Author: Teri Terry
Series: (Slated #1)
Published:May 3rd 2012
Publisher: Orchard Books
Categories: Dystopia, Science Fiction
 

Slating is process where the government wipes the lawbreakers’ memories blank. After that, they will undergo months of rehabilitation and when deemed acceptable they send the ‘slated’ to their new family. But they are still being monitored and attached to their wrist is a Levo, a technology that indicates emotional status (if they’re in distress the numbers will drop).  Kyla Davis has been slated but there’s something different about her.

There’s nothing that really wow me. The characters were ok. The story wasn’t engaging as I hoped, but definitely not boring. I just found some parts a little predictable for my taste. We know from the very beginning that Kyla was different from the others who have been slated. She needs to stand out (she’s the protagonist) though that approach for me felt contrived. She was in these unusual predicaments like: she was in the hospital for nine months instead of six. And the person behind slating method was the one overseeing her while she was under rehab. She knows things, like her body knows it even without the memory of it. For instance, she knows how to drive a car but funnily though she doesn’t know how to wash the dishes. I think washing dishes is a much easier task than driving a car. So I thought she has this very mysterious past and I was eagerly looking forward to the disclosure. But I was absolutely devastated that it wasn’t that mind-blowing history. So the eagerness flew away and was gone with wind.

But I appreciate the world the author had created. I love her idea that instead of giving criminals punishment, they erased their memories and give them a second chance. But it was unexpected that people knew which ones are ‘slated.’ I think it is much better if they remained anonymous so people will treat them normally (like how they treated the normal—the non-slated).  I mean, people know why they were slated, maybe not the exact reason, but I see the fact as something that will use against them (or that’s just me, ha!).

Of course the method of slating is not perfect. And the people who underwent the process are not exactly the people assumed they are. Plus, there are people who are against it, enter the Anti Government Terrorists or the AGT. They were responsible for the numerous attacks/bombing. And they also are experimenting on how to disable the Levo. And they’re using people against their will.

Even though I know a few things behind the process of slating, I still find the details vague. But I’m not really that enthusiastic to know the details. I just went along and took what I can get. Obviously some things are left in the dark as this book is part of a series. I’m not really that complaining, haha, even though I sound like one. I’m quite contended with what it managed to disclose. And that’s fine with me. That said, I might not read the second book after all since I have nothing to encourage me. As much as I wanted to know what happened to Ben, it wasn’t enough reason for me.

Speaking of Ben, he’s the love interest. Sadly I did not enjoy the romance going on between them. It developed unnaturally. I knew it was coming but I’m still surprised how they arrived. Ben was a weak love interest for me. It unusual for me to say this but I don’t mind if there’s no romance at all. Or if Aiden was the ‘guy’ (although he’s bit older, so maybe not). Since not only he’s a crucial character (he’s the one relaying the info) but he, for me, has more personality than Ben. I have nothing against Ben though; he’s just a little forgettable to me (or at least until the part where he tried to remove his Levo), is all.

Even though Slated didn’t completely satisfy me, it was still a good read. 🙂