Jay Kristoff is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. His writing is so great and his characters are always interesting, even when I can’t stand them. These statements ring true for Lifel1k3. I expected to like this book, what with Kristoff as the author and the premise sounding so intriguing. But I was still pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed this book. I finished it a few days ago, and I still can’t get it out of my head. Eve is such a dynamic character, and I loved following her along her journey. There were a few loose ends in the story, but I think a sequel is in the works, so that didn’t bother me too much. Plus, now I have a sequel to eagerly look forward to!

Technology bites humanity again.

Unique fast-paced world, cool characters (robot and human alike), and an ending I didn't see coming.

The plot was what gripped me and won me over. Think underdogs who set out to save someone they love and in turn, have to save the world. I had chapters I loved and a few I hated but to give any specifics on those would be to spoilery and we all need to be “fizzy”.

Be warned kiddos, I would have liked a little less language/vulgarity so if you’re a reader who can’t gloss over those types of things . . .

Despite a few personal preferences all my own, I totally give this five stars. Can’t wait to get my hard copy *grins*. Thank you #NetGalley #lifel1k3

Dead. I am dead.

This book absolutely killed me and if there is not a sequel ASAP, I may riot.

In a post-apocalyptic world, Eve lives with her grandfather and to pay for his meds, she takes up fighting robots at night. After a bit of trouble at a fight, Eve and her best friend Lemon are wanted by all the local gangs. On their way home, they find an lifelike android - Ezekiel. This is when the trouble TRULY begins. Lemon, Eve, Zeke will have to set out on a crazy journey in which secrets regarding Eve's past will come to light. Oh, and Eve has super powers.

The world in the book is AMAZING. I cannot say that enough. It's like mad max and borderlands had a love child and added more robots. Kristoff's creation of slang for the characters is so natural as well. He has a gift for giving characters and worlds unique ways of talking without making me feel like I need an appendix to understand what's happening.

READ THIS BOOK NOW.

2.5 out of 5. I'm so sad and disappointed. I love jay's other books that I've read but this one fell so short for me. The fake slang he created got on my nerves, I didn't really care about the characters, and I didn't care about the plot. I forced my way to the end and even though there was a twist, it wasn't enough for me to really like this book.

Let me just say up front: I super-duper double dislike dystopian/post-apocalyptic/techy books. They're absolutely not my jam. So when I say I read <i>Lifel1k3</i> in less than 24 hours, that should tell you a lot. Also, it didn't hurt that Jay Kristoff basically wrote a book about Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.

Jay Kristoff has one of the most unique writing styles I've ever had the pleasure to read. It is quirky and dark and brilliant, and just wildly irreverent. I dig it. And while the subject/setting of this book isn't as interesting to me as some of his others, Kristoff made me appreciate this dust and oil and blood storyscape.

One of the things I <3 most about Jay Kristoff as an author is he's not afraid to write strong female characters, and give them all the power. And he's even less afraid of female relationships/friendships. <b>Eve</b> is a clever, wrench-wielding, combat-boot wearing fighter who doesn't back down to anyone. And her best friend, <b>Lemon</b> is absolutely her partner in crime. Along with her robot-conscience Cricket (yes, that's right, Cricket) and her cyborg dog Kaiser, Eve and her merry band of misfits are as fun as any group of characters I've ever encountered. And when their secrets start coming into play, it gets even better. (I'm going to add here, there's a boy, too, but he's plastic - both literally and figuratively - and completely inconsequential. The story would actually be better without him, just for the record.)

Also, <b>so. many. plot. twists.</b> I'm usually pretty good at seeing plot twists coming. I mean, I've read A LOT of books, and have seen a lot, but apparently there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... I don't know why I'm even surprised anymore - systematically and meticulously constructing expectations, then smashing them into a million pieces for the sheer glee of it is kind of Kristoff's thing. Oh, yeah, and breaking my heart into teensy-weensy little shards and grinding them into powder under his boot heels.

There is a dual narrative here - one past and one present. The events of the past are horrible and terrible and very bad and will make you want to cry buckets and buckets; the events of the present are also horrible, but Eve's snappy, sassy, salty Scooby gang brings just enough levity to the events of the story to keep it from being soul-crushing.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes <i>Mad Max</i> - it definitely has that vibe. And as far as readalikes, here are some suggestions:
<i>Rust</i> by Royden Lepp - this graphic novel has an awesome robot with a jet pack who has to learn to negotiate life in a rural setting.
<i>This Savage Song</I> by Victoria Schwab - this is a book about a girl and a monster and survival in a dying world.

DNF at 67%.

I tried reeeaally hard with this book, because I hate having to DNF, but I just couldn't push through to the end. My DNF is mostly due to content--a LOT of crass jokes and remarks, mostly of the sexual nature, put me off from the very first chapter. It did start to taper off towards the middle, but then the weirdness started with the girl/robot relationship. (Minor spoilers to follow) It was just too weird for me. I get that the author was trying to make social commentary with the whole girl-and-robot-in-love situation, but I just couldn't get over the fact that the guy is a robot. NOT A HUMAN. Especially when things get a little steamy (at least one fade-to-black scene where sex is implied). It's just not okay with me.

I loved the robot/android concept of this book, and as usual with Jay Kristoff there were many many times I totally hated his guts for the twists and the characters he killed. It takes a bit to get that kind of emotional response from me, so well done Sir!

I was provided with an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Wow wow wow. Jay Kristoff does it again! This book was absolutely fabulous; filled to the brim with vibrant characters, edge-of-the-seat action, crazy villains, and one amazing story. There were so many twists and turns that I can safely call it an emotional rollercoaster. It hits you right in the feels and doesn’t let go. This book proves that Jay is an evil genius. Emphasis on the evil. *praise*

I just finished this moments ago and am in a whirl of Oh My's. Holy twisted crumpled tales of love, hate, and robotics.  I LOVED IT. Mr. Kristoff, what was that ending ?  Oh you are good, cruel but deliciously good. This is why I read all your books, you challange my expectations. 
The beginning of the book was a slow start, the slang slowed me down. It was different enough that I couldn't flow through it. It was a short struggle, to maybe 15 % and I got it. The story never slows, never goes where you expect, it's an unknown path ahead in this book.

The story follows Eve, who as a young girl loses her everything in a violent event. She is a being raised by her grandfather, surrounded by her best friend, and robots.  Everything is going as well as it can till a reviled being is found in a crash wreckage. This is a world or radiation, gangs, androids, love and hard core everything. It had moments that reminded me of many moves and TV series. It was Thunderdome, Mad Max,  and Westworld. Speaking of Westworld, wait till you met The Preacher, and hold on when you do he's a...well you'll see.

Romance, it's there, unexpected in such a story but fits so well and twists the heartstrings in all the bleeding places. Rocky, filled with pain and sweetness, it's a hard one to walk away from when the book ended.  I was so invested in these characters I was left feeling gutted at the ending. Mr. Kristoff, leaves us hanging off the side of a thousand foot cliff lined with broken bones and scrap metal.

I received this book from the publisher for a non biased review.

I really wish I liked this one more than I did. The summary was intriguing and I usually like Kristoff’s work but here the characters just didn’t really connect with me too much. I’d be willing to give the second one to go to see if that improves and I did like some of the references along with the world building.

This book was pretty amazeballs. Such a delight to read. Great characters, snappy dialogue, and actions scenes up the ying yang.

In my opinion, the entire book could have merely consisted of conversations between Eve, LemonFresh, and Cricket and I would have been a happy camper. (Note for future books? Please give us MORE LEMONFRESH.)

This book offered such a truly unique version of the future. Each scene is full of indelible images--from blizhounds (cyborg dogs) to an entire city made of beached shipping vessels (the result of a tidal wave when California fell into the ocean.) There's also a hero who not only appears to be brave and beautiful (like most YA books), but also sports synthetic parts. (I kept thinking to myself, "If they ever made this into a movie, would Hollywood follow through and actually give their ingenue a cyborg eye?")

I found the discussions about AI/robots and other sentient beings fascinating and timely (young readers will have to contend with these very issues in the not so distant future). In particular the book wrestles with one central question: "What does it mean to love?" Can love be programmed, or does it only occur naturally? Could it be transferred from a person to a replica of that person?" These questions really elevated this book from typical YA fare.

I have only two small quibbles, neither of which marred my enjoyment of the book that much. First, I didn't love the way it ended (but that's about my personal preferences, not the writing.) Also, I get that this is YA and our hero is a teen girl, but the constant descriptions of Zeke's manly beauty got a little old. (We get it, he has amazing olive skin and brilliant blue eyes.) I'm sure this mooning over the cute boy passages won't bother the target audience for this book. It just didn't appeal to me.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

5+ Out Of 5 "just what I needed" STARS

I loved this!!! Thank you, to whoever decided I was worthy of an ARC of this. I seriously wondered if I would like something by Jay Kristoff without Amie Kaufman involved…but, I totally did.

I was thrown off by the dialogue, for the first few chapters, which I would say is somewhere between Dust Lands Series and the Illuminae Files. The world in this is fantastic, fleshed out perfectly, with just the right amount of world building. The pacing is intense. The action is top-notch, non-stop and depicted in a way that's easily followed. The characters are possibly my new favorites. The twists at the end were unexpected and I can't wait for book #2. Oh, and I'm for sure doing a re-read/listen on Audio of this before that second book comes out.

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~MY RATING~
☆5+☆STARS - GRADE=A+
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~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
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Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters~ 5+/5
Secondary Characters~ 5+/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 4.3/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5+/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5 Cliffhanger~ Yes…a "to be continued"
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Book Cover~ Awesome
Publisher~ Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series~ Lifelike #1
Setting~ Yousay (California)
Source~ I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Eve lives on the fringe with her inventor Grandfather. To makes ends meet, she participates in what is basically robot fights. She has her friends, human and android, and life is ... well not predictable, but one without a lot of intrigue. That is, until she crossed paths with a Lifelike, androids based on humans. She soon discovers her life (and past) is not what she thought it was.

There is absolutely no reason why I shouldn't love this book. I adore androids and the implications of building them built on human prototypes. And there are really fun steampunk elements too! I just didn't feel that connected to Eve. And when I don't feel a connection, books automatically lose a star.

For me, the futuristic jargon also took me out of the book. I spent a lot of time, especially during the first few chapters, saying "What does that mean?" and then trying to figure it out. It didn't make for a seamless reading experience, unfortunately.

That said, I am interested to see what will happen to Eve and her motley crew of friends.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

What’s better than a semi post-apocalyptic dystopian future controlled by city-state corporations and gladiatorial robot fights? I don’t know you tell me, because I can’t think of much—at least as long as we’re talking about a fictional world.

This book has so many excellent things going for it. Really exceptional and well-developed worldbuilding. I’m always a sucker for world-specific dialects and slang and this book has a lot of it, true ‘cert. The categories of different kind of machinery and robots was really fascinating, and several of the robots were my favorite characters. All of the characters were really great, actually. Strong, interesting personalities and complex characterizations.

I’m always here for a good found family story and this book has a really excellent one. Some families are an old scientist, two teenage orphans, a tiny robot, and a cyborg dog—deal with it. I also loved the futuristic Anastasia Romanov-inspired storyline (but can’t go too much into that without spoilers) as well as the star-crossed love story. The love story reminded me a little bit of aspects of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, in the best way (but, again, can’t say much about that because spoilers).

It also deals with some interesting questions of where / how to draw the line between human and machine. When you’re dealing with artificial intelligence, with constructs that can feel and experience pain, can they really be differentiated that much from humans? Or, perhaps more aptly, should they really be controlled and treated as second class citizens? That idea—and particularly how that plays out with Asimov’s laws of robotics—is a pretty important element throughout the book.

Overall, just really, really excellent sci-fi. Honestly the only part that brought the rating down a bit for me was the ending. Without giving any spoilers, all I will say is that while I really liked the twist (and most of the ending), I felt that it was handled a bit abruptly and the fallout of it didn’t completely feel in-character because of that. I think it’s one of those situations where if we’d been given a little bit longer to understand the characters motivations, it probably would’ve felt a bit more settled. It is the first book in a series, though, so I’m not too upset about it—yet. We’ll just have to wait and see where the rest of the series goes. But believe you me, I am all in for this series and excited to see just where Kristoff takes us next.

Whoa. What. A. Ride. I might be vaguely creeped out by androids forever, but WORTH IT because THIS BOOK you guys. It’s EPIC. That’s about all I’ve got right now, because my brain almost exploded. So. Freaking. Good. Go read this book!!!! Now I need a Cricket. ❤️

Just color me awestruck! Jay Kristoff’s LIFEL1K3 (LIFELIKE) tells an incredible story of life in a devastated, post-apocalyptic world that borders on a living Hell. Strap yourselves in tight, this journey is a gut-clenching and jarring trip into a world where robotics are LIFELIKE and one girl becomes entangled in her past, present and an unknown future. Who is Eve? What makes her different from those around her? Why does she remember a past where she was called Anna?

Her life is sent into a whirlwind of turmoil the moment she found Ezekiel, an android boy and her ragtag group braves the horrors of the remnants of civilization that saw fit to exterminate itself.
Prepare yourself for the chaos and trials that lay ahead, you have been warned, you may find it difficult to learn that there is more humanity in technology than in the humans that remain.

This is my first foray into the writing and world of Jay Kristoff, (and I admit, it took a few pages to get my balance), but I promise you, it won’t be my last. Intense, vivid scenes barrel across each page as these characters’ actions, interactions and reactions come alive in messy, emotional and unpredictable ways. Expect the unexpected, you will believe the unbelievable!

Fabulously frantic reading!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Knopf Books for Young Readers!

Series: Lifelike - Book 1
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 29, 2018)
Publication Date: May 29, 2018
Genre: YA Scifi | Dystopian
Print Length: 416 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com

YOUR MIND IS NOT YOUR OWN.
YOUR BODY IS NOT YOUR OWN.
YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN.

So I've been a fan of Kristoff's ever since I read Nevernight. And thank you to publishers for again providing me with a copy to read and review before publication.

Honestly, almost the whole time I was reading this book, I thought it was going to be three-star read at most. Because everything seemed pretty standard and by the books. But then the last 25% or so came along and just changed the game. And I, for one, am here for it!

This book has a little bit of everything, friendship, romance, action, adventure and heartbreaking betrayals. It keeps you guessing until the very end. It hooks you, and it's nearly impossible not to wonder how this all ends.

Everything about LIFELIKE’s synopsis just called to me. I love the sound of a girl with a mysterious past and the ethical struggles of artificial intelligence and androids. I think this struggle is very related to today as well, especially as the robotics industry is advancing every day. Kristoff explores these concepts through the rough roads of a land ravaged by both natural and artificially-made disasters. Told from the main perspective of Eve, LIFELIKE follows her journey to save her grandfather and, in doing so, also discover the truths of her past.

“Grandpa said it’s always better to be shot at for who you are than hugged for who you aren’t. Most days in Dregs, someone was bound to be shooting at you, anyway.”

The book starts with action, as Eve almost dies fighting a robot gladiator. Instead of getting crushed by it, however, she fritzes it with her mind, making her the target of a religious sect that calls this kind of power an “abomination.” Along the way, she and her ragtag team also picks up a Lifelike - an android who is extremely close to being a human. His name is Ezekiel and her and her team doesn’t really trust him until he saves them quite a few times.

Along for the ride is Lemon Fresh, a younger teen who became Eve’s best friend but whose past is unknown, and Cricket, a small (but don’t call him little) sentient robot that was programmed by Eve’s grandfather to protect her. Eve’s adventure takes her to dangerous, radioactive wastelands, and dusty roads with sharp tornadoes that could cut you up. The comparison to the atmosphere in MAD MAX is pretty fair! I think Kristoff wrote a very intense dystopia that really comes off the pages.

There’s a bit of an ANASTASIA storyline weaved into everything, and overall it made for a very fun and emotional journey. Something about Kristoff’s writing came off as a bit dramatic for this lighter sci-fi, but I think it just added to the storyline. I wasn’t quite surprised by the “twists” happening, but appreciated them nonetheless to keep the plot exciting. And it really was! I think sci-fi readers will really like where Kristoff is heading with the next book. (There is a slight cliffhanger.)

“It was okay to be afraid.
You just couldn’t let that fear stop you.”

There was a light romance in LIFELIKE that I appreciated, but wasn’t 100% on board with. The romance is the relationship between Ezekiel and Eve, and I thought that it came on rather quickly and built on a loose foundation. Nevertheless, the romance became a large part of the bigger overall plot and that’s all I can really elaborate on it. I guess, just don’t come in with high expectations for the romance in mind.

“‘It’s your flaws that make you beautiful, [redacted]. It’s the imperfections that make you perfect. Being what I am, I can’t help but see them. Or love them.’”

Overall, LIFELIKE was super fun and a science fiction YA book I would recommend to readers! I particularly enjoyed the ending, and the exploration of what makes a human, well, human. Especially since there are Lifelikes out there that feel as much emotions as a human would - or more. Readers get ready for a non-stop adventure where pasts get revisited, loyalties get tested, and the definition of a “human” gets rewritten. I for one am ready for the next book!

Content Warning: heavy violence, blood/gore, abuse

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers for the review copy!

JAY KRISTOFF HAS DONE IT AGAIN, EVERYONE. Lifel1k3 is full of twists and turns that will make you gasps in awe every time! This post-apocalyptic dystopian is a unique thing in its own genre. For one, and this factor might bother people, there is an evolution of language present in Lifel1k3. We are so used to old/ancient/medieval languages being used but it's rare to see what the future might be. I won't be detailing the plot and characters so as not to spoil anything but they are worth your time! And you'd be cheering them on! This includes cyborg dogs and logikas so really get your heart ready for this adventure.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. This book was a fast paced thrill ride from start to finish<br /> We meet Eve who lives with her Grandpa Silas and is fighting machina to try to raise money for his medicine. The world is a wasteland full of radiation and trash so there are scavengers who fight each other for anything worth money. Lemon Fresh is Eves best friend and gets pulled along for the ride. One day during one of Eves fights something unexpected happens and the brotherhood comes to kill her. The story was full of twists and turns and I didn't see the ending!