Uglies (Uglies #1)Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon PulseSource: Public Library
Challenges: For the Love of YA, Library Challenge
425 pages
"Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever."- Goodreads
Whoa. I did not expect to like this book, especially not this much. Scott Westerfield did a great job! I picked up this book because frankly there weren't too many others I was interested in and by golly I am so happy I did! Let me explain why.
The characters. Now to someone like me, I do not consider Tally 'ugly' actually nobody will. But to herself she is hideous because that is how people described her for her whole life. Everyone who is not Pretty, is Ugly. I found Tally I bit naive at times but that is just because of the society she lives in... so I let it slide. And good that I did because by the time she starts turning around she will make you root for her! She is very logical and can think on her feet which I think makes a main character very likeable and fun to read about. I loved Shay too, I thought she was a great friend and so true to herself! Slight spoiler: That was why was so sad to see her change at the end.. I almost cried :(*End of spoiler* But alas I can't wait to see how this story continues with all the characters including David who I really enjoyed reading about (of course!) he was just so right for Tally and saw her for who she was, as well as his mother and their other friends! I hope it all works out for them!
The plot was great I thought. I didn't know it was futuristic but yes, it actually is. I found the author created a very complete world, even incorperating new slang and words which made it more real. Great world building! It also had enough events spread throughout the book that is was never slow... in fact I was glued! I couldn't tear myself away from it! It was simple writing so that it didn't make you run to get a dictionary. I enjoyed the smooth writing and how each conversation was realistic. I really didn't expect to like it but I admit I am addicted now and want to know what happens!
The plot was great I thought. I didn't know it was futuristic but yes, it actually is. I found the author created a very complete world, even incorperating new slang and words which made it more real. Great world building! It also had enough events spread throughout the book that is was never slow... in fact I was glued! I couldn't tear myself away from it! It was simple writing so that it didn't make you run to get a dictionary. I enjoyed the smooth writing and how each conversation was realistic. I really didn't expect to like it but I admit I am addicted now and want to know what happens!
Would I recommend it? Highly recommend it to those who like fun, fast paced, interesting, futuristic, and romantic books because it has all those elements and more! I looked on Goodreads and found not everyone loved it but I did and I hope that if you try it you'll like it too! I cannot wait to get my hands on Pretties.... I hope no one checked it out from the library!
Excerpt:
Tally Youngblood was waiting for darkness.
She could see New Pretty Town through her open window. The party towers were already lit up, and snakes of burning torches marked flickering pathways through the pleasure gardens. A few hot-air balloons pulled at their tethers against the darkening pink sky, their passengers shooting safety fireworks at other balloons and passing parasailers. Laughter and music skipped across the water like rocks thrown with just the right spin, their edges just as sharp against Tally's nerves.
Around the outskirts of the city, cut off from town by the black oval of the river, everything was in darkness. Everyone ugly was in bed by now.
Tally took off her interface ring and said, "Good night."
"Sweet dreams, Tally," said the room.
She chewed up a toothbrush pill, punched her pillows, and shoved an old portable heater -- one that produced about as much warmth as a sleeping, Tally-size human being -- under the covers.
Then she crawled out the window.
She could see New Pretty Town through her open window. The party towers were already lit up, and snakes of burning torches marked flickering pathways through the pleasure gardens. A few hot-air balloons pulled at their tethers against the darkening pink sky, their passengers shooting safety fireworks at other balloons and passing parasailers. Laughter and music skipped across the water like rocks thrown with just the right spin, their edges just as sharp against Tally's nerves.
Around the outskirts of the city, cut off from town by the black oval of the river, everything was in darkness. Everyone ugly was in bed by now.
Tally took off her interface ring and said, "Good night."
"Sweet dreams, Tally," said the room.
She chewed up a toothbrush pill, punched her pillows, and shoved an old portable heater -- one that produced about as much warmth as a sleeping, Tally-size human being -- under the covers.
Then she crawled out the window.
I really liked this book!!! I too am reading the series, however 'Pretties' isn't AS good so far... I'm sure it will get better, though!
ReplyDeleteUglies is a great series. I loved it because it sent out a really positive messages!! I will tell you that the series does not go the way you think it will...
ReplyDeleteShelby - I just finished it and I enjoyed it. Though I am a little disappointed with the boy situation :( I hope you like the rest of the book, thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteMflick1 - Yes, it does have an awesome message!Oooo now you've got me half excited half scared! Eek haha thanks for taking the time to comment :)