The Only Ones Paperback – Deckle Edge, March 10, 2015

I loved this story. I felt like I was in the head of the main character and seeing the broken-down, crazy world from her perspective. Except she was exceptionally brave, maybe out of ignorance or youth and then maybe out of confidence from her "hardy" status, whereas I would have been scared out of my mind. Her fear about her daughter was no different than any other mother's, and her efforts to raise her were almost heroic considering their circumstances. But her voice and perspective were unique. I have to come back to hearing I's voice in my head as I was reading this book -- or really devoured this book. I feel like I know her! Great writing and a great story!

Not sure if I have the words to describe this extraordinary novel. But it's a monumental achievement, for certain -- a wild, messy ride through motherhood, just like the real-life version. Never saw the ending coming (a major plus, in my opinion), but to be honest, I didn't see any of it coming. An original, definitely. Nothing formulaic about it. My only advice: Be patient. There were a couple of times when I got lost in the manic journeys, mostly because I don't know the geography of the area. If that happens to you, hang in there. Don't think you'll be sorry.

A unique story written in the 'speculative fiction' genre that fans of Margaret Atwood will appreciate. The story and characters come first, the science fiction aspect acting as the backdrop. The narration is consistent throughout in the storyteller's vernacular, and, like Atwood, there is a kernel of truth in a story full of pandemics and the wonders of reproductive science.

Wow. Excellent. This is a must read for the genre and for the skill and craft of the storytelling. The Only Ones could make for a powerful, touching movie.

This book, this book is amazing. Heartbreaking, powerful, inventive, imaginative. Grounded firmly in the relentless reality of being a parent, combined with thoughtful scientific speculation about a dystopian near future. I cried at the end, not because horrible things had occurred -- which they had -- but because the ending is so stubbornly, unwaveringly hopeful.This is the optimism that life depends on.If you like Warren Ellis's Global Frequency, or Orbiter, if you like Emma Bull's Bone Dance, if you like Mira Grant's Newsflesh stories -- Read This Book. It will hurt you in all the good ways.

The truncated sentences are a nice touch; however the voice is not really that of what I would call inner city. The author seems to have left off the visual that could have furthered the plot and setting. Seemed too little setting and character development.

There are so many impressive things about this novel - the voice, the premise (post-pandemic world), and the storytelling style (engagingly matter-of-fact). A young "hardy" woman ends up raising her own clone, learning to be a mother and battling a multitude of systems, the fiercest perhaps being the NY Board of Education. Funny, chilling, a little slow in the middle, but overall one of the best reads I've had in a while.

This was not an easy book to read; as other reviewers have pointed out, the first person narrator is at times irritating and there is not a whole lot of description of settings etc. However, those are the things that made it interesting to me; I had to make it come to life myself and it did.