Review: Candor

Candor
by Pam Bachorz
September 22nd 2009
256 pages
I give it:

Description: 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.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book! It had that creepy "Stepford Wives" element to the story that actually made the brainwashed people of this town a little bit intimidating. At least, I found them to be a bit intimidating. I can't imagine being the only free thinking teen in a town full of "perfect" people who will do absolutely anything the subliminal messages tell them to do!

While reading Candor, it truly felt like the setting of this town was set in a cheesy 1950's sitcom. The teens never break the rules, they always study hard, they never eat junk food, and heaven forbid that they ever hold the hand of their girlfriends/boyfriends. "Respectful space in every place"

Oscar's father founded the small town of Candor, and Oscar has been aware of the subliminal messages ever since the beginning, and has found a way to fight the control of these messages even though they are constantly playing in every home and in every corner of town! He even helps some of the new kids escape the messages with his very own special mix of CD's with his own personal subliminal messages, and when the new teens are ready, he helps them escape the town. For a price, of course.

I loved the characters! Well... I loved the characters there weren't brainwashed. Oscar is such a believable character... he's just your typical teenage boy. I wanted to slap him at some points of the story, but he redeemed himself by risking everything he worked hard for in his life, so that he could try to save a girl he has fallen in love with. I even liked annoying Sherman. I have a Sherman in my life, so I could really relate to Oscar's frustrations when dealing with Sherman!

The ending was extremely frustrating! I liked it... but it just left me wanting MORE MORE MORE! I really hope that a sequel is in the works!