Review: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

What's Left of Me
by Kat Zhang
Release Date: September 18, 2012
by HarperTeen


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I should not 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.

*A copy was provided by HarperTeen for review purposes*

Coming into this book, I was super-excited.  The summery looked really good, and the cover was intriguing (yes, I totally judge books by their cover.  I mean, who doesn’t!?)  But I have to admit that I came away a little disappointed.

While this was a really good idea, it’s not an uncommon one.  I can think of at least one recent release that is basically the same idea as this book.  There were some parts that were action, and they were great, but the rest was kind of medium-paced.

The writing was really, really good, and the staging and escapes were awesome as well.  I also liked the point of view used in this book.  Eva, the weaker soul, was the main character, and I think it really helped the book that she was, instead of, say, switching points of view, or having Addie as the main character.  I really wanted to like this book, I really did, and I did, kind of, but it just wasn’t amazing for me.

I’ve never read a book where there are two souls in a person, so I’m going to do my best with the characters.

So I’ll start off by saying that I loved Eva.  She was definitely my favorite character.  I loved how she grew so much over the course of the story.  I liked her much better than Addie.

I also really loved Ryan/Devon.  I say them both because I really loved both, where as with Eva/Addie, I only really liked Eva.  Ryan/Devon was so nice, cute, and perfect.  I really liked him/him.

I tried really hard to love this book, but for some reason it just didn’t click with me.  I don’t know why not.  I will continue this series, and cross my fingers that the books to come are really good.

3.5 pink flowers