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    Once We Were
    Once We Were
    Once We Were
    Audiobook9 hours

    Once We Were

    Written by Kat Zhang

    Narrated by Kim Mai Guest

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In the second novel in the Hybrid Chronicles—perfect for fans of Ally Condie, Lauren Oliver, and Scott Westerfeld—Eva and Addie struggle to share their body as they clash over romance and the fight for hybrid freedom.

    Addie and Eva escaped imprisonment at a horrific psychiatric hospital. Now they should be safe, living among an underground hybrid movement. But safety is starting to feel constricting. Faced with the possibility of being in hiding forever, the girls are eager to help bring about change—now. The answer seems to lie in a splinter group willing to go to extremes for hybrid freedom, but as Addie and Eva fall ever deeper into their plans, what they thought was the solution to their problems might just be the thing that destroys everything—including their bond to each other.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateSep 17, 2013
    ISBN9780062280381
    Once We Were
    Author

    Kat Zhang

    Kat Zhang loves traveling to places both real and fictional—the former have better souvenirs, but the latter allow for dragons, so it’s a tough choice. A writer of books for teens and children, she spends her free time scribbling poetry, taking photographs, and climbing atop things she shouldn’t. You can learn more about her at KatZhang.com. 

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    Reviews for Once We Were

    4/5

    25 ratings12 reviews

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    • 5/5
      4.5/5 stars."What's Left of Me" was definitely in my top ten of my favorite debuts of 2012, and so I was really, really happy to get a copy of this next installment in the series, "Once We Were". While not quite in frenetic in its pace (except for the last quarter or so), "Once We Were" is a quieter book that reflects on what has happened in book one, and what's on deck for Addie, Eva, and the rest of the hybrids on the run, as well as delves a little deeper into the differences between Addie and Eva in pretty much every way. So for those that want that non-stop action from book one may be a bit let down, but "Once We Were" is just every inch as good as its prequel - just a little emotionally deeper.Since the technical areas were more or less just as awesome/flawless as book one (though pace did lag a bit, admittedly), I'm going to delve a little deeper into the issues brought up in the book, and maybe try a little analysis/speculation/meta. I'll try to keep it as spoiler-free as possible.If there was one word I had to pick for this book, it would be "growth". This book is all about growth in so many areas. It's about Addie and Eva, growing both together in one body, and apart as separate entities/people. It's about growth in terms of adolescence - the last phase of innocence of childhood, the shedding of the last ignorances of the world that we wear around us as people before we become adults. It's also about the growth of the world around the Americas, and the Great Wars (Civil [speculative], WWI and WWII [explicitly mentioned]), and the growth of a people on two continents from mild fear into witless terror of the hybrids, by a government grasping on whatever it can to survive, and keep control. And finally, it's the growth of a bunch of people, brought together by pure circumstance, creating and growing their own resistance in order to survive.The growth of Addie and Eva, and both of them as separate people is obvious. This is where I think where the book slowed down for a lot of the early readers. Addie and Eva very slowly start testing the limits of the body their share, as well as the mind - how long can they "disappear"/"submerge"/"sleep"/"dream", leaving the other soul to have sole control of the body for a certain period of time. They also start testing the limits with each other, both attracted to different boys, and both having to share a body that will be touched by a boy they don't consider theirs (there's a very sensorily vivid scene with Addie, Eva, and Jackson about halfway through, but that's all I'll mention when it comes to spoilers). How does that feel? How long can they can they keep being patient with that other soul, allowing them physical and emotional time with someone that isn't each other? Zhang uses free-form poetry to describe the "dreaming" times of the souls when they leave the other alone, and those are quite vivid, as well. I can see why it might not have worked for other readers - free-form poetry isn't for everyone, especially when experimentally stuck into a traditionally-structured novel. But for me, it worked. It made sense. It made the sense of "dreaming" and separation from that other soul, as well as how far deep down the bond to the other soul went all the more vivid and real.There's also the sense of psychological growth - from being a child, trusting everyone who helped them get to Anchoit, to becoming an adult - an "awakening" (which made a really nice contrast to the "dreaming" the souls do when they "disappear"), and a loss of innocence. Is the resistance really the best path for Addie and Eva, both together as one person in one body, and as separate entities? Can they really truly trust who is taking care of them, keeping them out of the hands of the government? And can they keep up this path without destroying themselves, each other, and the budding (and established) relationships around them? The rebellion as a metaphor for growing up (that's how I saw it, at least - just a bit of meta on my behalf) was very finely wrought, and you weren't bludgeoned over the head with it. Even if the pace is slower here, I don't think it's an obvious part of the book on the whole as a metaphor, though there were some scenes/chapters that were very obvious about it as individual parts building the whole. You have to look beneath the surface just a bit. Pay attention to the scenes were Addie and Eva are learning how to "disappear"/"dream", and I think you'll see what I saw. At least, I hope so. Even if it was unintentional, I have to give a golf clap for Zhang for pushing the psychological envelope there. In a lot of YA, we see obvious, explicit (in terms of being mentioned and established as official events) awakenings and losses of innocence, but I think that there's a little less of this quieter examination of the fine line between childhood and adulthood, and what it takes to pitch one over the edge into adulthood.The world also opens as we see more of Anchoit - we get some important information about the world in general, and how it's different in terms of alternate timelines/histories since the US Civil War (this was hinted), and WWI and WWII (this was explicitly touched upon). We also know how far the control of the anti-hybrid government reaches in terms of physical geography, and how the world around it has progressed, basically leaving it behind. I won't spoil anything, but comparing The Americas (as they're called) to Soviet Russia would be a pretty good comparison. Technologically behind by a few decades, trading with whatever country that will continue to side with it and supply it, and so forth. Not a ton of information, but we get a few more bones thrown our way to furnish the physical world of The Americas in our head as we read through this series.Final verdict? While there is a LOT of exposition (Zhang almost gives George R R Martin a run for his money with the amount of exposition here), there's also a lot of good sensory input as well. "Once We Were" doesn't disappoint, at least, not for me. "Once We Were" is out now from HarperTeen in North America, so be sure to check it out when you get the chance. And be sure to stop by the blog on September 20, 2013 for a guest post by Zhang on the process of writing a sequel!(posted to goodreads, shelfari, librarything, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
    • 4/5
      It seemed harder for the author to duplicate the emotional punch that the first book in the trilogy had but I did enjoy it. Can't wait for book 3!
    • 4/5
      Picking up where the last book left off, the sequel brings lots of truth that all must face.Plot: Now the they are on the run, Eva must survive. She is considered unstable and dangerous. I particularly enjoyed this book because of the hard time that is faced. Eva is now joined with other hybrids who are also in hiding. Learning that there are others and the trouble that they face, Eva/Addie have a lot to learn. The ending is good and leaves me with wanting more.Love: Now this has got to be the weirdest thing ever. Fighting with the other person inside of you and finding yourself in someone’s bed with no reconciliation in how you got there because the other person in your head is in control. Yeah, these little parts made me laugh. The love interest is always interesting, giving the fact that there are two people in one body. Oh the possibilities.Ending: Yeah, the ending with all the revelations leaves me giddy. I can’t wait to see how it will all end. Especially now that new information has surfaced.I think this is a great sequel that lives up to the first book. The perfect plot of hybrids coming together as one, the building of the world of a strict government, the story has great tension. Always throwing out a new plot twist, Once We Were is entertaining and delightful.
    • 4/5
      I was lucky enough to snag a copy of this book at BEA back in June. I hadn't even left Kat Zhangs autograph line yet and I was cracking this puppy open! For the rest of the day, whenever I was waiting in line for something I was reading this book. A lot of the time with series, I don't like the sequel, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't like it as much as the first but it's still a great continuation of the story and characters we grew attached to in book one. In the first book, Eva was fighting for her voice and slowly learning how to take control of their body. Now Addie & Eva slip in and out of control on a regular basis. Their body is just as much Eva's as it is Addies. Now living as part of the Hybrid resistance, Addie & Eva are starting to learn more about their kind. One of the biggest things they learn is how one of them can "sleep" to give the other privacy. This comes in handy for the romantic aspect of things, allowing Eva and Ryan's relationship to grow. However, it also brings about a whole new set of problems when the girls start keeping secrets from each other about how they're using that time. In the first book, I liked Eva a lot more than Addie. This time things completely flip-flopped. Eva was driving me nuts and Addie was the one I agreed with (most of the time). There were a few new characters that joined the picture: Sabine, Christoph, and Cordelia, all of which were well written; I just didn't like them. Overall this was a very enjoyable sequel that you don't want to miss!! If you haven't read the first book, WHAT'S LEFT OF ME, go grab a copy, you'll breeze right through it and be back for this one.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book and it was a pretty good middle book in a series. This one focused more on Addie and Eva as individuals since they have figured out how to go under and give the other a modicum of privacy. They both even have romances in their alone time. But they also discover how much they need each other and how they value the other's presence and input. While there was action, this was mostly character driven. Which I am down with because I love some good hints of romance and character building and growth. I liked getting to know all of the secondary characters better and the roles they play in their new life away from the institutes. What got me thought was it seemed like Eva and Addie switched, that Addie was now in control more often and really taking charge with decision making and I guess that makes sense because she hadn't for so long, but I just wanted to see more of the Addie that I was from the last time. The big struggle is how far is too far when it comes to rescuing other hybrids, and what risks are worth it. The moral and social issues with hybrids are really interesting to me, and I liked seeing how it all played out and I am somehow hoping for a happy ending for this series. The Addie and Ryan romance while not drastic was one of the things that I enjoyed most and kept me turning the pages. I will be continuing this series, and can't wait to see what happens next. Bottom Line: I liked What's Left of Me better, but still enjoyed the character development and progression in this one.
    • 4/5
      I really liked the first book of this Hybrid series What's Left of Me, so I hoped that I would like this one just as much. At first the book got off to a slow start but it soon picked up. It wasn't packed with action, but you two souls sharing a body, it’s bound to get interesting. While the first book focused on being hybrid in a world that thinks it’s a disease and needs to be cured, this one focused more on the difficulties of sharing a body such as trust and privacy. The book also dealt with morality a little. People may have treated you cruelly, but does that justify you hurting them? I find I was proud of Addie and Eva’s decisions in the end even though I was biting my nails in horror at what they were willing to do. It makes it worse when bad things happen to someone because they allowed themselves to be put in that position to save other people. I was worried that this book would be another one of those stories where the characters escape a horrible situation only to be put back into it, or something worse. I was pleased that this didn’t turn out to be one of those stories. I don’t mind them all the time, but this story has more potential than a story set in an institution. I am eagerly looking forward to the third installment. This is good writing and a very interesting plot conflict.
    • 4/5
      Plot: 4 stars
      Characters: 4 stars
      Style: 4 1/2 stars
      Pace: 3 1/2 stars

      I love the nuances of style in these books. Her style is fantastic! This one went too slow for me, but other than that, very enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Action packed sequel that progressed perfectly. With the unique idea, cute romance, and adventure, this is sure to be a hit with all young adult sci-fi fans!Opening Sentence: We share a heart, Addie and I.The Review:Surviving Nornand Clinic was just the beginning for hybrids Eva and Addie. They live in a world where everyone is born with two souls in one body. Eventually as you grow older the recessive soul will eventually disappear, but if it doesn’t you are known as a hybrid. Living in America being a hybrid is illegal and if the government finds out they take you away to a facility that tries to cure you. But most of the time the children are never heard from again. Eva and Addie were able to hide that they were hybrids for a long time but eventually they were caught and sent to Nornand. But before they could be cured they were able to escape and now they are fugitives.They were rescued by a small group that is fighting to free all hybrids. For the first time they are surrounded by others just like them and they have started to learn things about themselves they never knew was possible, like how to temporarily disappear so they can give each other a little privacy. It is a whole new world to them that is both exciting and scary at the same time. There is also an underground resistance that is trying to gain hybrids more freedom and the girls are eager to help in whatever way they can. But soon the violence starts to escalate and the girls are torn on what they should do. All the stress and uncertainty has put a strain on their relationship as well. How high of a price are they willing to pay for freedom?I loved watching Eva develop and learn how to control her own life. She was the recessive soul so for most of her life she has just lived inside of Addie’s mind, but with the new things the girls have learned it has allowed Eva to finally have a life of her own. Eva is actually very spirited and has a strong personality. Out of the two, I am surprised that she is considered the recessive soul because she is actually very brave and outgoing. She is also a very passionate person with a big heart. She loves Addie but the two of them have very different opinions on a lot of things. There are times when Eva can be extremely selfish but she never does it on purpose. Overall, I thought that Eva was a great character that had believable flaws and great qualities that made her very easy to love.I was surprised to see a very different side to Addie. She is very shy at times and actually a lot more reserved then I originally thought. Out of the two girls she is a lot more observant and cautious. She has a big heart and is willing to give up a lot to make Eva and others she cares about happy. Whenever Eva would start to get a little out of control, Addie was always the voice of reason that brought her back to herself. I sometimes wish that there were times when I could be inside Addie’s head just so I could understand her better, but overall I really liked her character.Once We Were was an action packed sequel with romance and suspense. The character development was done perfectly and I loved meeting all the new characters. The pacing was good but there were a few times where it dragged a little, but those moments didn’t last long. The transition between the two books was well done and I loved watching the story unfold. You get to learn so much more about the world and the plot really thickened. There was a great setup for the next book and now I can’t wait to finish out this wonderful series. Lucky for me the final book releases next month! I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun, action packed YA sci-fi story.Notable Scene:Addie pushed our pillow against the headboard and leaned against it. Our damp hair clung to our neck. A breath shuddered through our lungs. But her voice was quiet, hesitant.Frightened, I realized, and I almost said: No, no, don’t do it, Addie. Don’t do it if you’re frightened. The last thing I wanted was for Addie to be frightened. Our teeth rasped against our bottom lip. When she spoke again, her words were stronger. When we were thirteen? I’d been so angry then—I hadn’t even known what I was doing. I’d just wanted to be anywhere but where I was. Lyle’s sickness had started that year. Addie and I had fought, and in that moment, everything had been too much to bear. I’d willed myself to feel nothing at all, to disconnect from the world and dissolve like morning mist in sunlight.Addie let me take control of our body as I tried my best to explain. Our chest quivered with my attempt at steady breathing. It probably won’t even happen, I thought, trying to calm myself.Which was fine. Addie had agreed to try, and that was the important thing. We wouldn’t achieve anything this go-around, but Addie had agreed to try, so there would be other chances, and sooner or later, she’d—There was a feeling like a balloon popping inside us.Then Addie was gone.FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Once We Were. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      Sequels are usually never as great as the first book. But Once We Were is one of those exceptions. Of course it wasn't perfect (nothing is), but I enjoyed it much more than What's Left of Me.Again, the thing Kat does best is the actual writing and prose. Just as in What's Left of Me, it's so elegant and pretty and just really well done. I love reading her words, and everything just flows so well. There's a beauty to the words and sentences she writes and forms.But anyway. I think that the plot moves much faster in Once We Were, although it's mostly towards the end (again). But what made this different was that I found the beginning/middle-ish to be more character based, allowing us to learn more about the new characters and gaining a deeper understanding of the characters in What's Left of Me. Yeah, it might feel slow, but at the same time, it's enough that you're not bored. And then everything happens so quickly at the end that you just want to keep reading! I also found the ending to OWW much more satisfying in that it was more cliffhanger-y than the first (in the best way possible).Going back to the character-driven plot idea...I loved seeing Ryan/Devon and Eva/Addie struggling with differences between themselves (I suppose...I mean, they're sharing the same body). It shows how complex the situation with hybrids are. And I think it helped us to learn a lot more about their personalities. I'm still a bit iffy on Addie, but I understand her a lot better. I did find the amount of Devon to be lacking, but I suppose that part of it is also that it's told from Eva's perspective.One of the few things I didn't like so much was the introduction of so many characters in such a short period of time. It took me almost the entire book to figure out which two names went together with the same person. Some characters that I deemed to be important didn't seem to be. And a lot of them felt very one-dimensional, probably as a result of there being so many of them. But I get it. If it were real life, it would probably be very much like that. You can't know everything about everyone. It was just really confusing, and Eva/Addie and everyone else seemed to catch on a lot faster than I could.But really, I did love the action, especially towards the end. There were a bunch of plot twists that I should have seen coming because of the foreshadowing but didn't, and it was a really fun and quick read. I wanted to stay up late and finish it all in one night, but that wasn't possible. It really sets up well for the third book, and while you can tell it's the middle book, it isn't in a bad way. I personally liked this over the first book, which is often pretty rare.If you liked What's Left of Me, you'll really enjoy Once We Were.
    • 3/5
      2.75 stars.

      I had a harder time getting into this, and I may not have continued on if I wasn't reading it for a reading challenge. There were so many names to keep track of, and trying to remember who was a hybrid together in the same body was distracting. Finally toward the last 1/3 it started to come back together for me, and I was able to get through to the end. There was a lot of introspection, but I think it would have worked better for me to focus more on how they are going to interact with others on their own while they are in the same body. It is a social conundrum for me, and one I felt needed more attention. How do they go on to get married and have children? What are they looking for in the future? Things like this are more interesting, and more explanation of the relationships between the characters would have helped me a little more.
    • 3/5
      Pretty much on par with the first book. A great concept and fast-paced with likable characters. Personally I feel like the world building is somewhat lacking; at times it feels just a little bit too vague, like we're just supposed to know all of the (presumably) complex history between hybrids and non-hybrids ... or we're just not supposed to care.

      I like that this book doesn't completely fall into the trap of "let's make up a minority to examine prejudice" (as we know there is still racism/prejudices/xenophobia as it is in *our* world), but I wish there could be more diversity between the characters, especially the hybrids. I feel like one aspect in particular that would be interesting to at least touch on would be sexuality. Does sharing one body mean the souls have the same sexuality, considering their personalities/likes/dislikes/hobbies talents seem to appear to different between them? And there's other things to consider too, for example, is it possible for one soul to have a mental illness and another not to? I suppose we're just supposed to assume that the souls are only different in the superficial kind of ways. But it's a shame deeper, more complicated issues haven't been touched on (yet?).

      Major plus sides though: no ridiculous love triangle. And no insta-love. And the various consent issues are always generally being discussed.
    • 5/5
      Amazing, I highly recommend every one to listen to the book