Wired (Skinned, Book 3)
Gr 9 Up–This final volume in the trilogy that began with Skinned (S & S, 2008) neatly wraps up the dystopian tale of human consciousness downloaded into mechanical bodies. Lia has become a spokesperson for the mechs, trying to work with BioMax to improve public sentiment. To this end, she agrees to a guest starring role in a “vidlife,” the future's equivalent of reality TV programming, where viewers get to vote on everything from who the actors fight with to whom they kiss. Riley, brought back to life in a body that looks like his original human one, and Lia have worked to maintain their relationship even though the new body has created some awkwardness between them. Lia's sister, Zo, and rivals Auden and Jude are also heavily involved as it becomes clear that something sinister is happening, not only with the Brotherhood, but also at BioMax. Over the course of the series, the characters have gone through many changes. Zo's integration into Lia's closely knit mech world is particularly effective here. While it's hampered by a handful of continuity errors, particularly the author's failure to explain how the mechs are able to charge themselves in the dead zone without the wireless web of energy they rely on at home, this is still a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The ending will leave readers pondering the nature of humanity. As with much series fiction, this title does not stand alone. Purchase where the earlier two volumes have been popular.Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH© Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.