Being by Kevin Brooks, IBSN: 0439899737, Push, New York, 2007, $16.99, 336 pages.

Genre
Science Fiction, Thriller

Theme
Identity

Grade levels
Nine and up due to violence and sexual situations

Plot
Routine doctor checkups usually reveal perfect health or an ailment that requires treatment. In Being, however, a trip to the doctor is anything but typical. When main character Robert Smith is examined, something startling is found: “A sizeless space, shaped like a broad-shouldered bottle, with irregular walls of blackened leather. A cavern, rising and swirling with fantastic alien machines: filaments, struts, crystals, ties, pillars, pipes, valves, ribbons, sheaths, valleys, tunnels, veins, countless glimmering particles…”

This discovery ignites a thrilling ride. Readers are propelled through the journey as a case agent threatens and pursues Robert, who struggles to stay a step ahead of his pursuers. Additionally, Robert is internally tormented by the video he has seen of his insides and constantly wonders just what the hell is in him.

A loner, Robert has no one really to turn to, so he goes to the only person who might be able to help him: Eddi, a gorgeous con-artist. Through circumstances out of Robert’s control, Eddi gets pulled into both his flight and his quest to find out who he really is. Unfortunately, the people chasing Robert have unlimited resources, and they won’t stop until they find him.

A happy ending isn’t in the cards for Robert and Eddi, though, and the chase leaves Robert with nothing as his journey to discover who he really is does not reach resolution at the end of the book.

Evaluation
This novel grips you at the start and holds you along for the ride. The writing style is different and a bit difficult to get used to initially. For example, the short paragraphs and disjointed inner dialogue have the reader putting pieces of the puzzle together.

Also, don’t expect closure at the end of the novel because the puzzle isn’t fully completed when the books ends. That pivotal piece may frustrate or make you wonder…who or what Robert Smith is…his true being.

Music
Runnin’ Down a Dream, Tom Petty

Movies
Bourne Identity
Bourne Supremacy

Reviewed by
Jill Adams, Metropolitan State College of Denver
Ryan Adams, Prairie Middle School, Aurora, Colorado