Review: Mila 2.0

Author: Debra Driza

Edition: Katherine Tegen Books ARC

Release: 12th March 2013

Series: Mila 2.0 #1

Pages: 480 approx.

Links: Goodreads | Author's Website | Pre order the book now!

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

MY REVIEW:

When this book was first brought to my attention, I hadn't actually heard that much about it. Practically nothing now that I come to think of it. The reason I ended up with a review copy, you ask? Well the blurb drew me in big time! Big. Time. It had a fantastic premise and, as a result, my expectations soared high. Did this debut novel do Debra Driza proud? Why, yes. Yes it did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and now cannot wait to see what more this author has in store for us in the future.

First off, the action! Let me assure you that you will easily be able to appreciate this book if you love action/adventure stories. I just love, love, loved all of the action scenes! The scenes were just so well written and due to Driza's skilful writing style I felt like I was there - beside Mila - watching it all. Do you know that feeling you get when you're watching an action movie and the main character starts fighting with the bad guys and you're just sitting there thinking how cool and badass they are and you can't help but spur them on? Well, I was exactly like that for this book!

Mila was the perfect lead for this story. Not only was she brave, smart and kickass, she had a whole other side to her to boot. A softer, more vulnerable side. The entire way through the story she questioned her humanity - afraid that her android side would take over - and you could see the affect it was having on her. I mean, can you blame her? The poor girl just found out she was an android and that her whole life had been a lie. So I'm pretty sure she has the right to be freaked, don't you? ;) With that said, the two contrasting sides to her personality made her an overall likeable and well-developed character. I also came to like Lucas. He really helped Mila and her mum out when they needed it the most and I just couldn't help but admire him - and his courage - for it. I really hope he makes an appearance in the next book!

Now, Hunter. Oh Hunter, Hunter, Hunter. What to make of you. Honestly, to start with Hunter didn't make that big of an affect on me. After a while I did start to warm up to him though. Albeit only a little. However, I just have this feeling. This feeling that he's more involved in the story than even Mila knows. For one, we don't know much about his past. Barely anything really. And as much as I want to tell you all who I think he could be, I'd be revealing spoilers and I so don't want to do that. :( So I'll just have to leave it at Hunter is definitely a mysterious boy. Of course, this might just be me who thinks that. :3 Ughhh, I'm just going to have to wait patiently for book two and hope that some of my questions will be answered. I'm also hoping Hunter is in book two more than he was in this one so I can decide what to make of him. ;)

In conclusion, Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza is a fantastic debut that has now left me eagerly anticipating the sequel. The main character, Mila is a kick-ass heroine but also has a slightly more vulnerable side to which you can empathise with. I also enjoyed a few of the secondary characters - namely Lucas and Mila's mum, Nicole. Not only did the action scenes leave me breathless, the build up to the ending did as well! I just need to know what happens next! Especially between Mila and Hunter... I want to see where this romance is leading us! In my opinion I wouldn't say you need to be a sci-fi lover to enjoy this. To me, this book was much more action/adventure like - I didn't even think of it as a sci-fi book whilst reading! So if this looks like the book for you, go pre-order it now! ;)

4.25 STARS! ;)

A big thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with a review copy!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

PS: Sorry about the lengthy review! I didn't know I needed to say that much, haha! :P