Publishers Weekly
Adult writer Moore (Deeper) makes a solid YA debut with this grisly mix of conspiracy novel and body horror fiction. When the titular preteen subject of a secret experiment escapes from the lab, he manages to survive on the streets, thanks to his genetically enhanced fighting abilities. Five years later, Seven discovers other failed experiments who have been adopted into families, and uses his skills to awaken their violent alter egos. Moore's hidden killers are physically different--the teens morph into better, faster, stronger superhumans when their nicer personalities are endangered. The resulting conflict between the "normal" humans and their murderous internal selves--exacerbated by the fact that the kids are unaware of their alter egos' actions--forms the story's primary source of conflict, although external antagonists, led by Evelyn, the head of the lab, who was widowed in Seven's escape, also provide targets (and add to the body count). There are the usual plot holes associated with this genre, but Moore nicely juggles the Jekyll and Hyde aspects of his characters, adding a human element to the often brutal violence, while setting up a sequel. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
VOYA
- Rachel Wadham
Convinced they can create the ultimate weapon by engineering teenagers who morph into killing machines, a secret group of scientists' livelihood is threatened after one of their early successes, Subject Seven, breaks out during a bloody killing spree. Now on the streets Subject Seven, who transfers between his teenage self, Hunter, and his vicious alter-ego, Joe, knows that he can track down others like him and, with their help, exact his revenge on their creators. Discovering four others and releasing their own inner demons, the band begins a quest to reveal their past—leaving a trail of mayhem and dead bodies in their wake. Adult author, Moore, transitions to adolescent literature with this novel. While the premise of teenagers who are actually violent weapons is interesting, the whole novel lacks cohesion. A constant change between characters' points of view does not allow for full insight into any one person. The dominate character, Subject Seven, is also very difficult to connect to since he is a true anti-hero who generates some sympathy because he has been sorely used, but creates more revulsion since his methods to achieve justice are violent and pure evil. With plot elements scattered between characters, the action does not come together until two- thirds into the novel. No unifying theme is implied as Moore leaves the ending completely open, ultimately failing to make a satisfying whole. Teens who love horror may find something to love here, but others should look elsewhere for a better story. Reviewer: Rachel Wadham
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—In a secret compound, several children were artificially created and genetically modified in an experiment known as the Janus Project, until the alpha of their group, Subject Seven, escaped after brutally murdering a top scientist and the guards assigned to him. Subsequently, the remaining youngsters involved in the failed experiment were wiped clean of their memories and given to adoptive parents in various locations throughout the United States. Moore's first YA novel opens years later as the five children, now teenagers, begin experiencing terrifying fugue states where it appears someone has been in control of their bodies and actions while they were unaware, sometimes for weeks at a time. It isn't until that same unknown entity calls them all together that they discover what they are truly capable of and how much the Janus Project wants to destroy them. Although the theme of this story isn't new—think Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the comic hero The Incredible Hulk-this updated version is uniquely appealing to teens with its underlying themes of adolescent angst, budding sexuality, and body issues underscored by violent and visceral storytelling. Moore has written several books for adults primarily in the fields of horror, fantasy, and science fiction.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
Kirkus Reviews
When Subject Seven, a 10-year-old boy forced to undergo horrific laboratory tests as a human guinea pig, first breaks out of the Janus Project, a military operation building government assassins, it's hard to tell if he's the good guy or the bad guy. His mind operates like a confused child, but his body is a killing machine, strong enough to slaughter his bodyguard, the Janus Project leader's family and anyone else in his path. Five years later, Seven now survives on the streets of a big city, and he's imprisoned another boy named Hunter to help him uncover his past and find others like him, should they exist. Moore's story races at breakneck speed with straightforward, terse prose that literally cuts to the quick without batting an eyelash at the gory remains that Seven leaves in his wake. His characterizations are as enticingly puzzling as his plotting. The author does well to play Seven's hard-edged fearlessness against Hunter's timorousness—the dramatic tension between their characters along with their mission will have readers racing for the next installment. (Thriller. 12 & up)
