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From Goodreads: Protect. Obey. Sacrifice.

These words are the mantra of my existence. I’m not sure if it’s TitusRogen inspiring my desire to go against what I am or my own DNA deviating. All I can think is how Titus will look when he meets his end. It trumps even my wish for freedom. In this moment, I want nothing more than to watch the life bleed from Titus’s body. And I want it at my own hands.

Titus. The Creator.

I stare at my palms. Strength aside, I wonder if I’m capable of taking a life. A human life; one with a soul. And I wonder if that isn’t easier than taking the life of an Imitation. At least humans have souls that live on. What do I have after this? Where will I go? Back into a syringe? Will Titus recycle me? Or will I be lost forever down a lab drain?

We don’t deserve that.

We don’t deserve him.

Deserving and receiving are so very different here. And I am beginning to understand, to beat someone in this world, I‘ll have to play in it.

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Hildenbrand’s second novel in the Clone Chronicles is indeed just as riveting as the first, Imitation, bringing readers deeper into the world of Ven and Linc as they attempt to thwart and, ultimately survive, the antics of Titus Rogen, the city’s most affluent and dangerous tycoon.

For those new to this amazing series, the “imitations” in Hildenbrand’s series are created in a factory, much like those seen in movies such as The Island.  However, instead of serving a sole purpose of harvesting should their authentics (the real human out in the world) hurt themselves, imitations are meant for a greater, more devious purpose, one neither the imitations themselves, nor the general populace, knows anything about—and it isn’t until the end of this second installment that readers learn of Titus’ real agenda for their creation.

Titus is the epitome of evil, and his treatment of Ven and all those around him makes me ill. Yet, Ven doesn’t give up in the face of adversity.  Instead, she struggles to fight back, knowing that stepping out of line could result in not only her own death, but also the death of those she holds most dear, such as Linc, Obadiah, and all her fellow imitations. Ven is an extremely strong character, one I deeply admire, even if I do sometimes yell at her through the pages. She is an imitation, after all; she hasn’t grown up in the real world, and she isn’t always able to understand the events that are happening around her until it’s too late, so it’s understandable that she sometimes makes… bad decisions. However, she is determined to do what is right, regardless of her own safety, and I adore that about her.

On top of great characterization, Deviation also has just the right amount of steamy romance and action to create the perfect blend.  With Ven and Linc having to pretend they aren’t in love and that they know nothing of the whereabouts of the hidden imitations, tiptoeing around Titus and his vast security forces, there is more than enough tension within the pages as the story unfolds.

And as I mentioned before, with this second installments unfolding, it becomes apparent to readers just why Titus created such a vast array of imitations in the first place—keeping their creation secret—and it’s even more sinister that I ever expected. With a shocking conclusion that will have all readers on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the third novel, I highly recommend everyone read this series. Five stars.

I received an ARC of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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