Review: Linked - Imogen Howson

Linked by Imogen Howson, published by Quercus on 1st August 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
For years, Elissa has suffered nightmarish visions and unexplained bruises. Finally, she's promised a cure, and an operation is scheduled. But on the eve of the procedure, Elissa discovers the truth: she's seeing the world through another girl's eyes. A world filled with wires, machines and pain. Elissa follows her visions, only to find a battered, broken girl. A girl who looks exactly like her. A twin she never knew existed. Elissa and her twin Lin go on the run, but even after changing their looks and clothes, they're barely a step ahead of the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking them down. For Lin and Elissa are too valuable to let go, and the dark truth at the heart of it all is too shocking to risk exposing...

Review:
I had such high hopes for this book.  Described as The Bourne Identity meets Inception, the tagline alone was more than enough to get me counting down the days until the release date.  I really thought it had the potential to be amazing and promised so much but for me, in the end, it failed to deliver everything I was expecting.  It had inter-planetary space travel, mid-air skirmishes, government conspiracies and much more.  It ticked so many boxes but overall I felt like the story just fell flat.  I think partly because of my lack of connection with the characters, particularly the main protagonist Elissa. 

There were hints of romance throughout between Elissa and her brother's best friend Cadan, but even that didn't interest or intrigue me enough to get me excited about the book.  The other prominent relationship is between Elissa and her twin, something which I was looking forward to seeing develop.  I didn't however feel the closeness of their bond and although I liked Lin, I would have enjoyed seeing events more from her perspective. 

I don't want to reveal any specific details about the plot because it would spoil it completely to even hint at what actually happens but I do want to say that it started so well with the opening couple of chapters completely hooking me in, but lost me about a third of the way through and from that point onwards I struggled to stay invested in the story.

I wanted to love this book so much but overall it didn't have me flipping the pages as madly as I should have done.  I have however, read plenty of positive reviews of this title so if it intrigues you in any way then I would still suggest giving it a try.   

Although I had initially thought that this was a stand-alone, it does have a sequel and 'Unravel' is due to be published by Quercus in summer 2014.   

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2013: Quercus

Quercus published one of my favourite books of 2012, 'Shattered Dreams' by Ellie James, so I'm immensely looking forward to the sequel which is out next year.

Here are some of the other amazing titles they have lined up for 2013 (January-June).

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist!

Broken Illusions by Ellie James, published 3rd January

It’s Mardi Gras, but for sixteen-year-old Trinity, this is no time for celebration. Another girl has gone missing. And Trinity is seeing things – terrible things.  Tormented by visions she can’t explain, Trinity embarks on a dark journey to understand her abilities, convinced this is the only way to prevent the things she sees from coming true.

But as the line between reality and illusion becomes blurred, everyone who loves Trinity begins to fear for her sanity, and, ultimately, for her life ...  

Burning For Revenge by John Marsden, published 3rd January

Ellie and her friends are more determined than ever to make an impact on the enemy. But the constant fighting is beginning to take its toll on the group. Kevin is suffering an emotional breakdown, and the friendship that has kept the gang together for so long is under strain.

Undone by Cat Clarke, published 31st January

Jem Halliday is in love with her gay best friend. Not exactly ideal, but she's learning to live with it. Then the unspeakable happens. Kai is outed online ... and he kills himself.

Jem knows nothing she can say or do will bring him back. But she wants to know who was responsible. And she wants to take them down.

Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick, published 28th February

Jenna is sweet sixteen, the age when a girl is supposed to find her prince.  Instead she finds Mr Anderson – intelligent, handsome, married Mr Anderson, who just happens to be her chemistry teacher. With a dark past and a difficult family, Jenna is just happy to have someone to protect her, to worry about her, to love her. But should she be suspicious of Mr Anderson’s reputation for helping ‘damaged’ students?  Why is the most popular girl in school suddenly jealous of her? And where is Mr Anderson’s wife?

This is a love story that breaks all the rules, but that won’t stop it breaking your heart.

Don't Look Back by S.B. Hayes, published 28th March

Sinead has been taunted by her manipulative brother Patrick all her life. Now he is missing. But he hasn’t stopped messing with her.  Compelled to search for him by her overbearing mother, Sinead discovers a trail of sinister clues which she knows Patrick has left for her. They lead her to Benedict House: a place where time stands still and nothing is as it seems.

Linked by Imogen Howson, published 6th June

For years, Elissa has suffered nightmarish visions and unexplained bruises. Finally, she’s promised a cure, and an operation is scheduled. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the truth: she’s seeing the world through another girl’s eyes. A world filled with wires, machines and pain. Elissa follows her visions, only to find a battered, broken girl. A girl who looks exactly like her. A twin she never knew existed.

Elissa and Lin go on the run, but even after changing their looks and clothes, they’re barely a step ahead of the government agents who are ruthlessly tracking them down. For Lin and Elissa are too valuable to let go, and the dark truth at the heart of it all is too shocking to risk exposing ...

 

Comment and let me know which books you are most looking forward to in 2013!