Morgan Dey enjoys staying fit and healthy, so it seems a perfect match for her to work as a Reducer for THE BODY INSTITUTE. THE BODY INSTITUTE prides itself on helping individuals (called Loaners) lose weight by utilizing technology that shifts the brainmap of a Reducer into the body of the Loaner. The Reducer exercises and diets, getting the Loaner's body into shape before returning to their own body but with no memory of their time spent in the Loaner's body. Unfortunately, Morgan is having a few glitches.

THE BODY INSTITUTE is one of those books where the main character appears a bit unlikable in the beginning but quickly grows on the reader. Morgan is raised in a society that values fitness, where fat-shaming is practically de rigueur. She is almost self-righteous at times, priding herself on her toned body and her belief she is contributing to the overall good of society. However, this is what makes her realization that something is awry all the more fascinating as we see Morgan develop and mature over the course of the storyline.

Carol Riggs doesn't shy away from addressing the fat- shaming and bullying that occurs in the futuristic society of THE BODY INSTITUTE. I love the parallels to our current society's focus on appearance and suspect that many young adult readers will relate to the storyline as a result. Carol Riggs does a marvelous job at showing readers both the heartache as well as the growing societal awareness of her characters.

Carol Riggs crafts a futuristic scientific thriller that is both intellectual and horrifying, even more so because it almost seems plausible. I love the technological angle underpinning the storyline of THE BODY INSTITUTE as the Electromagnetic Resonance Transfer (ERT) process is ripe for exploitation. However, it is the inclusion of the opponents of ERT, the Warriors of Humanity Alliance (WHA) that adds depth to the storyline as Carol Riggs offers readers a storyline sure to provoke all sorts of intriguing discussions. I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish THE BODY INSTITUTE and I suspect others will as well. I love THE BODY INSTITUTE and can't wait to read more stories by Carol Riggs!

Book Summary

Meet Morgan Dey, one of the top teen Reducers at The Body Institute.

Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl's body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body -- leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches...

For one, Morgan won't remember what happens in her "Loaner" body. Once she's done, she won't recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she's been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it's all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start...

Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan's mind. She's feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti-Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she'll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul...

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