I really enjoyed this SCI-FI (not speculative fiction, imo) book. This is the first book from Peikoff in over a decade. In fact, I thought she was a debut author, but upon further research realized that she has many books surrounding the themes of genetics, DNA, and how that could affect reproduction and making babies. This latest edition leans on the idea of how our understanding of DNA could evolve into the future.

This book follows three main female characters - a bio-guard, someone who can follow celebrities, etc to ensure that their DNA can't be stolen by the black market; a young woman named Lily who is struggling with her identity as a natural occuring pregnancy instead of being a Selected embryo, and a third POV of a surrogate mother who thinks she may be carrying an illegal, celebrity embryo. Honestly, I can barely remember the names of these women because they all were VERY similar. While reading, I often had to remind myself who was who. The voices were practically indistinguishable.

Overall, the premise was really cool - DNA being manipulated to be able to create an egg from ANY cell. Meaning that same sex couples could both contribute DNA to their child. Several embryos are created and analyzed for potential personality traits, medical conditions, and possible skills (musical acumen, physical strength, etc). Potential parents then Select which embryo to implant. Of course this brings up a lot of ethical questions and there is push back. Additionally, celebrities and other desirables (Nobel Prize winners, etc) find their DNA at risk from a DNA terrorist group called The Vault who steals and sells desirable DNA on the internet for people to buy. They can then use it to create illegal offspring.

When I think of speculative fiction, I think of a near-future where one part of the story is bit advanced based on our current technology. John Marrs comes to mind. His book The One (also about speculative uses of DNA) has only that singular tech advanced. Everything else in the story feels contemporary. Peikoff, although listed a spec fic, sets her story in a world where there are MANY tech advances. People use contact lenses to surf the web making cell phone obsolete, for example. There are other crazy advances as well which, in my opinion, puts this more into the sci-fi category.

This is also set as a thriller. And while there was the threat of The Vault, the multiple POVs and switching between them kept the tension to a minimum. It would get a little exciting and then immediately switch to another POV that really slowed it down. I especially didn't really think Lily's POV was that necessary, especially since her connection to the other women was projected from almost the beginning (not the twist, imo, that the author intended).

Overall, I did enjoy reading this story. I thought the idea of people stealing others' DNA is not actually that far-fetched and could have crazy consequences. I wish the author had executed this with a bit more finesse and explored more of the ramifications or potential fall-out from this advancement. I also found the dialogue a bit stilted and juvenile. Two people were supposed to be in their 40s, but it read more like teenagers. And the twist was not twisty, at least not for this avid reader of twisty books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kira Peikoff, and the publisher for allowing me to review an Advanced copy of this book.

This was a good mix of thriller/speculative sci-fi set in the not so distant future where DNA can be sold on the black market and couples can choose their perfect embryo. It was an interesting premise and was a fast read. Ember operates a bio-security firm and is hired to protect superstar singer Quinn from getting his DNA stolen but a woman shows up claiming to be carrying his baby. Que some over the top happenings that made this almost more soap opera than sci-fi. This may be a good one for fans of Black Mirror or Andy Weir.

I was really excited to dive into this story. Near-future sci-fi that deals with potentially timely reproductive and privacy issues? Sign me up! With this premise, what could possibly go wrong?

Baby X didn’t in fact go wrong, but it didn’t completely go right either. I was hoping for it to delve into relevant ethical and moral questions. In reality, it ended up reading more as a standard thriller that was adorned in a whole host of sci-fi concepts that never went beyond surface level. I think Peikoff tried to tackle the issues in too many directions rather than picking one to explore in depth.

It was still a very entertaining read, just not quite what I was hoping for.

Thank you Kira Peikoff, The Quick Brown Fox & CO, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley and for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this Sci-Fi story of the near distant future. In the future, families are able to select which embryo they want based on their DNA components. Not only can they know ahead of time if the child will be gifted with certain skills, but they can also know if that embryo is at risk for any health problems. This creates almost an elite class of children being born with much more gifted talents and far less illnesses. This story combines 3 different women, Ember, Quinn, and Lily and their experience with this new technology. Ember is a protector of the rich and famous from having their DNA stolen by "The Vault" who is making millions off selling famous DNA on the black market. Quinn is a newly pregnant surrogate trying to determine what rights she has in her position. Lastly, Lily is a reporter who wants to use her mother's past to help break into the journalism game. All the stories intertwine into a thrilling sci-fi work on medical progress and if it's always for the best. Good novel that kept me guessing until the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and The Quick Brown Fox and CO for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Interesting concept but it just didn’t spark for me. I had a hard time keeping up with the so called futuristic setting. It was choppy going from one POV to the next. Not bad but could’ve been easily better. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

“Your genes, your bloodline, it’s all pretty much irrelevant, unless you inherit a serious illness. But aside from that, it’s not the big stuff. It doesn’t control what you do or think or care about, or how you treat others or how you fully love. All that’s up to you.”

In the highly imaginative Baby X, author Kira Peikoff paints a world in the not so distant future where procreation has taken on a life of its own, no pun intended.

Set in the United States, technology has allowed individuals to sit in the driver’s seat of their own reproduction. Due to numerous screeners, expectant parents can now literally create designer offspring, choosing from a catalog of potential personality traits and the possible elimination of undesirable genetic predispositions.

But just like any other advancements, they don’t come without a price. With this, the trend to steal and sell desired individuals DNA on the black market without their consent gains traction. Suddenly, anyone with some cash and a lack of a conscience can bid on the all too easily attainable DNA.

The plot itself focuses on a few central characters, all with differing perspectives in the DNA game. There’s Ember, a genetic bodyguard with insider information to give her an edge, Thorne, the famous rockstar Ember has been paid to protect, and Quinn, a young pregnant woman with a desire to know the truth.

Baby X is a speculative story that packs a punch. With just the right mix of far fetched fiction and futuristic prophecy, this is one thriller that both enthralls the reader and gives birth to a terrifying alternate reality.

Years into the future, and making babies is no longer the same. Babies are now all grown in a lab, and embryos can be made from anyones dna. Two men can have a child, two women, or you can make a baby with a celebrity if you have the money to purchase their dna from The Vault. Thorne is furious that his dna is for sale and hires Ember to protect him. When woman shows up saying she is carrying his child…everything goes sideways.

This book was so unique. Also, kind of scary to think about being able to choose an embryo based on pretty much every aspect of how that child will turn out. With the recent ruling in Alabama, something like this feels very far away, but still crazy! I did figure out one of the twists pretty early, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the entire book. This was a great read and such a unique story that I fully enjoyed!

'Baby X' explores the concept and dilemmas of having the seemingly utopian technology people dream of to prevent suffering in the world until it falls under the decays of typical human greed or corruption. We follow a couple of perspectives and narratives throughout the book. Trace Thorne is one of the victims of said technology — being a famous musician in this day and age means getting your DNA stolen and sold on the black market, making it able for people to create eggs or sperm cells our of it. He hires Biosecurity Ember Ryan to prevent this from happening, but Ember seems to be running away from something. Lily on the other hand has a major fellowship opportunity for her journalistic pursuits, and discovers a part of her family's past that she's afraid to uncover. And Quinn, who works as a surrogate mother, finds out the more pernicious parts of her job in regard to reproductive rights.

I think this book does a very good job at highlighting the issues we may already face today, albeit on a less grand scale in terms of privacy, AI technology, and the ethics of gene editing. Using pretty straightforward prose, the narrative engages you and is able to sustain that sense of suspense. The switching of perspectives, for the most part doesn't feel redundant nor clashes with the tone or register. I do, however feel that Lily's arc stagnates at some point when one of her projects falls through. Her story doesn't quite connect with the others; it almost feels disjointed. But overall, I enjoyed it and it's an apt sci-fi thriller that doesn't try to do too much like other books of the subgenre.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC, I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley, The Quick Brown Fox & CO, Crooked Lane Books for an advanced reading copy of Baby X in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book drew me in, as a fan of thrillers and sci-fi, but I can’t say it was much of either.

Baby X takes place a decade or so in the future, but the technology and science occurring seems so far-fetched that it’s hard to grasp or take seriously. (The whole process for Selection, ugh.) Concepts are explained using a plethora of scientific jargon, but many of them either lack coherence or seem overly advanced for a timeframe of just ten to twenty years.

There are three rotating main characters, all female, and they are often times flat and indistinguishable from each other. Their attitudes and features may be described as different, but all of their dialogue and tone sound the same. To that extent, the dialogue relies heavily on exposition, leaving conversations between characters to plod the novel along, instead of an actual plot. The dialogue feels very juvenile and awkward, and borders on cheesy. No one has conversations like this, or if they do, they’re teenagers.

There are a lot of ethical questions and societal issues throughout the book (body autonomy, consent, ageism, etc.) and it’s a shame the author doesn’t delve deeper into them. They’re glossed over and it becomes some sort of romance/revenge story that happens to take place in the future. The plot holes are gaping, and so much of the book doesn’t add up properly once you start to dissect things.

It was easy enough to read, and had some fun (albeit, predictable twists), but overall, I felt there was a lack of execution on what could have been a really powerful and engaging read. 2.5 stars.

I’m not usually a science fiction reader, but this book caught my eye and I had to read it. Set in the future, with all the crazy things technology could provide, it seemed very possible that this story could be our future. The story itself was engaging and Lily, Quinn and Ember each tell their parts of the tale with the connections finally coming together in the end. I enjoyed the story and its twists and turns, but hate the thought that we would ever become a society where we have so little privacy and offspring are “Selected” for their traits or where our DNA can be collected by strangers and used to create a baby. This was well written and I definitely recommend.

The premise of this book was promising, but so many POVs was honestly just so hard for me to work through while reading.

The past and present collide in the future as people are able to choose the child they want to have. Genetic testers and screens can provide parents with a full genetic background before implantation to insure a child is a healthy, higher achiever. But what if you felt the possible child between yourself and your partner wouldn't produce that? Stolen DNA from star athletes, senators, and musicians leads to people with gifts, riches, and success to guard their DNA through hiring bioguards - those who will make sure none of your DNA is left behind at a restaurant, concert, or meeting. And that's how Trace Thorne and Ember meet; Thorne - a world famous musician - hires Ember to be his bioguard. They didn't plan to fall in love but their love is deep, full of trust. Ember does everything she can to protect Thorne and his DNA. But then Quinn approaches them in a cafe and delivers the worse possible news - Quinn is pregnant with Thorne's baby. Ember failed him. And worst yet, Ember has a very dark secret about her life before Thorne.

This was an interesting and unique read, unlike most of the books I've read. It was engaging and delivered such a wonderful twist that I didn't see coming!

This 4 star read is one I would certainly recommend for anyone who enjoys sci-fi mixed with mystery. I'm greatly looking forward to looking at other books published by Kira Peikoff!

Near future, body and reproductive modification, and the perils it can contain.

I loved this look at a mildly dystopian world that doesn’t feel too dissimilar to our own. There’s so many twists and turns I found I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed all the POVs and thought they all added an interesting perspective on the subject. A lot of discussion on reproductive rights, the rights of the child and how that all intertwines.

Now, I will say that I guessed the twist ending about halfway through, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book. This is a super fun thriller that stays fast paced throughout!

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller is set in the not-too-far future, where children are "selected" as embryos and genetic material of celebrities is available on the Dark Web. The story is told in alternating POVs between three young women: one a pregnant surrogate, one a bio-security expert and one a journalist trying to launch her career. In the course of the book, we find out bit by bit how the lives of these three intersect and collide - the first half moves almost a bit too slowly, although the author does a good job of setting the scene with a slowly growing sense of unease. In the second half, there are several feints and twists that are unexpected - overall a gripping read that raises some very prescient ethical questions as well.

Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Quick Brown Fox and Company for this copy of "Baby X."

This future technothriller is set in 2050+ where any biological matter can be used to create life.

Thorne is a music star who hires Ember to be his bio-security guard, preventing anyone from stealing his DNA for the illegal market.

This was an exciting page-turner that incorporated many relevant ethical questions about reproductive autonomy and genetic manipulation.

Kira Peikoff rocks her latest speculative thriller, BABY X — a peek into the futurist US, 2050—biological matter used to create babies and DNA sold to the highest bidder— both terrifying and emotional in this timely, captivating sophisticated suspense with jaw-dropping twists!

Three women's lives and storylines converge (Lily, Ember, Quinn) for an explosive ending.

Ember- Head of bio-security
Quinn-Surrogate, who claims Throne is her baby's father.
Lily - is a young journalist reporter.

Can you imagine? —You can conceive a child with anyone (age, class, gender, intelligence, or status) by providing a biological sample from saliva, blood, or mucus. You can rule out diseases and illnesses.

Then, created into sperm or egg cells, opening up a gambit of unethical behavior from someone picking up your eating utensil, napkin, straw, lipstick, discarded Kleenex, toothbrush, etc., to get their hands on your DNA. Pregnancy begins in a lab with cells manipulated into egg or sperm cells, allowing couples to create a perfect biological child. They select from profiles for their embryos to be implanted.

DNA THEFT: However, in the wrong hands, this creates a nightmare when the system is corrupt and greedy—the scientists figure some will pay big money to have babies with superstars. A person's DNA can be stolen and sold on the black market - hence the SUSPENSE begins.

THE VAULT is a black market site devoted to stealing DNA. They are targeting Superstar musician Trace Thorne celebrity—then they blackmail him to pay out ransom money for his own cell matter.

The Vault steals celebrity cells to convert into sperm and eggs in a secret lab for their greedy profit. Their customers range from obsessed fans to hyper-competitive parents who want to give their future children the most desirable genes. It is easy to pick out your perfect child. Diseases are being eliminated—choose your preferred traits and personalities.

Who is behind THE VAULT and their motives?

Due to the ongoing problems, Trace hires bio-security guard Ember Ryan to guard his goods and keep people from stealing. He is being stalked among other celebrities, especially after concerts or public outings. Trace and Ember are also now romantically involved. She will do anything to protect him.

Then, they are confronted by a pregnant young woman, Quinn, (a surrogate) who claims that Thorne is the father of her baby. Can this be possible?

Lily is an "unforeseen" child and aspiring journalist who wants to expose the bias of these clinics. She wants to make a name for herself with a magazine story about genetics and hopes to use her own family, but will they agree?bHowever, Lily is worried that being an 'unforeseen'—a baby conceived naturally rather than 'selected'—will leave her behind.

The author brilliantly alternates with POVs: Ember, Quinn and Lily, keeping you on the edge of our seat in this intriguing and propulsive thriller. You cannot imagine how the storylines will connect. Unputdownable, clever, and unpredictable—you will not see the ending coming!

THOUGHT-PROVOKING! I usually am not into Sci-fi or speculative; however, the author infuses human emotions, drawing you into their personal lives, and you become invested in the characters and their outcomes. I did not expect to LOVE this one as much as I did. There is ongoing suspense, action, fascination, intrigue, and mystery to keep you guessing.

QUESTIONS:
Is Quinn carrying Thorne's baby?
Who is behind The Vault and their motives?
How does Lily fit into the equation?

You will be shocked at how all the pieces fit together as the storylines collide. I loved the ending! Looking forward to reading more by this mega-talented author.

BABY X is a fascinating, twisty suspense thriller with emotional depth. For fans of Blake Crouch, John Marrs, and Thomas Mullen. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Meryl Moss Media Group, and NetGalley for a gifted digital ARC for an honest opinion. #CoverCrush

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
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I will start off by saying that I am the target audience for this book. While I read a wide variety of books, I love science fiction; speculative fiction in particular is probably my favorite genre of all. So I was looking forward to Baby X by Kira Peikoff. Unfortunately, this book was a huge letdown and frankly I'm surprised it has a rating as high as it does.

On the surface this may come across as just a sci-fi thriller book, but it's also full of so many unexplored social themes and issues (Privacy, Safety, Playing "God", Oppression vs Discrimination, Moral Right vs Wrong, Informed Consent, Justice and Equity, Equality of Access, Unforeseen Complications) Peikoff had so many opportunities to explore here, and this is just one example of how the book falls short.

Reading Baby X feels like watching a cheesy B movie produced for cable. The writing is amateurish and awkward. The scenes between Ember and Thorne were positively cringe-worthy. It also feels as if Peikoff's "science" is based on fantasy rather than reality and what could actually be possible in ten years time. I'll admit I don't know a whole lot about science myself, but the whole baby making process described seems absolutely ridiculous and I'm not sure what's described could even ever be possible.

The only aspect I really enjoyed was reading about the world building and the future tech. But even that too is flawed. Some of the tech described is just too advanced to happen in a decade.

There are three MCs whose perspectives rotate throughout the book and the only one I liked was Lily, but even she comes off as whiny at times. Quinn was portrayed as a weak, ditzy female. But the worst was Ember and her insta-love romance with Thorne. I came to dread her chapters and started skimming them halfway through.

Baby X isn't really a thriller either. At no time was I on the edge of my seat or worried that something bad was going to happen.

The small mystery "twist", which is the book's only other positive, doesn't happen until almost the very, very, very end (and can be seen coming). It's a nice surprise but it doesn't make up for what the book lacks. Overall, a lot of promise that never pays off.

Thank you to The Quick Brown Fox & CO, Kira Peikoff, and Netgalley for an advance digital copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and given voluntarily.

1 ½ stars rounded up to 2 stars

For readers of:

Science Fiction, Thrillers, Mysteries, Speculative Fiction, Science, Genetic Engineering, General Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Action, Adventure

Full disclosure, I had to stop reading this book at about 55% of the way through. But I have many thoughts.

What I liked : the short chapters. I liked the sci-fi aspect of it until stuff started to.. not add up. It’s the 2050s, technology has advance SO much. Android dogs, having babies without having s*x, holograms, lens screens, etc. Tell me why one of the characters is paying with CASH? You’re telling me cash still exists? No, it didn’t make sense.

Next, the multiple POVs. In this novel we have three point of views. It started to get so confusing because every time we switch point of views, we’d be at a different point in time. Weeks would pass in one POV and then when we switch back to another, only seconds have passed. It gave me whiplash. Not to mention at 50% of the way through one of the POVs seems inherently pointless.

The story took way too long to materialize. The first 50% of the book could’ve been a few chapters. The way information was revealed was so basic. Lots of telling and not showing.

Lastly, the writing. Seemed like a first draft to me. Very simple.

All in all, I could not care to waste my time further to continue this book. Thank you for letting me read it early.

I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of this book and it did not disappoint!
I am not a big science fiction reader but read this one in one day! It was fast paced and kept me turning each page for more. It was the perfect combination of science fiction and thriller.
The concept was very interesting and not did not lose me with overly scientific terms and explanations. It touches upon ethical concerns around reproductive engineering. I am intrigued to see how close we are to a holoverse in 2050!!

The story is told from the POV of three main characters - Quinn, Ember and Lily. Peikoff did a great job intertwining the characters and seamlessly connects them all by the books end. Also, it ends with a nice twist.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Thank you NetGallery for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

In a not too far in the future America, couples no longer create babies the "old fashioned way", but by combining their DNA in a lab and making many embryos, which they then compare and pick the one they want to implant. There are many criteria for the selection, but the most important is avoiding any health problems the child might inherit. But many people also look for social and mental tendencies and pick the ones they most want their child to develop. But a new company, called the Vault, advertises that it has found a way to extract DNA from anyone, with only trace cells, and manipulate those cells to become eggs or sperm so you can purchase the DNA of anyone and get a baby from them, often without their knowledge.

Trace Thorne is the most popular singer/songwriter/entertainer in America and his DNA is the most sought-after, so far without success. Enter Ember Ryan, whose company guarantees no one can steal that valuable material, no matter what the cost. Thorne employs Amber to go on tour with him and she is meticulous and erases every trace. So when they are accosted in a coffee shop one day by a VERY pregnant Quinn, a surrogate who claims to be carrying Thorne's child, Amber knows that can't be true. And it isn't. But the REAL truth of the parentage of this baby is terrifying.

Another story line features Lily, one of the few Unforseens, who was created naturally and not selected. Her mother spent first ten years of Lily's life in prison for using an illegal gun to kill a man breaking in to their house. But it seems strange that she would spend such a long time incarcerated for a minor crime she committed while nine months pregnant. But her parents offer no details and she is unable to find out any more.

Told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Ember, Quinn, and Lily, this is a book I found hard to put down.