Clay

Halfskin, Book 2

De: Tony Bertauski

Narrado por: David Dietz

Jamie wants to be a halfskin.

Her life has become dull and pointless. If she had more biomites, the synthetic stems cells that promise hope and healing, she could take control of her life. But Jamie's body is already 49.9% biomites. The rest is clay-her God-given organic cells. Anymore biomites and she becomes a halfskin. And halfskins are shutdown.

But there is a way.

Black market biomites, called nixes, can't be detected by the government. She'd have to sacrifice her clay, but nixes can make her halfskin without anyone knowing. But first, she has to find them.

Nix Richards can help. He's the first halfskin to escape the government and Jamie has something he wants. He'll need her to help him find a fabricator to build a human body. He'll betray anyone to get it, even those closest to him.

This psychological thriller will keep them second-guessing every move while they elude Marcus Anderson and the governing agency that seeks to rid the world of biomites. But in the end, they'll all discover just how deep the betrayal goes.

©2014 Tony Bertauski (P)2014 Tony Bertauski

An Excellent Follow-Up to Halfskin. Great Listen

CLAY - Halfskin Book Two

Author: Tony Bertauski

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: David W. Dietz

Length: 8 hours, 47 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: January 9, 2015

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

This is the follow-up book to HALFSKIN.

Twenty years have passed since Callie invented biomites that were untraceable by the government. Nix and Callie are both still alive, yet they lead vastly different lives.

Technology did not stand still over the past twenty years. Biomites no longer replicate unchecked and people are able to maintain them at a level of 49.9% biomite and 50.1% clay (or organic/original matter).

The government still shuts down people's biomites when a person becomes Halfskin. However people have found a way to outsmart the system using untraceable biomites created by many different sources (called Nixes) and bought and sold on the black market.

Technology has advanced so far that the government has created "Bricks." These are 100% biomite created people. These "Bricks" are uses to hunt down and destroy Halfskins.

Jamie is 19 and is 49.9% biomite, so is her boyfriend. They are desperate to find a way to avoid being "charred."

Marcus Anderson is back. He's older but he is still 100% clay. He wants to rid the world of biomites once and for all.

Meanwhile Nix Richards wants to find a replicator to create a human body and he is willing to do anything to achieve his goal.

This audiobook is a thrill ride that will have listeners riveted to David Dietz's wonderful narrative skills. With just the right amount of drama and suspense listeners will not want the story to end.

This is a thrilling tale of what can happen if technology proceeds unchecked. It is also a tale of human nature and the pursuit of a dream. Visionary or fanatic? Technological marvel or the downfall of mankind? Readers are sure to develop their own opinions on biomites.

This might just be a look into the future of our society and that is precisely why this book is so interesting (and scary).

This story may be fiction, but it addresses many ethical questions that arise when issues such as cloning and artificial intelligence are discussed. The author does a wonderful job of explaining and exploring the varying opinions on the topics. This book will not only entertain you, it will make you think.

I rate the story as 5 out of 5 stars and the narration also deserves 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Both HALFSKIN and CLAY need to be added to everyone's "must read" list for 2015.

I can't wait to read/hear what Tony Bertauski comes up with next.

Story was better but still not a fan of narrator!

Where does Clay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in the bottom half. It is better storywise than the first book in the series but still not a big fan of David Dietz narration.

What other book might you compare Clay to and why?

The obvious answer here is "Halfskin" since it is the first book in the series. I didn't like the way the cliff hanger ending closed out the first book. I wish the protagonists MCs in this book had not had to die in the end, but it was still a much better story than Halfskin and I don't know how else the author could have ended it.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

It is kind of difficult to put my finger on it. I think a lot has to do with the fact that I am just not fan of his voice. He doesn't actually do anything that makes me not like him as a narrator, and there is little if anything that he can do about his voice. I just gravitate more toward female narrators or male narrators who have more tenor in the voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely not! First, I can not sit through anything for 8 hours in one sitting except work, and I don't like having to sit there for that. Second, as I have already stated I am not a fan of David Dietz narration, so that makes me want to break it up over several sittings.

Any additional comments?

I might enjoy both this book and Halfskin more with a different narrator, although I really doubt it. I can't recommend this audiobook to anyone. I have no doubt that it would someone's cup of tea, but it is not mine.

Read Halfskin first to avoid confusion!

I feel like I did myself a disservice by reading this book before reading the first novel, Halfskin. From the start I was completely confused by the political and historical aspects of the biomites, Mother, and Bricks. Bertauski tried to give a good, yet brief, explanation so as not to bore the familiar readers, but I couldn't grasp it. Perhaps I would have had a better chance if the story didn't jump from one perspective to another before completing a thought. I will give it credit, though. The plot and idea is very creative and even interesting. The personal drama is great. I just wish I could have understood it a bit better.

I felt David Dietz did a pretty good job of fulfilling the noir feeling of the story. The female voices were a bit whiny, but the variety of voices and characters made up for it. Excellent pacing as well.

Read Halfskin first to avoid confusion!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Good sequel

What did you love best about Clay?

The writing and world/plot development.

What did you like best about this story?

The world building. Some of the concepts were amazing. Interesting plot twists.

What three words best describe David Dietz’s voice?

David Dietz's voice is engaging and pleasant. However, I was not a fan of his voices. The male ones blended with the narrator's, and the female ones sounded whiny.
Most of the male and female voices sounded alike and often times I could not tell who was talking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too long for that.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I enjoyed listening to Clay and recommend it.For a full review, please check my blog Ana's Lair.

Clay- Halfskin #2 -LOVED IT!!

Where does Clay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved this book more than the first one in the series. Biomites have progressed and people are living at 99.9%. Are they still human? Who is really in control? The struggle between science & faith is more dominate in this episode in the series. Are we playing God with biomites? Or with the shutdown of half skins?This examination of morals, humanity, perspective, & reality forces the reader to examine what they believe & where they draw the line.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Clay?

The twist, turns, and loopty-loops that Nix, Cali, Paul, & Jamie go through are astounding. I hate to give spoilers because that element of surprise is what I truly enjoy about a wonderfully crafted story. So I’ll say this "Expect the unexpected!"

Have you listened to any of David Dietz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The production of this audiobook was so much better than the first one in the series. The issues that were present in the sound mixing & production are non-existent. I was able to truly get lost in the story and for me that is a sign of a great audiobook.