Review: Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa

Just over 200 years ago, the Earth died.  In an effort to preserve human life, a visionary created EcoPanopticon, a computer program that hijacked global technology.  This technology now attempts to heal Earth, a process that may take thousands of years.  The last survivors of mankind now reside in Eden.

Unfortunately, in the most ironic of situations, there are too many survivors to sustain civilization long enough for Earth to heal.  A severe version of population control is enforced: only one child can be born for every two living people of fertile age.  Second children, as those that go beyond this "first child" decree are referred, are considered monsters, hunted down and killed in an effort to control resources.

Rowan is a second child. At sixteen, she cannot make friends, go to school.  She cannot even roam outdoors, for her kaleidoscope eyes are a dead giveaway. Discovery of her existence could mean the death and destruction of her family.  She lives vicariously through her twin brother, the first child.

The only way to have any semblance of a real life is to obtain the eye implants all first children receive and to assume a new identity.  Little did Rowan know, this first step to freedom rips her from her family as she knew it, forcing her to take on a deadly journey  to save not only herself, but those she loves.

Let me start out by saying that I had no idea who Joey Graceffa was before starting this book. I’ve never viewed any of his Youtube videos. Even upon learning of his “fame, ” I opted to go into reading his novel blind, without any preconceived perceptions.  We all know how some celebrity novels turn out.  I wanted to give this book a fair chance.

I’m truly glad I did.  While there is the essence of many other popular YA novels, there is a breath of uniqueness and originality in this read.  The opening chapters are quite dense with background information, a little weighty with scientific jargon. Whenever the text finally launches into the story, though, it is quite remarkable.

This is truly an engaging dystopian/sci-fi novel.  I quickly became invested in Rowan’s story, rooting for her as her life was pulled from her and she was forced to come to terms with some pretty deep and dark family secrets.  My interest in Rowan’s character and her quest propelled me throughout the story….and then stopped.

While I really did/do love the premise, I really wish there was more. At just 278 pages, I feel the story deserved more depth, more explanation, more of a conclusion. There was just so much packed in, yet not enough explained. Does that make sense?

It’s my hope that a prequel or sequel is in the works. Rowan’s story certainly isn’t over yet.

Despite these issues, I do find this to be a truly engaging read, a must-read for fans of science fiction or dystopian YA!