There is a scene in which West eavesdrops on her Alt's parents, and they appear to be completely normal people who don't deserve to lose their daughter. It's difficult for the reader to determine if she has any villainous traits that would help guarantee that West is definitely the one who should survive between the two. It could easily be assumed that the reader would want West to win against her Alt, but things aren't so clearly black and white.West's Alt is very much like and very much unlike her, meaning she's still just a girl. In this forced showdown meant to simulate a 'survival of the fittest' scenario, it isn't always clear who should be considered the 'fittest.'

Neither knows when they will be pitted against the other or what skills the other might bring to the table. Each twin in raised separately and grows up training to face the other in a fight to the death. In West Grayer's world, every individual has an Alt: a genetic twin. In addition to these elements, Chapman offers readers an entirely new world and society to explore. For me, it was the action, philosophical elements, and strong female heroine of Dualed that put it in the same league as these successful predecessors. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.Įlsie Chapman's debut Dualed is one of the best dystopian novels I've read since The Hunger Games and Divergent. though both have the power to destroy her.Įlsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage-life.įifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. Everyone has a genetic Alternate-a twin raised by another family-and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high.

Dualed by elsie chapman