Thursday, August 23, 2012

Review: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 356
Genre: YA
Source: ARC
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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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.

Addie and Eva are two souls in one body. They were supposed to settle around 4 years old, 10 years at the very latest. Settle on which soul will stay and which soul will fade away. Settle on which soul is dominant and will get to live. Eva didn't want to give up on life. She fought as hard as she could. But by 12 years old Addie had to settle and hide Eva's existence or risk being sent away to doctors and experiments and possible death. Eva shouldn't be there and no one can know. Eva continues to watch but she can no longer take control.

The two people in one mind idea kind of reminded me of The Host by Stephanie Meyer. One girl has full control while the other is just observing with no control to speak or move. Just trapped inside. Sounds like a horrible life! The book is told in the POV of the non-dominant soul Eva. Eva helps remind Addie and they keep each other company. They try to sneak by in their illegal existence until they meet a new friend Hally/Lissa who is also hiding the fact that she is a hybrid. Her brother Devon/Ryan is another hybrid. They want to teach Eva how to take control again but it is not so easy and not so easily hidden.

The book was easy to follow considering the two people in one mind aspect. Eva always talks about everything as "ours" which takes a little getting used to. The idea of two people in one head had my mind reeling. I kept thinking what if Eva falls for Ryan, which is what I kind of felt happening, then does Addie have to fall for Devon? What if they both don't fall for the two guys in one body? What do they do during sexy times? LOL When one girl is in control and the other is just observing?! Freaky! A lot of the questions I had, sadly were not brought up until the very end.

The book had little romance and was a bit slow during the middle but the whole idea was so intriguing that I was still glued to the pages. It was just so sad to imagine having to lose a part of yourself. Think of growing up with another person and then having to let them fade away. The government claimed two souls fighting in one body causes chaos and war in other places around the world. I would assume if two souls was the way we were born that we would figure a way to make it work. I think we will get more into that knowledge in the next book. Can't wait to see what happens next with the hybrids!


<I'm sorry> Addie said. <I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I tried-->
<It's okay> I said, because what else was I supposed to say? She was Addie. She was the other half to me.
She was more important than anyone.
<I just never thought> She covered our face with our hands, trying to muffle her tears. <I never thought-->
Never thought she'd have to watch, feel, as we kissed someone she didn't want to. That had been my private fear.
My burden.
I didn't know what to say.

Rating: 4/5

28 comments:

  1. Hmm...I've heard interesting things about this one.Reminded you of the Host? Now I've got to check this out!!


    Krazyyme @ Young Readers

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    1. Yes, I loved The Host and I loved this. A bit slow but such an awesome idea which really makes you ponder things. Hope you like it!

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  2. This is so different than any I have read before but I'm looking forward to reading it. I had no idea it was told in the POV of the non-dominant soul which has me even more intrigued now! Great review! :)

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    1. Yeah I really liked hearing the story from the non-dominant soul. Gave an interesting take on things. It was different and interesting. Hope you enjoy it!

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  3. Love this review! Especially the questions the book made you ask and wonder about. I'd be wondering the same things...lol! Now I really can't wait to read this!

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    1. Yeah I was wondering a lot of strange things. Most I felt embarrassed to share! LOL I like my alone time so I don't know how I would handle sharing my mind with another person...

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  4. Oh, this book sounds really good. I actually love The Host, so th concept of two souls sharing a body sounds great. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Nice review!

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    1. I LOVED The Host! I balled my eyes out during that book. So excited for the movie but with all the internal dialogue I don't know how it will come out. That was the same with this book. A lot of internal thoughts from Eva and her talking to Addie inside their head. Would be so weird to argue with a voice in your head lol It was interesting.

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  5. Interesting!! I have this one and can't wait to read it.
    Did you see on Twitter yesterday that they were asking for pics of the book with your cat? Did you send one?

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    1. No I didn't see!!! Is it too late??!! :-( This one was slow but good! I felt horrible for poor Eva and Addie too.

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  6. Thanks for the review! I actually had no idea what this book was about, until your review. I'm not sure if I would like this, but I did <3 your review!

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    1. It was a unique story and I can't to wait to see where it develops next!

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  7. Wow, I think I'm gonna read this one next...like probably this weekend. I loved The Host...weird that I didn't even make that connection the first time I read the synopsis, but it makes sense with the two souls sharing the same body. Now I'm even more excited to read What's Left of Me. Great revivew, Jen!

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    1. I love The Host as well! So weird to have another person inside the same body with you. Would make for some awkward and annoying situations! Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  8. Glad to hear this wasn't too hard to keep up with considering. I have this for review but wasn't too sure about it. Glad to see you enjoyed it. I might be put off by the lack of romance, but we'll see. Great review Jennifer

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    1. I felt a little tension and was hoping it would develop sooner. The girls did have more important things going on so it kind of made sense. There is a little towards the end. I am thinking it will develop more in the next book hopefully1

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  9. I'm actually reading this now and it's a little boring, but I'm glad to hear it'll pick up! The two souls in one body is definitley an intriguing idea and was surprisingly easy to get used to while reading. Great review! :))

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    1. Yeah it is slow but it picks up at parts. Love the idea and it was some sweet parts between the girls who are what sisters? Not sure what to call them lol

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  10. I've been looking forward to reading this as well! Awesome review! I am definitely more intrigued by it now...and can't wait to get my hands on it! Although, I do love books with romance, I don't think I'll mind this one not having as much! Glad you enjoyed it nonetheless!

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair 

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    1. I love romance too! But there were things happening that prevented it from fully developing. I am thinking there will be more romance in the next book!

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  11. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing! Great review as always. ;)

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  12. I agree this was such a different read. I can't wait to see how the rommance develops, it ought to be interesting!

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    1. Yea I'm hoping maybe Addie can fall for Devon so Eva can be with Ryan!!!

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  13. Wow, this sounds like a fascinating concept. I also immediately thought of THE HOST when I started reading your review!

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    1. It was a unique concept that made my mind think of all kinds of questions and weird things...lol I loved The Host and it is interesting to wonder what it would be like to share one body with two people.

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  14. I cannot wait to read this, i have it for review and will be reading it VERY SOON!! xx

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  15. I'm listening to the Host right now -- seeing if I can wrap my mind around the idea of two people in the same body!

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