Starters

By: Lissa Price

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party - her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it.

Sixteen-year-old Callie lost her parents when the genocide spore wiped out everyone except those who were vaccinated first - the very young and very old. With no grandparents to claim Callie and her little brother, they go on the run, living as squatters, and fighting off unclaimed renegades who would kill for a cookie. Hope comes via Prime Destinations, run by a mysterious figure known only as The Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to seniors, known as enders, who get to be young again. Callie's neurochip malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her rich renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, even dating Blake, the grandson of a senator. It's a fairy-tale new life... until she uncovers the Body Bank's horrible plan....

©2012 Lissa Price (P)2012 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“A smart, swift, inventive, altogether gripping story.” (Dean Koontz)

“Fans of The Hunger Games will love it.” (Kami Garcia, co-author of the best-selling BEAUTIFUL CREATURES/Caster series)

“STARTERS is a compelling, pulse-pounding, exciting sci-fi adventure with a strong female lead. Don’t miss it!” (New York Times best-selling author Melissa Marr)

"The only thing better than a terrific concept is one that is as well executed as Starters. Readers who have been waiting for a worthy successor to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games will find it here. Dystopian sci-fi at its best, Starters is terrific series kickoff with a didn't-see-that-coming conclusion that will leave readers on the edges of their seats." (Los Angeles Times)

Sci Fi

Would you consider the audio edition of Starters to be better than the print version?

A good story with a good twist.

What did you like best about this story?

New ideas.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not the ending but close.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Who are you, really? No one know who anyone is anymore.

Any additional comments?

like.

Edge of your seat...even in the end.

So good!! The narrator did a fantastic job. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. Can't wait to hear/read Enders.

Another chilling addition to YA Dystopias

I suppose dystopia is a bit of a misnomer, no one in this world think's it's ideal, but they cope as they can and do their best to ignore the uncomfortable truths of their tragic society. Callie, the desperate protagonist, will do whatever it takes to provide for her young, sick brother, Tyler. And let me tell you, she does. Now, if you don't get chills at the end of the book, you need to go back and listen to it again (I plan to anyways, because what's revealed at the end makes you question everything!). Rebecca Lowman does a truly great performance, very well paced and I just love how she makes every character so distinct. I recommend it to any fan of Divergent or Uglies, this book is a start of a very good (two book) series.

Been telling everyone about this book

Would you listen to Starters again? Why?

Definitely, and already have. It was fresh, futuristic and kept me wondering what would happen next.

Mind - blowing

It has been a long time since I have read the book but still the story is in my mind.
Waiting impatiently for the second installment.

Good Science Fiction for Young Adults Plus

I enjoyed this book. Interesting young adult novel. A little muddy in parts but worth the listen if you like Sci-Fi. Thoughtful concepts on aging and the chase for eternal youth.

Unique idea for a book

What did you love best about Starters?

The narration by Rebecca Lowman really made the book

What did you like best about this story?

I thought the idea for the story was unique. I agree with other reviewers who said there were some holes in it. Why would the older survivors hate the young "starters" so much? If people lived to be 200, why were all the "middles" who died in the 18 to 40 or 50ish range? It needed a little more development. I still liked the book enough to get book 2, though. It was enjoyable to listen to. I like the dystopian type books, and this one had enough action to keep me interested. I also liked that you could listen to this book with your teenage kids and not have to worry about cursing and sex scenes.

What does Rebecca Lowman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a real talent for narration...She has such a soothing voice. She does different voices well, too.

Great Concept and execution!

First book in a while that I could not turn off! The concept is new and believable! Considered YA, but great at any age!

A fantastic first novel from Lissa Price

If you could sum up Starters in three words, what would they be?

dystopian, creepy, suspenseful

Any additional comments?

I was looking for something that would grab my attention induce the same way the Hunger Games did. While I will not pretend that this is it's equal, Starters held my attention from start to end and i am looking forward to the sequel.

My review for starters

Plot twist was amazing poor Callie! I wonder what happens next with the old man