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The Body Institute

by Carol Riggs
Release Date: 09/01/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:
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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BOOK REVIEW

The Body Institute is a coming of age young adult book about being physically fit and discovering who you are. It tells the story of Morgan Dey, one of the top Reducers at the Institute. What I loved about this book is that it explores the youth’s current question of identity and deals with the problem of overweight and underweight. The premise of having mind-switching, though quite similar to Lissa Price’s Starters Duology, as a means of helping someone lose their weight and make them healthy got me hooked into reading this story! I always loved to see more books with body-mind-switching thingies because I wished it were possible. Kinda sounds like possession but I don’t know.

What I personally didn’t like about the book is that it was a little bit slow paced at first so I did put it down like twice. I was waiting for the big twist to happen and then boom! There were a LOT of them and they’re so mind-blowing I can’t even. Then the ending. THE ENDING. Was like . . . no, I’m so not satisfied with it. There needs to have a sequel announced. It needs to have one! I’m not done with this!
I also really love how the romance between our main character, Morgan and Matt. It’s really cute but I feel there could’ve been more to it.

The Body Institute is a smart, captivating and thrilling read for any sci-fi dystopian YA book lovers! I highly recommend this read!

About the Author

I’m a YA writer represented by Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary. My sci-fi novel THE BODY INSTITUTE explores the themes of society, identity, and body image. I live in the beautiful, green state of Oregon and have a Studio Arts degree; I’m an SCBWI member.

You’ll usually find me in my writing cave, surrounded by my dragon collection and the characters in my head. I also enjoy reading–mostly young adult novels–as well as drawing, painting, and quilting. I also attend writing conferences, walk with my husband, and enjoy music and dance of all kinds.

Author Links:
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