Scored, by Lauren McLaughlin

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin
Publication: Jan 1st 2011 by Random House Books
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Young Adult

Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a “score” that determines their future potential. This score has the ability to get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above.Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend’s score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily foreseeable future.

I went from being in the clouds because of the amazing story arc to in the puddle because of the horribly drafted romance, to back on the ground because of the better ending. This book was, in all honestly, a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I’m still not sure whether in a good or a bad way.

First, the plot. I loved it for most part. I loveloveloved the whole thing about the Score Corp and the eyeballs and the five elements that determine one’s score: peer group, impulse control, rapport, etc. I could see Imani shunning her friend, Cady for the most part. I liked how Diego was introduced, and the whole Imani/Diego friendship. And I loved the concept of the novel so much. So, so much. I could write a fanfiction about it, a privilege I have reserved only for Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Percy Jackson. 

The book did go very random at times - note that I will be going over the ending later on. At times I had no clue what was going on and Imani failed as a narrator. Honestly. Her family had no depth to it. I would have liked if the functioning of the Score Corp would have been elaborated upon, like say how much grades affect the final score. Or how facial expressions do. How the eyeball monitors so many at the same time.

While I liked Diego, I did not like Imani or Cady. Not at all. Imani was too fickle-minded for my taste. I understand the whole part about doing the right thing in the end. However, I did not, absolutely did not understand why she had to go and kiss Diego. And effectively do the exact thing that she had shunned Cady for. I did not see Imani and Diego as a couple at all. They were more of best friends to me. There was no leading up to that kiss at the end. The last few pages of the book were so scattered that I almost gave up on them. Ugh. It as tiring. The last page was the only one that had anything to offer. Still, my love for the book was totally erased.

Overall rating: Two out of five stars (2/5)

Final Comment: At least it wasn’t a series.