Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: September 18th, 2012
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Rating: 4/5 Secret Twins

Synopsis: What’s Left of Me tells the story of a fifteen-year-old girl fighting for her right to survive in a world where two souls are born into each body and one is doomed to disappear. Pitched as The Golden Compass meets Girl, Interrupted. 

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. -Goodreads

Review: I picked this book up by chance at BEA and I am so glad I did. It’s hard to find books that have such a strong and unique premise. What’s Left of Me is set in an alternate version of America where every baby is born with two souls living inside of it, until eventually the less dominant soul fades away. Of course, this never happened for Eva, who still lives inside her sisters body with no way to communicate with anyone but Addie.

Right away the book covers the concept of hybrids, adults living with both of their souls still intact and the dangers these people are said to be to society. This concept is hat really drew me to this book as there are limitless possibilities to what kind of crazyness can go on when you’re secretly living in someone else’s bosy.

We follow the story from the perspective of Eva, but obviously Addie plays a significant role as well. Both girls have distinct personalities that have obviously been shaped by the role they have played in the pairing. Addie is desperate to be normal but loves her sister, where as Eva is very internal but willing to fight for her own survival. The other dual characters are not as thoroughly built, so they can get a little confusing at times (especially when romance is involved), but having the Eva/Addie framework makes the whole story that much more immersive.

There is some BIG drama in this book, and it never goes quite where you think it will. Obviously, this makes for a read that’s going to suck you right in. I would love the chance to pick Kat Zhang’s brain a bit about how some of the finer details of soul sharing work but I’m sure she is super busy with book release things right now. I will absolutely be following is series to see what happens next. Can’t wait!

Buy What’s Left of Me
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Second Opinions:
@Pocketful of Books
@Xpresso Reads
@The Starry Eyed Revue