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Replica #2
Ringer
Like its ambitious companion novel, Replica, this far-reaching novel by powerhouse bestselling author Lauren Oliver digs deep into questions of how to be a human being in a world where humanity cannot be taken for granted.
In the world outside the Haven Institute, Lyra and Caelum are finding it hard to be human—and neither of them knows where they belong or who they can trust. When Caelum leaves without warning to pursue the dream of a place he belongs, Lyra follows him, convinced that together they will hunt down a cure for the illness that’s slowly consuming her mind. But what they uncover is a shocking connection to their past—even as their future seems in danger of collapsing.
After discovering the uncomfortable truth about her connection to the Haven Institute, Gemma struggles to return to her normal life. But when she learns that her controlling and powerful father has new plans for Lyra and Caelum, Gemma and her boyfriend, Pete, leave in the middle of the night to warn them of the danger they face.When an untimely accident derails them, they are mistaken for the escaped replicas and seized by strangers hired to capture them. The Haven Institute wasn’t destroyed after all, and now Gemma is the one behind the walls.
Lyra’s and Gemma’s stories can be read separately—with either story first—or in alternating chapters, but no matter which way you turn the book, the two distinct stories combine into one breathtaking experience for both heroines and readers alike.
In the world outside the Haven Institute, Lyra and Caelum are finding it hard to be human—and neither of them knows where they belong or who they can trust. When Caelum leaves without warning to pursue the dream of a place he belongs, Lyra follows him, convinced that together they will hunt down a cure for the illness that’s slowly consuming her mind. But what they uncover is a shocking connection to their past—even as their future seems in danger of collapsing.
After discovering the uncomfortable truth about her connection to the Haven Institute, Gemma struggles to return to her normal life. But when she learns that her controlling and powerful father has new plans for Lyra and Caelum, Gemma and her boyfriend, Pete, leave in the middle of the night to warn them of the danger they face.When an untimely accident derails them, they are mistaken for the escaped replicas and seized by strangers hired to capture them. The Haven Institute wasn’t destroyed after all, and now Gemma is the one behind the walls.
Lyra’s and Gemma’s stories can be read separately—with either story first—or in alternating chapters, but no matter which way you turn the book, the two distinct stories combine into one breathtaking experience for both heroines and readers alike.
672 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
215 people are currently reading
10.6k people want to read
About the author
Lauren Oliver
58books118kfollowersLaurenOliveris the cofounder of media and content development company Glasstown Entertainment, where she serves as the president of production. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the YA novels Replica, Vanishing Girls, Panic, and the Delirium trilogy: Delirium, Pandemonium, and Requiem, which have been translated into more than thirty languages. The film rights to both Replica andLauren's bestselling first novel, Before I Fall, were acquired by AwesomenessTV; Before I Fall is now a major motion picture and opened in theaters March of 2017. The sequel to Replica, titled Ringer, is her most recent novel and was released October 3rd, 2017.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program,LaurenOliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program,LaurenOliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 504 reviews
January 25, 2018
Not bad.
December 25, 2018
This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found
“If everyone believed they were monsters, shouldn’t they at least be allowed to have teeth?�
🌟 I don’t know if Lauren is losing her magic, looking at Lauren’s books I can see that they have 300K and 400K ratings but the newer releases barely makes it to 50K! I don’t know what I am missing and one of the reasons I started this series was to investigate more!
🌟 Replica was a good book, not less and not more. I also started it because I loved the idea of a flip book that you can read from either side and from either POVs and the story would still make sense. While in book 1 there was much Overlap the POVs in this book felt more distinct and separate. They come together beautifully but I still enjoyed Replica a bit more.
🌟 The writing style is OK and same goes for the characters but I had a problem with the pacing and the plot. This was a >500 pages book but nothing much happens! I expected more action, more drama and a bit more spice but I was reading waiting for the next big thing that I sadly didn’t receive.
🌟 I also like medical stuff in books and this involves cloning and human experiments, a thing that I think a lot about as a medical student. Much of the medical advance was after the WW2 due to human experiments and we wouldn’t have made it to this point without it. It is not like I am encouraging it but it was like a turning point in human’s history and thus this provides an ethical dilemma to discuss!
🌟 Summary: I liked the first book in this duology a bit more (Replica) because this was slow and not much happens in it. I wanted more from the writing, the characters and specially the plot. I enjoyed the moral issues it presents though.
“If everyone believed they were monsters, shouldn’t they at least be allowed to have teeth?�
🌟 I don’t know if Lauren is losing her magic, looking at Lauren’s books I can see that they have 300K and 400K ratings but the newer releases barely makes it to 50K! I don’t know what I am missing and one of the reasons I started this series was to investigate more!
🌟 Replica was a good book, not less and not more. I also started it because I loved the idea of a flip book that you can read from either side and from either POVs and the story would still make sense. While in book 1 there was much Overlap the POVs in this book felt more distinct and separate. They come together beautifully but I still enjoyed Replica a bit more.
🌟 The writing style is OK and same goes for the characters but I had a problem with the pacing and the plot. This was a >500 pages book but nothing much happens! I expected more action, more drama and a bit more spice but I was reading waiting for the next big thing that I sadly didn’t receive.
🌟 I also like medical stuff in books and this involves cloning and human experiments, a thing that I think a lot about as a medical student. Much of the medical advance was after the WW2 due to human experiments and we wouldn’t have made it to this point without it. It is not like I am encouraging it but it was like a turning point in human’s history and thus this provides an ethical dilemma to discuss!
🌟 Summary: I liked the first book in this duology a bit more (Replica) because this was slow and not much happens in it. I wanted more from the writing, the characters and specially the plot. I enjoyed the moral issues it presents though.
October 23, 2017
I really like many parts of this series but I had a lot of trouble not letting my mind roam; it just didn't keep my attention the whole time. In Replica, I read the novel from Lyra's POV completely then went on to Gemma's story. So for the second book I did the alternating chapters. I actually liked doing the alternating chapters best. Not going to lie it can be a slight hassle flipping the book over chapter to chapter but, in my opinion, the novel goes by smoother. So for those who haven't read this series yet maybe deal with the hassle and try the flip/flop.
March 26, 2021
I have been awaiting this second instalment in the Replica series for a year now, and I was not at all disappointed with the outcome. Ringer is just as eerie, and the original layout of the book is the same as the first. My favourite story was Gemma’s, but Lyra’s is still gripping. If you have yet to pick these books up, I definitely recommend that you do so this fall.
This sequel to Replica tells the story of human clones and mistaken identity. What is interesting about this story in particular is that Lyra and Gemma’s positions are now swapped. Gemma is mistaken for a Replica and imprisoned while Lyra is on the hunt for a cure for her illness. I can’t say too much because of spoilers, but I really enjoyed the scientific aspects of the book and the well-thought out plot twists. Ringer is full of intrigue and is the perfect conclusion to the Replica duology.
What is so unique about the way Ringer is written is the multitude of reading options provided. Gemma and Lyra’s stories are separate, yet they connect. Because of this, the reader can either read each perspective separately or alternate after every chapter. Because I read the ebook edition of this book, it was hard to alternate, but it is interesting how both stories are so synced. I love the setup of the Replica books, and I would definitely like to see more books with this format.
Of the two stories, I personally enjoyed Gemma’s better. I liked her more as a character, and her experiences contained more action and suspense. There are also more sci-fi aspects in her story, which I preferred to Lyra’s more contemporary story. Lyra’s story is still enjoyable, but compared to Gemma’s I just found it to be a bit lacking.
Ringer is the action-packed sequel to Replica in which Gemma and Lyra’s positions are switched. I enjoyed the originality of the plot and the creative layout of the book itself. I personally preferred Gemma’s side of the story, but both stories are still thrilling.
September 26, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was an interesting sequel, and I liked catching up with Gemma and Lyra.
I felt sorry for both Gemma and Lyra in this book, Gemma was once again faced with a replica of herself and Lyra was once again being chased for her life.
The storyline in this was about Gemma trying to warn Lyra that people were once again after her, and Lyra being on the run. Caelum had gone missing and Gemma got thrown into a dangerous situation that she wasn’t expecting. We had quite a few questions over what makes someone human, and Gemma’s fears over having replicas, while Lyra had problems with Calum and his lack of documentation.
The ending to this was okay, but I felt like things were still left fairly open.
7 out of 10
This was an interesting sequel, and I liked catching up with Gemma and Lyra.
I felt sorry for both Gemma and Lyra in this book, Gemma was once again faced with a replica of herself and Lyra was once again being chased for her life.
The storyline in this was about Gemma trying to warn Lyra that people were once again after her, and Lyra being on the run. Caelum had gone missing and Gemma got thrown into a dangerous situation that she wasn’t expecting. We had quite a few questions over what makes someone human, and Gemma’s fears over having replicas, while Lyra had problems with Calum and his lack of documentation.
The ending to this was okay, but I felt like things were still left fairly open.
7 out of 10
April 8, 2018
I am speechless. I didn’t know what to expect from this second book (I don’t read the synopsis before reading a book, I don’t want any spoilers), and I LOVED it! It is a whirlwind of events and emotions that unfolds just right at the end of the book. I read the book alternating chapters between Gemma and Lyra, like I did with the first book, and it helps to build the suspense of the story. Loved it❤️
Many thanks to the publisher for my early copy!!
Many thanks to the publisher for my early copy!!
March 3, 2018
“Words could make anything: that was their great power, and their great danger.�
I loved Ringer just as much as I loved Replica - and I’m so happy about it. Ringer builds on the momentum of Replica, and we look even deeper at what it means to be human, and what rights are given to those who meet that definition. Gemma and Lyra have both escaped the Haven Institute, but the troubles they face are just beginning. Lyra and Caelum begin searching for a cure to heal her, and uncover a shocking connection to their past. When Gemma and Pete go to warn the newly freed replicas that Gemma’s father, Geoffrey, might not have been as altruistic as he seemed, the two are mistaken for the escaped replicas and taken to a Haven holding. Trapped and alone. With even more suspense and thrills, Ringer is a fantastic conclusion to this thought-provoking science fiction duology.
Things I Liked
Gemma and Lyra’s journey is once again emotional and compelling. We see each girl trying to move forward from the life-changing events that happened over Spring Break. Each girl is going through a sort of fish-out-of-water experience, where they are forced to grow and evolve. We really see each girl’s strength and determination. Where even in the face of the unknown , they continue to move forward. We see both girls deal with feeling powerless and fear, and move to a confidence in themselves and a hopefulness that was really easy to connect to.
I LOVED seeing Lyra and Caelum learning about the outside world. It was heartbreaking and frustrating seeing them having to figure out everything on their own.
There were a few chapters with side character POVs and I absolutely loved them. I think this is just a feature I love in books, because I’ve never not liked them. They help establish the world outside of our main characters and give this full-world feeling to the story.
We actually get to see Dr. Saperstein, or God as Lyra calls him, for more that just passing moments. I really liked getting to see things from his perspective and learning his reasoning behind his drive and dedication to his research. Seeing him elevated him from the boogeyman of book one, to a person with values and beliefs, that while they might not match our own, drive him toward his goals.
There was even more suspense in this book than the previous one! There’s this environment of uncertainty and uneasiness that draws you in. I think reading in alternate chapter helps further elevate the tension as well.
Quotes
“Maybe there was nothing to being normal except the decision to do it.�
“You can’t make people with science. We’re all born a collection of cells and senses and chemical patterns, we have to become ܳ.�
“Maybe all people were the same - they all wanted different things. But they all demanded the right to want whatever it was they wanted. They all thought of it as their birthright.�
“That was the true gift: to have a story that was still unfolding…�
“They could have been anyone, going anywhere. There was a joy in that, in the absorption: they were caught up in the great big heartbeat of the world. They were infinitely large and infinitely small. They were a single vein of feeling, an infinitely narrow possibility that had somehow come to be.�
Things I Didn’t Like
I felt like Gemma’s dad was a little too absent in the story. It seemed like he was connected to everything, even if only tangentially, but I wanted him physically present.
I wish another character had more of a presence in the story as well. They play a pretty important role, especially in Lyra’s journey, but they was pretty underwhelming overall. I liked everything we saw of them, but I wanted more
I love how much this duology makes me think - it really just grabs me from page one and I don’t want to stop! I love seeing the replicas and how their experiences have changed how they view the world and morality, I love the emotional journey and the parallel struggles we see in Gemma and Lyra. While I would have liked more from some characters, I was satisfied with the story as a whole. This is just a great finale that left me feeling hopeful, happy, and peaceful.
I received a copy of the book from HarperCollins via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from an ARC and subject to change.
October 21, 2018
3.5 stars. I definitely liked the first book better
December 12, 2017
3.5/5 stars
Ringer is the sequel to Replica. This is the final book in the Replica series. I would categorize this series as Young Adult Science Fiction.
The book has 3rd person POVs. The two main characters are Gemma and Lyra. Each girl's story is divided into 3 parts.
The prologues take place on May 15. Chapter Ones takes place May 11th. Before each prologue for each girl there is a summary. At first I thought that it was a summary from Replica. Then I thought it was from what transpired between Replica and Ringer. But it is a partial summary of what is going to happen in Ringer. Not sure why this would be included before the prologue. I am quite unhappy that I read this and honestly do not understand why this would be included. If a reader wants to read the book blurb that should be their choice.
Ringer is divided into Gemma's book and Lyra's book (the same way that Replica had 2 stories). So you can read one girl's story, followed by the other. Or you can alternate chapters. I decided to alternate chapters. Although this time Gemma's story was first in the e-book. So I read her chapters first.
Ringer is a bit different from Replica in that these are almost two completely separate stories. Yes Gemma and Lyra's stories are linked. And yes these things are happening to them simultaneously. But they are not in many scenes together. So there is little repetition. Although the parts were they were together ... well I wondered why Gemma's story was put first in the e-book. I ended up towards the end reading Lyra first as it made more sense to me.
Overall this was a decent sequel. However I was expecting the stories to overlap a lot more. I would have liked a lot more scenes between Gemma and Lyra. But a good conclusion to an interesting series.
Thanks to edelweiss and HarperCollins for allowing me to read this book.
Ringer is the sequel to Replica. This is the final book in the Replica series. I would categorize this series as Young Adult Science Fiction.
The book has 3rd person POVs. The two main characters are Gemma and Lyra. Each girl's story is divided into 3 parts.
The prologues take place on May 15. Chapter Ones takes place May 11th. Before each prologue for each girl there is a summary. At first I thought that it was a summary from Replica. Then I thought it was from what transpired between Replica and Ringer. But it is a partial summary of what is going to happen in Ringer. Not sure why this would be included before the prologue. I am quite unhappy that I read this and honestly do not understand why this would be included. If a reader wants to read the book blurb that should be their choice.
Ringer is divided into Gemma's book and Lyra's book (the same way that Replica had 2 stories). So you can read one girl's story, followed by the other. Or you can alternate chapters. I decided to alternate chapters. Although this time Gemma's story was first in the e-book. So I read her chapters first.
Ringer is a bit different from Replica in that these are almost two completely separate stories. Yes Gemma and Lyra's stories are linked. And yes these things are happening to them simultaneously. But they are not in many scenes together. So there is little repetition. Although the parts were they were together ... well I wondered why Gemma's story was put first in the e-book. I ended up towards the end reading Lyra first as it made more sense to me.
Overall this was a decent sequel. However I was expecting the stories to overlap a lot more. I would have liked a lot more scenes between Gemma and Lyra. But a good conclusion to an interesting series.
Thanks to edelweiss and HarperCollins for allowing me to read this book.
March 31, 2021
RINGER is the second (and final) book in the REPLICA series. It tells linear stories of two girls; Lyra, who was raised as a replica but actually isn’t and Gemma, who is actually a replica but was raised as a normal girl. I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the first book in this series. The stakes seem even higher and they involve outside people who actually want to help them, and some that are determined to kill them.
Gemma learns that her father has plans to kill Lyra and Caelum. Gemma and her boyfriend Pete set out to try to save them. When Gemma and Pete are mistaken for Lyra and Caelum they find out that Haven is still housing replicas. They find themselves mistaken for replicas and then there they learn the awful truth about what it means to be a replica.
Lyra and Caelum are having a hard time blending in with society. They find themselves outsiders to a big wide world. Lyra wants to explore that world and Caelum prefers to watch it go by on television. They are closer then they have ever been and living almost like strangers to each other. The set out to their beginnings at Haven in the hope to find a cure for Lyra’s illness.
I read Gemma’s story first and then Lyra’s. Gemma finds herself in some horrible situations. First, she is mistaken for a replica and meets many like her. Exactly like her to be exact, except they are missing some essential piece that actually makes them human. Her relationship with Pete seems to have moved beyond awkward and moves to a more comfortable place. I was so happy to see Gemma in a good relationship because it seems so many around her in the first story were so untrustworthy.
Lyra’s story explores the question of what it really means to be human. Since she was raised with replicas she relies on what her father, who takes her and Caelum in, to explain that and how to function in society. I really enjoyed Lyra’s experiences since she sees the world with really fresh eyes. Some of the things her and Caelum do to survive are really questionable, but since they don’t� really know any better it worked in the story.
In this story it is almost as if the girls have traded places. I enjoyed this spin as well as the formatting. The girls� stories could stand alone but the fact that they intersect makes this story even more compelling. We get to see snippets of the girl in each story. The girls have grown so much since the first book and both of their story arcs are fun to read about.
I will say that the ending leaves a lot to the imagination. I honestly thought there would be a third installment to this series because so much is left unanswered. There were a few coincidences in both girls� stories that seemed a little too perfect. All in all this was a pretty good story. It was original and fun to imagine. I would recommend this to YA Sci-Fi fans.
October 17, 2017
I didn't think there needed to be a second book at all so when this sequel didn't even tie up the loose ends from book one, which I assumed was the point, and it was boring... a total miss for me. Which is a bummer since I usually love Lauren Oliver's books.
September 29, 2017
*Source* Edelweiss
*Genre* YA, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Lauren Oliver'sRingeris the second installment in the authors Replicaduology. For timeline sake, this story takes place 3 weeks after the end of Replica.The story is once again told by two different characters, Gemma & Lyra, in two different books. If you are like me, you read the first book, before flipping over to the second, even though both stories take place concurrently. Because of the edition I received, I started with Gemma Ives story first.Gemma has learned so much about herself in a very short period of time.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
*Genre* YA, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Lauren Oliver'sRingeris the second installment in the authors Replicaduology. For timeline sake, this story takes place 3 weeks after the end of Replica.The story is once again told by two different characters, Gemma & Lyra, in two different books. If you are like me, you read the first book, before flipping over to the second, even though both stories take place concurrently. Because of the edition I received, I started with Gemma Ives story first.Gemma has learned so much about herself in a very short period of time.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
November 19, 2018
5 stars for enjoyment, but about 4 stars critically since there were some...plot holes...and I'm a tad confused.
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In light of the morning, I'm changing this to 4 stars because I still can't get past how much I felt was missing at the end.
-Book Hugger
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In light of the morning, I'm changing this to 4 stars because I still can't get past how much I felt was missing at the end.
-Book Hugger
October 8, 2017
I love love Lauren Oliver and the Replica series is so unique and interesting. They are like 500 pages but I devour them. Ringer is just as fast paced as Replica. I love the two different stories. I always read Gemma first, and her story is always my favorite. I do enjoy Lyra’s story too. This story was just as fun and intriguing as the first one. Lauren Oliver never lets me down.
January 29, 2019
¿Vaya decepción? ¿Y quedo con muchas preguntas aún? También confieso que en muchos momentos de la historia desconecté porque
No
Pasaba
Nada
No
Pasaba
Nada
August 27, 2017
The story of Gemma and Lyra continues in this sequel to "Replica" and the action is intense. Both couples -- Lyra & Caelum and Gemma & Pete -- find themselves in one dangerous situation after another. The future looks very bleak for them, but there is hope where there is love.
As with "Lyrica", I alternated from one book to another to read the narrative in a linear fashion. I find it more rewarding to see the story proceeding from both perspectives.
Fans of Lauren Oliver's other books will not be disappointed in this new title. It will also appeal to those who are concerned with ethical issues connected to cloning and biological warfare.
As with "Lyrica", I alternated from one book to another to read the narrative in a linear fashion. I find it more rewarding to see the story proceeding from both perspectives.
Fans of Lauren Oliver's other books will not be disappointed in this new title. It will also appeal to those who are concerned with ethical issues connected to cloning and biological warfare.
October 29, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5
Review to come!
Review to come!
January 29, 2018
I stayed up until 1 am to finish the book last night. I just had to know how everything ended, and couldn't wait until the morning to find out.
When I was waiting for the sequel to be published I had all these ideas about what would happen in this book, mostly things I wanted to happen, and a lot of predictions also. Boy was I wrong! My thoughts and predictions didn't even come close and the story went in a totally different direction than I thought it would. It was still a gripping story, still lots of evil bad guys that Gemma and others had to be on the run from, and of course more death and destruction.
I read it the same way I did with Ringer, reading three or four chapters of Gemma's story, then turning the book over and reading Lyra's until I got to about the same place time wise. It made more sense to me to always know what was happening to both during the same time period, than to completely read one girl's story before I started the other.
So even though the ending wasn't what I expected, it was one that made sense. Considering what had already happened there really wasn't any other way it could have gone. I know I'm being quite cryptic here, but I don't want to give anything away and spoil it for those who haven't read it yet. Definitely read it though. If you've read Ringer, then for sure you'll want to know how it all ends.
When I was waiting for the sequel to be published I had all these ideas about what would happen in this book, mostly things I wanted to happen, and a lot of predictions also. Boy was I wrong! My thoughts and predictions didn't even come close and the story went in a totally different direction than I thought it would. It was still a gripping story, still lots of evil bad guys that Gemma and others had to be on the run from, and of course more death and destruction.
I read it the same way I did with Ringer, reading three or four chapters of Gemma's story, then turning the book over and reading Lyra's until I got to about the same place time wise. It made more sense to me to always know what was happening to both during the same time period, than to completely read one girl's story before I started the other.
So even though the ending wasn't what I expected, it was one that made sense. Considering what had already happened there really wasn't any other way it could have gone. I know I'm being quite cryptic here, but I don't want to give anything away and spoil it for those who haven't read it yet. Definitely read it though. If you've read Ringer, then for sure you'll want to know how it all ends.
January 18, 2018
This was a fascinating 2 book series. The books are seen through the eyes of Gemma and Lyra. The chapters alternate or you can read each story separately. The first book I read them separately and this book I alternated. From the Kindle version I found the switching hard to do. I would lose track of which chapter I was on for which person and I would switch to the other and found out I had read that chapter. That being said, this is kind of a scary idea. Cloning humans. Who knows what would go wrong with this. Something could happen physically, emotionally or thought and problem solving. There is a lot of danger and action happening in Ringer. Gemma is mistaken for a replica and Lyra is learning the world is bigger than she knows. Calliope is one scary replica. I think cloning cells for medicine would be fine if it cures a disease, but to clone an entire person just seems so wrong. You know there are things like this happening out there or trying to happen. Very well written. I cared about the characters and I was hoping they would succeed. I was hoping Gemma and Pete would survive and I was hoping Lyra and #72 survived and would get adopted so they could have a normal life.
This 2 book series is well worth your time!
This 2 book series is well worth your time!
Want to read
September 25, 201725th January 2017: Reason for adding to wishlist: Haven't read Replica yet (which I own), but the futuristic, sciencey, genetic stuff really appeals to me :-)
January 29, 2018
I read REPLICA a few years back and loved Lyra and Gemma's books. A lot. I actually thought their stories were done, and then I found out it was a duology. So I was curious about what else could happen to them.
Just like I did with the first book, I decided to start with LYRA:
Lyra used to be known only by a number, but now she has a life outside of the Haven Institute. She also has Caelum, who is so much like her but not at all.
The couple lives in a trailer park with Lyra's real father. While life isn't perfect, it's hers. She shares herself with Caelum during the nights, but spends much of her days exploring the world on her own. Until Caelum runs off, the Suits find their location, and she has no choice but to run...
I thought this was an interesting story. It was another honest and often sad account about how hard Lyra finds it to fit in. No matter what she does or who she meets, she'll never be considered a true person.
It was interesting to see the vastness of the world through the eyes of a girl who'd only known the inside of an institution for most of her life. As well as how hard she finds trying to love the father she barely knows until it's too late.
I did enjoy this half of the book, but when I was done wondered if it was necessary.
After taking several days away, I read GEMMA:
Since Gemma found out the truth about who she really is and met Lyra & Caelum after the Haven Insitute burned to the ground, she can't let it go. She can't even enjoy spending time with her adorable boyfriend or her best friend, and when she finds out that Lyra & Caelum are in trouble, she heads out with Pete and gets herself into deep trouble...
I was really excited about reading this half of the book because Gemma's first story revealed some really cool secrets. But I just couldn't get into this one. I found everything that happened to her to be boring, meh and kinda pointless. It was certainly nowhere near as exciting as her tale in REPLICA.
It's such a shame because I ended up skimming most of the book after I reached page 70. Like I said, for many reasons, this didn't work for me. :(
Ringer is the last book in the Replica duology and--although I enjoyed Lyra--to be honest, I don't know if either of these books were necessary. They were missing all the suspense and mystery of the first instalment.
I kinda (secretly) wish I hadn't read past the first book.
This has been happening a lot to me lately with duologies and trilogies. o_O
Just like I did with the first book, I decided to start with LYRA:
Lyra used to be known only by a number, but now she has a life outside of the Haven Institute. She also has Caelum, who is so much like her but not at all.
The couple lives in a trailer park with Lyra's real father. While life isn't perfect, it's hers. She shares herself with Caelum during the nights, but spends much of her days exploring the world on her own. Until Caelum runs off, the Suits find their location, and she has no choice but to run...
I thought this was an interesting story. It was another honest and often sad account about how hard Lyra finds it to fit in. No matter what she does or who she meets, she'll never be considered a true person.
It was interesting to see the vastness of the world through the eyes of a girl who'd only known the inside of an institution for most of her life. As well as how hard she finds trying to love the father she barely knows until it's too late.
I did enjoy this half of the book, but when I was done wondered if it was necessary.
After taking several days away, I read GEMMA:
Since Gemma found out the truth about who she really is and met Lyra & Caelum after the Haven Insitute burned to the ground, she can't let it go. She can't even enjoy spending time with her adorable boyfriend or her best friend, and when she finds out that Lyra & Caelum are in trouble, she heads out with Pete and gets herself into deep trouble...
I was really excited about reading this half of the book because Gemma's first story revealed some really cool secrets. But I just couldn't get into this one. I found everything that happened to her to be boring, meh and kinda pointless. It was certainly nowhere near as exciting as her tale in REPLICA.
It's such a shame because I ended up skimming most of the book after I reached page 70. Like I said, for many reasons, this didn't work for me. :(
Ringer is the last book in the Replica duology and--although I enjoyed Lyra--to be honest, I don't know if either of these books were necessary. They were missing all the suspense and mystery of the first instalment.
I kinda (secretly) wish I hadn't read past the first book.
This has been happening a lot to me lately with duologies and trilogies. o_O
October 12, 2017
Rating: 3.5 Stars
This review originally appeared on
•Pro: Action packed
•Pro: We learn all the whys and whats regarding Haven
•Con: There was a little bit of politics thrown in, and I am so over everything being politicized
•Pro: The exploration of what defines our humanity was very interesting
•Pro: I was really interested in the bioethical discussions that took place
•Pro: I was pleasantly surprised by some of the characters
•Pro: Oliver gave Gemma and Lyra the love they were seeking, both familial and romantic
•Con: Not sure this needed to be a series.
•Pro: The format was used quite well, as there were a few great reveals. (I read Gemma first)
•Pro: Both Lyra and Gemma get satisfying endings
Overall: An enjoyable and action packed journey of self discovery. I appreciated many of the themes explored - love, family, humanity, but not sure we actually needed a second book.
| | | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
This review originally appeared on
•Pro: Action packed
•Pro: We learn all the whys and whats regarding Haven
•Con: There was a little bit of politics thrown in, and I am so over everything being politicized
•Pro: The exploration of what defines our humanity was very interesting
•Pro: I was really interested in the bioethical discussions that took place
•Pro: I was pleasantly surprised by some of the characters
•Pro: Oliver gave Gemma and Lyra the love they were seeking, both familial and romantic
•Con: Not sure this needed to be a series.
•Pro: The format was used quite well, as there were a few great reveals. (I read Gemma first)
•Pro: Both Lyra and Gemma get satisfying endings
Overall: An enjoyable and action packed journey of self discovery. I appreciated many of the themes explored - love, family, humanity, but not sure we actually needed a second book.
| | | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
June 25, 2017
In many ways, I feel Ringer achieved all that Replica was trying to. Lauren Oliver had mentioned in the foreword for the Replica book (I think it was the Gemma side's foreword) about how she wanted to write two stories into one book, but with Replica, it was more like reading a dual perspective of the same story, with few independent parts. Ringer, however, actually felt like that experiment was successful, because it had two mostly independent story-lines with a few intersections, where the titular characters meet. Lyra and Gemma, now separated in their own pockets of their world, are trying to move on with their lives, even after all that they learned. It is understandable - the truth was too big to contain and to change, so the only way forward feels like acceptance and moving on. But of course, the world won't let them be and we get this wonderful novel exploring the theme of what it means to human in modern times.
A central theme of the Replica duology (at least in my eyes) is the concept of selfhood and humanity. There is the ethics of cloning being discussed, of course, and though I thought that might be the main focus of the duology, it is taken further to delve into the individual identity crises these characters face, being human and told they are not. Or not being entirely of natural origin and coming to terms with that fact. While the earlier novel was more conspiracy themed, this one is full of characterization, building a plot around the emotional struggles of each character, even one of the antagonists. And the characterization shines, really, because it is so well-written.
Lyra was born, not made, but for nearly her entire life, her humanness was stole from her and she was denied the rights of any other person. Caelum, by virtue of being made, is 'not supposed to exist', as was Calliope. So, even if they are human in every aspect, they don't know how to be one. They are not innocent, but they are naive. As Lyra says in this quote,
Basically, what I am trying to say is, I loved how Oliver brought out the nuances of how a world with clones in it would mean on an individual level, rather than just a general ethics argument. What that translates into how you treat people around you, if you did or did not know where they came from. Through a minor character that appears halfway through the book parts, she makes a subtle but excellent argument for this - that it does not make a difference where they are from; people need to be treated as humans first.
So, while I seem to have been so thoroughly enamored by the writing, it must be a question why only 4 stars rather than 5. Well, there are many reasons for that, but I'll mention a few. Firstly, the pacing is slow - I took nearly two weeks to finish this book, because I paused at a quarter and then read many books and came back. It also relies on some coincidences to further the plot, (you will know what I mean when you read it) which, while well planned, kind of also lowers the stakes. And finally, (while this doesn't really affect my ratings but still felt like worth mentioning) it is left sort of open-ended as to the outcomes. Overall, though, I would say - go read it. It is an amazingly written book about existential crises.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from HarperCollins, via Edelweiss.
A central theme of the Replica duology (at least in my eyes) is the concept of selfhood and humanity. There is the ethics of cloning being discussed, of course, and though I thought that might be the main focus of the duology, it is taken further to delve into the individual identity crises these characters face, being human and told they are not. Or not being entirely of natural origin and coming to terms with that fact. While the earlier novel was more conspiracy themed, this one is full of characterization, building a plot around the emotional struggles of each character, even one of the antagonists. And the characterization shines, really, because it is so well-written.
Lyra was born, not made, but for nearly her entire life, her humanness was stole from her and she was denied the rights of any other person. Caelum, by virtue of being made, is 'not supposed to exist', as was Calliope. So, even if they are human in every aspect, they don't know how to be one. They are not innocent, but they are naive. As Lyra says in this quote,
"She had no context. She was a word on a blank page. There was no way to read meaning into it. No wonder she felt so alone"And another thing they have in common is their troubled relationship with the concept of ownership. They, who were considered property themselves, now crave to call something their own. To have something is what they think would make them human, and it manifests in different ways for each of these characters.
"People take things all the time. They took what they wanted from us at Haven, didn’t they? Didn’t you"Meanwhile, Gemma, when she comes face to face with her own replicas, starts to doubt her selfhood, whether she is really a person if there are others who are like her in every biological aspect.
“You can’t make people with science. We’re all born a collection of cells and senses and chemical patterns. We have to become ܳ.�
Basically, what I am trying to say is, I loved how Oliver brought out the nuances of how a world with clones in it would mean on an individual level, rather than just a general ethics argument. What that translates into how you treat people around you, if you did or did not know where they came from. Through a minor character that appears halfway through the book parts, she makes a subtle but excellent argument for this - that it does not make a difference where they are from; people need to be treated as humans first.
So, while I seem to have been so thoroughly enamored by the writing, it must be a question why only 4 stars rather than 5. Well, there are many reasons for that, but I'll mention a few. Firstly, the pacing is slow - I took nearly two weeks to finish this book, because I paused at a quarter and then read many books and came back. It also relies on some coincidences to further the plot, (you will know what I mean when you read it) which, while well planned, kind of also lowers the stakes. And finally, (while this doesn't really affect my ratings but still felt like worth mentioning) it is left sort of open-ended as to the outcomes. Overall, though, I would say - go read it. It is an amazingly written book about existential crises.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from HarperCollins, via Edelweiss.
Read
May 11, 2020Spoilers for the first book ahead--if you haven't read Replica but want a spoiler-free review of it, you can read mine .
After reading this book a month or two ago, I was super excited to find out it would be releasing soon and it was available for request on Edelweiss.
I found that the whole concept of two-in-one was executed much better in Ringer than in Replica. The storylines only overlapped near the end, and even so, it wasn't like the scenes were repeating for both girls, just from a different perspective. Around 2/3 of Replica was spent with Gemma and Lyra together, while only around 10% of Ringer was when they went together.
I read this novel Gemma first, then Lyra this time and I found it enjoyable to do it this way as it really was like a two-in-one. It's also hard to jump between chapter in the digital copy I had, but I've heard that in the final version of the e-copies, there are links to switch to the other girl's chapter so you can alternate super easily.
Oliver does a really good job with the plots. I was wowed by how they worked together to make something cohesive and how Lyra and Gemma's stories, although apart from each other, both relied on key information.
It was fun, engaging, and paced well so I didn't feel bored. I sped through this novel in one afternoon. I think the well managed plot is the highlight of this novel.
Possibly because of this, I found the character development lacking in some ways. Gemma didn't really grow as a person except for some internal struggle with being a clone. Most of her storyline involved bettering her life, which made her not as dynamic as she was in the first novel.
Likewise with Lyra, whose storyline I felt was left really unresolved. Her struggles with death and acting like a person were kind of left hanging at the end, and I didn't see much change with her either.
The entire ending was very short and felt almost rushed, like Oliver was quickly trying to wrap up all the ends. I wanted more--was Lyra going to die? What about Gemma's father? But my questions are left unanswered (bonus novella in our futures, perhaps?).
This may just be me wanting more of their stories and being a greedy fangirl in general, but I found the ending a little too vague for my tastes. Gemma's ending was set up well, but there's so much more in Lyra's that I would have wanted explained.
For instance, while Gemma and Pete's romance remains steady throughout the novel, Lyra and Caelum's fluctuates, and they never really resolve their issues. When they had issues, they just solved it with sex, which is a message I don't think should be told to readers. When things with your boyfriend aren't going well, you should talk things out with words, not your bodies. Their storyline together wasn't really resolved for me and I still felt like they were struggling by the end of the book.
Despite my reserves with some aspects of this novel, I still enjoyed it tremendously as plot-based books are always fun to read. (There was also less weird diction like giving cucumbers blowjobs.)
I would definitely recommend people to read both installments of the Ringer series, and to those who DNF'd the first book, it might pay off to read this one again. Although I wasn't fully satisfied by the ending, I think this was an enjoyable finale to the series.
After reading this book a month or two ago, I was super excited to find out it would be releasing soon and it was available for request on Edelweiss.
I found that the whole concept of two-in-one was executed much better in Ringer than in Replica. The storylines only overlapped near the end, and even so, it wasn't like the scenes were repeating for both girls, just from a different perspective. Around 2/3 of Replica was spent with Gemma and Lyra together, while only around 10% of Ringer was when they went together.
I read this novel Gemma first, then Lyra this time and I found it enjoyable to do it this way as it really was like a two-in-one. It's also hard to jump between chapter in the digital copy I had, but I've heard that in the final version of the e-copies, there are links to switch to the other girl's chapter so you can alternate super easily.
Oliver does a really good job with the plots. I was wowed by how they worked together to make something cohesive and how Lyra and Gemma's stories, although apart from each other, both relied on key information.
It was fun, engaging, and paced well so I didn't feel bored. I sped through this novel in one afternoon. I think the well managed plot is the highlight of this novel.
Possibly because of this, I found the character development lacking in some ways. Gemma didn't really grow as a person except for some internal struggle with being a clone. Most of her storyline involved bettering her life, which made her not as dynamic as she was in the first novel.
Likewise with Lyra, whose storyline I felt was left really unresolved. Her struggles with death and acting like a person were kind of left hanging at the end, and I didn't see much change with her either.
The entire ending was very short and felt almost rushed, like Oliver was quickly trying to wrap up all the ends. I wanted more--was Lyra going to die? What about Gemma's father? But my questions are left unanswered (bonus novella in our futures, perhaps?).
This may just be me wanting more of their stories and being a greedy fangirl in general, but I found the ending a little too vague for my tastes. Gemma's ending was set up well, but there's so much more in Lyra's that I would have wanted explained.
For instance, while Gemma and Pete's romance remains steady throughout the novel, Lyra and Caelum's fluctuates, and they never really resolve their issues. When they had issues, they just solved it with sex, which is a message I don't think should be told to readers. When things with your boyfriend aren't going well, you should talk things out with words, not your bodies. Their storyline together wasn't really resolved for me and I still felt like they were struggling by the end of the book.
Despite my reserves with some aspects of this novel, I still enjoyed it tremendously as plot-based books are always fun to read. (There was also less weird diction like giving cucumbers blowjobs.)
I would definitely recommend people to read both installments of the Ringer series, and to those who DNF'd the first book, it might pay off to read this one again. Although I wasn't fully satisfied by the ending, I think this was an enjoyable finale to the series.
November 28, 2017
As with the first book i enjoyed one girls perspective more but still a beautiful story. More adventures, action and romance.
The first book i liked Lyras story better but this book Gemmas story kept me invested more and im excited to see where the girls go next.
The first book i liked Lyras story better but this book Gemmas story kept me invested more and im excited to see where the girls go next.
January 8, 2018
Ringer by Lauren Oliver *3.5 stars* 01/07/2018
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I listened this audiobook with the alternate characters POV choice, and that is the way I like the most. This is a hard way to mix some scenes for the author because when the characters Gemma and Lyra are together or close to encounter, the author has to be very carefully with spoiling the scene or making them repetitive. But the opposite happened for me. One of the chapters caught my attention regarding this matter because Gemma and Lyra POV’s are exactly about the same situation and same scene, there I could have a strong reminder of how different these two are. There were some minor details in this books that upset me, I didn't like the way it was posted, I think the author would be better off not mentioned Gamma ID at all than making the comment she made. That made the purpose of the ID roamed in my head throughout the whole book. Some coincidences also didn't fit well in my opinion, it need better development on this part. Strangely the pace was not slow for such a huge book. I loved the writing style, the narrator's language and perspective were beautiful, it was like listening a poet. To be honest, I liked the writing way more than the plot itself. Overall 3.5 stars.
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I listened this audiobook with the alternate characters POV choice, and that is the way I like the most. This is a hard way to mix some scenes for the author because when the characters Gemma and Lyra are together or close to encounter, the author has to be very carefully with spoiling the scene or making them repetitive. But the opposite happened for me. One of the chapters caught my attention regarding this matter because Gemma and Lyra POV’s are exactly about the same situation and same scene, there I could have a strong reminder of how different these two are. There were some minor details in this books that upset me, I didn't like the way it was posted, I think the author would be better off not mentioned Gamma ID at all than making the comment she made. That made the purpose of the ID roamed in my head throughout the whole book. Some coincidences also didn't fit well in my opinion, it need better development on this part. Strangely the pace was not slow for such a huge book. I loved the writing style, the narrator's language and perspective were beautiful, it was like listening a poet. To be honest, I liked the writing way more than the plot itself. Overall 3.5 stars.
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October 6, 2017
I can’t help but compare this experience to REPLICA. In that book, I was equally interested in both Gemma and Lyra’s stories as I was reading them. I liked reading Gemma’s all the way through and then learning Lyra’s after to see how they connected. I could see how reading the book that way OR alternating back and forth would both work. I wish I could say the same about RINGER. I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. Gemma’s story, which I read first, was somewhat boring and not as shocking as I thought it would be. I wish I read Lyra’s chapters in between because I think that method actually would be better for RINGER. Lyra’s story was generally more interesting than Gemma’s and would have provided some extra context in between, plus balance out the boring parts. SO if you’re curious about what it would be like with both reading experiences for this series, I recommend trying REPLICA with all of Gemma then all of Lyra, and RINGER with alternating between Gemma and Lyra. As for the actual plot of RINGER... I was always curious about where the story would go but I just don’t think it had as many interesting elements as book one. It’s almost like all of the big reveals already happened and this one just kind of pushed the story along normally. I still enjoyed this duo and would recommend it if the concept intrigued you.
October 5, 2017
Thank you to Harper Collins for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ringer was just as good as Replica, it picks up a weeks before the last one and we see how both Gemma and Lyra are trying to fit into their new lives. Gemma is still with Pete and she still has her bff April but she is full of questions about how she came to be and she is trying to figure out where she fits in and who she really is. Lyra is also trying to figure out her life, only for her is a bit harder, there are so many things she doesn't know or understand that is difficult for her to make a life in the real world.
This time around I read first the chapters narrated by Gemma and then the ones by Lyra (there are some extra PoV's but I won't ruin the surprise) and enjoyed it a lot more, Gemma's chapters were my favorite to read, the writing seemed a lot more compelling to me when Gemma was narrating. I enjoyed Lyra's as well she was very resilient and I admired that.
I'm not sure if there are more books coming but if this is it I gotta say I really enjoyed these characters, the story telling was amazing and original.
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October 28, 2017
“She wanted things she hardly understood: to be closer, closer, closer than bodies could ever be. She wanted to take her body off and for him to shed his, too, and to stand like two shadows overlapping with not a shiver of space between them.
And she wanted to keep her body, so he would keep kissing it.�
The first book was way better than the sequel. I can’t say it wasn’t interesting, fast paced and enjoyable, but in the first book there was more action and it made me eager to finish the book in order to know how it ends (although I knew there will be a sequel). The second book though...just couldn’t get my hooked and I just didn’t feel eager to finish it...and finally find out....how it ends! But, I did...finish it....at the end! 🙂
Overall, I don’t regret reading this series...it was quite unique and enjoyable!
I recommend it....3 out of 5 stars
And she wanted to keep her body, so he would keep kissing it.�
The first book was way better than the sequel. I can’t say it wasn’t interesting, fast paced and enjoyable, but in the first book there was more action and it made me eager to finish the book in order to know how it ends (although I knew there will be a sequel). The second book though...just couldn’t get my hooked and I just didn’t feel eager to finish it...and finally find out....how it ends! But, I did...finish it....at the end! 🙂
Overall, I don’t regret reading this series...it was quite unique and enjoyable!
I recommend it....3 out of 5 stars
June 14, 2020
5* for writing craft and structure
4* for story plot. While I enjoy these characters, nothing jumped out at my feelings (maybe a bit of anger at Calliope). I enjoy the relationships and my favorite aspect of this is the scientific concept of cloning and diving into the question of what makes one human.
4* for story plot. While I enjoy these characters, nothing jumped out at my feelings (maybe a bit of anger at Calliope). I enjoy the relationships and my favorite aspect of this is the scientific concept of cloning and diving into the question of what makes one human.
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