REVIEW: Dualed (Dualed #1) by Elsie Chapman

Title: Dualed
Author: Elsie Chapman
Series: Dualed #1
Publisher: Random House
Date of Release: February 26th 2013
Pages: 292

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.

The cover is really awesome! I love the way it shows her stalking her prey and then the shadow of her, as if it is her own Alt following, both ready to attack one another.

West has watched all her siblings lose their lives against their Alt's, her parents died in a car crash, she only has Chord left. But she won't let him help. When all ends badly on Chords mission when he is activated, West goes to the deepest parts of Kersh, places of which they have tossed around legends about when they were young, only to find out they are more real then she ever imagined. Then she is activated. As West goes on a wild goose chase to find and also avoid her Alt, she may find they are just playing their own game.

West is a great character, she isn't overly strong and kick-ass but she does know how to survive. She has the knowledge of how and when to attack your Alt, through her own experience. However, I was disappointed to find that when it came to killing her own Alt, she bottled it up and just ran for the hills at every chance she got. She could have easily killed her Alt on numerous occasions but she seems to leave it to the last ten days out of the thirty one to even get down and attempt it. I mean, I know its your own face, but... she can kill a stranger without her face, just not the other way round. I was also annoyed at how she didn't really think much about going for the job (sorry! Not telling you what it is!) I know she has been through some really tough times, but she doesn't really seem to truly consider the life-long consequences it can easily bring her. There was one thing I did like about her though, the way she helped an active train due to him being a very young with lack of training. She gave him two of her knives to help him and also her number so he can call to confirm he is safe and well, which I found very touching that all actives seem to help one another, no matter what.

My favourite character was Chord. He was always trying to do what's best for West, even if it means waving a gun around in the middle of a busy street to keep her safe, but also risk his own life. He always provided her with food, medical attention, money and his own opinion on what she is doing. He keeps strong and patient every time he is knocked down but he most importantly won't give up on her which I think is incredibly nice of him. But he also knows what West has been through which does create more of a connection between them, meaning they trust each other greatly meaning it shows like a glow stick.

The originality of the plot was amazing, I don't think I have read anything like it. So much detail has gone into the process of an Actives thirty one days, such as the eye scan so you can see where and what your Alt is doing at certain times. I also like the idea of the towns being wiped out, and the way that only the worthiest and the strongest Alts can stay to carry on after the Board if they were ever to be wiped out. One thing I did find to be a little cheesy was the line the Board workers said when they activated an Alt: 'Be the one, be worthy' which made me giggle a little but it still made a good affect as to how serious the situation was when they received their data and assignment.

This book will take you on a world-wind of action and adventure and the suspense to reach your Alt before they reach you. Next book in the series, Divided, expected publication February 2014 ( :( just a little while to go...)