without him seeing Ellie with her guy and thinking it's her. I loved the contemporary elements intertwined with the science fiction ones. We have a mystery of what really happened to make their mother leave her work and hide as well as for how long is she planning on keeping them on lockdown. I loved that the girls had the best friendship together, they each were so different and had their own unique personality. I really enjoyed that. 
The plot was pretty fast paced, The Originals is around 300 pages but it felt so short because I was flipping the pages like crazy. Sean isn't just a love interest here but he actually was a big supporter for Lizzie. I appreciated the progression of their relationship and how it didn't feel insta love for me. The plot twist was actually very surprising for me and the ending was even more shocking. It was bittersweet but also very heartbreaking, an ending that made me close the book and just think about it for a minute or two. I would definitely recommend The Originals to Contemporary and Sci-Fi fans, as well as fans of Cat Patrick.  

19 comments:

  1. I like that this has the feel of a contemporary and sci-fi combined. I think I would enjoy this one. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  2. I loved this one too! You're right, it sort of felt like a contemporary with scifi elements. I liked that the sisters had such a strong bond despite their very weird circumstances. Great review!!


    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

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  3. I've never read anything by Cat Patrick and it sounds really interesting so I gotta pick this one up! Thanks for the review; it was awesome!

    -Ariella @ Secrets of Lost Words

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  4. This book has been in my wishlist for a while, can´t wait to read it.
    Great review!

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  5. This one looks right up my alley. Contemporary and Sci-Fi together in a YA book - yes please!

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  6. Such a fresh concept! I like how even though it's 300 pages, it's fast paced. and the ending! I love having that feeling where you have to take a break for a sec. because of the twist or surprise towards the end. Will def. check this out since sci-fi and contemporary ya are my favorite genres.

    Leigh
    Little Book Star

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  7. I've heard great things about Cat Patrick. I love books about cloning so I was drawn to this one. Interesting that is is more contemporary. Love when endings are surprising but not heartbreaking! This has me intrigued though. Kind of reminds me of Multiplicity where he had clones made to go to work for him and take care of the kids so he could just relax and not worry about anything LOL

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  8. This book sounds really good. I have only read one of her books and that was Revived, which also read more like a contemporary. I liked it and have been wanting to read this one. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Great review!

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  9. I really love the sound of this book. The whole cloning aspect is very fascinating! :)

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  10. this one sounds interesting. i have a fascination with twins (or triplets in this case). i can't imagine these three girls trying to live one life. i def think i will give this one a try. thanks for the review!

    fishgirl182 @ read now sleep later

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  11. Great review, this book sounds amazing! Definitely adding it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing :)

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  12. Wow, another excellent review. I will definitely be adding this to my TBR list.

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  13. I love the idea of this book, the whole cloning thing sounds completely awesome and I can't wait to check this one out because it sounds really good and not too sci fi. Thanks for your thoughts!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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  14. I wonder the same thing, Juhina: Why didn't they just live as triplets? I'd keep thinking that through the whole book and it might bug me a little. I'm wondering about this bittersweet ending. I'm all about a HEA so I get a little nervous when I see "bittersweet." Other than that, this seems like a really great read. Wonderful review. :)

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  15. Glad you liked this one, Juhina! I read it a while ago but felt it was leaning towards instant love. :/
    Great review! <33

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  16. This is SUCH an original concept! I'm definitely checking this one out!

    Great review!

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  17. I really like the concept of this novel it sounds really unique. Hoping I can read it soon :)
    - Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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  18. It's an awesome feeling when a 300 pages book seems too short! It only shows how much you enjoyed it. This book is on my TBR and I hope I can read it soon. :) Great review, Juhina!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  19. Got this for review and it looks really good. Great review :)

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