daisha101's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Extras includes a new set of characters in a different city about 3 years after the events in Specials. I found the new characters introduced in this book to be more likable than Tally and friends, but it still took me about halfway through to decide I like the main character. The most intriguing characters in the book (the “Sly Girls”) are not even in the second half
All the books in this series happen in a very short time period, but each book introduces new concepts or technology that make the events of the previous books hard to believe. This book in particular suffered from that. It’s only been 3 years, but the main character is written as if she only knows life after the events of Specials and not before even though she would’ve been 12 when that happened.
Another issue is that this city is based in Japan, but there was not enough effort to develop the setting. The character names and some brief references to “Pre Rusty” cultural practices are the only indications that they are in Japan until Tally and friends show up and there’s suddenly a language barrier (which doesn’t make sense with all the technology available in this universe).
Plot-wise, my complaints are the same as with Specials. This book started off as what seemed to be a critique on fame, but found it’s way to environmental issues. I found the ending/reveal anti-climatic as was Specials. And of course there was an obligatory romantic interest that was completely unnecessary and not at all developed.
Spoiler
, but there is an appearance from Tally and friends. I still don’t like them.All the books in this series happen in a very short time period, but each book introduces new concepts or technology that make the events of the previous books hard to believe. This book in particular suffered from that. It’s only been 3 years, but the main character is written as if she only knows life after the events of Specials and not before even though she would’ve been 12 when that happened.
Another issue is that this city is based in Japan, but there was not enough effort to develop the setting. The character names and some brief references to “Pre Rusty” cultural practices are the only indications that they are in Japan until Tally and friends show up and there’s suddenly a language barrier (which doesn’t make sense with all the technology available in this universe).
Plot-wise, my complaints are the same as with Specials. This book started off as what seemed to be a critique on fame, but found it’s way to environmental issues. I found the ending/reveal anti-climatic as was Specials. And of course there was an obligatory romantic interest that was completely unnecessary and not at all developed.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
I had read the original trilogy to this series, this book, just like its title is an extra. And while it incorporates the world and some of the characters from the originals it is also vastly different from them as well. I won't go as far to say that its as good as the others, but it still isn't bad.
Aya is virtually a nobody. Its been three years since Tally Youngblood set the world free of its mind constraints and since then, everything has boomed; population, popularity, body modifications, anything. In Aya's city especially people are now ranked by their popularity, and the more popular you are, the better benefits you have. And there are many ways of becoming popular. You can be beautiful, be especially good with tech gadgets, or uncover interesting stories. Aya is the last sort, she's stumbled on to a very big secret. But as a result she may now be in danger, and only one person may be able to help her. But Tally hasn't been seen in quite a long time.
Aya is kind of annoying. I tried to like her, I really did. But it was just so hard to. I think it was mostly because she didn't really value herself without other people valuing her. Fame was everything, and while characters can grow, I just don't feel that she really did. Even her brother was more enjoyable to read about than her. I also found her love interest kind of boring despite his weird modifications. Tally, as always was interesting, but she seemed to veer a bit from her personality in the other books.
I didn't find this one as compelling as the original series. While it was nice to see what happened to Tally's world, the plot flew by so fast and the second half didn't flow as well. Things just kept changing without really making too much sense. I did like the innovations with the network and popularity standings though. Its like social media on speed and I can definitely see something like that happening in the future. To an extent it already does a little bit. Westerfeld also uses some unique language in this book. He's developed his own sort of slang for this world and it really works and is believable linguistically.
Not as good as the others but still a worthy read. I kind of hope he comes out with another one.
Extras
Copyright 2007
417 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Aya is virtually a nobody. Its been three years since Tally Youngblood set the world free of its mind constraints and since then, everything has boomed; population, popularity, body modifications, anything. In Aya's city especially people are now ranked by their popularity, and the more popular you are, the better benefits you have. And there are many ways of becoming popular. You can be beautiful, be especially good with tech gadgets, or uncover interesting stories. Aya is the last sort, she's stumbled on to a very big secret. But as a result she may now be in danger, and only one person may be able to help her. But Tally hasn't been seen in quite a long time.
Aya is kind of annoying. I tried to like her, I really did. But it was just so hard to. I think it was mostly because she didn't really value herself without other people valuing her. Fame was everything, and while characters can grow, I just don't feel that she really did. Even her brother was more enjoyable to read about than her. I also found her love interest kind of boring despite his weird modifications. Tally, as always was interesting, but she seemed to veer a bit from her personality in the other books.
I didn't find this one as compelling as the original series. While it was nice to see what happened to Tally's world, the plot flew by so fast and the second half didn't flow as well. Things just kept changing without really making too much sense. I did like the innovations with the network and popularity standings though. Its like social media on speed and I can definitely see something like that happening in the future. To an extent it already does a little bit. Westerfeld also uses some unique language in this book. He's developed his own sort of slang for this world and it really works and is believable linguistically.
Not as good as the others but still a worthy read. I kind of hope he comes out with another one.
Extras
Copyright 2007
417 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at ifithaswords.blogspot.com
evilsak's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this!!! I loved to see the world from another aspect. I loved how popularity was portrayed im that book. Well, Aya was annoying, even towards the ending, she still wanted Moggle to capture everything. This book has so much to teacher you, and thats why I loved it. It reminded me the reason dystopia books exist. It gave me (kind of) the feeling i had when i was reading Hunger Games. And i dont know what my life would be without hg.
So was it worse that th other books?
No
Was it better?
Maybe
My fave part was when Tally got in. I just loved to see her grown and more mature and i really liked the "flashbacks" to the other books
Overall i did really like it and i recommend you read it if you have doubts. Just do it. You wont regret it.
So was it worse that th other books?
No
Was it better?
Maybe
My fave part was when Tally got in. I just loved to see her grown and more mature and i really liked the "flashbacks" to the other books
Overall i did really like it and i recommend you read it if you have doubts. Just do it. You wont regret it.
bloyd91's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, but it felt more like a cash grab then a genuine sequel. Take it or leave it. You're not loosing anything.
melaniemia's review against another edition
2.0
I think the Author should have stopped after writing "Specials". This "Extra" forth book just seems like a way for him to cash in on a hugely popular series. While the first 3 books are about Tally and written in her perspective, "Extras" is about a new character and new city, written from Aya's perspective. Tally makes an appearance half-way through the book, and stays for the second half of the book. However, Tally's story line is not very "happy-making".
**Spoilers**
Since Zane has died, Tally has been policing the world with David, but they never became lovers again. It's hinted at the end that they might, but the Author was obviously more concerned about Aya's story line. And quite honestly, I HATED Aya. I hated her character and didn't give a sh*t about her or her relationships. The entire book is based on such a stupid premise that it kind of seems like the embarrassing member of a superior family. I think the "Extras" book is an embarrassment to the the first original trilogy. I thought "Specials" had the PERFECT ending. And this book is just shameful. Horrible plot, unlikable main character, and worst of all, Tally is in it. I LOVE Tally. Some part of me feels disrespected by the author for putting a character I love so much into such a bad book. Scott Westerfeld should write GOOD books, because I know he can, and not try to cash in on a well-written, popular series by adding a forth book that does nothing but disservice the entire series. I would recommend whoever reads the series (and I LOVE it so I would recommend it to everyone) to STOP after the third book, like the author should have done. The forth book is a joke.
**Spoilers**
Since Zane has died, Tally has been policing the world with David, but they never became lovers again. It's hinted at the end that they might, but the Author was obviously more concerned about Aya's story line. And quite honestly, I HATED Aya. I hated her character and didn't give a sh*t about her or her relationships. The entire book is based on such a stupid premise that it kind of seems like the embarrassing member of a superior family. I think the "Extras" book is an embarrassment to the the first original trilogy. I thought "Specials" had the PERFECT ending. And this book is just shameful. Horrible plot, unlikable main character, and worst of all, Tally is in it. I LOVE Tally. Some part of me feels disrespected by the author for putting a character I love so much into such a bad book. Scott Westerfeld should write GOOD books, because I know he can, and not try to cash in on a well-written, popular series by adding a forth book that does nothing but disservice the entire series. I would recommend whoever reads the series (and I LOVE it so I would recommend it to everyone) to STOP after the third book, like the author should have done. The forth book is a joke.