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A review by manikahemmerixh
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
3.0
Re-reading (and finishing for the first time) this series as an adult. I planned to do all four books, but seeing that Extras is a spin-off sort of, I'm probably not going to read that one as I'm content to leave this world with Tally's story, rather than dive into another. The Uglies series started out strong but my enjoyment tapered off a bit with each book. The premise is still completely relevant almost 20 years later, but the execution is hit and miss. Since I was reading them all together this is a general review of the three.
I mostly liked Tally as a FMC. Shay wasn't incorrect in suggesting that Tally can be a little self-centered but she is only a 16 year old and I could believe she always meant well. Now what I didn't enjoy was the back and forth frenemies situation between Tally and Shay. It was a really weak portrayal of female friendship, especially since it was the only other relationship besides the romantic ones where the reader got to see the friend for more than a few sentences. As for the romance, eh. It's clearly not the point of the story so it's okay that it isn't very believable. Justice for Zane though. I do feel like more ground work was done with that relationship, only to have it end tragically just to set up for the chosen ending. The only other main gripe that stuck out to me was the poor handling of ED and "the Cutters". In Uglies Tally is horrified eating disorders used to exist, and the irony of her then starving herself to stay "bubbly" and stick it to the operation, doesn't justify risking romanticizing not eating to young teens. And I don't think Cutters needed to extended from Pretties to Specials. If there was a point to be made, it was already done, and it became obvious enough anyway that being Special was its own kind of brainwashing.
Like I mentioned before, the concept holds up for me enough, and I loved the terminology used in the series. These are still fun to read and have plenty of action.
I mostly liked Tally as a FMC. Shay wasn't incorrect in suggesting that Tally can be a little self-centered but she is only a 16 year old and I could believe she always meant well. Now what I didn't enjoy was the back and forth frenemies situation between Tally and Shay. It was a really weak portrayal of female friendship, especially since it was the only other relationship besides the romantic ones where the reader got to see the friend for more than a few sentences. As for the romance, eh. It's clearly not the point of the story so it's okay that it isn't very believable. Justice for
Like I mentioned before, the concept holds up for me enough, and I loved the terminology used in the series. These are still fun to read and have plenty of action.