Book Review: Imitation (Clone Chronicles #1)

Name: Imitation (Clone Chronicles #1)
Author: Heather Hildenbrand
Number of Pages: 272 pages in eBook
Published: July 29th 2014
by Alloy Powered by Amazon
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance

Everyone is exactly like me. There is no one like me. Ven wrestles with these contradicting truths every day. A clone of wealthy eighteen-year-old Raven Rogen, Ven knows everything about the girl she was created to serve: the clothes she wears, the boys she loves, the friends she loves to hate. Yet she’s never met the Authentic Raven face-to-face. Imitations like Ven only get to leave the lab when they’re needed—to replace a dead Authentic, donate an organ, or complete a specific mission. And Raven has never needed Ven . . . until now. When there is an attack on Raven’s life, Ven is thrust into the real world, posing as Raven to draw out the people who tried to harm her. But as Ven dives deeper into Raven’s world, she begins to question everything she was ever told. She exists for Raven, but is she prepared to sacrifice herself for a girl she’s never met?

This book review is long overdue. This should have been posted last week, but I didn’t get to pick up a book to read during the Christmas celebration so here’s for my friends who have waited for this book review to be posted. 😀 A few already sent me a private message on Twitter. Asking where in the heck is my Imitation and Deviation book review. Lol! Sorry, I’m almost done with Deviation too. 😀

The writing is quite easy. Nothing really spectacular, but I like it. Actually, the book’s premise alone is appealing. The book cover is equally intriguing as the plot. Don’t you think? It is striking and I love it. Remember when I’ve thought that this is somehow the same as the movie The Island? Well, it is. Sort of, but the twist on the book is in fact new. Since I’ve watched The Island, I’ve pretty much got the idea of how things work or the general idea of the plot. Apart from the fact that Imitations are created for “organ harvesting” (Eww.) when they’re Authentics need them, they also go on missions. Let’s say your Authentic has assailants and they want to ensnare them. You’ll be thrown out in the open to lure them in. Pretty disturbing right? Like your some kind of a dummy devoid of feelings. Basically, that’s where the story spun. When they’ve thought that someone will want the real Raven dead, they’ve trained the clone Ven to go on public and act like her. Apparently, there so much more to it than what they’re told. When Ven learned about their evil schemes, she resolved in acting against his creator. The plot’s pace is quite engaging. It made me devour pages after pages. Just when I thought I’ve got the whole idea, I was presented with another twist that’s really amazing. The world building is also note-worthy. A little dystopian and science fiction fused into one I may say. The romance is an InstaLove. Yes. Like seeing his photo and got intrigued in an instant. Not even in person. As instant as pouring hot water on a cup noodles. That’s written in a subtle way though. I’ve forgot about it because of the many things that’s been going on around the characters. How the book ended really pulled me in. So much more to discover and to resolve. After reading the book, I came to realized that the first book lacked resolutions, but a lot of questions and figuring out what will happen next. I must admit that the book is quite unpredictable and I like it.

The characters are pretty stereotyped. Ven’s disgusted about how Raven lives her life that mainly includes flirting with the upper class, shopping, gossip, attending social events and being Queen Bee with her own set of Mean Girls. Though she refused to be and act like her, of course she has no choice since that’s her only purpose. The thing is, if she was made exactly like Raven, she would have love everything Raven loves, even a bit, would she not? Pretty vague. The real Raven is not on this book. Not even a glimpse of what had happened to her after the first assault. I really wonder why. Linc is your usual mysterious, but S.I.L (Secretly In Love) kind of guy. That guy who’s playing arrogant, but will eventually softens because the girl is irresistible. I also wonder, it seems that he’s in love with the real Raven even before Ven came to the picture. He’s not even aware that the real Raven was switched to her Imitation. So I’m really confused if he’s in love with Raven or Ven. Did he love Ven ’cause she’s like the better version of Raven when he learned that she’s not the real one? Hmm..

The series is so intriguing so I’m recommending it to all book lovers.
Though I have issues, I’ve enjoyed it.