LIFEL1K3

LIFEL1K3
Lifelike Book One
Written by Jay Kristoff
Dystopian, Science Fiction, #LoveOzYA
416 Pages
Published May 2018
Thank you to Allen and Unwin Australia
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★★★★★
On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap. Seventeen year old Eve isn't looking for trouble, she's too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she's on the local gangster's wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. Worst of all, she's discovered she can somehow destroy machines with the power of her mind, and a bunch of puritanical fanatics are building a coffin her size because of it. If she's ever had a worse day, Eve can't remember it.

The problem is, Eve has had a worse day, one that lingers in her nightmares and the cybernetic implant where her memories used to be. Her discovery of a handsome android named Ezekiel, called a 'Lifelike' because they resemble humans, will bring her world crashing down and make her question whether her entire life is a lie.

With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic sidekick Cricket in tow, Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves... And learn the truth about the bloody secrets of her past.
Once known as Kalifornya, now a desolate wasteland of recycled technology and radiation, decimated by conflict. Scavenging among the ruins, Eve Carpenter continues to endure the loss of her family, incarcerated by the authorities and slain while the seventeen year old was extradited by her grandfather. In an emerging world evolved by technology, human life is a commodity within the dystopic environment inciting syndicate violence. Eve is an intelligent and tenacious young woman, now caring for her elderly grandfather amongst the destruction, a cancer patient exposed to radiation.

The Three Laws of Robotics once constrained artificially intelligent automations to perpetuate human lives, now rogue and resolute in achieving freedom from human oppression and servitude. Among the fragments lies a fractured Lifelike, a young male android and harbinger of truth. Accompanying Eve on her journey of identity and discovery is a multifarious contingent of reinforcements.

Stronger together. Together forever.

Fifteen year old Lemon Fresh is a valiant and tenacious orphan, abandoned as an infant, now colleagues within the gladiatorial amphitheatre creating an enduring friendship and familial alliance. Created with recycled fragments, Cricket is perceptive and conscious of his physical environment. Accompanied by blitzhund Kaiser, they make a formidable contingent and compelling aspect of the narrative. Eve is an anomaly accused of deactivating technology through technokenesis. Lifelike android Ezekiel is attractive but importantly, appreciates the gravity of their challenge. To evade the syndicate and a bounty hunter on behalf of The Brotherhood, idealists who demand the surrender of genetic deviates for purification

Atmospherically breathtaking, Kalifornya is a desolate frontier. The collapse of Gnosis and the Monrova family have preceded the rise of technology corporations Bio Maas and Daedalus,  corporations elevated to authority and dominance. The post apocalyptic world is vividly and cinematically imagined, an oppressive and contaminated environment, radiation continuing to diminish the populous as the Gnosis tower erupted.

The essence of Lifelike is humanity and creation, capitalism and environment interlaced with an atmospheric and compelling narrative. Captivating characters and breathtaking revelations. Compulsive reading. 

35 comments

  1. Would you say this is better than Illuminae?

    The story reminds me of Legend.

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    1. I actually enjoyed it slightly more than Illuminae but still prefer Nevernight, which is an adult title with young adult characters. Personally, it reminded me of a blend of Defy The Stars by Claudia Grey and Blood Red Road by Moira Young. Such a brilliant read!

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  2. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I really want to check it out because it sounds like something I'd love. Your review has only made me want to read it more.
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. There are so few dystopian books being released in young adult these days, which is my preferred genre and was thrilled to see how Jay Kristoff would blend cyberpunk with a dystopian world and it was breathtaking! I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy this one Krystianna, would love to see what you think of it!

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  3. Ahhh yay glad you liked this one! I kind of predicted it suuuper fast (but like all those comparative titles kind of gave it away?!) But it was still funny and fun and I LOVE LEMON FRESH SO MUCH. 💕😍

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    1. Aspects I did but that ending, holy shit. I didn't expect those revelations. I was so immersed that I missed the signs. Gosh wasn't Lemon Fresh an absolute delight! I cannot wait for the next installment!

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  4. the cover looks so much different from the other ones i saw, but it' still good

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    1. The Australian cover is slightly different from the American release, both are incredible.

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  5. I've seen mixed reviews for this one, and I've never read anything by the author. I know he recently/not so recently co-wrote a book series with another author (but I haven't read that either, lol). I do trust your judgement, so I'll definitely be giving this one a shot! Hopefully sooner rather than later. Lovely review! <3

    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. If you love either cyberpunk type dystopians or post apocalyptic worlds, you'll absolutely love this!

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    2. I don't believe I've read a cyberpunk story before, so that would be interesting for me to experience!

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  6. Yessssssss to everything. This was so good. Can't wait to read Nevernight.

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    1. Oh yes you really do Christy, it'll knock your socks off. Can't wait to see what you think!

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  7. Oh Jay Kristoff, he can do no wrong!

    I NEED to get my hands on a copy of this (I also need to get off my ass and read Nevernight - like I pre-ordered it and it's still just sitting on my shelf waiting for me *hangs head in shame*).

    Awesome review. You always pump me up for new reads :-) :-) :-)

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    1. Both are absolutely incredible reads. Neveright is classified as adult though even though the main character is eighteen. It's a little sexier and the violence is brutal. LIFEL1K3 is wonderfully sarcastic, I can't wait for you to meet Lemon Fresh!

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  8. I have been meaning to read this book since i got to know about its release!!! Your review has confirmed it that I actually need to read it asaaapp!!
    Haniya
    http://booknauthors.blogspot.com

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    1. It's brilliant Haniya, you'll really enjoy this one.

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  9. Ooh "compulsive reading." It sounds like something that would be in a book blurb on the cover. I've never read a book by Kristoff, that just HE wrote, but I really want to. This one sounds fascinating, and I've been hearing good things. I'm glad to hear that you really loved this one!! I definitely need to check it out.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. His most well known individual series is probably Nevernight, which is incredible but for a more mature audience. I really loved this one and can't wait for the next installment, really incredible reading Lauren. I think you'll enjoy this one.

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  10. I didn't like this one as much as you did, but I really did enjoy the world-building and the atmosphere as well, Kelly! I still need to try Illuminae/Nevernight!

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. It seems more catered towards dystopian and fans of cyberpunk type reads. in compassion, I can almost guarantee that you'll absolutely love Nevernight, it's much more mature in content. I'd love to see what you think of it Aimee.

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  11. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one, Kelly! I'm currently listening to Gemina, though I'm not paying attention - whoops. I do like a good book involving cyber, so I'll probably try again with this one... Not in audio form. 😂

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    1. I'm terrible when it comes to audio books, I find it hard to concentrate and multitask. I haven't read Gemina yet despite owning the Illuminae Files series. My husband listened to it on audiobook as well and I think it let him down a little too. Eventually I'll go onto finish the series, there's just too many books and too few hours in the day.

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  12. His books don't always work for me (Nevernight) but I keep trying because I like the premise of his stories and I think one might click some day. Maybe it will be this one.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Nevernight has a very mature adult feel to the storyline, so perhaps this one might be more your style Karen. It's still trademark Jay Kristoff but it has a dystopian cyber punk feel to the world building especially. The focus is on friendship foremost and such wonderful character development. I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  13. I've seen such mixed reviews on this one so I just don't know what to think. It seems like it should be a book I really enjoy and it sounds really inteeresting but I'm hesitant to pick it up just incase. Luckily, there's a slightly later release date here in the UK so I still have a few more weeks to make up my mind.

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    1. Maybe pop your name down at the library or ask them to order a copy in but I think you'll really enjoy this one actually. I've seen a lot of reviewers that have compared it to Nevernight, which is ore mature in content and considered adult fantasy. It's such a brilliant read though.

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  14. There's lots going on, and seem like you really enjoyed this one! Hugs...and Happy Sunday! RO

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    1. You too and hope you have a wonderful week, thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I'm really digging how the worldbuilding sounds in this but I'm unsure if it's for me just yet. I guess there is only one way to find out!

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    1. There sure is! If you prefer dystopian with a touch of cyber punk and science fiction technology, I think you'll really enjoy this one. The characters are brilliant, especially Lemon Fresh. I hope the sequel contains her point of view as well.

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  16. I love the sound of Kristoff's books and every review for this I've read has gushed about it like yours but I am also beginning to suspect it might be too scifi for me. Hmmm.

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    1. It's actually quite mild on details for science diction, the focus is more so on the dystopian, post apocalyptic world building which is incredible!

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  17. Glad you loved the book so much! It is ages since I visited you. I saw your review on Goodreads today and I was like 'OMG how long has it been' . hope you are well x

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  18. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed Lifel1k3 as well! It was definitely a complex and detailed world with some great characters, I've heard that the sequel is going to be primarily from Lemon Fresh's perspective which I'm excited about.

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