"It has been two weeks since my parents were killed." So begins Audrey Castle's Mind-log at the beginning of Matt Haig's brilliant book for young adults, Echo Boy.
Immediately you are drawn into the despair and fear felt by the young protagonist who suddenly finds the world she thought she knew and understood while protected by her loving parents, is a very different and dangerous place without them.
Audrey Castle's parents have been killed by an Echo – an advanced form of robot which, apart from the E on the hand and the serial mark on the shoulder, is almost identical to humans. Echos are designed to perform specific roles and lack human weaknesses and emotions.
There are two companies who manufacture Echos and one is owned by Audrey's uncle Alex, one of the most powerful and richest men on Earth someone her father was totally opposed to. Alex Castle takes Audrey into his home and offers his protection. But can she trust him? Can she trust anyone – especially the young Echo called Daniel who seems determined to seek her out?
What follows is an action-packed, fast paced and perfectly plotted YA novel about love and loss, growing up, trust and essentially what makes us human.
Matt Haig's writing is subime. I was gripped from the first sentence and there are enough twists and turns to keep even the most experienced reader guessing. Echo Boy is a masterpiece of invention and perfect prose.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by The Bodley Head, Echo Boy by Matt Haig is available from Amazon.
