Sixteen-year-old Nate is a GEM–a Genetically Engineered Medi-tissue–created by Gathos City scientists as a cure for the elite from the fatal lung rot ravaging the population.As a child, Nate was smuggled out of the laboratory where he was held captive and taken into the Withers–a quarantined, lawless region. He manages to survive by becoming a Tinkerer, fixing broken tech in exchange for food … food or a safe place to sleep. When he meets Reed, a kind and fiercely protective boy who makes his heart race, and his misfit gang of scavengers, Nate finds the family he’s always longed for–even if he can’t risk telling them what he is.
But Gathos created a genetic fail-safe in their GEMs–a flaw in their DNA that causes their health to rapidly deteriorate as they age unless they are regularly dosed with medication controlled by Gathos City. When violence erupts across the Withers, Nate’s illegal supply of medicine is cut off, and a vicious attack on Reed threatens to expose his secret. With time running out, Nate is left with only two options: work for a shadowy terrorist organization that has the means to keep him alive, or stay–and die–with the boy he loves.
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I don’t read a lot of dystopian; it’s just not my thing. But I’m so glad this came in my March Rainbow Crate box because I wouldn’t have read it otherwise, which is too bad–because I enjoyed this immensely!
Nate, our hero, is immediately relatable, and you empathize with him right away. I adored him to bits. His group of friends consists of the gang he hangs out with–his found family–as well as his best friend, Alden, all of them are likeable in their own way. Honestly, the relationships between Nate and his friends–including the leader of his gang and love interest, Reed–was the heart and soul of this novel.
The world-building here is extensive and so well done, made understandable by the author in a way that involved almost zero info-dumping (YAY!). It was such an interesting premise, and the writing swept me away into the story from the very first page. I devoured this in two sittings and was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it. I look forward to more books by this author…and, frankly, am kind of shocked that this is a debut, it was that well-written.
OMG this book is amazing. If I could be a member of Reed’s gang and hang out with Nate and the rest of the team I would. Fragile Remedy takes place in a dystopian world where the wealthy are in Gathos City where they are taken care of and have little to no worries and the poor are kept in Withers which was a quarantine zone but now just keep the poor and impoverished off the streets of Gathos now that the danger from lungrot is no longer a worry. Reed’s gang or rather family all live in Wither and they struggle to survive. Our main character Nate is a GEM (genetically engineered medical tissue) but his parents helped him escape Gathos City so he wouldn’t be used or experimented on. Unfortunately, to survive he must take a drug called Remedy which you can only get from Gathos City. Fortunately his friends are able to help him get some until the gates to Gathos close and they must find alternative ways to keep him alive. This book is a story of friendship and perseverance and I can’t wait to see what Maria Ingrande Mora does next.
Thank you Flux for inviting me to read an advanced copy of this work! This was a really cool dystopian type novel featuring the life of a small “gang” just trying to survive the harsh world they’ve been thrown into. Living outside the main city means living in the wasteland of what used to be. The MC, Nate, is a Tinker who excels at creating tech and other oddities for his group, but he holds a secret…he’s a GEM and worth a fortune to anyone who turns him in. Created to help cure a disease, his “type” is in high demand.
I don’t want to say too much about this book because I really feel as though it would give some major points away but overall this was an interesting read! I liked the character relationships and the world-building and of course, we are all familiar with genetic modification and kind of reminded me of a Maze Runner type survival remedy, but twisted in a unique way. I hoped there would be a sequel but it looks like there won’t be. Kind of a bummer as there so much more the author could explore!
Dystopian, Young Adult, AND MM Romance? Count me in! All of my favorite genres rolled into one fantastically exciting read from a new-to-me author I’ll be sure to keep my eye on in the future.
Nate is a GEM–genetically engineered–who has to use a drug to survive. His sole use for being created was to save the elite from some fatal lung disease, but he was smuggled from the lab to the outlands. When he loses his only supply of the drug, he’s forced into a life he never wanted, but if he refuses, he’ll die and lose the boy he’s in love with…
Oh, the angst, the amazingly descriptive world-building, and the page-turning excitement of this dystopian adventure filled with a cast of diverse characters and intricately woven plots that’ll keep you up well into the night. I loved every minute of it.
I was provided with a review copy by NetGalley, but the opinions are my own. 5 well deserved stars!
I have never read anything quite like this before. The whole concept is new to me and unique. I really enjoyed the story line. Nate and his group of friends are so different from one another, but they work so well together. There are secrets that they all keep, but it’s for everyone’s safety. The characters are great too. Loyal and caring. The author does a great job with world building and paints a pretty vivid picture of the Withers for the reader.
My only negative thought on the book is that it dragged in some spots. Nate is very worried that others will find out that he’s a GEM and turn him in for money and he dwells on it. He’s also worried about his friends getting into trouble for having him around. Nate’s unconventional relationship with his Remedy dealer is a bit disturbing and I think Nate should have addressed it sooner.
All and all I enjoyed the book and I look forward to her next one.