sophia_readrebelliously's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
dfram's review against another edition
4.0
Once We Were follows the story of sisters Eva and Addie.
I truly enjoyed the characters. I wasn’t a fan of the story line or the plot, but I think it goes along well with the story as a whole, as developed in the first book.
I truly enjoyed the characters. I wasn’t a fan of the story line or the plot, but I think it goes along well with the story as a whole, as developed in the first book.
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The first book in the series had been quite intriguing. While there was some closure (not a complete cliffhanger) I was anxious to continue on with the story. Happy to grab the audiobook again, as I like this narrator and the consistency. That can be said of the book covers in this trilogy as well. Flowing, clever representation of the premise.
As I mentioned in my recent review of Enders ... a two-book series I happened to read at the same time (read book one of each, then book two of each, as my library holds came in). It would have been better for me to read these book in their own series back to back, and NOT to have read the other, while not the same really, had enough similarities (kids with two people able to inhabit a single body, running away from authorities who are after them) that my brain was mixing things up a bit.
I'd place this series a bit above the Starters/Enders series ... perhaps based a bit on the narrator's voice, but also on the story. I still have the final book in this series, and alas, my library only has it in physical book format. What to do? Buy digital? Splurge on audio for continuity and closure?
As I mentioned in my recent review of Enders ... a two-book series I happened to read at the same time (read book one of each, then book two of each, as my library holds came in). It would have been better for me to read these book in their own series back to back, and NOT to have read the other, while not the same really, had enough similarities (kids with two people able to inhabit a single body, running away from authorities who are after them) that my brain was mixing things up a bit.
I'd place this series a bit above the Starters/Enders series ... perhaps based a bit on the narrator's voice, but also on the story. I still have the final book in this series, and alas, my library only has it in physical book format. What to do? Buy digital? Splurge on audio for continuity and closure?
kbfrantom's review against another edition
3.0
A unique story because I have no idea how the trilogy will end. How can it end well for two souls living in one body? Even if America welcomes hybrids how can Eva and Addie each live a life that makes them happy? Still trying to wrap my mind around how they each have feelings for two different boys (Eva for Ryan and Addie for Jackson) and each of those boys have a different soul that doesn't have feelings back.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
3.0
Pop Sugar’s 2015 Reading Challenge - A trilogy (Book 2)
booksandbark's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer, January 2021 (not a re-read)
The toughest thing about having been on Goodreads for over half a decade is how much my opinions have changed. Especially because when I started posting reviews and rating books, I was a teenager with absolutely no taste in books. Had I read Once We Were (or really most other books I read in high school) today, it would probably receive a rating closer to 2 stars. I'm keeping my original rating and review for record's sake, but please be aware of the fact that my opinions of this book reflect those of a fifteen-year-old, not the person I am today.
The toughest thing about having been on Goodreads for over half a decade is how much my opinions have changed. Especially because when I started posting reviews and rating books, I was a teenager with absolutely no taste in books. Had I read Once We Were (or really most other books I read in high school) today, it would probably receive a rating closer to 2 stars. I'm keeping my original rating and review for record's sake, but please be aware of the fact that my opinions of this book reflect those of a fifteen-year-old, not the person I am today.
jennybrycebooks's review against another edition
4.0
That ending! I mentioned in my review of the first book, What's Left of Me, that there wasn't enough action... Well I certainly got that in this book! I really like where Kat went with this story; I was expecting it to get boring, but it did the opposite. This sequel is even better than the first, and I can't wait to read the last book!
lunarfire's review against another edition
4.0
Athens plot feels a little formulaic at times, but it's the dual narration and the world building that keeps me coming back
pantsreads's review against another edition
3.0
Although I still enjoyed the story and the characters, this book suffers a bit of bridge book-itus.
3.5/5
Read my full review here.
3.5/5
Read my full review here.
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
2.0
In a future (alternate?) version of America, babies are born with two distinct souls each with his or her own distinct personality, interests and talents. In most cases, one soul becomes dominant over time and the other gradually fades away. This is referred to as “settling,” but there are rare cases of “hybrids” in which the less dominant soul remains. Eva and Addie are one such case, and their secret was exposed in What’s Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles Book #1). They escaped from Nornand Clinic where the government was attempting to cure them and other child Hybrids, and are now living with an underground resistance movement made up of other hybrids and sympathizers. Eva, once the recessive soul, is getting better and better at taking control of the body, and she and Addie are both learning how to fade away to allow the other some privacy. This becomes more important as Eva’s feelings for Ryan continue to grow. Eva and Addie become acquainted with a group of teen hybrids who have been living in hiding from the government for some time. Though they are grateful to Peter and the other adults who organized their rescue from Nornand, the teen hybrids are growing frustrated with what seems to be a lack of action. When they find out that the government is planning to build another clinic like Nornand near the city where they live, they decide to take action on their own. Eva and Addie are conflicted about whether or not to participate in this potentially violent action, and ultimately must decide who they can and can’t trust.
The plot of Once We Were gets off to a very slow start. Eva and Addie and the other Nornand escapees are in hiding, so there’s not a lot to do but talk and think. The book became much more engaging about half way through when the author dials up the action and suspense. The process of Eva and Addie each struggling to assert her own independence is one of the most interesting parts of the book, and the best parts of the book are when events force them to come to a decision. As in the first book in the series, Once We Were suffers from a lack of world building. Though some explanation is given as to why the hybrids are persecuted by the government, it just didn’t feel like enough. More back story would have made it easier to suspend disbelief. The book’s conclusion is satisfying but also sets readers up for a third book in the series. This sequel doesn’t stand alone and is an optional purchase only where the first book in the series is popular.
The plot of Once We Were gets off to a very slow start. Eva and Addie and the other Nornand escapees are in hiding, so there’s not a lot to do but talk and think. The book became much more engaging about half way through when the author dials up the action and suspense. The process of Eva and Addie each struggling to assert her own independence is one of the most interesting parts of the book, and the best parts of the book are when events force them to come to a decision. As in the first book in the series, Once We Were suffers from a lack of world building. Though some explanation is given as to why the hybrids are persecuted by the government, it just didn’t feel like enough. More back story would have made it easier to suspend disbelief. The book’s conclusion is satisfying but also sets readers up for a third book in the series. This sequel doesn’t stand alone and is an optional purchase only where the first book in the series is popular.