In a near-future city where celebrities use clones called Portraits to manage their lives, the thirteenth clone of actress Lulabelle Rock is created with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing her twelve predecessors. As she navigates Bubble City and encounters each unique clone, she develops a conscience, questions her own existence, and is forced to confront themes of identity, agency, and what it means to be human.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a near-future world where celebrities can create perfect clones of themselves called Portraits, the story follows the thirteenth clone of actress Lulabelle Rock, who is created with the explicit purpose of tracking down and eliminating her twelve predecessors. The narrative unfolds over three days in Bubble City, a glitzy yet decaying urban environment where the elite use clones to manage the burdens of fame. The protagonist, referred to as 'Thirteen' or 'Death' (after the tarot card), embarks on her mission but gradually develops a conscience and questions her purpose, especially after falling in love with one of her targets. The book is structured around tarot cards, with each chapter corresponding to a card and a different clone, and explores themes of identity, agency, and what it means to be human, all while maintaining a noir-inspired, satirical tone with elements of action, mystery, and dark humor.

Readers praised the book's detailed world-building, particularly the depiction of Bubble City and the societal implications of cloning technology for the rich and famous. The protagonist's journey from a blank-slate assassin to a character with emotional depth and self-awareness was frequently highlighted as a strength, with several reviews noting the nuanced exploration of individuality and humanity among the clones. The use of tarot cards as a structural and thematic device was well received, adding layers of meaning to each chapter and assassination. Many found the pacing fast and the narrative engaging, with action scenes, witty dialogue, and a blend of humor and emotional moments. The book's satirical take on celebrity culture and its parallels to real-world issues like AI and labor exploitation were also noted as compelling aspects.

Some readers felt that the book's short length limited its ability to fully develop secondary characters and the relationships between the various clones, with several noting that many side characters felt two-dimensional or served mainly as plot devices. The romance subplot, involving the assassin clone and one of her targets, was described by some as underdeveloped or lacking emotional depth, with the love story and its implications not fully explored. A few reviews mentioned that the story became formulaic or repetitive in the middle, as the protagonist moved from one assassination to the next, and that the world-building outside of the immediate plot was sometimes vague or insufficiently explained. The ending received mixed reactions, with some finding it rushed or unsatisfying, and others noting unresolved plot points or a lack of clarity in the book's final chapters.

The book has been compared to works like Orphan Black, Black Mirror, and The Island, and is described as a blend of science fiction, thriller, dystopia, and LGBT fiction, with a satirical edge. The narrative is primarily first-person, focusing on the assassin clone's perspective, and incorporates motifs such as tarot cards and questions of free will. The story's structure, with each chapter centered on a different clone and their assigned role, allows for an exploration of the fragmented nature of identity. The book has received a moderate average rating from readers and is noted for its fast pace, cinematic qualities, and potential for adaptation to other media. Content warnings include violence, blood, suicide, and implied sexual content.