Set in the not-too-distant future, this story introduces the reader to a slightly different world and explores the nature and extent of genetic engineering. The story gently introduces the reader to the trials and tribulations in the life of central character, Talissa. At a crossroads in her career and in need of funds, she decides to take a year out to become a surrogate mother for a childless couple, Alaric and Mary. She applies to an eminent institute where in vitro fertilisation is available for anyone with enough cash. The Institute is also part of a wider organisation that undertakes research and genetic engineering.The action then shifts to a conversation between Lukas Parn – a wealthy scientist and owner of the institute and research labs that Talissa will use – and one of his colleagues in the same field. And it is at this very early point in the story that a seemingly innocent remark foreshadows the catalogue of sinister events that will follow. It is also from this point that the tension gradually begins to build. I found that I could not put this book down.The narrative, as easily readable as it is, flows really well with a constant backdrop of ever-increasing fear for Talissa, the child she is carrying and for the parents who will adopt that child – Seth, a name that is full of meaning in the context of the story. Once Seth is born and delivered to his eagerly awaiting parents, he becomes yet another source of concern for the reader. Wanting to know what happened to Seth kept me turning the page, to the extent that I read the final two-thirds of the book in one day.Towards the end of the story, there is yet another dilemma for the reader, and the ending was not what I was expecting. This is a disturbing, thought-provoking, but excellent read that fully deserves the five-star rating I have awarded.

Cool and good

Not an easy read and too overloaded with scientific information. However I persevered through that, and was rewarded with a very clever and thought provoking story line.There is so much information in this story in many different ways and as always his books are weighty with richness of prose and vocabulary.On reflection, I enjoyed the book but found it an exhausting read.

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Seriously hope we humans don't ever try this experiment for real but certainly made me think and question what I thought I knew

I was intrigued by the theme of the book. And it started well and held my interest at the beginning but gradually lost interest. I think it was to do with the characters.The boy wasn’t sympathetic and apart from his parents I wasn’t interested in the others.I got confused by some of the science tooI have tried a few of his books but I’ve decided I’m not a Sebastian faulkes fan.