Candor

Pam Bachorz

Published Sept 22, 2009

256 Pages

Rating: A

As soon as I saw the cover and read the description for this great book, I knew I would be reading it when it came out in stores. I was feeling pretty brave that day though, so I emailed Pam Bachorz to ask for an ARC to review. Surprisingly, she said yes! So first, I have to thank Pam for giving me an awesome first ARC! It wouldn't be very fun if my first ARC was a dud!

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

The whole concept of this book grabbed me right from the first page (or the description). Subliminal messages were so interesting to read about! If it wasn't for work and the Harry Potter marathon that my mom and I did, I probably would have finished this book in 1-2 sittings.

I really liked how Oscar was so arrogant and blunt. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but he wasn't the perfect, cookie-cutter kind of guy that I usually read about. Call me crazy, but I find a touch of arrogance to be attractive in a guy. The other characters were also pretty fun to read about, but Oscar was definitely my favorite.

The only thing I didn't like about the novel is that it had to end. I have mixed emotions of a sequel (if Pam decides to write one). I would really love to read about these characters again but I can't imagine how the story would go. How would it be possible for "this or that" to happen? I definitely felt satisfaction at the end though, so don't get me wrong there

I was thinking of holding a contest to give away CANDOR, but I think I'm too selfish of a person to part with it. Sorry guys! I guess you'll have to enter contests or unfortunately wait until September 22nd.

-Briana