Skinned

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Lia Kahn used to have everything. Her family was rich, she was genetically perfect, and everyone knew her. But popularity, money, and good health couldn't stop the car from malfunctioning, resulting in an accident that killed Lia--or at least, most of her body. Now Lia has been downloaded into a newer, more perfect body. She will never age or feel pain or die. But her second chance at life comes at a high price. She is rejected by nearly all those around her because she isn't exactly human anymore. And the more others fear and hate Lia for who--or what--they think she is, the more she starts to question herself. Who is Lia Kahn? She died--yet she's still here. Skinned is a gripping of identity, power, and the choices we make that is set in a futuristic world of medical and technological advances we can only dream of today. This novel asks many of the same questions about life and humanity that the similar novel The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson does, but in a slightly different manner that makes this story fresh and interesting. Through Lia's struggles and questions about herself, the reader experiences the postmodern concepts of the uncertainty in identity, of the validity of free will, and how far is too far. It may seem a little depressing how the little flaws in things like judgment end so tragically for many of the characters, but the real beauty of this story lies in the humanity it reveals, for what is emotion but human? Skinned is a thrilling must read that will challenge the way many readers think, appeal to their emotions, and leave them craving more. This thought provoking novel will be enjoyed by fans of The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson and the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. I eagerly look forward to the rest of this trilogy.

For the start, this is a great story that keeps you wanting to read more. At one point during the story I found myself breathing heavily just with the tension, my nerves were on edge. But the book is so much more than a good story. It questions the whole definition of life. As I read the book I found myself trying to put myself in the shoes of each of the characters, the lead character, the boyfriend, the sister, the dad. I could see why they were acting the way they did, and wanted to know if I would react differently. You need to be able to handle the Science Fantasy / 'Speculative Fact' style in order to enjoy this book, but other than that, I can not recommend this book highly enough.

I have read a few other of Robin Wasserman works and I have to admit that I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was. It blew me away. It does deal with some heavy stuff but that's what makes it all the better. It shows how dark humanity can be and how others are can be different. There aren't any one-dimensional characters; the main character and a lot of the supporting character's are extremely relatable. One thing I really like with Wasserman, you never know where she's going to take you, the reader. Most writers you can guess what's going to happen and how it's going to happen. Not the case here. I absolutely love this book it pulls you right into the story; spins you around and doesn't let go. I absolutely can't wait for the next book in the trilogy to be released.

Lia Kahn was perfect. She had a perfect life, perfect friends, and a perfect boyfriend. She was popular and beautiful and everyone wanted to be with her and know her -- until the accident changed everything. When Lia is in a fatal car accident, she finds herself awake in the hospital. She should be dead, but she knows she's alive. She can't feel her body, but she knows it's there. Lia has become the latest patient in the "download process" -- a way to download your memories and brain functions into a computer-based body that is made to look and act human. Lia is angry about the download process. She doesn't want to be a "skinner" -- the awful nickname for download recipients. But she also isn't ready to give up on her life. Being a skinner isn't easy, though. Groups of people have rallied against the download process, calling it unethical and saying the skinners are without a soul. Lia's friends seem to have turned on her and her boyfriend can't stand to be near her anymore. She's Lia, but she's not the same Lia, and she's not sure how to handle her new life. Add in the mysterious group of skinners that Lia encounters, plus humans that would do anything to be part of the download process, and Lia isn't sure anymore what exactly it means to be human. SKINNED presents an interesting look at what really makes us us. Are we human when we have flesh and blood, or is it our memories that make us who we are? Can we ever have the same life again? An interesting and engaging look at medical ethics and humanity, SKINNED is the beginning of a new trilogy. Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen