Spliced

Reviewed by: Noelle Gallant - Saco Middle School, Saco, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

Set in a future where people get "spliced" with animal DNA and exhibit animal traits (reptile skin, lion manes, leopard spots, kitten whiskers, etc), Spliced uses science fiction to examine what it truly means to be human. The US Government has recently deemed "mixies" or "chimera" - those who have been spliced - as non-persons" because their DNA is not 100% human, and now their civil rights are at risk.

This book is one of the better YA books I've read recently, which surprised me because I don't typically go for science fiction. I was nervous that the book would be all-concept and no-substance, but I found the combination of well-developed characters paired with an exciting and sci-fi-plausible plot made this book a cream-of-the-crop contender. While the science behind "splicing" doesn't seem plausible, we as readers accept the concept and we move forward with our protagonist, Jimi, who is a human who intends to never get spliced. Her best friend, Del, on the other hand, has an upsetting home life and chooses to escape by getting spliced with salamander DNA. Unfortunately, his back-alley splice goes awry, and Jimi and a group of other chimeras have a limited amount of time to rescue him. Things go from bad to worse, and we as readers cheer on Jimi the whole way.

Overall Book Score: excellent