Wow -this is a real blockbuster . I have heard somewhere that this may be made into a film -and what a film it would make ! The decade is 2050 -and biological warfare has turned into biological nightmare as the world is facing extinction from a virus that has mutated into a deadly disease from which no-one is safe.(Ring a bell?) After realising they cannot fight it -scientists make plans to ensure that life will be able to start again. They build a super -bot designed to carry and give birth to our future generations -The Mothers . Such a brilliant novel -I hope the film does it justice . Thank you Net Galley for an advance copy in return for an honest review

What does it mean to be a mother? What does it mean to be human? I didn't expect a science fiction novel to be such a roller-coaster of emotions. The entire concept of this book is genius and possibly a little too probable to make for comfortable reading. Not a sci-fi fan? You will be after you read this. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

Carole Stivers takes on a topic which almost by definition is beyond any attempts to diagnosis it. It is what is motherhood? What does it signify to those becoming mothers and how they perceive their offspring. How do the children look upon the figure of their mother aside from the normal views of the protector, guider and the the epitome of love. The story takes place in the near future as conflict between nations decimates the populations of the countries. The United States tries an experiment by building a group of robots meant for the care and raising of human children. It is hoped that this will allow replenishment of the species. Using advanced techniques the robots are inculcated with an instinct and desire to care for and nurture embryos of human children entrusted to their care. Each robot has a space within them where the child can be protected and guided and used as a living quarters. The robots are followed secretly and watched as their charges grow and develop. They are guided into taking the children into a situation where they can pick up food and water deposited for them and at the age of 6 years brought together as a means of socializing them. Several of the children are followed as are some of the adults that were involved in setting up the experiment. It is obviously the author's opinions that guide the direction of the novel, but she does develop a scenario that makes for a fascinating read and the question of whether or not artificial replacement for the human trait of mother hood could ever replace the real thing. A different type of story from any others, and one that is a definite five star all nighter and one that poses questions beyond any others I have come across.

2049. A flu-like pandemic is about to wipe out the whole human population. The only hope lies in genetically engineered children: incubated, birthed and raised by the robots. Machines that, thanks to The Mother Code, are programmed with the birth mothers' unique personalities. The story alternates between 2049 when the government employees are trying and failing to find a cure for the virus that wreaks havoc among the human population and 2060's when we're introduced to Kai, a 6-year-old raised by Rosie, his robotic mother. I had such great expectations for this book and was so excited when I was approved for it, but as much as I'd like to love this book, I can't say that I do. The book is built on a brilliant idea, but it goes awry pretty quickly and fails to deliver on the premise. The story jumps between multiple characters and timelines, never really stopping for long enough to allow the reader to form any connection with the characters. I also struggled with the scientific jargon that the story was packed with. I don't think that a layman reader like myself will appreciate it very much unless the book's general target is biochemists. Overall, it was a good story that wasn't executed properly. I think it would be best suited on the screen, but as a novel, it was too messy. However, I appreciate it is a debut, and I'm curious enough to reach for any future books from this author.