What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Genre:  YA Fantasy/Dystopian

Hybrid Chronicles, Book 1

Kat Zhang's website

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Description (taken from Kat Zhang's website):

I shouldn't 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.

I didn't realize that this is from Eva's point of view.  The soul that doesn't control her body.  Instead, she spends her life watching Addie live it.  I can't imagine that would be like to have a passenger seat in my own life.  To watch myself interact with people I hate, kiss ugly boys, etc...

So the whole idea of having two souls in one body is super original.  It's a weird concept to grasp.  And I had a very hard time accepting it throughout the novel.  And that's probably why I didn't like it as much.  Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of twists/turns that occur in this book to keep you interested.  It's just you only see a glimpse of explanation when it come to two souls and settling.  And I never really understood what was so wrong with not settling.  So it was hard for me to believe the story line I guess.

For a unique concept and interesting plot, I definitely recommend this one.  Just keep an open mind and cross your fingers that the second book does a better job at explaining things.

Challenges:  Dystopia Reading Challenge