What a wild ride - I devoured Baby X in 1 day. Without giving away too much, this novel is speculative fiction at its finest and executed perfectly by Peikoff. Highly entertaining and compulsively readable, this is a slam dunk. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy. It wouldn't surprise me to find this book on a lot of recommendation lists come its pub date in March, 24'.

"Baby X" dives deep into the ethical complexities of genetic engineering. The narrative follows several characters in a dystopian world that interweave together in a way that leaves the reader guessing their connections from the start. I found myself unable to put the book down and attempting to "solve" the mysteries as they unfolded. The book raises thought-provoking questions about the ethical implications of manipulating human genes, but set in a world where it is the norm.

The characters are well-developed, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged. That being said, I found the climax to be a bit rushed, often times finding the dialogue unrealistic. It was easy to overlook with the fast-paced scenes and the several twists and turns. Overall the book felt reminiscent of dystopian sci-fi novels set in the near distant future, a la John Marr's The One. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller and sci-fi fans who appreciate the ethical complexities of technological advancements.

Friends Don't Let Friends Forget to A, T, C, G: Act to Catch Genetic Illness.

Imagine a world where genetic selection is possible. You can create embryos, sequence their genomes before implantation and determine what genetic illnesses they would have, what they may develop later in life, and what their strengths may be as adults. Genetic illnesses are all but eliminated, the average lifespan increases dramatically, and we can give birth well into our 60s. But with all good things, there are always those who see a way to profit on technology and use it for evil.

What if you could also create gametes from ANY cell--a cheek swab, some saliva, some skin? You could have a child with literally anyone's DNA as long as you can get your hands on it. Which opens the black market for celebrity DNA. People willing to pay millions for the DNA of a basketball player, mathematician, or in this case, musician.

Enter Thorne--he's a rockstar that is terrified of having his DNA stolen for purposes of having a nonconsensual child. So he hires Ember to be his DNA-guard: follow him around and ensure that no traces of his DNA are left behind for someone to steal. Everything is great until Quinn, working as a surrogate shows up 7 months pregnant and states that she thinks the baby is his. Ember seems to know more about the process than she's letting on, Quinn has some concerns with the man who hired her to carry the baby, and Thorne just wants answers.

This one is a blueprint for a Black Mirror episode if I've ever seen one! I thought the premise and the plot were SUPER interesting, as is the science used to get us there. It's written technically, but still in a very easy to understand way. I was really enjoying this book and thought I knew what the twist was--and I was absolutely WRONG!! The book is fast paced and provides an interesting perspective into what dangers could be lurking as we move closer to being able to utilize genetic editing on a large scale. I really loved this one, and the only minor faults it had were some areas of dialogue that felt weird to me, and some pacing issues. Definitely worth a read!!

Read this one if you like:
~Science Fiction/Black Mirror
~Science and Journalism
~Thrillers
~Multi-POV

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Baby X by Kira Peikoff Difficult to relate to the characters and some questions were left unanswered. An interesting premise and a quick read. Fans of Ms Peikoff and futuristic novels will most likely enjoy the book.

Thank you to the author, The Quick Brown Fox & Co./Crooked Lane Books, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Wow! This book is well-written and includes interesting futuristic concepts like paparazzi drones and electronic contact lenses.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reviewer copy of Baby X in exchange for my honest review.

I was very excited by the premise of Baby X by Kira Peikoff - "In the near-future United States, where advanced technology can create egg or sperm from any person’s cells, celebrities face the alarming potential of meeting biological children they never conceived."

The book offers three perspectives: bio-security guard Ember Ryan, surrogate Quinn Corrigan, and Vanguard intern journalist Lily. While Ember's story is what got me interested in the book, I found Quinn to be the most engaging character. I really felt for her and her situation. Of the three, Lily's story was the least interesting and a little off thematically in my opinion.

Baby X starts strong and kept me hooked. There were enough surprises and twists to keep me entertained. I could predict a few of them which made it all the more enjoyable. However, around half-way/two-thirds of the book, I started to find that certain aspects of the story were unconvincing, from the way the characters interacted to the futuristic world itself. I got the impression that this world was simultaneously in its nascent stage of understanding the tech while also having perfected it, which was quite confusing. While the issues of genetic data privacy and bioethics are touched upon, I had hoped for a slightly deeper and nuanced insight in the story. It would have fit well with the sci-fi theme of the book. Instead, this book leans towards psychological horror thriller in my opinion.

I recommend Baby X for a light, quick and enjoyable read where you follow the story without thinking too much.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This one was really interesting! The future world described is so well detailed and so realistic to have followed on from our current world that it feels completely possible the whole time through. I liked the three PoVs, each character was unique and well written out. The end landed a bit soft for me after all the excitement but it was a great way to tie it altogether! Definitely an author I'll look to read more of in the future.

Baby X was a ton of fun! This book was more speculative fiction than sci-fi (a plus for me), and I quickly became immersed in this not-too-distant future. One of the major differences to life in the 2050s was the biological and genetic advancements. A person's DNA can be restructured into egg and sperm cells, so anyone can have a baby at just about any age. As a downside, DNA can be easily stolen and sold on the dark-web equivalent. That's where our story begins.

The novel alternates from the points of view of Quinn, a surrogate and big Trace Thorne fan looking for her next job; Ember, a bio-scientist that protects celebrities' DNA so they can't be stolen (and Trace Thorne's fiancée); and Lily, an intern at a thriving news agency that feels she doesn't compare to the "Selected" people of the world. Each voice felt distinct, and I eagerly followed each storyline to when they ultimately connected.

I'm kicking myself because I feel like I should have had a better sense of where this story would turn, but I was pleasantly surprised! There are a few plotlines that I found a bit hard to believe, but they didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book too much. Overall, this was an exciting, twisty book that I'm sure will be widely talked about this year.

(4.5/5) This fast-paced techno/sci-fi thriller had me hooked right from the start! Told through two separate storylines, this novel explores themes of bodily autonomy, nature vs. nurture, ownership of genetic information, and ageism and parenthood.

Set decades in the future, new reproductive technology can turn any cell into a sperm or egg cell. Enter the Vault, a burgeoning dark web marketplace for illicitly harvested celebrity cells. From fanatics looking to have their favourite star's baby to opportunities for blackmail and extortion, the risks are ever-present. Guitar superstar Trace Thorne hires bio-security expert Ember Ryan to ensure that all traces of his cells – on tissues, water bottles, cutlery – are completely taken care of. However, when a young woman shows up pregnant, claiming that the baby is Trace's, they must uncover the truth about the Vault before it's too late.

Meanwhile, aspiring journalist Lily is looking for that big scoop that'll kick off her career. Unlike most of her peers, Lily is not a Selected child – she was conceived the "old-fashioned" way. In a world where prospective parents can analyze dozens of embryos' potential traits and disease risks before selecting a final candidate, "designer" children with extraordinary talents have become increasingly common. When Lily's parents decide to have a second child – a Selected one – she cannot help but feel like they're looking for a do-over.

These two storylines ultimately intersect in an incredibly satisfying way. While this novel will appeal to plot-focused readers for its fast pace and consistent action, it's also thought-provoking and provocative. From Henrietta Lacks to genetic genealogy testing kits, controversy around ownership of biological material is not new, and is poised to become even more contentious. Baby X considers these challenging topics in an engaging, entertaining, and emotionally resonant way.

epically thrilling and great! the idea is quite interesting and something scientists have been working on, and it shows the dystopian possibilities. thanks for the arc

A super interesting concept, made eerie and sinister in how potentially realistic it is.
When you can just collect DNA from a celebrity, or any person in your life, send it off and essentially make a baby from it, obviously people are living in horror.
The red herring in this book of utilizing the celebrity, when in fact he was never really the intended victim, was really clever. This book is full of twists and turns and would work well as, let's say, a black mirror concept or something.

A quick, enjoyable read. 3.5/5⭐️

I read this book in one day, basically in one sitting. It's very easy to get into the story and follow the characters along. Towards the end it gets really enthralling a few times. It also has a few nice twists - some of them I saw coming, others really surprised me. But I'm not good at seeing clues beforehand, so take this with caution.

Overall, it felt less Sci-Fi than I expected, which is a neutral thing for me personally. The only thing I took issue in, but that might be very subjective, was the all this talk about being pregnant and pregnancies etc. I get that it's part of the main plot point but as someone without children I feel you could've toned it down just a tad. But well, it is called BABY X.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Quick Brown Fox & Co./Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

P.S.: Thorne is Harry Styles. At least in my head. Sue me.

In this brilliantly plotted and terrifyingly prescient novel, Kira Peikoff delivers a rollercoaster of suspense, ethical quandaries, and unforeseen twists. "Baby X" is a tour de force that will leave readers pondering the implications of a future where the essence of life itself is up for grabs and the boundaries of bioethics are pushed to their limits.

"Baby X" by Kira Peikoff presents a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative set in a world transformed by groundbreaking reproductive technology. The premise of a black-market operation stealing celebrity cells for profit sets the stage for a compelling and high-stakes plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The author expertly navigates intricate themes of bioethics and technological advancements, prompting readers to question the far-reaching implications on individuals and society. The characters, particularly music superstar Trace Thorne and bio-security guard Ember Ryan, are compelling and well-developed, adding emotional depth to the propulsive action of the story.

With its blend of heart-pounding suspense and a poignant exploration of ethical dilemmas, "Baby X" is a captivating read that offers a fascinating glimpse into a near-future world. This novel is sure to appeal to fans of speculative fiction and anyone intrigued by the societal impacts of cutting-edge technology, earning it a solid four-star rating.

I am not familiar with this author but the synopsis sounded good.

A futurist thriller based around the idea of manufactured babies and stolen DNA.

What we get is a scarily believable thriller, set in a future that is not that far away, that twists and turns its way through the plot.

Then drops you at the end where you think eh what???

I read this in one sitting which I have not done in a long time and I enjoyed every minute of the read.

Baby X is going to be huge in 2024.

Awesome book. I loved guessing the plot points. I did figure out how two characters were connected and I was wrong about another but I still enjoyed it. I found myself wanting to read more and more. Just disappointed it doesn’t have a sequel.

I recommend this to people who like scifi and dystopians.

I got this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books/The Quick Brown Fox & Co for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this one so much! The writing was very accessible and the setting and characters were super interesting. I also love when a book has a twist that I didn’t predict, but could have. The roots for the twist are definitely seen throughout, but I didn’t see it coming!

Fans of dystopian style books will likely enjoy the realistic sci-fi elements.

WOW. I was absolutely enthralled by this book from start to finish. I read thrillers almost exclusively and it's been a long time since I found one with such a unique storyline. I felt like I was in a labyrinth with all the twists and turns, and I was so satisfied with how the story ended. With 3 POVs intertwined flawlessly, this creepy medical x domestic thriller had an extra layer of complexity given that this is easily something that could happen in our world soon. The author references pandemics and 21st-century privacy concerns, paving the way for how this future could be our reality soon. 5 stars, and I knew it would be from the first few pages.

This is set in a not-so-far-away future where phones are archaic, self-driving vehicles are the norm, and "designer" babies have taken the term to a new level. Parenthood is democratized (to a certain extent - lots of ethical considerations here as well) where parents can choose from a selection of 3 eggs: each egg shows its personality characteristics, the likelihood for diseases, what they will excel in (from sports to academia) and their physical look.

It all comes at a price because now the top concern is nonconsensual conception, AKA people paying top dollar to have children with celebrities without their knowledge. Ember is a bio-security guard, hired by pop star Thorne to ensure none of his DNA is left behind and stolen. She follows him around on tour, sanitizing and sweeping the stage once the show is down to cleanse it of any hairs, saliva, or DNA fragments that could be taken. But when they're approached at a coffee shop by a woman claiming to carry his child, all bets are off. Told in a parallel storyline, a young journalist is struggling with her identity as her parents (her mother is over 60, but "golden parents" are commonplace) decide to have another child through the Selection. Lily hopes to use her family as the basis of her big story to land her dream job but begins to unravel secrets of the past.

While a captivating storyline with riveting characters, Baby X also weaves in ethical concerns about genetic engineering and DNA use -- what would happen if we all could really "play God?" Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Meryl Moss Media Group for sending me an ARC of Baby X in exchange for an honest review.

In the near future, almost all pregnancies begin in a lab. Any cell can be manipulated into an egg or sperm cell, allowing any couple to create a biological child. Further, couples are given a profile of each of their embryos and then they select the one to be implanted. Ember Ryan operates a bio-security business designed to protect celebrities’ DNA from The Vault, a shadowy group that facilitates stolen cell pregnancies. Originally hired by superstar singer Thorne to protect him on tour, she’s now his fiancée, but their relationship is strained when a young pregnant woman named Quinn approaches them in a coffee shop and says she thinks she’s carrying his baby. Meanwhile, Lily is a young reporter trying to earn a full time job at a trendy magazine. But she’s haunted by her fear that being an Unforeseen—a baby conceived naturally rather than Selected—will leave her permanently second best.

Baby X is a science fiction hybrid. The Ember/Thorne/Quinn storyline is a classic mystery/thriller. Is Quinn really carrying Thorne’s baby, and if so, how and why? Who or what is behind The Vault, what are their purpose and endgame, and can they be stopped? The Lily storyline is much more subtle, speculative fiction that the the book more philosophical and emotional depth. Assume we could develop the genetic tools described in this story … should we use them? Avoiding inherited disease is pretty non-controversial, but allowing parents to select their children’s strengths and weaknesses feels fraught with risk, though the characters here seem to make relatively benign choices. And what would the emotional impact of such choices be on those Selected and Unforeseen? It’s all interesting stuff.

My biggest issue with Baby X was that the two storylines feel quite unrelated until almost the very end. But that’s a minor quibble. Overall, this is a solid, entertaining speculative thriller. Recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. Based on CAWPILE it's a 4 star for me, but I would go ahead and give it an extra .5 star. Solid 4.5 stars for me.

The characters are really well done, and I enjoyed seeing how their stories all wove together. I would say what really won me over on this one was the suspense. I was really on edge about what was going to happen and how it would all round out. Peikoff definitely keeps you on your toes, and I enjoyed that about this book. I didn't really figure out how one of the plot lines tied in with the rest until (I think) the author wanted us to, so that was nice. I love it when they can keep me guessing. Several of the reveals were not a surprise to me, but the ultimate reveal got me, which is nice.

I like that Peikoff is giving us a lot to think about and chew on with this book. IMO, good Sci-Fi/dystopian SHOULD make us think and reflect. I feel like it would be a great book club pick for that reason.