Book Review: Bumped, Megan McCafferty

Reading Level:          Young Adult 

Hardcover:                 336 Pages 

Publisher:                   Balzer & Bray, April 26, 2011

Parasols:                    4

First off, I'm just going to say WOW! I really didn't know what to expect coming into this story, but I'm glad I read it.  There will be some comparisons to Margaret Atwood's famous feminist dystopian, The Handmaid's Tale.  And for all intents and purposes, I think it should be.

Bumped is a story in which a virus has made everyone over the age of 18 infertile.  So basically, teenagers are a wanted species because they can 'bump' and produce babies.  Teens are like rock stars in the world.  They have agents who negotiate high sums of money for people who have that perfect look that they want in babies.

Melody Mayflower is one of those teens who has an killer agent who has negotiated a six-figure sum for Mel to bump with someone to create the perfect baby.  Mel is doing her part to keep the population, well populated.  That is until

Harmony shows up on her front porch.  See the thing is Harmony is Melody's identical twin sister and they were separated at birth.  Mel was brought up knowing that bumping was good.  Harmony grew up in the Church and is here to try to save her sister from committing a sin as seen in the eyes of the Lord.  Bumping shouldn't be paid for.  It is something that a man and a woman do when they love each other.

I loved how each alternating chapter was written in each of the twin's voice.  We get to see how Melody is.  She's one of the famous girls in her school because she's got an agent and he's seeing that she will only bump with the best in the business.  17 year old Jondoe.  (His name is not a joke).  But with Harmony crashing her high, Melody will try anything to get Harmony back to the church and her 'fiancé'.

Harmony really is a good character, but she realizes that none of her choices are made for her.  Same with Melody, they are both groomed to do what is told of them and I felt that Harmony was the one who really grew the most.  You do see growth in Melody, once Harmony has scammed her and is using her identity to bump with Jondoe.  But Harmony sees him has her version of Jesus.  (Jondoe is describes as quite heavenly beautiful).  When Harmony falls for Jondoe, everything goes to hell in a handbasket.  

This book was a quick read on my e-reader.  But it ended on a cliffhanger that all I can do know is wait and hope that there is a sequel!