Shannan's Review of "Specials"

Okay, I finished this book forever ago, but didn't see Meghan's comment until the other night. I figured I better write this review before I have completely forgotten the whole book. (It has slipped a little from my memory.) But I will do the best I can!

This book was a little better going for me than "Pretties" was. I think I just had more time to read it. So that was good. But there were a few things I didn't like from the beginning. I didn't really like the fact that Tally was now a Special. The tatoos weren't my favorite thing. But the thing that bothered me the most was all the cutting they did. I guess I understood what the cutting was supposed to do, but couldn't the author have come up with a different way for them to feel "icy"?

I did like how they found a whole different civilization where people were normal again. And that she eventually turned on the Specials. And I thought it was interesting how she ended up "defeating" Dr. Cable. It was sad about Zane, but I was glad that she ended up with David and not totally alone in the end.

I liked this book and thought it ended well. But by the end, I was ready to be done with the whole idea. I tried to read "Extras" but just couldn't get into it. There was so much terminology to figure out in each book, that I was kind of tired of it. I think the best part about this series was that we all read it together!

These is My Words - Erin

I am feeling lazy so I am copying and pasting the following from our ward's book club blog.

These Is My Words, by Nancy E. Turner

This is a Historical Fictional Novel, written in a first person Narrative, inspired by her grandmother, Sarah Angnes Prine. Nancy Turner is compelling writer, and this book is full of wit, wisdom, spunk, and grit. It is a compelling book, with an excellent grasp and expression of emotion and reality.

I would probably list this book with my favorites. It did take me at least 20-30 pages to get into it (I even had to go back and re-read since I wasn't really paying attention). Once I got into it, I loved it. It is a good mix of romance and comedy. It isn't the type of romance where everything turns out perfect which is probably why I liked it so much, but I don't think I would have minded if it had a completely happy ending. This book is definitely worth reading.

Done with "Specials"

I am done with Specials. Are you Meghan? If you are, let me know so we can write our reviews. I tried to start Extras, but I am kind of bored with the future, hoverboarding iciness.

Meghan's Review of "Pretties"

I hope Erin is done with this book. If not, stop reading Erin! I was a little disappointed by this book, not because it wasn't good but because it wasn't what I was expecting. I really liked "Uglies" and had high hopes for "Pretties" but I kept waiting for something to happen and then realized I was half-way through the book and nothing had really happened.

I got pretty annoyed with the 'pretty talk' after the first two chapters, and I didn't like how the 'pretty' people in the second book didn't act anything like the 'pretty' people in the first book did. It wasn't consistent to me at all. I felt like the first book portrayed 'pretty' people as out of touch with reality, but not completely consumed with fashion and parties and getting surgery to look even prettier. I think the way the 'pretties' act in this book is pretty ridiculous. But it was encouraging that there were so many Crims that wanted to be able to think and focus more once they realized they could. And I still don't know if I quite understand what it means to be 'bubbly'.

I did like that the book was unexpected. I liked the relationship with Zane and Tally a lot more than the relationship she had with Peris or David, and it seems like once she becomes 'cured' she's a lot more mature than she ever has been, and less selfish. I'm sad that she's a special, but I'm hoping that she will remember everything that has happened so far and bring Dr. Cable and the other specials down. I'm interested in what will happen in the next book. Now if I can just find "Specials" at the library I'll be all set.

Done With Pretties

I finished Pretties on Monday, but don't know if everyone is done reading it. I'll wait to see if you guys are done, and then post my review. All the copies of "Specials" were checked out so I'm currently on the waiting list. Sorry about my lack of posts lately. I'll be better, I promise!

Shannan's Review of "Uglies"

I was hoping Meghan would write her review first, but she emailed and said she was done so I could write my review. It has been a little while since I finished, (I can only remember things for like a day), but hopefully I can write something.

I actually enjoyed reading this book. I didn't read it with the same vigor as the Twilight books, even though I liked it more than those. I thought the story was interesting and it kept me engaged. I guess young adult novels are the ones for me.

At the end of the book, I was really excited to find out what happens next! But I have been having a hard time getting into "Pretties", first because I am not a big fan of Pretty talk, and second, because we have had company. But I am hoping to get back into it and finish the rest of the series. Are there 3 books or 4?

Anyway, I know everyone else has read this, but I enjoyed it and would probably read it again. A very unique idea. And I really like Tally!

The Host

I really enjoyed The Host much more than the Twilight series. I thought Stephenie's writing was better and more engaging, although that could also have to do with the fact that the main character wasn't overly obsessed with a guy. I am not big into science fiction type books but it held my attention pretty much the whole time. It got a little old when the humans first found Wanda and then they treated her like a prisoner and then started being nicer to her only to have things regress back to the way they were when Jared came back from the raid - I thought that could have been condensed a bit. The whole concept of an alien species that needs a host in order to live was very interesting to me. I think I missed the explanation of why the souls couldn't just stay on their world - anyone else remember (I know, I should know since I am the one who just read it - kind of pathetic). What I don't get is how does an alien that looks similar to a centipede become developed enough the build space ships and take over other worlds in the first place? I was happy with the way the book ended in that it would have been sad to see Wanda die since she was such a likable character, but I am not really a fan of happily ever after endings so a part of me wanted her dying wishes to be carried out since she would have died for something she loved and believed in so much. I didn't like that they put her into a weak human body since she seems like a such a strong soul. If Meyers writes another book along these lines I would definitely read it. If she comes out with more Twilight stuff I would probably read it but wouldn't be in any big hurry.