Extras

Summary [From book]: 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. Her only chance to escape extra-land is to find a big story to kick—something wild and unexpected.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. But the sly girls are hiding something bigger--an explosive discovery that may change the face of the brave new world forever. If Aya kicks this story, she’ll be propelled into the world of fame, celebrity…and extreme danger. A world she’s not prepared for.

Review: I have mixed feelings about Westerfeld fourth installment in the Uglies series. It did not bug me that it wasn’t about Tally Youngblood, in fact that made it more exciting. It was interesting to see the “mind-rain” through someone who experienced it. I had some problems with Aya’s personality, but that’s simply because of the way her character was. She was so obsessed with fame that she didn’t seem to care about anything else, and that bugged me. The idea of reputation economy is...interesting but also, in Tally’s words, so brain-missing!

I also got a kick out of Radical Honesty, mostly because I watch Lie To Me and it strikes me as familiar. Loker’s version of Radical Honesty didn’t work out, and in the end…Frizz’s didn’t either. Perhaps that is some world truth about honesty. The idea of this whole society, of kickers, tech-heads, and surge monkeys was really cool. The plot of Extras kept me hooked but at times I found myself bored with it.

Basically: It was good, not as good as the previous books though, I don’t think. Still think Westerfeld is a genius, but wasn’t the biggest fan of Extras.

Rating: 4/5 not amazing, but good.

Reviews from the pros:

Honestly...I couldn’t find any, I scoured the web and didn’t see anything. Unfortunately, I own the hardcover book of Extras so no reviews on there.

Now I’m off to finally read Nobody’s Prize!

~She Who Reads A Lot

The Last Knight

Summary: Need a Hero?

You've got one in Sir Michael Sevenson.

Although there hasn't been a knight errant in over two hundred years, this young noble has decided to revive the trade. He's found himself a reluctant partner in Fisk, a clever rogue who has been given the choice of serving as Michael's squire or going to jail for a very long time. Now Michael and Fisk are on a quest to right wrongs, protect the innocent, and make the world a happier place.
It's not going to be easy. On their first attempt at rescuing a damsel in distress, they break a lady out of a tower, only to discover she was there for good reason: awaiting trial for poisoning her husband. Now the would-be heroes must find Lady Ceciel and return her to justice or be condemned themselves. (summary taken from Harperteens.com)

Review: Hilari Bell is one of my favorite authors, probably my favorite author. She is the one author I can say I’ve read most of her books and enjoyed them enough to read a second time through or more. Thus when I found The Last Knight in my school library I was very enthusiastic to pick it up and read it.

I did enjoy this book. It wasn’t great, though. The book was enjoyable and interesting enough to keep me reading—but not interesting enough that I couldn’t put it down. It was a good, fun, light read. I loved the characters, as I always do in Bell’s books, Fisk made me laugh and Michael was so sweet and naïve. They were the perfect pair. The book was fun and there is nothing I can really critique on it. Well except for a few times when I was left a bit confused about the characters and plot innuendos (though it is only the first in the series...).

So an enjoyable read, not amazing.

Rating: 4.5/5 I do recommend it highly to anyone of all ages, I can’t give it a five out of five because it doesn’t jump out at me really.

Reviews from the Pros:

“This well-created fantasy is a great read.”-School Library Journal

“The humorous dialogue and the friendship that develops will make this magical medieval mystery a fun read.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A remarkable writer.”-Orson Scott Card