The Blending Time, by Michael Kinch (Flux, 2010)

In 2054, the world is a dystopia, with all but a few constantly struggling for survival. In a bid for something better than manual labor or hazardous canal-digging, three teens – Jaym, Reya, and D’Shay – opt for the experimental Blending program, and are sent to Africa to help introduce healthy genes into the dying population. What they discover is a dangerous region where they aren’t welcome, where violence, corruption and slavery run rampant, and where they must do whatever it takes to escape to safety. From the somewhat dodgy concept to the abrupt ending, this harsh, unyielding tale is ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful, tackling more than it can handle.


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