Six billion identical
clones make up the entire population of Earth, and William 790-6 (57th
Iteration) is exactly like everybody else. In his one year of life he
will toil in suburban mediocrity and spend as much cash as possible in
order to please his corporate masters. When 790’s first birthday (and
scheduled execution) finally rolls around, a freak accident spares his
life.
Living past his expiration date changes 790 profoundly. Unlike other clones he becomes capable of questioning the futility of his own existence. Seeking answers in the wilderness, he discovers a windmill with some very strange occupants, including a freakish, dinosaur-like monstrosity. Which is especially strange since every animal on earth is supposed to be extinct…
Dark, haunting, and blisteringly satirical, BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS is the story of one “man’s” attempt to finally become an individual in a world of copies.
Living past his expiration date changes 790 profoundly. Unlike other clones he becomes capable of questioning the futility of his own existence. Seeking answers in the wilderness, he discovers a windmill with some very strange occupants, including a freakish, dinosaur-like monstrosity. Which is especially strange since every animal on earth is supposed to be extinct…
Dark, haunting, and blisteringly satirical, BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS is the story of one “man’s” attempt to finally become an individual in a world of copies.
>In
the world of William 790-6, clones live their life full of purpose for
an entire year. They do their assigned job and make sure they fulfill
their duty as a consumer. Then, on their first and only birthday, they
step into the slurry machine to be replaced with the next iteration of
their model.
When an accident keeps our William from
being slurried, he becomes the first clone to ever lives past a year. As
he begins to notice oddities surrounding him, he goes on a quest to
figure out his purpose and the purpose of the world around him. His
journey leads him to a windmill between towns, where he finds a rebel
character who shows him the path to the enlightenment he so seeks.
But,will William be able to make the transition into freedom? Or will
he choose the safe path he's always trod? The other possibility, and
the most likely, is that William will do what he was designed to
do....step into the slurry
machine and end his existence like a good little clone.
This
is the third book by Stephen and I have to tell you, the second I was
asked to review it, it wasn't even a question of when I would get to it,
but how soon I could get my little eyes at those precious words.
Everything that he's written has been amazing to me. He has a natural
talent for storytelling, but it goes so much further than that. Every
idea he's put into print has been unique and a treasure. And while
you're reading, you can't help but wonder why someone hasn't done it
before. Then, you realize you're just glad that someone finally did!
Billy
and the Cloneasaurus follows in the great path that I've noticed
Stephen beating down since the beginning of his writing career. It's a
fresh idea that will take you by surprise. The light and dark in the
book are equally balanced and you never seem to know
whether you're going to find yourself in the dungeon in the middle of
the night, or the middle of a poppy field at noon. Every idea is easy
to follow, but the ride is definitely full of twists and turns. This is
one of the few books that I was genuinely surprised when the ending
came. I was not only caught off guard, but I found myself saying 'NO!
NO! NO!' repeatedly for several minutes. And that, dear readers, is
the best reaction a writer can get from me. When you can surprise me
and shock me, you've done an amazing job.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Shawn
Thank you for taking the time to review my book, Shawn and Wendy!
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