Specials | Scott Westerfeld | Cliff Note Books
“Specials” is the third book in Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series. The story continues to follow Tally Youngblood as she navigates a world of beauty, conformity, and control.
In “Specials,” Tally has been transformed into a Special, a member of the elite and powerful group known as Special Circumstances. She is now a part of the Cutters, a group led by her former best friend Shay. As a Special, Tally is physically enhanced with heightened senses, strength, and speed. She is also tasked with maintaining the city’s order and keeping the population in line.
While Tally embraces her new role, she struggles with the moral implications of being a Special and the aggressive, ruthless nature that comes with it. Her relationship with her friends, particularly David and Zane, becomes strained as her new identity clashes with her past self.
When Tally discovers that a group of rebels, known as the New Smoke, is attempting to overthrow the government and dismantle the Pretty operation, she is conflicted. On the one hand, she is loyal to her new role as a Special and the city’s order. On the other hand, she still has lingering feelings for David and a desire for individuality and freedom.
As Tally becomes increasingly involved with the New Smoke, she uncovers a sinister plot by the city’s rulers to maintain control by any means necessary. Faced with the truth about the government’s manipulation and the harm it causes, Tally must decide where her loyalties lie.
Throughout “Specials,” Tally grapples with themes of identity, loyalty, freedom, and the consequences of power. The story explores the idea of what it means to be truly “special” and the price that comes with power and control.
THEMES
- Identity and Transformation: Throughout the series, Tally undergoes multiple transformations, both physically and mentally. In “Specials,” her identity as a Special brings her new abilities and challenges, forcing her to grapple with who she is and who she wants to become.
- Power and Control: The theme of power and control is central to the story, as the government uses various methods to maintain control over the population. As a member of Special Circumstances, Tally is part of the mechanism that enforces this control, and she must confront the consequences of wielding such power.
- Loyalty and Betrayal: The characters in “Specials” are faced with complex relationships and conflicting loyalties. Tally’s loyalties are divided between her role as a Special, her friendships, and her feelings for David. The theme of loyalty and betrayal is explored as characters navigate these shifting alliances and make difficult choices.
- Freedom and Resistance: The fight for freedom and resistance against oppressive control is an ongoing theme throughout the series. In “Specials,” Tally must decide whether to continue supporting the city’s regime or join the New Smoke rebels in their fight for freedom and individuality.
- Conformity and Individuality: The society in which the characters live values conformity and physical beauty above all else. The theme of conformity versus individuality is explored through the characters’ struggle to maintain their unique identities and resist the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
- The Cost of Perfection: The pursuit of physical perfection and the price it extracts from individuals and society is a recurring theme in the series. In “Specials,” the characters must confront the consequences of their quest for perfection and the impact it has on their lives and relationships.
These themes are interwoven throughout the story, adding depth and complexity to the narrative and the characters’ experiences.
QUOTES
- “In a city of pretties, everything normal would be ugly.” – This quote speaks to the theme of conformity and the societal pressure to adhere to a specific standard of beauty.
- “Maybe she’d been so eager to be special because she’d never really been anything at all.” – This quote reflects Tally’s inner struggle with her identity and the desire to be significant and unique.
- “What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.” – This quote emphasizes the importance of individuality and the notion that true beauty comes from within, rather than from one’s appearance.
- “Freedom has a way of destroying things.” – This quote highlights the theme of freedom and resistance, illustrating the potential consequences of fighting against an oppressive system.
- “The world never stops turning, even when it’s upside down.” – This quote represents the idea of change and resilience in the face of adversity.
- “Perhaps the logical conclusion of everyone looking the same is everyone thinking the same.” – This quote connects the themes of conformity and control, suggesting that a society focused on uniformity may also suppress individual thought and expression.
CHARACTERS
- Tally Youngblood: The protagonist of the series, Tally was previously transformed into a Pretty and is now a Special, a member of the elite group called Special Circumstances. She struggles with the moral implications of her new role, her loyalties, and her relationships with her friends.
- Shay: Tally’s former best friend, now the leader of the Cutters, a subgroup within Special Circumstances. Shay is a driven and ambitious character who is fiercely loyal to the city’s regime. She has a complex relationship with Tally, which is marked by both friendship and rivalry.
- David: A member of the New Smoke rebels and Tally’s love interest from the previous books. David remains committed to the cause of dismantling the Pretty operation and fighting against the city’s control. His relationship with Tally is strained due to her new identity as a Special.
- Zane: Another of Tally’s love interests and a former Pretty, Zane has a significant role in “Pretties” but is mentioned in “Specials.” His fate in the previous book continues to impact Tally’s decisions and emotional state.
- Dr. Cable: The head of Special Circumstances, Dr. Cable is a cunning and manipulative antagonist who seeks to maintain the city’s control over the population. She has a vested interest in Tally’s success as a Special and tries to exploit her skills and abilities for her own ends.
- Fausto: A fellow Cutter and member of Special Circumstances, Fausto works closely with Tally and Shay throughout the novel. He is a skilled and loyal operative but also has moments of doubt regarding the morality of his actions.
These characters, along with various other supporting characters, contribute to the complex web of relationships, loyalties, and conflicts that drive the plot of “Specials.” The story explores themes of identity, power, and the consequences of control through their experiences and choices.
Scott Westerfeld is an American author of young adult fiction, best known for his Uglies series. Born on May 5, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, Westerfeld later moved to Connecticut and attended Vassar College, where he studied English and Philosophy. After college, he briefly worked in the publishing industry as an editor and a ghostwriter before pursuing his passion for writing full-time.
Westerfeld’s writing career took off in the early 2000s, with the publication of his first novel, “Polymorph,” in 1997. He gained widespread recognition with the publication of the Uglies series, starting with “Uglies” in 2005, followed by “Pretties,” “Specials,” and “Extras.” The series has been well-received for its exploration of themes like beauty, identity, and societal control in a dystopian setting.
In addition to the Uglies series, Westerfeld has written numerous other novels and series, such as the Midnighters trilogy, the Leviathan trilogy, the Zeroes trilogy (co-authored with Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti), and standalone novels like “So Yesterday” and “Afterworlds.” His work often combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary issues to create thought-provoking narratives that resonate with young adult readers.
Throughout his career, Westerfeld has received several awards and honors for his work, including the Aurealis Award, the Victorian Premier’s Award, and the Philip K. Dick Special Citation. His books have been published in over 30 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Westerfeld currently resides in Sydney, Australia, and New York City.
SUMMARIES
Chapter 1: Tally and Shay, now members of the Cutters, a subgroup within Special Circumstances, carry out a mission to apprehend a group of runaway uglies. Tally demonstrates her new abilities and heightened senses as a Special.
Chapter 2: Tally and the Cutters return to their headquarters and report their mission’s success. They interact with Dr. Cable, the head of Special Circumstances, who reminds them of the importance of their work in maintaining the city’s order.
Chapter 3: Tally reflects on her transformation into a Special and her complex relationship with Shay, her former best friend and now the leader of the Cutters. She also thinks about her past relationships with David and Zane.
Chapter 4: Tally learns about a group of rebels, known as the New Smoke, who are attempting to overthrow the government and dismantle the Pretty operation. She is torn between her loyalty to Special Circumstances and her past connection to David and the rebels.
Chapter 5: Tally and the Cutters are sent on a mission to infiltrate the New Smoke and gather information about their plans. As Tally prepares for the mission, she struggles with her emotions and memories of her previous experiences with the Smoke.
Chapter 6: The Cutters set out on their mission, using their enhanced abilities to travel swiftly and cover vast distances. As they approach the New Smoke’s location, they encounter obstacles and devise strategies to overcome them.
Chapter 7: Tally and the Cutters infiltrate the New Smoke and begin to observe their operations. They learn about the extent of the New Smoke’s resources and the diverse group of rebels working together to fight against the city’s control.
Chapter 8: Tally encounters David, her former love interest, and a member of the New Smoke. Their reunion is tense and emotional, highlighting the conflict between Tally’s loyalty to Special Circumstances and her feelings for David.
Chapter 9: Tally becomes more involved with the New Smoke, gathering information and trying to maintain her cover as a spy. She discovers that the rebels have been developing a cure for the brain lesions that are used to control Pretties, which could significantly impact the city’s regime.
Chapter 10: Tally continues to grapple with her emotions and her role in the mission. She is torn between her duties as a Special, her loyalties to Shay and the Cutters, and her feelings for David and the New Smoke’s cause.
Chapter 11: Tally learns more about the cure for the brain lesions and the New Smoke’s plans to use it to free the Pretties from the city’s control. She wrestles with her emotions as she realizes the potential impact of the cure on her life and the lives of those she cares about.
Chapter 12: Tally and the Cutters communicate with Dr. Cable, updating her on their progress and the New Smoke’s activities. Dr. Cable emphasizes the importance of their mission and reminds Tally of her duty to Special Circumstances.
Chapter 13: Tally and David share a tense conversation, discussing their past and the current situation. Their strained relationship highlights the conflict between Tally’s new identity as a Special and her feelings for David and the New Smoke’s cause.
Chapter 14: The Cutters prepare to sabotage the New Smoke’s plans by disrupting their communication and transportation systems. Tally struggles with her role in the mission, as her actions could have dire consequences for the rebels and her friends.
Chapter 15: The Cutters execute their plan, successfully sabotaging the New Smoke’s operations. In the process, they capture a group of rebels, including David’s mother, who Tally saves from a deadly fall.
Chapter 16: Tally and the Cutters return to their headquarters, where they are debriefed by Dr. Cable. Tally is praised for her actions, but she feels conflicted about the consequences of her mission and her loyalty to the city’s regime.
Chapter 17: Tally visits the imprisoned rebels, including David’s mother, and faces the anger and disappointment of those she betrayed. She begins to question her loyalty to Special Circumstances and the morality of her actions.
Chapter 18: Tally and Shay have a heated conversation about their mission, their loyalties, and the consequences of their actions. Their friendship becomes increasingly strained as they grapple with the complexities of their situation.
Chapter 19: Tally decides to help the rebels escape, demonstrating her growing disillusionment with Special Circumstances and her commitment to the New Smoke’s cause.
Chapter 20: Tally and the rebels execute a daring escape plan, evading the Cutters and Special Circumstances. The group flees to a new location, where they continue to work on the cure and plan their next steps in the fight for freedom.
Chapter 21: Tally and the rebels arrive at their new hideout, where they work on refining the cure for the brain lesions. Tally struggles with her identity as a Special and the growing rift between her and the other rebels.
Chapter 22: The rebels launch a plan to distribute the cure throughout the city. Tally plays a key role in the operation, using her Special abilities to infiltrate the city and plant the cure in strategic locations.
Chapter 23: Tally and the rebels begin to see the effects of the cure as Pretties start to regain their free will and independence. The city’s regime is threatened, and tensions rise between the government and the increasingly rebellious population.
Chapter 24: Dr. Cable and the Cutters work to regain control of the city, cracking down on the rebels and attempting to contain the effects of the cure. Tally realizes that her actions have put her friends and loved ones in danger and feels the weight of her responsibility.
Chapter 25: Tally and David’s relationship deepens as they navigate the challenges of their situation and the changing dynamics within the New Smoke. Tally continues to grapple with her identity and her conflicting loyalties.
Chapter 26: The city’s regime becomes increasingly unstable as the cure continues to spread, leading to widespread unrest and rebellion. Tally and the rebels face mounting pressure to secure their freedom and protect their cause.
Chapter 27: Tally and the New Smoke devise a plan to free the imprisoned rebels, including David’s mother. The mission is dangerous and requires Tally to confront her past actions and her loyalty to Special Circumstances.
Chapter 28: Tally and the rebels execute their plan, successfully rescuing the imprisoned rebels and evading the Cutters in a thrilling escape.
Chapter 29: The rebels regroup and assess their situation, realizing that they must continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of the city’s population. Tally faces the reality of her new life as a rebel and the challenges that come with it.
Chapter 30: Tally and the New Smoke work on refining the cure and preparing for the final confrontation with the city’s regime. As the stakes grow higher, Tally must confront her loyalties, her identity, and the consequences of her actions.
Chapter 31: Tally and the rebels continue to work on refining the cure while dealing with the challenges of their situation. The New Smoke’s plans to free the city’s population become more ambitious, and Tally is further entrenched in their cause.
Chapter 32: Dr. Cable and the Cutters launch a desperate counterattack to regain control of the city and eliminate the rebels. The New Smoke is forced to defend their hideout and protect their cause.
Chapter 33: Tally and the rebels prepare for a final confrontation with Special Circumstances, devising strategies to outmaneuver the Cutters and secure their freedom.
Chapter 34: The battle between the New Smoke and the Cutters begins, with both sides using their unique abilities and resources to gain the upper hand. Tally’s Special abilities play a crucial role in the conflict.
Chapter 35: The confrontation between Tally and Dr. Cable reaches its peak, with both characters grappling with their loyalties, their beliefs, and the consequences of their actions.
Chapter 36: Tally faces off against Shay, her former best friend and now leader of the Cutters, in a tense and emotional battle that tests their friendship and loyalties.
Chapter 37: The tide of the battle turns in favor of the New Smoke as Tally and the rebels gain the upper hand against the Cutters and Special Circumstances.
Chapter 38: The conflict between the New Smoke and Special Circumstances reaches its climax, with both sides suffering losses and facing the consequences of their actions.
Chapter 39: In the aftermath of the battle, Tally and the rebels assess the damage and the cost of their victory. Tally is forced to confront the consequences of her decisions and her role in the conflict.
Chapter 40: The city begins to adjust to a new reality as the effects of the cure continue to spread and the regime’s control is weakened. Tally and the New Smoke work to rebuild and create a new future for the city’s population.
Chapter 41: Tally and the New Smoke focus on distributing the cure to more Pretties and Specials, intending to break the control of the city’s regime entirely. As the cure spreads, the city’s social structure and way of life begin to change.
Chapter 42: Tally struggles with her new role as a leader in the New Smoke, grappling with her Special identity and her evolving relationships with her friends, including David and Shay.
Chapter 43: The city’s government tries to adapt to the new reality, with some factions attempting to regain control while others seek to work with the newly liberated population. The New Smoke faces challenges in maintaining order and stability during this transitional period.
Chapter 44: Tally and David’s relationship deepens as they face the challenges of their new lives together. They continue to work towards building a better future for the city and its citizens.
Chapter 45: Tally and the New Smoke confront the lingering influence of Dr. Cable and Special Circumstances, as remnants of the organization continue to resist the changes brought about by the cure.
Chapter 46: As the city’s population gradually regains its autonomy, new conflicts and alliances arise. Tally and the New Smoke work to mediate these tensions and establish a new social order.
Chapter 47: Tally faces the consequences of her actions as a Special, seeking redemption and forgiveness from those she hurt in her past. She continues to struggle with her identity and the weight of her past decisions.
Chapter 48: The story concludes with the city and its citizens adjusting to a new way of life, free from the control of the government and Special Circumstances. Tally and her friends look to the future with hope and determination, having played a crucial role in bringing about this change.