Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

    

Title: Bumped

Author: Megan McCafferty
Series: Bumped #1
Pages: 255

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: May 10th 2011 (UK)
Source: For review
Rating: 3.5 stars

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. 

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job. 

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

It was the premise of Bumped that really drew me in. Ethical issues are something I am fascinated with and the harsh reality that the world within Bumped could happen make this a must read. Unfortunately it fell a little flat for me.

The writing and the premise kept me going through most of the novel. I didn’t feel a connection with the characters though they did develop towards the end of the novel. The actions of the twins, mostly Harmony, didn’t make too much sense to me. Zen was the only character I really liked.

Whilst the writing was engaging the slang really confused me. A lot of the time I was confused by the slang and had to try and figure out its meaning by the context. I think a glossary at the back of the book may have helped. It did slow down the reading and pulled me out of the world every now and again.

The world that McCafferty created was skilfully done. Some extra information was needed at times, I felt but aside from that it seemed realistic.

Despite not loving Bumped, I think the next book will be better and I look forward to reading it.