Violet Eyes
By Nicole Luiken
Published: 2001
Genre: Young adult sci-fi novel
Info:
Violet Eyes is Luiken's fourth young adult novel. The sequel, Silver Eyes, is available in bookstores now.
Synopsis: Deceptively similar to other juvenile reading that involves
genetically-altered "superkids" (Chris Archer's Mindwarp series, Marilyn Kaye's Replica series), Violet Eyes
revolves around Angel Eastland and her Renaissance counterpart, Michael Vallant. Distinguished by their violet eyes and superior
mental and athletic prowess, Renaissance children are the result of a government experiment to create a master race. Dubbed Homo
sapiens renascentia, the Renaissance children are intended to be the rebirth of the existing human race, for it is almost a hundred years
from our time. Normal human DNA is rapidly deteriorating, and children who are born deformed or handicapped must be Augmented. The
problem? Michael and Angel (Michaelangelo) are living in the year 1987. When the home of the Renaissance children, the Orphanage, was
destroyed many years ago, the children were planted in families and raised in the environment of a Historical Immersion Class. All her life,
Angel has lived in "museum towns," towns that have been designed to replicate the culture and technology of the late 80s. Her parents and friends
are actors in this reenactment of a time that has long been over. The government that created the children is increasingly desperate for their
cooperation. However, the children have been playing dumb, not sure what the government wants from them. Angel meets Michael, and they
experience an instant attraction to each other. But what if joining forces is exactly what the government wants them to do?
Analysis: I found the beginning of the book a bit confusing, as it hinted at things that weren't revealed till the end.
Stylistically, it was enjoyable, quick reading. Luiken's way of naming things (Augmented, Spacers, the Orphanage) annoyed me incredibly; I felt
like she hadn't given them much thought. Occasionally, I felt that the conflicts and solutions were too carefully calculated. However, this was truly a gripping
novel from onset to final showdown. In comparison to the protagonist of the Replica series, Amy Candler, Angel Eastwood is thankfully not as
dense and is a well-developed character. I enjoyed this novel enough to read it twice, and I am definitely eager to read the sequel.
Recommendation: This book would be excellent for those of you who enjoy what I term "realistic sci-fi." This is more of a girl book than a
guy book, but I've seen guys reading Sweet Valley Twins, so what do I know?
