28. lis 2013.

Once We Were by Kat Zhang

Expected publication: September 17th, 2013
Author's 

Book summary:
"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.
         With all the bum in the dystpian genre some things started to get clearer with the sequels. Many dystopian offered some really unique and amazing ideas at the start but with sequels it became a challenge to continue and develop that idea. Unfortunately many sequels failed to do so and sadly for me Once We Were falls into that category.

        After I got What's Left Of Me I was thrilled to read it. The book promised some great idea and something that was really new to me. I was blown away with the whole thing and with some minor flaws the book was a really great read to me. You can only imagine how excited I was to read this one. I really wanted to see how the whole idea developed. In case you don't know this book deals with double personalities in one body. Eva and Addie stayed in one body despite everything and maintained the picture of wholeness for a  long time. Now after all the changes in their lives they must fight as they're now not alone.

        Big problem raised here now that Eva was in charge and that changed everything for me. Addie was so easy to connect with and I could feel her fully. Eva is different and I couldn't support her decisions. She even frustrated me a lot. Her selfishness was unbearable at moments. Then there was this problem with pacing. For about two thirds of the book it was too slow for me. Something did happen but at the same time didn't. Until the last third which was actually the only part that I liked. So basically said this book suffered from mid-book syndrome.

         Quite honestly this book leaves me in worry. I have some ideas about what can happen at the end, what would be a solution to this situation and honestly I don't like it. So I'm deeply hoping that the author will pull something to surprise us all.

Rating: 2 stars.

Until the next time,


34 komentara:

  1. Sounds like Eve frustrated you, I had this series on my wishlist but after your disappointment in book two I think I will remove them from my monstrous wishlist! I hope you next read blows your mind with awesomeness!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. Yes she did unfortunately. I still hope that the last book will bring something to blow me away. Thanks Kim :)

      Izbriši
  2. From the sounds of it, I did not enjoy WLoM as much as you did, I found it quite slow and had already made up my mind that I would not be reading the sequel. The fact that you loved WLoM and did not enjoy the sequel means I made the right choice! I hope you enjoy the next book more!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. It seems you have, as for me it was weaker than the first book.

      Izbriši
  3. Uh-oh, it's always a shame when the sequel of a beloved books fails to "wow". I read The Lost Girl instead of WLoM when I heard they were similar mainly because The Lost Girl is a stand-alone - and I really LOVED it. I have a feeling that you'll enjoy that one if this trilogy isn't working out for you as they have similar premises. I still hope the conclusion to this trilogy is more positive. Thanks for the honest review, dear!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. I think I should read The Lost Girl as this one somehow failed to deliver everything. Thanks Keertana! :)

      Izbriši
  4. It's too bad Eva isn't likable and the pacing is pretty slow :( I hope the next book is better for you if you decide to read it. Thanks for the great, honest review!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  5. Well shoot Tanja! This is a series I really wanted to start because it sounds so interesting, but I'm bummed this sequel doesn't at all live up to the first. Eva sounds problematic at best, I definitely struggle with selfish characters, so I think I'll wait until book 3 before deciding what to do, especially given you're worried about how everything will end up!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. Yeah maybe it's for the best to wait till the last book. I wish I did just that. Thanks Jenny :)

      Izbriši
  6. AHHH.. So sad to hear that this suffers from the second book syndrome. I'm sorry you didn't like it :( I guess it could affect your reading when you're expecting to find one thing, but then receive another. I'm glad you're going to at least finish the trilogy with the last book. I hope it's more to your liking :)

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. It does for sure. I mean it changes everything. Thanks Siiri :)

      Izbriši
  7. I disliked the first book too, so I didn't have any intention of picking it up. It sounds like the MC was really annoying. I hate it when they make stupid decisions. It only makes me want to shake the hell out of them.
    Sorry this didn't work for you, Tanja. Hopefully, you're next book will be awesome! :)

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. I usually yell so yeah I know how you feel :D Thanks Nick :)

      Izbriši
  8. I seem to have big problems with second books in dystopian series too. I really liked Catching Fire, but quit 1/2 through Insurgent. I'm sorry this didn't win you over, Tanja, Nice review!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. I liked Insurgent because I could still connect with Tris, which I couldn't do here. Thanks Andrea :)

      Izbriši
  9. I enjoyed a bit more than you but also wasn't blown away

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. I guess we now hope for the best with last book :)

      Izbriši
  10. Sorry this book was kind of a disappointment for you. I've yet to check out the series, but I do want to give it a try. I hate disappointing sequels, but if you read the next book I hope you enjoy it :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. I'll probably read it cause I'm curious. Thanks Janina :)

      Izbriši
  11. Ugh! Not a middle book syndrome book. I liked the first one well enough but I can see where there could be issues. I have this for review and I am not sure whether I am going to read it or not...

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. Sadly yes. I hope you'll enjoy it more than me Heidi :)

      Izbriši
  12. That's too bad that Eva a character you don't really care for is in the forefront. I have to say the premise of this series didn't appeal with me to begin with, so after hearing about annoying main characters I doubt I'd pick the up. Plus, I've been dystopianed out for a while. Great honest review, Tanja. I hope the next one is better for you. :)

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. Yeah I hope that the next one in this series will fix some things. Thanks Rachel :)

      Izbriši
  13. I haven't really had an urge to read this series. It sounds like that might be good. I'm skipping it for now anyway.

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  14. Aw, man! I was really secretly hoping this would be a great series and was even looking forward to buying and reading the first book. Well, I'll save my money for another book then. I just don't get how, when you need explanations, there seem to be none and this one looks just like that. I mean, two stars is just not acceptable, dude. Makes me want to not even consider the series. Will you be reading the next one? Will that wrap up the series? If it will, you can just read it and get it over with! Nice review!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. You can always get an ebook but there are better books to buy ;) I'll be reading it just because I have read the first two but I will lower my expectations too. Thanks girl :)

      Izbriši
  15. I haven't read the first book, but I know all about disappointing sequels! So basically Eva beng in change means that technically, the protagonist was changed? I don't know that I'd like that either, especially if she's less likeable.
    Sorry this wasn't what you'd hoped for.

    OdgovoriIzbriši
    Odgovori
    1. Yeah somehow. I mean it's hard to talk about this without spoiling some thing, but yes. :D Thanks Maja :)

      Izbriši
  16. Oh no! I'm so disappointed to hear this is suffering from middle book syndrome, I had such high hopes for it. Fingers crossed that Kat Zhang does find a way to surprise you and pull something amazing out. Great honest review!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  17. Oh boy, that's a bummer! :( I have not read the first book yet and most likely I'll be wary to pick it up now.. I hate when dystopians start off strong but then the second book comes out and it is simply disappointing. Seems like a waste of time, unfortunately. If you decide to read the third book in the series, I hope it'll make up for the sequel! :)

    Evie @Bookish

    OdgovoriIzbriši

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...