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Thanks to NetGalley and Diversion Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
294 Pages
Synopsis: People would kill for her body.
Raised in an elite foster center off the California coast, sixteen-year-old Tabitha’s been sculpted into a world-class athlete. Her trainers have told her she’ll need to be in top physical condition to be matched with a loving family, even though personal health has taken a backseat outside the training facility. While Tabitha swims laps and shaves seconds off her mile time, hoping to find a permanent home, the rest of the community takes pills produced by pharmaceutical giant PharmPerfect to erase their wrinkles, grow hair, and develop superhuman strength.
When Tabitha’s finally paired, instead of being taken to meet her new parents, she wakes up immobile on a hospital bed. Moments before she’s sliced open, a group of renegade teenagers rescue her, and she learns the real reason for her perfect health: PharmPerfect is using her foster program as a replacement for their pill-addicted clients’ failing organs. And her friends from the center, the only family she’s ever known, are next to be harvested.
Determined to save them, Tabitha joins forces with her rescuers, led by the moody and mysterious Gavin Styles. As they race to infiltrate the hospital and uncover the rest of PharmPerfect’s secrets though, Tabitha finds herself with more questions than answers. Will trusting the enigmatic group of rebels lead her back to the slaughterhouse?
I was intrigued by the premise of Body Parts because it was reminiscent of Neil Shusterman’s Unwind, which I thoroughly enjoyed. While this wasn’t a perfect read, it was for the most part a fun and enjoyable one.
I really liked Tabitha, although she could be indecisive impulsive, and stubborn at times. Her loyalty to her friends, both old and new is unwavering which I found commendable. Her developing romance with Gavin is sweet and believable. The one thing that bothered though were the multiple secrets they kept from each other, which more than once put their lives and others in danger. There’s also an annoying love triangle involving Tabitha, Gavin, and Parker, who is Tabitha’s friend from the foster center. Thankfully, Parker doesn’t factor in until the last 1/3 of the book.
While not every secondary character is fully developed, several have their own interesting backstories which further flash out the plot. My one othr complaint is once again aimed at how adults are portrayed. Here, except for a couple, they’re either greedy, money grubbing psychopaths who have no problem using and raising children as spare body parts desperate buyers, or he week and ineffectual, too afraid to upset the balance. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I seem to have found an overwhelming amount of YA books where I wind up similar issues regarding the way adults are depicted. Is there a reason why they have to come across as caricatures out of a Lemony Snicket novel? It’s really getting frustrating.
The story itself is interesting and has more than a few surprises, which, when combined with its fast pace, it kept me turning the pages. I thought the ending was a little rushed, and there were a few loose threads that weren’t tied up, but it was still satisfying overall.
Body Parts is a quick read for teen and adult fans who like science fiction and are looking for a YA read that’s a little different. While the romance is G rated, because of the subject matter, I’d recommend this for older teens. As for me, I’m looking forward to future books by Jessica Kapp.
beetleypete said:
Sounds pretty good, but the plot is very similar to Robin Cook’s ‘Coma’, if memory serves.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It is somewhat derivative of Coma Pete, but it gives the subject a whole new twist.😊
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Sounds pretty intense! Wonderful review as always, my friend!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Krysti! It was a good read.😊
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raistlin0903 said:
Okay, that’s it. I’m going to ask my boss for a year’s leave just to read all these novels that you keep recommending 😂 Seriously though, this book’s premise is dark and very interesting, which is something I usually highly enjoy in any medium. It certainly helps that your wonderful review only made me even more interested in this novel. Great post! 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yes! Um, don’t let me get you fired though Michel!😎
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raistlin0903 said:
Lol, no worries haha 😂
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Zoë said:
Sounds like a decent read, glad you enjoyed it Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Zoe!💁🏻
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Run Wright said:
Intense is the word that came to mind as I was reading your review. Not my kind of story though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Definitely intense!
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Carrie said:
Nice review Kim! Another one that I debated on but decided to behave, we definitely gravitate towards the same books all of the time. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie! We are such bookish kindred spirits!☺️
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Carrie said:
Yes I know, I’ve learned to make note when you really love them thinking I need to pick those up sometime. 🙂
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Touch My Spine Book Reviews said:
Great review! Looks like a good read! Definetley going to have to check this baby out!!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Woot!😊💖
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Trang (Bookidote) said:
Omg the plot sounds so good 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It really was Trang!😊
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
Caricatures out of a Lemony Snicket novel? That such an interesting reference. Great review, Kim. The whole representation of adults is an unfortunate flaw, but the rest sounds pretty good. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Lashaan.💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
Tabitha sounds like a fascinating character.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
She was a solid one Vinnie that I think teens will especially like.
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vinnieh said:
I like what you wrote about her.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you my friend! I know there’s a couple of posts I’ve missed on both your blogs, but I’ve bookmarked them and will be checking them out.😊
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vinnieh said:
Oh there’s no rush or pressure Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie. I didn’t want you to think I was neglecting you. It’s been a little crazy here the last few days, plus I’ve been doing a lot of posting.
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vinnieh said:
I’d never think that Kim. Life gets busy at times.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks for understanding Vinnie. Whenever you have time, I think there’s a few posts of mine that you’ve missed.😊
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vinnieh said:
I’ve bookmarked them to read later, Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😊
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Lelia T said:
This is coming up on my calendar soon so I’m glad to hear you liked it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can’t wait to hear what you think Lelia!💁🏻
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ravenblake99 said:
I heard of this book but I’ve never given it much thought. It sounds like an interesting read! Nice review! 🙂
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
It sounds a lot like The Island!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I never saw The Island, but from what I do know there are a few similarities. It’s still fun though.💁🏻
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
The Island wasn’t a very well renown movie, but it definitely had that idea of people being harvested for organs. They were clones who were told they were the only survivors of some cataclysmic event, and every so often one of them would be chosen to go to the “island,” but the island didn’t exist. It was just a way to keep them from knowing what they’re real purpose was: to be harvested if the original person needed an organ. AND it was a double deception because the original person was told that their clone was no more than a mass of organs and cells not an actual human being.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ll have to try and find it at the library sometime.😊
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mlbradford said:
Yay, nothing like a byhookorbybookbinge! (Whether I’ll b able to find any of th books u praise is another matter!)
Cheers!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ve been lucking out with good books lately Brad. What about Book Depository? They provide free shipping worldwide.☺️
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mlbradford said:
Thanks for th tip – I’ll set me minions on it forthwith!
Cheers!
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Jen said:
I struggle when a potential couple keeps secrets from one another too. Just shout it out already.😂😁 Lol. And I don’t get why so many make adults like that either. I just finished Black Bird of the Gallows last night and the parent figure was amazing and how a parent should be written, it was refreshing and so wonderful! This book sounds intriguing though and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ooh! I think I may have that. I’ll have to go check!💁🏻
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Jen said:
Fingers crossed!🤞
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