Thursday, September 12, 2013

Review: Once We Were by Kat Zhang

Once We Were (The Hybrid Chronicles, #2)
Once We Were (The Hybrid Chronicles #2) by Kat Zhang
"I'm lucky just to be alive"
Eva was never supposed to have survived this long. As the recessive soul, she should have faded away years ago. Instead, she lingers in the body she shares with her sister soul, Addie. When the government discovered the truth, they tried to “cure” the girls, but Eva and Addie escaped before the doctors could strip Eva’s soul away.
Now fugitives, Eva and Addie find shelter with a group of hybrids who run an underground resistance. Surrounded by others like them, the girls learn how to temporarily disappear to give each soul some much-needed privacy. Eva is thrilled at the chance to be alone with Ryan, the boy she’s falling for, but troubled by the growing chasm between her and Addie. Despite clashes over their shared body, both girls are eager to join the rebellion.
Yet as they are drawn deeper into the escalating violence, they start to wonder: How far are they willing to go to fight for hybrid freedom? Faced with uncertainty and incredible danger, their answers may tear them apart forever.

”add

Publishes in US: September 17th 2013 by HarperCollins
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Harper Teen
Series? Yes. The Hybrid Chronicles
What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles, #1)
my review
Untitled (The Hybrid Chronicles #3)
Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound  Book Depository

Author stalk away: http://www.katzhangwriter.com
Twitter: KatZhang
www.facebook.com/katzhangwriter

 
    I enjoyed this book and it was a pretty good middle book in a series. This one focused more on Addie and Eva as individuals since they have figured out how to go under and give the other a modicum of privacy. They both even have romances in their alone time. But they also discover how much they need each other and how they value the other's presence and input. 
    While there was action, this was mostly character driven. Which I am down with because I love some good hints of romance and character building and growth. I liked getting to know all of the secondary characters better and the roles they play in their new life away from the institutes. 
   What got me thought was it seemed like Eva and Addie switched, that Addie was now in control more often and really taking charge with decision making and I guess that makes sense because she hadn't for so long, but I just wanted to see more of the Addie that I was from the last time. 
   The big struggle is how far is too far when it comes to rescuing other hybrids, and what risks are worth it. The moral and social issues with hybrids are really interesting to me, and I liked seeing how it all played out and I am somehow hoping for a happy ending for this series. 
    The Addie and Ryan romance while not drastic was one of the things that I enjoyed most and kept me turning the pages. 
    I will be continuing this series, and can't wait to see what happens next. 

Bottom Line: I liked What's Left of Me better, but still enjoyed the character development and progression in this one.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you murder someone who hurt countless others?
Follow on Bloglovin

25 comments:

  1. I think this sounds really good, I still need to read the first book. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been wanting to read What's Left of Me for a while - it just seems like such a unique and completely awesome concept. Unlike anything I've ever read!

    Glad the second book, though not necessarily better, kept your interest!

    - Allie @ Little Birdie Books

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've heard some good things about this series but I'm not sure its for me,. Glad you enjoyed. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't read this series yet but from what I've gleaned, it's as original as they come. I'm glad you like it so far, though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really want to read this series! I have the second book, but still haven't read the first. September is killing me!!! So many great books coming out. I need to take a vacation and read! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your question: no, I could not.

    Glad you liked this. Love character development. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I find it interesting when authors add social themes on YA books. Chuck the love triangles and give them teens something smart to think about!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I prefer character driven books anyway so I'd probably be happy with this one.
    I'm glad it didn't disappoint. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I need to read the first book in this series! I kind of skimmed this review so I wouldn't ruin anything for myself but it seems like it was good! Were you disappointed that it was more character driven this time? I don't know how the first book was but if it was more action, I'd probably be a bit disappointed this time around.

    ReplyDelete
  10. While it's too bad you didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, this definitely sounds like a series worth trying.

    I think I could definitely kill someone who had murdered a lot of innocent people if I had no doubt in my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't read book one, but this sounds interesting and I am happy this was a solid character driven second book.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, you liked What's Left of Me better? Good to know since I've been meaning to read it for a while. I'm glad it was character-driven since I'm always all for that. Happy you enjoyed this pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have read this one a few weeks ago and I have the draft for the review and every time I try to write it I cannot. I have no idea how to feel. It was too slow for my taste and somehow I found too many flaws. I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I remember hearing good things about the first book. I'm curious and want to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I loved the first book was kind of skeptical of where the other would take it in the sequel. In my opinion there was just SOOO much character development and even plot develeopment the series would have to go through in order to make it a Satisfying series that i wasn't sure if the author could pull it off but you have my hopes up! I'm glad you liked this one! great review :)
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well, as long as this one is good, I think it's fine to not surpass the first book. Hm... I really need to give this series a try!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really need to start this series. I've been curious about it for awhile. Great review :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

    ReplyDelete
  18. I enjoyed the first book well enough and I planned on reading this. It sounds like it is a good read but that it suffers a bit of the middle book syndrome. At least from what you say there is a lot of character growth.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't think I could kill that person, unless I had potential to stop them in the act. I'm glad you enjoyed this Brandi. I've heard really good things!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This sounds like a very interesting middle book for a trilogy - I still haven't read the first book but seeing Addie gaining more control of the body makes me want to read the series. In relation to your question, I don't think I could kill even when the person may deserve to die. BTW, I really enjoyed reading your review, Brandi!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Though I love action, I am a sucker for a good character driven book.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm gald that that this book stood out for you a lot more than the first book Brandi! I read half of the first book and put it down, but your praising review does have me intrigued! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  23. it's intriguing, I'm curious about the plot. Didn't know this one.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been meaning to start this series. A solid middle book is fine. But I can't see a happy ending if they are both sharing a body. It seems as if one of them is going to have to give up the body completely. I haven't read it so I'm just guessing.

    Would I kill someone who has hurt and killed a lot of people. The only person I can think of is Hitler and my quick answer is "yes". But I don't know if I could actually kill someone. I never have, so unless it was me or him, I would probably try to find a way to contain him and make him pay. I'm big on revenge.

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like.
Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)