Title: Dualed (Dualed #1)
Author: Elsie Chapman
Publisher: Random House (February 26 2013)
In the city of Kersh, everyone must eliminate their genetic Alternate twin, raised by another family, before their twentieth birthday. West Grayer, 15, has trained as a fighter, and has one month to hunt and kill her Alt. A tragic misstep shakes her confidence. Guilty, grieving, she feels unworthy, runs from her Alt and from love - both can destroy her.
I was really interested in this when I first read the blurb. The premise sounded interesting, since it has all the elements of a potentially good dystopian novel. Unfortunately, many reviews on Goodreads seemed to focus on the sheer ridiculousness of how such a society could even come to exist. Admittedly, there are several logical gaps in the plot, but don't let that deter you from starting on Dualed if you're looking for an escapist afternoon read. I personally feel that much of the criticism directed towards this book can easily be applied to other series of its genre!
In Dualed, countries all over the world are engaged in war, leaving Kersh as the only war-free zone. The city has isolated itself in order to prevent external conflict from reaching its shores. However, this also means that overcrowding and national defense has become top priorities for the government. Their solution? Genetic engineering, such that everyone has an Alternate twin somewhere out there in the city. Before turning 20, each individual must find and kill his/her Alternate in a fight-to-death system. Failure to do so will lead to self-detonation for both parties.
The main character, West, is a tough protagonist who has gone through alot as a 15-year-old. She makes questionable decisions at times, like becoming a Striker (an assassin who gets rid of Alternates for rich people). It didn't feel necessary to me, but I suppose it was the author's way of beefing up the story with more action. Getting rid of all her family members is a convenient way of allowing West to roam about as a lone ranger, while lending her a tinge of desperateness and coldness. But seriously...I'm getting kind of tired of seeing parents of protagonists getting into various kinds of fatal accidents. Urgh!
Anyway, Chord, her brother's best friend, plays the part of love interest and caretaker. The romance is pretty toned down, maybe because the main character faces more pressing issues like not getting killed by her Alternate. While I'd hate for the plot to be overshadowed completely by kissing and whatnot, I felt as if they were more like siblings rather than romantic partners. Chord was always looking out for West, but she only started reciprocating when she realised he might be in danger as well. Their interactions just didn't give off any sparks-something that I hope will change in future as their relationship progresses!
As this is presumably the first book of the series, I'm hoping that more character development will follow in the sequels to come. Supporting characters are not at all fleshed out in Dualed; we don't know anything much about their personalities and motives, which makes them easily forgettable. That being said, this leaves alot of room for future character growth and plenty more we can learn about Kersh. I wonder what direction the story will take, especially since the ending was rather conclusive.
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