Book Review: Thumped

Thumped by Megan McCafferty

Thumped by Megan McCafferty is the conclusion to Bumped.  This is a dystopian, young adult novel set in the year 2036 and starts right after Bumped ended.  This book is geared more towards the older teens, but as an adult I understood that context, over and undertones of this book.

Thumped the sequel to Bumped, it continues the story of separated-at-birth twins, Melody and Harmony.  These sisters are now the most popular teen girls on the planet.  To their fans, they seem to be living ideal lives.  Harmony is married to Ram (a boy from her commune) and living in Goodside, the religious community that once meant everything to her.  Melody has the genetically flawless Jondoe as her coupling partner, which means money and status, and a bright future.  But both girls are hiding secrets, and both are pining for guys they can't have.  Telling the truth could mean losing everything.

Just like the first book, I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast read, and I couldn't put it down.  The issues that were touched upon in the first book get fully explored in this one.  Both sisters are trying really hard to find their own identity but also their back bone.  When Harmony is back in the religious community, she's a prisoner and under house arrest from escaping the first time but despite their displeasure in her previous antics, they are enjoying the fame and media attention that she is bringing to their community.  Melody is also a prisoner with the expectations that has happened from her "bumping" with Jondoe that may or may not have happened.  Compared to the first book, this one had more action and romance.  I really enjoyed how the events fell into place with this series.  While some could argue that the ending was cliche and typical, I really enjoyed it.  I do have to say though, a part of me wishes that this was a trilogy instead of a duo.  Even though the major issues were resolved, I couldn't help but feel attached to the characters and I wanted to see what happens next.  Again I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this book my friends.



Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Bumped

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Bumped by Megan McCafferty, is a young adult, dystopian novel and takes place in Princeton, New Jersey in the hear 2036.  This book is the first in a duology.  While this book is geared towards the young adult audience, I feel that this is for the older young adult audience.  Megan McCafferty, is best known for her Jessica Darling series, and I found that like those books her writing was similar aiming for an older young adult audience and makes it some what enjoyable for adult readers.

Bumped starts off as a virus has swept the world, making everyone over the age of eighteen infertile.  Because of this teenagers are now the most prized members of society, and adults who wish to be parents desperately bid for "conception contracts" with the prettiest, healthiest, and smartest girls.  The teens receive things like cash, college tuition, and other favors in exchange for a baby.  At sixteen, Melody as scored a record-breaking contract with a rich couple and and she's been matched with the hottest "bumping" partner in the world, Jondoe.  Melody discovers that she has an identical twin, Harmony, whom has grown up in a strict religious community and believes that her calling is to save Melody from her sinful intentions.  While Melody is trying to come to terms what she has signed up for, Harmony has been mistaken for her and is now meeting with Jondoe.  

As I've already mentioned, due to the subject matter, I feel that this book and following book are better suited for older teens.  The book was published in 2012, so during that time, shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom were really popular.  One of the things that I loved so much about this book was how the brainwashing of these teens happened.  Instead of saying intercourse, they called it bumped.  Or instead of calling it a baby and forming an attachment they told to call it a bump or call it something like burrito.  They popularized and marketed selling teen pregnancy in order to fulfill a demographic of adults that can't have children.  I thought that Megan McCafferty writing was brilliant, and kind poked fun at the popularization of TV shoes like Teen Mom.  I also felt for both of the characters, both of the sisters, even though they weren't raised together, do feel a bond and both recognize how the other is being manipulated by their parents and society.  The one thing that I thought was very powerful was that how these two girls were willing to lose their individuality and self worth in order to belong and please others.  This book was a quick read, and I couldn't put it down.  With all of the different dystopian books and series out there, I feel that this book carved out its own little niche out where it stands apart from the rest out there.  There is humor, action, angst, romance, and a message that isn't shoved down your throat.  I truly enjoyed this book.


Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Charmed Thirds

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

Charmed Thirds is the third book in a series written by Megan McCafferty.  The first two books are Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings.  Yes I have read both books before this one.  But I did read them quite sometime ago but surprisingly I remembered a lot of important details from the first two books to know what was going on with this one.  This is one of those series where I think it would be more beneficial to read the books in chronological order first, because the novel is written like a diary/journal by the main character. This book is in the young adult genre and is based on real life topics.

The novel and series is based off the life of Jessica Darling.  It is written in a diary/journal style but also with a slight first person point of view.  The book is about her life in college and dealing with her boyfriend going to a Buddhist school in California while she is going to Columbia in New York.  The character of Jessica Darling is your typical college student who is too aware of her surroundings and curses her not so glamorous life in Pineville, New Jersey.  While the first two books in the series is about Jessica in high school.  This book covers her whole college career.  There are a lot of conflicts in this story that shape the the plot but I think the main one were when Jessica cheats on her boyfriend Marcus and her parents decide to cut her off financially.  The whole book seemed very realistic and to a certain extent I think it is very easy to relate with.  The book end with graduation and Jessica going off to try and find her next step beyond college so of course there is a sequel to this book called Fourth Comings. What I liked most about this book and the two before is that Megan McCafferty is really good at adding humor into her stories.  It's almost as if Jessica Darling was a real life person, she would be a stand up comedian.

This was a really quick read and it was kind of hard to put down.  It was very addicting and I constantly wanted to know what would happen next to the character Jessica Darling.  I love the humor and plot in the story.  While it was kind of typical drama plot I think the style of McCafferty's writing kept it fresh.  There are definitely little parts and scenes that are easy to replay in your head and make you chuckle.  While there is sex and relationships in this book, there is no detail of the acts.  You just know that it happened.

I think anyone who is in the mood for a quick read with a little bit of drama and humor this is the book for you.  While there is a little bit of course language it isn't enough to turn me off from the book.  While it is addictive and a quick read, the chapters are broken up in year/semesters/months so it is easy to find a stopping point.  Again I really enjoyed reading the books.  McCafferty has done a good job developing her lead character through out the three books into an easy transition that is realistic.

Rating:
4 out of 5

On Deck:
Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Bubbles A Broad by Sarah Strohmeyer
Grand Avenue by Joy Fielding