Rating: 
Summary: Just what are Genhants, Originals, chimeras, etc.?
Review: Genhants are supposed to be humans who have been given an extra chromosome so they can be genetically enhanced, or something like that. Originals are normal people, who haven't gotten their genes fiddled with by scientists (so why are they outcasts?) I'm not sure what chimeras are.In STARSPLIT, Kathryn Lasky has created a future world that is dominated completely by scientists fiddling with genes, adding more chromosomes and cloning and other things on that idea. I found the terms Lasky inveted to be very confusing: umbellation? masked chimera? umbelae? At certain poitns in the story I just sat back and said "What the heck?" Once I figured out that umbellation is cloning, things got a little clearer, but not by much. The whole story is basically about cloning and DNA, although there are characters, like Darci and Vivian (who is vital but does not show up until late in the book)and the Prima or whoever the heck she is. There was not much of a plot until the end of the book, where everything happened and became suspenseful. I'm just glad I stuck with teh book till I got to the really good stuff. I'm not trying to say I didn't like the book. I guess I did, and I learned an awful lot about DNA. However, I was dissapointed with the futuristic setting- it's set four centuries from now, so why are there still cars and TVs and many fo teh same phrases (even if they are backwards, like SB)? If not for all teh scientific breakthroughs in cloning and genetic enhancement that were part of teh setting, STAR SPLIT could have taken place in 2000. I don't think the author went into enough detail describing the difference between Genhants (who sounded like robots to me) and Originals (who actually seemed human). She said that Originals didn't talk as much and moved more. So? Why? I'm still wondering. All in all, this story was kind of blah, although you may find it extremely interesting if you like the genetics branch of science or have an interest in rock climbing (the main character Darci rock-climbs.)
Rating: 
Summary: This really is a poorly realized attempt at an SF novel
Review: I feel compelled to review this book in a public forum. Katheryn Lasky is an excellent writer, and YAs should read all of her other books. This book, however, is a mess. The author obviously understands and has strong feelings about the moral implications of cloning. She does not understand the science of genetics. The book is rife with misconceptions and the worst kind of pseudoscience. Good science fiction is grounded in science; it is an extrapolation from what we know today. The characters are flimsy and the plot is ludicrous. It falls into the all usual traps that SF novels by non SF readers do. The society of 3038 is exactly like society today. Her characters read the newspaper and watch television in the year 3038! Television and newspapers will change drastically by 2038...they will be unrecognizable by 3038.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Split
Review: I think the book was very good. It was exiting and flowed. The book was well writen and has become one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Good science fiction tale...
Review: In the year 3038, the human race has been transformed by genetic technology. There are the Genhents, those who have recieved the forty-eighth chromosome; and the far worse off Originals, with only the usual forty-six. There are no unwanted or even unplanned children, parents choose their child's gender, talents, and inclinations. Inherited disease is a thing from history books. Thirteen-year old Darci is a fairly normal genhent, and yet, despite her privledged status in society, she feels something is wrong with the way things are, though she can't quite decide what. Others are only confused by her strange thoughts and questions, and she is left with only the nagging feeling that only she is different...
This was truly an excellent book, unusual and thought provoking. I really couldn't guess the ending from the end of the chapter one, and Darci herself seemed so ordinary in a lot of ways that I found her very likable and easy to relate too. The only real problem I had with this book was something another reviewer also pointed out; fifty or even one hundred years in the future would have been a much more believable setting for this particular novel. Even if there was a dark age, or a series of "clone wars" as is implyed several times in this book, I for one find it hard to believe that 1000+ years in the future, kids will still be wearing baseball hats and blue jeans, and thirteen-year old's will still be attending eighth grade. Besides this minor detail however, this book was great and I definitely recommend it to sci-fi fans of any age.
Rating:
Summary: Good science fiction tale...
Review: In the year 3038, the human race has been transformed by genetic technology. There are the Genhents, those who have recieved the forty-eighth chromosome; and the far worse off Originals, with only the usual forty-six. There are no unwanted or even unplanned children, parents choose their child's gender, talents, and inclinations. Inherited disease is a thing from history books. Thirteen-year old Darci is a fairly normal genhent, and yet, despite her privledged status in society, she feels something is wrong with the way things are, though she can't quite decide what. Others are only confused by her strange thoughts and questions, and she is left with only the nagging feeling that only she is different...
This was truly an excellent book, unusual and thought provoking. I really couldn't guess the ending from the end of the chapter one, and Darci herself seemed so ordinary in a lot of ways that I found her very likable and easy to relate too. The only real problem I had with this book was something another reviewer also pointed out; fifty or even one hundred years in the future would have been a much more believable setting for this particular novel. Even if there was a dark age, or a series of "clone wars" as is implyed several times in this book, I for one find it hard to believe that 1000+ years in the future, kids will still be wearing baseball hats and blue jeans, and thirteen-year old's will still be attending eighth grade. Besides this minor detail however, this book was great and I definitely recommend it to sci-fi fans of any age.
Rating:
Summary: Stop The Cloning!
Review: lasky creats a post-mordern world, centered around cloning. in this book, our heroine, darci, is made to ask herself who exactly is she. its a wonderful story that captures hearts and makes us really think. a truly deep book that is recomennded for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Welcome to the future.
Review: Lasky is a literary genius. I can't believe more people haven't read this book! It's an odd outlook that gives us a look into the future, back on our selves. Darci is so lovable, the way she tries to mimic the Originals and how she takes such an interest in them. She's a humanitarian and a noble person and there's just something about her that makes you smile. There's great character development and you really feel like you know them, which I always love whether I'm reading a book, watching a movie, whatever. I gave this book five stars because of the many books I've read, the detail and intricacy really stands out in this novel above all the rest.
Rating:
Summary: "Star" Search
Review: STAR SPLIT was an interesting mix of science and story. Set over one thousand years in the future, this book finds the world's people not too far removed from our own 21st century folks - there are no aliens, no robots, no Jetsons-esque contraptions - except for the long strides made with human cloning, chromosome research and other genetic enhancements. Those with bonus DNA and cultivated strengths are "Genhaunts," and in an elevated position with regards to the "Originals." One young girl discovers there is more to her family's personal history and to the process and progress of society. A good book for young readers interested in science or those wondering how cloning could happen.
Rating:
Summary: "Star" Search
Review: STAR SPLIT was an interesting mix of science and story. Set over one thousand years in the future, this book finds the world's people not too far removed from our own 21st century folks - there are no aliens, no robots, no Jetsons-esque contraptions - except for the long strides made with human cloning, chromosome research and other genetic enhancements. Those with bonus DNA and cultivated strengths are "Genhaunts," and in an elevated position with regards to the "Originals." One young girl discovers there is more to her family's personal history and to the process and progress of society. A good book for young readers interested in science or those wondering how cloning could happen.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: This book peers into the supposedly far future when cloning and genetic manipulation of embryos are common. Although there are minor problems with the concept - identical twins also share exactly the same genes, this is a compelling read and is a wonderful starting point for some serious thought about how all of this science is effecting human beings. In spite of the complicated science, the best thing about this book is that it is interesting and exciting as well. As the author says in the postscript, this may not be as far in the future as she imagined when she wrote the book.
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