Scientists have discovered the secret to immortality in the Amazon jungle. Decades upon decades are spent trying to create the perfect homo sapien, until finally, in the 20th century, they are successful. The success comes in the form of the female main character, Pia. She is bred and raised at the scientific compound, with the goal of becoming the creator of others like herself. She is trained extensively (practically from birth) in every scientific area she will need. She is never allowed out of the compound, for fear that some outside company will find her and steal her, or that she might come across reasons to leave the compound forever. They are keeping her in a cage, but she is completely oblivious to this until one day, by chance, she sneaks out of the compound and comes across a village of natives. Their freedom and passion for life, as well as a young, handsome male named Eio, have sparked something in her that the scientists had not accounted for. They neglected to take into consideration Pia's human side: her emotions. Whilst trying to coming to grips with her own place in the world and purpose of being, Pia discovers some dangerous secrets about the scientists and the compound she has known as home for her entire life. She is forced to choose between what she has been told is true and real, and what she is discovering to be the true reality of her creation and existence.
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Best part of story, including ending:
This story is told in such a way that you can feel the transformation in Pia's heart. As the lies she was told her entire life are uncovered, her emotions are conflicting, causing inner turmoil that made me think outside of the storyline. When she finally chooses, her entire persona changes, from shallow and pompous to caring and sensitive. I loved it.
Best scene in story:
Pia is forced, at one point, to kill a jaguar cub. She is so conflicted because, in the interests of science, it is necessary, but her heart is not allowing her to do it. Her mother (one of the many scientists at the compound) finds her holding the kitten, crying. Pia's mother takes the kitten from her and injects it with the poison, and tosses it back into Pia's lap, without so much as a blink of an eye. She then tells Pia to tell the others it was Pia's doing because she will do anything to keep the head scientist there and the project rolling forward. This scene made my heart stop, my adrenaline rush, and my eyes water. So many emotions were evoked, which makes it my favorite scene.
Opinion about the main character:
Pia, the main character, has a very pompous attitude about herself at the beginning of the story. It made me almost close the book and stop reading. She has been told her whole life that she is perfect, that she is the answer to the world's problems, that there is no one above her. And she, of course believes it. Its an awful quality in a person and makes me cringe when I come across it. I am, however, glad that I read through the entire story to see that her mindset changes considerably.
