The Special Ones by Em Bailey - ADVISABLE

Bailey, Em The Special Ones, 297 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. $18. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug use, violence); Violence: PG-13 (shooting, stabbing, imprisonment, implied murders).

Esther is a Special One along with Harry, Felicity, and Lucille. They live on a rural farm without electricity, modern conveniences, in an Amish type life style. They are constantly watched by the cameras, their viewers, and Him. He controls everything that goes on at the farmhouse and He is always watching. The Special Ones are considered to be immortal gods and they live an elevated life to be an example for people in the outside world. They must live their roles and not mention anything in their past or they will be “renewed” and another person will take their place. No one knows what happens when you are renewed. One day Harry is renewed and Esther is given her notice that she is next. Will Esther figure out how to survive renewal and face the hardships that follow?

I really enjoyed this book and that it was a thrilling page turner. I also liked that the story was from the perspective of Esther and after she was renewed it goes between her perspective and His perspective.  I think the story is interesting and you are constantly trying to understand this different lifestyle at the farm, but the author presents the story in a way that is not too confusing. Although it has a rating of PG-13 for mature content and violence, I think the author did a great job of not being too descriptive with these parts and keeping the book accessible for teenagers.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE. SLM