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In the wake of a second civil war in the mid-twenty-first century, the United States government used a brain rewiring technology called ReInception, ostensibly to reestablish national unity. By 2126, technology is king. Nanobots perform security sweeps. Innovative inventions mimic the earth's natural processes to combat climate change. Cutting-edge medical equipment creates sterile environments for disease control, and nanites accelerate the healing process. Implanted communicators provide a constant stream of information. Modifications allow people to alter the color of their hair, eyes, and skin. ReInception now offers the opportunity to eliminate unwanted desires, addictions, and criminal tendencies. Such miraculous advancements seem like the foundation for a utopian society.
However, lurking within the guise of progress is an insidious undercurrent. The government uses the implanted comms as tracking devices, forcing citizens to sacrifice their privacy for the sake of convenience. Although skin color is mutable, divisions remain. A pervasive system of laws separates the upper caste from the Fallen and the Proles. Once considered a severe bioethical violation, parents are now able to even choose their children's sexual orientation. ReInception not only removes unwanted impulses but also robs people of their free will, sometimes completely modifying their personalities. Anti-ReInception activists Ward and Leandrea are as devoted to one another as they are to their cause. But when the two are separated, they must depend on help from the most unlikely sources to survive. As secret after secret is revealed and nefarious agendas are uncovered, knowing who to trust becomes the most vital information of all.
Attorney and multiple award-winning author Straus showcases her political science education and brilliant legal mind in this highly entertaining second installment of the ReInception trilogy. In her self-proclaimed "what happens if" approach to storytelling, Straus discusses an extensive range of current events, including climate change, government overreach, involuntary human experimentation, forced labor, and the bioethics of genome editing. She explores the fine line between medical advancement and scientific misconduct, between governance and invasion of privacy, and between national security measures and human rights violations. With creativity and exceptional literary skill, she weaves some of society's most divisive issues into an intense, thoroughly enjoyable tale that readers will find difficult to put down.
The author effectively employs flashbacks to provide compelling backstories and introduce the disturbing laws that form the framework of this dystopian society. The book has multiple fast-paced storylines infused with intrigue and a steady stream of plot twists. Straus' writing has the enviable power to evoke a gripping emotional response. The result is a cast of well-developed, relatable characters. Readers will fall in love with the hero and heroine, a pair of young star-crossed lovers with past trauma, moral conviction, and indomitable strength. Perfectly portrayed villains also elicit a visceral response, making for a riveting read. Fans of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy and Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games series will appreciate this work of well-executed, thought-provoking dystopian science fiction. The ending of this second volume leaves its audience eagerly anticipating the final installment of the trilogy.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award nominated book