REVIEW and GIVEAWAY
CLONES: The Anthology
by Nathan M. Beauchamp, Daniel Arthur Smith, Susan Kaye Quinn, Hank Garner, Michael Patrick Hicks, Samuel Peralta, P. K. Tyler, R. D. Brady, Rysa Walker, and Joshua Ingle
CLONES: The Anthology has just been released and is available for only $0.99 for a limited time.
You can read my review and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD.
Description
Human cloning.
Technology evolves faster than we do. The law shields us from our worst temptations. But the opportunity is there, dangling just out of reach - perfection and ascension … or delusion and destruction.
In this collection of eleven clone-themed stories, ten of today’s top speculative fiction writers explore our morality, our built-in societal restraints, and reflect upon our state of grace.
Similar is not necessarily the same.
Stories in this anthology:
"The Replacement Husband" by Nathan M. Beauchamp
"Like No Other" by Daniel Arthur Smith
"Awakening" by Susan Kaye Quinn
"Eve’s Children" by Hank Garner
"Black Site" by Michael Patrick Hicks
"Fahrenheit 1451" by Samuel Peralta
"All These Bodies" by P. K. Tyler
"B.E.G.I.N. " by R. D. Brady
"Splinter" by Rysa Walker
"The Vandal" by Joshua Ingle
"Confessional" by Daniel Arthur Smith
"Like No Other" by Daniel Arthur Smith
"Awakening" by Susan Kaye Quinn
"Eve’s Children" by Hank Garner
"Black Site" by Michael Patrick Hicks
"Fahrenheit 1451" by Samuel Peralta
"All These Bodies" by P. K. Tyler
"B.E.G.I.N. " by R. D. Brady
"Splinter" by Rysa Walker
"The Vandal" by Joshua Ingle
"Confessional" by Daniel Arthur Smith
Excerpt
Click below to read an excerpt.
Praise for the Book
"Clones is a wonderful production from start to finish. Daniel Arthur Smith has assembled a tour de force of chromosotic tales that will deepen your love and appreciation of themed anthologies. This is short form Sci-Fi at its finest." ~ Jonathan Ballagh, author of The Quantum Door
"CLONES is packed with old-school SciFi stories about ideas. Get yourself a pint of beer and spend the day lost in these stories." ~ Kevin G. Summers, author of Legendarium
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
CLONES is a collection of eleven science fiction and speculative fiction stories by ten authors. Ostensibly about clones, these stories are also so much more. They deal with spirituality, creationism, and what it actually means to be human.
In "The Replacement Husband" by Nathan M. Beauchamp, Jasmine receives her husband's clone replacement fifteen months after his death. He is implanted with memories of only the last three years of his life, but he has no memory of the most important event in their lives. This story takes an interesting look at what it means to really be human.
In "Like No Other" by Daniel Arthur Smith, genetically modified human beings are the target of a protest march. Yoshiko tries to protect her little sister, who turns out to be more than just her sister. This story explores prejudice and discrimination.
In "Awakening" by Susan Kaye Quinn, Amara is one of twelve "sisters" with identical DNA but with their own different cybernetic "mothers". They are all under the care of Mother Superior, an ascender (human enhanced by nanites), and are cloistered until their "awakening". But are they just a small part of a much larger experiment? This story explores spirituality and life after death.
In "Eve’s Children" by Hank Garner, Dr Lexi Danvers gets ready to reveal the truth about our existence. But to what lengths will people go to stop her? This story is an interesting look at the origins of life.
In "Black Site" by Michael Patrick Hicks, Papa creates a series of clones of himself in an effort to discover the secret to man's origin. This is another story exploring the origin of life.
"Fahrenheit 1451" by Samuel Peralta is named after the temperature at which human bodies burn. This is my favorite story, with great writing creating a sense of urgency. This story examines the cruelty of scientific experimentation.
In "All These Bodies" by P. K. Tyler, the Mezna clone Echechi bodies which they inhabit. However, only the most perfect survive, while the rest are recycled as nutrients to produce more clones. What happens when one of these bodies starts having independent thoughts? This story explores eugenics and individuality.
In "B.E.G.I.N. " by R. D. Brady, an elite secret government group tracks alien sightings with the aim of re-engineering alien technology. But now they want to re-engineer more than just the technology. This story deals with the ethics of scientific experimentation.
In "Splinter" by Rysa Walker, Kieran has the CHRONOS gene and the ability to time travel. He and his multiple splinters are on a mission to save their wife Kate from a serial killer. This story explores the effects of time travel.
In "The Vandal" by Joshua Ingle, a member of the Sect breaks into Chase and Alice's home. But his is one face they never expected to see. This story explores the concept of nature versus nurture.
"Confessional" by Daniel Arthur Smith is a story told in three parts. In each part, each of Eli's successive clones in branded a terrorist and sentenced by Mother to termination. But has Eli's latest incarnation finally uncovered the reason behind Mother's inflexible behavior? This story deals with the consequences of autocracy.
These stories may all deal with clones or genetically altered humans, but they parallel the way anyone who is perceived as different is treated. Even though most of these stories are set in worlds already featured in books by the authors, the stories stand on their own and, if anything, encourage the reader to explore these worlds further. After each story, the author provides an insight into their story.
My favorites are "The Replacement Husband", "Like No Other", "Fahrenheit 1451", and "Splinter", which I found to be the most emotional and thought-provoking stories in this collection.
This is a great anthology that might just introduce you to your next favorite author.
About the Authors
CLONES: The Anthology features stories from Amazon bestselling authors Rysa Walker (the Chronos series), R. D. Brady (the Belial series), Susan Kaye Quinn (the Singularity saga), Best American Science Fiction notable Samuel Peralta (Faith), and USA Today Bestselling and Multi-Award Winner P. K. Tyler, plus five more of today’s top authors in speculative and science fiction: Joshua Ingle, Hank Garner, Michael Patrick Hicks, Daniel Arthur Smith, and Nathan M. Beauchamp.
Giveaway
Enter Daniel Arthur Smith's giveaway for a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD (or gift card equivalent for international winner).
Plus, enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy of CLONES: The Anthology (US only; ends 1 July).
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