Tag: Book Review

Book Review | Easy (Contours of the Heart #1) by Tammara Webber

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Easy (Contours of the Heart #1) by Tammara Webber

Published by Penguin Berkley on May 25, 2012

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Format: Paperback

Pages: 321

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex’s frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night – but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he’s hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

REVIEW

I’ve been interested in reading the New Adult genre for a while now, and I decided to begin with Easy by Tammara Webber after hearing so many good things about it. Easy follows college sophomore Jacqueline and begins with her getting assaulted while leaving a fraternity party. She is luckily saved by a mysterious guy named Lucas, who somehow knows her name. The book follows Jacqueline as she recovers from her assault, and as she learns more about who Lucas is.

Overall, I really liked Easy, and I think it was a good first step into New Adult. This is a genre between Young Adult and Adult, and includes more adult themes and some steamier romances. However, I really like that the romances aren’t too detailed or explicit. I also enjoyed Webber’s writing style, as it is well done and not cliché like some of the adult romances I’ve tried in the past.

In addition, I really liked the characters. Jacqueline is very likable and relateable, and Lucas is well-developed as well. The side characters in the book are also well written and add a lot to the story. I appreciated that Jacqueline had a strong best friend in her roommate Erin, a good role model in professor Dr. Heller, and a new buddy in classmate Benji. Webber knows how to write characters with great personalities for sure.

That being said, there were some things I didn’t enjoy about Easy. First and foremost, it was quite predictable at the beginning. While there is a bigger reveal at the end that I didn’t see coming, I did have a larger plot twist figured out from the start. Another writing issue is the setting. Webber does a great job embodying the college atmosphere, but there is no mention in the novel where Jacqueline’s college is situated in the country. There is a hint that this is a southern campus, but having a more specified geographic location would have helped me as a reader tremendously, as I kept wondering about the setting while reading.

My biggest critique with Easy, however, lies with the romance. While I won’t go into too much detail because of spoilers, I will say that at times I felt very uncomfortable with how Jacqueline and her love interest were interacting. Despite knowing that Jacqueline just got out of a three-year relationship with her ex-boyfriend and that she is recovering from a sexual assault, he pursues her full force and even ‘tricks’ her into his apartment. I would have liked for Webber to be a bit more attentive to the realities of Jacqueline’s situation when writing the romance.

All in all, I did really enjoy Easy, and I have already picked up the two other books in the series so I can continue on with the story. I’m glad I finally gave New Adult a chance, and will definitely be exploring other books in the genre as well. If you have any New Adult recommendations, please share them with me in the comments!

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Book Review | Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on September 10, 2013

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 433

Source: Gift

Goodreads: ★★★★

A coming-of-age tale of fanfiction, family and first love

CATH IS A SIMON SNOW FAN. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan… But for Cath, being a fan is her life–and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath that she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words…and she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

REVIEW

I was very excited to read Fangirl after hearing so many wonderful reviews of it. I’ve read Rainbow Rowell’s two adult novels, and really enjoyed them. I had a feeling Fangirl would be another great book. The story follows Cath, an introverted teenager who is starting her first year at college. Cath hoped she could experience her first year with her identical twin sister, Wren, but Wren wanted to do her own thing. This leaves Cath alone in her dorm room, afraid to even leave to find the cafeteria. Cath spends her time writing fanfiction for the beloved Simon Snow book series, which is comparable to Harry Potter.

I had some trouble getting into Fangirl at the beginning. I had flashbacks to my freshman year of college, which was a very difficult time in my life as well. I could relate to Cath even though she is a very extreme version of who I was in college. I was rooting for her from the start!

The characters in Fangirl are my absolute favorite part of the novel. There is family drama, love interests, surprising friendships, and more. I love that Rowell writes characters that struggle with real-life issues that are often not represented in young adult literature. For example, Cath’s father has bipolar disorder, a mental illness that takes a toll on his entire family. In addition, Cath’s identical twin Wren goes the ‘typical’ college student route, and begins non-stop partying. It is so refreshing to have such distinct and well-developed characters in this book.

That being said, I did have a few issues with Fangirl. First, I didn’t really get the whole Simon Snow thing. In between each chapter there is an excerpt from either a Simon Snow novel or Cath’s fanfiction based on Simon Snow. I really didn’t like those excerpts, mainly because I couldn’t connect them to what was going on in Fangirl, and there wasn’t enough for me to form a full picture of the Simon Snow world. While I thought it was great that Cath was so into fanfiction, I didn’t enjoy when she read portions of her work out loud for several pages.

Moreover, my biggest issue with Fangirl is with the ending (or lack thereof). I won’t spoil you in this review, but suffice it to say I was very frustrated with how this book came to a close. Cath’s first semester of college is drawn out and fully explored, and then her second is rushed. In addition, there are so many unanswered questions. Readers don’t get to find out if Cath finished her fanfiction in the timeframe she wanted, or what happens to a lot of the characters. It really bummed me out that the book ended this way, because there is so much about Fangirl that I really loved, but I had a sour taste in my mouth as I closed the book. It seems that Rowell loves to leave her readers unsatisfied.

All in all, I did enjoy the journey of reading Fangirl, and I can see why so many people love the book. I ended up giving this book a four star rating, even though it probably is more of a three because of the ending. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book if you are the shy one. Cath’s story is very relatable, and I can see it comforting many who may feel alone whether at college or at any other stage in life. Of course, if you enjoy young adult contemporary and a good love story, this is a great option. I look forward to picking up Carry On, Cath’s fanfiction that is now its own fantasy novel, at some point very soon.

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Book Review | Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

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Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Published by Roaring Book Press on June 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Religion, Coming of Age

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Source: Gift

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

Rachel Walker is devoted to God.

She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy.

But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

REVIEW

I’ve been wanting to read Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu ever since I had the opportunity to hear the author speak at BookCon in 2015. As soon as I heard the premise of the book, I knew I would love it. Devoted follows 17-year-old Rachel Walker, whose family is a part of the Quiverfull movement. This is a fundamentalist Christian sect in which children are seen as blessings and procreation is very much promoted. Rachel is one of ten children and her mother is pregnant with another. While Rachel loves her family dearly, she becomes curious about the world outside her own, and begins to explore how ‘worldly’ people live.

I really enjoyed Devoted, and I knew I would because I am fascinated with different religions and how people live their lives in a way that is different from my own. Rachel is a great first-person narrator because she is instantly likable and I was rooting for her from the start. Similarly, Mathieu has a great writing style. It is quite relaxed, and that made Devoted a really quick read.

My main critique of Devoted is that nothing big happens in the story. Perhaps I’ve just been reading more science fiction and fantasy lately, but I didn’t find any sort of climax in the story. Nonetheless, I do appreciate that Devoted focuses on a young woman growing up and making her own choices. The book is truly about her growth, and it’s refreshing to read a young adult novel that praises a young woman’s personal autonomy. While I would have liked a bit more excitement, or even some romance thrown in, looking back I can see how Rachel’s journey is an important one.

Moreover, I also would have liked to learn more about Rachel’s family. Maybe I’m just a bit obsessed with learning about people who practice fundamentalist religions (one of my all-time favorite television shows is Big Love, for example), but I needed more about Rachel’s parents, older sister, and even her older brothers. This is a small critique, but one I want to mention nonetheless.

Overall, I really enjoyed Devoted and am so glad I finally got the opportunity to read it. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who are interested in different religions. If you are looking for a young adult contemporary that isn’t all about romance, this is also a perfect choice. I can’t wait to read more of Mathieu’s work in the future!

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Book Review | Armada by Ernest Cline

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Armada by Ernest Cline

Published by Crown Publishing on July 14, 2015

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction

Format: Hard Cover

Pages: 349

Source: Blogging for Books

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.

And then he sees the flying saucer.

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

BOOK REVIEW

I excitedly received a copy of Armada by Ernest Cline for review from the website Blogging for Books. I requested it after hearing so many amazing things about his famous work Ready Player One, and dove in without knowing anything about it whatsoever. Armada follows teenager Zack Lightman and begins when Zack sees a UFO outside his high school’s window while in math class one day. Seeing a UFO would be disturbing in and of itself, but this particular ship is from the video game he plays called Armada. Zack passes it off as a hallucination, and goes about his video-game filled life.

I was immediately drawn into Armada because of Cline’s relaxed writing style. Zack narrates the story in first-person, and his voice is easy to follow. I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. While I’m not into video games, I was really intrigued with the entire world of the gamer. I liked learning more about Armada and Terra Firma, the two games featured in the story, and it was cool to follow Zack and his friends while they played the games, too.

What truly drew me in, however, was the conspiracy theory! Zack’s father died when Zack was just a baby, and he left behind a lot of his possessions. One of those is a notebook in which he wonders if video games are created by the government in order to train an army without anyone knowing. I was hooked! I wanted this theory to be proven true, and had to keep reading to find out whether it would be.

Unfortunately, the story tapers off in the middle, and about one-third of the way through Armada I got very bored. I had to struggle to continue on despite really liking Zack and the other characters in the novel. However, I’m really glad I stuck through to the end, because the finale is excellent. I love the somewhat unsettling and open-ended conclusion. I also loved the discussion on humanity that Cline brings up to the readers.

Overall, I found Armada to be a fun read, and one that was unique to me as someone who doesn’t know a lot about video game culture. I did find the middle section of the book to drag a lot, and I didn’t like that Cline included too many layers of truths and falsities. In fact, to truly understand the intricately woven web of truths and lies, I would have to graph out the novel. Finally, Armada contains multiple typographical errors and other copyediting mistakes.

I recommend Armada if you are looking for a book centered on video games, aliens, or 1980s pop culture. If you are a big fan of Ready Player One, perhaps go into this book with low expectations. I look forward to reading Ready Player One for the first time, because I know it is so praised and can only top Armada.

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Book Review | Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

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Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Published by Speak on January 1, 2008

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn’t show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it’s cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season.

BOOK REVIEW

While I wouldn’t call myself a seasonal reader, I was very excited to pick up Let it Snow as soon as the holiday season began. There is something magical about Christmas stories, and Let it Snow contains three. I had no idea that the three stories in the book are interconnected, and that was a great surprise for me. Each story takes place in Gracetown, a small town that is experiencing a huge snowstorm on Christmas Eve. In each story we follow a different cast of characters, but, of course, each is a holiday romance. They are sweet, silly, and super enjoyable.

The book begins with Maureen Johnson’s The Jubilee Express. This is my favorite story in the book, and it follows Jubilee as she travels south by train to visit her grandparents in Florida after her parents are thrown in jail on Christmas Eve. I really enjoyed Johnson’s writing – it is snarky and funny, and flows really well. Even though The Jubilee Express features the insta-love trope popular in a lot of young adult fiction, it was enjoyable in this short story.

The second story is by none other than John Green, and is called A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle. I was quite disappointed that Green decided to use a gay slur in his story, and that his characters used the R-word (more information on that HERE). Otherwise, I really enjoyed his story, which follows Tobin and his group of friends attempting to visit the local Waffle House after a bunch of cheerleaders get stranded there. Of course, it is quite outlandish, but it’s a lot of fun, and perfect for the holidays.

Finally, Lauren Myracle’s story is called The Patron Saint of Pigs. It has a very different feel than the other two stories in the book, and is my least favorite simply due to the main character Addie’s negative demeanor. Nonetheless, I still thought it was enjoyable, and I loved how it rounded up the overall story of Let it Snow. 

All in all, Let it Snow is a great book to pick up during Christmastime, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a holiday-themed read. Keep in mind that it is a little bit corny, but I think it is justified during this time of year. I am definitely going to be rereading this during Christmases to come.

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Book Review | Binge by Tyler Oakley

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Binge by Tyler Oakley

Published by Gallery Books on October 20, 2015

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Comedy

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 256

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Pop culture phenomenon, social rights advocate, and the most prominent LGBTQ+ voice on YouTube, Tyler Oakley brings you his first collection of witty, personal, and hilarious essays written in the voice that’s earned him more than 10 million followers across social media.

REVIEW

Despite being a regular watcher of Tyler Oakley’s YouTube Channel, I wasn’t in a rush to pick up his memoir Binge. I was a bit disappointed with the other YouTuber book I read, and I recently read another celebrity memoir, so this wasn’t at the top of my list. Well, Michael Buckley changed my mind with THIS review. If Buck enjoyed the book, I knew I had to make reading Binge more of a priority.

I immediately loved Binge. I was laughing out loud just a few pages in, and I really enjoyed Tyler’s writing style. Tyler writes in a way that stays true to him, but it doesn’t cross the line into that cheesy celebrity memoir tone that I’ve experienced way too often. I’m really impressed with how well-written Binge is overall. Tyler’s comedy is amazing. He truly made me laugh several times, but his jokes are often a ‘read between the lines’ style, and I do think they will go over the heads of many of his younger viewers. In particular, I greatly enjoyed the chapters on poop and Disney princes. Both are beyond fantastic.

Moreover, I really liked getting to know more about Tyler’s personal life, which we don’t get to delve much into in his videos. Tyler and I are very different people, but we grew up in the same America at the same time, and, therefore, have a shared experience that other generations perhaps don’t. Because of that bond, I found the chapters about his family life and love life really touching, especially the chapter on his first boyfriend, Adam.

That being said, there are some things I didn’t like as well. There are a few points in the book where Tyler feels a bit too preachy. The perfect example of that is his two-page chapter on his abusive relationship. While I recognize that is a difficult subject to write about, I felt like it was included in the book simply to give advice, rather than share a life experience. There were a few other moments in Binge that similarly felt as if Tyler were struggling with giving advice to his younger viewers, while also staying true to telling his story. I would have enjoyed more of the storytelling, and less of the advice-giving.

In the same way, I also found some editing issues throughout the book, mainly with the organization of the chapters. There were many repetitive moments where certain people were introduced more than once, or certain situations were explained again, that took away from the overall reading experience. I would have liked the chapters to flow better from one to another. I found some copyediting mistakes in the book as well.

One thing I do really love about the book itself is the cover and overall book design. The cover and pages are really high quality, and I was especially impressed with the glossy pages and color photographs throughout the book. The cover design and photography is perfect as well – I really love the candy pattern.

All in all, I found Binge to be a well-rounded book with both happy and challenging times in Tyler’s life presented. There are truly some hilarious parts along the way that are not to be missed. I also went back to several of Tyler’s videos that I had previously seen to watch them with behind-the-scenes knowledge. It made the reading experience a lot more fun than other celebrity memoirs for sure. If you’re a fan of Tyler’s, I highly recommend Binge. If you’re not, but you enjoy comedic memoirs, definitely give this one a try.

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Book Review | Extras (Uglies #4) by Scott Westerfeld

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This review is of the fourth book in a series. It will contain spoilers for the first three books in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Please read at your own discretion.

Extras (Uglies #4) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on January 1, 2007

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 417

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★

Fame

It’s a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. “Tech-heads” flaunt their latest gadgets, “kickers” spread gossip and trends, and “surge monkeys” are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it’s all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of “American Idol.” Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn’t suck enough, Aya Fuse’s rank of 451,369 is so low, she’s a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn’t care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity…and extreme danger. A world she’s not prepared for.

REVIEW

I was a bit hesitant to pick up Extras, the final book in Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series. This fourth book lives up to its title, as it is an extra addition to what was originally a trilogy. I’ve heard mixed reviews, and I was also wondering what an Uglies novel would be like following a different cast of characters. The book takes place three years after Tally took down her government, and focuses on a new main character called Aya. It was definitely weird to follow Aya instead of Tally, and it took me a while to really get into the story, simply because I was adapting to a new world.

Aya’s city has an economy based on face-rank. Basically, the more famous you are, the richer you are. Aya is a kicker, which means she posts stories to her feed in hopes that it will be shared. Sound familiar? This is quite similar to today’s social media culture, and I really liked how this concept is so relevant to today’s world.

That being said, there were definite issues with Extras. First, Westerfeld does a poor job at describing the setting. I was under the impression that the book takes place in Tally’s city, but it wasn’t until the book was half over that we find out Aya is actually from Japan (versus Tally’s California). It would have been helpful to have this set-up earlier in the book.

In the same way, there are a number of grammatical mistakes and copyediting errors throughout the book. It felt as if the release for Extras was rushed for publication. I deducted from the book’s overall rating for these errors, because I really don’t like when published books have so many mistakes.

Moreover, I was very excited when some of our favorite characters from the first three Uglies books made an appearance. I will keep it vague so as to not spoil you, but seeing these characters from another point of view was quite interesting. It really made me think about the first three books, and I liked this new perspective. They added a lot to Extras, but also to the original trilogy.

Overall, I am very glad I read Extras and officially finished of the Uglies series. While it was the weakest book in the series, I still liked the concept and plot, and thought it brought up some issues that are affecting us today. I will also mention that I certainly teared up in the final scene. I really enjoyed this series, and this was a poignant ending that I definitely recommend.

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Book Review | Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld

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This review is of the third book in a series and contains spoilers for the first and second books. Please only read this review if you’ve read Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfeld.

Specials (Uglies #3) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on January 1, 2006

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 384

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2 

“Special Circumstances”: The words have sent chills down Tally’s spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor — frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally’s never been ordinary.

And now she’s been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it’s easy to tune that out — until Tally’s offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she’s programmed to complete. Either way, Tally’s world will never be the same.

REVIEW

I continued my back-to-back reading of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, and picked up Specials immediately after finishing Pretties. This series was originally written as a trilogy, with the fourth book being published later. Thus, Specials can be thought of as a conclusion to the storyline readers have been experiencing thus far. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite of the first three books.

Just as with Pretties, Specials begins with Tally in her new form, except this time she is a Special. I had a very difficult time getting into this book, mainly because the writing was awkward and difficult to follow. I can tell that Westerfeld has again shifted his writing style. This time, the writing takes on the harshness of Specials. While it is impressive that Westerfeld can adapt his writing in many ways, this new tone definitely made the reading experience less enjoyable for me.

In addition, I found that Specials follows a much similar formula that the two earlier books in the series do. Tally beings the story in her city in one form, and then leaves to discover something beyond the borders. While I won’t go into the details of the action so as to avoid spoilers, it was a little frustrating that I could somewhat predict the next step in the book because it was following such a formulaic arc.

My last main critique of Specials flows from Pretties. I really don’t like how Shay and Tally are part of a clique called the Cutters. Self-harm is a series issue in today’s society, and I feel like Westerfeld introduced it in an uncomfortable way. While Tally does stop cutting, it is never truly addressed how serious and dangerous such a habit can be. Not only can this aspect of the series be triggering for those who struggle with self-harm, but it downplays it as well.

Nonetheless, despite the issues I had with Specials, I did enjoy the story overall. While some characters acted outside of their developed personalities, there were a number of scenes that truly shed light on Tally’s society in an intriguing way. I was touched with many of the emotional moments, and the ending itself was solid. If you’ve been wondering whether or not to continue on with this series, I highly recommend doing so! Tally is an incredible protagonist, and I truly enjoyed her story.

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Book Review | Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse on May 5, 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 370

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she’s completely popular. It’s everything she’s ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something’s wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally’s ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what’s wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don’t intend to let anyone with this information survive.

REVIEW

I picked up Pretties immediately after finishing the first book in this series, Uglies. One of the benefits of reading an older book series is that there is no waiting between books, and I certainly prefer to read them all in a row so as to not forget any details. Pretties picks up about a month after Uglies finishes. Tally is, of course, now Pretty, and she is living in New Pretty Town and enjoying all the benefits that come with being Pretty. I was immediately impressed with how Westerfeld is able to change his entire writing style to fit the tone of this book. He adapts a new vocabulary, and emits a new aura to represent the laid-back and bubble-headed Pretty mentality. Just as Tally becomes Pretty, the reader does, too.

I really enjoyed reading the portions of the book that take place in New Pretty Town. In Uglies, I only had a glimpse into what it meant to be Pretty. I was glad that Westerfeld really dove into the Pretty culture in this book. I found the idea of cliques to be really interesting, and I loved seeing how the Pretties interact with one another. Westerfeld does a great job at flushing out the world he created in book one.

Moreover, I also liked the introduction of the new characters in this novel. I instantly loved the character of Zane, the mysterious leader of Tally’s new friend group. I was rooting for him and Tally to be a couple, and loved whenever they were in scenes together. Be forewarned, though, if you don’t like love triangles in books this may be a drawback for you. I thought this triangle was well-written and also very logical considering Tally’s Pretty status, so I don’t think it takes away from the story at all.

In addition, I also liked other new characters introduced, and the people Tally encounters as the story continues. While I won’t explain more due to spoilers, suffice it to say Westerfeld is no stranger to surprising the reader and adding in some fun twists and turns. One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is because of its fast-paced and addictive qualities. Pretties definitely keeps up with Uglies in terms of pace.

The one main critique I have is a small plot hole that for some reason really took away from the credibility of the novel. In Uglies, we get to meet Tally’s parents, who encouraged her to listen to Special Circumstances and help them find the Smoke. In Pretties, we never hear about her parents. What happened to them? Did they meet Tally after her operation? Do Pretties not have contact with their parents? These questions were left unanswered, and while this is not a main part of the story, it still didn’t sit well with me.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Pretties, and thought it was a great continuation to the series. I highly recommend reading it if you’ve read Uglies but haven’t yet continued on in the series. The book is such a quick read, and I was still extremely invested in Tally and her story by the end of this second book. Westerfeld definitely knows how to keep a series alive!

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Book Review | Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Uglies (Uglies #1) by Scott Westerfeld

Published by Simon Pulse in 2005

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Format: Paperback

Pages: 406

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world– and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever…

REVIEW

I’ve wanted to read the Uglies series for a few years now after hearing YouTuber Joey Graceffa mention it in one of his videos. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian genre, and this one sounded really intriguing. Uglies follows Tally Youngblood. She lives in a city where at the age of sixteen everyone gets a surgery to become Pretty. Tally is excited for her operation, and looking forward to the future. Yet everything changes when her new friend Shay decides to run away and not get the operation. Tally is forced to help the government track Shay down, or never be Pretty.

I was instantly sucked into this world, and found the writing extremely addicting and really fast-paced. While the world is not completely unique, it was still really cool. I liked the different technology involved, especially the hoverboards that take Tally and her friends around the city. In the same way, I liked that Westerfeld kept Uglies in the third-person narrative. This is different from many other young adult dystopians in which the main character is narrating, and I found the change refreshing.

As for the characters, I instantly connected with Tally and was rooting for her from page one. She is an extremely likable character, because while she wants to fit into society, she also wants to do what she thinks is right. I did find that Tally was a bit too gullible, but other than that I think she is the perfect protagonist. Both Shay and David, on the other hand, I didn’t trust. This is proof of Westerfeld’s excellent writing skills, though, as Tally is unsure whether she should trust them, too.

My main critique of the story is that everything seems to work out a bit too easily for Tally. Yes, she faces some unsurmountable challenges, but despite how quickly the adventure unfurls, everything settles nicely. That being said, I was able to let that slide because I was so invested in the story. I couldn’t wait to pick up the next book in the series when Uglies came to a close!

All in all, I really enjoyed Uglies and am so glad I finally picked it up! I highly recommend it for fans of the dystopian genre. The book has a great discussion on what makes a person good or evil, and it is also the first dystopian world that I was willing to live in myself. I know this is an older series, so if you’ve read Uglies please share your thoughts with me!

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When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.