Specials (Uglies Trilogy) (edition 2007)

I enjoyed Specials more than I did Pretties. It seemed to go back to ther original premise of the Uglies series, social commentary and change. There was a lot of action with some interesting sci-fi moments and the ending had a great message.
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I was a little disappointed with this installment. It was not what I was expecting, which is fine, but it wasn't a happy surprise either. The end contradicted itself, which I don't understand the point of at all. It pretty effectively reversed all progress made in the entire series. ( )

Incredibly disappointed with how this series turned out. ( )

Tally has been made Special, part of a special unit called the Cutters. This is a group of former Uglies who proved themselves to be extra tricky, apparently a key attribute the Specials seek in new recruits. Shay is the leader, and in order to get an extra boost of "icy" thoughts, they cut themselves. The group operates outside the usual rules--built to the live in the wild...superhuman and adrenaline junkies.

When Tally's thoughts keep returning to Zane, who disappeared after their capture, Shay vows to help make him Special. Maybe then Tally will be happy with her new life. Shay's plan is to help Zane escape to the New Smoke, proving he is tricky enough to be Special. Of course, they'll capture him themselves. However, he's weak from the Pretty cure and it's doubtful whether he can do it on his own. And, capturing Zane means bringing down the New Smoke--and David. ( )

By this book, (really by the end of book two) the "Shay conflict" was getting a little old for me. But, I did love this book. I had trouble envisioning in my minds eye all that he described with regard to the Specials surge, there was so much to take in! The action, the storyline, how it all unfolded. I loved it. Except that one niggly thing he just HAD to do...I don't want to give a spoiler, but suffice it to say that it did not end ideally - for me. If it had, this would have been my "hands down" favorite of the series. ( )