Latest Read: MILA 2.0

Here are the basics ...
MILA 2.0 (#1) by Debra Driza
Publication date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Category: Young Adult - Science Fiction
Source: Borrowed from library

Summary: 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. (Adapted goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good: I kind of felt like Mila throughout most of the book. That in spite of all the hard evidence showing she was, in fact, a robot built in a lab, I kept shaking my head no. No, she has to be real! She has feelings! She cries! She gets crushes on boys! I wanted to believe it so badly (and ok, a part of me still does). The author does of wonderful job of setting up her story. We get introduced to Mila as the new girl at a new school (in a very small town), with flaky friends (oh how I hated them) and an overprotective mom. She seemed so normal. One day her biggest fear is that her "best friend" is going to be angry with her over a guy and the next, she's actually a secret government weapon on the run. And once she makes that discovery, it is nonstop action. It's her and her mom against the world, or so it seems, and every move they made revealed new secrets and new abilities Mila didn't know she had.

I think the strongest part of the book was Mila. Even though I do think the government conspiracy was well thought out and creepy, it's the connection to Mila that made me feel invested. Because she believes she is human and she holds onto this notion with all her might. Even as she's able to take down a room full of guys twice her size. You feel her sadness and her fear right along with her.

(Some) reservations: I wanted more answers. There were moments when Mila's mother seemed to want to say more but wouldn't. I understand this was done on purpose and more will probably be revealed later, but I could've used more information now. So much of the book is run, fight, run, fight some more and repeat. I wish Mila and her mom could've sat down for an hour or two uninterrupted and just hash it all out. Then, the love interest. I don't think it's a spoiler to mention there's a boy. I mean, isn't there always? But it just happened way too quickly and a little unbelievably. It's on the insta-love side but with more development I could definitely see myself rooting for them. Until then though, I'm indifferent.

Do I recommend?: I do. It's a quick, entertaining read and I want to know what's going to happen next to Mila. I'm looking forward to more of her story and more answers.

Happy reading!