Title: Linked
Author: Imogen Howsen
Series: Linked #1
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schsuter
Source: eARC provided by publisher for honest review

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Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.


I have never really been a fan of science fiction novels because they seem to removed from the world I know, and I feel like I can never relate to the things that happen to the characters. But with Linked I was pleasantly surprised. I fell in love with the writing style right away and then I fell in love with the story and the characters not very far after that.

I love Elissa, she was strong even when her parents where hiding/"protecting" her from the devastating truth that would change her life and theirs. I am so glad I did not read the pull synopsis before I read the book because the reveal as to why she is having the visions was a surprise to me. But since most people will know after reading the synopsis I will not hold back. The long lost twin sister aspect was amazing. It made so much sense and that was welcoming, especially when you are reading a world where nothing was familiar.

I loved Elissa's relationship with her twin, Lin, because it was real. Elissa had an inherent need to always protect Lin at all costs, but they were such different people that they clashed. A lot. And that made for a very interesting relationship. Lin had never really been around people, so this became a problem when Lin didn't know the line between protecting Elissa and harming others.

The love story. I will not mention who it is with but once you read some of the book you will figure it out. I loved that their relationship felt normal and real. It wasn't instant attraction, not even on one side. It was gradual, the way it should be, and it was incredibly sweet.

Linked is a science fiction story that doesn't read like one. it is incredible well written, with characters that are full of flaws and full of depth. I seriously cannot wait for the authors next book because her talent for story telling is incredible. A fantastic read.