Author: Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Pages: 418
Summary: All her life, Eva had belonged to someone she has never met. As an echo, a copy made for another person in the event of her demise, everything she eats, wears, and does is meticulously planned to match her "other's." Made by the Weavers, her very existence is constantly in jeopardy, since the general population believes her to be an abomination. One wrong move and Eva is all but dead. Even so, she manages to rebel against the situation, creating wax birds, giving herself a name, and crushing on her teenage guardian Sean. Her entire life changes when she gets the call confirming the death of her "other", Amarra, in a horrible car accident. Faster than she can blink, Eva is on a plane to India to assume the life of her genetic counterpart. A half a world away, Eva feels isolated from the ones she loves, and all the training she received couldn't prepare her for what she will face. Rejected by most, she finds small comforts in the adoration of Amarra's younger brother and sister. Not everyone in her new family is so accepting. While Amarra's mother Alisha is elated at her daughter's miraculous return, Amarra's father sees through her façade instantly. And he's not the only one. Amarra's former lover Ray is highly suspicious, and when her true nature is finally revealed, he is the first to turn on her. With seemingly no one around to help, and her secret exposed, Eva has no other choice but to run. A Sleep Order has been placed on her head, leaving her with less than a year left before she is unstitched. Can Eva escape the very world that condemns her existence?
Review: Move over Suzanne and Stephanie, there's a new young adult queen on the rise and ready to claim her throne. Sangu Mandanna makes her grand debut with a novel unlike anything I have seen in quite some time. A modern twist on the concept of Frankenstein, Mandanna's echoes are a breath of fresh air in the days monopolized by werewolves and vampires. Eva is a star in her own right, both independent and self assured. She has a great heart, but is far from perfect. Her bad temper makes her more accessible to everyday girls, and bridges the gap between fantasy and reality. Eva doesn't need anyone to take care of her, but chooses to let others in, which is only the tip of the iceberg for this complex character. Her love interest, Sean, is a love sick puppy dog with some bite. His affections for Eva do get in the way of his job, but he doesn't always swoop in to save the day When the character of Ray was initially introduced, I was worried that they would fall into the stereotypical teen love triangle. To my surprise, this aspect of the story never developed in that direction. I enjoyed all the action without having to get caught up in the "who will she choose?" drama. Mandanna's unconventional story is a strong start to what will undoubtedly be a wonderful career.
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