The House of the Scorpion

Title: The House of the Scorpion
Author: Nancy Farmer
Genre: Science Fiction
Reviewer: Dan

In the science fiction thriller, The House of the Scorpion, young Matteo realizes that he is not like everyone else. Matteo Alacran is a clone. He doesn’t quite know exactly what that is, but he does know that he is treated in a very different way than anyone else. Everyone around him looks at him as if he were a savage beast, but no one would dare to hurt him physically, for he is the clone, or identical copy, of El Patron. El Patron is the leader of the small country, Opium, which consists only of opium fields. He is the drug lord of all drug lords and is feared by all. Matt secures El Patron’s future health, or does he? In this story of adventure, excitement, and courage, Matt endures several instances that would kill anyone else, literally. Can Matt find anyone to protect him in this world of danger and uncertainty about his future?

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good ending and an even better story. In addition to a good story, the book looks at the issues of slavery, the morality of cloning for the purpose of body parts, whether a clone is nothing more than an animal and many more. Anyone who loves adventure stories that teach good morals and ethics at the same time should definitely read this science fiction novel.