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Adaline #1
Adaline
He may look identical to the hundreds of other Boys that surround him, but there is something different about Boy 1124562. When he closes his eyes in the quiet of his sensor-filled cube his mind doesn't go blank like the rest of his brothers. Instead, 1124562 dreams.
With the help of a rogue teacher, 1124562 discovers that there is more to Adaline than brushed steel and robotic Nurses. When a Boy suddenly escapes the secure pod, it seems that all of Adaline is on a hunt for anyone with an anomaly. When 1124562 finds himself strapped to a table, the threat of an electric current pressed against his temples to erase his mind, he realizes just how dangerous being different can be.
With the help of a rogue teacher, 1124562 discovers that there is more to Adaline than brushed steel and robotic Nurses. When a Boy suddenly escapes the secure pod, it seems that all of Adaline is on a hunt for anyone with an anomaly. When 1124562 finds himself strapped to a table, the threat of an electric current pressed against his temples to erase his mind, he realizes just how dangerous being different can be.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2014
150 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
Denise Kawaii
15 books18 followersDenise is a Portland, Oregon native who wandered the United States for many years before deciding that The Northwest truly is "home". Now known as the Woman With a Thousand Hats, she's shucked the shame and shared the hilarity of being a woman juggling motherhood, business ownership and writing.
Her memoir, Woman With a Thousand Hats, describes in hilarity her failure of dozens of "real jobs" before settling into becoming an author. Her first big break was something altogether different, a Sci-Fi novel called Adaline that has evolved into a series Adaline's third installment, Curie, is slated to hit bookstores this fall.
Her memoir, Woman With a Thousand Hats, describes in hilarity her failure of dozens of "real jobs" before settling into becoming an author. Her first big break was something altogether different, a Sci-Fi novel called Adaline that has evolved into a series Adaline's third installment, Curie, is slated to hit bookstores this fall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 9, 2018
Adaline is a society of identical clones, living like bees in a hive. Everyone is numbered according to when they were born. They are birthed, raised, and cared for by machines, who weed out any 'anomalies or signs of individuality that would somehow threaten Adaline - which is anything that exists outside their parameters, be it eye color or even the ability to dream.
The plot might sound familiar, as it's the premise of quite a few scifi series: what happens if the human race was grown and raised in a pristine environment? But there's something special about Adaline that I can't quite put my finger on, something that makes it impossible to put down. And while I'm not sure exactly what it was that made this book so addictive, what I do know is that I picked it up while my computer was rebooting and ended up forgetting about my responsibilities entirely for the two hours it took me to read it cover to cover. Yes, it's that addictive.
Adaline is an incredibly easy read. By that, I don't mean it's a simple story, no: it's just so easy to get sucked into it. It's a book you can enjoy as a pre-teen as well as an adult, because the fundamental story is something that we all need to read.
Boy 1124562 - 62 to his friends - is a sweetheart and a joy to follow even in his rigid society: him, and the other Boys he befriends, are each so vibrant and loveable. I loved getting to learn about the confines of Adaline through his eyes, and discovering what it is to dream. It's so interesting to see the power of dreaming in a world as totalitarian as his.
62 is only a nine year old when the story begins. All he wants to be is a Good Boy, like he's been told for the entirety of his life. Unlike so many books where the character actively rebels against a rigid system, 62 is a child, wanting only to please, terrified when he can't. When he starts standing out, he's both excited and terrified. He's such an innocent and pure child, and like everyone, is afraid of being different - though in his world, he's not quite sure how dangerous different can be.
So when everyone is born the same, can people still have their own personality? Is everyone identical in every single way? The novel is short, but it covers so much. It explores friendships and mentorships, like the beautiful relationship 62 grows with his teacher, 71, and reminded me how much I owe to the teachers in my life. Or between 62 and 99, two identical children, born so close to each other, struggling with standing out.
All in all, I don't know why it grabbed me as tightly as it did, but I needed the sequel right away. I flew through Biocide and Curie, and I cannot wait for book 4. What an amazing book! If you liked Logan's Run, Brave New World, and the Giver, you're going to love Adaline. Trust me, you're going to fly through it too.
Note: Reading some reviews of Adaline, people commented on how it needed editing, that the language was too 'heavy' and a little stale. Since I'm reading the most recent version, I think the author took all of these comments to heart and fixed all these issues, even going beyond and making it lyrical and fun to read. I didn't find a single grammatical issue or missing word.
The plot might sound familiar, as it's the premise of quite a few scifi series: what happens if the human race was grown and raised in a pristine environment? But there's something special about Adaline that I can't quite put my finger on, something that makes it impossible to put down. And while I'm not sure exactly what it was that made this book so addictive, what I do know is that I picked it up while my computer was rebooting and ended up forgetting about my responsibilities entirely for the two hours it took me to read it cover to cover. Yes, it's that addictive.
Adaline is an incredibly easy read. By that, I don't mean it's a simple story, no: it's just so easy to get sucked into it. It's a book you can enjoy as a pre-teen as well as an adult, because the fundamental story is something that we all need to read.
Boy 1124562 - 62 to his friends - is a sweetheart and a joy to follow even in his rigid society: him, and the other Boys he befriends, are each so vibrant and loveable. I loved getting to learn about the confines of Adaline through his eyes, and discovering what it is to dream. It's so interesting to see the power of dreaming in a world as totalitarian as his.
62 is only a nine year old when the story begins. All he wants to be is a Good Boy, like he's been told for the entirety of his life. Unlike so many books where the character actively rebels against a rigid system, 62 is a child, wanting only to please, terrified when he can't. When he starts standing out, he's both excited and terrified. He's such an innocent and pure child, and like everyone, is afraid of being different - though in his world, he's not quite sure how dangerous different can be.
So when everyone is born the same, can people still have their own personality? Is everyone identical in every single way? The novel is short, but it covers so much. It explores friendships and mentorships, like the beautiful relationship 62 grows with his teacher, 71, and reminded me how much I owe to the teachers in my life. Or between 62 and 99, two identical children, born so close to each other, struggling with standing out.
All in all, I don't know why it grabbed me as tightly as it did, but I needed the sequel right away. I flew through Biocide and Curie, and I cannot wait for book 4. What an amazing book! If you liked Logan's Run, Brave New World, and the Giver, you're going to love Adaline. Trust me, you're going to fly through it too.
Note: Reading some reviews of Adaline, people commented on how it needed editing, that the language was too 'heavy' and a little stale. Since I'm reading the most recent version, I think the author took all of these comments to heart and fixed all these issues, even going beyond and making it lyrical and fun to read. I didn't find a single grammatical issue or missing word.
September 16, 2014
1124562 is a Good Boy. All he or any of the boys want to be are good boys.
What else could there ever be?
And what happens to Bad Boys?
Is it okay to even ponder such questions?
If I ask them am I a bad boy?
This is a journey far away from the world that you know to a place where all it same and life is routine.
What happens when one boy disrupts the prescribes way of life in a set culture?
An imaginative otherworldly story, this was an amazing and a bit disturbing read.
Loved it!
What else could there ever be?
And what happens to Bad Boys?
Is it okay to even ponder such questions?
If I ask them am I a bad boy?
This is a journey far away from the world that you know to a place where all it same and life is routine.
What happens when one boy disrupts the prescribes way of life in a set culture?
An imaginative otherworldly story, this was an amazing and a bit disturbing read.
Loved it!
February 5, 2016
Goodreads Rating: 4.13 Stars
291 pages
Self-Published by Denise Kawaii
Find it here!
He may look identical to the hundreds of other Boys that surround him, but there is something different about Boy 1124562. When he closes his eyes in the quiet of his sensor-filled cube his mind doesn't go blank like the rest of his brothers. Instead, 1124562 dreams.
With the help of a rogue teacher, 1124562 discovers that there is more to Adaline than brushed steel and robotic Nurses. When a Boy suddenly escapes the secure pod, it seems that all of Adaline is on a hunt for anyone with an anomaly. When 1124562 finds himself strapped to a table, the threat of an electric current pressed against his temples to erase his mind, he realizes just how dangerous being different can be.
- - - - -
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: some weird grammatical issues/missing words; intriguing, thought-provoking plot; a lot more “science” than “action”; an interesting exploration of cloning/utopias; one-gender society; complex characters
Once again, I'm bringing on the weird books. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as I'd hoped going in. There's a sort of...rigid, formal, and strict prose happening in these pages that made this read a bit dull and overly scientific in certain instances. There was a lot more focus on the technological aspects of Adaline, the world being built, and even dreams than there was upon action, mystery, or thrilling adventure. While there IS action, mystery, and adventure happening...it felt as if a lot of that got bogged down with the heavy language, often weird grammatical issues, and missing words. If you like your reads to be polished, with little mistakes, this might not be the book for you to pick up.
The characters, on the other hand, were vibrant despite the weird language and writing. Boy 62 and Man 71 in particular leaped off the pages, their interactions both mentoring and teeth-achingly sweet at the same time. I really enjoyed watching 62 navigate the confines of his strict, rigid utopia—and discover that there's more to being human than just following the rules, despite what's being said by those in charge. 62 in particular was a complex and often flawed character, and I adored seeing the ways he grew and changed throughout the course of this read.
However, I felt there might be TOO much information being conveyed here, and not nearly enough explanation, if that makes sense. While we get a lot of science and technology—particularly centered around the idea of “anomalies”--we don't get much in way of world-building or explanations for how the human race ended up in Adaline, a world of machines and man. We aren't told why the cloning first began, with Boy 001...or why the only gender is male in this world. In the end, I didn't feel like we were given many of the “hard” answers at all—instead, the focus was upon Boy 62, his dreams, and the way this utopia fell apart the instant something threatened it.
I also didn't find myself thinking of our characters as completely human. While they are, and remain throughout, flesh and blood beings...the way the prose is structured, so rigid and strict, doesn't leave much room for imaginative or concisely-written descriptions. Someone mentioned, in a different review I glanced over before writing this, that they didn't think there was enough imagination happening in this read. I agree—this world feels stiff, unbending, and quite a bit like plastic. While I was intrigued by and curious to learn about the world...I didn't really care much for the characters, or find myself rushing through the pages to learn what happened next.
Overall, this was an interesting read...but perhaps a bit TOO formal/strict for my tastes. The weird grammatical blips and missing/extra words made deciphering some of the sentences a chore; the characters were vibrant, but still somehow flat in the end. I would still recommend to lovers of science fiction, cloning, and utopias—it just perhaps wasn't the right fit for me personally.
---review cross-posted to: Betwixt these Pages---
291 pages
Self-Published by Denise Kawaii
Find it here!
He may look identical to the hundreds of other Boys that surround him, but there is something different about Boy 1124562. When he closes his eyes in the quiet of his sensor-filled cube his mind doesn't go blank like the rest of his brothers. Instead, 1124562 dreams.
With the help of a rogue teacher, 1124562 discovers that there is more to Adaline than brushed steel and robotic Nurses. When a Boy suddenly escapes the secure pod, it seems that all of Adaline is on a hunt for anyone with an anomaly. When 1124562 finds himself strapped to a table, the threat of an electric current pressed against his temples to erase his mind, he realizes just how dangerous being different can be.
- - - - -
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: some weird grammatical issues/missing words; intriguing, thought-provoking plot; a lot more “science” than “action”; an interesting exploration of cloning/utopias; one-gender society; complex characters
Although he didn't know much about the differences between humans and machines, he was sure that it must be difficult or impossible to reprogram a malfunctioning human.
Once again, I'm bringing on the weird books. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one as much as I'd hoped going in. There's a sort of...rigid, formal, and strict prose happening in these pages that made this read a bit dull and overly scientific in certain instances. There was a lot more focus on the technological aspects of Adaline, the world being built, and even dreams than there was upon action, mystery, or thrilling adventure. While there IS action, mystery, and adventure happening...it felt as if a lot of that got bogged down with the heavy language, often weird grammatical issues, and missing words. If you like your reads to be polished, with little mistakes, this might not be the book for you to pick up.
The characters, on the other hand, were vibrant despite the weird language and writing. Boy 62 and Man 71 in particular leaped off the pages, their interactions both mentoring and teeth-achingly sweet at the same time. I really enjoyed watching 62 navigate the confines of his strict, rigid utopia—and discover that there's more to being human than just following the rules, despite what's being said by those in charge. 62 in particular was a complex and often flawed character, and I adored seeing the ways he grew and changed throughout the course of this read.
My brothers asked them why he wasn't moving, and they told us that he died. I asked one of them if they would repair him and bring him back and he told me that humans can't be repaired like machines. That death is like turning off a switch that can't be turned back on.
However, I felt there might be TOO much information being conveyed here, and not nearly enough explanation, if that makes sense. While we get a lot of science and technology—particularly centered around the idea of “anomalies”--we don't get much in way of world-building or explanations for how the human race ended up in Adaline, a world of machines and man. We aren't told why the cloning first began, with Boy 001...or why the only gender is male in this world. In the end, I didn't feel like we were given many of the “hard” answers at all—instead, the focus was upon Boy 62, his dreams, and the way this utopia fell apart the instant something threatened it.
I also didn't find myself thinking of our characters as completely human. While they are, and remain throughout, flesh and blood beings...the way the prose is structured, so rigid and strict, doesn't leave much room for imaginative or concisely-written descriptions. Someone mentioned, in a different review I glanced over before writing this, that they didn't think there was enough imagination happening in this read. I agree—this world feels stiff, unbending, and quite a bit like plastic. While I was intrigued by and curious to learn about the world...I didn't really care much for the characters, or find myself rushing through the pages to learn what happened next.
71's cheeks spread into a soft and reassuring smile. “Don't get lost in the terror of the mad Man's dream, Brother. Use your imagination to expand your mind and do good in Adaline. Without imagination we are nothing but a collection of cogs helping to turn the wheels in a giant Machine. It is our dreams, our loves and desires, that make us Men.
Overall, this was an interesting read...but perhaps a bit TOO formal/strict for my tastes. The weird grammatical blips and missing/extra words made deciphering some of the sentences a chore; the characters were vibrant, but still somehow flat in the end. I would still recommend to lovers of science fiction, cloning, and utopias—it just perhaps wasn't the right fit for me personally.
---review cross-posted to: Betwixt these Pages---
January 26, 2019
In a future world where conformity is the norm and warm humanity is replaced by cold machines, one boy dares to be different with the help of a trusted mentor. Kawaii’s style is simple and honest and the reader easily places themselves in the madness of a future society. The story is gripping and the characters are engaging. Appropriate for younger teens and YA readers, they’ll find the book enjoyable and thought-provoking. Adding the second and third in the series to my reading list.
Read
May 20, 2017not a good book I read it I read the first hundred pages and got bored!
October 21, 2018
Intriguing
Weirdly fascinating story about clones who are cared for by robots in a private commune. Interesting characters and imaginative story.
Weirdly fascinating story about clones who are cared for by robots in a private commune. Interesting characters and imaginative story.
October 8, 2018
Amazing!
Great first installment. Can't wait to explore this world further in the sequels. It's a fun mix of cyberpunk and biopunk. A little man vs machine and a little man vs self with regards to clones.
Great first installment. Can't wait to explore this world further in the sequels. It's a fun mix of cyberpunk and biopunk. A little man vs machine and a little man vs self with regards to clones.
October 22, 2019
2.5 stars
This is one of those books where I feel bad rounding down and giving it only two stars because I actually enjoyed the reading, but I feel like the execution throughout most of the story was incomplete. More specifically, it never gives enough information to make it feel like a complete story. Yes, I realized after finishing and looking at goodreads that this is only the first in a four part series (thank goodness there is more), but even a first book needs to provide enough information to feel complete instead of just feeling like one long intro.
In the world of Adaline, clone boys grow up in a closed facility, cared for by robotic nurses and taught to conform to a rigid standard of compliance. Good boys, after all, do not run. They sit quietly and wait to be told what to do. It is a boring existence, but for these boys it is all they know. However, one of these boys is not like the others. Boy 1124562 (62 for short) feels and thinks things that good boys should not; and worse, instead of sleeping soundly through the night, he dreams. These anomalies put him at risk, because in a world where boys should all grow to think and act the same way, exhibition of imagination and daring to think differently is seen as a disruption to practical growth.
Because the boys are instructed to grow the same way, they seem more like robots than humans. They mostly have a linear pattern of thinking and rarely show the ability to think outside the box or notice things that have not been pointed out to them. It was hard for me to think of them as people because of this trait, and even harder for me to accept the fact that dreaming was apparently considered an anomaly. We don’t know the period of time this story takes place in (yet), but dreaming is a normal part of being human. I couldn’t understand why it would be frowned upon. Later in the book, dreaming takes on a fantastical twist, so perhaps there is more to the power of dreaming in the world of Adaline.
Funnily enough, I didn’t blink twice at the way dreaming was used in this book. Rather, what annoyed me most was the lack of information about the facility housing all the clone boys and the mystery of the world beyond the walls. From infancy these boys are taught to behave for the betterment of their society, but they don’t even know what society is. 62 and his peers have just graduated to assessment level and for the first time they “learn” about Adaline- I say that in quotes because all that happens is their teacher shows them an old picture of a building, calls it Adaline, and pretty much leaves it at that. The lack of knowledge in this book was extremely frustrating because I couldn’t get a sense of what type of society 62 was dealing with. Are the boys the only humans in the world? Do they serve free humans? What kind of dystopian world is this? Why was the first clone created? How did the facility evolve to the way that it is? What is the deal with all this “good boy” talk?
The testing itself was pretty laughable. The first round of tests consists of nonsensical patterns. The reader never gets concrete examples, but 62 points out that most of it is repetition and figuring out patterns. The boys never had formal education and don’t understand most concepts and terms (they don’t even know the names of emotions or what tutoring is). However, after many cycles of these types of individual tests, their teacher begins to point out that some students excel at programming, and then goes on to explain how machines work, using advanced terminology that these simple boys couldn’t possibly understand. It was unbelievable to me that these brainwashed clones could understand high level mathematics and coding without ever learning the fundamental building blocks. One clone is taken away after being caught reprogramming the extremely advanced facility doors (the teacher even says that no Man he has ever met would be able to do such a thing). It made no sense to me that any of this could be happening, so for most of the book I swallowed all of the testing and learning with a grain of salt.
Despite the vagueness of the how and the why, I was surprised at how much I came to like 62 as the protagonist. He is eager to learn, but still nervous about deviating from what he has been taught to believe. His relationship with 71, the teacher, was done really well. Like with the testing, though, 71 never explains anything to 62, despite how dangerous it is that he encourages 62 to continue dreaming. Their midnight sessions were vague (like everything else), seeming to last only a few moments and never really furthering the plot or enhancing the knowledge of the world.
I stated before that this entire book feels like one long intro, and that is the main reason I gave it only two stars. We never learn anything about Adaline, the clones or why dreaming and imagination are so dangerous. The testing takes up much of the book, but the vagueness of it only enhanced my frustration with the lack of knowledge. There is also much repetition, which was a nice reinforcement of the robotic way of life in the facility, but it did get a bit tiresome. However, I am intrigued to know more. I wish that this book had been cut down and fused with the next one in the series. As it is, the way this one ends just makes me feel like I haven’t learned anything and nothing has happened yet. It’s extremely frustrating. I’ve read enough to be intrigued, but I could tell someone the goodreads summary of this book and not be able to expand on it anymore because we literally aren’t told anything else. It needed more to feel complete. As it is, I’m left feeling interested but frustrated.
This is one of those books where I feel bad rounding down and giving it only two stars because I actually enjoyed the reading, but I feel like the execution throughout most of the story was incomplete. More specifically, it never gives enough information to make it feel like a complete story. Yes, I realized after finishing and looking at goodreads that this is only the first in a four part series (thank goodness there is more), but even a first book needs to provide enough information to feel complete instead of just feeling like one long intro.
In the world of Adaline, clone boys grow up in a closed facility, cared for by robotic nurses and taught to conform to a rigid standard of compliance. Good boys, after all, do not run. They sit quietly and wait to be told what to do. It is a boring existence, but for these boys it is all they know. However, one of these boys is not like the others. Boy 1124562 (62 for short) feels and thinks things that good boys should not; and worse, instead of sleeping soundly through the night, he dreams. These anomalies put him at risk, because in a world where boys should all grow to think and act the same way, exhibition of imagination and daring to think differently is seen as a disruption to practical growth.
Because the boys are instructed to grow the same way, they seem more like robots than humans. They mostly have a linear pattern of thinking and rarely show the ability to think outside the box or notice things that have not been pointed out to them. It was hard for me to think of them as people because of this trait, and even harder for me to accept the fact that dreaming was apparently considered an anomaly. We don’t know the period of time this story takes place in (yet), but dreaming is a normal part of being human. I couldn’t understand why it would be frowned upon. Later in the book, dreaming takes on a fantastical twist, so perhaps there is more to the power of dreaming in the world of Adaline.
Funnily enough, I didn’t blink twice at the way dreaming was used in this book. Rather, what annoyed me most was the lack of information about the facility housing all the clone boys and the mystery of the world beyond the walls. From infancy these boys are taught to behave for the betterment of their society, but they don’t even know what society is. 62 and his peers have just graduated to assessment level and for the first time they “learn” about Adaline- I say that in quotes because all that happens is their teacher shows them an old picture of a building, calls it Adaline, and pretty much leaves it at that. The lack of knowledge in this book was extremely frustrating because I couldn’t get a sense of what type of society 62 was dealing with. Are the boys the only humans in the world? Do they serve free humans? What kind of dystopian world is this? Why was the first clone created? How did the facility evolve to the way that it is? What is the deal with all this “good boy” talk?
The testing itself was pretty laughable. The first round of tests consists of nonsensical patterns. The reader never gets concrete examples, but 62 points out that most of it is repetition and figuring out patterns. The boys never had formal education and don’t understand most concepts and terms (they don’t even know the names of emotions or what tutoring is). However, after many cycles of these types of individual tests, their teacher begins to point out that some students excel at programming, and then goes on to explain how machines work, using advanced terminology that these simple boys couldn’t possibly understand. It was unbelievable to me that these brainwashed clones could understand high level mathematics and coding without ever learning the fundamental building blocks. One clone is taken away after being caught reprogramming the extremely advanced facility doors (the teacher even says that no Man he has ever met would be able to do such a thing). It made no sense to me that any of this could be happening, so for most of the book I swallowed all of the testing and learning with a grain of salt.
Despite the vagueness of the how and the why, I was surprised at how much I came to like 62 as the protagonist. He is eager to learn, but still nervous about deviating from what he has been taught to believe. His relationship with 71, the teacher, was done really well. Like with the testing, though, 71 never explains anything to 62, despite how dangerous it is that he encourages 62 to continue dreaming. Their midnight sessions were vague (like everything else), seeming to last only a few moments and never really furthering the plot or enhancing the knowledge of the world.
I stated before that this entire book feels like one long intro, and that is the main reason I gave it only two stars. We never learn anything about Adaline, the clones or why dreaming and imagination are so dangerous. The testing takes up much of the book, but the vagueness of it only enhanced my frustration with the lack of knowledge. There is also much repetition, which was a nice reinforcement of the robotic way of life in the facility, but it did get a bit tiresome. However, I am intrigued to know more. I wish that this book had been cut down and fused with the next one in the series. As it is, the way this one ends just makes me feel like I haven’t learned anything and nothing has happened yet. It’s extremely frustrating. I’ve read enough to be intrigued, but I could tell someone the goodreads summary of this book and not be able to expand on it anymore because we literally aren’t told anything else. It needed more to feel complete. As it is, I’m left feeling interested but frustrated.
July 17, 2018
This book gave me a sort of nostalgia for school days when I had to read books like The Giver, and Brave New World, and others along that theme. One where the rules are strict, and the creator(s) unknown, and any attempt at curiosity would be snuffed before it could begin. I thoroughly enjoyed living inside 62’s head as he progressed through his stages of life in Adaline. I was left however, wanting more. I wanted more answers, and more details, and more everything. Thankfully there is a sequel called Biocide for that – and I cannot wait to dig into it!!
October 11, 2014
This is a great book. Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. I love when a writer is able to get my imagination working and Denise Kawaii does just that. I am looking forward to what happens to this boy in the next book!
May 24, 2017
“Adaline” is told in what appears at first to be a simple, linear way. As it unfolds, the original world and vivid imagery add layers of meaning and build not just a physical world but a psychological one as well. Kawaii has something to say and we should listen.
Adaline itself is a construct of seemingly identical clones, raising, working, serving, and running their world along strict guidelines. Entering the institution with one of the boys, the reader learns and experiences the rigid life with him. No one has a name—they are numbered according to their position in the queue of healthy births—and there is no room for creative or unique expression. The only differentiation made between the clones, after a season of testing and training, is a general classification that slots them toward work categories. The daily routines are designed to weed out any individuality that would threaten the system which exists, apparently, to maintain itself. An excessively totalitarian environment that governs more than daily lives, it’s designed and succeeds in crushing distinctive thought and personality.
Is there more to a person than the physical body? Can a child who looks exactly like everyone else and is being controlled the same as every other living being actually develop as an individual?
Kawaii’s resounding answer is ‘yes’. Thousands of identical clones did not lead to identical personalities or choices.
One man, a teacher, identifies and nurtures the boy’s inner world. Kawaii vividly captures the impact of true mentoring, especially in the absence of parenting, as well as affirming the value of having a will strong enough to survive a hostile environment.
The story is told well, building suspense, keeping you guessing, and dealing a strong finish. And though I’m satisfied with the ending, it left me with a multitude of unanswered questions and high expectations for the sequel.
“Adaline” is rich with thought-provoking ideas. It would be a valuable tool for parents, teachers or mentors, to read and discuss with adolescents—although it gets intense in a few places and some of the images may be upsetting for sensitive youth with visual minds.
Educators: FORGET dated, so-called classics like “Catcher in the Rye” or “Lord of the Flies” that no longer have the edge that spoke in the previous century. You should be assigning books like this one, that speak to the deepest questions and concerns young people have today.
Kawaii deserves to be discovered and snapped up by a major publisher. She’s about to win a place on my short list of “I’ll read anything by this author”.
I love this book.
Adaline itself is a construct of seemingly identical clones, raising, working, serving, and running their world along strict guidelines. Entering the institution with one of the boys, the reader learns and experiences the rigid life with him. No one has a name—they are numbered according to their position in the queue of healthy births—and there is no room for creative or unique expression. The only differentiation made between the clones, after a season of testing and training, is a general classification that slots them toward work categories. The daily routines are designed to weed out any individuality that would threaten the system which exists, apparently, to maintain itself. An excessively totalitarian environment that governs more than daily lives, it’s designed and succeeds in crushing distinctive thought and personality.
Is there more to a person than the physical body? Can a child who looks exactly like everyone else and is being controlled the same as every other living being actually develop as an individual?
Kawaii’s resounding answer is ‘yes’. Thousands of identical clones did not lead to identical personalities or choices.
One man, a teacher, identifies and nurtures the boy’s inner world. Kawaii vividly captures the impact of true mentoring, especially in the absence of parenting, as well as affirming the value of having a will strong enough to survive a hostile environment.
The story is told well, building suspense, keeping you guessing, and dealing a strong finish. And though I’m satisfied with the ending, it left me with a multitude of unanswered questions and high expectations for the sequel.
“Adaline” is rich with thought-provoking ideas. It would be a valuable tool for parents, teachers or mentors, to read and discuss with adolescents—although it gets intense in a few places and some of the images may be upsetting for sensitive youth with visual minds.
Educators: FORGET dated, so-called classics like “Catcher in the Rye” or “Lord of the Flies” that no longer have the edge that spoke in the previous century. You should be assigning books like this one, that speak to the deepest questions and concerns young people have today.
Kawaii deserves to be discovered and snapped up by a major publisher. She’s about to win a place on my short list of “I’ll read anything by this author”.
I love this book.
January 1, 2019
Adaline
I couldn't put it down and I read this in two sittings!
Denise Kawaii's fantastic and surreal dystopian masterpiece enthralled me. For me it read almost like a memoir, but in second person. I continued to be pulled into the main character's experience, so much so; because the ideas pointed to in this wonderful work of fiction are very important and very real.
I was absolutely hooked from the first page, I knew that I would be reading until bedtime, and that's rare. It's a very 'simple' book, but don't mistake what I'm saying; there is power in her simplicity! Like Adaline; the book runs smoothly from one page to the next, easily followed, and yet there is great depth, mystery, secrecy, and a history yet untold.
While I would recommend this for young readers and older ones alike; I think there is a very strong message in it; one that only a mature and awakened mind can understand. In a very real way, Adaline exists today.
a huge thumbs up, I can't wait to read book 2!>
August 25, 2018
What is the meaning of life? (Or “62” should have been “42”)
This is an exceptionally well written, methodically crafted tale of a utopian society, Adaline, told through the eyes of clone 1124562 (or “62”). 62, and hundreds like him, are beginning their C.A.T. (Career Aptitude Testing), a phase that determine their place in Adaline - a society that values uniformity, following rules, and unquestioned acceptance of one’s place.
But just because they are clones doesn’t mean they aren’t different in subtle ways. 62 more than most, as he discovers his abilities to draw and dream, extensions of his creativity and decided non-uniformity.
With the clandestine help of a teacher who intimately understands his struggles, 62’s tribulations challenge - and threaten - the very premise of Adaline. And despite his own and others attempts to put an end to 62’s “anomaly” he’s unable to be anything but what he is.
The powerful messages here are impossible to miss. Despite society’s expectations, do we really have any choice but to be who we are? Even if it means hiding under a mask of uniformity? And what meaning does a uniform life really have?
This existential masterpiece is a slow-burning story that ponders the nature of society and individualism. Slow ... but also captivating, clearly, because as it hit its climax I couldn’t tear through the ending fast enough. Thank the stars the second book is already out and the third on its way.
This is an exceptionally well written, methodically crafted tale of a utopian society, Adaline, told through the eyes of clone 1124562 (or “62”). 62, and hundreds like him, are beginning their C.A.T. (Career Aptitude Testing), a phase that determine their place in Adaline - a society that values uniformity, following rules, and unquestioned acceptance of one’s place.
But just because they are clones doesn’t mean they aren’t different in subtle ways. 62 more than most, as he discovers his abilities to draw and dream, extensions of his creativity and decided non-uniformity.
With the clandestine help of a teacher who intimately understands his struggles, 62’s tribulations challenge - and threaten - the very premise of Adaline. And despite his own and others attempts to put an end to 62’s “anomaly” he’s unable to be anything but what he is.
The powerful messages here are impossible to miss. Despite society’s expectations, do we really have any choice but to be who we are? Even if it means hiding under a mask of uniformity? And what meaning does a uniform life really have?
This existential masterpiece is a slow-burning story that ponders the nature of society and individualism. Slow ... but also captivating, clearly, because as it hit its climax I couldn’t tear through the ending fast enough. Thank the stars the second book is already out and the third on its way.
May 28, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5
Adaline and I have had a long journey up to this point. I loved this book it took me time, but I kept coming back to this wonderful story. It is fast-paced and I am ready to dive into the rest of the series.
Adaline is a sci-fi novel, with a hint of dystopia, in my opinion.
Adaline is a community of clones that are raised and monitored by machines. The world building is detailed, but not overly so. The character growth is unexpected and different from what typical character growth looks like.
It follows the journey if 62 as he grows into himself. 62 just wants to be like all of his other brothers, but he is not.
The author does a wonderful job making this book packed with action while still raising very profound and introspective questions. Are we born with a personality and specific traits that shape our future or is that a product of our environment? What can mentorship and friendship do to change your life, your destiny?
This book brings about the beauty of relationships and the care for the humanity. It also raises questions about what humanity is.
So, who should read this book?
If you enjoy books like The Giver, then you should definitely give this one a try.
Adaline and I have had a long journey up to this point. I loved this book it took me time, but I kept coming back to this wonderful story. It is fast-paced and I am ready to dive into the rest of the series.
Adaline is a sci-fi novel, with a hint of dystopia, in my opinion.
Adaline is a community of clones that are raised and monitored by machines. The world building is detailed, but not overly so. The character growth is unexpected and different from what typical character growth looks like.
It follows the journey if 62 as he grows into himself. 62 just wants to be like all of his other brothers, but he is not.
The author does a wonderful job making this book packed with action while still raising very profound and introspective questions. Are we born with a personality and specific traits that shape our future or is that a product of our environment? What can mentorship and friendship do to change your life, your destiny?
This book brings about the beauty of relationships and the care for the humanity. It also raises questions about what humanity is.
So, who should read this book?
If you enjoy books like The Giver, then you should definitely give this one a try.
September 5, 2018
A very well written novel about society where humans are cloned by one man that had a dream of a perfect world and he created Adaline; a place where machines control the upbringing and behavior of men. Generations later a boy that we get to know as “62” dares to defy it by having a curious and creative mind. He dreams of a world without machines.
It’s a slow story with intricate world building and character development that gave me chills as I was reading it. The author does a wonderful job at planting subtle seeds about the beauty of authenticity and the burning passions and desires hidden behind every day masks we wear so we fit in. The guidance provided to “62” by his teacher “71” was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I too feel the heat in my chest just like “62” when I look at what we’ve made of our society and our world.
All that being said I can’t express how happy I am that I discovered this author and how excited I am to continue reading the series. I definitely recommend these to all that love reading complex stories about a future that is not far from where we are headed!
It’s a slow story with intricate world building and character development that gave me chills as I was reading it. The author does a wonderful job at planting subtle seeds about the beauty of authenticity and the burning passions and desires hidden behind every day masks we wear so we fit in. The guidance provided to “62” by his teacher “71” was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I too feel the heat in my chest just like “62” when I look at what we’ve made of our society and our world.
All that being said I can’t express how happy I am that I discovered this author and how excited I am to continue reading the series. I definitely recommend these to all that love reading complex stories about a future that is not far from where we are headed!
September 22, 2018
Intriguing! One thing struck me about half-way through reading - there were no females in this book! I did have a bit of trouble pinpointing 62’s age but a younger teen is what I settled on though if I did some fancy math with the cycles I’d probably have an answer that way.
This book probably had more appeal to boys vs. girls. It’s very science and technology based and there is a lot of passages that go into detail for this (possibly a good junior high book if you teach those subjects).
I liked that the characters had a name - even if it was a number. Somehow 62 becomes likeable and I did wonder what would happen next. Speaking of which - 99 - I hope to know more!!!
Overall this wouldn’t be a book I would normally read but I did enjoy it. There is an element to this book though which is quite scary and reminds me a bit of the ol’ Zager & Evans song “In the year 2525”.
The author has created a detailed world with endearing bounds reminiscent of a father/son relationship. I’d definitely pick up book 2 even though it’s a bit wordier than I usually like.
This book probably had more appeal to boys vs. girls. It’s very science and technology based and there is a lot of passages that go into detail for this (possibly a good junior high book if you teach those subjects).
I liked that the characters had a name - even if it was a number. Somehow 62 becomes likeable and I did wonder what would happen next. Speaking of which - 99 - I hope to know more!!!
Overall this wouldn’t be a book I would normally read but I did enjoy it. There is an element to this book though which is quite scary and reminds me a bit of the ol’ Zager & Evans song “In the year 2525”.
The author has created a detailed world with endearing bounds reminiscent of a father/son relationship. I’d definitely pick up book 2 even though it’s a bit wordier than I usually like.
March 15, 2019
Great slow burn dystopian (or is it?) story
What a fascinating world in this story!! I love books where the imagination of the author impresses me throughout. This book is a little slower on action, but the great writing and world-building make it an easy read. I love the concept and the promise I see in it. There were still a few intense, nail biting moments, and I was really rooting for 62!! I love how these almost replicas still manage to be individuals. The machines are fascinating because you can see how they seem like they’re evil...but sometimes you also see how they’re simply performing a function...so are they evil? Or maybe just who designed them is. I’m eager to see where the series goes - it gave me a lot to think about.
What a fascinating world in this story!! I love books where the imagination of the author impresses me throughout. This book is a little slower on action, but the great writing and world-building make it an easy read. I love the concept and the promise I see in it. There were still a few intense, nail biting moments, and I was really rooting for 62!! I love how these almost replicas still manage to be individuals. The machines are fascinating because you can see how they seem like they’re evil...but sometimes you also see how they’re simply performing a function...so are they evil? Or maybe just who designed them is. I’m eager to see where the series goes - it gave me a lot to think about.
October 3, 2018
powerful read
Kawaii pens a great thought-provoking story in Adaline, the first in this series. It gives a look at a new world, where cloning is part of the society. It is a great read, and brings to life the society of clones, where each is only identified by a number, and a long number is shortened. It's one of those stories that you won't forget, and Kawaii pens something unforgettable, and makes you eager to read the next story in the collection. The story is filled with the survival journey and creative imagery that makes it a good story, and definite page-turner. It shows that even a perfectly created world is far from perfect.
Kawaii pens a great thought-provoking story in Adaline, the first in this series. It gives a look at a new world, where cloning is part of the society. It is a great read, and brings to life the society of clones, where each is only identified by a number, and a long number is shortened. It's one of those stories that you won't forget, and Kawaii pens something unforgettable, and makes you eager to read the next story in the collection. The story is filled with the survival journey and creative imagery that makes it a good story, and definite page-turner. It shows that even a perfectly created world is far from perfect.
February 2, 2019
Unusual and captivating
When I began reading, I found this book overwhelmingly reminded me of Anthem, written by Ayn Rand. Even now, after finishing the book, there is an eerie similarity - not so much in the story itself, but in the emotions that are generated.
The story is well developed and carried me along with little effort. I felt as though I were present in the room, looking on as events progressed.
Certainly recommended.
When I began reading, I found this book overwhelmingly reminded me of Anthem, written by Ayn Rand. Even now, after finishing the book, there is an eerie similarity - not so much in the story itself, but in the emotions that are generated.
The story is well developed and carried me along with little effort. I felt as though I were present in the room, looking on as events progressed.
Certainly recommended.
July 30, 2024
Adaline by Denise Kawaii is a fascinating entry into her Adaline series world. The characters are winsome and well-drawn. I highly recommend it. I do recommend the later books in the series more highly, but it's best if readers begin here.
The rating is a four because I found the protagonist's (Boy #62) motivations murky at times and the dream sequences could be confusing and lengthy.
But still read it!
The rating is a four because I found the protagonist's (Boy #62) motivations murky at times and the dream sequences could be confusing and lengthy.
But still read it!
May 15, 2020
Fantastic Scientific Fantasy Book
Clones. A futuristic city with clone boys and men helped and serviced by machines. Told through the eyes of #62. Fantastic story line and wonderful characters! Anyone who's ever wondered about future worlds and technology would love this book! I highly recommend it! Happy Reading!
Clones. A futuristic city with clone boys and men helped and serviced by machines. Told through the eyes of #62. Fantastic story line and wonderful characters! Anyone who's ever wondered about future worlds and technology would love this book! I highly recommend it! Happy Reading!
January 1, 2020
I enjoyed a different take on a dystopian environment. The fact that it's all men and machines makes for some interesting possibilities (or limitations) for the sequels. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys dystopian literature!
January 14, 2021
Genuinely an excellent story!! Simple design for a sci-fi dystopia—but rich in that deep food for thought observations that absolutely harken back to the carefully-curated classic sci-fi at its very best!
January 8, 2019
A strange fascinating read
What a creative mind the author has!!! Characters and places are described so well that It 's easy t see them " in your dreams".
What a creative mind the author has!!! Characters and places are described so well that It 's easy t see them " in your dreams".
January 25, 2019
Adalind
Great story line. I felt I was a part of the world that 62 lived in. His imagination felt real. His teacher 71 filled in all of the details.
I truly enjoyed this book.
Great story line. I felt I was a part of the world that 62 lived in. His imagination felt real. His teacher 71 filled in all of the details.
I truly enjoyed this book.
February 22, 2019
Fascinating!
March 13, 2019
Very well-written story. It's not anything like I usually read, and I can't say I understood it, but it was unique, cleverly scripted and I'm sure fans of the genre will enjoy it.
July 14, 2022
The version I received was purported to be a full book (albeit the first in a series) but was actually just a teaser. It was well-written but... fool me once, guess what? I'm not buying your book.
April 5, 2024
The Adaline Series Borrowed on March 10, 2024. Growing up in clone factory. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
June 18, 2021
Adaline is a sci-fi novel, with a hint of dystopia, in my opinion.
Adaline is a community of clones that are raised and monitored by machines. The world building is detailed, but not overly so. The character growth is unexpected and different from what typical character growth looks like.
It follows the journey if 62 as he grows into himself. 62 just wants to be like all of his other brothers, but he is not.
The author does a wonderful job making this book packed with action while still raising very profound and introspective questions. Are we born with a personality and specific traits that shape our future or is that a product of our environment? What can mentorship and friendship do to change your life, your destiny?
This book brings about the beauty of relationships and the care for the humanity. It also raises questions about what humanity is.
So, who should read this book?
If you enjoy books like The Giver, then you should definitely give this one a try.
Adaline is a community of clones that are raised and monitored by machines. The world building is detailed, but not overly so. The character growth is unexpected and different from what typical character growth looks like.
It follows the journey if 62 as he grows into himself. 62 just wants to be like all of his other brothers, but he is not.
The author does a wonderful job making this book packed with action while still raising very profound and introspective questions. Are we born with a personality and specific traits that shape our future or is that a product of our environment? What can mentorship and friendship do to change your life, your destiny?
This book brings about the beauty of relationships and the care for the humanity. It also raises questions about what humanity is.
So, who should read this book?
If you enjoy books like The Giver, then you should definitely give this one a try.
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