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heather4994's review
5.0
**********SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ DUALED****************************************************
Divided picks up a few weeks or so after Dualed. Life is back to "normal" for West and Chord. They are in a routine and things are good. From there, the novel is completely different from Dualed.
We find out the origins of Kresh, who created it and why. Who created the Alt. system, why it exists.
So many things are answered about the world that you might have had when you read Dualed. Completes are expected to serve time guarding the Surround which we learn about from Chord and a friend of West's. We learn more about the Alt code and how it works in the body. It is just an entirely different book.
West is conscripted into service by someone to do some dirty work. She trusts in the system and believes that some of the Alts she killed before may have been "worthy" so she wants to even up the score. She accepts the job against better judgement, against what her body is screaming at her, and against what she knows everyone else would say, all because she feels a need to make up for those Alts she killed when she was a Striker. What if they were the stronger ones and she has left the city vulnerable?
This novel is more of a head game. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of action, but a lot of it has to do with West and her conscience and what she can and can't live with. Again, I was stunned often to be reading something gritty and then have an almost poetic scene of beauty described in the midst of it. Maybe it's to show that there is something to live for in this almost impossibly violent and unsure world West lives in, when any moment someone she loves could be killed as an Alt fights with their other half.
I loved Dualed, the first novel in this series, but I think I loved this one even more. There was more strategy, more psychology, more action even than before. And yet, though the ending is complete, there is room for another book in the series. We have no idea what's on the outside. And what we discover about Kersh makes it even more interesting to know what's on the outside. I hope Ms. Chapman decides to write a third book in the series.
I highly recommend this one. There is a lot of violence as in Dualed. Use your own judgement about whether you can handle graphic descriptions of injuries, blood and death. It is an excellent book!
Thank you to the publishers for an E-ARC for review through NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Divided picks up a few weeks or so after Dualed. Life is back to "normal" for West and Chord. They are in a routine and things are good. From there, the novel is completely different from Dualed.
We find out the origins of Kresh, who created it and why. Who created the Alt. system, why it exists.
So many things are answered about the world that you might have had when you read Dualed. Completes are expected to serve time guarding the Surround which we learn about from Chord and a friend of West's. We learn more about the Alt code and how it works in the body. It is just an entirely different book.
West is conscripted into service by someone to do some dirty work. She trusts in the system and believes that some of the Alts she killed before may have been "worthy" so she wants to even up the score. She accepts the job against better judgement, against what her body is screaming at her, and against what she knows everyone else would say, all because she feels a need to make up for those Alts she killed when she was a Striker. What if they were the stronger ones and she has left the city vulnerable?
This novel is more of a head game. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of action, but a lot of it has to do with West and her conscience and what she can and can't live with. Again, I was stunned often to be reading something gritty and then have an almost poetic scene of beauty described in the midst of it. Maybe it's to show that there is something to live for in this almost impossibly violent and unsure world West lives in, when any moment someone she loves could be killed as an Alt fights with their other half.
I loved Dualed, the first novel in this series, but I think I loved this one even more. There was more strategy, more psychology, more action even than before. And yet, though the ending is complete, there is room for another book in the series. We have no idea what's on the outside. And what we discover about Kersh makes it even more interesting to know what's on the outside. I hope Ms. Chapman decides to write a third book in the series.
I highly recommend this one. There is a lot of violence as in Dualed. Use your own judgement about whether you can handle graphic descriptions of injuries, blood and death. It is an excellent book!
Thank you to the publishers for an E-ARC for review through NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
so...small confession. I was not a fan of book 1. I'm not sure, it just didn't seem to explain enough of the world or the reasons. So I started this one completely ready to hate it.
BUT, SURPRISE SURPRISE! I LOVED IT!
My issues with book one and the lack of explanation are FULLY covered in this one. World building, history explanation - everything.
Which left us, instead, with a kick butt Main character West. She's done striking and trying to get back to life. But the striking world just doesn't want to let her go. She's lured back in by an unlikely person who makes promises and silent threats too large for West to ignore.
But West is also handed a new weapon. And after a visit to Dire, West isn't so sure she has to do these new contracts exactly like before - there may be a new option now.
This is a fast paced, heart-thumping read. It had characters that were believable and a story that FINALLY answers all the questions from book 1. If you didn't like, liked or even loved book 1 - THEN DEFINITELY DON"T MISS THIS ONE!!! YOU'LL LOVE IT!
Just trust me :)
BUT, SURPRISE SURPRISE! I LOVED IT!
My issues with book one and the lack of explanation are FULLY covered in this one. World building, history explanation - everything.
Which left us, instead, with a kick butt Main character West. She's done striking and trying to get back to life. But the striking world just doesn't want to let her go. She's lured back in by an unlikely person who makes promises and silent threats too large for West to ignore.
But West is also handed a new weapon. And after a visit to Dire, West isn't so sure she has to do these new contracts exactly like before - there may be a new option now.
This is a fast paced, heart-thumping read. It had characters that were believable and a story that FINALLY answers all the questions from book 1. If you didn't like, liked or even loved book 1 - THEN DEFINITELY DON"T MISS THIS ONE!!! YOU'LL LOVE IT!
Just trust me :)
emily_ober's review
4.0
I finally got around to the sequel to one of my favorite books and I just regret putting it off for so long. This is an exciting dystopian that sets itself apart from the rest and that is why I love it. I really enjoyed returning to West’s story and the dangers she faces in this book were so exhilarating. While this sequel really doesn’t have anything to do with the first book, it’s still worth the read. This world that Chapman has created is one of my favorites to visit.
The change in enemy was exciting. Before, West had to face what is essentially herself, but in this book she has to face the controlling entity of her city. She also has to return to her life as a Striker, a job that she was sure she had put behind her. And with this conflict comes secrets. The secret pasts of those close to West come to light as do the secrets The Board has long fought to keep buried.
While I hailed Chapman for creating a dystopian novel that broke away from the usual fight against the government archetype, this book was still very well done. The survival instincts and the moral struggles that West faces were just as exciting in this book as it was in Dualed. The one complaint I have is that some of the scenery or bits of dialogue weren’t conveyed clearly enough. I found myself rereading a paragraph or two to understand so that slowed the pace a bit. Other than that, this book is just as good as the first.
The change in enemy was exciting. Before, West had to face what is essentially herself, but in this book she has to face the controlling entity of her city. She also has to return to her life as a Striker, a job that she was sure she had put behind her. And with this conflict comes secrets. The secret pasts of those close to West come to light as do the secrets The Board has long fought to keep buried.
While I hailed Chapman for creating a dystopian novel that broke away from the usual fight against the government archetype, this book was still very well done. The survival instincts and the moral struggles that West faces were just as exciting in this book as it was in Dualed. The one complaint I have is that some of the scenery or bits of dialogue weren’t conveyed clearly enough. I found myself rereading a paragraph or two to understand so that slowed the pace a bit. Other than that, this book is just as good as the first.
sargon6439's review
3.0
I want to first start out by saying that Dualed wasn't one of my favorite books to read. In fact, I rated that one a 2.5. However, most of my problems for that book came from a lack of world building and a decent plot-line that stemmed from a clone-killing-contest that I didn't fully understand. Then comes Divided and I am happy to say that this book answered several of those questions leaving me feeling a little more satisfied with this dystopian world.
Although I believe Divided was a LOT better than Dualed, I will still have to rate it between a 3 and 3.5. It still wasn't one of my favorites and here's why:
1) The writing style relayed too much inner thought and not enough imaging of what West was actually doing. Most of the time, I pictured her shaking and scared when others claimed she was strong and skillful leaving me with a contradicting image.
2) Although questions were answered, some were created and left me still confused.
3) The plot-line, although still better than Dualed, lacked certain details that I felt were needed. For example, why did Sabien send out that city-wide notice about West? It would have made a lot more sense for him to wait for her to come to him then kill her through poison/trap/etc. What he did simply gave her a warning and didn't make a ton of sense.
4) The romance. Yes, sweet and wonderful at times. Also a bit annoying because they have the same arguments and talks. Every. Time.
Things I liked about it:
1) The Action
2) The Suspence
3) The Final Showdown!
4) The twist ending
5) All the characters from the first book, such as Dire and Dess, playing a more significant part in this one. And that they all came together instead of remaining seperate and awkward like in Dualed was great!
Even from the first book, I have to give the author praise for writing amazing action/suspenseful scenes that leave your heart racing! If a book only needed to have action or a reader only want to read about fight scenes, then Dualed/Divided is for them! However, the plot-holes only leave me a little frustrated and, although I have to say I am a HUGE action fan, I craved more depth overall.
Although I believe Divided was a LOT better than Dualed, I will still have to rate it between a 3 and 3.5. It still wasn't one of my favorites and here's why:
1) The writing style relayed too much inner thought and not enough imaging of what West was actually doing. Most of the time, I pictured her shaking and scared when others claimed she was strong and skillful leaving me with a contradicting image.
2) Although questions were answered, some were created and left me still confused.
Spoiler
Why bury the cure? What are West and the gang going to do with that information now that they know? Where did the two Alts West turned into Non-Alts go? How did Auden's father die? And, what happened to Auden, Bryn, and Hollis? Will they be okay after everything that has happened?3) The plot-line, although still better than Dualed, lacked certain details that I felt were needed. For example, why did Sabien send out that city-wide notice about West? It would have made a lot more sense for him to wait for her to come to him then kill her through poison/trap/etc. What he did simply gave her a warning and didn't make a ton of sense.
4) The romance. Yes, sweet and wonderful at times. Also a bit annoying because they have the same arguments and talks. Every. Time.
Things I liked about it:
1) The Action
2) The Suspence
3) The Final Showdown!
4) The twist ending
Spoiler
about the secret to becoming sterile again. I did NOT see that coming!5) All the characters from the first book, such as Dire and Dess, playing a more significant part in this one. And that they all came together instead of remaining seperate and awkward like in Dualed was great!
Even from the first book, I have to give the author praise for writing amazing action/suspenseful scenes that leave your heart racing! If a book only needed to have action or a reader only want to read about fight scenes, then Dualed/Divided is for them! However, the plot-holes only leave me a little frustrated and, although I have to say I am a HUGE action fan, I craved more depth overall.
kstring's review
3.0
I wasn't as impressed with certain aspects of this book as I thought I was going to be. I liked all the world building and the character development for West, but there were several things I didn't like:
1. Don't get me wrong, I love strong female characters. However, if they have a boyfriend, they can't just keep lying to him and expect everything to be fine between them! I guess this critique is about Chord, who almost feels useless in the story of this particular book.
2. The romance. Oh my goodness, it went from being life-long friends hooking up at the end of the first book to full-fledged make-out sessions at the beginning of the second! It was hard to gauge what level Chord and West's relationship was at because they spent so much time apart and every moment they were together was full of that mushy-gushy romance stuff. It took away from the story line of the book. It didn't help that West kept lying!
3. Tying the last 2 together, West sure spent a lot of time going solo in this book, which I guess is a bit understandable for this book since she's trying to get over some of the stuff she did in the first book, but, at the same time, why doesn't she trust her friends/boyfriend enough to help her?
On the flip side, I loved how the author has scenes of West seeing a counselor and cooperating! I thought that was really neat, as I've never seen that in a book and I think it was kinda helping West cope with everything. It underlines the fact that she was suffering from some sort of PTSD from killing her Alt. I also liked the ending. It was the perfect place to leave off and prepare for the third book (is there even one?). Very action packed, which I loooove! Hardly a dull moment and difficult to stop reading.
Definitely a nice continuation of the series; can't wait for the third book!
1. Don't get me wrong, I love strong female characters. However, if they have a boyfriend, they can't just keep lying to him and expect everything to be fine between them! I guess this critique is about Chord, who almost feels useless in the story of this particular book.
2. The romance. Oh my goodness, it went from being life-long friends hooking up at the end of the first book to full-fledged make-out sessions at the beginning of the second! It was hard to gauge what level Chord and West's relationship was at because they spent so much time apart and every moment they were together was full of that mushy-gushy romance stuff. It took away from the story line of the book. It didn't help that West kept lying!
3. Tying the last 2 together, West sure spent a lot of time going solo in this book, which I guess is a bit understandable for this book since she's trying to get over some of the stuff she did in the first book, but, at the same time, why doesn't she trust her friends/boyfriend enough to help her?
On the flip side, I loved how the author has scenes of West seeing a counselor and cooperating! I thought that was really neat, as I've never seen that in a book and I think it was kinda helping West cope with everything. It underlines the fact that she was suffering from some sort of PTSD from killing her Alt. I also liked the ending. It was the perfect place to leave off and prepare for the third book (is there even one?). Very action packed, which I loooove! Hardly a dull moment and difficult to stop reading.
Definitely a nice continuation of the series; can't wait for the third book!
erinarkin20's review
4.0
Ahhh..this was so good!
Divided by Elsie Chapman is the second book in the Dualed series. It picks up shortly after the end of book one and I found myself yanked back into West’s world and I loved it! I though Chapman did a wonderful job of building out more of these characters as well as the world they live in.
West is now a weapons assistant to Baer at the high school and she helps with the student training. She is also in a relationship with Chord and trying to get on with her life. As part of her Post Completion Treatment, West is seeing a counselor to help her cope with the nightmares and aftermath of defeating her alt. While on her way home West is approached by a Board Operator and immediately worries The Board is coming for her because of her previous work as a striker. West is taken to the Board’s headquarters, and introduced to a Level 1 operator who asks her to do something she would never consider doing…under normal circumstances.
Let me pause here to say, there were times where I just wanted West to lean on Chord and not internalize every darn thing. I get it, she was trying to protect him and not get him involved but in the end, by keeping the secrets she only created larger issues. Chord clearly loves her and will do just about anything for her and that may be why she tried to keep him away from everything going on but again, she should have told him from the beginning what she was doing.
Ok….it turns out the Level 1 operator goes by the name Sabian and he offers up a trade. In exchange for her help killing the Alts of some Level One children, she can get something for the future…the lives of her children, free and clear. Clearly Sabian knows about her past as well as Dire Nation but he and the Board let it continue because it hasn’t hurt them in any way yet. Despite her misgivings, the opportunity it too good to pass by and when she does agree to the work, she also barters to have her striker marks removed.
Here is where the action starts and honestly doesn’t really stop until the end of the book. As West is hunting down these idles, she comes to find out more about Kersh, its founders, and some secrets the Board would probably kill her for if they knew she knew them. I feel like I can’t tell you much more without giving anything away and I really don’t want to do that because you should experience everything. Just know that there is danger and fighting and definitely kissing.
I do love the characters in this series. Starting with West, she is strong and protective of those she loves. She will do anything, including sacrifice herself, for the people who are important to her. She’s also smart…she isn’t perfect though so she does make mistakes.
I liked learning more about Dire and Baer. Both are difficult guys to get to know but as we learn more about them, I understand why they are who they are and do what they do. They do truly care about West and she has a great group of people supporting her.
Chord….where to start. He is perfect for West in that he truly loves her and cares about her but he also isn’t afraid to call her out on something when he knows she did something wrong. AND even if he does disagree with something, he still completely supports her decision(s). He truly wants what is best for her and wants to keep her away from all the bad things in the world but he has come to realize that he can’t really do that in the world they live in. No question, he is one of my favorites and has made the swoony book boyfriends shelf.
In addition to a great story, there is a lot of action and some wonderful characters. If you enjoyed book one of this series, I definitely recommend you check this book out as soon as you can. Chapman did a fantastic job of pulling me back into this world and I couldn’t put this down until I finished. I look forward to more from her and while I can’t see another book listed, I’m hoping more of West and Chord’s story.
Divided by Elsie Chapman is the second book in the Dualed series. It picks up shortly after the end of book one and I found myself yanked back into West’s world and I loved it! I though Chapman did a wonderful job of building out more of these characters as well as the world they live in.
West is now a weapons assistant to Baer at the high school and she helps with the student training. She is also in a relationship with Chord and trying to get on with her life. As part of her Post Completion Treatment, West is seeing a counselor to help her cope with the nightmares and aftermath of defeating her alt. While on her way home West is approached by a Board Operator and immediately worries The Board is coming for her because of her previous work as a striker. West is taken to the Board’s headquarters, and introduced to a Level 1 operator who asks her to do something she would never consider doing…under normal circumstances.
Let me pause here to say, there were times where I just wanted West to lean on Chord and not internalize every darn thing. I get it, she was trying to protect him and not get him involved but in the end, by keeping the secrets she only created larger issues. Chord clearly loves her and will do just about anything for her and that may be why she tried to keep him away from everything going on but again, she should have told him from the beginning what she was doing.
Ok….it turns out the Level 1 operator goes by the name Sabian and he offers up a trade. In exchange for her help killing the Alts of some Level One children, she can get something for the future…the lives of her children, free and clear. Clearly Sabian knows about her past as well as Dire Nation but he and the Board let it continue because it hasn’t hurt them in any way yet. Despite her misgivings, the opportunity it too good to pass by and when she does agree to the work, she also barters to have her striker marks removed.
Here is where the action starts and honestly doesn’t really stop until the end of the book. As West is hunting down these idles, she comes to find out more about Kersh, its founders, and some secrets the Board would probably kill her for if they knew she knew them. I feel like I can’t tell you much more without giving anything away and I really don’t want to do that because you should experience everything. Just know that there is danger and fighting and definitely kissing.
I do love the characters in this series. Starting with West, she is strong and protective of those she loves. She will do anything, including sacrifice herself, for the people who are important to her. She’s also smart…she isn’t perfect though so she does make mistakes.
I liked learning more about Dire and Baer. Both are difficult guys to get to know but as we learn more about them, I understand why they are who they are and do what they do. They do truly care about West and she has a great group of people supporting her.
Chord….where to start. He is perfect for West in that he truly loves her and cares about her but he also isn’t afraid to call her out on something when he knows she did something wrong. AND even if he does disagree with something, he still completely supports her decision(s). He truly wants what is best for her and wants to keep her away from all the bad things in the world but he has come to realize that he can’t really do that in the world they live in. No question, he is one of my favorites and has made the swoony book boyfriends shelf.
In addition to a great story, there is a lot of action and some wonderful characters. If you enjoyed book one of this series, I definitely recommend you check this book out as soon as you can. Chapman did a fantastic job of pulling me back into this world and I couldn’t put this down until I finished. I look forward to more from her and while I can’t see another book listed, I’m hoping more of West and Chord’s story.
izlandizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
toastii's review against another edition
3.0
The hunter becomes the hunted. . . .
Well that's for sure.
In the first book West must kill her twin, her alt.. making her the worthy one. Now,she is done striking, but the board has other plans for her. They offer her a 'killer' deal she really cannot refuse, however, both West and the board have ulterior motives. As plans seem to come together, the board puts out a wanted assassination on her, making her active again.
I liked the second and final installment of the Dualed series. Just when I think I know what's about to happen, Elsie twists it up! Curious to see if there will be a third??
Well that's for sure.
In the first book West must kill her twin, her alt.. making her the worthy one. Now,she is done striking, but the board has other plans for her. They offer her a 'killer' deal she really cannot refuse, however, both West and the board have ulterior motives. As plans seem to come together, the board puts out a wanted assassination on her, making her active again.
I liked the second and final installment of the Dualed series. Just when I think I know what's about to happen, Elsie twists it up! Curious to see if there will be a third??
laurieelaberge's review
3.0
Disappointing!
I enjoyed it but that one isn't as good as the first book.
There are a twists and turns but they are not developed and well exposed. We have a twist and the explanation of this twist isn't brought by the author. The author lets us down. On the other hand, some twists were predictables.
West Grayer was a badass character in the first one. In this book, she was a little bit boring.
2.5 stars
I enjoyed it but that one isn't as good as the first book.
There are a twists and turns but they are not developed and well exposed. We have a twist and the explanation of this twist isn't brought by the author. The author lets us down. On the other hand, some twists were predictables.
West Grayer was a badass character in the first one. In this book, she was a little bit boring.
2.5 stars
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I THINK I liked this better than the first book. Maybe already having the scene set and the characters established ... or the glimpse into how this world came about and other twists were just a bit more interesting than book 1. Still a series I'll look back on with a "meh" memory.