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Review: Duplicity by N.K. Traver

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Duplicity by NK Traver // VBC ReviewDuplicity
N.K. Traver
Published: March 17, 2015 (Thomas Dunne)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: library

Reviewed by: Amanda

Rating (out of 5): 4 stars

Brandon’s just a typical 17-year-old guy, if a typical 17-year-old guy has multiple piercings and tattoos, a BMW he purchased through slightly illegal means, and access to thousands upon thousands of bank accounts, addresses, and Social Security numbers.

Because your typical 17-year-old guy always has mad hacking skills, right?

He takes his hacks one step too far, and his reflection notices, only Brandon’s convinced he’s imagining things. His reflection is just that—a reflection. He can’t see it winking at him. It definitely can’t be taking out all his piercings. And it absolutely, positively cannot skin off his tattoos, wash the dye out of his hair, and change his wardrobe.

But Other Brandon (Obran) can, and he believes he can do everything Brandon does better—and he’s going to take Brandon’s place and prove it.

I basically swallowed Duplicity in one gulp. It’s rare that I come across a book that manages to mix a fast-paced suspense story with a sometimes sad message about taking a good, hard look at the person you’ve become, but this book manages to do so.

Brandon’s grown used to his parents’ indifference, and while he tries to play it off as no big deal, it quite clearly is a big deal. His flashes of vulnerability made me want to give him a hug, just like Emma, the girl he knows is way out of his league. And can we talk about Brandon and Emma for a minute? I love that she’s not willing to give up on him, even after Brandon hurts her, and even after he starts acting a little…strange.

He’s got good reason for his behavior, though. See, the Project is a hacker legend. A myth. Only…maybe it’s not. When Obran forces Brandon to trade places, Brandon’s stuck in a world of 1s and 0s. He’s got to use his brain not just to get himself out of the mess he’s made (and no doubt, the mess is definitely of his own making), he’s got to imagine away the world he’s used to and create a whole new one without boundaries–all while uncovering bits and pieces of the mythical Project.

Duplicity has a few rough spots (the way Brandon thinks of girls other than Emma is disappointing and a bit stereotypical) and I would have liked a little more back story to show how Brandon became the way he was. The ending, though, is my favorite kind—nebulous! Theres definitely room for a sequel, but you can walk away from Duplicity satisfied with the story it told.

Sexual content: kissing

4 Responses to “Review: Duplicity by N.K. Traver”

  1. Amy M says:

    This sounds really good. I always love reading your reviews. You seem to find some truly great gems. Honestly, I may not have looked twice at this book, but reading your review, this is just another one to add to the TBR list.

  2. I straight-up one-clicked this immediately following reading this review.

  3. Amanda says:

    *snerk* You guys crack me up sometimes. This book popped on my radar back when it released, and I finally realized I needed to MAKE time to read it. So glad I did. A fab escape for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

  4. Sarah P. says:

    I don’t think I would ever have looked twice at this book if not for this review! It sounds really interesting!

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