Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Specials (Uglies, Book 3)
Scott Westerfeld

Young Adult Dystopian Future
400 pages, softcover
Target Reader: 14+

Simon Pulse
978-1416947950
Release Date: September 11, 2007



From the publisher (contains spoilers if you haven't read Pretties):

Tally thought they were a rumor, but now she's one of them. A Special. A super-amped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

But maybe being perfectly programmed with strength and focus isn't better than anything she's ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.

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

Series books: Uglies (book 1), Pretties (book 2)

I was a little worried after finishing Pretties . I had really loved Uglies. Pretties was okay, but it seemed to unravel a bit and loose ends were left hanging. But as I said in my review, I was willing to withhold judgment until I had a chance to read this one.

Specials did not disappoint.

Being a Special is totally cool; but to be a Cutter, Dr. Cable's elite group of Specials, is even better. Specials are scary beautiful, very strong with reflexes so fast they're almost unbeatable. Tally and co. are sent to bring down the New Smoke and almost start a world war in the process. But as they hunt down the location of the New Smoke, the wild works its magic on Tally again. It changed her once; it's changing her again.

The pace is fast, a little faster than book 1. The pretty slang wasn't as annoying as in book 2. In fact, my daughter and I find ourselves using it on occasion. Westerfeld wraps up most of the loose ends from book 2. We meet up with Andrew Simpson Smith again. I would have liked more resolution (information) about his clan—like what happens to them—but the little bit we get is okay.

We revisit the cycle of friendship and betrayal between Shay and Tally, explore the relationship between Tally and Zane, catch up with David, and visit another city that is very different from Tally's.

There is a little bit more swearing in this book than in book 2, but compared to many teen books it's not so much. There is violence and people die. One of the deaths is particularly sad and I really didn't see it coming, but after considering it for a few days I guess I can see why Westerfeld wrote it that way.

There's a great quote in the last chapter: "You see, freedom has a way of destroying things." I thought it was great. Interestingly, Westerfeld says it's his most quoted phrase.

Some of the themes in this book are how our actions often have serious consequences that we never intended, and yet we're responsible for them all the same; how we stay the same inside, regardless of how often or how drastically we change our outsides; the Star Trek classic of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the one. I also really liked the portrayal of Tally's struggle against her internal programming. We all face this struggle on some level, to overcome the programming of our past. All of this makes for some great conversations with teens.

I love this series.

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Content Ratings

Language: Some swearing.

Violence: There's some violent chase scenes. Some of the characters are cutters. This is a topic parents may want to discuss with their children.

Drugs/Alcohol: I can't remember why I gave this a yellow star. There must have been something that made me a little wary...

Immorality: Hints at relationships, but no real indication of sexuality.

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Age Appropriate: Many adults will love this book too.

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© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse (Twilight Saga #3)
Stephenie Meyer

Young Adult Paranormal Romance
640 pages, hardback
Target Reader: 14+

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
978-0316160209
Release Date:



From the publisher:

"BELLA?"

Edward's soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, just like he had in the parking lot, and kissed me again.

This kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed mine—like he was afraid we had only so much time left to us.

* * *

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Download Chapter 1.

Series books: Twilight (book 1), New Moon (book 2)

Overall, I've liked this whole series. As a writer, Stephenie Meyer is not the best, but she's getting better with each book—and she's a great storyteller. I still think Bella is an idiot. Inthis book, I lost a little of my enthusiasm for Jacob, but I still prefer him over Edward.

My 17 year old daughter and I have a mantra, "Bella is an idiot." We don't understand her motivation sometimes. And I really don't get this relationship. Why does Bella love Edward? Because he's beautiful. Why does Edward love Bella? Because she smells so good he wants to eat her. Now that's what deep and lasting relationships are made of!

(That was sarcasm, just in case you didn't catch it.)

Also, again, I have an issue with stories where the girl changes to please/get the guy. I'd really like to see Edward changing more for her. Although, I suppose NOT eating her is a big compromise on his part.

I don't like the fact that Edward comes in her room and watches her sleep every night. Nor do I like that Bella practically begs Edward to have sex with her in this book. However, I will say that I do like that they resist that temptation, as great as it is.

I have no problem with adults reading this series. They should be mature enough to separate fantasy from reality. And if parents will read the book with their teenage girls and DISCUSS it, then I'm okay with that, too. It does bother me a little when I see 10 and 11 year olds reading it.

So, even with all this negative commentary from me, I have to say that I do still like the series.

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Content Ratings

Language: Mild swearing.

Violence: The violence seems to get stronger with each book. People are killed; vampires ripped apart. Kind of icky in places.

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Immorality: While there is no overt sex, there are some pretty steamy kissing scenes.

Values/Themes: As mentioned above, I have issues with some of the implied messages. However, I do like the positive message that Edward sends—no premarital hanky-panky.

Age Appropriate: I've seen 8-year-olds reading this book. That is way too young. Personally, I'd say 16+.

Writing Mechanics: There are some inconsistencies in the writing style. The characters are sometimes annoying (especially Bella). While Meyer is not the best writer, she is a good story teller.

© 2010 It's a Book Affair

The Counterfeit by Robison Wells

The Counterfeit
Robison Wells

LDS Romantic Suspense
314 pages, softcover
Target Reader: LDS Adult

Covenant
978-1598111163
Release Date: January 2006



From the publisher:

Conspiracy rumor holds that the world economy is tightly controlled by a group of economic terrorists. Eric Hopkins is about to find out just how true that myth is--and how close it stands to him.

Eric and his girlfriend Rebekah believe they are safely hiding under the witness protection program. But when a bomb explodes, nearly killing them, they must rely on themselves to find out who has infiltrated the FBI. Their shocking conclusion leads them on a dangerous chase. Eric and Rebekah are battling the powers behind a financial conspiracy that has lasted hundreds of years--and may only end with the destruction of mankind. Nearly out of time, their pursuit of the truth sweeps them to a centuries-old English estate, and then plummets them into the dark catacombs of Paris. It's now up to the unprepared duo to unravel the clues that could save the world from a catastrophic war. However, as they take action, they must ask themselves if the end can ever justify the devastating means they are considering.

Series Book: Wake Me When It's Over

The Counterfeit by Robison Wells (formerly known as Robison E. Wells) is the sequel to Wake Me When It's Over.

I enjoyed the first book. I liked this one better. Although this book still has more technical errors than I like to see, Wells' writing is getting better and the story is more solid. Still hilariously funny and clueless, Eric's thoughts and behaviors had me laughing in many places.

I recommend both these books as light suspense (although there is some guts and blood and an "on-screen" death in this one) with some romance thrown in just for fun.

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Content Ratings

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Violence: Some blood and guts; murder.

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Writing Mechanics: Not bad, but needed some tighter editing.


© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Wake Me When It's Over by Robison Wells

Wake Me When It's Over
Robison E. Wells

LDS Romantic Suspense
255 pages, softcover
Target Reader: LDS Adult

Covenant
978-1591567219
Release Date: 2005



From the publisher:

While on his mission, Elder Eric Hopkins finds an attache case containing a necklace and a ring. Finders, keepers, he brings them home with him.

While attending BYU, Eric meets Rebekah Hughes, gifted violinist, and it's a crush at first sight—for him, anyway. He asks her out on a bet and they become friends. When she tells him she has a Christmas gift for him, he scrambles to find one for her and gives her the necklace he found on his mission.

She's wearing this necklace during a nationally televised Christmas concert. At the end of the concert, Rebekah is kidnapped. Eric is seriously hurt trying to rescue her. Over the next few days, Eric and Rebekah escape, are re-kidnapped, and escape again as they try to figure out why the thugs want them, what it has to do with her necklace, and how her father is involved.

This book has a few technical errors in grammar and structure, but I liked it.

It's hilariously funny in places and I loved reading a "romance" from the guys point of view. Eric is so hopelessly clueless when it comes to girls that I laughed out loud in a few places.

This book may be out of print. I found it in a discount bin.


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Content Ratings

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Violence: Eric and Rebecca are being chased by thugs and kidnappers, but the violence is really minimal.

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Writing Mechanics: Not bad, but I felt it needed some tighter editing.

© 2010 It's a Book Affair