Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.
It’s hard to explain to a child that our version of “normal” may be different from other people’s version of “normal.” Who is to say which way is correct? It’s a tough line to draw in the sand and even tougher to stay on one side. Fans of dystopian fiction will be thrilled with the new title Remake by Ilima Todd. This book features a unique take on the world as we know it. Let’s start with the basics here. When a couple announces that they’re having a baby, what’s the first question people typically ask? “Is it a boy or a girl?” What if the answer was —> we won’t know until the child is 17.
Yep, that’s how Remake goes.
The opening of the book starts with an ominous tone. It’s a call to rebellion, a shift in the norm. We enter an area called the Freedom Province which seems quite open-minded. Children are raised in “batches” and get to choose all details of their lives at age 17. When I say all details, I mean it — from their gender to their appearance to their Trade — it’s all up to the “batcher.” One gets the sense that Nine resents such a heavy decision which begs the question, “Is Freedom really FREE?”
Some of the story has a familiar feel. There’s the whole uprising thing going on (which leads us to a series, I’m hoping!!!) We have the ever-present love triangle that becomes so frustrating in young adult novels. Still, there’s enough of a unique take within Remake to really hold my interest. This world is truly an unexpected spin on dystopian fiction, one that is a welcome change from the violence seen in many popular YA novels. There is a spiritual element to the story as Nine finds out who the original “Maker” really is. The mentions of the Genesis story of Adam and Eve surprised and pleased me. However, when my daughter asked if she could read this book, I hesitated. She saw me devour the book, unwilling to step away from the pages in order to even eat dinner. Yet do I want my daughter to participate in such a world just yet? In Nine’s world, the androgynous batchers are “allowed” to do anything with anyone, if you know what I mean. The characters flirt with love as if they are intimate; however, Nine has yet to make a firm decision on what her gender will ultimately become. The concepts of puberty, insemination, and other mature topics are brought up. For now, I’m not sure that I’m willing to let my daughter’s innocent mind be introduced to this type of world. It’s my responsibility as a parent to censor inappropriate issues from her eyes. However, I long to share with her the discussions that Remake can so naturally bring up. I told her that when she’s older, or when Remake becomes a movie (because it surely MUST!) that we’d talk about it then.
Book Synopsis:
Male or Female?
Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously.
But Nine isn’t like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day—her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they’ll be.
When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?
Author’s Bio:
Ilima Todd was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu and currently resides in the Rocky Mountains. She never wanted to be a writer even though she loves books and reading. She earned a degree in physics instead. But the characters in her head refused to be ignored, and now she spends her time writing science fiction for teens. When she is not writing, Ilima loves to spend time with her husband and four children.
Connect with Ilima:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Where to buy the book:
Amazon Barnes & Noble
Thanks so much for the review!
You hooked me with the first paragraph – just pinned this to my Books I Want to Read board.
I read her name as “Nina” at first too. So she’s born female but gets to choose which gender she wants to be?
Her name is “Nine” because she’s the 9th in her batch. Yes, she was born a female but at age 17 all the batchers get to choose what gender they want to be “remade” into. You really need to read it, Liz, I think you would like this book!
Interesting the freedom that allows. It’s a shame that people who don’t know what they want to be in this current world don’t have such freedom. Interesting book for sure.
This is a very interesting contest for a book, it actually intrigues me quite a bit. This is kind of modern but also very controversial still.
Interesting approach. I would be interested in checking it out
Although I don’t think I care for this book, i’m glad you like it.
This seems like such an interesting book… I would love to get a copy and read it on my upcoming vacation. This will be a great read!
Sounds like a great book. It really is thought provoking, yet difficult to imagine being able to choose your gender at 17 yo – wow! It would be a very interesting movie and, like you mentioned, I could see the book becoming a series. Thanks for sharing.
Imagine if everyone could choose everything about themselves. Noone would be who they are! I love to read, I wish I had more time for it.