Fun Read Friday: Replication: The Jason Experiment

Do you know your purpose?

Martyr is a clone. One of many identical Jason clones. He grew up in an underground laboratory which does experiments on all the Jason clones in order to help everyone living on the surface. This is his purpose, and he’s accepted it. All Martyr wants is to fulfill his purpose before his expiration date (when he turns 18 in a few weeks), protect the broken Jasons (clones that didn’t develop correctly), and to see the sky. In a moment of daring, he escapes the facility to see the sky, but ends up escaping in the back of one of the scientist’s truck.

When he meets Abby, the daughter of one of the scientists, she seems to think he could have a different, God-given purpose. But trouble comes when the scientist who cloned Martyr wants him back. The choices Martyr makes about his future, will change his life, and the lives of all the Jasons, forever.

Replication released ten years ago, and I immediately loved it. It’s one of my rereaders (note the two different covers. Which one do you like the most?). I love Martyr. He has a childlike innocence that endears him, plus he is heroic, curious, and sacrificial. Everything you could want in a hero. Abby is a girl on a mission. She is principled (though she learns she can be a bit of a snob about it) and she is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in. There is a bit of romance and kissing between Abby and Martyr. This along with the topics of cloning and the physical and mental abuse that the Jasons endure make this a book for older teens. Parents and teens will have much to discuss with these topics and Jill has some great questions in the back to help get you started.

Any of Jill Williamson’s books are excellent choices for teens who love science fiction (Replication, Safe Lands Trilogy) or fantasy (Blood of Kings series, Mission League). If you have younger kids who read middle grade, her Robo Tales are fun fairy tale retellings. Happy reading!