A review by lizanneyoung
Specials by Scott Westerfeld

3.5

 

⭐⭐⭐💫

This is the third book of the Uglies series, and while it was probably the most dynamic of the three so far, it also felt very surface-level in some ways. Tally is in the next interaction of life, having been made into a Special. However, parts of her life still come back to haunt her, like if Zane is okay after his disastrous experience with the Pretty cure. When a trick goes wrong, Tally and Shay dive back into a world they thought they’d left behind.

Much of this book feels like a rinse and repeat of the first two, with a journey to the Smoke and being out in the wilderness. What makes this book stand apart is that we are finally introduced to other cities within their world, which only reinforces the issues of their city and that what happens there isn’t the norm. 

Seeing the differences in Diego, the other city, helps Tally see the differences in the world. However, it’s fascinating to watch her still try to make everything about her when she thinks her actions are what started a war. I think it shows how out of touch the people of her town are with what’s happening in the world around them.

Even the end of Tally’s story feels a bit self-righteous. I totally get what the intention is, and how it’s designed to show Tally’s growth, but if anything, I think it reinforces that Tally can’t see beyond herself and her own place in the world yet to understand how to help anyone else. 

It’s my understanding the next book in the series does not follow her, so I’m excited to see who it follows and where it goes.