Starters (novel)

Starters is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Lissa Price. It was published in 2012 and is the first book in the Starters series. The novel is set in a future Los Angeles devastated by a Spore Wars that killed everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. The surviving population is divided into two groups: "Starters," teenagers whose parents have died, and "Enders," elderly citizens.

Due to the extreme lack of resources, Enders seek to temporarily rent the bodies of Starters through a company called Prime Destinations. Starters are paid handsomely for allowing Enders to inhabit their bodies for short periods, enabling the Enders to experience youth and vitality once again. The protagonist, Callie Woodland, a sixteen-year-old Starter, agrees to rent her body to earn money to support herself and her younger brother, Tyler.

During one of her rentals, Callie discovers that the Ender inhabiting her body is plotting a crime, and she becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. The novel explores themes of social inequality, exploitation, and the ethical implications of technology. It also delves into the psychological impact of the Spore Wars and the struggles of young people forced to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. The sequel to Starters is titled Enders.