Fragile Remedy

By: Maria Ingrande Mora

Narrated by: James Fouhey

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sixteen-year-old Nate is a Gem - a Genetically Engineered Medical Surrogate - created by Gathos City scientists as a cure for the elite from the fatal lung-rot ravaging the population. As a child, Nate was smuggled out of the laboratory where he was held captive and taken into the Withers - a quarantined, lawless region. He manages to survive by becoming a Tinkerer, fixing broken tech in exchange for food or a safe place to sleep. When he meets Reed, a kind and fiercely protective boy who makes his heart race, and his misfit gang of scavengers, Nate finds the family he's always longed for - even if he can't risk telling them what he is. 

But Gathos created a genetic fail-safe in their Gems - a flaw in their DNA that causes their health to rapidly deteriorate as they age unless they are regularly dosed with medication controlled by Gathos City. When violence erupts across the Withers, Nate's illegal supply of medicine is cut off, and a vicious attack on Reed threatens to expose his secret. With time running out, Nate is left with only two options: Work for a shadowy terrorist organization that has the means to keep him alive, or stay-and die - with the boy he loves.

©2021 Maria Ingrande Mora (P)2021 Tantor

Wonderful world and characters

The narrator took a little getting used to. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish who was talking and the pacing in places was strange. But the story was so good that the narration fades into the background the more you listen. This was my first queer fiction book and I was pleasantly surprised by how realistic and endearing the relationships were. The relationships being gay wasn't the main focal point or treated as taboo which I enjoyed. However it's not the first sci-fi dystopian genre book I've picked up. I really enjoyed the dynamic side characters and the world introduced. There is no down point where you can go grab a sandwich it was so exciting. I found that the book could easily stand on it's own, but if the author wrote more in this universe I'd pick it up immediately.

Eh...

I liked it but...it fell sorta flat. The concept was great. I loved the characters but there was just something missing for me.

Well written story about caring beings in a brutal world

Great character development. They live in a world of pervasive hardship and sadness, yet hope, love and determination abound. Worth reading.

Great listen!

This was a captivating listen from the start. World building is never easy, but you learn about this universe as you read and as you fall for each character and their tie to Nate and how they've ended up together. It's a beautiful story about found family and found love and survival and after a few great big cry fests, I was left wanting more of Nate and Reed's story by the end.

Good narration adds another layer of storytelling and James Fouhey didn't disappoint. I think him reading Reed was my favorite but he absolutely was outstanding for them all. If this isn't already in your stack of books, add it to your library!

one of my favourites of 2021

The characters and world building in this book is amazing and I am blown away by the seamless inclusion of Queer characters. It feels both realistic and fantasy in a way which is both refreshing and wonderful. Can't wait to see what else this author writes.