In a book that invites readers to start at either end or alternate between perspectives, Lyra and Gemma get the chance to escape from the protective environments in which they were raised while uncovering secrets about the bioresearch facility that connects them. - (Baker & Taylor)

Escaping from the clandestine research facility where they were created, two replicas, or human modelsùknown more by their numerical designations than by their individual namesùteam up with a sickly girl who has mysterious family ties to the facility. By the best-selling author of Before I Fall. Simultaneous eBook. 250,000 first printing. - (Baker & Taylor)

From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity.

Lyra’s story begins in the Haven Institute, a clandestine research facility off the coast of Florida, where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape.

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. After she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past—and discovers her father’s connection to the mysterious Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions.

While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Turn the book one way and read Lyra’s story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma’s story. The two distinct parts of this novel combine to produce an unforgettable experience for its two young heroines—and its reader.

From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity.

Lyra's story begins in the Haven Institute, a clandestine research facility off the coast of Florida, where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects'Lyra and the boy known only as 72'manage to escape.

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. After she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past'and discovers her father's connection to the mysterious Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions.

While the stories of Lyra and Gemma mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Turn the book one way and read Lyra's story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma's story. The two distinct parts of this novel combine to produce an unforgettable experience for its two young heroines'and its reader.

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven’s purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72—and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

While the stories of Gemma and Lyra mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters. In either case, the two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable experience for its two young heroines—and for the reader.

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects'Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72'manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven's purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72'and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

While the stories of Gemma and Lyra mirror each other, each contains breathtaking revelations critically important to the other story. Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters. In either case, the two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable experience for its two young heroines'and for the reader.

Booklist Reviews

Oliver revives a standard dystopian story of human clones and government conspiracies with a high-concept premise in this near-future sf novel, the first in a planned duology. Two girls' narratives are bound together in this "flip book," which readers must literally turn over to get from one protagonist's story to the other. Lyra is #24 of thousands of experimental subjects at Haven, a clandestine research facility. Gemma is a self-conscious teen with controlling parents, a dismal social life, and a history of health problems. The two meet on the night protesters bomb Haven, and they begin working together to discover Haven's secrets and how their lives are inextricably entwined. Lyra's story has intensity and a distinctive voice, and her depiction of life in Haven is chilling; Gemma's is a more conventional teen mystery. How the two stories intersect is clever, as is how the structure mirrors the themes of identity formation and individuality, but both feel slight and lack a satisfying resolution. The unique format will draw in readers, though, and strong writing will keep them hooked. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Oliver's dystopian Delirium trilogy achieved best-seller status, and she's been gaining steam ever since. Teens will line up for this one. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

In this bioethics thriller told in two stories starting at either end of the volume, Gemma, an overprotected rich girl who's in and out of hospitals, and Lyra, a "replica" (or clone) in bioresearch facility Haven, are unexpectedly thrown together when Gemma discovers her father's connection to Haven. With Oliver's clever crafting, readers will be clamoring for the projected series' next book. Copyright 2016 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

Teens take on scientific conspiracies in this Orphan Black-esque bioethics thriller told twice: readers are invited to start at either end of the volume, reading one girl's story or the other to the end, or to alternate back and forth. The only home Lyra has ever known is a bioresearch facility called Haven. Lyra is a "replica" (or clone) who isn't supposed to have a name at all -- she's called 24. For her whole life she has watched the clones around her become sick while doctors try to figure out what makes clones less viable than regular humans. Gemma is an overprotected rich girl who has grown up in and out of hospitals. Both Gemma and Lyra find themselves with a sudden opportunity to escape their prisonlike homes, and they are unexpectedly thrown together when Gemma discovers that her father has a connection to Haven. As in any good thriller, shadowy men in black, car chases, and startling discoveries follow. A major twist in circumstance happens nearly at the end of the events; neither heroine knows the full story, but readers can piece it together after reading both parts. With Oliver's clever crafting, readers will be clamoring for the next book in the projected series. sarah hannah gómez

Kirkus Reviews

Two girls from very different backgrounds find autonomy, strength, and identity as they fight against corporate greed and medical corruption.Gemma was born to rich and powerful parents. Lyra was made in a lab. Both white girls have spent their lives protected behind walls: Gemma, under her parents' watchful eyes, and Lyra, under the care of nurses at the Haven Institute. The latter has always known she's a replica, a clone created by doctors from human stem cells. The heavily guarded Haven Institute's activities are shrouded in mystery and speculation, and when an explosion destroys the facility, both girls' carefully formed worlds topple in the aftermath. Events unfold quickly as Gemma and Lyra learn they're not who they thought they were, that the truth goes much deeper than either ever thought. The dual narrative is presented as two books in one; it's up to readers to decide how to proceed: read each girl's story separately or in alternating chapters. There are very few characters of color: Caelum, another replica and key secondary character, is described as "mixed race"; Gemma's Latina best friend has two high-powered moms. Deep-rooted racial and ethnic inequality is hinted at in the "birthers," the dark-skinned women who carry and give birth to replicated babies and don't speak English. Gemma's fatness is a source of embarrassment, but, unusually, she grows emotionally without losing weight. A reading experience not to be missed—or forgotten. (Science fiction. 15 & up) Copyright Kirkus 2016 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Oliver (Vanishing Girls) sacrifices substance for style in a novel told from two perspectives: flipping the book allows readers to read the full story from the point of view of the two main characters, Lyra and Gemma. Lyra, a replica (clone) at the Haven Institute research facility, and Gemma, a loner who has spent her life in and out of hospitals due to various medical troubles, have surprisingly similar stories—both live in relative captivity. When Haven is destroyed, Lyra escapes and crosses paths with Gemma. Gemma, the daughter of one of the men who initially funded Haven, decides to help Lyra and another replica, 72; in the process, she slowly begins to discover the mysterious mandate of the Haven Institute. This ambitious project requires patience during some of the more repetitive parts of these interlocking stories, even as Oliver explores thought-provoking ethical and existential terrain. The pieces of Oliver's story all fit together, but the novelty of the storytelling approach doesn't quite compensate for a less-than-compelling plot. Ages 14–up. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management. (Oct.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 8 Up—This unusual piece of fiction will be a winner among teens. Written as a "flip book," the volume has two novels in one. Readers will experience the story from two different characters' perspectives. Sixteen-year-old Gemma has always been sickly and alone most of her life. Her existence changes in a hurry when she is followed and questioned about what she knows about Haven, a secret research facility to which her father seems to have a connection. Eventually, she starts to investigate and travels to Florida, where she finds two replicas who are actually clones who have escaped from the facility. Turning the book over, readers get the story from the viewpoint of Lyra, who is one of the clones. Each point of view can be read in its entirety one at a time or in alternating chapters. Oliver has managed to create different tempos and moods in each tale, which allows readers to better understand the characters. Young adults will enjoy this unique reading experience. While the narrative is accessible to middle and high school readers, occasional strong language will make it a choice for older teens. VERDICT Reading this book in alternating chapters as an ebook could prove challenging, so libraries will want to have this hit available to teens in a print format.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI