Slated by Teri Terry

January 24th, 2013 Kimberly Review 60 Comments

24th Jan
Slated by Teri Terry
Slated
by Teri Terry
Series: Slated #1
Genres: Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Kyla has been Slated—her memory and personality erased as punishment for committing a crime she can’t remember. The government has taught her how to walk and talk again, given her a new identity and a new family, and told her to be grateful for this second chance that she doesn’t deserve. It’s also her last chance—because they’ll be watching to make sure she plays by their rules. As Kyla adjusts to her new life, she’s plagued by fear. Who is she, really? And if only criminals are slated, why are so many innocent people disappearing? Kyla is torn between the need to know more and her instinct for self-preservation. She knows a dangerous game is being played with her life, and she can’t let anyone see her make the wrong move . . . but who can she trust when everyone is a stranger?

Slated is Teri Terry’s debut novel and it offers up a clever and rather terrifying dystopian world where those whom the government claims are terrorist are offered a second chance by having their memories erased. This process is called Slating. This chilling novel kept me captivated with its strong protagonist and suspenseful plot.

The tale takes place in the late twenty-first century and the government is now referred to as the Central Coalition. The society is controlled by a group of soldiers known as “Lorders” (law and order officers). We meet Kyla at the New London Hospital where she is being processed out to return to society and live with her parents and sister. She has been slated and will be forced to wear a Levo unit around her wrist. It cannot be removed and it monitors her happiness level. She will be monitored until she is twenty-one at which time her sentence will end and the device removed. Something is not quite right and Kyla suffers from nightmares. They are of strange events and she quickly discovers she is different from the other slate. The tale that unfolds is filled with mystery and suspense as Kyla begins the search for the truth.

Kayla was an interesting character, and he/she quickly realize she is different. This is all new to her and she fumbles a little on whom to trust, what is truth or propaganda and it added to the overall tale. We get to see her come into her own a little as she makes discoveries. Ben is another slated and the romantic interest. The romance was juvenile and sweet but did not add to the overall plot and I was not really swept up in it. I found her parents to be fascinating and not knowing whose team they were on was scary. Amy is Kayla’s sister and has been slated. She offers us a look at a successful slating. Amy and her boyfriend Alex helped move the plot but sadly were not fleshed out. The doctors, counselors, and teachers helped paint a picture of the current government and added to the overall mystery. I loved that we/she were never sure if we were being tested or helped by others.

The thing that really struck me about this dystopian world is that it could actually happen! Everything the government was engaging in could probably be done now with the technology we own. How the process of Slating was discovered freaked me out. I had recently read an article about this type of testing. This totally escalated the creep factor for me. There were issues; for example, there were inconsistencies with Kyla’s knowledge after being slated. She did not know how to work a car door, but knew other things. The Slated retained their speech and fine motor skills and maybe I am wrong but having met stroke victims and such I imagine recovery would be similar and it didn’t quite jive with me. Those issues aside this was a compelling tale. I love world building and this one did leave me with many unanswered questions. The author provides us with facts as Kayla learns them. I will say I enjoyed how this added to the suspense and mystery. The sensation of being off kilter because you did not know who to trust, what was real and none of the history until Kayla learned it was enthralling. I easily consumed this well-paced tale in a few hours and look forward to Fractured the next book.

Dystopian fans should enjoy Slated and while it is not perfect it was an engaging start written by a promising new author. I am looking forward to seeing where Terry takes this series in Fractured which is due to release in 2013.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

60 Responses to “Slated by Teri Terry”

  1. Melinda Brasher

    I liked this book, especially since it was so creepy instead of relying on lots of violence. I did, however, wish that it had a more conclusive ending. Good stuff to think about.

  2. kimbacaffeinate

    I love dystopians, and I think because I go back and forth between YA and adult and like you I am selective, it keeps things fresh for me. This was clever and like I said it had some issues..but overall I loved the concept and protagonist. Thanks Danny!

  3. kimbacaffeinate

    Hello twin! I am selective about what dystopian books I read and I tend to go from adult to ya with them..so no burn out here ..yet.

  4. Jen Ryland

    We’re review twins today. I’m getting dystopian fatigue, but I agree that the premise of this one was very good!

  5. kindlemom1

    I am so glad you liked this one, it is always kind of creepy when dystopians are so realistic you feel like it is something that could actually happen. Or maybe creepy isn’t the right word but scary is? Either way, I am glad you enjoyed this one!

  6. Kristin Clifton

    I, too, have decided that I’m not a huge fan of dystopias but this one sounds like the focus is more on reconditioning and controlling than on setting. I think I’d like the mystery of it all 🙂 Great review!!

    And sorry I’ve been absent for awhile… Don’t go looking at my blog yet!! It’s still a mess and the family is knee deep in the dreaded flu. 🙂

  7. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I agree that there were some problems with the secondary characters, most of all Amy, but I too really enjoyed reading about their parents and I couldn’t even begin to guess which side they were on. The second book will be out soon in UK and I can’t wait to read it. I’m not a big fan of dystopias, but this one I liked.
    Great review!

  8. Kay

    I…MUST….read…. This sounds really good and I’m so glad you did a review about it so I would discover it. I love dystopian (I haven’t read any in awhile) and I can’t wait to figure out why she has been slated.

  9. Christa

    I remember hearing about this one and thinking it sounded interesting. I’m kind of suffering from dystopia burn out right now so I may wait to read it for awhile.

  10. Jennifer Bielman

    Such a creepy and scary idea and I can totally see it happening. I have been wondering about this book. So happy you liked it. I am getting soon then.

  11. thegeekyblogger

    I think this might be a great book for my friend Wendy! She just gave me a book last night so I am thinking it is time I return the favor 🙂

  12. Jenny Zemanek

    I think this might be a great book for me Kimba! I love the dystopian worlds that feel really plausible, you’re so right that it makes them all the more terrifying when they seem to be just a couple steps removed from the world we have now. Looking forward to this!

  13. kimbacaffeinate

    I had no idea the reviews were mixed on this one..hmm while it wasn’t flawless it was certainly good,. See this is why I do not look at other reviews before I read and write mine…LOL

  14. Heidi

    I remember when this released in the fall in the UK and I read excerpts of it on another blog and it was so chilling. I know the reviews have been mixed on this one, but I am fascinated by the topic. What can the government do to us? Frightenig!

  15. Cricket

    I read this one as well and I really like the way the author created this mystery about the main characters identity and why she is different.

    Great Review!

    Cricket@LittleLibraryMuse

  16. Bella's Shelf

    This is the book! I got an e version of it & cant wait to read it. I love the idea of it and want to know whether the MC is really guilty of what she thinks she did.

  17. Candace's Book Blog

    There must be another author of the same name cause I remember this name but I never heard of this book (that I remember). This does sound good! And things that really feel like they really could happen leave a much stronger impact on us. And are just scarier. I’ll definitely have to watch for this one, it sounds like one I’d really like!

  18. Sharon - Obsessionwithbooks

    I love the dystopian genre and this sounds like one I’d quite enjoy. Its a pity about the romance (I always need my romance 😉 ) I’m so curious about Kyla’s crime.

    Thanks for sharing Kimba!

  19. MaryAnn

    I’ve been eyeing this one and my need to read it and not flip back and forth. I admit that the whole premise sounds very intriguing! Memory erasing reads are pretty interesting reads, but depends on how its written. Love the review Kim. Thanks for sharing.

  20. Anatea Oroz

    I’ve had my eye on this one for quite some time. As a major dystopian fan I can’t wait to read it! I’m glad you liked it. Awesome review!

  21. Rose

    This was a really nice review 🙂 I remember reading Slated last August, I thought it was AMAZING. I reviewed it on my actually blog as well 🙂 Yes! i thought the exact same thing about how it could happen, glad to see someone with the same opinion! And I loved the descriptions of technology in it 😀 It’s not fair how long we have to wait until Fractured, I’m sure it’ll be worth it though!

    Rose @ DarquesseDreams

  22. Sam

    I agree that the concepts here were scarily realistic! I had no trouble picturing Terry’s world in our own future.

    Great review, Kimba! Although it wasn’t perfect for you, I’m glad you liked it.

  23. Jenea Whittington

    I couldn’t even begin to imagine having my memories erased… This sure sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for the great review. I’ll have to check and see if my library will be carrying it.

  24. Pnrurbfantasyreviews

    I enjoy Dystopian reads, but I think I enjoy the lighter versions, and ones that fall in more of the fantasy world, not realistic world. Great review, hun

  25. karina

    I’m glad you liked it, Kimba! I’ve enjoyed it very much as well. I find that I’m more scared by British dystopians because their scenarios feel more probable to me 🙂 Fantastic review as usual!

  26. Barbara Walker

    It’s going to be so creepy in 20 years to look back at some of these books and see which ones weren’t far off from the truth of where we ended up. Well, for you whippersnappers that’re still around. 😉 It sounds like maybe it would have been better with no romance or some fake-out spooky romance. Go full-on weird or go home! Great review. 🙂

  27. Janhvi

    Slated sounds so interesting! I’ve read some dystopians but this one definitely goes on my pile 🙂

    new follower 🙂

    Janhvi @ The Readdicts