As Sai recovers from her life-threatening injuries, she struggles to piece together her damaged relationship with Dom. He fights the parasite within, suddenly freed from the interference of the other Dominos in his head.
Inside Central, Bastian’s Shine dosing has become a dangerous dance. Enhanced security protocols and endless meetings have him on a tightrope, with little room to move without revealing himself.
When the GNW release the Damascus to begin their systemic hunt of the Exiled, the noose closes around the rebels and their allies. If they can’t disable the threat, the Exiled won’t be the Damascus’ only agenda.
KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.
Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.
When she’s not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, and chases her daughter, husband, corgi, and cat. No, she doesn’t sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.
I was prepared to beg for an ARC of this book just so I wouldn't have to wait for the release date. The first book was that powerful. I just had to know! Fortunately, the author put me out of my misery and sent me an ARC.
This is a YA story about a little Asian girl with an avalanche of power inside. Her friendships are crafted in a way that connects you to each of the characters through the way that Sai loves them. Dom is a constructed humanoid with a secret darkness. The question of just how much his human DNA plugs into the equation of just who or what he is will keep you guessing.
The plot in this action packed sequel kept me quickly turning the page not realizing that I was losing half the night. There were moments that I just did not see coming. And the author's ability to leave you with a cliff hanger ending is taken to a whole new level with this sequel.
This world that the author has created is intricate and carefully drawn. A meteor has changed the power structure and landscape of our world, and the resulting abilities and creations are just genius. I'm a sucker for alien alloys and AI technology. This world has so much more going for it than other YA that I've read in recent years.
This is easily the best series that I've picked up this year. It's one of those books that you finish and want to share with everyone. Needless to say, I am desperate to know what happens next!!
I’m SO excited this book is finally here! If you haven’t read Chameleon (the first one) go ahead and check out my review here. I’ll wait. Done? Good. Also, you’re crazy. Chameleon is awesome, get on that shit.
Back to my fangirling.
Heat/Swoon Levels:
Ahhh… negative digits? Haha. But that’s a good thing! The MC, Sai, ended up in a whole world of trouble at the conclusion of Chameleon and the first quarter of the book focuses around her recovery and return to the badass she was. Once she’s up and about again, she’s in the middle of preparing for a fricken war. There were some really cute moments between her and Dom but I’m only shipping friendship there. Anything else would be… weird. There were a load of ‘A+’s for friendship.
I’m also still hardcore in love with Bastian.
Plot Pacing and Resolution:
Hybrid has a lot of build, which I loved. KT didn’t rush to get to the action, instead, she gave us a minute to jump back in Sai’s head, reminded us of the amazing world she built in Chameleon, and then introduced us to a way freaky side of Dom (one of my favourite parts of the book). It’s not until the announcement of the Damascus release that the book takes off.
As for the end, it’s another cliff hanger. And man it’s a good one! For literally every character.
Character Relatability:
Hugs! Hugs all around! And damn do they need it! Don’t get me wrong, Sai gets some personal ‘wins’ but otherwise the war is an overdose of bad news. I love that Sai just gets on with it though. There are a few instances where she doubts herself but she doesn’t spend the whole time moping around. She tests her strengths, deals with the knock backs, and tries her hardest to be a good leader.
My love of Bastian carries over from the first book because unfortunately, we don’t get to see a huge amount from him. He’s still out there, risking everything, for the Exiled who are all like ‘oh him, that’s right. He’s still there’. Dom, and occasionally Sai, (and me!) are the only ones who actually seem concerned about his welfare. Jerks.
Last mention goes to Aishke. She grows a lot in this instalment and has turned from a surly (for good reason) teen into a sweetie pie. I love her.
And of course it’s those three who suffer most at the end.
The following review must be read in a sports commentator voice.
“Why is he different?”
Dom doesn't know. He is half alien, half machine … Then why does he feel so damn crushed after the incident that cost Sai her legs?
And Sai won't stop battering herself over what happened. Nor will she forgive Dom for the role he played in it. It was his fault … No, it was an accident … Maybe he couldn't have prevented it … He didn't have to do it in the first place.
Battle with self ensues.
Will she forgive Dom? Could she ever?
She doesn't know, and she doesn't have the time to find out. The Damascus are upon the Exiled. And beaten, nearly undone Sai is once again their only hope. She and Dom, but the domino has his own demons to fight.
So much at stake. Saving the humanity … Salvaging Sai and Dom's relationship …
The clock is ticking and the circle is closing in.
It absorbed me like a sponge soaking up spilled wine - The portrayal of Dom's identity crisis and his ever-slipping grip on reality is phenomenal. I was very pleased to finally get his POV, and it didn't disappoint. His mind, body, and powers might be superior to the rest of humanity, but at the core he starts to learn that maybe he isn't that much different after all. And one day, he might even learn how to grin properly.
No amount of wine could redeem this - Too many side characters that don't appear to be relevant or integral to the main story. As a result, some scenes felt a little too stretched.
Bottom Line Sai is a fragile badass. Dom is an alien “human.” Can they please get together already?!
Sai's hurt at the end of Chameleon and Dom had a hand in it. Not only does Sai have to learn to deal with her injuries and the recovery, her relationship with Dom takes a hit. There's something about Sai that brings out the humanity in Dom and I LOVE that. Their friendship makes both of them stronger and Hybrid opens with it being strained. It's refreshing to read a book where the stakes are about friendship and the survival of the human race, not reading the second book in a series where the brand new romance begins to unravel. Does the unrepentant romantic in me hope Dom and Sai will develop something? Um, yes, The sooner the better.But that's the best part about these books--there's so much more that draws me in and keeps me hooked. The world building is amazing, the Sci-Fi aspects of technology and powers captivates me. K.T. has created a vivid world with her writing. This second book isn't a "filler" as so many middle books seem to be. It's a fully fleshed out, thickly plotted story that has me dying for more--especially after that ending! The sooner the third book comes out, the better!
I love when a second book in a trilogy actually manages to have its own plot arc. Sai has to recover, both physically and mentally, from the events at the end of Chameleon, and her shattered trust in Dom. There’s this wonderful push-pull of their relationship in this book, as they try to find equilibrium at that point between hurt and deep, intense friendships where there really is no description for it in English. But they don’t have time to linger and explore their feelings. The Damascus are finally released, and OMG. These killing machines make the Terminator seem easy to defeat, and when things get desperate, there are CONSEQUENCES! This book is unflinching, a roller coaster of small moments stolen between battles, and sacrifices large and small. (once again, I read an early copy and loved it enough to buy a copy as well!)
Hybrid is a brilliant follow up to Chameleon (with even more Dom!).
Hybrid follows the Exiled's machinations against the GNW and is definitely a little darker than it's predecessor. If you thought the stakes were high in Chameleon, you'd better buckle up for Hybrid!
The Domino Project series is a brilliant, fast-paced, dystopian sci-fi adventure. The characters are real and imperfect and the world is rich and interesting. Psionic powers are exciting but are not an 'I-win-button', there are real consequences for psionics who wield their powers. Nothing is free or easy in this world! One of my favourite things about Hybrid was seeing Sai continue to grow and evolve.
I can't wait for Parasite, but I am going to be genuinely sad when this series finishes up, it's just a bloody good time!
You know how you get into a series and there's alway that one book that kind of falls flat? Well, this second book is so far from the bottom that I can't see it falling at all. We saw the first book from Sai's perspective most of the time. I wanted more Dom. KT delivers in the sequel. Seeing the world, and his stuggles, from his perspective gives more depth to this story overall. Like there is so much more that KT can do with it than in just 3 books. I am looking forward to the last book in the series, and hoping for more in this world. I love KT's brain and stories. She has a fan girl in me for life.
Wow, a great second novel by KT Hanna! I love the tension between Sai & Dom. Hard not to post spoilers, but Sai faces a lot of challenges- both physical and mental in this book. Dom faces his own mental demons. Just love both characters.
Great plot, kept me reading long after I meant to put it down. Can't wait for the next one.
This was a great second book in the series. I love Hanna's writing and how she brings the settings and characters to life. I love Sai's and Dom's relationship and their struggles. Read this series! It's such a great read. Now, where is book three?
hybrid was just a good if not better than "Chameleon". I really recommend that everyone read these as they are so worth your time. I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
KT Hanna's Domino series would make Heinlein proud. I flew through the first book, then the second and just downloaded #3, ready to read tonight. I haven't had this much science fiction fun in a long time. I highly recommend you give her books a try. They are worth the ride.