The Special Ones discussion

‘The Special Ones’ is a novel written by Em Bailey, published in 2016. Em Bailey is an Australian author who is currently living in Germany as a full time writer following her fathers footsteps.

‘The Special Ones’ is a young adult thriller that follows the story of four teenagers who have been isolated in a farm under “his” control and protection. The novel’s majority is written in one of the teenagers, Esther’s, perspective but also shows an intense, sinister perspective on the one holding the teenagers captive. These teenagers lives are broadcasted to online followers where they are forced to take on the facade of the ‘special ones’, immortal beings that don’t need the modernised world to survive. The storyline highlights the struggle the teenagers face, struggling for basic survival and follows their journey of finding a way to escape and what lies ahead of them outside the confining gates. The novel is captivating in the suspense and mystery that lies on every page where you form connections with the characters and an attachment to their journey.

The best thing about this book was the haunting concept it was based upon. The fact that the characters had to continually interact with these ‘online followers’ who did not know they were being help captive and the pure sense of hopelessness and isolation the characters faced. The worst thing about this book was the second half of the novel where it continuously swaps from the perspective of Esther and “him” without clear indication which led to a lot of confusion and the start of chapters often needed to be read again to understand whose perspective it was.

My favourite character was Esther as she was a strong female character that showed resilience throughout the book, who also had a deep sense of care for the other three teenagers well being even with Lucille who resented Esther for no reason.

The style and writing of ‘the special ones’ is suspenseful and emotive however the second half of the novel lacked structure with the lack of establishment on whose perspective the chapter was carried out in. Questions raised from this novel would be what happened to Lucille as it neglects her characters ending and is not mentioned like the rest of the teenagers and what happened to all the characters long term as we are left on a conclusion open to many interpretations on their futures.

I would rate this novel a 7/10 because I feel like all readers can connect with one of the teenagers as they all have a diversity of personalities and is easy to get emotionally invested in that characters outcome. The first half of the book was definitely better with the showing of emotions to the characters and struggles of confinement physically on the farm and mentally as they are forced to act a certain persona. I also enjoyed the chapters where the readers had an opportunity to delve into the mind of “him” and his sinister thoughts. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a chilling thriller.