Hildan had an ordinary life, until he found out about matters he had no way to understand - at first. His parents had been told that he might be born with a major health issue, and a medical company offered to clone Hildan in case he needed new organs. They would look after the clone until it was needed. The curious and confused boy asks to visit his clone, thinking it will be in a tank of liquid. Instead he meets a schoolkid just like himself.

ME2 follows the determined boy as he investigates the medical laboratory belonging to a company called Stuqe. This firm has bought up an entire small town and likes to keep its business secret. Hildan and his parents, the Hegennerys, can now discuss the issue that had been kept from Hildan when he was younger. They meet a similar family, whose daughter unfortunately was not so lucky as Hildan and is in poor health. If saving her means taking organs out of a girl exactly like her, is that right? Hildan wisely asks the meaning of words he doesn't understand, such as ethics, and stocks, when he hears that the stocks in Stuqe are nosediving after news started spreading. People at the top of the company will do anything to avoid their dodgy dealings being discovered, and life becomes dangerous for Hildan's family.

Young adults will fly through ME2, science details and all, as the heart-pounding adventures just keep coming. The settings are well described, from the sterile corridors of the lab building to the sweaty uncertainty of the incinerator room, and an offshore island fringed with genetically adapted trees which stay green, if wilted, during winter. Hildan seems simple to start with, living in a town where nothing happens, but he quickly adapts and his dogged determination shows through as he fights for his family and his newly acquired brother.

Jourdan Cameron is highlighting discussions about human cloning that will need to take place. Everyone in society must understand what is involved or those with the most to gain will influence legislation in ways that the rest of us don't approve. This book would make a great family talking point or class study, with many opinions being aired and much fuel for debate. Young science fiction fans will also enjoy this good read. ME2 is an exciting story well and simply told.

Book Summary

Hildan Hegennerry was an ordinary kid- he had good parents, a great best friend, and a clone. Well, that part's not so ordinary, is it? Join Hildan on an action-packed adventure as he unveils dark secrets and discovers what it's like to have a brother.

Me2 (also written as "Me Squared") is more than an adventure- it also tackles some very important issues regarding bioethics and human cloning- whether anybody likes it or not, the future is coming, and with it come questions without obvious answers. Me Squared dares you to begin thinking about those questions right now.

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