LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike)

By: Jay Kristoff

Narrated by: Erin Spencer

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From the coauthor of the New York Times best-selling Illuminae Files comes the first book in a new series that's part Romeo and Juliet, part Terminator, and all adrenaline.

On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap. Seventeen-year-old Eve isn't looking for trouble - she's too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she's on the local gangster's wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. Worst of all, she's discovered she can somehow destroy machines with the power of her mind, and a bunch of puritanical fanatics are building a coffin her size because of it. If she's ever had a worse day, Eve can't remember it. The problem is, Eve has had a worse day - one that lingers in her nightmares and the cybernetic implant where her memories used to be. Her discovery of a handsome android named Ezekiel - called a "Lifelike" because they resemble humans - will bring her world crashing down and make her question whether her entire life is a lie.

With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic sidekick Cricket in tow, Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves...and learn the truth about the bloody secrets of her past.

©2018 Jay Kristoff (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“A fast-paced adventure full of energy and verve that will leave readers breathless.” (School Library Journal)

“A solid, fast-paced adventure.” (Publishers Weekly)

“[An] action-packed thriller.... It’s the print love child of movies Mad Max and Tank Girl.” (Booklist)

“Inventive and unexpected.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Sequel: Take My Money

Kristoff is a fantastic emerging storyteller in the realm of dark sci-fi. This is one that rings a fabulous tone that ricochets off some animé titles like Alita: Battle Angel, Full Metal Alchemist and a pinch of Appleseed. And apart from those mentions, it’s a unique blend all of its own. I highly recommend this and already am looking forward to the sequel

Post-apoc Jane Austen

Well written and executed, with good world building.

Unfortunately it's mostly a study of relationships rather than an adventure novel. If you want a telenovela set in a post-atomic wasteland, I guess this is for you.

Fantastic book... except for the very end.

Loved every minute of the story except for the very end. Never before have I seen a worse final twist in any story ever. The entire story is so amazingly woven together, the pacing is great, and the action scenes are very vivid. Even the romance part was more realistic and managed to not make me cringe. The only thing I wasn't big on throughout the majority of the book was the length of the flashback sequences. They probably took up a good quarter of the book. It's mostly understandable considering how crucial they are to the story, but they really seemed to drag on at times. All of this goodness culminates in an ending that is so unreasonable that I can only describe it as pure trash. Garbage, detritus, sewage, excrement. This is how I feel about the "twist" ending. Makes absolutely zero sense in the context of the rest of the book, and it makes me wonder who greenlit this multiple times in the revision process. I pride myself on being able to trudge through a saga until the very end, just to give it a chance. I don't think, however, that I will be continuing with this series. This first book's ending was so bad, I don't want to read the other two entries in this godforsaken series when they come out. Honestly though, if you can put up with the defecate of an ending, it's a good book, otherwise I don't recommend it.

Just ok

Many parts were a struggle to get through. Just didn't hold my interest in many parts. I liked the overall plot, but the dialogue was boring and I struggled to get attached to the characters who were often dumb and not dynamic. The end was interesting.

a must-read of 2018

this was not originally on my list for 2018 but after finding out about it I knew I needed to listen to it instantly. this is a top 10 for sure not just story but also for an e-reader. I look forward to what book to has the offer next year

Entertaining

The book was a fun world and full of excitement. I liked it and enjoyed it and it definitely got me through work. The dialogue was a little cheesy at times but the world is so fun you get over it 😊

A poorly written, flagrant, soapy fantasy.

The dialog is overly childish. The supposed future world is so unrealistic as to nearly parody movies like San Andreas, and 2012. The protagonist constantly references the twentieth century, in a world that seems so different from our own as to certify that the author has no knowledge of science whatsoever. Nada. This is obviously a far future world, with mountains of trash littering the entire Earth. Many centuries would be referenced here, not just the only one you can think of.

Add to that, the treatment of the titular Al is explored in some human dimensions, but I dare say there are deeper implications which the author was unable or too lazy to fathom.

Sometimes, I could close my eyes and imagine manga, or Pokemon scenes, It's not a space opera, yet it's soapy. There's a flippancy toward human and robo emotions, in a story that could have allowed them to shine.

To the author: try again, you're onto something that just badly needs a rewrite.

Good book, great narrator!

Fantastic narration! Erin's vocal changes for each character are flawless and subtle enough to really get you into the story. The story was also very well written with an unpredictable ending.

So much fun!

I liked this even more the second time! The plot has so many layers and so much going on that a reread really helped me absorb it all and better understand. The way information is revealed is great, you're constantly surprised and excited to see what else we'll find out. The plot moves well and the characters are so much fun. Cricket is adorable and funny, Lemon Fresh is sassy and strong, Ezekiel is sweet and caring, and Eve is figuring out who she really is and sort of growing up. I can't wait to jump into Deviate to see what other revelations and craziness happens!

slow start but amazing book!

First off, I love Jay Kristoff! Excellent writer and I recommend his other books. this one was slow for.me in the beginning to get in to, but I recommend. Post apocalyptic setting with a lit of twists. You will never expect the ending. Great narrator!