Divided by Elsie Chapman + a Giveaway

Last year Elsie Chapman burst onto the scene with her debut Dualed. And now the sequel has arrived! Be sure to read through to the bottom to enter to win a copy of your own!

In Kersh, only the strong can survive. The city is separated from the outside world, its citizens protected for the wars waged in the Surround. But supplies are limited. Every citizen is born with an alternate - a genetic twin raised in a different family. When the twins come of age they will be given their assignment: just one month to kill their alt. The system is designed so that only those who are worthy will live, contributing to society and also serving as the perfect soldier if the city's walls are ever breached. 

West survived her assignment and left behind her brief life as a striker, vowing never to kill again. But now things have changed. The Board has offered her a deal: kill their children's alts and in exchange any children of West's will never have an alt of their own to face down. The deal seems more than a bit shady, but West doesn't really have a choice. When her suspicions are confirmed, it's up to her to find out the truth behind the Board's actions before they get to her first. 

This sequel to Elsie Chapman's Dualed picks up just months after West's battle with her alt. She's still suffering the effects of that battle but has begun a new life, one that includes Chord. With no one hunting her, she's finally comfortable enough to admit her feelings for him. And yet, her time as a striker hangs over her like a shadow. Not only does she fear Chord will hold her actions against her, but it leaves her vulnerable to the Board.

We didn't learn all that much about the governing body behind Kersh in Dualed, so that was a nice bonus here in Divided (and a BIG part of the plot, obviously). This sequel also provided more of an opportunity to see the world that West lives in.

I'm not going to lie, this is a pretty dark series. I was reading these at bedtime and ended up having some really bizarre dreams as a result! It's certainly no darker than Hunger Games, and likely to draw comparisons for obvious reasons. And yet, if you enjoyed Collins series you will likely enjoy Chapman's books as well. West is equally as strong and driven as Katniss. The plot is intense and there's a nice balance between the action and the politics as well. Both Dualed and Divided are quick reads and, dreams aside, I did quite like them both.

Note: while there is a brief recap at the beginning of Divided (nice for Swiss cheese brained folks like me), I definitely recommend starting with Dualed first.

And now for the giveaway. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below before Monday, June 30. US only and no PO boxes please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway