Review: Specials

Title: Specials
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Date Released: May 9, 2006
Pages: 372
Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: "Special Circumstances":
The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.

And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.

Review: *WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!* In this final book of Tally's adventure, she has once again been surgically altered - this time, to become a cruel, predatory Special. Once again, it was interesting to see her narration and point of view on the various events changing once again. Unlike when she was a pretty, Tally's memories are actually clearer and more intact than when she was an ugly - it is simply her perspective and analysis on the previous events that has changed. Westerfeld did a good job of changing her perspective while keeping elements of Tally's character intact, so you didn't feel like her character had completely changed from the previous books.

This book was serious and intense from start to end, probably due to Tally's new, colder character. Still, I felt that without as much comic relief as the other books, the book was almost exhausting to read, you know? Well really serious books are kinda depressing for me anyway (Maybe I like being happy too much xD) Still, that didn't impact how well and dramatic the book was written. The plot kept you on your toes, due to Tally's inner turmoil to find herself again. It was also interesting however much of her emotions she recovered throughout the novel, she still wanted to stay Special, unlike in when she was pretty. Oh and I think Shay finally redeemed herself in my eyes by the end - she really annoyed me a lot in the previous books. At the climax of this novel, Tally's vigor and quick minded slyness really surprised me too, and gave the novel a good twist.

Anyway, the ending was definitely surprising, and I think Westerfeld did a pretty good job of closing Tally's story. If you haven't checked out these series yet, you're missing out! I enjoyed these books a lot :D

Cover Review: I really liked this cover most out of the rest of them, because of the interesting markings on Tally's face and the way her face is tilted up...it looks really cool :)

keep on reading, fellow book geeks!

MarMar<3