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Specials  By  cover art

Specials

By: Scott Westerfeld
Narrated by: Emily Tremaine
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Publisher's summary

"Special Circumstances": The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor - frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary. And now, in the third book in the series, Tally's been turned into a Special: a superamped fighting machine engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid. The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more. Still, it's easy to tune that out - until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way,Tally's world will never be the same.

©2008 Scott Westerfeld (P)2015 Simon & Schuster Audio

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What listeners say about Specials

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Favorite of the Bunch

Would you consider the audio edition of Specials to be better than the print version?

Before I bought the audiobook I read the whole series back when they were first published. I seem to recall throwing the book a few times in moments of frustration--can't do that to an audiobook. Unfair question though as I almost always prefer audiobooks to their printed siblings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fausto! I've always had a soft spot for Fausto even though he was never anything more then a main-minor character. I think that he "got it" more then most. He seemed to always be on the up and up even though nobody directly included him. I loved his awareness, determination, and independence.

Have you listened to any of Emily Tremaine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to her read the other books in the series. The reading is consistant from one book to the next if a little disconnected and flat.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself becoming frustrated with the characters sometimes as they just 'didn't get it' yet. I also found myself worried for them.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love em all

His books are outstanding such entertainment and l eaves one thinking. This could happen to us?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Dull plot & frustrating protagonist

The main character's motivations by the final novel make no sense. She doesn't ever grow or evolve her thinking. Spends each book just wanting things to be the same even after each major change. Stay ugly, now stay pretty, now stay special. Stubborn and complacent. Easily casts away old relationships in favor of new ones. Overall frustrating lead to follow.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite in the series

I am listening to this series with my 12 year old daughter. The first two books were great. I wish I had never started this book. The “cutters” in this book are not a good role model. It makes me uncomfortable. The cutters were introduced in the second book, but taken to a darker level in this novel. Sorry, but No.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Ac
  • 11-20-19

One BIG thing that made me stop reading

I tried to see where they would go with this because I liked the other books. But when they turned cutting into a "Special" thing and talked about it in a way that sharp and to think clear there was NO WAY I could read anymore. I was hoping they would get help from the last book not turn it into something special. This is one book I will be returning.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Definitely Made Me React More

There was certain parts that made me feel uncomfortable about the way the characters ideas on feeling 'icy' and being 'cutters' but I suppose that was part of the authors intent. The story line seemed more exciting to me than the last book. I don't like how the characters change so much & the relationships don't build beyond the book. You could even just read one and not the rest with how separated the story-lines/characters they are.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator

I feel like the narrator could show a little more emotion when reading. I still think she does a good job on the series though.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

progressively worse...

Ugh! This series starred off interesting but each book has gotten worse. This one is hardly worth reading. I feel like the only way one could really like this series is if they haven't read a lot of books. Of all the books I've read/listened to this series is not my new favorite.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

The best book of the entire series!!! Love it. I haven't started extras yet but I feel like the ending of the 3rd book was the end as though there shouldn't be another. I'm kinda shocked by the way this book ended that there's another waiting I expected more of a cliff hanger like the previous books. But the more the merrier

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

couldn't stop

I couldn't stop listening. this series is a riveting one. I am so pleased with this book.

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