Don’t Sell Your Body—Just Rent It!

BOOK REPORT for Starters (Book 1) by Lissa Price

Cover Story: JonBenét-bot
BFF Charm: Sure
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Mechanical
Bonus Factors: Freaky Friday, Dramatic Reveal
Relationship Status: One Night Stand

Cover Story: JonBenét-bot

This is genuinely one of the most terrifying Big Face covers I've ever seen. Maybe it's because of that one blue eye that just FOLLOWS YOU AROUND THE ROOM. Oooor maybe it's because the girl looks like an android straight out of a Toddlers & Tiaras mom's dream. Like maybe her real daughter got tired of wearing a pound of make-up and prancing around on a stage and so Toddler Pageant Mom has decided to replace her with a robot that will always be perfect and never spit out her flippers and AUUUGHH. Fortunately (unfortunately?), this book isn't about pageant moms at all, so WHY IS THERE A ROBOT CHILD BEAUTY QUEEN ON IT?

The Deal:

Ever since her parents were killed by spore bombs during the war two years ago, Callie's been taking care of her sickly little brother, Tyler, and living on the street among the rest of the orphans. Thanks to vaccinations, the young (Starters) and the old (Enders) survived the biological warfare, but the massive loss of life has fractured society. Enders are living longer and longer, and they don't want Starters taking their jobs or rising up in revolution. To some of them, Starters are only good for one thing-- their young, healthy bodies. Thanks to a company called Prime Destinations, rich Enders can rent out Starter bodies and experience their youth all over again, while the actual Starter goes into a deep sleep, remembering nothing when he/she awakens. Desperate for money to for Tyler's medication, Callie signs up as a donor, but when she wakes up midway through her third rental, in her own body, in the middle of a fancy night club, surrounded by strangers, she knows something is wrong. And when she starts hearing the voice of the Ender rental in her head, she knows something is very, very wrong. Especially because that voice is telling her to beware of Prime Destinations...

BFF Charm: Sure

I didn't really feel an emotional connection with Callie (more on that in the "talky talk" section) but I would still give her my BFF charm. First, she cares deeply for her little brother, and I really admired her strength and courage as the head of their little family. Also, in spite of how effed up the world is, she's got a great set of morals, and she really believes in doing the right thing. But most importantly, she's tough and knows how to shoot a gun, so in this dangerous dystopian world, I'm going to stick to her like glue because I DON'T WANT TO DIE. So yeah, girl TOTALLY gets my BFF charm in exchange for protecting my pansy ass.

Swoonworthy Scale: 3

Oooh, love triangles and dystopias. Will the two of you EVER get divorced? So, Callie feels super connected to Michael, her next door neighbor before the war and her survival buddy after the war. But then, while she's stuck in her renter's life, she meets Blake, and he's got piercing eyes and crazy good looks and happens to be a rich Senator's son. Both boys are pretty appealing, but author Lissa Price isn't super skilled in the Sizzle Department. So while I could see how Callie would be torn between them, I couldn't really feel the attraction in the triangle. And then, towards the end... something... happens, aaaand it made me throw up in my mouth a little. So I'll still give this book a few points for effort, but yeah, swoon is not this story's strong suit.

Talky Talk: Mechanical

This book had all of the right moves with none of the right emotion. The plot unfolded quickly, laced with thrills and suspense, but Callie's voice fell flat for me. While I certainly rooted for the good guys, I never felt invested in them, because Price didn't provide enough depth for my empathy to fill. Instead of the characters moving the plot forward, the plot pushed the characters forward, resulting in a cool adventure with absolutely no emotional impact.

Bonus Factor: Freaky Friday

The body swapping in this book isn't really two-way (the Starter doesn't slip into the Ender's body), but it's still entertaining (and a little bit creepy).

Bonus Factor: Dramatic Reveal

So, the thing I mentioned earlier, in the swoon section? Yeah, it was a MAJOR twist that I should've predicted but totally didn't, so pants to Price for that. But then I'm going to have to take those pants back, because the twist is SUPER GROSS AND DISTURBING.

Casting Call:

Callie is supposed to be blonde and incredibly beautiful, and since she doesn't have a ton of emotional depth, Britt will do a great job.

Britt Robertson as Callie

Freddie Stroma as Blake

William Moseley as Michael

Relationship Status: One Night Stand

When I met this book, I wasn't looking for anything serious. Sure, I always hope that I'll find my next literary love, but in the meantime, there's no harm in playing the field. On the surface, this book was hot-- intriguing premise, the whiff of danger-- AND it was definitely ready for action. It also turned out to be pretty shallow, but who needs depth when you're just looking for thrills? We totally had a crazy night together, but the next morning, I slipped out quietly, and I never looked back.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a review copy from Random House Children's Books. I received neither money nor cocktails for this review (dammit!). Starters is available now!