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HELPER12
Helper12 works as a Baby Helper in Pre Ward, the place where babies spend their first six months of life before they’re tracked for vocations and sent to training. She does her job well, and she stays out of trouble. But one day, the Sloanes, Society members who enjoy all the privileges of their station—family unit clearance, a private dwelling, access to good food and good schools—come to “adopt” one of the Pre Ward babies. The Director makes a deal and the Sloanes walk out with a brand new child.
They also walk out owning Helper12—the Director sells her to them, and there’s nothing she can do but go. At the Sloanes, Helper12 enters a world where people should be able to enjoy life—with high position and riches come the opportunity for individual freedom, even the chance to love—but that’s not what she finds. The Sloanes are keeping secrets. So is their biological son, Thomas.
Helper12 has some secrets of her own; she’s drawing, which is a violation, since Baby Helpers aren’t tracked for Art. And she’s growing to love the child she was bought to care for—at the same time that Ms. Sloane is becoming disenchanted with her impulse baby buy.
When all your choices are made for you, how do you make some for yourself? Helper12 is about to find out.
They also walk out owning Helper12—the Director sells her to them, and there’s nothing she can do but go. At the Sloanes, Helper12 enters a world where people should be able to enjoy life—with high position and riches come the opportunity for individual freedom, even the chance to love—but that’s not what she finds. The Sloanes are keeping secrets. So is their biological son, Thomas.
Helper12 has some secrets of her own; she’s drawing, which is a violation, since Baby Helpers aren’t tracked for Art. And she’s growing to love the child she was bought to care for—at the same time that Ms. Sloane is becoming disenchanted with her impulse baby buy.
When all your choices are made for you, how do you make some for yourself? Helper12 is about to find out.
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First published June 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Jack Blaine
4 books22 followersJack Blaine likes to write novels that put good people into horrible situations.
Just to see what theydo.
Just to see what theydo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 9, 2017
Couldn't put it down!
It's 3:30 in the morning and I have to be up early tomorrow but Helper12 has got the gotta factor--as in, I've gotta just read one more chapter. This book is engaging dystopian sci-fi that sucked me in from the first line. Now I have to go get Twitch, the next book in the series. Looks like I won't be getting much sleep tonight...highly recommended!
It's 3:30 in the morning and I have to be up early tomorrow but Helper12 has got the gotta factor--as in, I've gotta just read one more chapter. This book is engaging dystopian sci-fi that sucked me in from the first line. Now I have to go get Twitch, the next book in the series. Looks like I won't be getting much sleep tonight...highly recommended!
November 2, 2015
Helper 12 had a very interesting dystopian premise - a little bit Handmaid's Tale, a little bit The Giver. Unfortunately, the book did not live up to the initial promise. I had several issues with it.
First, the editing and consistency in this book was AWFUL. Here's a prime example. In Chapter 11, this exchange occurs between Helper12 and Thomas.
Helper12: I do. Your mo- Ms. Sloane, she wants Jobee with her at meals. I assumed you would prefer your privacy, Sir.
Thomas: You assumed incorrectly. Jobee is a part of my family now.
I had to reread this several times b/c at this point in the book, Thomas only knows the baby as William. His response should have been, "who the hell is Jobee?"
By the time I finally got over this, I got to Chapter 19, where this exchange occurs between the two.
Helper12 Of course not. But that is not his name either. His name is Jobee. It's what I named him the day he arrived in my Ward..."
Thomas: Jobee. That's a fine name.
WTF? How can Thomas act like he never heard the name Jobee when he used it 8 chapters earlier??
This is just one example.
Another issue I have is that this book was obviously written by either a clueless man and/or someone who has never been around babies. Jobie has to be less than 4 months old to be in the pre-ward. Yet within a week of leaving he is eating cereal, sitting up and playing with toys. I suppose he could be a super advanced baby or babies in the future sit up much earlier, but this just really annoyed me. Plus, I couldn't understand why Helper12 felt out of her element two weeks after leaving the Ward b/c Jobee was older than what she was trained for. He was at most, a week older? Are we really supposed to believe that taking care of baby of 4 months and 1 week is different than taking care of one that is 3 months and 3 weeks? I'm pretty sure at that point they all just eat, sleep, poop and cry.
In addition, this is yet another dystopia with no explanation for why things are as they are. We know that most animals are no extinct but there is no other hint of war, disease, environmental destruction or any of the other usual causes for dystopian futures.
My last issue (which is one I have with many YA books) is that the relationship b/w Thomas and Helper12 just happened. As a reader, I'm expected to believe that they are in love b/c I'm told that they are. Otherwise, there was nothing in their actions or character development that made me really buy their relationship.
Oh and I almost forgot to add - the driver at the end with the Sloane-Kittering sign? WTH? Why would you name two characters so that their combined names are just one letter off from a well known cancer center?
First, the editing and consistency in this book was AWFUL. Here's a prime example. In Chapter 11, this exchange occurs between Helper12 and Thomas.
Helper12: I do. Your mo- Ms. Sloane, she wants Jobee with her at meals. I assumed you would prefer your privacy, Sir.
Thomas: You assumed incorrectly. Jobee is a part of my family now.
I had to reread this several times b/c at this point in the book, Thomas only knows the baby as William. His response should have been, "who the hell is Jobee?"
By the time I finally got over this, I got to Chapter 19, where this exchange occurs between the two.
Helper12 Of course not. But that is not his name either. His name is Jobee. It's what I named him the day he arrived in my Ward..."
Thomas: Jobee. That's a fine name.
WTF? How can Thomas act like he never heard the name Jobee when he used it 8 chapters earlier??
This is just one example.
Another issue I have is that this book was obviously written by either a clueless man and/or someone who has never been around babies. Jobie has to be less than 4 months old to be in the pre-ward. Yet within a week of leaving he is eating cereal, sitting up and playing with toys. I suppose he could be a super advanced baby or babies in the future sit up much earlier, but this just really annoyed me. Plus, I couldn't understand why Helper12 felt out of her element two weeks after leaving the Ward b/c Jobee was older than what she was trained for. He was at most, a week older? Are we really supposed to believe that taking care of baby of 4 months and 1 week is different than taking care of one that is 3 months and 3 weeks? I'm pretty sure at that point they all just eat, sleep, poop and cry.
In addition, this is yet another dystopia with no explanation for why things are as they are. We know that most animals are no extinct but there is no other hint of war, disease, environmental destruction or any of the other usual causes for dystopian futures.
My last issue (which is one I have with many YA books) is that the relationship b/w Thomas and Helper12 just happened. As a reader, I'm expected to believe that they are in love b/c I'm told that they are. Otherwise, there was nothing in their actions or character development that made me really buy their relationship.
Oh and I almost forgot to add - the driver at the end with the Sloane-Kittering sign? WTH? Why would you name two characters so that their combined names are just one letter off from a well known cancer center?
January 30, 2012
I am starting a new category "rom-topian" for all the dystopian/utopian novels that are no more than an interesting idea wrapped up in a youthful romance.
Typically a "rom-topian" novel will work like this. Society has changed so that social classes are law. A compliant-but-still-strong girl winds up in the lower classes. A handsome/obnoxious-but-shows-promise boy from the upper classes falls in love with her and rescues her. More "rom-topian" points if a baby is involved.
This particular attempt could almost be read as a woeful attempt at copying and watering down the highly rated The Handmaid's Tale. It follows such a similar storyline.
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with these romances that pose as dystopian novels. Blah.
Typically a "rom-topian" novel will work like this. Society has changed so that social classes are law. A compliant-but-still-strong girl winds up in the lower classes. A handsome/obnoxious-but-shows-promise boy from the upper classes falls in love with her and rescues her. More "rom-topian" points if a baby is involved.
This particular attempt could almost be read as a woeful attempt at copying and watering down the highly rated The Handmaid's Tale. It follows such a similar storyline.
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with these romances that pose as dystopian novels. Blah.
June 4, 2011
Great dystopian adventure! The society in Helper12 seems frighteningly imaginable and the world-building is great; I had no trouble picturing what the place Helper12 is from was like. The novel is a page-turner, and totally held my interest. There were great bits of sizzle between the couple (if you know what I mean) and I really loved their relationship.
I'd read a short story by Blaine that I'd really enjoyed, so I was anxious to read his novel. Loved it and am looking forward to the next one!
I'd read a short story by Blaine that I'd really enjoyed, so I was anxious to read his novel. Loved it and am looking forward to the next one!
June 16, 2011
Eighteen-year-old Helper12 works as a Baby Helper, taking care of babies until they reach six months of age, and move elsewhere. After witnessing an illegal adoption, the new parents purchase Helper12 to work as a Nanny, even though she's not qualified.
The wealthy Sloanes aren't as interested in their new child as they should be. The couple ships off on vacation, leaving Helper12 with the baby, a domestic Helper, and Driver. Thomas Sloane, the couple's biological son, also stays at the mansion.
This is a YA dystopian, so you know what happens: Helper12 and Thomas fall in love and rebel against Society by planning an escape. More intriguing, however, is the mystery of a boy named Gregory, but otherwise it's nothing new. That doesn't make it less enjoyable, but rather less shocking. I linked the clues long before Helper12 did, and I wasn't even trying. Still, fans of Ally Condie and Julia Karr should give Helper12 a whirl if looking for more of the same.
The wealthy Sloanes aren't as interested in their new child as they should be. The couple ships off on vacation, leaving Helper12 with the baby, a domestic Helper, and Driver. Thomas Sloane, the couple's biological son, also stays at the mansion.
This is a YA dystopian, so you know what happens: Helper12 and Thomas fall in love and rebel against Society by planning an escape. More intriguing, however, is the mystery of a boy named Gregory, but otherwise it's nothing new. That doesn't make it less enjoyable, but rather less shocking. I linked the clues long before Helper12 did, and I wasn't even trying. Still, fans of Ally Condie and Julia Karr should give Helper12 a whirl if looking for more of the same.
March 29, 2012
Helper12 is a great dystopian book. The premise is in the same vein as The Handmaid's Tale. Your entire life is planned out for you from birth. Where you live, your occupation, your haircut, even your love life (or lack there of).
Helper12 is a baby helper. Her job is to care for the newborn babies. That is untill a rich family comes to nursery and her whole life changes in the blink of an eye.
It was a great book. It kept me interested start to finish and I found the world building, while not perfect, to be very good.
A good read for anyone with a love of dystopian fiction!
Helper12 is a baby helper. Her job is to care for the newborn babies. That is untill a rich family comes to nursery and her whole life changes in the blink of an eye.
It was a great book. It kept me interested start to finish and I found the world building, while not perfect, to be very good.
A good read for anyone with a love of dystopian fiction!
February 18, 2013
didn't like it, very choppy and the theme didn't go very deep, it stayed on feelings
It's the story of Benna and how with the help of Thomas she is able to discover that she can be valuable for who she is and not by her status, she faces the opportunity to escape with Jobee, the adopted kid of the Sloane family and she ends up going to a true home where she lives with Thomas happily ever after. Even in a dystopian culture, let's face it, life is no t like that, because people are not like that, unless they're overly superficial and gullible.
It's the story of Benna and how with the help of Thomas she is able to discover that she can be valuable for who she is and not by her status, she faces the opportunity to escape with Jobee, the adopted kid of the Sloane family and she ends up going to a true home where she lives with Thomas happily ever after. Even in a dystopian culture, let's face it, life is no t like that, because people are not like that, unless they're overly superficial and gullible.
January 21, 2013
Too much of a love story for my taste. I would rather read more about the world and what it is like when the story is taking place. Also, Benna and Thomas get away way too easily. There needs to be more drama and challenge to getting caught. The story, such as it is, is well written and moved quickly. It's just that I am into dytopian literature and there was too little of that in the book for my preference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2023
For I book I bought for 99 cents this was an amazing read. I usually like dystopian books, even if I'm super iffy going to them. I don't want to get too into this book, but I really loved it.
January 9, 2020
Helper 12 is a book featuring a family that has adopted a newborn baby. However, instead of taking care of it themselves they buy a baby helper specifically helper 12. Since it is a totalitarianism world. When she was taken to their house only a little while after when the parents stopped paying attention to the baby and went on a trip in that time helper 12 found out the older sibling Tomas had secrets and so did his family its not to say helper 12 didn’t have secrets of her own she liked drawing and one day when Tomas revealed his secret drinking helper 12 and him grew closer then one day while taking the baby out to the city Tomas reveals his parents secrets I won’t say what it is but I will say it is bad that they run away with the baby to escape possibly theirs and the baby’s fate...
May 24, 2025
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow! This is one of the better dystopian books that I have read in a very long time. I had trouble putting it down as I was so invested in the characters. Jack Blaine does an amazing job at creating scenarios in which you actually feel emotions for the characters. 10/10.
May 5, 2019
Great
Very very good
I hope to god there’s a sequel because I cannot imagine that the author doesn’t have more to tell
Very very good
I hope to god there’s a sequel because I cannot imagine that the author doesn’t have more to tell
October 12, 2019
Very good book!
I liked the story line. Very creative and fast read. I want to read more from this author. I think the author is talented.
I liked the story line. Very creative and fast read. I want to read more from this author. I think the author is talented.
March 30, 2021
Good book, just way too short, could’ve had so much more detail.
January 22, 2012
MY REVIEW
Firstly I should point out that I read this in just the one sitting! it was silly O'Clock at night when I finally finished it and put it down. I had to know what happened. It is so well written, you are hooked into the book almost straight away.
The book is literally Helper12 and Baby4's tale, how a rich society lady can just waltz in and choose her child. In this society money buys you anything your heart desires and this woman desires a new son. Mrs Slone has two sons, Thomas and Gregory, but Gregory has disappointed and been literally hidden away and disposed of in her mind. When Mrs Sloane buys Baby4 she also needs someone to care for him in her home as she is planning a trip away with her husband for three weeks. So as well as buying Baby4 the Sloane's buy Helper12. No one from the lowly classes as in not society have names, well they have names that their baby helpers gave them but are not allowed to use them. The lowly classes are also encouraged to tell on each other if rules and regulations are broken.
Helper12 loves drawing, even though she knows its a risk, that even Kris the one she considers her best friend in this world would have to tell the authorities if she found out about Helper12's drawing. if Helper12 was ever found out her friend would have to serve double her own sentence just for the fact she hadn't told on her! Its a very restrictive life for the lowly classes, they cannot escape as they all have tatoo's on their arms as to correspond with their jobs. Helper12 was originally going to be a Breeder so she was tatooed with a B, then it was later decided, (Helper12 thinks she failed some test)that she should be a baby Helper so an H is tatooed over the B.
Helper12 see's a totally different way of life when she goes to the Sloanes home. Helper12 trusts no one its too dangerous, by being sold to the Sloanes if they decide they no longer want her she could be sent to the Labour camps,.......to die.
When the Sloane's go on the trip, Helper12 hear many whispers between the staff about the family. Helper12 gets to know Thomas, the son of the family.....but should she trust him. Thomas doesn't seem like other Society people, he...he seems to care about Baby4 or as Helper12 calls the little boy Jobee.He takes helper12 and Jobee out on outings. Thomas has his own secrets and upsets in his life.
There are many secrets within the Sloane household, that Helper12 hears about. When the Sloanes return from their trip Mrs Sloane doesn't seem interested in Jobee or William as she insists he be called. She refers to him as a "thing"
Helper12 is desperately worried as to what will happen if the Sloanes decide that they no longer want Jobee, as if they get rid of him, there will be no need for her either....... Thomas offers her a way out...but will she brave enough to take it?......Will they even make it?.....The place Thomas tells her about....does it even exist? I hope I haven't given away too much of the book I have purposely left things out for you to discover when you read the book. i really enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end, I wanted to knoe what was happening with Kris when Helper12 had disappeared, I wanted to learn more of Deen, Robert and Gregory and their tales.
I also think that the cover fits the book so well, the arm of Helper12 holding the strong arm and unmarked arm of Thomas the Society man.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes I could rattle on about it for ages! Would I recommend it? Yes, great dystopian society novel. Would I read more if there's a Series? Yes!
A MUST read!
January 10, 2014
At First Glance:
Helper 12 - or Benna as her name turns out to be - works as a BabyHelper in the Pre-Ward, where the babies spend the first few months of their lives, before being assigned to different jobs and raised to serve that purpose. Her life is hard: she works long hours, has basically not rights, and lives in a rundown apartment complex yet is basically as helpers like her have no right to form families and such.
Yet, Benna takes comfort in three things: her friendship with a fellow baby helper, Kris; the bond she sometimes forms with the babies in her care, and her art. Even if that last one thing could get her killed if she's ever found out.
When one of the babies in her care is illegally "adopted" by a wealthy family, Benna finds herself sold to the same family (she's meant to act as a nanny to the baby) and immersed in their world.
It quickly becomes obvious that everyone at the Sloane's house is keeping secrets, particularly Thomas - the family's eldest son - who seems to have a big bone to pick with his parents, and who is very drawn to Benna none the less.
Second Glance: Helper 12 starts as many other dystopian books do: something happened in the future and the world is now divided between Haves (Society members) and Have-nots (Laborers). We are quickly explained some of the ground rules: Society members have all the rights, money and power, they can study whatever they want and basically be whatever they want (or almost, but more on that later). Meanwhile, Laborers get "tracked" and assigned into a profession depending their natural characteristics and abilities.
Once you get you assignment, you can't deviate from said assignment without paying some pretty dire consequences. We are not told why things are the way they are, but the world makes sense most of the time.
Our titular Helper 12 is thrown into an unusual situation, as she learns that even being a member of "Society" with an actual family unit does not mean your life will be any easier, specially if you are different.
The book itself is pretty easy to read and what I like to call Dystopian light - there is not lots of details about the world, but it's not hard to understand what's going on, and it doesn't have ant overwhelmingly dark aura that some dystopians have - my one problem is that we aren't always told or shown why things are they way they are.
You can pick up a lot of things in the context but no clear explanations are ever given. And the ending is a bit contrite, but I actually enjoyed reading this book while I was doing it. I'm not sure I'll read it again soon, but I liked it all in all.
Bottom Line: If you kind of like dystopia but aren't willing to go into some of the darker and gloomier books, Helper 12 is a good read for you. Is very readable, and you're never bored with it even if it is a bit predictable in some regards and the world could use a bit more developing (Though, I hear this does happen in the second book Twitch).
Helper 12 - or Benna as her name turns out to be - works as a BabyHelper in the Pre-Ward, where the babies spend the first few months of their lives, before being assigned to different jobs and raised to serve that purpose. Her life is hard: she works long hours, has basically not rights, and lives in a rundown apartment complex yet is basically as helpers like her have no right to form families and such.
Yet, Benna takes comfort in three things: her friendship with a fellow baby helper, Kris; the bond she sometimes forms with the babies in her care, and her art. Even if that last one thing could get her killed if she's ever found out.
When one of the babies in her care is illegally "adopted" by a wealthy family, Benna finds herself sold to the same family (she's meant to act as a nanny to the baby) and immersed in their world.
It quickly becomes obvious that everyone at the Sloane's house is keeping secrets, particularly Thomas - the family's eldest son - who seems to have a big bone to pick with his parents, and who is very drawn to Benna none the less.
Second Glance: Helper 12 starts as many other dystopian books do: something happened in the future and the world is now divided between Haves (Society members) and Have-nots (Laborers). We are quickly explained some of the ground rules: Society members have all the rights, money and power, they can study whatever they want and basically be whatever they want (or almost, but more on that later). Meanwhile, Laborers get "tracked" and assigned into a profession depending their natural characteristics and abilities.
Once you get you assignment, you can't deviate from said assignment without paying some pretty dire consequences. We are not told why things are the way they are, but the world makes sense most of the time.
Our titular Helper 12 is thrown into an unusual situation, as she learns that even being a member of "Society" with an actual family unit does not mean your life will be any easier, specially if you are different.
The book itself is pretty easy to read and what I like to call Dystopian light - there is not lots of details about the world, but it's not hard to understand what's going on, and it doesn't have ant overwhelmingly dark aura that some dystopians have - my one problem is that we aren't always told or shown why things are they way they are.
You can pick up a lot of things in the context but no clear explanations are ever given. And the ending is a bit contrite, but I actually enjoyed reading this book while I was doing it. I'm not sure I'll read it again soon, but I liked it all in all.
Bottom Line: If you kind of like dystopia but aren't willing to go into some of the darker and gloomier books, Helper 12 is a good read for you. Is very readable, and you're never bored with it even if it is a bit predictable in some regards and the world could use a bit more developing (Though, I hear this does happen in the second book Twitch).
July 29, 2011
I haven't read a lot of dystopian books but enjoy the dark glimpses of the future and the hope that is still to be found regardless in the ones I have read. That's why this book appealed to me and made it onto my TBR list.
HELPER12 is a baby helper, taking care of little ones up to the age of 6 mths. Once they get to that age they are tracked and their future is determined by what vocation they are given. Will they be a Thinker, a Breeder, a Leisure Doll or one of many other designations? HELPER12 realises that despite not being allowed to do many things, including express herself creatively or build relationships, being a baby helper is far from the worst vocation to have.
However when Society family the Sloanes appear on her ward both she and baby Jobee (who would have been designated a number once tracked) are sold in an illegal adoption. Moving into the Sloanes house she thinks the rich must have the perfect life but comes to realise money doesn't equate to happiness. Her life becomes even more complicated when she realises she is bonding with Jobee and loves him, and as she develops a tentative friendship with the Sloane's biological son Thomas.
The world that Blaine has created is depressing, with a person's entire life controlled by the career they are allocated. Freedom of expression is long gone, and what people do is monitored constantly by cameras, with dire consequences for those who break the rules. The technology and the surroundings presented sound familiar which probably helps make this future sound all the more plausible. Yet despite this there is some happiness to be found, and hope springs eternal.
I thought the characters were really well done, and found that although HELPER12 has had limited experience of life outside her cube and is quite naive and joyful at the new things she sees she is also very perceptive. I found myself so attached to her and Thomas that when things looked like they would go wrong for them I had that leaden feeling in the pit of my stomach. On the other hand we have characters like the Director who is happy to arrange the illegal adoption, and Mrs Sloane who seems to immediately tire of her new baby, representing what is wrong with the society presented.
This isn't a particularly long book, but I think the reason I romped through it in a matter of hours had more to do with my being hooked. I was unable to put it down until I had completed it. I thought this was another polished book and would happily recommend it.
HELPER12 is a baby helper, taking care of little ones up to the age of 6 mths. Once they get to that age they are tracked and their future is determined by what vocation they are given. Will they be a Thinker, a Breeder, a Leisure Doll or one of many other designations? HELPER12 realises that despite not being allowed to do many things, including express herself creatively or build relationships, being a baby helper is far from the worst vocation to have.
However when Society family the Sloanes appear on her ward both she and baby Jobee (who would have been designated a number once tracked) are sold in an illegal adoption. Moving into the Sloanes house she thinks the rich must have the perfect life but comes to realise money doesn't equate to happiness. Her life becomes even more complicated when she realises she is bonding with Jobee and loves him, and as she develops a tentative friendship with the Sloane's biological son Thomas.
The world that Blaine has created is depressing, with a person's entire life controlled by the career they are allocated. Freedom of expression is long gone, and what people do is monitored constantly by cameras, with dire consequences for those who break the rules. The technology and the surroundings presented sound familiar which probably helps make this future sound all the more plausible. Yet despite this there is some happiness to be found, and hope springs eternal.
I thought the characters were really well done, and found that although HELPER12 has had limited experience of life outside her cube and is quite naive and joyful at the new things she sees she is also very perceptive. I found myself so attached to her and Thomas that when things looked like they would go wrong for them I had that leaden feeling in the pit of my stomach. On the other hand we have characters like the Director who is happy to arrange the illegal adoption, and Mrs Sloane who seems to immediately tire of her new baby, representing what is wrong with the society presented.
This isn't a particularly long book, but I think the reason I romped through it in a matter of hours had more to do with my being hooked. I was unable to put it down until I had completed it. I thought this was another polished book and would happily recommend it.
September 21, 2011
Helper12 works in the baby ward. She monitors and cares for babies newborn through 4 months. One night a family unit, the Sloanes, walk in with the director and walks out with a baby and helper12 as it’s nanny. Both have been sold to this “family” and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
This is a world where there is “society” (and they have enough money to do whatever they want) and there are “helpers” (workers with virtually no life outside their work and are disposable). The helpers are tattooed with their designation be it a “breeder”, “baby helper”, “house helper”, “driver”, etc.
When Mrs. Sloane starts to regret her impulse baby purchase, Helper12 begins to fear for her life and the life of the baby she is caring for…after all they were purchased on the black market, no one knows or cares who they are, and like all helpers are told, “helpers suddenly disappear all the time”.
This was a scary dystopian world! And as usual, from where the helpers are, life in society looks so good from the sidewalk looking in…but as Helper12 discovers, what goes on behind closed doors is never quite what you expect. That’s what I love about dystopian fiction…everything always looks so pretty and perfect on the outside and is so righteously dysfunctional on the inside…Blaine really got it right.
I loved that Helper 12 never abandoned her healthy dose of fear! If I had been brought up in her world I would be forever skeptical of anything and everything too. It brought a realism to the story, that some dystopian stories lack. And the whole “guilt by association” thing was a real eye-opener…way to really separate the masses and keep their heads down so as not to see that the Emperor is naked.
It was predictable in that I saw the romance coming. But was totally taken aback by the whole Gregory storyline. WOW! My heart ached for Thomas and Deen…I couldn’t imagine anyone who gave birth to a child doing what Mrs. Sloane did…but that’s another thing I love about dystopian fiction, they are all about what loving, feeling, sympathetic people wouldn’t do.
My only gripe would be that I would have loved to know more about what life as a “leisure doll” would have been! I’m guessing but would have loved to read it from Blaine’s point of view.
I look forward to reading more from Jack Blaine!
This is a world where there is “society” (and they have enough money to do whatever they want) and there are “helpers” (workers with virtually no life outside their work and are disposable). The helpers are tattooed with their designation be it a “breeder”, “baby helper”, “house helper”, “driver”, etc.
When Mrs. Sloane starts to regret her impulse baby purchase, Helper12 begins to fear for her life and the life of the baby she is caring for…after all they were purchased on the black market, no one knows or cares who they are, and like all helpers are told, “helpers suddenly disappear all the time”.
This was a scary dystopian world! And as usual, from where the helpers are, life in society looks so good from the sidewalk looking in…but as Helper12 discovers, what goes on behind closed doors is never quite what you expect. That’s what I love about dystopian fiction…everything always looks so pretty and perfect on the outside and is so righteously dysfunctional on the inside…Blaine really got it right.
I loved that Helper 12 never abandoned her healthy dose of fear! If I had been brought up in her world I would be forever skeptical of anything and everything too. It brought a realism to the story, that some dystopian stories lack. And the whole “guilt by association” thing was a real eye-opener…way to really separate the masses and keep their heads down so as not to see that the Emperor is naked.
It was predictable in that I saw the romance coming. But was totally taken aback by the whole Gregory storyline. WOW! My heart ached for Thomas and Deen…I couldn’t imagine anyone who gave birth to a child doing what Mrs. Sloane did…but that’s another thing I love about dystopian fiction, they are all about what loving, feeling, sympathetic people wouldn’t do.
My only gripe would be that I would have loved to know more about what life as a “leisure doll” would have been! I’m guessing but would have loved to read it from Blaine’s point of view.
I look forward to reading more from Jack Blaine!
September 13, 2011
Helper12’s life has been laid out for her since she was born. She was tracked as a baby helper and she was given just enough education to be able to do her job. As long as she did her job well and didn’t break any of the numerous rules society has set on her social class, she could go home every night to her monitored cube in a sub-standard housing community. At least, she could until she was sold to the Sloanes.
Reminiscent of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s tale, Jack Blaine brings the reader to a future where there are Society members and there are human cattle. Cattle who will be turned into Breeders, Helpers, Laborers, and even Leisure Dolls. And there’s nothing the human cattle can do about it. Any resistance will lead to a much harsher life or death, and that’s enough to make even your closest friend turn you in for fear of being thought of as a coconspirator. So, Helper12 is completely unprepared when she’s thrust into the privileged life of the Sloanes. She’s even more unprepared for their son. Is she willing to risk the Labor Camps or death for the possibility of life without boundaries?
Helper12 is a well written story of the road to freedom and the difficult choices that have to be made to get there. Jack Blaine pulls the reader into the harsh world he has created and he doesn’t let you go. The feelings his characters display let you feel their sorrow and pain, and even their hope. What little there is of it, anyway.
The one thing I felt the book didn’t have enough of was backstory. I liked the approach the author took with immersing the reader immediately into the sometimes horrific world his characters live in, but it would have been interesting to read a little bit of how this society came to be. What drives some people to treat others so harshly? Was it world war, pestilence, or just a swing in the morals of human kind? Aside from that, I found Helper12 to be an interesting character study of human emotions. I thank the author for providing me with a review copy and I give the book four stars.
Reminiscent of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s tale, Jack Blaine brings the reader to a future where there are Society members and there are human cattle. Cattle who will be turned into Breeders, Helpers, Laborers, and even Leisure Dolls. And there’s nothing the human cattle can do about it. Any resistance will lead to a much harsher life or death, and that’s enough to make even your closest friend turn you in for fear of being thought of as a coconspirator. So, Helper12 is completely unprepared when she’s thrust into the privileged life of the Sloanes. She’s even more unprepared for their son. Is she willing to risk the Labor Camps or death for the possibility of life without boundaries?
Helper12 is a well written story of the road to freedom and the difficult choices that have to be made to get there. Jack Blaine pulls the reader into the harsh world he has created and he doesn’t let you go. The feelings his characters display let you feel their sorrow and pain, and even their hope. What little there is of it, anyway.
The one thing I felt the book didn’t have enough of was backstory. I liked the approach the author took with immersing the reader immediately into the sometimes horrific world his characters live in, but it would have been interesting to read a little bit of how this society came to be. What drives some people to treat others so harshly? Was it world war, pestilence, or just a swing in the morals of human kind? Aside from that, I found Helper12 to be an interesting character study of human emotions. I thank the author for providing me with a review copy and I give the book four stars.
May 14, 2012
Short, somewhat different take on the typical dystopia. Benna is a Helper, a person who cares for infants in a dystopian society where you are tracked for a career at birth if you are the proletarian class, and you live under pain of death if you do something as simple as draw for a hobby. One day a rich upper class woman decides to "buy" one of the tracked babies for some unknown reason, and she also gets Benna in the deal.
It's a different take because there is no fighting against a corrupt government, no love triangle, and no empowerment. Benna acts like someone who would really exist in a dystopia: she doesn't rebel, but just lives and steals small pleasures when she can. It's less about plot and more of a character study, and a pretty good one too in my opinion. Thomas is well done, as a decent member of Society who is being torn apart just as much as Benna. Some people may not like this though, as there really isn't that much action, and Benna herself is very restricted in what she can do by nature. It's a little more realistic though. She isn't Katniss, a semi-independent hunter: she's just a young woman who would work in the modern equivalent of day care. Those are often not the stuff of revolutions.
It is brief though, and as others have mentioned, they never explained why it happened in the first place. The ending is also a bit easy: without getting much into spoilers, you'd think a society that would track babies would also keep a closer eye on travel. Others have mentioned editing errors, but considering that I tend to read fast on the first read I admit I must have missed them. When I edit I read my works multiple times, often ten or more, so this is more my failure to pick them up due to reading style than any argument about their nonexistence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. If you look at it more as a character study I think you'll like it more. If you expect dystopian novels to be more action-packed and about righting wrongs, you'll dislike it and the main character, since she is passive and with limited options.
It's a different take because there is no fighting against a corrupt government, no love triangle, and no empowerment. Benna acts like someone who would really exist in a dystopia: she doesn't rebel, but just lives and steals small pleasures when she can. It's less about plot and more of a character study, and a pretty good one too in my opinion. Thomas is well done, as a decent member of Society who is being torn apart just as much as Benna. Some people may not like this though, as there really isn't that much action, and Benna herself is very restricted in what she can do by nature. It's a little more realistic though. She isn't Katniss, a semi-independent hunter: she's just a young woman who would work in the modern equivalent of day care. Those are often not the stuff of revolutions.
It is brief though, and as others have mentioned, they never explained why it happened in the first place. The ending is also a bit easy: without getting much into spoilers, you'd think a society that would track babies would also keep a closer eye on travel. Others have mentioned editing errors, but considering that I tend to read fast on the first read I admit I must have missed them. When I edit I read my works multiple times, often ten or more, so this is more my failure to pick them up due to reading style than any argument about their nonexistence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. If you look at it more as a character study I think you'll like it more. If you expect dystopian novels to be more action-packed and about righting wrongs, you'll dislike it and the main character, since she is passive and with limited options.
January 11, 2014
My edition: Audiobook
A short YA Dystopian [not really] novella, set in a world were people are designated to a specific work and they die doing it, living a lonely and deprived life. In this world we read the "adventures" of a young girl - Helper 12 - and her journey ... well not even in life.
The whole novel is taking place in only a few months set apart and the protagonists emotions are stated out, rather then incorporated into to the plot. While I see why the story would appeal to the young reader, if you are in generally drawn to a wider variety of books, or more complex worlds and characters this would not be for you. This is a YA ROMANCE that passed the Dystopian genre and picked up a few things. There is not much development in the story, although the pace [weird, I know] is not slow. There is not much for the protagonist to overcome, or should I say nothing! She is brave, she is trusting in a world where you can't trust no one and you are constantly betrayed and being honest can lead to your death, she is extremely lucky and suffer no consequences for any of her actions! Even her bad life doesn't seem that bad [not because it is not, but because the story doesn't move us, okay it is not tragic enough!]
Pros
* short
Cons
* not emotionally moving
* predictable from the beginning
A short YA Dystopian [not really] novella, set in a world were people are designated to a specific work and they die doing it, living a lonely and deprived life. In this world we read the "adventures" of a young girl - Helper 12 - and her journey ... well not even in life.
The whole novel is taking place in only a few months set apart and the protagonists emotions are stated out, rather then incorporated into to the plot. While I see why the story would appeal to the young reader, if you are in generally drawn to a wider variety of books, or more complex worlds and characters this would not be for you. This is a YA ROMANCE that passed the Dystopian genre and picked up a few things. There is not much development in the story, although the pace [weird, I know] is not slow. There is not much for the protagonist to overcome, or should I say nothing! She is brave, she is trusting in a world where you can't trust no one and you are constantly betrayed and being honest can lead to your death, she is extremely lucky and suffer no consequences for any of her actions! Even her bad life doesn't seem that bad [not because it is not, but because the story doesn't move us, okay it is not tragic enough!]
Pros
* short
Cons
* not emotionally moving
* predictable from the beginning
April 29, 2016
In this dystopian novel people are labeled and tattooed as infants for what occupation they will hold. Breeders, Helpers, Laborers, Artists, etc. It's all decided for them by what the population will need in the future. Only the rich society members choose how they wish to live. Benna, Helper12, is a baby helper. She cares for the infants in the Pre-ward until they are sent off to be labeled. Until one day a society couple come in to her ward. They are illegally adopting one of the babies, a boy that Benna has become attached to and calls Jobee. Mr. and Mrs. Sloane also buy Benna as a live in nanny for the baby. Shortly after arriving at the Sloanes house Benna realizes that they are not as perfect as they seem.
Benna begins developing a friendship that eventually turns into a romance with the Sloanes biological son, Thomas. Thomas is not like his parents or other Society members. He sees the flaws in this world and even though he can't change them, he doesn't want to be suppressed by them.
Benna becomes worried when Mrs. Sloane starts to regret her impulse baby buying. Thomas comes up with a plan to get her and Jobee out but will she go along with it? Does she even have a choice?
I really enjoyed this book! I loved Benna and especially Thomas. The only issue I have is that there isn't enough world building. I would have liked to go deeper into how this society works. It is a short book, but worth the read! Fast paced and exciting. The ending was perfect!
Benna begins developing a friendship that eventually turns into a romance with the Sloanes biological son, Thomas. Thomas is not like his parents or other Society members. He sees the flaws in this world and even though he can't change them, he doesn't want to be suppressed by them.
Benna becomes worried when Mrs. Sloane starts to regret her impulse baby buying. Thomas comes up with a plan to get her and Jobee out but will she go along with it? Does she even have a choice?
I really enjoyed this book! I loved Benna and especially Thomas. The only issue I have is that there isn't enough world building. I would have liked to go deeper into how this society works. It is a short book, but worth the read! Fast paced and exciting. The ending was perfect!
July 11, 2011
In Helper 12 by Jack Blaine, the reader is immersed in a dystopian culture where babies' vocations are chosen for them at birth, where only the rich are able to lead a life of freedom, and where doing anything outside your designated assigned vocation can lead to being sent to a labor camp, or worse. Helper 12 is a young woman whose purpose, decided by the government, is to care for babies for the first months of their life. A rich couple comes to the hospital and buys one of her charges (illegally), and they buy her as well, to take care of the baby. The couple's grown son and Helper 12 become close to each other, a relationship that is strictly forbidden in this society.
Helper 12 is a different kind of love story, full of tenderness and angst. It pulls a reader in right from the start. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
The author sets up a very believable alternative world. The book is present-tense first-person, from the POV of Helper 12. The author stays consistent throughout the tale as the voice of Helper 12. The story pace is perfect and the execution of the plot is masterful.
This is an easy read, well-written, and relatively free of proofreading errors. I highly recommend this book.
Helper 12 is a different kind of love story, full of tenderness and angst. It pulls a reader in right from the start. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
The author sets up a very believable alternative world. The book is present-tense first-person, from the POV of Helper 12. The author stays consistent throughout the tale as the voice of Helper 12. The story pace is perfect and the execution of the plot is masterful.
This is an easy read, well-written, and relatively free of proofreading errors. I highly recommend this book.
March 4, 2012
This is one of the most disappointing books I've read in awhile. The plot was predictable and anti-climactic. The character development was almost non-existent. It was an interesting enough premise but it wasn't developed or executed successfully. There were several plot inconsistencies as well. At least it was a quick read and was on sale through Amazon so my time and money weren't wasted as much as they could have been.
Honesty, I'm not even sure how this book got published. The author and editor did a mediocre job, at best. There were a lot of grammatical errors, such as the word "then" being used instead of "than" multiple times. That's an elementary error. A person who doesn't have a grasp on such simple language skills has no business being an author, in my opinion. There were other words used incorrectly as well, enough that it got in the way of my reading. The author and editor should both be ashamed of this book.
Honesty, I'm not even sure how this book got published. The author and editor did a mediocre job, at best. There were a lot of grammatical errors, such as the word "then" being used instead of "than" multiple times. That's an elementary error. A person who doesn't have a grasp on such simple language skills has no business being an author, in my opinion. There were other words used incorrectly as well, enough that it got in the way of my reading. The author and editor should both be ashamed of this book.
June 25, 2012
3.5 stars because I really liked it but not enough to give it 4 stars. I don't know what to label this book. It definately wasn't what I thought it was. I thought it was a dystopia. I guess I must not have paid enough attention to the description.
What I liked: The MC's were interesting. There is some romance to it. Which I think is what saved this book for me.
What I didn't: While the author spent a lot of time building and showing us the class system but neglects to build the world around this class system. Why is it like this? Has it always been like this? The plot was pretty predictable. The villians were pretty 1 dimensional.It was way too short.
Overall it was an entertaining read for the evening but not something I will gush about to everyone.
What I liked: The MC's were interesting. There is some romance to it. Which I think is what saved this book for me.
What I didn't: While the author spent a lot of time building and showing us the class system but neglects to build the world around this class system. Why is it like this? Has it always been like this? The plot was pretty predictable. The villians were pretty 1 dimensional.It was way too short.
Overall it was an entertaining read for the evening but not something I will gush about to everyone.
November 6, 2012
Good quick dystopian story. Great potential to be an awesome book, however the story follows the typical dystopian genre story line. Girl is oppressed, girl breaks free somehow, girl finds boy, girl falls in love with boy, they run off together and live happily ever after, the end. If the author had spend more time developing the background characters telling us more about them the inter workings of their relationship, as well as how the society came to be as we find it, it would have made us feel like we really understood the characters in this book.
Over all its an enjoyable story but it leaves the reader wanting more. If you want a quick read, pick it up.
Over all its an enjoyable story but it leaves the reader wanting more. If you want a quick read, pick it up.
April 15, 2017
This dystopian novel, which could be for YA or general audiences, hits the mark in many ways. The worldbuilding, while at times noticeably derivative, is comprehensive and consistent. The characters are sympathetic without being simple. The combination of these elements and plot kept me riveted, and when I found out there was a sequel of sorts (Twitch), I grabbed it up immediately.
At times we encounter the same thoughts from the same character more often than necessarily, but this is a minor flaw.
At times we encounter the same thoughts from the same character more often than necessarily, but this is a minor flaw.
August 16, 2014
This was a really enjoyable book. Unlike almost every other dystopian book, the author doesn't spend time divulging many details of how the world and government operates. The story is told from Helper12's POV and the story is a growing experience for us and her. This perspective worked really well because I was right there in the story with her and just as shocked and appalled as she was when she learned details and truths about her upbringing.
While the plot is very simple, it was a breath of fresh air from the norm of today's dystopian worlds. This was a story of self-discovery and freedom, not a battle to liberate her world.
While the plot is very simple, it was a breath of fresh air from the norm of today's dystopian worlds. This was a story of self-discovery and freedom, not a battle to liberate her world.
May 23, 2014
there was some flaws in the story. Parts where Helper12 was clearly thinking, then later in the book Thomas had known as if she had said them. Then when she had first called the baby by the name she had given and not the one the new family has given he didn't say anything along the lines of "WTF?" but then later it was a "new" topic that had never been mentioned before. Not to mention the baby growth development timeline was way off, and jumped back and forth in ages, and huge age gaps of months which was only a couple of days.
Overall it was pretty decent. Not one I'll read again.
Overall it was pretty decent. Not one I'll read again.
December 31, 2012
Not my favorite genre, but I really enjoyed the book. Kind of reminds me a little of The Giver trilogy. A young girl is raised in a very communist society. She is sold on the black market along with a baby that she cares for. She enters the rich society where they have a few more freedoms, but still close minded at the same time. Yet she learns to trust someone special.
(I won this book in an on-line contest and promised to write a review for the author).
(I won this book in an on-line contest and promised to write a review for the author).
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