Uglies is the first book in the trilogy written by Scott Westerfeld that also includes Pretties and Specials. I
must say, what got me to read this book was its cover. (I guess judging a book by its cover also has benefits.) The cover depicts half of the face of a young teen. The word UGLIES is written boldly in the center. I thought to myself, this girl does not look ugly, do they think she is? What I was asking myself is in fact a key point in these stories.
The main character in Uglies is Tally. In this futuristic world, at the age of 16 everyone undergoes a surgery that transforms them from being uglies to pretties. All of the children in New Pretty Town become supermodel-like, with big eyes, fat lips, and a perfect weight. Tally and her friend Shay are almost 16, waiting to become pretties. Shay, however, doesn’t trust the process that makes everyone “pretty”. For one, she thinks some of the uglies, like Tally, are pretty without the operation. Secondly, being a pretty doesn’t seem as great as it used to be. Something about the way the pretties act just doesn’t seem right. The day before Shay’s surgery is scheduled to occur, Shay disappears. Tally might have the only clue that could help her find her friend, but does she want to be found?
To find out what happens, you’ll have to read the book. It is truly a thrill, with great action sequences in a fast-paced book. After Uglies comes Pretties, then Specials. Book 4 of the trilogy (yes, book 4) was recently released; it is called Extras. All four books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Extras even made it to the #1 spot. I’ve read the first three, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the Extras. I’m positive that the book won’t leave my hands until I’ve read every last word.
