March 17, 2025
Children of Eden
by Joey Graceffa
Centuries after the collapse of Earth, human survivors live in an artificial paradise called Eden. To preserve what little resources they have and to keep humanity alive, the government creates a law allowing each family in Eden to have only one child. But what happens in a hidden case of twins?
Joey Graceffa’s Children of Eden focuses on Rowan, a rebellious second child who has been hidden for the first 16 years of her life, while her brother, Ash, lives a normal life. Babies in Eden receive surgery at birth, where they get implants in their eyes with all their personal information stored in them. Being the secret twin, Rowan never got the implant and still has “kaleidoscope” looking eyes that mark her as a second child. Because of the population-control measures, this marks her for death. She is not able to attend school, make friends, or receive the eye implant that Ash has that would mark her as a member of Eden. When she becomes tired of living in her brother’s shadow, she escapes the house for a night of adventure — only to end up on the run from the government while trying to uncover the secrets of Eden. Her journey is filled with twists and turns, new friendships, and a hunt for freedom in a world where she isn’t wanted.
This book is the first of three in the completed series, and I recommend reading through them all to see what Eden is hiding! It’s a thrilling YA dystopian adventure that keeps you hooked on Rowan’s journey. Just like how we navigate college, her story is about finding your path, making tough choices, and discovering who you truly are.