Status
Available
Call number
Series
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Collections
Publication
Quercus (2013), Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Description
When Elissa's nightmarish visions and inexplicable bruises lead to the discovery of a battered twin sister on the run from government agents, Elissa enlists the help of an arrogant new graduate from the space academy.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Very intense interesting story with some great twists.
Opening Sentence: As Elissa and her mother entered the waiting room, the sky above Central Canyon City was a chill, pre-dawn gray, the spaceport a colorless blaze on the horizon.
The
Elissa would do anything to make her hallucinations so away. Elissa is a 17 year old girl and for about 3 years now she has been having vivid hallucinations that are painful and leave bruises all over her body. She has tried everything and gone to so many different doctors but nothing has ever helped. The hallucinations have basically ruined her social life; all her friends eventually stopped talking to her because they thought she was doing it to get attention. Her parents have tried everything but they don’t know what else to do. Now there is a doctor that says he can cure everything with a simple brain procedure. Elissa can’t wait because she is finally going to be normal. A few days before the procedure she gets another hallucination but this one felt so real, she recognizes the place where it takes place. She decides to go and take a look and she finds the source of all her problems. It turns out that Elissa has a twin and they were separated at birth, but they have had a mental link that has never gone away. Elissa’s twin just escaped from the facility that has kept her a captive her whole life. The facility houses people that are called spares. The spares were told that they aren’t fully human and that their lives don’t matter. The spares go through many different experiments and when they are old enough the spares would disappear. All the spares are electrokinetic , where they can control electric currents and other things as well. Most of the experiments are very painful and the spares have a very hard life.
Together Elissa and Lin (the name they decide to use) need to escape. The government is after them and their best option is to leave the planet. Elissa grew up on the planet of Sekoia. Space travel has been going on for years and people populate many of the different planets. Elissa’s brother Bruce happens to work for Space Flight Initiative commonly known as SFI. He has been training to become a pilot for years and has just got his first assignment to fly a cargo ship. So Elissa decides to ask him for help with getting off the planet but it turns out he has been quarantined and won’t be making the journey after all. His childhood best friend Caden Greythorn is going to take his place. Caden has been an arrogant jerk to Elissa ever since he and Bruce left for flight school, but she honestly doesn’t have any other options for getting Lin to safety. She makes up a story for Caden and he agrees to let them make the trip with him. After boarding their flight they run into some problems, turns out the people that Lin escaped from want her back. They will take extreme measures to insure that none of their secrets get out.
Elissa is our main character in this book. She has a little bit of a “woe is me” attitude at times, but she gets better throughout the book. She really does try to do what’s right, but at times it’s hard to decipher right from wrong in her world. At times she is a little too trusting, but she learns from her mistakes. She develops a strong connection with Lin, and in the end she is a strong likable character.
Lin is an interesting person, because of the way she grew up she trusts and cares about no one except for Elissa. She has a spontaneous personality and tends to act before she thinks at times. She has a hard time controlling her powers especially when she feels threaten or angry. She really changes throughout the book and it’s nice to see who she develops into. I really liked Lin from the beginning, even though she is a little rough around the edges and hard to get to know she really ends up having a big heart.
I think that Caden was actually my favorite character in this book. Yeah, he comes across as arrogant at first but deep down he is actually a really great guy, and eventually Elissa realizes that she has misjudged him all these years. He really tries to do the right thing even though he could lose everything in the process. He has a soft spot for Elissa even though he has a hard time showing it. He is cute and charming in his own way.
This book was a good read for me. It moved a little slow a first and I got a little lost, but by the end everything came together nicely. There is a lot of action and the world that Howson created is interesting and unique. Right now this book is a standalone novel, but the ending was defiantly left open enough that there could be a sequel. I hope that there is, I would love to learn more about the characters and what happens to them. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes space books or sci-fi books.
Notable Scene:
She was elsewhere. In someone else’s body, looking through someone else’s eyes.
There was the cold, gritty feel of dried mud and grass beneath her curled-up legs, the taste of dust and metal in her mouth. All around the night pressed against her, thick, hot and full of noise. Something thundered over the bridge above her head, then faded into the distance; not the quiet rattle of a beetle-car, but the rumble belonging to a heavy-goods vehicle.
She was shivering, in bursts that hurt all over her skin. Her arm ached, the place where she’d torn her skin on the barbed fence throbbing in a pulse that kept rhythm with the pulse of her blood. The cut must have gotten infected. She’d been weak and sweaty since noon today, and now, around the hot red line on her skin, the flesh was hard and swollen, too painful to touch.
I don’t dare go back into the city; I can’t get into one of those medical centers without ID.
She’d thought she’d do better than this. Thought she’d been so clever. She was out, but she wasn’t any nearer to freedom than she’d been before she’d escaped.
She pulled her hooded top closer around her, shivering into it. But it didn’t help. The effort of moving sent another wave of cold through her body, and in her bones an ache began. She put her head down on her knees. If I sleep, maybe
I’ll feel better when I wake up.
Then a last thought, as the hazy darkness of fever-induced slumber took her. And if I don’t wake up, that will be a kind of freedom too . . .
FTC Advisory: Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Linked. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Very intense interesting story with some great twists.
Opening Sentence: As Elissa and her mother entered the waiting room, the sky above Central Canyon City was a chill, pre-dawn gray, the spaceport a colorless blaze on the horizon.
The
Show More
Review:Elissa would do anything to make her hallucinations so away. Elissa is a 17 year old girl and for about 3 years now she has been having vivid hallucinations that are painful and leave bruises all over her body. She has tried everything and gone to so many different doctors but nothing has ever helped. The hallucinations have basically ruined her social life; all her friends eventually stopped talking to her because they thought she was doing it to get attention. Her parents have tried everything but they don’t know what else to do. Now there is a doctor that says he can cure everything with a simple brain procedure. Elissa can’t wait because she is finally going to be normal. A few days before the procedure she gets another hallucination but this one felt so real, she recognizes the place where it takes place. She decides to go and take a look and she finds the source of all her problems. It turns out that Elissa has a twin and they were separated at birth, but they have had a mental link that has never gone away. Elissa’s twin just escaped from the facility that has kept her a captive her whole life. The facility houses people that are called spares. The spares were told that they aren’t fully human and that their lives don’t matter. The spares go through many different experiments and when they are old enough the spares would disappear. All the spares are electrokinetic , where they can control electric currents and other things as well. Most of the experiments are very painful and the spares have a very hard life.
Together Elissa and Lin (the name they decide to use) need to escape. The government is after them and their best option is to leave the planet. Elissa grew up on the planet of Sekoia. Space travel has been going on for years and people populate many of the different planets. Elissa’s brother Bruce happens to work for Space Flight Initiative commonly known as SFI. He has been training to become a pilot for years and has just got his first assignment to fly a cargo ship. So Elissa decides to ask him for help with getting off the planet but it turns out he has been quarantined and won’t be making the journey after all. His childhood best friend Caden Greythorn is going to take his place. Caden has been an arrogant jerk to Elissa ever since he and Bruce left for flight school, but she honestly doesn’t have any other options for getting Lin to safety. She makes up a story for Caden and he agrees to let them make the trip with him. After boarding their flight they run into some problems, turns out the people that Lin escaped from want her back. They will take extreme measures to insure that none of their secrets get out.
Elissa is our main character in this book. She has a little bit of a “woe is me” attitude at times, but she gets better throughout the book. She really does try to do what’s right, but at times it’s hard to decipher right from wrong in her world. At times she is a little too trusting, but she learns from her mistakes. She develops a strong connection with Lin, and in the end she is a strong likable character.
Lin is an interesting person, because of the way she grew up she trusts and cares about no one except for Elissa. She has a spontaneous personality and tends to act before she thinks at times. She has a hard time controlling her powers especially when she feels threaten or angry. She really changes throughout the book and it’s nice to see who she develops into. I really liked Lin from the beginning, even though she is a little rough around the edges and hard to get to know she really ends up having a big heart.
I think that Caden was actually my favorite character in this book. Yeah, he comes across as arrogant at first but deep down he is actually a really great guy, and eventually Elissa realizes that she has misjudged him all these years. He really tries to do the right thing even though he could lose everything in the process. He has a soft spot for Elissa even though he has a hard time showing it. He is cute and charming in his own way.
This book was a good read for me. It moved a little slow a first and I got a little lost, but by the end everything came together nicely. There is a lot of action and the world that Howson created is interesting and unique. Right now this book is a standalone novel, but the ending was defiantly left open enough that there could be a sequel. I hope that there is, I would love to learn more about the characters and what happens to them. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes space books or sci-fi books.
Notable Scene:
She was elsewhere. In someone else’s body, looking through someone else’s eyes.
There was the cold, gritty feel of dried mud and grass beneath her curled-up legs, the taste of dust and metal in her mouth. All around the night pressed against her, thick, hot and full of noise. Something thundered over the bridge above her head, then faded into the distance; not the quiet rattle of a beetle-car, but the rumble belonging to a heavy-goods vehicle.
She was shivering, in bursts that hurt all over her skin. Her arm ached, the place where she’d torn her skin on the barbed fence throbbing in a pulse that kept rhythm with the pulse of her blood. The cut must have gotten infected. She’d been weak and sweaty since noon today, and now, around the hot red line on her skin, the flesh was hard and swollen, too painful to touch.
I don’t dare go back into the city; I can’t get into one of those medical centers without ID.
She’d thought she’d do better than this. Thought she’d been so clever. She was out, but she wasn’t any nearer to freedom than she’d been before she’d escaped.
She pulled her hooded top closer around her, shivering into it. But it didn’t help. The effort of moving sent another wave of cold through her body, and in her bones an ache began. She put her head down on her knees. If I sleep, maybe
I’ll feel better when I wake up.
Then a last thought, as the hazy darkness of fever-induced slumber took her. And if I don’t wake up, that will be a kind of freedom too . . .
FTC Advisory: Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Linked. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member PattyLouise
Linked
By
Imogene Howsen
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Visions, a twin sister you didn't know you had...and you both are on the run from the bad guys...yum!
My thoughts after reading this book...
Hmmm...
Love Dystopian novels...this one is superb. Elissa lives on Sekoia...a technically advanced planet. It
Four days before her surgery...she has visions of a sick feverish girl...her visions even show her where this girl is...and Elissa goes to her...and has quite a shock...the girl Elissa finds is her "spare"...OMG...her spare!
And saving her life leads to an amazing and incredible adventure...and to Cadan...
What I loved about this book...
I loved Elissa's bravery. I loved the slidewalks...and the "home" cooking that Elissa's mother used to make dinner. This provided a bit of lightness for this tense book.
I dare say I loved this book even more than other Dystopian books I have read...it's every bit as good as Across The Universe...and as much as I loved that series...I think I loved this book even more.
What I did not love...
There really wasn't anything about this book not to love...it ended far too soon...and left me wondering if there will be another one...this is tortuous!
Final thoughts...
I found this to be a wonderful book...fascinating complex characters...to love and to hate...
Fans of Beth Revis...are sure to love this book!
By
Imogene Howsen
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Visions, a twin sister you didn't know you had...and you both are on the run from the bad guys...yum!
My thoughts after reading this book...
Hmmm...
Love Dystopian novels...this one is superb. Elissa lives on Sekoia...a technically advanced planet. It
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has a low crime rate. People are relatively content and happy. Elissa tries to be but she suffers from weird visions that leave her bruised and confused. She has rigid parents and a near perfect brother. A number of pills and medications have been tried and were not effective in helping Elissa. Last resort...a form of brain surgery. This is where we are when all the trouble begins!Four days before her surgery...she has visions of a sick feverish girl...her visions even show her where this girl is...and Elissa goes to her...and has quite a shock...the girl Elissa finds is her "spare"...OMG...her spare!
And saving her life leads to an amazing and incredible adventure...and to Cadan...
What I loved about this book...
I loved Elissa's bravery. I loved the slidewalks...and the "home" cooking that Elissa's mother used to make dinner. This provided a bit of lightness for this tense book.
I dare say I loved this book even more than other Dystopian books I have read...it's every bit as good as Across The Universe...and as much as I loved that series...I think I loved this book even more.
What I did not love...
There really wasn't anything about this book not to love...it ended far too soon...and left me wondering if there will be another one...this is tortuous!
Final thoughts...
I found this to be a wonderful book...fascinating complex characters...to love and to hate...
Fans of Beth Revis...are sure to love this book!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Capnrandm
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
allthingsuf.com
One of the biggest problems with any thriller set in a futuristic utopia is how the main character will be able to slip through the cracks. When everything is automated, when everyone is organized, where are the fringes that accommodate
Elissa’s sheltered perspective made a lot of the mechanics in the opening chapters a bit of a stretch for me, but luckily Howson doesn’t spend too much time belaboring the “spy craft” of how Lissa and her twin manage their escape. Some hurried assistance from Lissa’s father, helpful obliviousness on the part of a friend, and then the story blasts off. For some reason “space opera” is more believable than “futuristic, teen caper”, and my interest in LINKED took a marked uptick. And up and up and up… the relationship between Lissa and Lin, which starts out pretty juvenile, addresses head on the social differences and scars of their separate upbringings. Despite their magical connection, Lissa and Lin have independent personalities that are never stifled or homogenized. Howson did a good job taking these very YA heroines and making them interesting (without making them any less appropriate for young readers).
Though this book started out a bit slow for me, I really enjoyed the intriguing and climactic finish. I did not expect the revelation that explains Lin’s horrible past, nor did I expect the positive future it made possible for the sisters. I finished LINKED excited for their future, and interested in the social and personal fallout sure to result from their actions. LINKED is completely satisfying as a stand alone, but I would love the chance to see more of these characters and their world in SHATTERED.
Sexual Content: Kissing.
allthingsuf.com
One of the biggest problems with any thriller set in a futuristic utopia is how the main character will be able to slip through the cracks. When everything is automated, when everyone is organized, where are the fringes that accommodate
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those on the run? When Elissa’s “illness” is revealed to be something more terrible than she ever imagined, the scope of this story expands from “teenage suburbia” to “the galaxy”, and it wasn’t until that change kicked in that I was really on board.Elissa’s sheltered perspective made a lot of the mechanics in the opening chapters a bit of a stretch for me, but luckily Howson doesn’t spend too much time belaboring the “spy craft” of how Lissa and her twin manage their escape. Some hurried assistance from Lissa’s father, helpful obliviousness on the part of a friend, and then the story blasts off. For some reason “space opera” is more believable than “futuristic, teen caper”, and my interest in LINKED took a marked uptick. And up and up and up… the relationship between Lissa and Lin, which starts out pretty juvenile, addresses head on the social differences and scars of their separate upbringings. Despite their magical connection, Lissa and Lin have independent personalities that are never stifled or homogenized. Howson did a good job taking these very YA heroines and making them interesting (without making them any less appropriate for young readers).
Though this book started out a bit slow for me, I really enjoyed the intriguing and climactic finish. I did not expect the revelation that explains Lin’s horrible past, nor did I expect the positive future it made possible for the sisters. I finished LINKED excited for their future, and interested in the social and personal fallout sure to result from their actions. LINKED is completely satisfying as a stand alone, but I would love the chance to see more of these characters and their world in SHATTERED.
Sexual Content: Kissing.
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LibraryThing member GabbyHayze
I read this book on Pulseit.com
This one is definitely a keeper. When Lissa's story begins, it's puzzling. Why is she having such pain? How is she getting such awful bruises? Why can't doctors give her a definitive diagnosis? As the story progresses and the facts of Lissa's condition reveal
This one is definitely a keeper. When Lissa's story begins, it's puzzling. Why is she having such pain? How is she getting such awful bruises? Why can't doctors give her a definitive diagnosis? As the story progresses and the facts of Lissa's condition reveal
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themselves, it becomes more and more difficult to stop reading this very intriguing story. I didn't think I was a fan of sci-fi lit, but "Linked" keeps the advanced future technology easy to understand as well as plausible. What impressed me most was the writing. Howson has a knack for giving her readers some pretty hairy white-knuckle moments while the story progresses at a good pace. There was never a dull moment, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
Linked had a great pace that had me flipping pages, having to know what would happen next. The chapters ended with mini-cliffies and I never wanted to put it down. It is in 3rd person POV, but I didn't even notice until chapter eleven and this is from a 1st POV junkee.
Lissa, while physically weak
The world building in Linked was good. While it was space and futuristic, I understood the tech and the laws because of the good explanations, and ones that didn't feel like info dump back story.
Her parents were very involved at first, and then it was like they went crazy when she discovered some of the truths, but at least her dad made up for it.
The relationship and interactions between Lissa and Lin were great. It was so well written and realistic. That Lissa questions if Lin is the same, if her thoughts are normal, what her intentions are. And then the moments that bring them closer, Lissa's memories, seeing what Lin has been through, and the moments where there is genuine care and concern from Lin.
Some of the elements are hard to review because I don't want to spoil anything. But the plot twists were good, and caught me by surprise, but they all made sense within the story.
It focused on Lissa, character development, action and family and friendship for a good bit, so the love aspect didn't even really come into play until around the middle of the book. Although I sensed a possible development early on. I enjoyed where it went though.
The ending was great, and was at a good spot. Things were wrapped up and left a great place for the 2nd book to start.
Bottom Line: Great characters and world building, can't wait for the next one.
Lissa, while physically weak
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and frail at the beginning, was mentally strong and a character that stood up for what was right. That made me really respect her and root for what choices she made because her heart was good and in the right place. I also connected with her because of being a bit of an outcast because of the medical issues. I deal with depression and have bad knees so I get in moods at times where I can't do things and that I am a bit reclusive so I understand what that feels like. The world building in Linked was good. While it was space and futuristic, I understood the tech and the laws because of the good explanations, and ones that didn't feel like info dump back story.
Her parents were very involved at first, and then it was like they went crazy when she discovered some of the truths, but at least her dad made up for it.
The relationship and interactions between Lissa and Lin were great. It was so well written and realistic. That Lissa questions if Lin is the same, if her thoughts are normal, what her intentions are. And then the moments that bring them closer, Lissa's memories, seeing what Lin has been through, and the moments where there is genuine care and concern from Lin.
Some of the elements are hard to review because I don't want to spoil anything. But the plot twists were good, and caught me by surprise, but they all made sense within the story.
It focused on Lissa, character development, action and family and friendship for a good bit, so the love aspect didn't even really come into play until around the middle of the book. Although I sensed a possible development early on. I enjoyed where it went though.
The ending was great, and was at a good spot. Things were wrapped up and left a great place for the 2nd book to start.
Bottom Line: Great characters and world building, can't wait for the next one.
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LibraryThing member dixielandcountry.com
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. Now, all she has is nightmarish visions and unexplained bruises. Finally, she’s promised a cure, and a surgery is scheduled. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the truth behind her visions: She’s seeing the world
Elissa helps Lin evade the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking her down, but they’re struggling to avoid capture, and soon Elissa is forced to turn to the only person who can help: Cadan, her brother’s infuriating, arrogant best friend, and new graduate of the SFI space flight academy. Cadan is their one chance at safety. But Lin is too valuable to let go, and Elissa has knowledge that is too dangerous. The government will stop at nothing to get them back.
From the first moment I got this book I was in love with it. The cover photo is one of the most beautiful covers I have seen yet. Then as I opened the book and turned the pages this story just took off. The story is very original, and in my opinion would make a great movie. The book’s author Imogen Howson did a wonderful job creatively. It is an easy fast paced read, and you will be engaged from the start. Grab this book when it’s released on June 11, 2013. It will make for a great summer read.
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through another girl’s eyes. A world filled with pain and wires and weird machines. Elissa follows her visions, only to find a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. A twin she never knew existed.Elissa helps Lin evade the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking her down, but they’re struggling to avoid capture, and soon Elissa is forced to turn to the only person who can help: Cadan, her brother’s infuriating, arrogant best friend, and new graduate of the SFI space flight academy. Cadan is their one chance at safety. But Lin is too valuable to let go, and Elissa has knowledge that is too dangerous. The government will stop at nothing to get them back.
From the first moment I got this book I was in love with it. The cover photo is one of the most beautiful covers I have seen yet. Then as I opened the book and turned the pages this story just took off. The story is very original, and in my opinion would make a great movie. The book’s author Imogen Howson did a wonderful job creatively. It is an easy fast paced read, and you will be engaged from the start. Grab this book when it’s released on June 11, 2013. It will make for a great summer read.
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LibraryThing member jeneaw
3.5 hearts
Review:
Link follows Elissa, a young girl that been suffering from hallucinations, bruises that just appear with unexplained pain for the past few years. Now her parent have found a Dr. that claims he can help stop all of this through brain surgery and give her the normal life she wants so
Lissa is the main character, ans her life has not been easy so far with the bruises, pain and hallucinations she’s been having. Even with all of this going on, she tries to stay strong and just wants a normal life. But there things that she wasn’t aware of going on around her. And discovering that she has a sister, but not only that, a twin is quite a shock for Lissa. Yes, she had her moments that she was childish, and selfish, but with everything that has happened to her, I would really blame her. Lin has been though some horrible things, and doesn’t feel or think with emotions the way that Lissa does, so Lissa gives her a hard time over it sometimes. The connection that grows between these two sisters was strong, and they were brave in the face of danger, making both of them likable characters for me.
The plot was was fascinating and fairly fast paced. For most of the first half of the book, Lissa and Lin were constantly on the run from the official that were after them, so there was plenty of action and suspense. The second half has more the science fiction feel to it, with spaceship that can travel at extreme speeds, the traveling from one planet to another, and being surrounded by moons. Lissa meets up with Caden, a long time friend of the family who work on the ship. Yes, there is a small romance. It doesn’t even start to show till almost the end. That is because there is so much going around them that there really isn’t a lot time for all that kissy kissy stuff, I mean they are being attacked… In space… We learn a lot about the ship and they way they work. There are some frightening secrets that were exposed about the governments and awful experiments and even about Lissa’s parent. The ending set the story for the next installment, and it was an enjoyable one. And no cliffhanger.
Linked was an enjoyable read, it has just enough action, and world building that kept my interest, and wanting to know more. Not to mention two sister that found each other, and connected, and a small budding romance. I will certainly pick up the next book. I need to know what happens, especially after that ending.
Review:
Link follows Elissa, a young girl that been suffering from hallucinations, bruises that just appear with unexplained pain for the past few years. Now her parent have found a Dr. that claims he can help stop all of this through brain surgery and give her the normal life she wants so
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badly. There are so many questions that she has, and now fears.Lissa is the main character, ans her life has not been easy so far with the bruises, pain and hallucinations she’s been having. Even with all of this going on, she tries to stay strong and just wants a normal life. But there things that she wasn’t aware of going on around her. And discovering that she has a sister, but not only that, a twin is quite a shock for Lissa. Yes, she had her moments that she was childish, and selfish, but with everything that has happened to her, I would really blame her. Lin has been though some horrible things, and doesn’t feel or think with emotions the way that Lissa does, so Lissa gives her a hard time over it sometimes. The connection that grows between these two sisters was strong, and they were brave in the face of danger, making both of them likable characters for me.
The plot was was fascinating and fairly fast paced. For most of the first half of the book, Lissa and Lin were constantly on the run from the official that were after them, so there was plenty of action and suspense. The second half has more the science fiction feel to it, with spaceship that can travel at extreme speeds, the traveling from one planet to another, and being surrounded by moons. Lissa meets up with Caden, a long time friend of the family who work on the ship. Yes, there is a small romance. It doesn’t even start to show till almost the end. That is because there is so much going around them that there really isn’t a lot time for all that kissy kissy stuff, I mean they are being attacked… In space… We learn a lot about the ship and they way they work. There are some frightening secrets that were exposed about the governments and awful experiments and even about Lissa’s parent. The ending set the story for the next installment, and it was an enjoyable one. And no cliffhanger.
Linked was an enjoyable read, it has just enough action, and world building that kept my interest, and wanting to know more. Not to mention two sister that found each other, and connected, and a small budding romance. I will certainly pick up the next book. I need to know what happens, especially after that ending.
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LibraryThing member samaside
Title: Linked
Author: Imogen Howson
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Source: Edelweiss DRC
Genre(s): YA Fiction, YA Science Fiction, YA Dystopia, Twins, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review Spoilers: Moderate (One Major Plot Point Reveal)
GoodReads |
Color me surprised!
I didn’t know what to expect from Linked – I hadn’t done much recon on the title before settling in to read it – and I was super surprised at what I found. Linked is one of those great science fiction stories that seamlessly inserts you into a futuristic world without forcing too much explanation on you. The world just builds itself around the reader and the story with a few little moments here and there were the scene needs to be set. It’s great.
What’s also great is that for the most part the story doesn’t rely on it’s futuristic setting. Set on a colony world a good thousand years in the future, the main character Lissa could be a teenager girl from anywhere. Her family could be any family. Her friends could be any friends. It actually took me a while to realize that the setting wasn’t just the modern day. But then things picked up and bam. Human colony. Future. Sweet. I knew I could dig it.
All right, so, let’s get a basic rundown on Linked.
For the past few years our heroine Lissa has been suffering from strange nightmares, headaches, and hallucinations. She dreams about terrible things happening to her and wakes up with bruises. It effects her every day life and eventually her parents take her to a doctor who is going to make sure it all stops. That sounds great, right? Except after a dream about a fire and some strange questions from this very doctor she realizes that everything she imagined actually happened. There was a fire at a government building and it was all on the news. She begins to realize that all the terrible things that happened in her dreams were real – all the medical experiments and everything.
Except they weren’t happening to her. They were happening to someone else. Relying on whatever psychic connection she has with that person she tracks them down and finds the last person she expected to find – herself. Or, rather, a strange girl with strange powers who looks exactly like her. Suddenly Lissa’s perfect life is over as she takes off with her previously unknown twin. The two are on the run from a secret government organization that has been using her twin – who with her help picks the name Lin – for devious experiments. Experiments that at the end of the book might very well set you reeling.
Their best chance for escape is to leave their planet all together and so they trick one of Lissa’s brother’s friends into taking them off planet. But, of course, it won’t be that easy. Not at all.
The book asks a lot of interesting questions about what makes us human, the rights we deserve, and what governments can do to change the way we think about people just with a few official sounding terms and laws. The characters are all generally pretty well developed and interesting, too. Lissa is kind of cookie cutter at times but she grows as she deals with this crisis in her life. Lin is actually really interesting. She doesn’t just adapt to this real world once she’s into it and after spending her life as a lab rat? She understandably has some shaky concepts regarding morality. Really the only thing that made no damn sense was the relationship they tried to force between Lissa and Cadan. I just saw that they are making a sequel so what the heck? They are in danger of being caught so these two people who haven’t had a civil word between them before this one day just decide ‘Oh, hey, let’s confuse our undying love to one another!’ C’mon. That really stuck out and nearly ruined a great story.
I did like the end, though. The ‘shocking secret’ of the ISF actually did kinda catch me off guard. And I appreciated that in the end Lissa and Lin decide to go home and help the other secret twins and what not.
I’m not really sure how I feel about there being a sequel to this book. I thought it was a great stand-alone novel and I’m not sure what a sequel is going to offer to the story that is any better than leaving things to the imagination. I guess Lissa’s father can get to know Lin if he sticks around and I guess we can see them trying to help the other ‘spare’ twins. But still.
At the same time, I’m kind of excited for a sequel.
I know. I’m indecisive on this. I’d rather there not be one but if there is going to be one then you better believe I’m going to read it. Because surprisingly I liked Linked a lot and I really appreciated the surprise science fiction. There’s nothing better than surprise science fiction.
Author: Imogen Howson
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Source: Edelweiss DRC
Genre(s): YA Fiction, YA Science Fiction, YA Dystopia, Twins, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review Spoilers: Moderate (One Major Plot Point Reveal)
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AmazonColor me surprised!
I didn’t know what to expect from Linked – I hadn’t done much recon on the title before settling in to read it – and I was super surprised at what I found. Linked is one of those great science fiction stories that seamlessly inserts you into a futuristic world without forcing too much explanation on you. The world just builds itself around the reader and the story with a few little moments here and there were the scene needs to be set. It’s great.
What’s also great is that for the most part the story doesn’t rely on it’s futuristic setting. Set on a colony world a good thousand years in the future, the main character Lissa could be a teenager girl from anywhere. Her family could be any family. Her friends could be any friends. It actually took me a while to realize that the setting wasn’t just the modern day. But then things picked up and bam. Human colony. Future. Sweet. I knew I could dig it.
All right, so, let’s get a basic rundown on Linked.
For the past few years our heroine Lissa has been suffering from strange nightmares, headaches, and hallucinations. She dreams about terrible things happening to her and wakes up with bruises. It effects her every day life and eventually her parents take her to a doctor who is going to make sure it all stops. That sounds great, right? Except after a dream about a fire and some strange questions from this very doctor she realizes that everything she imagined actually happened. There was a fire at a government building and it was all on the news. She begins to realize that all the terrible things that happened in her dreams were real – all the medical experiments and everything.
Except they weren’t happening to her. They were happening to someone else. Relying on whatever psychic connection she has with that person she tracks them down and finds the last person she expected to find – herself. Or, rather, a strange girl with strange powers who looks exactly like her. Suddenly Lissa’s perfect life is over as she takes off with her previously unknown twin. The two are on the run from a secret government organization that has been using her twin – who with her help picks the name Lin – for devious experiments. Experiments that at the end of the book might very well set you reeling.
Their best chance for escape is to leave their planet all together and so they trick one of Lissa’s brother’s friends into taking them off planet. But, of course, it won’t be that easy. Not at all.
The book asks a lot of interesting questions about what makes us human, the rights we deserve, and what governments can do to change the way we think about people just with a few official sounding terms and laws. The characters are all generally pretty well developed and interesting, too. Lissa is kind of cookie cutter at times but she grows as she deals with this crisis in her life. Lin is actually really interesting. She doesn’t just adapt to this real world once she’s into it and after spending her life as a lab rat? She understandably has some shaky concepts regarding morality. Really the only thing that made no damn sense was the relationship they tried to force between Lissa and Cadan. I just saw that they are making a sequel so what the heck? They are in danger of being caught so these two people who haven’t had a civil word between them before this one day just decide ‘Oh, hey, let’s confuse our undying love to one another!’ C’mon. That really stuck out and nearly ruined a great story.
I did like the end, though. The ‘shocking secret’ of the ISF actually did kinda catch me off guard. And I appreciated that in the end Lissa and Lin decide to go home and help the other secret twins and what not.
I’m not really sure how I feel about there being a sequel to this book. I thought it was a great stand-alone novel and I’m not sure what a sequel is going to offer to the story that is any better than leaving things to the imagination. I guess Lissa’s father can get to know Lin if he sticks around and I guess we can see them trying to help the other ‘spare’ twins. But still.
At the same time, I’m kind of excited for a sequel.
I know. I’m indecisive on this. I’d rather there not be one but if there is going to be one then you better believe I’m going to read it. Because surprisingly I liked Linked a lot and I really appreciated the surprise science fiction. There’s nothing better than surprise science fiction.
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LibraryThing member bethie-paige
Wow. I didn't really know what to expect from this book but I got surprised with how fast-paced and awesome this book was. The concept was brilliant and was immediately what got me excited and intrigued about the novel.
Linked is about Elissa and how she finds out that she has a Spare (aka Twin)
It is a wild ride from the get-go because Lin is a bit of wild-card because she immediately lacks empathy for anyone other than Elissa. Elissa has to try and teach Lin that not everyone deserves her wrath. I found this transition for Lin to go through was particularly interesting because she has spent her whole life being told that she isn't human and to try and change her viewpoint on the world and other people is incredibly realistic and a central point of stress for Elissa throughout the book.
The relationship between Cadan and Elissa is incredibly interesting because there is a lot of background there. I'm glad of the direction it took and that it wasn't some pointless YA romance that was slotted into the book for the sake of it.
As a twin myself, it was weird and interesting to try and imagine myself or my sister being viewed as non-human or a clone just because we were born at the same time and look alike. I don't share any telepathic link with my sister but it sure is interesting to read about those kind of connections. I find that a lot of other stories I read about twins are quite pathetic because they cast twins as being fully compatible and as a twin, this is so false. I'm glad that the relationship between Elissa and Lin was as complicated as any sister's relationship. It definitely helped to relate more to the situation (not that I can really relate to fleeing from a government that is trying to kill me and my sister.)
Overall, I don't have anything bad to say about this book except that it was released in June this year and I'm going to have to wait awhile to complete the series. This book is also Imogen Howson's debut novel and since it was so excellent, I'm quite excited to see more from her.
Linked is about Elissa and how she finds out that she has a Spare (aka Twin)
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who was taken by the government for experiments at birth. Her parents were made to forget/lie but it becomes obvious to her Dad when she hits puberty and starts experiencing "hallucinations" which are really just flashes, through a telepathic link, to the inhumane experiments that are happening to her twin sister. These hallucinations are destroying Elissa's life because she is consistently in pain because of them. It is not till after she's been signed up for a brain surgery appointment that she realises that they aren't hallucinations and that the person she sees through is real and needs her help. After meeting each other for the first time, Elissa's life gets turned upside as the attempt to get "Lin" away from the government and find safety. It is a wild ride from the get-go because Lin is a bit of wild-card because she immediately lacks empathy for anyone other than Elissa. Elissa has to try and teach Lin that not everyone deserves her wrath. I found this transition for Lin to go through was particularly interesting because she has spent her whole life being told that she isn't human and to try and change her viewpoint on the world and other people is incredibly realistic and a central point of stress for Elissa throughout the book.
The relationship between Cadan and Elissa is incredibly interesting because there is a lot of background there. I'm glad of the direction it took and that it wasn't some pointless YA romance that was slotted into the book for the sake of it.
As a twin myself, it was weird and interesting to try and imagine myself or my sister being viewed as non-human or a clone just because we were born at the same time and look alike. I don't share any telepathic link with my sister but it sure is interesting to read about those kind of connections. I find that a lot of other stories I read about twins are quite pathetic because they cast twins as being fully compatible and as a twin, this is so false. I'm glad that the relationship between Elissa and Lin was as complicated as any sister's relationship. It definitely helped to relate more to the situation (not that I can really relate to fleeing from a government that is trying to kill me and my sister.)
Overall, I don't have anything bad to say about this book except that it was released in June this year and I'm going to have to wait awhile to complete the series. This book is also Imogen Howson's debut novel and since it was so excellent, I'm quite excited to see more from her.
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LibraryThing member danitronmc
What first attracted me to this book was the GORGEOUS cover. I mean, c’mon. Just look at it! And then reading the summary, I realized hmm. Personally I haven’t read about a story with this sort of premise, color me intrigued.
And intriguing I found it!
Before anything, though, I need to get a
BUT those are about the only real negatives I have with this story. (Aside from her mom. UGH her mom. She’s crazy.)
The futuristic sci-fi dystopia universe that was brought to life in this book was out of this world! Slidewalks and space ships and hyperdrives and space pirates and worlds upon worlds upon worlds: SO cool. And all the action that was popping up! Oh, you think you’re safe now? Guess again, muahahaha! In no way did this book lack excitement. There was also that whole HORRIFIC moment at the end where I wanted to vomit. I mean I hated it, but I also thought it was shocking in a cool way because it completely took me by surprise, and it was a huge part of the ending.
I do wish there had been more on the romantic aspect because what can I say? I love me some love;) But what was there was cute and I’m positive there will be more love in Unravel, the sequel that releases (eep!) July 8th of this year. If you love Linked‘s cover, just take a gander at Unravel.
Sooo I really liked it, and I can’t wait to read the next book! I’m really hoping that some of the characters I hated are in the next one, because they’re the kind of people I love to hate. With their ignorance and inhumaneness and cruel perspectives, I need to see them get crushed at some point in the future of this series. For Linked, I’m going with an excited 4/5 stars;)
And intriguing I found it!
Before anything, though, I need to get a
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little bit of frustration with Elissa out of my system. Why did you think some of the things you did?! I felt like she overreacted to a few situations and I’d think to myself, really? That’s what you’re worried about right now? Between that and the self-centered thoughts cropping up from time to time, she could get under my skin.BUT those are about the only real negatives I have with this story. (Aside from her mom. UGH her mom. She’s crazy.)
The futuristic sci-fi dystopia universe that was brought to life in this book was out of this world! Slidewalks and space ships and hyperdrives and space pirates and worlds upon worlds upon worlds: SO cool. And all the action that was popping up! Oh, you think you’re safe now? Guess again, muahahaha! In no way did this book lack excitement. There was also that whole HORRIFIC moment at the end where I wanted to vomit. I mean I hated it, but I also thought it was shocking in a cool way because it completely took me by surprise, and it was a huge part of the ending.
I do wish there had been more on the romantic aspect because what can I say? I love me some love;) But what was there was cute and I’m positive there will be more love in Unravel, the sequel that releases (eep!) July 8th of this year. If you love Linked‘s cover, just take a gander at Unravel.
Sooo I really liked it, and I can’t wait to read the next book! I’m really hoping that some of the characters I hated are in the next one, because they’re the kind of people I love to hate. With their ignorance and inhumaneness and cruel perspectives, I need to see them get crushed at some point in the future of this series. For Linked, I’m going with an excited 4/5 stars;)
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LibraryThing member Rebecca.
For the past three years, Elissa has experienced horrifying visions, and pains and bruises that come from nowhere. Doctors have tried to cure her repeatedly, with no results. However, the final specialist she visits has a cure: surgery to burn out the overactive part of her brain responsible for
When I first started to read Linked, I thought it would be another predictable supernatural story. I didn’t expect it to delve into issues that we deal with today – the extent of government power, discrimination, human rights, and trust. The government, faced with a failing economy, chooses to take advantage of a few people for the greater good. It names the second twin a “non-human human sourced entity”, who has no rights. Lin, Elissa’s twin sister, was tortured and used. After escaping from the government, who has used her shamelessly, it is no wonder than Lin has problems trusting people. She seems to have no qualms about hurting other humans to protect herself (except of course, Elissa). I love that Elissa and Lin don’t just instantaneously bond. They go through things together that help them understand what they were going through. Although Elissa and Lin are uneasy around each other at first, they grow to care for each other and forge a bond of mutual trust.
Linked was a good combination of science fiction, adventure, and romance. Even though it is set many years in the distant future, the characters are relatable and understandable. Elissa isn’t set up to be a heroine who can do no wrong. Throughout the book, she makes many mistakes, which is only human. Elissa feels emotions that we can relate to – jealousy of a more successful sibling, sadness at being excluded by old friends, and an overwhelming urge to be like everyone else. There is enough adventure to keep the reader interested and focused. Although there is quite a bit of romance, it wasn’t one of today’s clichés. They didn’t fall in love instantaneously, or were fated to meet. It was a love-hate relationship that turned into something more as they understood each other.
Linked by Imogen Howson was thought provoking and well written. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes science fiction. I loved how this book brought together different issues and explored them. Although Linked resolved the current conflict brought up in the book, the ending was left open for a sequel that I am eager to read.
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her visions and dreams. Elissa should be happy – her life will finally be normal again. But something about the odd questions that the doctor asks and the explanations he has for her visions doesn’t add up. Elissa discovers that the visions and pains are real and she’s been experiencing pieces of her twin sister’s life. Now, Elissa and her sister are running from the government that will do anything to protect their secrets.When I first started to read Linked, I thought it would be another predictable supernatural story. I didn’t expect it to delve into issues that we deal with today – the extent of government power, discrimination, human rights, and trust. The government, faced with a failing economy, chooses to take advantage of a few people for the greater good. It names the second twin a “non-human human sourced entity”, who has no rights. Lin, Elissa’s twin sister, was tortured and used. After escaping from the government, who has used her shamelessly, it is no wonder than Lin has problems trusting people. She seems to have no qualms about hurting other humans to protect herself (except of course, Elissa). I love that Elissa and Lin don’t just instantaneously bond. They go through things together that help them understand what they were going through. Although Elissa and Lin are uneasy around each other at first, they grow to care for each other and forge a bond of mutual trust.
Linked was a good combination of science fiction, adventure, and romance. Even though it is set many years in the distant future, the characters are relatable and understandable. Elissa isn’t set up to be a heroine who can do no wrong. Throughout the book, she makes many mistakes, which is only human. Elissa feels emotions that we can relate to – jealousy of a more successful sibling, sadness at being excluded by old friends, and an overwhelming urge to be like everyone else. There is enough adventure to keep the reader interested and focused. Although there is quite a bit of romance, it wasn’t one of today’s clichés. They didn’t fall in love instantaneously, or were fated to meet. It was a love-hate relationship that turned into something more as they understood each other.
Linked by Imogen Howson was thought provoking and well written. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes science fiction. I loved how this book brought together different issues and explored them. Although Linked resolved the current conflict brought up in the book, the ending was left open for a sequel that I am eager to read.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
This story takes place more than a thousand years into the future, on another planet colonized long ago from Old Earth. Yet, you would never know it: the teenage protagonists bully each other in high school gym classes, hang out at the mall, and defy their parents. But they also live in a world
In this future, “twins” are unknown. That doesn’t mean, however, that births of twins don’t still occur. But why doesn’t anyone know about it, and what happens to the second baby?
Elissa (“Lissa”) White has had “visions” her whole life - almost as if she were seeing life from another person’s eyes. When she is thirteen, the visions not only become violent and painful, but she herself becomes plagued by debilitating headaches, blinding pain, and mysterious bruises. Her friends think she is hurting herself to get attention, and gradually, she has no more friends. Even her family seems to scorn her. They take her to doctor after doctor, and finally, when Elissa is 17, a new specialist decides she needs brain surgery to stop these visions. But just before the surgery, Elissa discovers she hasn’t been hallucinating at all. There is another real person out there getting tortured, and this person looks just like her. A lot of people have been lying to Elissa, and she no longer knows who to trust, or if she can even trust anyone.
Discussion: Some of the YA tropes in this book are quite hackneyed and the inevitable romance - we hate each other therefore we probably will end up in love - is extremely unsubtle. But the secret of what happens to twins is quite imaginative, and the story is loaded with suspense. It turns out a sequel is in the works (if it’s YA, it must be a trilogy....)
Evaluation: This series is worth checking out, especially if you like science fiction.
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like The Jetsons - there are flying cars and moving sidewalks and food that appears with the push of a button. However, there are also serious dystopian elements to this future, and this is where the book distinguishes itself.In this future, “twins” are unknown. That doesn’t mean, however, that births of twins don’t still occur. But why doesn’t anyone know about it, and what happens to the second baby?
Elissa (“Lissa”) White has had “visions” her whole life - almost as if she were seeing life from another person’s eyes. When she is thirteen, the visions not only become violent and painful, but she herself becomes plagued by debilitating headaches, blinding pain, and mysterious bruises. Her friends think she is hurting herself to get attention, and gradually, she has no more friends. Even her family seems to scorn her. They take her to doctor after doctor, and finally, when Elissa is 17, a new specialist decides she needs brain surgery to stop these visions. But just before the surgery, Elissa discovers she hasn’t been hallucinating at all. There is another real person out there getting tortured, and this person looks just like her. A lot of people have been lying to Elissa, and she no longer knows who to trust, or if she can even trust anyone.
Discussion: Some of the YA tropes in this book are quite hackneyed and the inevitable romance - we hate each other therefore we probably will end up in love - is extremely unsubtle. But the secret of what happens to twins is quite imaginative, and the story is loaded with suspense. It turns out a sequel is in the works (if it’s YA, it must be a trilogy....)
Evaluation: This series is worth checking out, especially if you like science fiction.
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LibraryThing member edspicer
This book was slow at the beginning but towards the middle/end it gets better. For a while I almost gave up on it, but I didn't. It has many twists and unexpected things at the end that you can't put it down, you have to push through. 4Q3P The cover art is okay and I'd recommend this for middle
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school and high school students. I chose to read this book because the title sounded cool. RachelP Show Less
LibraryThing member IrisCollins
Linked by Imogen Howson LinkedImogen HowsonReleased: 11th June, 2013
Book Summary:
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.
What I like: Elissa was a very ordinary, if spoiled, girl from what we gather from before her hallucinations started to gather force. At the same time, she's different from that and we known she's fallen out from everyone because of something she doesn't understand and people have witnessed the side affects and not understood what was happening to her, so they shunned her, mocked her, and left her feeling out of what she wanted to be, ordinary. Lin is a clearly emotionally unstable and ignorant about how the world works, not to mention she seems to only seek the acceptance of Elissa, the one person she believes will help her despite being categorized as a "nonhuman". All the terms and technology we're introduced to gets explained in some form or fashion that makes it comprehensible to understand, which I really liked and the technology was actually believable.
What I didn’t like: On a personal opinion I didn't like Elissa and Lin's mother, especially the last time we see her. I thought what she did was incredibly revolting to do, especially trying to take her daughter's free will away over a procedure. I also felt like the romance was unnecessary, and it didn't really fit in to the plot very well.
Overall review: Going in to this book I didn't expect to enjoy it so much, I barely read the beginning of the summary since it was the cover that drew me in. I was hooked by the opening, I had to know why Elissa was at a doctors office, and I had to know what she seemed so afraid of. As the book progressed the fears did change, and a few new ones were added while some of them were resolved by the end of the book. The worldbuilding was done in drops, letting us know bits about the world Elissa grew up on and the galaxy she knew. It wasn't dumped onto us and we didn't learn everything about the galaxy or the planet she grew up on. We learned things when they became relevant to the plot, or are a good time to mention. The idea surrounding the book, giving twins of the far future a strange link and interesting powers, was something that I felt was different. It's a very good book, very well thought out and written.
Recommend?: Yes! I loved it so much! YA readers who enjoy Sci-Fi, and good worldbuilding should definitely read this one, but I make no promises about the sequel since I haven't read it yet!
Goodreads: 3.7/5 Amazon: 3.9/5 Barnes&Nobles: 4/5
My Rating: 4.8/5
Rated Material:Cover=4.7Story=4.8Idea=4.9Character=4.8
Book Summary:
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.
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Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes. Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed. Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world. Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.What I like: Elissa was a very ordinary, if spoiled, girl from what we gather from before her hallucinations started to gather force. At the same time, she's different from that and we known she's fallen out from everyone because of something she doesn't understand and people have witnessed the side affects and not understood what was happening to her, so they shunned her, mocked her, and left her feeling out of what she wanted to be, ordinary. Lin is a clearly emotionally unstable and ignorant about how the world works, not to mention she seems to only seek the acceptance of Elissa, the one person she believes will help her despite being categorized as a "nonhuman". All the terms and technology we're introduced to gets explained in some form or fashion that makes it comprehensible to understand, which I really liked and the technology was actually believable.
What I didn’t like: On a personal opinion I didn't like Elissa and Lin's mother, especially the last time we see her. I thought what she did was incredibly revolting to do, especially trying to take her daughter's free will away over a procedure. I also felt like the romance was unnecessary, and it didn't really fit in to the plot very well.
Overall review: Going in to this book I didn't expect to enjoy it so much, I barely read the beginning of the summary since it was the cover that drew me in. I was hooked by the opening, I had to know why Elissa was at a doctors office, and I had to know what she seemed so afraid of. As the book progressed the fears did change, and a few new ones were added while some of them were resolved by the end of the book. The worldbuilding was done in drops, letting us know bits about the world Elissa grew up on and the galaxy she knew. It wasn't dumped onto us and we didn't learn everything about the galaxy or the planet she grew up on. We learned things when they became relevant to the plot, or are a good time to mention. The idea surrounding the book, giving twins of the far future a strange link and interesting powers, was something that I felt was different. It's a very good book, very well thought out and written.
Recommend?: Yes! I loved it so much! YA readers who enjoy Sci-Fi, and good worldbuilding should definitely read this one, but I make no promises about the sequel since I haven't read it yet!
Goodreads: 3.7/5 Amazon: 3.9/5 Barnes&Nobles: 4/5
My Rating: 4.8/5
Rated Material:Cover=4.7Story=4.8Idea=4.9Character=4.8
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LibraryThing member lkmuir
When Elissa learns her telepathic twin is the subject of government experiments, the girls find themselves on the run with secrets worth killing for in this futuristic, romantic thriller.
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. Now, all she has is nightmarish visions and
Elissa helps Lin evade the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking her down, but they’re struggling to avoid capture, and soon Elissa is forced to turn to the only person who can help: Cadan, her brother’s infuriating, arrogant best friend, and new graduate of the SFI space flight academy. Cadan is their one chance at safety. But Lin is too valuable to let go, and Elissa has knowledge that is too dangerous. The government will stop at nothing to get them back.
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. Now, all she has is nightmarish visions and
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unexplained bruises. Finally, she’s promised a cure, and a surgery is scheduled. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the truth behind her visions: She’s seeing the world through another girl’s eyes. A world filled with pain and wires and weird machines. Elissa follows her visions, only to find a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. A twin she never knew existed.Elissa helps Lin evade the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking her down, but they’re struggling to avoid capture, and soon Elissa is forced to turn to the only person who can help: Cadan, her brother’s infuriating, arrogant best friend, and new graduate of the SFI space flight academy. Cadan is their one chance at safety. But Lin is too valuable to let go, and Elissa has knowledge that is too dangerous. The government will stop at nothing to get them back.
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Language
Local notes
Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere. Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.
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