Synopsis
In the year 2144, rising seas have devoured cities and farmlands, while genetic segregation has torn humanity apart. In this haunting vision of the future, those deemed "genetically unworthy" are condemned to lives of poverty and exploitation, while the privileged few enjoy the comforts of a carefully controlled society.
Layla, forced into prostitution to support her struggling family, finds her life unexpectedly intertwined with Marcus, the idealistic son of a powerful politician. When he offers her a position in his household to save her from the streets, neither expects the forbidden connection that blooms between them. But in a world where genetic purity dictates social status, their growing love isn't just taboo—it's a crime punishable by death.
As Layla and Marcus navigate the treacherous waters of their attraction, they uncover disturbing truths about the system that defines their world. Their journey takes them across a transformed Earth in search of a rumored sanctuary where love isn't determined by genetic code. But with government forces in pursuit and their own demons to face, survival will require more than just escape—it will demand they confront a society that would rather see them dead than together.
"Unknown Variant" is a gripping dystopian romance that explores the timeless themes of discrimination, sacrifice, and the courage to love against all odds. This powerful debut novel challenges readers to question the true meaning of human worth in a world where genetics determine destiny.
Author Bio
Sara Grover is an accomplished advocate and author whose writing emerges from the depths of personal experience and unwavering conviction. A former educator turned full-time caregiver, she has traversed the United States, calling every time zone home—experiences that have enriched her understanding of humanity's diverse tapestry. As the mother of a special needs child and a military spouse, she intimately understands the impact of societal prejudice and the strength required to challenge established systems.
Grover's debut novel, "Unknown Variant," was born from her fierce advocacy for neurodiversity and her determination to confront the stigmas faced by those deemed "different." Through her writing, she transforms real-world prejudices into compelling dystopian fiction that forces readers to examine their own biases. When not writing, she dedicates her time to raising awareness about special needs acceptance and supporting military families facing similar challenges.
From the Inside Flap
By the year 2152, humanity had suffered from a plethora of maladies both environmental and biological. Over the past five generations, humans have been increasingly plagued by genetic defects dooming them to either develop serious diseases or be born with debilitating mental and physical handicaps. The oceans had risen, swallowing up coastal areas around the world and forcing billions to move inland. Precious farmland and pastures were lost in the flooding. Food became scarce and was rationed as billions of people crowded into already overpopulated areas.
The cities of the world plunged into chaos as people fought for what little space and resources remained. The poor became desperate; robbery and murder rates skyrocketed. The wealthy, who were unaccustomed to being denied their life of excess, lived in constant fear of the riotous general population and tried to use their otherwise useless money to lobby governments around the globe. With the threat of civilization unraveling entirely before their eyes, the leaders of the world congregated to make a decision that went against everything that humanity stood for. The task: to find a solution that would reverse the "de-evolution" of our species and lower the unsustainable population of approximately 9.5 billion.
The governments and the wealthy thought of these "inferior" people as a drain on the system. They simply cost too much to take care of, the wealthy claimed. They used up precious food, depleted scarce natural resources, and contributed little save for creating more children with more problems. It was decided that helping them to live was against nature, that it was reversing the very evolution of man by permitting such undesirable mutations to continue being passed down through the generations.
This plan was not shared openly with the general public, for it their true aim had been transparent, anarchy would likely have ensued. The first phase of the plan was to obtain blood samples from every single person. The samples were then sent to labs to decipher every individual's genome, and individuals who displayed any genetic markers for diseases or abnormalities received a tattoo that read "GI."
Those who received these tattoos had no clue what GI meant, nor did they know that there was anything "wrong" with them to be concerned about. In truth, the tattoo stood for "genetically inferior." They had been branded like cows for the slaughter.
Along with the tattoo, they each received an ID number. At first this seemed logical, like the old Social Security number system; the ID numbers were coded labels indicating a person's genetic follies. The numbers were just to keep count, but the letters were what mattered. The longer the ID, the more genetically inferior the person—H stood for hemophilia, SC for sickle cell anemia, MR for mentally retarded, and specific cancers were indicated by various abbreviations like BRSC, BRNC, LEU, etc. Anything that the elites deemed wrong with one's DNA had a code.
It took about four years to test and tattoo everyone. For babies born during this time frame and after the mandate, they were to be brought into the genetic testing centers no more than one month after birth. Their ID numbers went right on their birth certificates, and they received tattoos as well. They would grow up thinking this was always how it had been.
In 2157, those who had been tattooed found out what it was all for—and it wasn't to help them. Citizens who were severely disabled—anyone who couldn't walk, had been deemed mentally retarded or psychotic, or had cancer—were rounded up in night raids. Military and armed police in riot gear banged on their doors in the middle of the night and hauled them off in the back of large semitrucks. Those poor souls were taken to military facilities and, as the governments put it, "put out of their misery—and ours." How they were murdered cannot be said for certain, as this information was classified and buried under heaps of bureaucracy. There are many rumors, but they are all too horrible to even imagine, never mind talk about.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
