The Special Ones

Reviewed by: Noelle Gallant - Saco Middle School, Saco, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 13, 2017

Review

Esther is one of the four special ones chosen by an unnamed selector (“him”) to live on a farmhouse and follow strict rules based on their “remembering books.” They are monitored 24/7 by “him” and viewed by followers, with whom they share every night on chat rooms and they

The Special Ones, Em Bailey was the type of book readers finish up in only a few sittings. By the time we understand the rules and operation of the farmhouse, Bailey switches from Esther’s point of view to “his”, and we become fascinated with the man who created this cult. The shifts in point of view in the second half of the book made the writing feel clumsy, but overall, the story was well-told and kept readers hooked.

Overall Book Score: good