Echoes of Us (Hybrid Chronicles #3)

 
3.2 (3)
 
3.5 (1)
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Echoes of Us (Hybrid Chronicles #3)
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Publisher
Age Range
13+
Release Date
September 16, 2014
ISBN
978-0062114938
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All Eva ever wanted was the chance to be herself. But in the Americas, to be hybrid—to share your body with a second soul—is not tolerated past childhood. Now Eva and Addie, her sister soul, are constantly on the move, hiding from the officials who seek to capture them. But the tide is changing. A revolution is brewing, and people are starting to question the hybrids' mistreatment. Then Marion, an ambitious reporter, offers Eva and Addie a daring proposal: If they go undercover and film the wretched conditions of a hybrid institution, she will not only rescue them, she'll find a way to free Jackson, the boy Addie loves. It's risky, and Eva will have to leave Ryan and her friends behind, but if she succeeds, it could also tip the scales forever and lead to hybrid freedom. As Eva and Addie walk into danger, they cling to each other and the hope of a better future. But the price they might pay is higher than they ever could have imagined.

Editor reviews

A pretty intense ending and a great conclusion to the series
Overall rating
 
3.0
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I Loved: I really liked how we were thrust, once again, into the world of the hybrid institutes, with this one being even worse than the last. Everything felt more dangerous and more “high stakes” than it did before. I also like how much Addie and Eva have changed over the course of the series. I do like Eva more than Addie though, she just seemed like the stronger one, despite being the recessive sister.

Left Me Wanting More: I felt like, with most “last books” lately, the majority of the book kind of drags on. I will say that this only happens for about half of the book, with others it’s usually two-thirds of the book. The first half sets up the scene and nothing much happens, but the second half has quite a bit happen in the way of the hybrid revolution and even though I could’ve used more, I was satisfied with the ending.

Final Verdict: I think this was a pretty good ending to this series and I definitely liked this book a lot more than the second book. Everything was just intensified and I felt a bigger sense of urgency in this book that I didn’t get from the others. Even though I would’ve liked to have gotten more of a sense of the hybrid dynamics overseas, I still think this for a sci-fi/dystopian series, this one was pretty good.
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Satisfying Conclusion
Overall rating
 
3.0
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
2.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I Liked:
The Hybrid Chronicles is one of those series that defies categorization. It is actually dystopian, but, aside from that, what is it? These books aren't particularly romantic. They're set in our world, but not. The locations are the same, the technology is similar, and the government isn't incredibly far off. However, in this world, everyone is born with two souls residing inside one body. I am just as charmed and awed by this concept now as I was in the first book.

In Echoes of Us, the possibility of no longer being a hybrid comes front and center. This part was, for me, the most emotional aspect. Though there's a lot of awkwardness in sharing a body, especially when both Addie and Eva have love interests, that's all they know. Sure, I wouldn't choose to share my body, even with my best friend, but if that's how things have always been? Losing your other soul would be like losing a sibling and part of yourself all at once.

In Echoes of Us, Zhang also does a really great job exploring the political landscape. While remaining a bit hopeful, the book doesn't shy away from harsh realities like propaganda and manipulation. I think that often, it's books like this one, which aren't explicitly about our current political realities, that manage to reflect on the real world more than those that are overt. What really struck me was how many people had to die for the media and the public to take interest in the Hybrid cause. It's tragic because that's not something dreamed up in fiction, as recent political events have shown.

What Left Me Wanting More:
The overall plot, as has been the case with the other books, lacks forward propulsion. Things happen, but, by its own nature, there's really no sense of the the overall plot arc. Eva and Addie don't know what's going to happen and they're drifting, trying to survive and keep their friends alive too. On top of that, I really don't care about or remember most of the characters. These two factors combine to make Echoes of Us sometimes a bit of a struggle to get through.

While I do like Eva a lot as a character, I'm really not invested in anyone else. Even with Eva, I probably wouldn't be too sad if she died. She's most interesting and I admire her idealism and determination, but even she isn't precisely real to me. I've spent three books with these characters and I still don't know who some of the significant secondary characters are. Everything's always focused on what's happening, and there's little evidence of personality outside of the hybrid cause.

The Final Verdict:
I recommend The Hybrid Chronicles to readers who don't mind a slow pace and love high concept reads. Personally, I'm excited to see what Kat Zhang will do next, and I hope that there will be a bit more emphasis on characterization.
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Speak up
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I Loved:
From the beginning, this dystopian series has stood out to me as one centered on character rather than action (not that there isn't plenty of action and exciting scenes!). Yes, Eva and Addie are fighting against widespread mistreatment, propaganda, and discrimination. But more importantly, they're fighting against their own demons and struggling to figure out what it means to be hybrid.

Eva grows so much over the course of the series. From the first moment she takes control of her and Addie's body, Eva begins to stand up for herself. Sometimes she makes mistakes, but she grows into her own voice and is finally being heard. Addie has to get used to sharing control of their body and not forgetting to let her own opinions and ideas be heard too. It's all about the balance and while I know they will still argue and make up, I also know that their bond as sisters will only grow stronger.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the novel is the glimpse into one of the hybrid institutions. The children there are so poorly treated that every scene inside the institution is heartbreaking. Addie and Eva finally understand what they're up against and who they're fighting for.

What Left Me Wanting More:
The ending wrapped up a bit too neatly for me to feel that it was realistic to the world in which the story takes place. There's obviously still a lot of work to be done, but it felt a bit unrealistic how certain things wrapped up (I don't want to get too spoiler-y!).

The Final Verdict:
ECHOES OF US is a fitting conclusion to a beautifully written series about standing up for what you believe in and learning how to find your voice.
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User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
3.5
Plot
 
3.0(1)
Characters
 
4.0(1)
Writing Style
 
N/A(0)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A(0)
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Good series ending, I was satisfied with the character development and plot resolution.
Overall rating
 
3.5
Plot
 
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I wanted to read this one because I have enjoyed Addie and Eva in the previous series.

Going in I really didn't remember a whole lot of this one. With the hybrids there were double the characters to remember and besides Addie and Eva I didn't remember the other ones really. Besides Jackson and Ryan I remember the romance with them. But I quickly got back into the action and started to pick up pieces of what I'd forgotten.

Its pretty apparent the sister bond with Addie and Eva. Even though they've learned to give each other their own time they also had to learn in the last one the power of them working together. That continues to be a theme in this one as they're sent on a mission to record the environment in the facilities. I was nervous for them going back in but I knew that they were brave and that they would do anything to expose what was going on inside.

I enjoyed the end of the series, it came.to an ending that I didn't think would be possible.
There were many surprises and twists that I never saw coming. Losses and victories that made the story believable and and.ending of hope for the hybrids and the possibility of peace and balance for Addie and Eva.


Bottom Line: Good series ending, I was satisfied with the character development and plot resolution.
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