Review: Slated (Slated #1) by Teri Terry

Will wiping your memory, everything you knew down to the basic things like walking, smiling, give you a second chance? Find out in this thrilling debut by author extraordinaire, Teri Terry!

Title: Slated (Slated #1) by Teri Terry
Pages: 448
Release Date: May 3rd 2012
Published by: Orchard Books
Source: Publisher (Thanks, Victoria and Laure!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

I've loved the concept of the book from the first time I've read it. If you were Slated and given another chance to live life, how would you feel? Grateful? Confused? Curious to know how your life was before you become the new you? Kyla tried her best to conform to the government's rules. If you are Slated, then you must be a model citizen because this is your only other chance in life. Be obedient and do not question what the government has given you: a new family, a new school, a chance to learn and become a good part of society once more. But Kyla just doesn't feel that way. She's been having nightmares for as long as she can remember and she doesn't know why. She remembers fragments of the life that was erased from her memory. But why? All of these curiosities, how dangerous they might be, just keeps on urging Kyla to do the unthinkable: find out who she was before she was Slated. But at what cost?

The very concept of Slated is part of what will make you curious about it. To my surprise, I enjoyed reading of Kyla and the world she lives in. I loved how Teri was able to strike balance between the sci-fi aspect of the story and still give it a somewhat contemporary YA vibe. Kyla's life wasn't easy. It was like she was a criminal freshly out of prison, criticized, mocked and looked down upon by the citizens she met outside. In a sense, it's what she was, but what makes Kyla so sure of it? She definitely doesn't feel evil. When you think about it, she was never really out of 'prison', not really free to do what she wants and feel what she wants to feel because of her 'Levo', the device that measures her happiness rate and zaps her out when her numbers go dangerously low. It's like a modernized form of punishment, like putting on tracking devices on people to check up on them, and in Kyla's case, her tendency to become evil. Was that what it really means to be free?

Slated kept me on my toes most of my time, guessing the motives of everyone around Kyla. It was hard reading into the intentions of Kyla's mom, her father, even the doctor who started it all, Dr. Lysander. The first book in the series felt like a puzzle with pieces still missing, readers need to figure out just where Aiden and the terrorist fits into Kyla's life. It's like she's part of a larger secret whose biggest, most important parts are still waiting to be found out. I loved the suspense and the air of mystery still not quite cleared even when the book came to a close. My heart skipped quite a few times while I was reading this. I should have figured that the unexpected surprises and intense moments go hand in hand with Kyla's search of her true identity. I loved that little jolts of thrill I get from those scenes.

Teri Terry introduces us to another tormented character, Ben. He's sweet and like all the other Slated, he's satisfied with his life.Until Kyla came along, and Ben started to think that maybe there's something more to being Slated. That if he broke free, he can help make a change. I liked Ben because he shows the side of being a Slated that is good, that maybe being one isn't all that bad. But his curiosity and his single minded desire got the best of him. Teri Terry made my heart ache for him! Just when you start liking him, Teri Terry will rip your heart out. Why, Ben... why? This boy will make you wonder just how much you are willing to give up to live life as a normal person all over again. He's charismatic, stable. He's not overly flashy but he'll work his way into the readers hearts just like he did with Kyla. 

Slated throws on readers some questions that touches upon the true meaning of being free. With the technology we have it might be possible. What if it can be done? Wipe your memories and start over, would it be the right thing to do? The stigma Kyla and other Slated kids carry sounds familiar even to us living in the present. It's like whatever they do, they cannot put the past behind them. They might smile and be as obedient as they can but society will not easily accept them to the fold because they know that these kids did something bad.

What more can I say to convince you to read this book? It's interesting, it's thrilling, and it presents a story worth thinking of. Slated makes you think, make your heart race as Kyla gets a step closer to uncovering her true self and make you swoon just a little bit with characters like Ben. You will love the characters you will meet who are extraordinary in their own ways! Overall a very strong debut for Teri Terry! Slated's got a big potential to be a big series!

Content (plot, story flow, character):
Awesome start to a series!

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
Those green eyes are so gorgeous!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.