Genesis Girl (Blank Slate)

It's hard to write a book review without giving away plot turns and character surprises so I'll just say this about Genesis Girl. It's a novel premise about a possible upcoming epidemic that has been created by the use of new technology. The safety of future generations affected by the technological cancer, both medical and spiritual, is at stake. Genesis Girl's storyline examines the hold that technology has on the characters lives and, in turn, on the readers life. It was hard for me not to think about creating more balance in my life. I remember before people had online lives and cell phones, when you could leave the house and be entirely unreachable and how that provided freedom and autonomy. The story made me aware of how often I feel the need to check my email, texts or Facebook page. At what cost do we all stay connected...and therein lies the rub...and therein lies Genesis Girl. Magically drawn characters inhabit the pages and the story flows along quickly drawing in the reader and effortlessly creating the mirror at which we can examine our own digital life. While Bardsley is building a strong case for purity (I was completely sucked in) she is setting up a wonderful surprise for the reader at the end. Thank you Jennifer Bardsley...Genesis Girl is a strong debut novel and a thought provoking read about the cost of our connectivity.

There are days where I'm utterly mortified at how attached I am to technology. I'm always blasting my iPod, I'm frequently checking my social media on my phone, and I would simply be devastated if something were to happen to my computer (this is mostly because I'm writing a book and all my writing is on there, although it is backed up). So, when I heard of GENESIS GIRL, I was immediately fascinated by the idea of a secluded group of people who were separated from this technological epidemic and strived to have no virtual fingerprint in the world. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it gets better. The story follows 18-year-old Blanca, who has finally reached the day in which she graduates from Tabula Rasa, the school which has sheltered her from technology her entire life. As a Vestal, she has made an oath to be pure of technology for the rest of her life and she is determined to abide by that oath. Her lack of a virtual footprint makes her valuable, so when the time comes, she is auctioned off to the highest bidder who will use her abilities and purity for the next twenty-five years of her life. However, instead of being bought by a traditional company to use her face to sell soap or clothes, she is purchased by a private buyer--Cal--who wants to use her to help him reconnect with his estranged son, Seth, who is addicted to technology and runs a popular blog intent on releasing the latest news. Things go to the wayside when Blanca finds herself falling for Seth, despite the fact that he's a Virus and against everything she's for. As things become sticky when secrets revolving around Tabula Rasa emerge, she becomes conflicted between keeping her oaths and using something she has never used before--her free will. As the entire existence of the Vestals becomes challenged, will she make the right decision that will save all those she loves? The premise GENESIS GIRL was based on is very interesting indeed. Not only was it interesting, it was fast paced and fairly action packed. Secrets and betrayal built up all throughout the book, and it kept me turning the page--or in my case, kept me tapping for the next page on my Kindle. I desperately--DESPERATELY--wanted Blanca to choose the choice that Cal offered her. It was an offer at redemption; an offer to be who she really wanted to be deep down inside. Unfortunately, Tabula Rosa raised her in a way--and all other Vestals--to only listen to direction. They had no free will. Also, her disgust at technology made things much more difficult for Blanca, despite the fact that Cal and Seth continuously tried to convince her otherwise. Towards the middle of the book, I was shocked by the turn of events. Didn't even see it coming, actually. I wasn't very far into the book before I realized how controlling and even cult-like the Tabula Rosa School was. They brainwashed the children, abused them, and took away one of the most powerful traits a human being can have--free will (as I keep mentioning over and over). I'm not saying that living with a technology addiction was a better option. However, some things are only as evil as you make them. The characters were very developed. I liked how throughout the book, you were slowly given crucial information to assist the plot and naturally, this made me desire more. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what happened next or why this-and-this occurred. Eventually, I became suspicious of everybody except Blanca. I was particularly fond of Seth. I shipped him and Blanca hardcore, even though she denied it frequently. This made me want to scream at her. Like, girl! What are you doing?! Those two were meant for each other from the start but her stupid oaths and severely influenced moral values kept interfering with what was clearly meant to be. Still, like every other person in her life, I wondered constantly about Seth. Was he a liar? Did he really want her or was he just playing her in order to generate more news for his blog? I also constantly contemplated about Cal's purposes? Did he have an ulterior motive for purchasing her or did he genuinely just want his son back? All and all, GENESIS GIRL is an EXCELLENT read. Even if you don't normally read this sort of thing, it's very fascinating and you might find you'll like it anyway because the idea is completely original. I've never seen or read anything like it. It portrays how it seems nearly impossible for us to disconnect and enjoy life, but at the same time, technology can be good if you treat it with respect. I will be awaiting anxiously for the sequel to come out.

Blanca knows that the way of the Vestals is the best way. The clean way. The correct way. She's untouched by the crazed culture of implanted internet addiction that rages in the world around her walled sanctum. She's grateful to be a Vestal--one of the select few people, both male and female, who are raised to have no digital footprint. The beauty and purity of the Vestals, and their mystique, means that though they shun the media, the media will always keep trying to penetrate their secrets. Blanca's been trained, like the others, to obey without question. So she doesn't question a lot of things...including why Vestals raised to never be photographed, to never take part in the voracious media madness, would suddenly, when they reach the right age, be auctioned off to the highest bidder and become the media faces of huge global companies. But when a media hound breaks into the Vestal compound and manages to get a photograph of Blanca, he sets in motion a chain of events that forces Blanca to face the truth right in front of her eyes...and to discover truths even more dangerous that have been carefully hidden. Exciting, action-packed, full of suspense. I found that this book didn't cleave to a predictable, routine format, so I was constantly being surprised by what developed. I even had suspicions of certain characters, who turned out to be different than I supposed. The author uses the filter of Blanca's naive and inexperienced point of view to make certain plot twists even more effective. Then Blanca begins to learn and change, so the reader can discover how things really are, right along with her. I finished it fast, and I'm still thinking about it. GENESIS GIRL is a winner!

I enjoyed this story...a little different genre than I usually read...I think it’s a little more like a sci-fi book but still enjoyable

GENESIS GIRL hooked me from the first page. I could not put this book down! I was intrigued by the premise of the story, by characters who were cloistered away from technology in order to help preserve society. The main character, Blanca, is a blank slate, kept pure of technology, and a “normal” understanding of the world. This makes for such an interesting character arc, and I loved following her journey of self-discovery as she learns to redefine ideas of independence, security, family, love, and purpose—all while the plot unfolds in exciting, fast-paced ways. Bardsley has created a compelling world that is unique but with elements (like tech-obsessed society) that bring some of its themes close to home. This was such an enjoyable read. I dog-eared so many pages where the writing or dialogue just grabbed hold of me. If I could give this book more than five stars I would. GENESIS GIRL is an intriguing and engaging debut. I look forward to the sequel . . .

This book has a unique concept that stands out in a sea of young adult dystopia. A terrifying world where most of society is addicted to being online and cell phones cause cancer. In a way the premise reminded me (and terrified me) as much as The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Blanca is a virgin vestal – pure from all online evil, making her very attractive to the highest bidder to use her for advertising. Yet Blanca finds herself in a very different plan, for a father to buy her for the purpose of reuniting him with his son. While this was somewhat hard to buy in the beginning considering the millions it cost him to buy her, the story ties into the end with much more behind her buyer’s plan (and I wish more seeds had been dropped along the way to anticipate all the tie ins that came suddenly). As Blanca navigates so many lies the truths about her come to life, helping her make choices she would never have considered. I enjoyed Blanca’s unique voice and to see her grow into her own person, not dictated by others and their voice. I really love when she finally finds her own voice and creates her own powerful mantra to push herself and become a true heroine, especially once after she struggled and flip-flopped with her desires and goals. I would have liked to see the buildup of the love interest have a stronger thread and wound through the story more to add to its powerful message as I didn’t get a sense there was a strong, consistent connection there. And there was so much to mine in this world visually and sensory-wise that could have enriched it but wasn’t fully explored. I yearned for more world building to intensify the story – perhaps in book 2! Overall, this story will pull you in and amaze and terrify you with possibilities that our world is not so far removed from. And I rooted for Blanca – felt her sorrow, her loss, her struggle, her blind faith – and will follow her into her next adventure! This story would make a great blockbuster teen dystopian movie with its unlikely romance, power struggles, villains to fear, oppression, and champions to cheer for.

This book was fantastic! It kept me from going crazy in the er with an allergic reaction but I'm STILL in the er so review to come later. :) EDIT. Now that I am no longer drugged and I'm thinking about this story, I realize that its now one of my favorite books. I already have my Dad reading this I am so gonna have to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf. Hey Jennifer, wanna sign it for me? ;) This world..I seriously love this world. There is nothing I hate more than when I'm hanging out with someone or I'm out to dinner and they can't put their damn cell phone down. This book addresses what I feel like an internet addicted world can become. I loved Blanca and Seth's story and I am anticipating the next book of the blank slate series, I did NOT read the preview for the next book because I didn't want to drive myself crazy with the wait time. GO READ THIS. NOW.

Blanca is a raised in a protected state, away from all cameras, technology, scanners, and the rest of the devices that we all have strapped to our wrists and buzzing away in our pockets at all moments of the day. She is technology-free, and this makes her valuable. So valuable, that she is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Now, normally this would mean a corporation, a career. But for Blanca, it means a private sale. She becomes a geisha, isolated from the community she grew up knowing, and surrounded by people (especially her new owner's bad boy son), who are saturated with technology. She finds their reliance on it sad, and firms her resolutions to never touch anything like it. What drives this story is not just the interesting take on how much technology has taken over the world, it's on the danger of excessiveness in any direction. Technology saturation can be scary... but what about blind obedience? Could that be worse? What about growing up in isolation, or worse, in cult like surroundings? What does it look like when that child finally gets a taste of the world she had never experienced? Those are the questions addressed in this novel, and what will be explored in the sequel (I hope!).