Spiked

May 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-In an alternate America that is recovering from a deadly flu epidemic and is constantly dealing with chronic fires and dwindling resources, McGoran's feisty heroine and her friends understand how much is at stake and will fight for it. In the third and final installment to the "Spliced" trilogy, Jimi, a chimera rights activist, and her chimera boyfriend, Rex, battle prejudice aimed at humans spliced with animal DNA. Jimi is caught between two pro-chimera organizations that differ in ideology but want her support: CLAD, the group that bombed a peace meeting, and Chimerica, which has been accused of not doing enough. Jimi soon finds herself fighting to not only protect chimera but all of humankind after Howard Wells, a known spokesperson against chimera rights and the creator of a computer implant that instantly connects its wearers to an array of information, launches a plan to take on population control himself. Jimi soon realizes that Wells has a more sinister use for his implants. This novel effortlessly mixes science fiction elements into a timely story that will resonate with readers without being overly didactic. VERDICT A thrilling conclusion. Recommended for collections where the first two novels are popular.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2020
Following soon after the events of Splintered (2019), this volume concludes the Spliced trilogy. Jimi Corcoran once again finds herself embroiled in the conflict between chimeras--or modified people with animal DNA--and their allies and ultraconservatives who see chimeras as no longer human. This time, a militant chimera organization called CLAD is amping up the violence and may be responsible for recent terrorist acts. As the evil Howard Wells announces his bid for the U.S. presidency, Jimi and her boyfriend, Rex, try to discover who is behind CLAD. During their investigation, the teens discover that Wells has created a flu virus that will affect everyone who hasn't inserted his Wellplant into their heads. The device is a souped-up smartphone connected to the wearer's brain. The themes of sentient technology, climate change, intense hatred for nonconforming people, and a scarily true-to-life pandemic often clutter a plot that moves forward at a jarring warp speed. Details from the Philadelphia setting center the story a bit, and the frankness about teens' sexuality is refreshing. Gasp-inducing reveals and heart-rending deaths near the end come a little too late in the game. The final chapter ties up things so neatly that fans might come away underwhelmed. Minimal physical descriptions of nonchimera humans make racial diversity difficult to determine. A valiant effort that attempts to wrap up the series but overreaches its mark. (Science fiction thriller. 14-adult)

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April 15, 2020
Grades 8-11 The thrilling conclusion to the Spliced trilogy kicks off with a bang as Jimi Corcoran is nearly assassinated alongside several pro- and anti-chimera (humans with animal DNA spliced into their genes) rights advocates. Thanks to being kidnapped by members of CLAD, the militant chimera-rights organization that takes credit for the bombing, she was late for the meeting and is now firmly in the sights of FBI investigators. But Jimi soon has bigger worries: Howard Wells, head of the Wellplant Corporation and Humans for Humanity, is determined to course-correct global overpopulation by spreading a deadly virus. Fortunately, the leader of Chimerica (Jimi's aunt Dymphna) is one step ahead of Wells, thanks to their surprising past relationship. While trying to prevent the release of the virus, Jimi learns that she also has a personal connection to the mysterious leader of CLAD. The number of coincidences begin to strain credibility, but fortunately, this novel profits from an intriguing near-future world, unpredictable nonstop action, and complex ethical decision-making relevant to our own ecological and political climate.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)