What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1)
by Kat Zhang
Published September 18th 2012
by HarperCollins
ARC from Edelweiss
Thoughts:
What's Left of Me actually confused me in the beginning. I thought it was a contemporary novel about the loss of a twin then I suspected that the main character is suffering from some form of schizophrenia. That's what you get if you read something without reading the blurb first.
Apparently the book is a dystopian so naturally it is set in a distant future where everyone is born with two souls but the US has proclaimed a law that everyone should get rid of the weaker soul and people who attains adulthood with two souls are known as hybrid. These hybrids are naturally rounded up and sent off to some shady medical institutions where they are being treated.
Since all the kids are expected to settle (which basically means that the dominant one takes over and get rid of the weaker one), Addie/Eva hides the truth that they are a hybrid. Although Eva still exist, she's only in the head and Addie controls everything. I really admire how the author is able to differentiate the two voices inside the head and you can actually feel the dilemma that Addie/Eva is going through.
When the girls are befriended by Hally Mullan, they discovered that there are other hybrids out there who are hiding their true condition too but things took a sinister turn when the government found out about them and they are forced to leave their homes.
The story is compelling, intriguing and beautifully written. I must say that the author is a genius in capturing the conflict that these two souls are experiencing and the romance is heart warming unlike the so many instant love that is abundant in the YA genre. Ryan is supportive and brings out the best in Eva and he literally puts Eva in the forefront again. The book is amazing but for two things. Maybe more explanation is needed as to the reason why the government is so against a hybrid. They are simply regarded as dangerous. But why? And in the beginning of the story, it is told that the government has closed its borders because of the wars and foreigners are rare in the future. So are foreigners or foreign blood being discriminated against? Since this is touted as a trilogy maybe such questions will be answered in due time.
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
ARC from Edelweiss
Summary from Goodreads:
I should not exist. But I do.
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .
For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.
Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .
For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.
Thoughts:
What's Left of Me actually confused me in the beginning. I thought it was a contemporary novel about the loss of a twin then I suspected that the main character is suffering from some form of schizophrenia. That's what you get if you read something without reading the blurb first.
Apparently the book is a dystopian so naturally it is set in a distant future where everyone is born with two souls but the US has proclaimed a law that everyone should get rid of the weaker soul and people who attains adulthood with two souls are known as hybrid. These hybrids are naturally rounded up and sent off to some shady medical institutions where they are being treated.
Since all the kids are expected to settle (which basically means that the dominant one takes over and get rid of the weaker one), Addie/Eva hides the truth that they are a hybrid. Although Eva still exist, she's only in the head and Addie controls everything. I really admire how the author is able to differentiate the two voices inside the head and you can actually feel the dilemma that Addie/Eva is going through.
When the girls are befriended by Hally Mullan, they discovered that there are other hybrids out there who are hiding their true condition too but things took a sinister turn when the government found out about them and they are forced to leave their homes.
The story is compelling, intriguing and beautifully written. I must say that the author is a genius in capturing the conflict that these two souls are experiencing and the romance is heart warming unlike the so many instant love that is abundant in the YA genre. Ryan is supportive and brings out the best in Eva and he literally puts Eva in the forefront again. The book is amazing but for two things. Maybe more explanation is needed as to the reason why the government is so against a hybrid. They are simply regarded as dangerous. But why? And in the beginning of the story, it is told that the government has closed its borders because of the wars and foreigners are rare in the future. So are foreigners or foreign blood being discriminated against? Since this is touted as a trilogy maybe such questions will be answered in due time.
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment