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Reviewed by: Alex D. '12

This book is about a greedy, wealthy, mean, drug lord named Matteo Alcran. He owns a piece of land called Opium, which blocks Aztlan (formerly Mexico) from the United States. Matteo implants computer chips into clones after their intelligence has been wiped out. In this story a clone, Matt, grows up with everyone hating him because he still has his intelligence and lives with Matteo Alcran, or El Patron. El Patron is now 145 and needs another implant to stay alive. Will they turn to Matt? You will have to read the book to find out if Matt will survive and reach Aztlan. Will he find the help to take over Opium and destroy the border?

I recommend this book to everyone, because it has so many interesting twists and turns.

Spring 2005

Reviewed by: Laura G. '11

This is a very exciting novel about a clone of a wealthy drug lord named Matteo Alacran whose family is cruel, snobby and disturbing. The original Matteo Alacran, El Patron, is 145, while his clone (who they call Matt) is only 5 years old. But, in Aztlan (Mexico) clones are not treated very well. Everyone ignores and hates Matt, except for four people. As the years pass, more and more adventures and hardships begin to happen. I can't wait for you to read and learn about the eejits and why they will do whatever someone tells them to.

I would definitely recommend this book because it's full of exciting adventures. Since reading this book, I now know why it won three medals. If I could, I would give it a fourth medal. If you like to read exciting, action-packed books, then I guarantee you'll love this book.

Matt Alacran is not a "he" or a "she," a "mister" or a "misses", he is an "it," a clone of El Patron, a rich and powerful drug lord. El Patron is the 140 years old ruler of a county called Opium, a land in the distant future between what is now Mexico and the United States.  Matt lives a happy life with Celia until he is six, only he is not allowed to leave their cabin or play with any other soul.  Then one day, he is found by El Patron's great-great-grandchildren and taken to the big house. There he is put in a cell and treated like vermin.  When El Patron discovers this, he is outraged and gives Matt and Celia a huge apartment with a private garden to live in, and a body guard named Tam Lin to protect him.  However, the rest of the family resent Matt and let him know it.  His only friend - except for Celia and Tam Lin - is Maria, the daughter of a senator who is friends with El Patron. When Matt turns 14, El Patron gets very ill and faces death. Matt realizes why he was made and the only way for him to survive is to run away. 

Spring  2004