Book Review: Youngbloods by Scott Westerfeld

Youngbloods

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Youngbloods 〰️

I'm a little torn on how to review this book. It might not have been as good if this wasn't part of the Impostor/Uglies series. This book was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the strongest of the series. I was excited to see where this book would lead storywise, especially knowing Tally was coming back, but I'm not 100% sold on where Westerfeld took the book.

The other books in the Impostor series mentioned Tally, and since I loved her story, I was super excited to know she was coming back as a character (Shay, too!) and not just mentioned here and there. Sadly, I don't feel like this book did her justice. She almost seemed like a different Tally than the OG Uglies series, yes, including Extras, where Tally wasn't the MC. Shay felt like Shay, but something didn't feel entirely right with Tally. I mean, I guess years going by between novels and living in the wild for so long will change a character, but still.

Also, for some reason, I couldn't get into this book as I did with the others. This is no fault of the writer. I think I've just been too tired lately. But I was only really hooked at the end.

The ending also feels like it ended too quickly, like another book may be coming, but I'm pretty sure this is the end. Who knows?

Is this book terrible, however? No. It was still a good read, even with all its faults. I still enjoyed being back in the world of Uglies. If you have enjoyed the series so far, I believe it's still worth the read.

Book Review: Mirror's Edge by Scott Westerfeld

Mirror's Edge

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Mirror's Edge 〰️

I'm glad to say this series (not counting the original Uglies) keeps getting better. I thought this book was the last in a trilogy, but it turns out I was wrong. I'm glad about that because now I don't want this story to end. That's how you know a book series is good. (Although I'm aware that all good stories do need to end, or else they drag on).

Westerfeld starts this book off in media res, and it's exhilarating. And he keeps up with the action and perfect pacing throughout the book. I always loved how well Westerfeld writes good pacing in his stories. Everything happens precisely when it needs to, with no info dumping or scenes that drag.

Also, Westerfeld's books are known for their extreme cliffhangers, and this one was no different. In a way, there was a mini one right near the end with pages left when Rafia killed Col. I didn't believe she actually killed him. But it seems he's really gone, and props to Westerfeld for going through with it. And for the actual cliffhanger with Paz announcing Tally Youngblood is around, I nearly screamed in happiness. She's been hinted at in this series many times, but I didn't think she would return in the flesh. I'm excited to see her role in the last book.

I also want to mention that I love how Frey is really developing into her own character, and I enjoy reading her more now than I did in the first book. In book one, she was just a killer with one purpose, to save Rafia from anything and everything. And that still is her purpose to an extent. But now she's becoming more than a Rafia body double. She is developing her own personality outside of fighting and saving Rafia, and I love that for her. I'm glad she's gotten some good character development.

All in all, great read. I think you'll enjoy this one if you are a fan of the Uglies series. It's different, and I wouldn't say I liked it as much at first, but now I enjoy it. It's different in a good way.

Book Review: Shatter City by Scott Westerfeld

Shatter City

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Shatter City 〰️

It's weird. I don't usually find sequels better than the first. Sometimes I find them as good as the first book, but never better. (although it has happened before, it's rare). This is one of those rare times when I think the second book was better than the first.

This book felt more faithful to the original world of Uglies. I also found the story to be more engaging. I feel like Frey really developed more as a character in this book as well. I do think it's sad that she got addicted to what I feel are essentially drugs. In this book, she gets what's called Feels, and at first, she's apprehensive about using them. But after she starts to use them, she becomes dependent on them. And while the book never says they are drugs, I feel like they may represent them in a way. She even has a withdrawal of sorts in the way of PTSD and depression when she loses her Feels.

This story takes a dark turn compared to the other books in this series. I mean, yes, Victoria had a massive loss in the first book, but in Shatter City, we see the casualties firsthand, and it hits harder in this book because of it. This new trilogy is for sure more mature than the first Uglies series, but it still stays within the YA genre. So I give props to Westerfeld on being able to balance that well.

I will say; however, Frey learning her first kill was her brother and having that bother her seems a little off to me. Yes, it's her brother, but she's never met him and had no attachment to him. She was acting like she loved him and grew up with him when she had no idea that it was even him as the assassin. Although I can still see why it's upsetting, he was her brother. But it shouldn't bother her as much as it did, in my opinion. She was born to kill, after all.

All in all, this was still a good story, and I'm curious to see how it all ends in the final volume.

Book Review: Impostors by Scott Westerfeld

Impostors

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Impostors 〰️

I loved the Uglies series. The world-building was fantastic, the characters were fun to read, and the story was super cool. So, when I heard there was a new trilogy set in the world of Uglies, I was all in.

Sadly, as good as this book was, it didn't live up to the original series, in my opinion. Aside from throwing a few random things (like the mention of the MC of Uglies, Tally Youngblood, some world-related phrases, like "brain-missing," and a few world-building things from the original series), there wasn't much that resembled Westerfeld's original world. Also, having this book written in first person threw me off a little because all the other books were in third person. (That last point is just a nitpick thing on my end. The prose was fine; I was just used to a different way of storytelling for this futuristic world).

While this book didn't feel completely related to an already well-established series, I did still enjoy it. Not a massive fan of how much military stuff is happening, though. I wasn't expecting that. But it was well written, and so it's all good.

As with Westerfeld's other books, the pacing is perfect. Everything happens right when it needs to, and nothing felt like too much of an info dump. Although even though I don't find there isn't too much to tell this is from an established series, I do think that if you haven't read the Uglies, some parts would be confusing. (If you have, then when the lingo of the world is used, you'd be just fine).

All in all, I'm happy to be reading this series again. It's cool to learn even more about the Uglies world. Westerfeld's writing never disappoints. And I knew it was coming. The cliffhanger ending. His previous works all ended in an "oh my God, I need to read the next book now" ending. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do just that and dive into book two!

Book Review: Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Extras

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Extras 〰️

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.

I love this series, I really do. And I love the expansion of world-building and learning how people lived after the events of the first three books. But I gotta say, I wasn't a huge fan of Aya. I liked her, but maybe I would have liked her more if she was the MC throughout the whole series. I'm so used to Tally that having a new MC in the fourth installment was weird. Plus she only really had true character growth in like the last few chapters. (I was happy that Tally did make an appearance at least, along with Shay, David, and Fausto).

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

I know a lot about Japanese culture and some of it felt a little off in this book, making it seem like it wasn't written by a Japanese author. (And it isn't, and that's fine, it just feels like there could have been more research). But then again, this is the future and things could have changed culture-wise. I mean, things DID change, but semantics.

I do wish that the Sly Girls could have stayed around a lot longer. They seemed to be only around as a plot device. I liked them and it would have been nice to get to know them more. I mean, they're mentioned on the blurb on the back of the book and I feel like they are barely in the city. I kinda wish that Aya would have seen them as great friends and through them learned not to "kick" every story out there instead of the way things went down in the novel.

Still, I think this was an excellent addition to the Uglies series. I still enjoyed it, though I admit not as much as the original trilogy. But if you love the Uglies series and want a little "extra", this is a great book to read.

Book Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies

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Uglies 〰️

I had this book as an ebook for years when someone, though I can't recall who recommended it to me. But I never actually read the book version. I ended up buying the box set of the entire series instead. (I like reading ebooks but physical books are my jam).

Anyway, what a wild ride! From start to finish, the action was there. And the world-building was great! What an exciting concept this book has. The pacing was on point, and the characters were a blast to read. And that ending! Gimme book two now, please!

Seriously, though, this is a great YA read. There were sad parts and more violence than I expected (that didn't bother me, I wasn't excepting it).

Uglies By Scott Westerfeld

Pretty much the only thing I didn't like about this book (and no, it wasn't the number of times the word "pretty" or "ugly" is used, and it is a lot) was the formatting. I didn't like the font, though I got used to it. It didn't feel like a traditionally published book because of that. (Though I enjoy the cover. Or at least the version I had anyway). But that is a minor nitpick.

I will say, though, how long ago in our society it became socially acceptable for everyone to call each other ugly and make fun of ourselves before we get this life-changing operation that everyone was down for? But besides that point, this book does dive into body positivity (and I'm not talking about the pretties), and I love that.

If you're looking for a great action-packed YA, this book is for you. Just be sure to have the next one handy as it does end on a great cliffhanger.