Scan barcode
annithebookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this a bit less than the other books. It was still really good but Tally got on my nerves too much. I like the ending and the message it brings. Well, I liked everything except for the spoiler section at the end of this review.
I don't have much to say but I've really enjoyed the series and can't wait to read extras, even if Tally is no longer the narrator!
I'm sorry?!? Did Zane get killed so that Tally could be with David again? No, absolutely not. I refuse to believe that he is actually dead!
I don't have much to say but I've really enjoyed the series and can't wait to read extras, even if Tally is no longer the narrator!
ashleighturek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
dreamsngr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
trin's review against another edition
1.0
This disappointed me so much. I really loved [b: Uglies|24770|Uglies (Uglies, #1)|Scott Westerfeld|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443904172s/24770.jpg|2895388] and there was a lot to admire about [b: Pretties|24768|Pretties (Uglies, #2)|Scott Westerfeld|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388314207s/24768.jpg|1568076], but I found this to be a highly unsatisfactory conclusion. I’m still trying to figure out why it so completely failed to work for me. I think mostly it’s a case of character development: Tally goes through a lot of mental and emotional changes in these books, which makes sense, because her brain is being fucked with. In the first two books, Westerfeld took the time to explore these transitions, and Tally’s growth was really interesting. However, by the time we get to book three and Tally’s brain has been reset AGAIN, it’s becoming frustrating and it doesn’t help that in this final book Westerfeld doesn’t take the time to explore what’s really going on with her. Add to that Shay’s many reversals—I kept expecting it to be revealed that she’s totally PSYCHOTIC, but apparently not—Zane’s quick dismissal, and the almost complete absence of David (after he was also barely in the last book) and you can’t help being disappointed with the conclusion to these characters’ stories, because they barely seem like the characters you started out with and that Westerfeld made you care about. Also, the dissolution of Dr. Cable’s system seemed waaaaay too easy, so I didn’t find this satisfying on a plot level, either. Sigh. Well, I guess I’ll just have to remind myself that 1) I really liked the first book and 2) the next two were nowhere near as bad as, say, the Matrix sequels.
drifa's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cobycoyle's review against another edition
2.0
It took me way longer than I normally need to get through this book.
Some of it just felt so...long-winded. I'm thinking of the parts where Tally makes grand journeys or escapes. You think they'd be interesting, but it was so hard to keep my attention.
I also am slightly put off how cutting/self-injury is glamorized by the "Cutters." In the end, Tally decides she "never needs to cut to feel icy again" but it just felt so shallow and not true. Also she's supposed to go through this big change at the end with her brain, and while I can tell that she did, I feel like it didn't go as far as it needed to. Sure, she ran off with David at the end, but does she really desire to do that? Does she even enjoy David's presence anymore still? And then the cryptic message she sent everybody at the end left a lot to be desired as well. And Zane deserved better than what he got for his death scene as well.
Just...disappointing overall.
Some of it just felt so...long-winded. I'm thinking of the parts where Tally makes grand journeys or escapes. You think they'd be interesting, but it was so hard to keep my attention.
I also am slightly put off how cutting/self-injury is glamorized by the "Cutters." In the end, Tally decides she "never needs to cut to feel icy again" but it just felt so shallow and not true. Also she's supposed to go through this big change at the end with her brain, and while I can tell that she did, I feel like it didn't go as far as it needed to. Sure, she ran off with David at the end, but does she really desire to do that? Does she even enjoy David's presence anymore still? And then the cryptic message she sent everybody at the end left a lot to be desired as well. And Zane deserved better than what he got for his death scene as well.
Just...disappointing overall.
calistacyq's review against another edition
5.0
Action-packed and thought-provoking, Specials by Scott Westerfeld follows where the second book has left off as Tally navigates her new life as a Special, with her body and mind changed yet again.
Summary: Tally Youngblood has been turned into a Special against her will, but she has since been brainwashed into accepting her state. When the New Smokes threaten the controlled order in the city, the Cutters have to get to the bottom of it, and Tally is eager to prove her worth as a Special.
Tropes/Genres:
• dystopian
• science fiction
• young adult
• post-apocalyptic
Review: The brainwashing is so much more evident in this book. I feel so bad for Tally even though she doesn't feel bad for herself because the way she thinks has been altered by the procedure that turns her into a Special. Anyway, it's very interesting to read through her perspective now that her mind has been changed yet again!
It was advertised that being a Special turns you back to normal (not pretty-minded, basically) with some perks. However, in this book, it becomes clear that Specials are also brainwashed to think in a certain manner, and they can't help but possess a sense of superiority over others. Their memories of the past are also altered to suit the agenda of Special Circumstances. It's harrowing. Tally just can't catch a break.
Once again, Shay is irritating. I know it's just how her character is. I don't mind it that much. I just find it funny how they somehow altered Tally's memories, making her think that David played with both Shay and her to make him out to be a villain in her mind. Shay and David never dated. Shay merely had a crush on David, but David liked Tally, and Tally liked David back. That's it. Well, anything to turn Tally against the New Smokes, I guess. It's scary how easy it is to twist the truth to change someone's opinion on something.
I think that this trilogy puts forth a great message that free will and truth are more important than a false sense of security. Even though the people in the city are safe from the dangers, and the environment is protected, the fact that people are under control cannot be brushed off. It's simply not ethically correct to rob people of their autonomy to their body and mind. Brainwashing people into consenting is false consent. I think that message is good.
Overall, this is an interesting conclusion to the trilogy. There isn't much of a romance subplot in this book, but the action and adventure are awesome. I find Tally's journey of rewiring her brain to what it used to be on her own through her experiences quite cool. She's just special.
Summary: Tally Youngblood has been turned into a Special against her will, but she has since been brainwashed into accepting her state. When the New Smokes threaten the controlled order in the city, the Cutters have to get to the bottom of it, and Tally is eager to prove her worth as a Special.
Tropes/Genres:
• dystopian
• science fiction
• young adult
• post-apocalyptic
Review: The brainwashing is so much more evident in this book. I feel so bad for Tally even though she doesn't feel bad for herself because the way she thinks has been altered by the procedure that turns her into a Special. Anyway, it's very interesting to read through her perspective now that her mind has been changed yet again!
It was advertised that being a Special turns you back to normal (not pretty-minded, basically) with some perks. However, in this book, it becomes clear that Specials are also brainwashed to think in a certain manner, and they can't help but possess a sense of superiority over others. Their memories of the past are also altered to suit the agenda of Special Circumstances. It's harrowing. Tally just can't catch a break.
Once again, Shay is irritating. I know it's just how her character is. I don't mind it that much. I just find it funny how they somehow altered Tally's memories, making her think that David played with both Shay and her to make him out to be a villain in her mind. Shay and David never dated. Shay merely had a crush on David, but David liked Tally, and Tally liked David back. That's it. Well, anything to turn Tally against the New Smokes, I guess. It's scary how easy it is to twist the truth to change someone's opinion on something.
I think that this trilogy puts forth a great message that free will and truth are more important than a false sense of security. Even though the people in the city are safe from the dangers, and the environment is protected, the fact that people are under control cannot be brushed off. It's simply not ethically correct to rob people of their autonomy to their body and mind. Brainwashing people into consenting is false consent. I think that message is good.
Overall, this is an interesting conclusion to the trilogy. There isn't much of a romance subplot in this book, but the action and adventure are awesome. I find Tally's journey of rewiring her brain to what it used to be on her own through her experiences quite cool. She's just special.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
2.0
I was, for the most part, disappointed with this conclusion to the Uglies series. It felt like the same old story from "Pretties"...Tally has had her mind tampered with, but the good guys come along to remind her which side she's on. For most of the book, it was same-old same-old. However, that said, there's a big twist toward the end that I liked, and I was definitely happy with the ultimate conclusion. It was worth ready just for that, but I wish the beginning was more original and engaging.
yousrabushehri's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0