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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
2.5 stars.
+Premise. The premise was interesting, even it did not live up to it's potential.
-I wasn't a fan on how the book was written. For example, the first chapter prose are very short and to the point. There is a failure to describe making the book feel like it is for more younger kids age.
-Insta-romance. It just didn't make sense and there was no chemistry. I think the book would have benefited from a slow-burn romance.
+Premise. The premise was interesting, even it did not live up to it's potential.
-I wasn't a fan on how the book was written. For example, the first chapter prose are very short and to the point. There is a failure to describe making the book feel like it is for more younger kids age.
-Insta-romance. It just didn't make sense and there was no chemistry. I think the book would have benefited from a slow-burn romance.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was alright- that is the best way I know how to describe it- alright. It was definitely a letdown after how much I loved the Uglies series. I'm not sure if I will read the second book. It left you hanging at the end, but I don't know how much I care about the characters to read more about them. The romance was insta-love and had no spark and the book just seemed kind of long.
As a teenager, I was obsessed with Westerfeld's original Uglies series. Just this weekend I saw an advertisement for the new installment (book 1 of 4!), so I raced to the library and read it all today.
Maybe because I'm older or maybe because I didn't reread the beloved original series, but this wasn't that great: pure setup, no plot, and all concept. I like the theme of identity and dependency: the protagonist is a twin, meant to protect her slightly older sister and remain hidden to the public. But because of Frey's first person narration, everything feels narrow:
1. Though he was cruel, the father becomes the villian. It's true he was ruthless to his daughters, but this feels like a copout. He doesn't even speak until the last chapter!
2. The relationship between Frey and Col blossoms quickly, how can she fall for him, just days (pages) after being bored, untrusted by him? Insta-love is a lazy, tired YA standby, and Westerfeld is better than that.
3. This is a tale of 2 ladies, and twin Rafi never has a voice. Sure, her side would have been passive (read: boring) because she's their father's pet. But presenting another perspective would have strengthened the central theme, setting, and possibly plot.
Am I excited for the eventual return of Tally? Certainly! Did I devour this book? You bet! But after 10 years of no Uglies, I expected more.
Maybe because I'm older or maybe because I didn't reread the beloved original series, but this wasn't that great: pure setup, no plot, and all concept. I like the theme of identity and dependency: the protagonist is a twin, meant to protect her slightly older sister and remain hidden to the public. But because of Frey's first person narration, everything feels narrow:
1. Though he was cruel, the father becomes the villian. It's true he was ruthless to his daughters, but this feels like a copout. He doesn't even speak until the last chapter!
2. The relationship between Frey and Col blossoms quickly, how can she fall for him, just days (pages) after being bored, untrusted by him? Insta-love is a lazy, tired YA standby, and Westerfeld is better than that.
3. This is a tale of 2 ladies, and twin Rafi never has a voice. Sure, her side would have been passive (read: boring) because she's their father's pet. But presenting another perspective would have strengthened the central theme, setting, and possibly plot.
Am I excited for the eventual return of Tally? Certainly! Did I devour this book? You bet! But after 10 years of no Uglies, I expected more.
I was originally going to give this three stars for the story but the audiobook narrator is top notch, so she gets a star for herself.
I'm honestly not sure whether this is a 3.5 or 4 star read for me...
To start with, the narrative was well paced and got me in the feels. A hidden twin, only shown to the world when there is danger and a touted twin, the heir to the empire but hidden away at any time she could make a difference - it was a conudrum, a yin and yang sort of moment.
Then Frey (kungfu twin) is sent away to the city of Victoria to play envoy and hostage for her people. Determined to undermine any and all action the rulers of this city could possibly take, she lies in wait for her chance to strike. Which never comes because some nasty things happen and things go boom and theres wreckage and death and all things super funsies. Then the action kind of just stops and noone trusts anyone anymore because well someone caused a strike on Victoria.
After this point, the story got super slow and kinda dragged on for about 2/3 of the novel. People were questioning alliances and whether Frey could be trusted. Others were suddenly obedient because a man said they could trust her (it was cliched and made me a little angry tbh). Fast forward to around the 320ish page mark and suddenly the action got back on track.
From that point on I really enjoyed it, action around every corner and people dropping like flies. There was scheming and manipulation, leaving Frey in an awkward situation which I quite frankly yelled audibly at her solution in the final pages.
So, honestly there was enough action to keep me occupied but it seemed to be in solid chunks at the start and end of the novel, like Westerfeld forgot around 1/4 of the way in that he was writing a novel about scheming and subterfuge but managed to pull it back on track at the 11th hour. This is not me saying it was bad because it wasnt. It was just a novel that I wouldn't voluntarily scream its praises from the nearest rooftop.
I will mention here as well that this is a spinoff from the Uglies series of novels, the story of the resistance against making people 'bubbleheads' at the age of 16 and making everyone beautiful. It is quite obvious that it is so. Having read these novels already, i found many an Easter Egg within. On multiple occassions there are references to these novels although when they come up they are generally not on the nose nor are they vague. There is enough details in the dialogue to understand what is happening within the world and should a reader have NOT read Uglies prior to Impostors, I feel they could understand the story and its place with Westerfeld's shared universe.
Overall, while I didnt absolutely love this one, it was a tale that occupied me well for a good 4 hours, a period that I feel was well spent.
To start with, the narrative was well paced and got me in the feels. A hidden twin, only shown to the world when there is danger and a touted twin, the heir to the empire but hidden away at any time she could make a difference - it was a conudrum, a yin and yang sort of moment.
Then Frey (kungfu twin) is sent away to the city of Victoria to play envoy and hostage for her people. Determined to undermine any and all action the rulers of this city could possibly take, she lies in wait for her chance to strike. Which never comes because some nasty things happen and things go boom and theres wreckage and death and all things super funsies. Then the action kind of just stops and noone trusts anyone anymore because well someone caused a strike on Victoria.
After this point, the story got super slow and kinda dragged on for about 2/3 of the novel. People were questioning alliances and whether Frey could be trusted. Others were suddenly obedient because a man said they could trust her (it was cliched and made me a little angry tbh). Fast forward to around the 320ish page mark and suddenly the action got back on track.
From that point on I really enjoyed it, action around every corner and people dropping like flies. There was scheming and manipulation, leaving Frey in an awkward situation which I quite frankly yelled audibly at her solution in the final pages.
So, honestly there was enough action to keep me occupied but it seemed to be in solid chunks at the start and end of the novel, like Westerfeld forgot around 1/4 of the way in that he was writing a novel about scheming and subterfuge but managed to pull it back on track at the 11th hour. This is not me saying it was bad because it wasnt. It was just a novel that I wouldn't voluntarily scream its praises from the nearest rooftop.
I will mention here as well that this is a spinoff from the Uglies series of novels, the story of the resistance against making people 'bubbleheads' at the age of 16 and making everyone beautiful. It is quite obvious that it is so. Having read these novels already, i found many an Easter Egg within. On multiple occassions there are references to these novels although when they come up they are generally not on the nose nor are they vague. There is enough details in the dialogue to understand what is happening within the world and should a reader have NOT read Uglies prior to Impostors, I feel they could understand the story and its place with Westerfeld's shared universe.
Overall, while I didnt absolutely love this one, it was a tale that occupied me well for a good 4 hours, a period that I feel was well spent.
I haven't read this series since high school. It was nice to get back into this world with a fresh start with Frey and Rafia. Scott Westerfeld is really great at creating interesting stories.
PERFECTION.
Seriously, Westerfeld decided to revisit the world of Uglies at just the right time. It didn't feel like a forced addition but a whole new story needing to be told. It was effortless to step back into the world years later with new characters. Even going into the same world we once visited, its an all new storyline and plot.
The whole concept was beautifully executed. Twins, Rafia and Frey, one a public figure and the other a body double trained in all types of combat. No one knows that Frey even exist except her twin sister and her dad.
While I think you should read Uglies beforehand because its an awesome story and definitely gives you some background into the world, it's definitely not necessary to read if you would like to pick this up. It can definitely be a standalone series based on the first book.
This book was unpredictable, well paced, and captivating. I am super excited to get my hands on the next one!
Seriously, Westerfeld decided to revisit the world of Uglies at just the right time. It didn't feel like a forced addition but a whole new story needing to be told. It was effortless to step back into the world years later with new characters. Even going into the same world we once visited, its an all new storyline and plot.
The whole concept was beautifully executed. Twins, Rafia and Frey, one a public figure and the other a body double trained in all types of combat. No one knows that Frey even exist except her twin sister and her dad.
While I think you should read Uglies beforehand because its an awesome story and definitely gives you some background into the world, it's definitely not necessary to read if you would like to pick this up. It can definitely be a standalone series based on the first book.
This book was unpredictable, well paced, and captivating. I am super excited to get my hands on the next one!