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Tankborn by Karen Sandler

Saturday, August 27, 2011


Best friends Kayla and Mishalla know they will be separated when the time comes for their Assignments. They are GENs, Genetically Engineered Non-humans, and in their strict caste system, GENs are at the bottom rung of society. High-status trueborns and working-class lowborns, born naturally of a mother, are free to choose their own lives. But GENs are gestated in a tank, sequestered in slums, and sent to work as slaves as soon as they reach age fifteen.

When Kayla is Assigned to care for Zul Manel, the patriarch of a trueborn family, she finds a host of secrets and surprises—not least of which is her unexpected friendship with Zul's great-grandson. Meanwhile, the children that Mishalla is Assigned to care for are being stolen in the middle of the night. With the help of an intriguing lowborn boy, Mishalla begins to suspect that something horrible is happening to them.

After weeks of toiling in their Assignments, mystifying circumstances enable Kayla and Mishalla to reunite. Together they hatch a plan with their new friends to save the children who are disappearing. Yet can GENs really trust humans? Both girls must put their lives and hearts at risk to crack open a sinister conspiracy, one that may reveal secrets no one is ready to face.

Goodreads Summary

This is a great science fiction book for readers that normally don't read science fiction to ease into the genre.  This book is not confusing in the slightest, the author explains quite well while still incorporating the facts into the novel. 

Kayla is the first character the reader meets.  She is a Tankborn, the part of society created to satisfy the desires of the lowborn-who did not want to be the lowest rung of society.  The Tankborn also contain animal genes that are meant to enhance their skills at their jobs for the other members of society.  Kayla is sent, at the tender age of sixteen, to care for an older man's basic needs.  She finds herself caught up in a world of secrets and intrigue. 

Mishalla is Kayla's best friend and also a Tankborn.  She is sent to care for lowborn orphans...but they keep disappearing randomly.  She knows she has to find out what is going on and why. 

The characters in this book are daring, brave, kind, and caring.  The reader will really form a connection with Kayla and Mishalla.  They are extremely likable.  Their thoughts and actions keep the reader updated and make it that much easier to understand the story.  The plot is interesting and fits the dystopian and science fiction genres perfectly.  The events flow well together and are fast-paced.  This book was surprisingly fun to read and recommended to those who enjoy science fiction, dystopian novels, and intrigue.

4 Stars

*Requested to review this by Your Need To Read www.yourneedtoread.blogspot.com Find this awesome blog right here :)

2 comments:

  1. This sounds extremely different. Might be something I would like to fit in between my review reading.
    Thanks for sharing your review.

  1. Krystal Larson said...:

    It's definitely a great read. Check it out!