Megan McCafferty

I wasn't sure about this at first-seemed like the standard too-clever-by-half teen making snarky judgements on everyone around her. I was glad I stayed with it to see that this character has more to her than that, and that this wasn't just the fluffy read I expected it to be. The realizations Jessica reaches don't come easily and there's no triteness to her growth and the promise of more growth in future volumes. The transformations come across very naturally and realistically, from her show more relationship with her mother to her relationships with people she had written off with an easy sarcastic label. Jessica is still "notso" Darling, but by the end of this book, she'd worked her way into my affections. show less

Jessica really annoyed me at first but then I accepted that yes, this self-centric, emo outlook on life is typical teen behavior and Megan McCafferty nails it with sarcastic wit and genuine insight. But what elevates this above typical YA coming of aging, figuring all the stuff out fair is how McCafferty evolves Jessica through the story. It's a remarkable change that is authentic and moving without being contrite and pat.
And let me say this, even though it broke my heart, I'm glad Jessica show more told Marcus Flutie to "fuck off." Much like another esteemed heroine (Jane Erye) I'm glad to see Marcus grow and change too and hey, she's not perfect either. But he needs to work a bit harder to deserve her. Go on girl. show less

First Impression: First of all, the covers to these books cracked me up (no pun intended -- okay, maybe a little.) The books themselves are really pretty, the covers have a great texture and I love the bright hot pink. Sigh.

I read Bumped (the first book in this series) about a year ago when it first was released, and I was disappointed in it. I thought the chapters were to short and it sort of all fell flat for me. But I picked up Thumped anyway, because I thought the story had potential and show more I love me a good satire. So I gave it a shot. And LOVED it.

What I liked: In THUMPED Harmony (the twin who was sent to live on Goodside with the members of the Church) really came into her own. She was tired of living by the Orders, tired of being compared to her sister, tired of everyone else in her life making her own decisions. Her change, no, her metamorphosis was beautiful. Melody changed dramatically, too. In the first book she was very selfish and bought into the entire concept of selling teenagers' babies. She was a professional breeder (or whatever word they used in the book.) But throughout THUMPED Melody really grew up. She found the error in the government's ways, and she really looked after her sister -- where in the last book, she basically hated her.

I loved the lingo this time around. Before, I was totally confused and had no idea what anyone was talking about, but the second time around, with THUMPED, I really got it. Almost all of their phrases and figures of speech were pregnancy related. Where we would say "Ugh! Just kill me now," Melody would say "Terminate me now." Where we would 'snap' Melody would 'cut a cord.' It was hilarious and had me laughing out loud like a crazy person.

THUMPED, in my opinion, was the better of the two books -- WAY better. While BUMPED really built the world for us, helped us understand how the world could turn into something like this, THUMPED was a real character study. We really get to know the characters better, and understand their motivations. The best part was watching the sisters grow simultaneously closer while becoming their own entities.


What I didn't like: The only problem I really had with THUMPED was the same I had with BUMPED. The chapters were so short! They were only a page or two long, and so as soon as something interesting or exciting happened it would cut off to switch to the other sister, who was going through her own thing. It was entirely frustrating!


Final thoughts: I really, really loved THUMPED. I thought it was a funny, touching piece of satire that really critiqued the likes of Jersey Shore, Sixteen and Pregnant, and Teen Mom. I definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick, cute read that is still touching. I look forward to what Ms McCafferty has up her sleeves next even if it isn't a third Bumped book. show less

First Impression: First of all, the covers to these books cracked me up (no pun intended -- okay, maybe a little.) The books themselves are really pretty, the covers have a great texture and I love the bright hot pink. Sigh.

I read Bumped (the first book in this series) about a year ago when it first was released, and I was disappointed in it. I thought the chapters were to short and it sort of all fell flat for me. But I picked up Thumped anyway, because I thought the story had potential and show more I love me a good satire. So I gave it a shot. And LOVED it.

What I liked: In THUMPED Harmony (the twin who was sent to live on Goodside with the members of the Church) really came into her own. She was tired of living by the Orders, tired of being compared to her sister, tired of everyone else in her life making her own decisions. Her change, no, her metamorphosis was beautiful. Melody changed dramatically, too. In the first book she was very selfish and bought into the entire concept of selling teenagers' babies. She was a professional breeder (or whatever word they used in the book.) But throughout THUMPED Melody really grew up. She found the error in the government's ways, and she really looked after her sister -- where in the last book, she basically hated her.

I loved the lingo this time around. Before, I was totally confused and had no idea what anyone was talking about, but the second time around, with THUMPED, I really got it. Almost all of their phrases and figures of speech were pregnancy related. Where we would say "Ugh! Just kill me now," Melody would say "Terminate me now." Where we would 'snap' Melody would 'cut a cord.' It was hilarious and had me laughing out loud like a crazy person.

THUMPED, in my opinion, was the better of the two books -- WAY better. While BUMPED really built the world for us, helped us understand how the world could turn into something like this, THUMPED was a real character study. We really get to know the characters better, and understand their motivations. The best part was watching the sisters grow simultaneously closer while becoming their own entities.


What I didn't like: The only problem I really had with THUMPED was the same I had with BUMPED. The chapters were so short! They were only a page or two long, and so as soon as something interesting or exciting happened it would cut off to switch to the other sister, who was going through her own thing. It was entirely frustrating!


Final thoughts: I really, really loved THUMPED. I thought it was a funny, touching piece of satire that really critiqued the likes of Jersey Shore, Sixteen and Pregnant, and Teen Mom. I definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick, cute read that is still touching. I look forward to what Ms McCafferty has up her sleeves next even if it isn't a third Bumped book. show less