Specials
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Specials 〰️
I love this series right from the start. I even loved this third installment just as much as the previous two. But I'm ranking it as a 4 star instead of a 5 star because of how uncomfortable the book made me feel with the "Cutters". I know a lot of people who suffer from bad mental health and having people essentially self-harm to have a clear mind just didn't sit right with me. I get what Westerfeld was going for, and I'm sure he had no ill intention, but I feel like there could have been another way for Specials to feel "icy".
Aside from that, this series is excellent when it comes to pacing. The action and downtime are always at the right length.
It was also interesting to see Tally (and Shay) as sorta the "bad guys" of this series. (Even if they wouldn't have been otherwise. They were forced into being Special after all).
Speaking of forced into having unwanted operations, I love how this series explores consent. From having people consent to take the cure to how consent is taken from them to getting operations done.
Another thing this series has going for it (besides body positivity talk) is a big philosophical question: is the price of freedom worth it over losing the planet to war, overpopulation and climate change? Seriously, though. Once everyone learns that being "pretty" comes with a price, they can choose to be cured and be free again. But the problem in regards to our planet and humanity, the problems that happened during "Rusty" times (aka around our current present), will probably happen again. There was a reason the operation was invented, and it seemed to save the planet, but at what cost? It's something to ponder on anyway.
All in all, love this series. (Super sad to see that apparently, Tally isn't the MC in the book. Not sure how I feel about that but I'll see what I think about it after I've read the 4th book). Still, I recommend this series to anyone who loves a good YA.
