What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Hardcover, US First Edition, 343 pages
Published September 18th 2012 by HarperCollins
Summary:
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.
Review:
This was a really enticing book with a gorgeous cover that caught my eye right off the bat. I've been waiting a very long time to read this and now I can say it was what I expected but not.
The story of this book is how two girls, Eva and Addie, share a body, but have separate souls which mean two people controlling one body. It's a bit confusing when I explain it, so it's better if you read the book yourself! Eventually, one of the soul has to fade, or die, so the dominant soul controls the body without the recessive their taking up space. But there are also people that are hybrids. The souls that never faded and are still living. Society considers them a threat so there are always signs and posters asking to report hybrids to the police. Eva and Addie are hybrids so that's the main things you need to know!
Addie and Eva are the main characters, but while Addie is the dominant soul, Eva does most of the narrating. It was different but awesome! Obviously if it was Addie's point of view it would be much more boring because we wouldn't be able to see how Eva struggled being the recessive soul. So, thank you Kat Zhang! I have to say, I like Eva better than Addie. Maybe because I feel bad for her being the recessive soul, but I also like her personality better. She is a lot more...I don't know how to describe it, but she was like the opposite of Addie who was more serious and thought through with decisions. Eva was in no way care free, but she yearned for the feeling of her body and she would do what she had to to feel and that is what made me admire her.
I did and didn't like how the romance was there but not. Does anyone ship for Eva and Ryan? Because I was the first one on board. I would have liked to see their relationship develop more and maybe a kiss or two, but I understand that it wasn't as important as the main issue in the book, which is a spoiler if I describe it the way I would. I do hope Kat Zhang decides to get them together in the next book! And anyways, I think Ryan did say something about how one of the souls could go to 'sleep' so they didn't have to witness and lovey dovey stuff that could happen, so yay for the Eva and Ryan ship!
The main problem I don't understand is why hybrids are such a threat. I don't think the author mentioned that, but I hope she clears it up in the sequel. I don't think the people of the society even know why hybrids are a threat. All they see are signs telling them to report suspicious people that may be hybrids so they do. Just because the police say they're dangerous, but they never give a real reason why. That's just one of the examples of how brainwashed their society is.
Overall, I really did like this book and I can't wait to read the next! Props to you Kat! 4 Stars!
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