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The Genesi Duology #1

The Genesi Code

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Eighteen-year-old Luka Foster has one goal; to join Delta Force and uncover the truth behind her father's murder.
Ten years ago, her father was on the verge of a cure that could have saved humanity from the government's sinister DNA experiments.
Now, as Luka infiltrates the military's elite ranks, she uncovers secrets about her own identity. Suddenly, her quest for vengeance becomes a race against time. Could the key to humanity's salvation be hidden in her past, intertwined with her father's unfinished work?
Caught in a web of lies and facing an enemy both within and without, Luka must decide: Is revenge enough, or is she destined for something greater?

242 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2017

3 people are currently reading
494 people want to read

About the author

Tristen Willis

9 books80 followers
Tristen lives in Newcastle, Australia with her husband and two kids and works full time in the insurance industry, helping people get their lives back.

Currently, Tristen is balancing the joys and challenges of motherhood with an energetic toddler and a newborn. Despite her busy schedule, she’s still dedicated to her writing.

Recently, she released The Insurance of the Heart Novella Collection, a series of interconnected romance novellas. After this, she shifted her focus to writing Dystopian Romance.

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Profile Image for ambsreads.
818 reviews1,584 followers
August 15, 2017
Buddy reading with a bunch of lovely girls over on Instagram but the only one who's GR account I know is Caitlin


This review can also be found on my blog.


R A M B LE 

TRIGGER WARNINGS: parental abuse, murder, anxiety

I was sent a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and receiving the copy in no way impacted my thoughts towards this novel. 

Buddy read with Caitlin. 

I love the idea of supporting debut authors, especially Australian ones. That's why when I saw I could apply to receive this book for review I jumped on it. Fast. Tristen Willis, the author, also owns an Etsy store called BurningPagesCandles so when I received this package I was so excited that some of her products were included.

The book itself reminded me of both The Maze Runner and Divergent. Obviously, it is not those two books but reading through The Genesi Code I couldn't help but compare it to those two books. It could have just been the dystopian themes throughout, though.

I did have some problems with this book, but I tend to whenever I read and some are nitpicky things that probably only annoy me. These were that sometimes the plot moved too fast and I got lost, leaving me to flip back pages and scan over what I had missed. In the beginning, there was a lot of mundane activity described that left me confused how it added. By a lot, I mean it was listed for paragraphs. It also took me a bit to fall into the writing style, but once I did the previous problems weren't as obvious to me. 

At the end of the day, this is a fast paced debut novel that features a strong lead and delivers the plot in an interesting, but exciting, way. 

P L O T 

What is the Genesi Code? Well, the Genesi Code was a strand of DNA that the government curated to create the ultimate army. Things didn't go to plan, however, and the Genesi did turn on humans. Since they were superior in almost every way they succeeded in almost wiping out the human race.  

Luka's father had been working with the government to find a cure for the Genesi when he was murdered. This is something that haunts her as she was there when it happened and she can't remember what happened. With her best friend Harvey, the pair train for ten years in the hopes of being accepted in the military when they graduate. 

The plot in The Genesi Code moves fast. It has to considering the book is quite short. We follow Luka and Harvey at the training base as they make friends and enemies with their cohort. We don't get a lot of the training, which I was a bit sad about since I love training montages but we do get to really see them build relationships with the people that surround them. 

When the action starts it leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. The author weaves a story that leaves you shocked at characters decisions and desperately needing the next book in the series. 

C H A R A C T E R S

For this section, I'll only be talking about the main character Luka, as I feel the book didn't go into as much depth with the side characters. This is only book one, though. 

#L U K A 

Luka was a pretty kick-ass main character. She is strong and definitely ready to actually kick your ass. As she was one of the three girls present in this story (something that annoyed me a little, where are my kick-ass women?) she had to be strong. Especially since she is in the military. She is. She can outrun and outfight most of the other people in her cohort. 

I would also say Luka had an almost clinical personality if that makes sense. I definitely enjoyed it since I get told I have that sort of personality. It was interesting to see another character portrayed in that way. 

I'm very excited to see how Luka expands in the next books and what she decides to do. 

O V E R A L L 

Overall, this was a stellar debut. I enjoyed every minute and was able to read the book in two sittings throughout the day (the only time I stopped was to play Cards Against Humanity with my family). It's been a while since I finished a book in a day, so I think that sings high praises in itself for this book. 

Definitely, pre-order yourself a copy if this sounds like something you're interested in. If not, definitely head over to Tristen's Etsy store ("https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/BurningP...) because her products are ones I rave about.  

339 reviews666 followers
August 15, 2017
Buddy reading with a lot of the girls on Bookstagram but mainly with Amber

I received a review copy of The Genesi Code but that in no way impacted my level of enjoyment or my opinion of this book overall. I simply love supporting Australian authors, especially those with debuts.

It's been a while since I've read a dystopian novel and The Genesi Code definitely reminded me of other dystopians I enjoyed, such as Reboot or Divergent, although the concept behind it is definitely different. Overall, this book was great and it met all of my expectations. When reading a debut I'm always wary that it may not be as good as other non-debut books, but let me tell you it was just as good as other non-debut books. This book definitely proved that Tristen, the author, has a lot of potential and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

Basically, The Genesi Code focuses on Luka who's father was murdered 10 years ago and she's trying to work out what happened and how she can get revenge for her fathers death. To do this she intends to join the United Nation Delta Force since they go outside of the wall and track Genesi's (which was her father's life work). Luka and her best friend Harvey, as well as a hundred other recruits, begin training when everything basically goes to hell.

I only had one problem with this book, which is what I would expect from a debut. My problem was the pacing. I found the first 25% of this book to be a bit slow, but then it completely sped up and, to me, it went a bit too fast. I feel like this book could've been 100 pages longer if some of the scenes were extended. There were a few chapters that began with a jump in time and I really wish we got to see what happened in those weeks. I feel like it needed a bit more in the middle so the ship could really take off and better relationships with some of the characters could have developed. I feel like this book could've been a 5 star if the pacing was evened out - hopefully we see more of this in future books.

This series has so much potential. I feel like it could be absolutely incredible, especially as the series goes on. The Genesi Code was a great first novel in what will definitely be a great series and I cannot wait to see what's next. If you enjoy fast paced debut novels then I would definitely recommend checking The Genesi Code out.
Profile Image for Tara (Spinatale Reviews).
555 reviews57 followers
September 2, 2017
When I saw that Tristen was looking for reviewers for this book, I immediately threw my name in the ring. The premise sounded absolutely fantastic and I was very intrigued. While the book was a little on the short side, this was overall a strong debut to a promising series. I will definitely be reading the next book, particularly after the way this one ended.

The story begins with a prologue, as Luka's father lives out his last minutes. The transition afterward was a bit jarring but this prologue set the scene really well and had me hooked from page one. After the prologue, the book skips ahead in time and goes to the day when Luka and Harvey receive their acceptance letters to Delta Force, the elite military branch that they've both worked their whole lives to join. This part is a bit of an info dump but it wasn't too distracting. From there, the book becomes part spy-thriller, part heist story, and all around fun.

I had some trouble connecting to Luka at first but as the book progressed, I came to really admire her. She works single-mindedly and lets absolutely nothing stand in her way. Plus she's incredibly talented in martial arts and extremely intelligent. It was interesting to see how she slowly began to lower her walls and let people in. I can't wait to see how her character develops in the future. While I may have initially had trouble connecting with her, I absolutely loved most of the other characters. Ren and Harvey were both adorable and I was so happy that a love triangle didn't develop. The villains could have been fleshed out a bit more but, given the length of this novel, they were still pretty good.

The pacing was slightly slow at first as the author introduces the reader to the world. However, it quickly picks up after the initial introduction. I really liked that there was such a focus on their training, it gave me a lot of insight into the various characters. In a word, the world building was cool. I loved the premise of genetically engineered humans and where the storyline went. I'm very intrigued to see how the revelation at the end of this book will play out in the next one!

Overall, this was a promising debut that I think will turn into a great series. While definitely a bit on the short side, it's a quick, easy, and fun read that will nevertheless give you something to think about. There was sometimes a tendency to tell instead of show but that diminished toward the end of the book. Definitely recommend if you're a fan of YA science fiction!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Profile Image for Kirra.
520 reviews19 followers
August 18, 2017
The Genesi Code is the debut novel from author Tristen Willis and an exciting sci-fi thriller that will capture your interest until the last page. In the year 2258, our main character Luca is part of the dying race, humans. Over a hundred years ago the government created a genetically-advanced army to win the war but it backfired after the war when the soldiers began to change. They were uncontrollable with rage, attacked their own people and their outcast numbers became known as the Genesi. Soon enough they were too strong to fight off and the remaining humans created safe cities surrounded by large walls and shields to keep out the Genesi and keep their remaining people alive. Now in recent years, the government has decided they need to cure the Genesi instead of just trying to kill them. Luca's father was one of the top scientists working on a cure for the Genesi but that task led to his murder. Now, ten years later, Luca is preparing to join the military's elite task force and uncover why her father was murdered.

The first book from this series is only 226 pages so it will feel like it's going by so quickly when you read it, especially when every page is non-stop action! I really enjoyed this book because there are similar plots I've read and enjoyed before but this has an added bonus of having so much more to do with the "villain" on the outside of the walls. I loved the main group of characters but the Genesi are fascinating and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the next book! The only thing that stops this book from being a five-star read for me is that it was a little difficult to get into the atmosphere of the book and story over the first thirty or so pages because the there was an "infodump" as they say where it's all trying to get the setup of the story out as quick as possible since there's clearly limited time in shorter books so there's no time to waste! It didn't bother me because clearly, you need to set things up but I just noticed that it was happening at the start of the book because the sentences were shorter and clipped compared to the rest of the book.

Luca came across as a cold character to me at first and very clinical but I think that's only because she spends every moment of her life working towards her goals so when the tension heightened you can also see that fragile side of her that suffers from anxiety and is constantly missing that part of herself that she can't remember. I hope we get to see her become a happier, more fullied person in the future books. I loved Harvey too before I even read the book because out of the pack of candles that were sent with the book his smelt the best (I could just smell that scent all day!) so I'm glad he lived up to his reputation in the book. I really felt for him at times because he devoted his whole life to helping Luca, his best friend, and she didn't really have the same awareness of him because she was so adamant on her revenge against whoever killed her father.

I was also a huge fan of Ren from the moment he walked into the room with that gentle demeanour but the strong intensity with Luca so I hope there's more from him. I'm also really torn on who I would ship out of all the characters. I actually think I'm team Ren and Luca (Couple name? Rena?) even if I love Harvey so much. I would love if Harvey found a really awesome person who was just head over heels in love with him! Thinking back over the book we didn't get too much character or relationship development because there wasn't much time for it with all the action so I'm definitely hoping for more cute scenes with my favourites together!

Overall, I was super happy with this book. It was such a fun experience and my imagination was just running wild throughout it wondering what would happen next and trying to figure out all the mysteries! The final chapters went extremely fast as the events began to unfold and everything happened faster than I could count. Then we were left with a very interesting ending that I'm sure will lead to an explosive sequel that I can't wait to read. I'm really glad that this book is part of a series because I can't wait to learn more about the Genesi and explore the characters further, especially the mysterious Samyaza! 

(Thank you to the author for a copy of this book for review and all the beautiful goodies inspired by the characters and the world. The Genesi Code will be available worldwide on the 31st of August!)
Profile Image for Lauren.
191 reviews28 followers
August 29, 2017
Please note: I was sent an advanced readers copy by the author for an honest review (thanks Tristen!). This has in no way influenced my review.

Let me start by saying that when it comes to dystopian Y.A novels I tend to have mixed feelings. It just seems to be one of those genres in Y.A that I'm more critical of over a fantasy novel, per se. Still, when Tristen asked for reviewers to read her debut novel The Genesi Code I was quick to put my hand up. As a fellow writer/aspiring author I couldn't pass up the chance to support an aussie author releasing her first book.
yay

The dystopian elements of the novel ended up being one of the aspects I really enjoyed - learning about the Genesi and getting snippets of where the world is at centuries from now. I was quite intrigued by it all and am looking forward to seeing it even more fleshed out in book two.

My main issue - the reason I gave the book 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 - was the writing itself. This is a debut novel and it shows; I found the pacing of the first few chapters especially slow to get through as every action the characters take is explained in extreme detail. There was also a case of repetitiveness (more-so early on rather than later chapters) where the same words/objects/subjects were used multiple times in the same sentence and/or paragraph to the point where it became quite jarring on a few occasions.

In saying that, I think this is the case with a lot of debut novels as, like I mentioned above, once the story hits later chapters you could see a definite improvement in the pacing. This is something that will only improve the more Tristen writes and I look forward to seeing where she takes this story.

I don't want to go into any spoilers in this review so I'm just going to quickly mention some of the characters very vaguely. Overall I enjoyed everyone in the novel, they all had their roles to play and I'll be curious to see where a lot of their arcs go come book two. As for Luka, I found her a hard protagonist to connect with initially but as the story went on and I learned how analytically minded she is I wasn't so bothered by this by the end. It was actually quite interesting to be inside the head of someone so analytical.
sherlock

And now for the most important question: Harvey or Ren?
unsure

Are teams still a thing? Because this gal is Team Ren all the way!
wink

The Genesi Code is an intriguing first book in this new dystopian series, and I look forward to seeing how it all goes down in book two. Thanks again to Tristen for giving me the opportunity to review her book.

Get your copy of The Genesi Code from September 1st, 2017!
dance
Profile Image for Brooklyn Tayla.
1,042 reviews78 followers
August 16, 2017
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, please note this does not affect my thoughts on this book.

This book was such a fabulous read! From the first page I was instantly engaged and I could picture everything as I read it. I don’t often read dystopian but the sypnosis instantly appealed to me and I knew I’d have lots of questions about this book and it’s characters. I instantly adored Luka, and I was cheering for her all the way! I so was hoping she’d get the answers she was seeking, we’re given an insight into her childhood, and the horror she witnessed, and Tristen’s writing I feel really echoes Luka’s feelings, so much so that I felt like I was feeling her emotions too.

We meet an array of friends and foes along the way, my favourite of them being Harvey, Luka’s dearest friend. I thought him to be such a dear, he has such great qualities and aside from Luka, he was my other favourite character. Each of the other characters brought something unique to the story, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the evolve even more in the next book.

There were such a pulsing rush through this book, I felt like it was definitely leading up to something brilliant and when I reached the climax I was proper amazed, even though as I think back it definitely makes a lot of sense. But the way it was written, I felt like I hit the realisation when Luka did. And I was definitely cheering for her at the last page, the book has a wicked ending and it definitely made me admire Luka all the more. Even from the start, she struck me as a character that wouldn’t quit and she is honestly so kick ass it’s awesome!

This book was definitely unique and refreshing, there’s something in it for everyone, I was laughing and gasping on edge throughout; and mark your calendars for a September 1st release date!
Profile Image for Amritha Srinath Booksngupshups.
84 reviews9 followers
July 12, 2023
Wow!!! I absolutely loved it!!!! And can’t wait for Part 2!!!

The Genesi Code by Tristen Willis is simply addictive from the start!! Ah that prologue just jolted me into so much excitement and the subsequent chapters were dripping with so much of mystery and thrill, transporting me to the future!

The writing is brilliant, effortless and immediately gives you the dystopian-futurustic vibes. The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with their goodness & flaws, strength & weaknesses! The strong female protagonist has been written with so much conviction that the readers can tend to forget that is work of fiction. While taking us to the future, where humanity is on the brink of extinction and the Genesi Military has taken over the world, the author has weaved an intriguing plot that surrounds the mystery of who killed Christopher, who are the Genesi and will Luca get her revenge?

For me, it is an absolute 5⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

Blurb:

Luka was only eight years old when her father, Christopher Foster, was murdered.

Christopher had been working on a cure for the Genesi Code, which has plagued the human race since the government began experimenting on human DNA in an attempt to create a genetically-advanced army.

Luka has spent the last ten years training for the military’s elite taskforce, known as Delta Force, so she can uncover the truth surrounding her father’s murder. But along the way, she uncovers a truth about herself that she is not yet ready to face.

Could the truth surrounding Luka’s past be the key to curing the Genesi and ending the war? In the end, is revenge all that matters?
Profile Image for Amy.
196 reviews8 followers
May 6, 2025
I was sent a copy of The Genesi Code by the author, Tristen Willis, along with some related merchandise in exchange for an honest review. Please note this does not influence my review and the following is my honest thoughts and feelings on the book.
This review can also be found on my blog https://zanybibliophile.wordpress.com...

The Genesi Code follows Luka, an 18-year-old girl who has spent 10 years training to get accepted to the Delta Force, a military task force, in order to uncover the truth surrounding her father's murder. When her father died, he had been working on a cure for a genetic enhancement gone wrong, known as the Genesi Code.

I am going to start by saying that I was worried. Before even opening the book, I knew it would be a dystopian type novel which I have generally not enjoyed in the past. Then the first two chapters felt so repetitive and I was even more worried. I understand the need to set up the story and it is not always an easy task, but, for example, on page 12 there are two paragraphs that start with basically the same sentence just worded different. This was not enough to bring the overall book down because the rest of the novel made up for it, but I felt the need to mention it. I also did not like Luka at the start. She was focused on getting into the Delta Force and discovering the truth about her father's murder, which is understandable, but she seemed more analytical towards people rather than considering emotions. This did not make Luka a bad character because she was wonderfully portrayed, she just was not relatable for me.

Thankfully, all of this worry and negative opinions me left me once I got to chapter four. For me, this is where the main story really begins. The writing style improved greatly and the pacing smoothed out. The plot also began to unfold in an organic way, not feeling forced, which I very much appreciated. We are introduced to most of the characters and, while they were described in detail, it was easy to picture them. This helped to get a real feel for the training facility where the majority of the story takes place and how everyone worked in this environment. There were a few predictable events that occurred in the following chapters during training and lessons, but it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for some of these to have been a shock.

An element I really enjoyed was the little nod to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventures Sherlock Holmes. It is one of Luka's favourites and one of mine too. While it did feel a bit odd to have this little scene in the book, page 84 did change my feelings towards Luka. After that scene, it is sort of quiet until chapter 10, which is about the half way point of the book. From here some of the big questions set up from the start of the novel begin getting answered and this really pushes the story forward.

The last 75 pages of this book are where the bulk of the excitement is at for me. The pacing here was great; it was exciting enough to have me sitting on the edge of my seat while still allowing the necessary information to shine. The end of the book contained more answers, more questions, a somewhat surprising plot twist and one amazing cliffhanger ending. Yes, The Genesi Code has one of those dreaded cliffhangers, but I was expecting it given this is book one of the series and it happened in a great spot. The suspense for book two is already building.

Overall, the writing was pretty good from chapter 3 onwards and although it took me a bit to warm up to, the story had me captivated by the end. The characters were detailed and easy enough to picture and I enjoyed the little references they make, specifically on page 84. So time to award The Genesi Code a number of stars. I would probably stretch it to a 4.5 but for Goodreads purposes, I am giving it a 4-out-of-5. I liked this book so much by the time I read the final page that my first thought was wondering when the release date for book two will be, and book one is not even officially released until September 1.

Speaking of its release, you can pre-order yourself a copy of The Genesi Code by Tristen Willis from Amazon, Book Depository or Booktopia!
Profile Image for Jessica (aus.fangirl.reads).
145 reviews5 followers
August 29, 2017
I was sent an advance copy of The Genesi Code by the author, Tristen Willis, in exchange for an honest review. Please note that this review will be my honest thoughts and feelings towards the book.

I also was part of a buddy read with an amazing group of girls from Bookstagram.

The Genesi Code follows Luka, an eighteen year old girl who has spent the last 10 years of her life training alongside her best friend, Harvey, to be accepted in the Delta Force, a military task force, in the hopes of finding the truth surrounding her father’s murder. Before her father’s death he had been working on a cure for the Genesi Code, a genetic enhancement that the government had created to enhance their armies that tragically went wrong.

When I received this book I was so excited to read it, the synopsis sounded interesting and from what I read it was a dystopian styled novel, and as I generally don’t read dystopian novels I was ready to give it a go and see what I thought.

The synopsis did not give this book the justice it deserved, the plot sucked me in and once I got into the story I had to keep reading just to find out what would happen next.

I enjoyed the writing style, it was very descriptive meaning that it didn’t take me long to picture the locations or any surrounding that were given, the conversations between characters were realistic and because of the flow of the writing I found myself sucked into the story after a number of chapters. That being said it took me around 5 chapters to get into the story and it was only after those chapters that I became obsessed and pretty much read the whole book in one sitting.

The characters were all amazing, each one was well written and added an essential spark into the story, from the beginning it was easy to tell which characters to hate, which ones to love and which ones to keep an eye on.

For me the characters make the story, if I don’t like the lead character I will struggle to read the book no matter how well it is written, so it was so great to have such a wide array of characters and to have Luka as the lead bad-ass.

It took me a bit of time to really like Luka, she is a strong and smart female character, one I would love to have more of in books, but because of this she seemed emotionally distant from others at the beginning of the book. It took a little time but by the middle of the book I was calling her my strong ass-kicking baby and loving her.

Speaking of loving characters I want to talk about Harvey as he has officially become one of my book babes! (Welcome to the club darling just take a seat next to Cassian)

Harvey didn’t take long to fall in love with, he is a strong, caring and smart boy who would anything to help and protect Luka as well as anyone he cares about. I think Harvey was well written and essential to have from the beginning of the book, as he gives that caring character that we don’t get from Luka right away.

At times while reading I did find the time jumping factor (of days and weeks) to be a bit annoying, as I love knowing what’s happening, but I understood that it was essential to keep the story flow going and not drag it out with unnecessary details and as this is going to be a series I’m sure I will get my fill of information as the books are released.

Rating 4 Stars- Really good, I would recommend reading it

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable dystopian read filled with interesting characters, secrets and a lot of ass-kicking. As soon as I finished it I was pushing it into my best friend’s hands telling her to read just so I had someone to talk about the story with.

The official release date for The Genesi Code is September 1st which is only a few days away so you can still pre-order it from Bookdepository, Booktopia and Amazon.

Now if you will excuse me I am going to stare out the window and wait for the next books release date to be announced because I need it now.... please?

Happy reading everyone!
Jess
Profile Image for Wendy.
2,371 reviews45 followers
September 10, 2017
“The Genesi Code” is a gripping dystopian tale that begins eight years after the murder of Luka Foster’s father Christopher a scientist who was working on a cure for the Genesi Code and trying to stop the government from creating an army of submissive super solders. Determined to find her father’s killer, Luka and her best friend Harvey have spent the intervening years training so they can join an elite force whose mission is to root out the Genesi beyond the walls of Capital City.

Given the chance to join Delta Force Luka and Harvey quickly know they can’t trust either Chancellor Cain or General Thorn who have them constantly watched. Needing to uncover the truth behind the murder as well as what happened to her father’s cure Luka and Harvey join forces with hacker Lewis Kingston and military trained Ren Mason to break into the base computer only to discover some shocking truths that have them escaping the compound with one of their trainers and their team mates to try and find the Genesi and stop the coming war.

Set in the future Tristen Willis builds a world where Capital City is one of eighteen cities in a United Nations that includes Canada, America and Mexico. Ruled by a Chancellor and his senate the city is divided between the rich, powerful aristocrats and workers who cater to their needs. After a war in 2120 manipulation of human DNA created a superior race, the Genesi who wanting to be free revolted against the authority in power. The government determined to have its own army of genetically – enhanced but submissive soldiers enlisted the aid of Christopher Foster whose work disappeared when he was murdered.

Fast-paced and action-packed the story heats up when Luka and her friend Harvey join Delta Force looking for answers in the base’s computer system with the help of hacker genius Lewis Kingston and the mysterious Ren Mason. In a short plot that’s as captivating as it is exciting intensity and suspense build right from the onset as she and Harvey undertake military training, their abilities scrutinized while learning some fascinating but deadly facts that have they escaping from the base to look for Genesi.

To diffuse the tension and violence, sparks ignite between Luka and Ren, much to the consternation of Harvey who’s always loved her since they were children. It will be interesting to watch this love triangle progress. But with twists that keep you on the edge of your seat the story progresses smoothly to a confrontational ending that includes more surprises as well as another murder.

Tristen Willis creates tough, complex and passionate characters like Luka Foster a smart, and feisty but aloof teen who is determined to get revenge for the murder of her father only to discover a far greater destiny. Harvey is her patient, loyal and compassionate friend who has a gentle soul and hates killing. Of their teammates Lewis Kingston is highly intelligent and shy; Ren Mason plagued by parental abuse, observant and defiant; Ian Jackson arrogant and smug; and Ian’s friend Skai Mendez, a teen with attitude. All these characters add energy and depth to a story that’s very reminiscent of Divergent and Maze Runner.

I liked “The Genesi Code” and have high expectations for the sequel which I hope will have more background information, be more detailed and continue to develop the characters. Although the rating would be in the high 3's I've given it a 4.0.
Profile Image for Fantasybooksrus.
31 reviews50 followers
December 12, 2024
To begin I would just like to say a huge, HUGE, thank you to Tristen for this amazing novel as well as all the amazing goodies that came in the advanced readers copy pack! I absolutely love this story and cannot wait to be part of the promotion for book 2.

As a brief summation of what the book is about I would say it’s an incredible blend of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner as well as being so completely different and out of this world. This book has action, adventure, friendship and self-discovery, making it the perfect beginning to what will be an amazing series.

I will make note that this novel does include some subject matters that might not be comfortable for some readers including murder, anxiety and parental abuse.

Spoiler-free summary:

This novel was fantastic! Set in a post-apocalyptic America it was full of action, friendship and mystery. With the mystery behind the Genesi code, Luka’s father’s death and her own past there are many moments where the reader is left gasping. This book is perfect for anyone who loves stories set in the future and love the mystery of the unknown.

The main character, Luka, is fierce, strong and not afraid to be assertive in what she wants. As a character she has, and recognizes, her flaws but rather than letting them shape her she uses them in her favour. Throughout the novel Luka is forced to choose between her personal mission and her heart.

Along the way we meet a great set of characters, who are all unique in their flaws and strong points. My personal favourites had to be Harvey, Luka’s best friend, and the mysterious and illusive Ren who, though they were very different, both captured my heart in their own ways.

It was spectacular! Well written, though there were a few editing flaws – which is still exceptional for a self-published work – and immersive. With mystery, adventure and suspense around every corner this is the perfect read for those who love the thrill of uncovering secrets and learning hidden truths. The adventure they all go on is so nail biting I cannot wait for the sequel to learn more about Luka and her future journeys.


past this point I will go into a breakdown of the different characters, the world and main plot points.



Overall:

Overall, I absolutely loved this book! I thought the characters were fleshed out really well, had great personalities that were very different but also intriguing. The story was very unique and was made all the better by the amazing dramatic ending.
I would recommend this book all dystopian lovers and anyone who enjoys stories of adventure and self-discovery.
Profile Image for Leena.
16 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2017
To start I'll say I was sent an eBook by the author for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and receiving a copy did not influence my review of the book.

This is a fast paced debut novel, it's a great first book in the duology and sets up the world and the main character while introducing characters that will play parts in future book.

This book does have some trigger warnings: Emotional abuse, domestic violence, murder, anxiety and parental abuse.

The story is set in the year 2258, the Genesi code is a DNA strand that was created by humans when they were at war to make the perfect soldiers/ army however, the code evolved and the Genesi turned on the humans. Since then the humans have built walls and kept themselves behind them and protected by shields while they bombed the land outside.

Our main character Luka's father was charged with developing a cure for the Genesi code. He was the closest any human had gotten to finding a cure before he was murdered. Since his murder Luka has trained to become a member of the Delta Force (army) to find her fathers killer.

The story moved quickly, however I felt at the beginning there was a lot of detail given. It's not a bad thing and it meant that the world was clearly described but I don't think it was completely necessary either. There were plenty of action scenes and the characters were developed well. After half way I could barely put the book down because I was so interested to see what was going to happen next and why. Some of the events in the book I had half predicted but they were still done with a bit of flair that I hadn't expected. The main character Luka was definitely interesting. She has a very 'clinical' personality, always assessing and watching peoples reactions and movements. She can kick ass and is definitely strong. In this story there is only three women that make it into Delta Force but I feel like there is a bit of back story there especially because Luka is such a strong main character. I'm really interested to see how the other 'minor' characters will be explored in the next book.

Overall I really enjoyed the story, it was easy to get into and moved quick enough I wasn't bored. I'd recommend it to people and I enjoy talking about it. It also has the added bonus of being an debut Aussie novel and I love supporting a #loveozya book!

Also Tristen is the creator of 'Burning Pages Candles' and they are amazing! I LOVE them so go check out her etsy store.
Profile Image for Millie.
1 review1 follower
September 10, 2017
"I am the fox that has gotten into the chicken coop."

The above quote is my fave quote from Tristen Willis's first book in the Genesi Code series.

Luka Foster has been searching for answers after discovering her father's death when she was 8 years old. Her father's progress on finding a cure for the Genesi Code to stop the government creating a superior race army was cut short.
Now she is 18 and has been accepted as a recruit for the Delta Force along with her best friend, Harvey.

Luka's name is well known among the other recruits and officers and it has ruffled many feathers since she stepped foot in the Army barracks.

Will she be able to find the secrets she has desperately wanting answers to. And can she hide the secrets of her own?

I absolutely loved this book. It was a quick and easy read. I am really wanting to know where the next book will lead.
This being the first book in the series does a great job at explaining who certain people are and why they are crutial to the storyline.
But others may find that to slow the book down, but it didn't bother me.

Ian is my fave bad seed in the story, as he thinks he is better than everyone else.
Basically the Draco Malfoy if you will.
But I have high hopes that he will prove himself later on. *hint hint*

The Genesi Code would be great if you want a book you can read in a day, although I did take my time with this one. Life gets in the way sometimes haha.
But be warned, you will want the next book immediately after.

Fans of The 100, The Divergent series would enjoy The Genesi Code.

All in all I give this book all the stars.
Loved it,
Great work Tristen!!
Profile Image for Beth Skye.
267 reviews41 followers
September 1, 2017
Science fiction has a new twist in this first installment of The Genesi Series.

Government sanctioned human experiments ? A genetically advanced army trying to take over the world? Secrets? Murder? War?

Okay I'm hooked, reel me in!

Though this debut novel had a slow burn in the beginning and was a bit overly descriptive, the characters are oddly relatable and interesting. Luka is fully fleshed out and a badass. She's strong and vulnerable while being a leader and having a secret past. And of course what better thing to have than a best friend who is by your side for every major accomplishment in life including making it into the elite special military group, Delta Force.

" I will be your weapon."

I truly enjoyed the battle training and sneaking around Luka and her best friend, Harvey, execute. The main cast of characters were detailed and intriguing. That slow burn ignites as secrets unfold, pasts are revealed, and a very important question is answered.



Thank you to Ms. Willis for the advanced copy of this book which I received in exchange for my honest review. I am excited for the next installment and encourage all science-fiction lovers to grab a copy and give it a read; you will not regret it!
Profile Image for HIJXS DEL COSMOS.
127 reviews8 followers
September 7, 2017
Personally, Science-Fiction is my favorite genre, so when I read this book's synopsis I was in awe and let me tell you it didn't disappoint. From the very beginning to the end, the book had my complete attention, and that's something I find essential in a book because if I'm bored, I will find myself with the urge of giving up on the book. I found the plot pretty awesome and interesting! If a book has  a plot with a virus or desease on it, count me in! Let me talk about the characters! I LOVED THEM SO FREAKING MUCH! Okay, okay, I'm a full shipper of Luka and Harvey, so when Ren was introduced I saw how my ship shattered to the floor. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike Ren, but if I'm being honest, I was sad and kind of frustrated. AHHHHH, AND THE PLOT TWISTS WERE GREAT! The only thing I would change about this book is its length, but only because I wanted more! Nevertheless, I am calm because I know this is the first in a series, so I might be quite excited for the rest of the series! If you like an action-packed book with twists and amazing characters that will make you laugh and have intense moments, this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Erena.
37 reviews8 followers
August 26, 2017
The first few chapters felt a bit rocky to me, though that feeling quickly left me - I'm not sure if the writing changed or I just got used to it, and I was enjoying the story. After this initial stage I think you'll find it very easy to read.
The plot was very fast paced however, there was only about two moments (I think) in the book that I felt could've slowed down. Other than that, I really loved the story. I would say this was a dystopian novel, with sci-fi elements (Tris, correct me if I'm wrong!) and I love what has been set up here. The world, and especially the Genesi are so interesting to me and I'm looking forward to finding out more.
I would have liked for the other characters to be explored more - especially Ren, so I'm hoping for that in book two. I really liked Luka's character, she was badass and smart, but still real at the same time. I liked her thought processes and I really enjoyed reading from her perspective.
Overall, The Genesi Code is a fast paced and exciting story that absolutely left me wanting more. I wouldn't call the ending a cliffhanger but you'll definitely be excited to see what comes next. I feel like so much of the story was set up in this book to further continue and explore in the coming books.
Profile Image for Sammi.
120 reviews10 followers
August 12, 2017
When the government experimented with human DNA to create an army, it backfired, and resulted in an unimaginable amount of deaths, and world war IV. The army - the Genesi had become threats to the people who made them. 100 years later, after generations of experimenting, a cure still had not been found.
The Genesi Code follows Luka, a girl determined to avenge her father’s death. She and a friend have been training to get into the government’s military system, where only the best of the best can go outside the safe walls of their city to hunt down the Genesi.
This book drew me in from the first page. The writing style was realistic and kept me turning page after page, never wanting it to end. There were parts that were light-hearted and sweet, parts that had me re-reading the passage over and over in disbelief, and parts that had all the nessacary suspense, feeling like that silent part in movies before all hell breaks loose. I love it. The storyline flowed and wasn’t predictable, and I was completely immersed in the book.
The main character - Luka is intelligent, and has a fire in her soul that really resonated with me as a reader. The other characters were also well written, and the reader really warms to them as the book progresses. Their relationships were not forced, and there was clear character development as they each grew and learned from each other.
I definitely recommend this book to lovers of YA dystopian or Science fiction, and fans of books such as The Hunger Games and Divergent. It was an amazing read and I already cannot wait for the next book.
*I would like to thank Triss Willis for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review*
9 reviews
July 9, 2023
This was a great debut novel that was fast paced and action packed. I cannot wait until the next book because it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Alex.
10 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2017
I was sent an advanced copy of this book last month from the author. It's definitely not my usual genre but the books fast pace definitely kept my interest. The writing style was really easy to follow and the action was fast paced and didn't seem forced. There was also a really good plot twist towards the end that you thought you saw coming but ended up being a much bigger plot twist than you anticipate. All in all i think the author has done really well for a first book and i am looking forward to it's sequel.
Profile Image for Emily Fox.
9 reviews
May 27, 2023
OBSESSED. can she please write the next book in the next 24 hours lol. i’ve never been so mad at myself for reading something so soon after publication and having to wait for next book 😭
Profile Image for S.K. Levy.
Author 3 books97 followers
October 1, 2017
The Genesi Code was a fast, action-packed read and I loved it! The plot was great and well planned, the characters were intriguing, and the fact that it was dystopian made me quite happy, as all I`ve been reading lately is fantasy, so this genre was a nice change!

Luka was badass and intelligent - a strong female lead! - with a mission she was prepared to see through no matter what. Harvey was such a great best friend, and the contrast between him and Luka was adorable. I need to know more about Ian and his motives... he was a douchebag, but an intriguing one haha. Wells was great, but I hope to see more of her and Skai in the next book. Ren was... lovely. I need more Ren please.

I hope book two has more of Samyaza because he was creepy but made me really curious... I want to know more about this futuristic dystopian world, and highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Cassandra.
95 reviews18 followers
September 12, 2017
Spolier Free Review

I was lucky enough to have this book sent to me by Tristen herself, which I am incredibly great full for. That being said, I was asked for an honest review, so please do not assume that this is bias in anyway because these are my genuine feelings on the book.

Just a heads up! There may be triggers in this novel as there are themes of: murder, anxiety, abuse, and parental abuse.

Overall, the book was very informative. It's clear that Tristen has researched this world extensively, as well as diving into research in regards to the Delta force, military lingo, the formal language and titles of those that would actually work and live life in the army and on a military base. This was done effectively and was very believable whilst reading!

These characters were also VERY well written.
I absolutely adored Luka and her determination - I found her very similar to the characters Mia from never night and Aelin/ Caelena from Throne of Glass. I really enjoyed reading the dialogue between her and Harvey. You meet a few really interesting and intriguing characters throughout this book, and I enjoyed the fact that my opinions of everyone, compared to my initial reaction, managed to change.


YOU GUYS... Expect many twists and turns guys!

My only critic of this book was that I felt a lot of the plot was cut slightly too short. I wanted more from certain scenes, even flashbacks would have been a great way to incorporate more of the father daughter relationship. I wish more experiences and thoughts were builded upon in more detail... I just wanted more!

Enjoy reading this guys! I surely did.

4.5/5 Stars
Profile Image for Readbyheart .
581 reviews68 followers
August 7, 2023
This book deserves all the stars.
This book was gripping, dynamic, exciting  and a pretty quick read. There is a ton of suspense in this book, There is air of mysteriousness to the story, but you definitely have to be in it for the dysfunctional family aspect.
An atmospheric, twisty mystery that just scream Is my typenif books & I loved every second of this one & thrilled to see that it is the start of a new series, too!
I particularly liked the character Luka, who had a secret mission and was continuously keeping secrets from those around her. I adore Luka the main character of this book. She was a savage, fierce, confident lady who worked hard to get into the Force.There's nothing I love more than an atmospheric mystery & this one really kept me on edge all the way through. With the addition of the cult-like vibes & the secret mission I was addicted to the story
My favourite part from the plot has to be when she decided to open her eyes and face the truth, to face reality. Become who she truly is. Embrace being a Genesi.
While it starts off slow, it does pick up pace & I loved this setup...it was so crucial to the overall mystery, & ultimately the reveal, which totally took me by surprise! The twists & turns were expertly plotted, with little surprises throughout, which kept me flipping the pages.
I loved the writing is due to the finely paced plot, the well-crafted dialogue to bring the reader to feel the characters' emotions, and well I'm not going to lie: the chest-aching steamy scenes. I am very excited where this series will take me.
This really was such a great read & I definitely recommend it!
8 reviews
September 9, 2017
Spoiler free!

Firstly, I would like to thank Tris for sending me this book! I am so glad I read it, it’s quite different from any book I’ve read before.

To start off, I’m going to mention something I don’t say too often – which is about the length of the book. It was quite a quick, easy read but it was also super enjoyable. It was best because I’ve been so busy with school lately and being able to read a book before bed and in some spare time is awesome!

When I first began reading this, I was immediately intrigued. The prologue got me hooked from the very beginning which is something great because the beginnings of books is what draws the reader in, which is what this book definitely did.

I also LOVED the characters! I love how they were all so different with their personalities but knew their priorities and what they wanted. To me, enjoying characters in books is always super important, especially when you’re reading about them and get super attached. My favourites were Luka (she’s honestly super badass and I love it) as well as Ren (I honestly have no idea why, I kind of just fell in love with him 😉 )

The plot of this book was amazing! Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve never read anything like it before. Everything about it was intriguing and well thought out. Tris has done an amazing job with writing it!

Overall, I rate this book 4/5 stars!

I’m so grateful the lovely author sent this to me, so you guys should check it out! I can’t wait to see where the plot goes and what happens in the next book!
Profile Image for Jeff.
1,748 reviews164 followers
January 1, 2025
Solid Book Within Genre. This is one of those dystopian YA tales that shows clear influences from and, at least to my mind, similarities to some of the biggest YA dystopian franchises of the last 15 ish yrs or so - Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner in particular. Indeed, in many ways it is actually an improvement on many of them as we get a better explosive prologue and initial "normal life" / "world establishing" view up front - what many other reviewers decry as too slowly paced, but I found pretty spot on. When the action and intrigue picks up a bit, so does the pacing, and yet the more rapid pace works well even here, as by this point we're halfway ish into the book and making good steam towards the end game here.

Filled with more political intrigue and over the horizon menace than actual action, this is going to be right up many fans' expectations - ala Hunger Games in particular - but may leave those seeking more balls to the wall action of a Maze Runner or a Unity by Jeremy Robinson a bit wanting.

Still, for what it is and the genre it is in, this really is a solid book of its type, and fans of that particular genre or those open to it will find this book quite enjoyable indeed.

Very much recommended.
Profile Image for Nicole(Newbookcats).
127 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2017
3/5 stars

The Genesi Code can be seen as the epiphany to some or as the next Divergent to others. I find that I am on the "next Divergent" side as it seems like Luka is the Chosen One with the special abilities. Also, there is a love triangle and some insta-love on one side of it. I hate both of those things so...yeh.

Although there may be a lot of qualities I did not really like, I enjoyed this story as it shows a representation of anxiety(however, I do not know how accurate it is), a lot of action, a lot of planning, and a bunch of intelligent people.

I will have a more coherent post on my blog(www.newbookcatsreads.blogspot.com) once it is not 2 in the morning and when my brain can function.
Profile Image for Lauren.
111 reviews
January 5, 2026
⭐️ 4 star read ⭐️

I went into this book having no idea what to expect. One of my favourite things about this book is I genuinely could not predict what was going to happen next. It kept me so interested and wanting to know more. The ending leaves you on a cliff hanger, desperate to know what happens next. I am so unbelievably excited to continue reading and see what happens next, particularly after developing such an attachment to the characters. Absolutely loved it :). I highly recommend this book for teens/young adults!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
40 reviews
August 18, 2017
Twists, teens, genetic engineering and murder.

Set in the year 2258, in a dystopian future, the genesi code has plagued the human race following the governments experiments on DNA. Since the death of her father who had been working on a cure, Luka has been training to join Delta force, the military's elite taskforce.

Dystopian science fictions are probably my favourite type of books to read, and this one did not disappoint. It's engaging from the start, you know what is going on but still keeps the mystery of where and how its going to end. It's relatively short but it keeps to the point, draws you in and doesn't let you put it down.

I think if you like Divergent you will enjoy this book, its different and unexpected, it has the right amount of intrigue and explanation to keep you guessing.

This is Tristens debut novel and the first book in a series. I think this has shown alot of promise and look forward to seeing more from this young Australian author.

I received an advanced copy to review, the books official release is 1 September 2017 but is available for pre-order now.
Profile Image for Kylie.
1,207 reviews29 followers
October 15, 2017
4.5 stars!
I really liked this book! It reminded me a little bit of the Divergent series, but totally it's own at the same time.
I really liked the characters of Luka and Harvey and came to like Ren also. The story was very original and ended at the perfect place where you know you need to read the sequel.
I really liked the villains Cain and Thorn and how they were tied in to the series.
Although this book was kind of short, the story was well thought out and well explained. I seriously cannot wait for the sequel!
Profile Image for Padmapriya.
51 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2023
The book had me hooked from the beginning and I was very eager to know what happens next. I hope the upcoming parts of the Genesi series explain more about who Genesi are, how they behave, and other information. I was glad that the lead character was a female. I also appreciate the author for including necessary emotions and slowly building them instead of forcing them on the readers. Many questions to be answered, and many twists to be seen, I’m eagerly waiting for the next books in this series.


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