THE
BOOK OF EVA (Clone #1) by D.L.
Jackson is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic novella for romantic SF readers. I'm
going to tag it for you in a very general way (because saying almost anything specific
about it would lead to spoilers), but first, here's the cover and description:
When a world leader’s daughter meets a clone, a
doomed love affair begins.
In the year 2087, a great war erupts on the planet
and a struggle to survive begins. One hundred-fifty years later, the continent
of America is divided into two factions, Aeropia and The United Regions. There
is a shortage of food and an abundance of illness, leaving most to live on the
scraps of the wealthy who wallow in excess.
This is the world Olivia Braun inherits. Sick from birth, she wakes up from
surgery with a new heart, only to discover she is the youngest president of
Aeropia, an empire that has created and used clones to maintain their position
of supremacy since the war. However, Olivia’s rise to power is no accident.
Before her transplant, she conspired with a clone to free those enslaved, but
the outcome is not what she expected.
Now, enemies hide among the population, and even friends can no longer be
trusted. Olivia must make a choice that will decide the fate of an empire.
Before her tale of corruption, forbidden love and war ends, the mighty will be
brought to their knees.
By a clone.
***
Read the first chapter excerpt here.
D.L. Jacskson blogged
about THE BOOK OF EVA at Backward Momentum in December 2013. This excerpt
provides an overview of her authorial intent:
This story spoke to me, and demanded to be
told, but in a way that is completely different from anything I've written. I
have to say it was the biggest challenge I had to date with my writing and
forced me to stretch my mind and knowledge. In many instances I found I had to
put a square peg in a round hole. I'm sure my editors can attest to how
crazy the format made them--at times, it drove me nuts. It is my hopes
that my readers not only see what is obvious, but read between the lines and
find what is hidden or implied. I am a cerebral author and wanted a cerebral
story. If anything, I hope this story makes you think and ponder things you
might otherwise not.
She also noted that the story is told in a “non-linear format” and “is
told primarily in first person and third person narrative.”
Ms.
Jackson was kind enough to send me a copy, although based on her post I was
expecting a non-romantic SF story. That’s how I approached it, and even when
certain elements began to turn hopeful I still refused to change my
expectations. However, by the end I discovered it was—in my opinion—romantic
SF. Hence this post. :)
