Once We Were (The Hybrid Chronicles Series #2)

by Kat Zhang

Overview

I am 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062114921
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/17/2013
Series:	Hybrid Chronicles Series , #2
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	466,315
File size:	662 KB
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kat Zhang is an avid traveler, and after a childhood spent living in one book after another, she now builds stories for other people to visit, including the Hybrid Chronicles.

What People are Saying About This

Lissa Price

“A deeply original tale of longing for identity; so skillfully crafted, the words float above the page.”

Editorial Reviews

10/01/2013
Gr 8 Up—Because sisters Addie and Eva grew up hiding their hybrid nature, they're now learning-along with readers-some of the nuances of what it means for two souls to share one body. Is romance possible with someone always looking over your shoulder? Can a hybrid ever have privacy? What occurs if the two souls disagree? Now that Eva is fully capable of controlling the girls' body, she's unwilling to sit idly by and allow the torture (in the name of science) that happened upon them at the Nornand Clinic happen to other children. As they meet more hybrids, they hear more and more horrific stories of abuse, and they learn of a small faction that wants to take immediate action to stop further mistreatment of hybrid children. Eva is eager to help with this plan, but Addie is unsure as to whether or not what they're planning is ethical. The deeper involved in this small revolution they become, the further apart the siblings begin to grow. Until now, they've never argued about anything this significant, and it's not clear which of the two souls will win control. Zhang has a unique challenge: she must give each character two distinct personalities, which she skillfully manages. While this book lacks some of the freshness of What's Left of Me (HarperCollins, 2012), simply by virtue of being a sequel, the lovely, atmospheric storytelling is still very much present. Zhang has envisioned a complex, unique world and deftly brings it to life.—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

School Library Journal

Zhang’s precise prose skillfully delineates Eva’s unique first–person point of view, and the sisters’ intense relationship continues to be deeply compelling…fans will have plenty of reasons to be impatient for the third book in the series. — Kirkus Reviews

Lovely, atmospheric storytelling…Zhang has envisioned a complex, unique world and deftly brings it to life. — School Library Journal

Praise for WHAT’S LEFT OF ME: “A shockingly unique story that redefines what it means to be human.” — Lauren DeStefano, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of WITHER

“Zhang’s concept is original and provocative; the deep bond between Eva and Addie (the shifts between I, we, and she in Eva’s narration are especially haunting) and the mystery about why their society is so desperate to ‘fix’ hybrids are riveting. ” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A deeply original tale of longing for identity; so skillfully crafted, the words float above the page.” — Lissa Price, international bestselling author of STARTERS

“An unsettling dystopian adventure of two souls trapped in a single body. ” — Kirkus Reviews

“Uniquely imagined…Zhang’s prose is lovely, and the plot is compelling to the last page.” — School Library Journal

“An intriguing depiction of sibling relationships and the challenges of learning to live as distinct, though not physically separate, individuals.” — Booklist

“the siblings’ desire for autonomy is intriguing, as is the exploration of the politics of enacting change.” — Booklist Online

From the Publisher

the siblings’ desire for autonomy is intriguing, as is the exploration of the politics of enacting change.

Booklist Online

Praise for WHAT’S LEFT OF ME: “A shockingly unique story that redefines what it means to be human.

Lauren DeStefano

An intriguing depiction of sibling relationships and the challenges of learning to live as distinct, though not physically separate, individuals.

Booklist

A deeply original tale of longing for identity; so skillfully crafted, the words float above the page.

Lissa Price

An intriguing depiction of sibling relationships and the challenges of learning to live as distinct, though not physically separate, individuals.

Booklist

2013-09-01
In the sequel to What's Left of Me (2012), Eva and Addie must decide whether the government's latest anti-hybrid initiative justifies an act of terrorism as a response. Since their dramatic escape from the Nornand Clinic, Eva, Addie and their fellow fugitives have hidden with other hybrids--people whose bodies are shared by two souls--and grown frustrated by their rescuers' cautious ways. Meanwhile, the sisters' increasing independence is testing their bond: Eva longs to pursue her romance with Ryan, while Addie has her own secrets. Tensions reach a breaking point when the hybrids learn the government is promoting a false surgical cure for their condition. Several call for a violent protest, and they invite Eva and Addie to cast their lots with them. Zhang further develops the dystopia introduced in her first novel with mixed success. Many aspects of its history and politics remain vague, and the new characters are forgettable. Nevertheless, the sisters' ethical dilemma resonates due to the genuine horror of the false cure. Zhang's precise prose skillfully delineates Eva's unique first-person point of view, and the sisters' intense relationship continues to be deeply compelling. Newbies won't find this novel stands alone, but fans will have plenty of reasons to be impatient for the third book in the series. (Dystopian adventure. 13 & up)

Kirkus Reviews