Specials by Scott Westerfeld
Fisrt Published: 2006
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 350
Rating: 3*
Specials is available in paperback for £7.99 or £4.99 in kindle edition on Amazon.co.uk
This edition of the 'Uglies' quartet is unfortunately my least favourite and I believe it lets down the whole series. Yes, I did enjoy these books, but if this was the first one, I doubt I would have carried on. Now all is left is 'Extras' - the last book in the series. The original trilogy had a final book added as an extra - pardon the pun.
As with the other books, I love the covers to the series. The clean cut edges and perfection of the photography fits in very well with the content of the books.On this cover, it is the modified spine that has a bronze metallic sheen. This fits in with the 'Special' characters in the story as they have modified everything - their bones are made of super-ceramic, their hearing is extraordinary as is their sight, smell and touch. They are incomparable human beings, and Tally isn't only turned into a special. She is turned into a special special - a 'cutter'.
I am still disappointed with Westerfeld's lack of sensitivity when it comes to mental health and grief. In this book Tally goes through the traumatic experience of getting a friend who is in a vegetative state, unplugged. But instead of going into detail, we don't feel any of Tally's grief - Westerfeld carries on with the story line as though it is the type of experience we have to deal with everyday. The theme of self harm is carried way out of proportion, being glorified and idealized. Finally, towards the end of the book she stops cutting herself, yet there is still no advice for those affected by the content in the book. I feel it is irresponsible and unacceptable to take a real life issue and use it in a futuristic, fashion sense. The content becomes quite graphic at points and would be quite triggering to those affected with mental illnesses. I could go on about this forever, but I'm not going to.
Excluding the theme of self-harm, and the way Westerfeld approaches it, I really like this series. It wasn't quite up to the same gripping level as 'The Hunger Games' or 'Divergent' but it was just as easy and exciting to read. I think it was the lack of depth in this book, and the fact that the book isn't in first person lets us [the readers] disconnect slightly with the characters. If this book was written first person, we could have had much more of an emotional insight. Yet, the characters emotions within this book were overlooked. As a final in the trilogy, Westerfeld had the opportunity to draw us in and let us go dramatically, which is what he did without the 'drawing you in' part. I was left disappointed and wanting more. I wanted to feel more of a passionate response to the events in the book, yet I felt it was rushed and fast-moving. Before one thing happened, the plot moved on without allowing me to catch up or appreciate each chapter.
Overall, I was discontent with this book. I felt let down by Westerfeld's attempt to draw the series to an end. I am really glad that this wasn't the first book in the series as I wouldn't have had the same reading experience. I really would recommend the first two books, 'Uglies' and 'Pretties' but I think 'Specials' is only one to read if you want to find out what happens in an unsatisfying end. Be prepared to be disappointed.
I really hope 'Extras' makes up for it and pulls the series together.
Love Charlie, Xx
Overall, I was discontent with this book. I felt let down by Westerfeld's attempt to draw the series to an end. I am really glad that this wasn't the first book in the series as I wouldn't have had the same reading experience. I really would recommend the first two books, 'Uglies' and 'Pretties' but I think 'Specials' is only one to read if you want to find out what happens in an unsatisfying end. Be prepared to be disappointed.
I really hope 'Extras' makes up for it and pulls the series together.
Love Charlie, Xx
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