Imagine you are a clone held captive in a lab with fifty-four boys who look just like you. Jill Williamson’s Replication (Zondervan, 2011) kept me intrigued until the end as I worried about the fate of Martyr, one of the clones whose expiration date (death) is approaching.

After a recent move to Alaska, seventeen-year-old Abby meets Martyr when he escapes to see the sky before he dies. Abby is horrified to learn her father works in the lab where clones are used as test subjects and are told their purpose is to sacrifice themselves to save the world. When Martyr learns the truth about his true purpose in life, he wants to remain free and help the others.

I enjoyed this novel because of the exciting plot, compelling characters, and biblical truth. Williamson addresses human cloning and embryonic stem cell research from a biblical world view. In addition, there is a clear gospel message when Martyr learns about Jesus Christ for the first time. These issues are a believable part of the characters and the plot, so there is never a moment when the novel seems preachy.

I highly recommend Replication for teens and adults.