The Between: An Original Story in the World of The Ones

By Daniel Sweren-Becker

The Between is a digital-only novella that follows the shocking events of The Ones and leads directly into its exciting sequel, The Equals.

Having every genetic advantage possible can’t save you when you’re outnumbered 99 to 1.

James was one of the lucky ones randomly selected before birth to receive genetic engineering. Known as the Ones, this one percent of the population is healthy, beautiful, and talented . . . and to some, that’s not fair.

Mounting fear and jealousy of the Ones’ success led to the creation of the Equality Movement, which quickly gained enough political traction to demote James, his girlfriend Cody, and others like them to second-class citizens.

Now James has been captured, separated from everyone he knows, and sent to a detention camp. What he finds there will change him into a new kind of revolutionary—if he survives . . .

An Imprint Book

Praise for The Ones:

"Chilling and frighteningly real, The Ones leads us down a dark rabbit hole of scientific possibilities, fractured morality, and brutal consequences. It forces the question: If perfection becomes a liability, how far are we willing to go in the pursuit of it -- or to stop it?"—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author ofThe Lovely Reckless

"Like watching your favorite TV show, The Ones is a thrill ride with a new shock at every turn. You won't believe what happens next, and yet, you should. Because this reality is all too possible." —Melissa de la Cruz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Isle of the Lost and the forthcoming Something In Between

“A gripping and cautionary tale. A thrilling read.” —Brendan Reichs, New York Times-bestselling coauthor of the Virals series.

"The basic premise for this captivating tale is much closer to practical concern than many might imagine. It is crucial that we visualize many possible scenarios like this one so that we can humanely respond to (or better yet anticipate) new technologies and the consequences for new babies. We hopefully will not punish the latter for the shortcomings of the former, and books like this will help us all engage with the key issues, technical and moral." —George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and author of Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jul 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781250159984

Daniel Sweren-Becker

Daniel Sweren-Becker is an author, a television writer, and a playwright living in Los Angeles. He graduated from Wesleyan University and received an MFA from New York University. His play Stress Positions premiered in New York City at the SoHo Playhouse, and he is the author of the novels The Ones and The Equals.

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Seventeen-year-old Cody and her boyfriend, James, were two of the lucky ones randomly selected before birth to receive genetic engineering.

Known as the Ones, this one percent of the population is healthy, beautiful, and talented … and to some, that’s not fair. Mounting fear and jealousy of the Ones’ success led to the creation of the Equality Movement, which quickly gained enough political traction to demote Cody, James, and others like them to second-class citizens.

As schools, the government, and even family and friends turned against them, Cody realized they had no choice but to protect their own. She drew closer to a group of radical Ones led by the passionate and fevered Kai, and James began to question just how far Cody was willing to go for the cause.

*   *   *

The bus lurched forward unexpectedly, and James’s head smashed into the seat in front of him. He tried to reach up and rub his forehead, but his hands were shackled behind his back by plastic zip ties. As the bus picked up speed, James tried to brace himself for more sudden turns or stops. Unfortunately, that was impossible, because he couldn’t see them coming—James still had a black hood draped over his head.

Apparently he was