Star Split

Rating:
Summary: Just what are Genhants, Originals, chimeras, etc.?
Review: I feel compelled to review this book in a public forum. Katheryn Lasky is an excellent writer, and YAs should read all of her other books. This book, however, is a mess. The author obviously understands and has strong feelings about the moral implications of cloning. She does not understand the science of genetics. The book is rife with misconceptions and the worst kind of pseudoscience. Good science fiction is grounded in science; it is an extrapolation from what we know today. The characters are flimsy and the plot is ludicrous. It falls into the all usual traps that SF novels by non SF readers do. The society of 3038 is exactly like society today. Her characters read the newspaper and watch television in the year 3038! Television and newspapers will change drastically by 2038...they will be unrecognizable by 3038.

Rating:
Summary: Good science fiction tale...
Review: In the year 3038, the human race has been transformed by genetic technology. There are the Genhents, those who have recieved the forty-eighth chromosome; and the far worse off Originals, with only the usual forty-six. There are no unwanted or even unplanned children, parents choose their child's gender, talents, and inclinations. Inherited disease is a thing from history books. Thirteen-year old Darci is a fairly normal genhent, and yet, despite her privledged status in society, she feels something is wrong with the way things are, though she can't quite decide what. Others are only confused by her strange thoughts and questions, and she is left with only the nagging feeling that only she is different...

This was truly an excellent book, unusual and thought provoking. I really couldn't guess the ending from the end of the chapter one, and Darci herself seemed so ordinary in a lot of ways that I found her very likable and easy to relate too.

The only real problem I had with this book was something another reviewer also pointed out; fifty or even one hundred years in the future would have been a much more believable setting for this particular novel. Even if there was a dark age, or a series of "clone wars" as is implyed several times in this book, I for one find it hard to believe that 1000+ years in the future, kids will still be wearing baseball hats and blue jeans, and thirteen-year old's will still be attending eighth grade.

Besides this minor detail however, this book was great and I definitely recommend it to sci-fi fans of any age.

Rating:
Summary: the perfect book for sci-fic fans
Review: lasky creats a post-mordern world, centered around cloning. in this book, our heroine, darci, is made to ask herself who exactly is she. its a wonderful story that captures hearts and makes us really think. a truly deep book that is recomennded for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars for Starsplit
Review: Lasky is a literary genius. I can't believe more people haven't read this book! It's an odd outlook that gives us a look into the future, back on our selves. Darci is so lovable, the way she tries to mimic the Originals and how she takes such an interest in them. She's a humanitarian and a noble person and there's just something about her that makes you smile. There's great character development and you really feel like you know them, which I always love whether I'm reading a book, watching a movie, whatever. I gave this book five stars because of the many books I've read, the detail and intricacy really stands out in this novel above all the rest.

Rating:
Summary: "Star" Search
Review: STAR SPLIT was an interesting mix of science and story. Set over one thousand years in the future, this book finds the world's people not too far removed from our own 21st century folks - there are no aliens, no robots, no Jetsons-esque contraptions - except for the long strides made with human cloning, chromosome research and other genetic enhancements. Those with bonus DNA and cultivated strengths are "Genhaunts," and in an elevated position with regards to the "Originals." One young girl discovers there is more to her family's personal history and to the process and progress of society. A good book for young readers interested in science or those wondering how cloning could happen.

Rating:
Summary: "Star" Search
Review: STAR SPLIT was an interesting mix of science and story. Set over one thousand years in the future, this book finds the world's people not too far removed from our own 21st century folks - there are no aliens, no robots, no Jetsons-esque contraptions - except for the long strides made with human cloning, chromosome research and other genetic enhancements. Those with bonus DNA and cultivated strengths are "Genhaunts," and in an elevated position with regards to the "Originals." One young girl discovers there is more to her family's personal history and to the process and progress of society. A good book for young readers interested in science or those wondering how cloning could happen.

Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars for Starsplit
Review: This book rocked! Kathryn has really outdone herself. The book's main character is a 13 year old girl named Darci. Darci lives in the year 3038. You need a good vocabulary to read this book. I'd especially recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense. This book has a happy ending and an exciting plot. If you plan on buying this book, don't hesitate.

Rating:
Summary: A bit confusing, but......
Review: This book was a mixture of good and bad. I'll get the bad things out of the way first. 1.The start was really confusing. (As I tend to be hard to confuse where books are concerned, this means a lot.) 2. The only difference between the books setting (1000 years in the future) and today was the genetic technolegy. 3. The ending didn't really make sense. There are plenty of good things about the book, though. It's really interesting, it's easy to understand (I think the author made it almost exactly like today so it would be easy to understand), and it makes you wonder about how good genetic technology really is. I'd recommend reading this book if you don't mind having to tie up the loose threads at the end yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Star Split
Review: When I purchased this book for our library, I must have read a good review or two. I certainly looked forward to reading it when it came in. But I was both disappointed and frustrated. Although there is life and death involved, nothing actually seems to HAPPEN. Lasky gets bogged down (or the reader does!) in the science of "umbellation", i.e. cloning. And given that today it is well understood that identical twins share the same genetic traits but can still be very different, it is hard to believe Darci's concerns (both pre- and post-Vivian) about her individuality. I also found Darci's musings on the meanings and origins of words in the middle of physically and emotionally difficult moments such as rock climbs or when discovering that her very existence is illegal very hard to swallow. In addition to all those quibbles, I am still confused about certain aspects of the climax. Are we supposed to understand that the sacrifice that is made and the events which immediately follow it (which we are, unfortunately, only briefly told about rather than allowed to experience) are part of a plan? If so, although an Underground is discussed, we are not given enough evidence to support that.

I never felt that I got to know any of the characters well. And I regret that Max, the most interesting character of all, is given so little page-time and so little to do.

Kathryn Lasky has a reputation as a very good writer. I wish I felt this book lived up to that reputation.