Once We Were

October 1, 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

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2013
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)

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July 1, 2014
This sequel to What's Left of Me finds Eva/Addie still struggling to each find their places in their shared body; as rare examples of two "souls" that didn't merge, they're considered dangerous by society. It's a fascinating concept and the world is more richly developed in this volume, but the protagonist(s) are changeable in ways too convenient to the plot.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)