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Transference
Beth is dying. Her father has been funding the science meant to give her a second chance at life, but they have encountered nothing but failure.
Her time is quickly running out. Luckily, Dr. Eric Johnson has figured out what the problem is. They have only tried to save people who have already died; people who have donated their bodies to science. But it’s the not knowing that’s killing them—he’s sure of it.
Beth is the answer. She knows about the procedure and is willing to undergo it while still alive. A new, cloned body, to replace her failing one.
But there are risks that Eric decides to keep to himself. Risks worse than death. And Beth won’t know until it’s too late.
Her time is quickly running out. Luckily, Dr. Eric Johnson has figured out what the problem is. They have only tried to save people who have already died; people who have donated their bodies to science. But it’s the not knowing that’s killing them—he’s sure of it.
Beth is the answer. She knows about the procedure and is willing to undergo it while still alive. A new, cloned body, to replace her failing one.
But there are risks that Eric decides to keep to himself. Risks worse than death. And Beth won’t know until it’s too late.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2016
5 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 16, 2017
This book approachs human cloning in such a creepy and thrilling way. This was definitely a page turner. Some moments were so intense and other moments were really thought provoking. I love how the concept of human cloning was done in this book. Its a quick read and the science is real easy to understand.
The author does a fantastic job of creating an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere. It had some great entertaining twists with hidden agendas and questionable motivations. You get characters with different opinions on whats ethical and whats worth the risk when cloning a live human subject for the first time.
When you clone someone are they transfering their memories or are they just copying them? When they're slowly dying already is it worth it if the procedure risks killing the original body? What if they never wake up? Even worst. What if the person that wakes up is someone else?
I went into this thinking Id be following the person getting cloned but we mostly follow Eric, the main doctors point of view. I would have enjoyed knowing what Beth and her fathers were thinking and feeling during all of it but I understand that we mostly saw Erics point of view to keep some mystery. It was exciting trying to figure out Beth fathers real motivation.
Erics coworkers, Grace and Marcel were interesting characters and added some balance to Erics personality. Marcel seemed to be the polar opposite of Eric whos apathetic and has questionable morals. While Grace seemed to be a balance of both empathy and ambitous drive.
This story is deeply disturbing and all the more captivating for it. Having these characters question and cross so many moral and ethical boundaries creates this fascination as to how far they're willing go in the name of science. Joe and Beths father disturbed me the most but Eric wasnt much better.
This story just compelles you to keep reading. The ending was so unpredictable and twisted which I really appreciate. Its rare when a book can take me by surprise. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley and Overby for the review copy. I would love it if the author came out with a sequel.
The author does a fantastic job of creating an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere. It had some great entertaining twists with hidden agendas and questionable motivations. You get characters with different opinions on whats ethical and whats worth the risk when cloning a live human subject for the first time.
When you clone someone are they transfering their memories or are they just copying them? When they're slowly dying already is it worth it if the procedure risks killing the original body? What if they never wake up? Even worst. What if the person that wakes up is someone else?
I went into this thinking Id be following the person getting cloned but we mostly follow Eric, the main doctors point of view. I would have enjoyed knowing what Beth and her fathers were thinking and feeling during all of it but I understand that we mostly saw Erics point of view to keep some mystery. It was exciting trying to figure out Beth fathers real motivation.
Erics coworkers, Grace and Marcel were interesting characters and added some balance to Erics personality. Marcel seemed to be the polar opposite of Eric whos apathetic and has questionable morals. While Grace seemed to be a balance of both empathy and ambitous drive.
This story is deeply disturbing and all the more captivating for it. Having these characters question and cross so many moral and ethical boundaries creates this fascination as to how far they're willing go in the name of science. Joe and Beths father disturbed me the most but Eric wasnt much better.
This story just compelles you to keep reading. The ending was so unpredictable and twisted which I really appreciate. Its rare when a book can take me by surprise. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley and Overby for the review copy. I would love it if the author came out with a sequel.
August 28, 2016
Wow. I loved this book. If you like cloning, morals about transferring people to clones, the rights of the clones and so on, this book is for you.
We follow the adventures - and missadventures - of three scientitsts working in the clone area and working in a shady company. They get asked to transfer the concioussness of a girl called Beth to another clone, as she is dying from Huntingston disease. And that as far as I am gonna tell you about the plot because you really should discover it yourself.
All the characters are quite fleshed out, and I loved the cloning procedure and the way in which it was clearly given lots of thought to make it seem real. The morals that encompase the story, and the way in which everyone of them interprets it is amazing. Also, upon ending -which closes perfectly - we are still left with questions to ponder away...
Great book!
We follow the adventures - and missadventures - of three scientitsts working in the clone area and working in a shady company. They get asked to transfer the concioussness of a girl called Beth to another clone, as she is dying from Huntingston disease. And that as far as I am gonna tell you about the plot because you really should discover it yourself.
All the characters are quite fleshed out, and I loved the cloning procedure and the way in which it was clearly given lots of thought to make it seem real. The morals that encompase the story, and the way in which everyone of them interprets it is amazing. Also, upon ending -which closes perfectly - we are still left with questions to ponder away...
Great book!
July 6, 2016
In the not so distant future, people are trying to live forever by transferring their conscience into a brand new body. But so far, the only thing that's worked on is animals. There has been no successful experiments on humans.
This book was recommended to me by a friend and at first I wasn't so sure. I'm not really a huge si-fi reader. Yet this book is definitely one that I would read again. It manages to discuss the idea of what makes someone human without being stuffed up and overly philosophical. With an excellent antihero at its forefront, this book has characters you'll constantly be second guessing, trying to figure out their motives. But don't worry, the book wraps almost everything up in the end, although you are left begging for the sequel.
This book was recommended to me by a friend and at first I wasn't so sure. I'm not really a huge si-fi reader. Yet this book is definitely one that I would read again. It manages to discuss the idea of what makes someone human without being stuffed up and overly philosophical. With an excellent antihero at its forefront, this book has characters you'll constantly be second guessing, trying to figure out their motives. But don't worry, the book wraps almost everything up in the end, although you are left begging for the sequel.
July 30, 2016
"Transference" is a fast-paced mystery sci-fi novel about the use of clones and nanobots to transfer someone's memories into a new/healed body. The story centers around Eric, the lead on the project, the boss Tidwell, and Tidwell's daughter, Beth.
There are the typical elements of science gone astray without morals that you often see in these human experimentation stories. Are science and humanity/morality so often at odds? I certainly hope not. I found this a bit eyeroll-worthy. In my experience, not so many scientists are rushing through animal studies (which are sometimes unsuccessful even in this book) into human experimentation with willing participants- what about FDA oversight (amongst other things)?
What salvaged the book for me was that there were also elements of mystery around Joe, the odd man who shows up at times, and Beth- her relationship with her father, her illness, and her former life. These mysteries really carried the book more than the science fiction aspects and were intricate, well thought-out and fascinating. Most of these mysteries are solved before the end of the book, but some remain open to interpretation.
It is certainly a thought-provoking book in terms of what makes a person him or herself- is it just memories? How they perceive the world? These answers are interpreted differently by each reader- and also by many of the characters in the story, who all have their own opinions about the evolution of their research. It's very fast-paced and easy to get hooked into- so many mysteries that keep you reading all the way to the end.
Please note that I received this book through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
There are the typical elements of science gone astray without morals that you often see in these human experimentation stories. Are science and humanity/morality so often at odds? I certainly hope not. I found this a bit eyeroll-worthy. In my experience, not so many scientists are rushing through animal studies (which are sometimes unsuccessful even in this book) into human experimentation with willing participants- what about FDA oversight (amongst other things)?
What salvaged the book for me was that there were also elements of mystery around Joe, the odd man who shows up at times, and Beth- her relationship with her father, her illness, and her former life. These mysteries really carried the book more than the science fiction aspects and were intricate, well thought-out and fascinating. Most of these mysteries are solved before the end of the book, but some remain open to interpretation.
It is certainly a thought-provoking book in terms of what makes a person him or herself- is it just memories? How they perceive the world? These answers are interpreted differently by each reader- and also by many of the characters in the story, who all have their own opinions about the evolution of their research. It's very fast-paced and easy to get hooked into- so many mysteries that keep you reading all the way to the end.
Please note that I received this book through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 8, 2016
It took me a couple pages to get my bearings with this book. The next thing I knew it was 3am, and I had read the whole book in one sitting! The mystery, suspense, and action build up over the course of the plot until I found myself holding my breath near the end. The writing style is reminiscent of Heinlein's best work, and like all great sci-fi, the reader gets a glimpse of a very real future. This would be a great novel for a book club because there is so much to discuss from the characters' choices to the ethical and philosophical underpinnings. I'm a bit haunted by a few scenes, which pop into my head at odd moments, and I think that is how a cautionary tale like this should effect us.
August 15, 2016
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/08/1...
Publisher: R. D. Overby
Publishing Date: May 2016
ISBN: 9781532843402
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 1.6/5
Publishers Description: Beth is dying. Her father has been funding the science meant to give her a second chance at life, but they have encountered nothing but failure.
Review: I am not quite sure why this novel received the accolades that it did, but to be fair there are not a lot of reviews on it as of late.
To say this was well written is a given, technically. However the storyline was more boring than a bag of hammers and if given the chance, those said hammers would bludgeon you senseless. You might find yourself wandering the streets in shit stained underwear asking yourself in Byrne “How did I get here?”. The pseudo-science is hokey. They can transfer consciousness into another body but really don’t know how they do it. The mystery is dumb and makes no sense because really, why would anyone do that. And it all takes place in a boring hospital. The character development is woefully absent and while some of the characters change, the abruptness of that change does not coincide with patterns built prior. So, all of a sudden you’re a psycho when throughout the novel we were privy to your inner ruminations that hinted at none of this? Not likely. The ending leaves this vague big brother impression upon the reader where no one is safe from the diabolical MEMORY CHANGERS, MUAHAHAHA!!!!
So the author is working on finishing the second novel in this series. Really? A series? Anywaaay, this novel or better yet, the next novel needs a big story line reset. Even a good infusion of movement tied to the characters would develop an interesting shift. Embracing different places outside the jaundiced and sterile walls of a research clinic would also elevate this series out of the mundane.
Publisher: R. D. Overby
Publishing Date: May 2016
ISBN: 9781532843402
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 1.6/5
Publishers Description: Beth is dying. Her father has been funding the science meant to give her a second chance at life, but they have encountered nothing but failure.
Review: I am not quite sure why this novel received the accolades that it did, but to be fair there are not a lot of reviews on it as of late.
To say this was well written is a given, technically. However the storyline was more boring than a bag of hammers and if given the chance, those said hammers would bludgeon you senseless. You might find yourself wandering the streets in shit stained underwear asking yourself in Byrne “How did I get here?”. The pseudo-science is hokey. They can transfer consciousness into another body but really don’t know how they do it. The mystery is dumb and makes no sense because really, why would anyone do that. And it all takes place in a boring hospital. The character development is woefully absent and while some of the characters change, the abruptness of that change does not coincide with patterns built prior. So, all of a sudden you’re a psycho when throughout the novel we were privy to your inner ruminations that hinted at none of this? Not likely. The ending leaves this vague big brother impression upon the reader where no one is safe from the diabolical MEMORY CHANGERS, MUAHAHAHA!!!!
So the author is working on finishing the second novel in this series. Really? A series? Anywaaay, this novel or better yet, the next novel needs a big story line reset. Even a good infusion of movement tied to the characters would develop an interesting shift. Embracing different places outside the jaundiced and sterile walls of a research clinic would also elevate this series out of the mundane.
October 16, 2016
Originally posted at http://wp.me/p4Wvzn-1Wd
Two Nerds Talking received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review...and that works well, we're honest guys you see.....
Transference takes place in an undetermined time in the near future, where cloning has become a reality. Commonly it's used for the cloning of household pets after which the original pet's consciousness is Transferred into the new clone. The process appears to be successful for the most part, but has yet to work on humans.
The book centers around one Doctor Eric Johnson who is heading a research team trying to perfect the process of successfully Transferring a human consciousness into a clone body.
When Eric's boss's daughter Beth is diagnosed with a terminal illness, she volunteers to be Transferred, into a new clone body. The only problem is that the process has yet to be successful and this will be the first time it has been done to a living human being.
Transference is one part thriller, one part sci-fi and all parts awesome. It explores the moral and ethical concepts of cloning in a unique and very interesting way as well as exploring the nature of sentience and memory.
Are we only the sum of our memories and experiences? Or are we so much more?
If you want a thrilling thought-provoking and very interesting book, this is the one for you.
TNT Score 4/5
Two Nerds Talking received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review...and that works well, we're honest guys you see.....
Transference takes place in an undetermined time in the near future, where cloning has become a reality. Commonly it's used for the cloning of household pets after which the original pet's consciousness is Transferred into the new clone. The process appears to be successful for the most part, but has yet to work on humans.
The book centers around one Doctor Eric Johnson who is heading a research team trying to perfect the process of successfully Transferring a human consciousness into a clone body.
When Eric's boss's daughter Beth is diagnosed with a terminal illness, she volunteers to be Transferred, into a new clone body. The only problem is that the process has yet to be successful and this will be the first time it has been done to a living human being.
Transference is one part thriller, one part sci-fi and all parts awesome. It explores the moral and ethical concepts of cloning in a unique and very interesting way as well as exploring the nature of sentience and memory.
Are we only the sum of our memories and experiences? Or are we so much more?
If you want a thrilling thought-provoking and very interesting book, this is the one for you.
TNT Score 4/5
August 4, 2016
A really creepy page-turner, which will keep you up reading till very late! Eric is in charge of a project to transfer memories and consciousness into clones. So right away, you know things will go horribly wrong. The procedure has been done on animals but not successfully on humans. The clones are specially 'grown', but die after the transfer. Eric's boss, Dr Tidwell, has a daughter, Beth, dying with Huntingdon's disease. The doctor wants to use the procedure on his daughter, to give her another life without the disease, and the Beth is willing. So many questions come up to make it all more exciting. Are the clones human? What will happen to Beth's body after the transfer? Does Eric have an ulterior motive for working on the project? Are consciousness and memories really transferred or is only a copy of Beth made?
July 29, 2016
Scientists try to transfer the memories of dying people into new clones: what could possibly go wrong?
Ambitious Eric is running a research project which aims to give new lives to dying patients by transferring their minds into newly-grown clones of themselves. So far, it’s not working — the clones die after the transfer. Nevertheless, he’s willing to try again when his boss asks him to save his daughter Beth, a young woman with a fatal genetic condition. But as the warning signs mount up, how far will Eric go to further his research?
This is a very readable, fast-paced story, with few editing errors. Body- and mind-swapping, dubious ethics, and mysterious goings-on catch up the innocent Beth and the not-so-innocent researchers, and the result is compelling and rather creepy.
Ambitious Eric is running a research project which aims to give new lives to dying patients by transferring their minds into newly-grown clones of themselves. So far, it’s not working — the clones die after the transfer. Nevertheless, he’s willing to try again when his boss asks him to save his daughter Beth, a young woman with a fatal genetic condition. But as the warning signs mount up, how far will Eric go to further his research?
This is a very readable, fast-paced story, with few editing errors. Body- and mind-swapping, dubious ethics, and mysterious goings-on catch up the innocent Beth and the not-so-innocent researchers, and the result is compelling and rather creepy.
January 30, 2017
unfortunately I didn't really click with any of the characters, and the medical aspects felt as if they were almost caricatures of more fulfilling works. Not really a title I enjoyed.
September 13, 2017
Different
The book was very different . I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to follow. Definitely science fiction. The book was interesting. It was a fair read.
The book was very different . I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to follow. Definitely science fiction. The book was interesting. It was a fair read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews