Cyborg (The Clone Codes, #2) by Patricia C. McKissack

Cyborg (The Clone Codes, #2) Reviews

• 
  Lara Lleverino

  Neat world building, cool characters, excellent connections to actual real world events but the writing was horrible! There was too much telling not enough showing and in some place so bad it felt like I was reading an outline not an actual fleshed out story. There is a balance when deciding if a book is worthy between the message/content and the story crafting. I think for the upper elementary lower middle school market the story crafting might be weighted less than the content and so I will try to find and finish the trilogy. Depending on the third book I might or might now continue to purchase the books for my own library. This might be a great book to give a kid and tell them to make it better. I wish a better editor had advised this McKissacks or that Brandon Sanderson had coached them writing this!
• 
  Becky

  Cyborg is the second book in the series. In this book we follow Houston as he, Leanna, and Carlos fight the new wholer law decreeing everyone with any artificial parts to be sub-human.
  
  The first book I thought was better than this one. This book had many problems starting with the pacing of the book. There was a space battle between the moon station and two different ships. This scene took 2 sentences! And that wasn't the only time in the book that the pacing went this way. I just found it made for a very choppy book.
  
  The next problem I had with this book was that it was inconsistent. The characters go on forever in this book (2 pages) about the benefits of using non-violence when resisting the wholer law, but then in the next chapter, they fight and maul their way out of a clone facility they broke into.
  
  Which brings me the next problem with this book is its preachy tone. I understand that they want to use history as a good lesson for who to act, but this book just takes it too far. The only time they spend any amount of time talking about anything in this book is when they lecture each other on the value of doing whatever they way so and so did it from the past. It begins to get annoying pretty quickly.
  
  I could go on with the problems in this book, like no character development, new characters brought in for a couple of pages and then never heard from again, trying to put too many different plot elements together, or the attempt to sound young. The only reason I was able to finish this book was because of how short it was. Good luck if you attempt to read it.
• 
  Cornelia

  Cyborg is set on Earth and on the Moon in the future of 2170. Written in first person, this is a heart felt, sci -fi adventure of a human boy, Houston Yi.
  
  Houston has a tragic boating accident when he's seven years old. His life is saved by modern medicine with a transplant of a biofe eyes, arm, leg and an artificial heart to replace his which no longer functioned. Houston lives in a world where anyone who has three cyborg body parts or more is classified as a cyborg rather than human. His life changes drastically due to his new non-human cyborg status. The cyborgs are prejudiced against and many laws deny them justice, equality and respect . Similar to the Jim Crow laws of the old south prior to the victories of the civil rights movement. One of his friends is a clone, and in this world the cones are slaves with no rights at all.
  
  This is one of those books that brings the quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne to mind -"Easy reading is damn hard writing." The writing is smooth and flows and is at a level most middle readers would easily be able to read not just young adult but at the same time adults will love it as well. It is also equally suitable for males and female readers. It's a remarkable little book that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
• 
  Mary Beth

  This is a solid continuation, though I'm uncomfortable with a few things. First, the authors have used the "gypsy" slur as part of a series of location names. It's inappropriate to ever use that word AND wholly unnecessary. Second, no explicit ethnic backgrounds are given for any characters, which is fine, EXCEPT that an MC names his wolf familiar "Apache" which also feels really, really inappropriate and unnecessary. Third, the characters meet a virtual "biograph" of Martin Luther King Jr and he is cast as a 100% peaceful protestor who is 100% against violent activism of any kind which is inaccurate and, in my opinion, disingenuous of the authors. No book is perfect, so I think it's still worth reading, but again-- read what the kids are reading and help them process narratives critically. On to number 3!
• 
  Heather

  A lot of interesting concepts, but not the best writing. And there are a number of unbelievable things going on that the authors take no time to try to convince the reader that they might be believable. Still, it is a quick read, and will probably appeal to fans of the first book.
• 
  Kim

  Fast paced, but jumpy and did not flow well. It seemed rushed.
  Attempted to be "frisk" but seemed to skim parts that should have been elaborated upon to give the characters more depth.
• 
  Wendi

  The second is a series.
  Patricia McKissack is one of my favourite juvenile and YA authors. When she also writes with her husband, it is usually even more of a treat. But this series just doesn't work for me. It feels forced, and it is not at all subtle.
  The villains have no more depth or dimension than paper dolls, and the heroes are not much more developed.
  
  The augmentations of the cyborgs are fun and creative and probably appeal to the untended audience, but that was just pandering. The augmentations were often just cheap gimmicks for attention, and not well thought out beyond the shock factor. Somebody choosing to leave his face mouthless and having his mouth surgically put in the palm of his hand seems more like somebody to be pitied for being a freaking idiot than like somebody to celebrate and admire for a brave man unafraid to be himself.
• 
  Rebecca

  The first book in the series was okay, but this book was just bland. Houston is good as a side character, but as a main character, he’s much worse than Leanna. Even though I like the world the author has created, I quit reading this book halfway through because it was boring.
• 
  Veronica

  on to the last book
• 
  Steven R. McEvoy

  Book one The Clone Codes, was an incredible story set in the future with a new kind of underground railroad for clones and cyborgs. It was amazing, and I could not wait for this one to come out. I was disappointed when I received my advanced copy. It seemed so thin. With only 107 pages of text from preface to end of text, and 144 pages with the endnotes, I was not expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised.
  
  Set in a future when clones are basically slave labor, and cyborgs, humans who have replaced 3/5th of their parts with synthetics and have lost most of their rights also, are implanted with chips and tracked.
  
  The Cyborg Act of 2130
  For the security and general welfare of the cyborg race, these protections have been established on this the 7th day of October, 2130.
  
  The Cyborg Codes
  
  All cyborgs must be registered with the Bureau of Cyborg Affairs (BCA).
  Those that are cyborgs must live within designated areas set aside on the Moon Colony. If a cyborg desires to live or work elsewhere, it must acquire BCA permission.
  It is mandated that cyborgs may not serve as officers in the World Federation of Nations' defence forces or serve in any national law enforcement agencies.
  Cyborg children must attend one of four cyborg academies based on test scores and abilities.
  All cyborgs over the age of 16 must be employed.
  Cyborgs need permission from the BCA to marry or have children.
  The BCA will provide cyborgs with medical insurance and health-care needs.
  Cyborgs cannot inherit real property.
  Cyborgs can only participate in amateur or professional sports within the Cyborg Leagues."
  This story continues almost immediately after book 1 finishes. Leanna, a clone raised as a normal child, Carlos, a boy genius, RUBy, a super and Houston Ye a young cyborg, are still in the thick of it. The new Chancellor of the WFN, Taylor Graham, has passed the Wholer Act, declaring any human with as many as 1 synthetic part is now considered a Cyborg and subject to the Cyborg Act.
  
  The Aliens called the O. have appeared to Taylor Graham and told him they will prevent humans from exploring beyond the solar system as we are not prepared. Leanna must gather the different groups in the Liberty Bell movement, and the Cyborgs, and fashion a cohesive movement to resist this new law. But things are not as they appear, and some friends might not actually be allies.
  
  The story is just really getting interesting when it ends, and we must wait another year for book three to conclude the trilogy. This is a great second instalment in a series, but with the size, I would have preferred one large novel, or even combine books 2 and 3 if they are only going to be a novelette of about 100 pages.
  
  Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog
  Book Reviews and More.
• 
  Jennifer Wardrip

  Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
  
  After I read THE CLONE CODES, I was hoping that the authors would follow up with a story about Houston, the Cyborg that helped Leanna escape. Thankfully, CYBORG is his story.
  
  Huey wasn't always a Cyborg. When he was 7, he was in a boating accident. When he awakens in a clinic, he has a different eye, arm, leg, and artificial heart. According to the World Federation of Nations, a Cyborg is anyone having three or more synthetic body replacements. So, with Houston's four new parts, he is officially a Cyborg and, thus, subject to the Cyborg Act.
  
  Houston, Leanna, and their small band of rebels have landed at Shackelton City on the Moon. The City is run (unofficially) by Rizin, another Cyborg. Rizin was a war hero and friends with those after Leanna. But when he became a Cyborg, he became nothing in Taylor and Spiller's eyes. Rizin helps the group in many ways.
  
  As the unrest grows, Leanna wants to turn herself in. She is the key that the rebellion has kept secret - a true clone that grew up not knowing she was a clone. Houston will do what he can to protect her. Houston encounters a long-lost family member that he never expected to see again. More surprisingly, the family member may just help them out. In the end, the story is left hanging, yet again. The group is still out there fighting for justice.
  
  Don't let the short length of this novel stop you. It packs a powerful punch. Houston has replacement parts. With technology today, it's not hard to imagine such things. CYBORG makes the reader stop and think about the power government has and what happens when society goes along with everything. CYBORG is reminiscent of Robin Wasserman's WIRED and Mary Pearson's THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX. What makes us human? Read CYBORG and then think about it.
• 
  Jennifer Lavoie

  I was so excited to see this book at the library when I went because I enjoyed Clone Codes. However, after reading it I have mixed feelings. I was torn between two and three stars, but the end redeemed itself so I pushed it up to three.
  
  First, the pacing of the book was off. There were some important scenes that were brushed over. At one point they're in orbit and RUBy says they'll be in Cyborg City soon, and literally the next sentence has them walking in the city.
  
  The beginning of the book was incredibly fast, too, and had very little descriptive details. It felt fake and rushed. I was particularly disappointed with Houston's perspective. I had been looking forward to hearing his side of the story, but half of the book it felt forced. He was also supposed to be 17 years old, but his language came across as a hyper 12 year old sometimes.
  
  Then there was the preaching. I get what the book is trying to present and I think the concept is brilliant. However the manner in which it was presented was poorly done. I wish more details had been given. It just seemed... manufactured.
  
  Despite my disappointment overall with this book - though I did still like it and it was a fast read - I am looking forward to the next book from Carlos' perspective. That will be interesting.
• 
  Barbara

  Although I have not read book 1 I didn't need to to enjoy this fast-paced story. This book quickly plunged me into an alternate future filled with fun characters and a suspensefukl dilemma, all in about 100 pages.
  
  The future includes human beings - Wholers, Cyborgs and Clones. Cyborgs are former Wholers who have three or more artificial parts like the hero sixteen-year-old Houston Ye turned into a cyborg after a childhood boating accident. They are also considered uncivilized and only 3/5 of a human being. Clones are considered the lowest form of humanity, and beleived to be incapable of emotions, reasoning or abstract thinking. Thirteen-year-old clone Leanna Beberry is poised to prove them wrong. These two, along with their Whole friend, ten-year-old genius Carlos, and the AI spaceship RUBy, become the rallying point for clones, cyborgs and wholers who believe people are people.
  
  This fast and easy read pays tribute to both Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama as it examines prejudice and the quest for non-violent change and a chance for people to live in harmony. I was sucked in to the point where I almost wished I could get one of those cyborg "biofe" eyes and ears.
• 
  Kris

  Recommended for gr. 4-8. I found it a bit confusing not having read the first book - the reader has to figure out the future history as s/he reads along. (It turns out there is a timeline at the END of the book.) The idea behind this series is great: clones and cyborgs (humans who have one or more artificial or "biofe" parts) are treated as less than human, with fewer rights and more restrictions. I felt that it was choppy and forced in places. The main character was made a cyborg as a child after an accident and looks human, other cyborg modifications make practical sense (tools in place of limbs), but why would a cyborg have a mouth used for speaking and eating on his hand? Once he puts on gloves, he can no longer speak. I like science fiction and enjoy reading about alternate worlds, but this one was inconsistent and I kept thinking, "Really? This doesn't make sense." Also heavy-handed: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Dalai Lama show up to discuss non-violent protests. Younger readers may enjoy it (after reading the first book), but more sophisticated readers will shake their heads and probably not make it past the first book.
• 
  Jonathan M.

  This book was amazing! It had robots, people, good vs. evil, and more fantasy elements. This is a book that interests me. I am into robotics and it has all information all about a boy or teenager actually, Houston Ye, a cyborg who killed his own father. He gained a biofe (robot parts) eye, ear, arm, and leg. He is wanted boy after doing bad deeds. At the end of the book, he and his Familiar, a wolf, both kill all the guards that was coming. He fed them time to escape but himself and fight against the guards. This is where the book ends. He's stuck with guards all around him, trapped with no escape.
• 
  Erica

  I read the first book four years ago and it's stayed with me because of the intriguing ideas and powerful themes. This book has some of that, but I couldn't bring myself to give it anymore than two stars. The writing's so simplistic and there are unnecessary exclamation points after dull sentences! It makes Houston seem stupid. There's a lot of telling instead of showing, which makes the book even shorter. But then there's a lot of unnecessary repetition. They tell you three times that cyborgs who live on the moon are called moonborgs. Could've figured that out myself, thanks.
• 
  Talissa

  The second book in the series, Cyborg follows a different character: Houston, a cyborg. The story delves into what life used to be like for Houston. Though The Clone Codes became well known and very popular, I hadn't even known about Cyborg until I looked for it on Goodreads. Paticia McKissack's message is unchanged: to strive for equality. McKissack does a good job of bringing this message to a young audience by using a science fiction setting.
• 
  Mary Jo

  Wow, the ending was really abrupt. I can't wait to find out the secret that Carlos has in the 3rd book. It would be hard to find out what you thought about your family for most of your life turned out to be wrong. It's crazy to think that one person feels like they have so much power that they can change the lives of people and feel no remorse for doing so.
• 
  Brooke

  Easy, fast paced sci fi adventure for teens. Man can now prolong his life with biofe (a type of bionic/genetic procedure) body parts, but that will make him a second class citizen. When Huey, a seventeen-year-old teen with a biofe eye, arm and leg with an aritifical heart (which also makes him a cyborg) tries to fight back he must flee and try to survive with a small group of renegades.
• 
  Serge

  This book was a surprise.Government turning humans into cyborgs,cyborgs having wrecking havoc.Even though the book had less pages than I would like it to have it felt like a whole story was in those pages.I got easily bored when the cyborg kept talking about his life but that quickly went away when it picked up with alot of action and less backstory.
• 
  Beth

  In the second book, we learn more about Houston Ye. The classes are certainly divided and it is becoming even more dangerous for all of the main characters. They want things to be peaceful, but that is not sounding realistic.
• 
  Raven

  Cybot Houston(part human with artificial parts) rebels against government after new law is passed with help from moon cybots (humans with more distinguisable parts) and Leanna a clone as well as a boy who created an AI. Very sort and not very well written.
• 
  Maria Elena

  I found it interesting how the authors tied the civil rights movement into this book. it's a great way to illustrate the movement to pre-teens and have them think about the challenges they may face in the future
• 
  Rachel

  Sequel. Solid premise, but it till does not flow and is very didactic.
• 
  Judith Weaver

  preachy. weakly written redundant timeline in the back. I can only think that the intended audience is a gifted third grader. Pumped this book out too fast guys.