The Special Ones by Em Bailey
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2016. ISBN 9781742976280
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Cults. Abduction. Coming of age.
Thriller. Esther is one of the Special Ones, four teens who live in
an isolated farmhouse and who aren't allowed to leave. They are
watched by an unseen man, who knows their every movement and who
punishes them for the slightest transgression from their allotted
roles. He broadcasts their lives to an eager following on the
outside and they are forced to give advice that fits in with the
personalities that have been given them. Will there ever be a chance
for Esther to escape, or will she be renewed as others have before
her?
This is a highly addictive read that will keep the readers glued to
the page as they follow the fortunes of the four teens, the Special
Ones. The story is narrated first in Esther's voice and the reader
will find that a compelling one as she paints a horrific picture of
how she and the other Special Ones have to behave in their non-toxic
life. At the same time the reader is kept in suspense about what has
happened to the children who have been sent away to be renewed and
there is always the question mark hanging over Harry - why is he
free to bring back new victims to replace those sent away? In the
latter part of the book, the narration is in the voice of the man
who holds them in the farmhouse, and it is a frightening portrayal
of someone who appears to be very normal but who really is insane.
The portrayal of Esther's character was a highlight. The reader is
taken through her life as a young teen who is forbidden to leave the
house - the verandah is as far as she is allowed to go - to the
formidable young woman who is determined to find the other children
who have been sent away for renewal. Bailey clearly brings to life
what it could be like for a victim to return home and face the
endless media and questioning, but Esther manages to stay true to
what she believes in.
This was a very clever, scary and challenging book that is sure to
be popular with teen readers.
Pat Pledger