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464th out of 710 books
—
703 voters
Specials (Uglies #3)
Tally thought they were a rumor, but now she's one of them. A Special. A superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.
But maybe being perfectly programmed with strength and focus isn't better than anything she's ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.
But it's easy for her to tune that out--until she's offered a c...more
But maybe being perfectly programmed with strength and focus isn't better than anything she's ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.
But it's easy for her to tune that out--until she's offered a c...more
Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Published
June 20th 2008
by Simon Pulse
(first published May 9th 2006)
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So I didn't like Tally as much in this book. Her personality has been altered by the "special" surgery, so she looks down on anyone who isn't "special" themselves. Part of the plot line is that she is supposed to overcome this, but I didn't feel she completely did.
Other things that marred my enjoyment of this story...
I hated the cutting aspect. Several times they talk about cutting, and how "Icy" it makes them feel. Eventually Tally quit, but only because it was repugnant to Zane, then because s...more
Other things that marred my enjoyment of this story...
I hated the cutting aspect. Several times they talk about cutting, and how "Icy" it makes them feel. Eventually Tally quit, but only because it was repugnant to Zane, then because s...more
This disappointed me so much. I really loved Uglies and there was a lot to admire about Pretties, 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, an...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
No. No. No. No. No. A thousand times no.
I feel incredibly vitriolic and I have decided to vent my spleen unrestrainedly, so beware: Here be sarcasm, swearwords and possibly dragons. Maybe even spoilers.
How did Scott Westerfeld get away with earning the admiration of so many people?
I do not count the actual target audience, because all the turgid teenage harlequin romance probably makes a huge difference when your swirling helplessly in the grip of raging hormones.
It irritated the hell out of m...more
I feel incredibly vitriolic and I have decided to vent my spleen unrestrainedly, so beware: Here be sarcasm, swearwords and possibly dragons. Maybe even spoilers.
How did Scott Westerfeld get away with earning the admiration of so many people?
I do not count the actual target audience, because all the turgid teenage harlequin romance probably makes a huge difference when your swirling helplessly in the grip of raging hormones.
It irritated the hell out of m...more
One thing I've noticed about Westerfeld's novels is how bittersweet the endings are. Although there is still a rainbow (or fireworks) to brighten the blow, there is still death, failure, destruction. Westerfeld knows life will never have a happy ending, just a bittersweet one.
Specials is no exception. Although the novel starts off slow, it quickly builds up speed, carrying you along Tally's final journey. She's now a Cutter, a Special Circumstances pet project. Cutters are stronger -and more obn...more
Specials is no exception. Although the novel starts off slow, it quickly builds up speed, carrying you along Tally's final journey. She's now a Cutter, a Special Circumstances pet project. Cutters are stronger -and more obn...more
Note: I am considering this book the finale of a trilogy, because Extras was an un-planned addition.
It is finally time for me to deal with Specials, the final book in the trilogy that began with
Uglies.
I have put off this review for a couple of days, because I honestly dont know how I feel about this one.
I think the main problem for me, is the fact that Specials is the conclussion to a trilogy, yet it certainly did not seem that way when I was reading it. Allow me to explain:
The Hunger Game...more
It is finally time for me to deal with Specials, the final book in the trilogy that began with
Uglies.
I have put off this review for a couple of days, because I honestly dont know how I feel about this one.
I think the main problem for me, is the fact that Specials is the conclussion to a trilogy, yet it certainly did not seem that way when I was reading it. Allow me to explain:
The Hunger Game...more
COUNT AS TWO BOOKS! Tally has been transformed into a strong, mean person like the specials she saw when she was an ugly and pretty.Everything is perfect, Shay and Tally are friends, the privileges of being a special type of special (a cutter), and she can have any crazy surgery she wants.When she helps Special Circumstances bring the Smoke down, her life as a pretty and ugly clash with her current life, making her decide if she should follow orders or fight for the places and people that bring...more
I have ambivalent feelings about this book. It's fatally flawed in my opinion, both in tone and content.
The tone is adolescent hyper-drama.... which is okay I suppose since it's written for a teen audience. But, as an example of literature, it falls flat and since my interest in YA lit is exclusively how it might be used in the classroom or whether I can suggest the book for outside reading, I have to say, it's a problem. Soaking in a gossipy, soap opera loop of teenage angst and action adventu...more
The tone is adolescent hyper-drama.... which is okay I suppose since it's written for a teen audience. But, as an example of literature, it falls flat and since my interest in YA lit is exclusively how it might be used in the classroom or whether I can suggest the book for outside reading, I have to say, it's a problem. Soaking in a gossipy, soap opera loop of teenage angst and action adventu...more
this series of books caught my interest when i read a review by another goodreads member who seemed to have tastes similar to my own. so i was a little surprised when i realized it was young adult fiction but seeing as i am always looking for what may be the next great dystopian work i decided to give it a go.
for the record i started out with the first in the series, uglies, but a week or so later i had torn thru the first three which seem to be the trilogy. there is another in the series but...more
for the record i started out with the first in the series, uglies, but a week or so later i had torn thru the first three which seem to be the trilogy. there is another in the series but...more
What happened? It wasn't the greatest series I'd ever read but c'mon! Did they give him time? It was worse the the third movie sequel that shouldn't have had a second. Where do I begin with this train wreck? There wasn't one storyline that was wrapped up. The plot was thrown together so hastily and it left more holes (and was as deep as) an 80's John Hughes film. The ONE character I thought was interesting barely featured and fizzled out pathetically... so much potential! Also, the ending was th...more
I have only commented on Goodreads on a couple of books I've read, but this one really bothered me. (I still liked it enough to not stop reading, hence the three stars.) By the time I finished all three, I felt I had been lectured to and virtually yelled at about how awful a people we currently are and how horrifying our lifestyle is. Even though I am more than twice the age of the target audience (:-), I think the target audience is well equipped to understand a more nuanced approach to the obv...more
Oh Scott! I am so so proud of you! Only 2 'purchases' in the whole book! Such an improvement: like you can think for yourself, like youre curing yourself of bogus making writing! Bravo.
Ok, as far as the series is concerned, this is where I'm abandoning ship. I held on this long in hope that somehow you would bring me around and show me how to like Tally, but it kind of went the opposite direction, you know?
Anyway, I'm stopping here because youve given me no reason to continue. The fourth book,...more
Ok, as far as the series is concerned, this is where I'm abandoning ship. I held on this long in hope that somehow you would bring me around and show me how to like Tally, but it kind of went the opposite direction, you know?
Anyway, I'm stopping here because youve given me no reason to continue. The fourth book,...more
It was just ok. bleh! I don't know what it is, but I am starting to get so bored with the dystopian YA novels. They all seem to follow the same formula of two (or more) kids in "love" that fight the government (that NO adults are fighting or they are not really in the picture)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Personally I think “Specials” was a great book, the only thing I did not enjoy was the ending. The book’s ending made me a bit angry, I understand Westerfeld’s style, his endings tend to leave you with a few questions which urge you to read more, but this book being the last of the trilogy I was very disappointed. I’m not the type of reader that loves cliffhangers and I would have prefered a much more explained ending. I hope in his next book “Extras” he tells a bit about Tally and David’s futur...more
Dec 15, 2009
Briana
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
my-personal-library
Original/full review here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2009...
Review
Scott Westerfeld concludes his remarkable trilogy with his final installment, Specials. (Yes, I said TRILOGY. In my opinion, Extras was merely an after thought.) With Tally now a Special, she has even more power to change the course of events in her life and in the world. And she does.
Specials was even better than its two predecessors, Uglies and Pretties, though they too, were great. Westerfeld continues to do an excellent...more
Review
Scott Westerfeld concludes his remarkable trilogy with his final installment, Specials. (Yes, I said TRILOGY. In my opinion, Extras was merely an after thought.) With Tally now a Special, she has even more power to change the course of events in her life and in the world. And she does.
Specials was even better than its two predecessors, Uglies and Pretties, though they too, were great. Westerfeld continues to do an excellent...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 10, 2008
JoLee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2008,
childrens-young-adult
Even though I have The Host waiting for me, I just really had to find out what happened to Tally, Shay, David, and especially Zane. This book was a good conclusion to The Uglies Trilogy, but it didn't have the same magic Pretties held for me. What I really liked about the trilogy is that Tally is very different in every book, and I think Westerfeld handled those changes very convincingly. However, that's also what I didn't really like about Special. Tally was so changed in Specials, and I really...more
Tally...WHY? I have to check out alternative ending now. I still have one more book to go but I really like this series. It's like right on the edge of gettting 5 stars. You know me I need romance dam it! And there is not to much but I found myself addicted to Tally's story. The message in these books are fantastic and the non stop action made my heart race. I keep chatting GOGOGOGOGOGO when Tally was in a tight spot. Aaahh it was exhausting..lol I want more of Tally but it seems like this is th...more
Jan 04, 2009
Sami
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
10+
Recommended to Sami by:
6th grade teacher and friends
Shelves:
uglies-trilogy,
all-time-favorites♥
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Feb 07, 2008
Tawny Gause
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who don't get too attached to characters and their relationships:)
Recommended to Tawny by:
Arianne...she knows i hate bad endings
Um, I am very sad to say that this book really didn't leave me as fullfilled as the last two. Not even close. I was so excited for everything to be resolved, and it just didn't happen very nicely. The whole book was great, very exciting and fun, then the ending came, one tiny aspect of the ending, and ruined everything!! And by tiny aspect, I really mean HUGE aspect. I hated that ending! Endings are very important to me, they can ruin a book for me, which is what happened here. So, though I want...more
I'm so.... confused. Overall, I guess I could say I liked this book, but it made me wonder again, "What's the big deal? Why are so many people seemingly obsessed with these books?" I can't quite fathom it. It was good, I guess. The main character still bugs me. Any endearing qualities she seemed to show in the second book were wiped away in this one, and I don't think it was just because of her newest operation. This book was sad... I read it all for one character who never played to much in the...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This was really more of 3.5 stars.
This is the 3rd book in the Uglies trilogy and while it was a good book it did not grab me as much as Uglies did. In a way it was sort of a repeat of Pretties taken up to another level. Tally once again has been transformed without her consent and has to “rewire” herself to remember who she really is. There is continued tension between she and Shay which I was really hoping would get resolved in a happy way. I would have liked to see more interaction between Tal...more
This is the 3rd book in the Uglies trilogy and while it was a good book it did not grab me as much as Uglies did. In a way it was sort of a repeat of Pretties taken up to another level. Tally once again has been transformed without her consent and has to “rewire” herself to remember who she really is. There is continued tension between she and Shay which I was really hoping would get resolved in a happy way. I would have liked to see more interaction between Tal...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 13, 2013
Alicia
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
young teen readers
Shelves:
2013-books-read
I enjoyed the final book in the Uglies trilogy (i have yet to read the 4th "Extra" book). I enjoyed the trilogy a lot. I know many people have complained that there isn't a usual trilogy feel to the books where the first is the beginning, the second the middle section, and the third book the climatic end. Each book has to be looked at individually because each time Tally is a completely new person who though the novel has to re-find herself. The books feel a little formulaic due to that, however...more
Did anyone else notice how CREEPY the inside of the cover was while reading the first half of this book? The other half of the cover lady's eye was just WATCHING you and it was black.. Creepy-making.. (Remind me to NEVER say that again). O.O
Commenting on Westerfeld's writing throughout the series: I thought the series lacked any emotional power in the writing style and characterizations. By the end of the series I was entertained with all twists, turns and overall plot, but I still didn't give a...more
Commenting on Westerfeld's writing throughout the series: I thought the series lacked any emotional power in the writing style and characterizations. By the end of the series I was entertained with all twists, turns and overall plot, but I still didn't give a...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zane or David? | 171 | 384 | 17 hours, 6 min ago | |
| Is anyone disopionted about the ending like me??? | 48 | 233 | 22 hours, 26 min ago | |
| Would you rather be a stunning pretty or a breath taking special? | 36 | 170 | Apr 09, 2013 09:41pm | |
| The Page Turners: * Specials | 3 | 11 | Mar 07, 2013 01:42pm | |
| YA e dintorni: Specials di Scott Westerfeld | 19 | 15 | Jan 29, 2013 07:31am | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Not sure which cover is right | 14 | 185 | Jan 11, 2013 10:40am |
Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling American-born author of YA sci-fi literature. He was born in the Texas and now lives in Sydney and New York City. In 2001, Westerfeld married fellow author Justine Larbalestier.
His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award and...more
More about Scott Westerfeld...
His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award and...more
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“ I love you all. But it's time to say good-bye, for now.
be careful with the world, or the next time we meet, it might get ugly.
-Tally Youngblood”
—
345 people liked it
be careful with the world, or the next time we meet, it might get ugly.
-Tally Youngblood”
“I don't want to hurt you but I will if I have too - Tally Youngblood”
—
323 people liked it
More quotes…
scho...more
Jan 12, 2013 09:46am
Jan 22, 2013 03:30pm