
Author: Debra Driza.
Pages: 480.
Published: March 12th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books.
Sort: Part one of “Mila 2.0”
Source: Netgalley & Publisher.
Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past—that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do. Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.I feel misled. This is what the blurb also says:
”Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence. A bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity-style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human.”
I think even Disney gave me more heart-pounding action. This story isn’t a thrilling debut about an android. It’s about a whiny, angsty girl who happens to be a android, but she has more feelings than the average teenager. Hardly anything happens except for running, some fighting and a lot of crying. There were so many situations where I wanted to slam my head against a wall. I’ll walk you through:
The story starts after Mila and her mother moved to a small Minnesota town after her father’s death. She has made some questionable friends and she is trying to find a way to deal with her grief and her strange memories. When Mila is wounded in an accident, she finds out that her mother is actually the scientist who helped to create her. She is an artificial intelligent and they are on the run for the company. She has far too many feelings for just an android, so her mother stole her to give her a normal life. And that is where my annoyance starts. Mila does nothing else than complaining, whining and crying over how unfair her life is. When a new, hot guy called Hunter shows interest in her, she is all over him. He is her cure, they have a special connection and blablab. I don’t get his part in this story and it felt forced. This middle part was so boring and I kept wondering: where is the kick ass android I was hoping for?
When Mila and her mother are discovered, they try to run away. Mila wants to know more about the company, but every time Nicole (mother) tries to tell something, Mila becomes mad. She starts to scream “that it’s not the time to talk about it” and a couple of pages later she is complaining that Nicole is holding back information? She also insists that she isn’t her mother, but she keeps calling her ‘mom’. There were many inconsistencies I didn’t buy.
And WHAT THE HELL Mila. The first thing she’s worried about when they are on the run is that she is leaving Hunter behind.. Are. You. Kidding. Me? You just found out that there are people out there who want to capture you and you worry about a guy you met a few days ago? She is pretty stupid for an android. When they are finally captured and Nicole tells her to hide her emotions, what do you think she does? YEAH. She talks about her emotions all the freaking time. Great way to keep them from killing you.
This story had enough potential, but it was so disappointing. I don’t think I will be reading the next book. I honestly don’t care what is going to happen to Mila.
Oh oh, they are making a tv series of this book. I still plan to read the book if I see it in the library but it is not a priority anymore.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, it could work if they leave out some of the emotions. But I don't think I will be watching it!
DeleteAw, I'm sad you didn't like this one! While I do admit that the Hunter situation was poorly played (she seemed to immediately cling to any boy that showed her compassion), I found myself enjoying her struggle over her identity and I liked the tests against Three. But you do raise some valid points - just goes to show how people have different triggers! Thanks for the review Mel!
ReplyDeleteThe tests were okay, finally some action ;)
DeleteOk I stopped after you saying you wanted to slam your head against the wall. That bad really? Jeezuz and it sounded like such an awesome premise - there just aren't enough YA Sci-fi books out there. Oh well at least I still have The 5th Wave to read. there you go dashing my hopes you rascal
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about The 5th wave! :D
DeleteEXACTLY!!! About the Hunter situation. And the whole book in general. It was so infuriating that she was so obsessed with Hunter after knowing him (vaguely) only for a few days. And I couldn't agree more that Mila sounded like an angst-ridden teenager than an android. She should have been a bit more... stoic or something like that, I guess. Too clueless and too emotional for an android.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! There was no balance at all. I wish she was more distant with some emotions popping up.
DeleteAw, I liked more than you did, but sorry you felt mislead, and I can def see where you would feel that way! Hope your next read is better and thanks for honest review.
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I'm happy you enjoyed it! :)
DeleteUgh.. I totally agree with you! The blurb promised amazing things and what did it give me? Frickin' feelings that I don't wanna read about. I mean some would be nice but not ALL. THE. TIME. If we got as much action as we did emotions, this would've been awesome!
ReplyDelete-Ariella @ Secrets of Lost Words
Definitely! It would've been one kick ass book :D
DeleteOh no, Mel! I've been looking forward to this one since the first time I saw it. It's gotten mixed reviews but I still was interested. After reading your review I'm not in as big of a hurry to get it. 480 pages where not much happens? I've got too many other books I want to read to suffer through I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was very excited in the beginning, but I would recommend to read your other books first.
DeleteI don't remember if you've read it, but the Jenna Fox series is somewhat similar to this premise. (People compare Mara Dyer and Jenna Fox all the time and really the only thing they have in common is the blurb.) I haven't read the last installment yet, but it may give you what Mila lacked.
ReplyDeleteI really like Jenna Fox!
DeleteI know you are not alone with this rating but I actually really liked this book. I did have a couple issues though and Hunter was one of them too. Thanks for your honesty!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear you liked it :)!
DeleteHow disappointing. While not high on my tbr list, it was there. Didn't sound like her "advanced technology" was on display much. Blurb overkill?
ReplyDeleteNope, not at all :(
DeleteI have to agree with you, Mel. The blurb and the cover were very misleading and that's probably part of the reason why this has been getting bad reviews. The whole connection to Hunter made no sense, and neither did the behavior of that other boy.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much done with this series, I'm afraid.
GReat review!
I did like the other boy better, though (bad sign.. I already forgot his name!)
DeleteAGREED. That title and cover just made Mila 2.0 look so good. I haven't read it yet but all the reviews on this have been rather low and hate.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Mel!
Yeah, I've read many of those reviews, but I decided to give it a shot because I requested it. Such a waste of my time..
DeleteGreat review..I am umm'ng and ahh'ng about whether to read this..It might be pass!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you didn't like it much. I agree about her teen-like annoying self, the Hunter thing is crazy and pointless. I gave it 4 * because of a weak start and lame ending.
ReplyDeleteI was so underwhelmed by this one. I went in with super high expectations because everyone seemed to love it. The bits with Hunter were my biggest complaint...talk about obsession. I probably won't continue with the series because I just can't bring myself to care enough about what happens next.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Uhu, obsession indeed. And he was creeping me out too!
Delete"I think even Disney gave me more heart-pounding action." - This made me crack up! But eh, it's so disappointing you didn't enjoy this more. I've been seeing more and more negative-slash-mixed reviews for this book, so I'm pretty hesitant as to whether I should try it or not. I really, really dislike it when what could've been an action-packed, get-your-heart-pounding kind of novel turns into a mushy romance, where all the main character cares about is the love interest, which totally sounds like the case here. Ah, I don't know if I should try this or not, but thanks for such an informative review, Mel!
ReplyDelete"action-packed, get-your-heart-pounding kind of novel turns into a mushy romance" that is actually the best line to describe this book!
DeleteWow, I was kind of interested in Mila 2.0 just because it looks so interesting and the synopsis sounds like it might be good. But jeez, I laughed "she is pretty stupid for an android" LOL Yeah, I have so many books to-read that I think I'll skip this one! I really can't stand insta-love/obsession at ALL.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer it was a disappointment for you, I hate when books raise our expectations and then smash them to pieces!
April @ My Shelf Confessions
Yeah, those books are the worst!
Delete2 stars, huh? I've been seeing that around a lot. I was very excited to read this one, but after all the not-so-great reviews I think I'm just going to pass on it. I'm starting to think I may not enjoy it too much myself. Thanks for the review! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! The 2 stars are actually high, but I guess it gained a star because of the great cover.
DeleteMan, I've been reading so many bad reviews for Mila 2.0 that your might have just sealed the deal. I'm not going to read this book now. I might pick it up one day and it it's interesting enough, I might give it a go. But who knows. I was actually looking forward to reading Mila 2.0 and Beta but I think I should just step back from the genre or something.
ReplyDeleteI hope your next read is way better than this, Mel!
I'm happy I could help you :)
DeleteOh no! This sounds absolutely terrible. I despise it when characters whine all the time, it ruins my buzz....sigh. Fab review, Melanie! (:
ReplyDeleteThis book is one big whiny :(
DeleteThere's been a lot of bad reviews for this one, but I still held hope for it until I read yours. It sounds like nothing I would be caught dead with. I hate reading about insta love and angsty, stupid protagonists. >.< Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteDaphne @ Reading Until Dawn
Better stay away from this one then! ;)
DeleteI'm the kind of person who will give a book a try, so sure I might eventually pick up Mila 2.0 one day, but sounds like the things that got to you will eventually get to me :/ Thanks for the great review!! :D
ReplyDeleteYou should! I hope you'll like it more than I did :)
DeleteOh no :(. I have this book a 4* because of a really crappy beginning, but I felt like it picked up loads and I could really empathise with Mila. It's a shame you didn't enjoy it. Great review though :) you did point out many things which I found irritating too.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that the story picked up for you! :)
DeleteYes so much on all the angst! This book irritated me and I agree that it had so much potential. The constant whining and the loving a guy who you knew for a minute, so annoying.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and I was equally disappointed.
"She's pretty stupid for an android" -- I laughed a little at that. It's sad ... you would think that an android would be smart. I'm not a fan of insta-love type things either and if she just met Hunter and that's one of her big concerns...? Hm. I've been hearing mixed reviews on this book and have it, so I'm not sure how to feel about it once I finally go in to read it. I'm worried. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy this story once you get to read it :) and yeah, you should think that someone with a created brain would have.. a brain.
DeleteOh this sounds like a massive disappointment! It briefly caught my attention when it was having a cover reveal or something of the sort, but never really seemed like my sort of thing. From your review it just sounds incredibly patchy and odd and the fact that an android is showing so many emotions just seems a little strange... ah well, I think not for me. Excellent review, Mel!
ReplyDeleteIf you weren't interested from the beginning, I think it's best to leave it that way ;)
DeleteOh man, sorry you didn't have as much fun with this one as I did. I think maybe for me it was a case of right book/right time? But I found it really fun! I can totally understand all your complaints though. Sorry you didn't have better luck with this one, Mel!
ReplyDeleteThat is possible! Perhaps it was just the wrong book at the wrong time for me too :p
DeleteYeah, this book wasn't for me either. I couldn't stand Mila!
ReplyDelete- Ellie at The Selkie Reads Stories
At least you're not the only one!
DeleteOh wow, this doesn't sound like the book I was promised at all! Like you, I figured it would be about a kick-butt android, not a whiney teen. It sucks that there were so many inconsistencies too - that always ruins a good read for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this one left you feeling so let down - I hate when a synopsis or blurb leads me one direction and the book ends up completely going another direction O.O *blinks* ...it can really put you off to the whole book I find. Your review was awesome though, and made me laugh more than once haha :)
ReplyDeleteHa, I'm happy I could make you smile :D
DeleteOh, the "romance". I wanted to stab it. Or Hunter. I don't care which. The fact that Mila stopped the running for her life to CALL HIM just. No. No no no. I really annoyed me. I'm sorry you didn't like the rest either though lol. Apart from the love interest, I did like the twists and turns, and Mila's development. But not the ending, ugh.
ReplyDelete