Tally can’t wait to be a pretty. Her best friend has already turned 16 and had the operation. Against all the rules, Tally sneaks into New Pretty Town and visits him, promising to do nothing to risk remaining an ugly forever. In that short summer, Tally meets Shay, another ugly who shares Tally’s birthday. The two become fast friends, but Shay, disturbingly, does not want to be a pretty. When Shay sneaks away just before their birthday, Tally is forced to go find her or never become a pretty; but after all that she discovers, does she really want to be one?
Uglies was such a fascinating book. I’m very into YA dystopian novels. Actually, I like most of them, but adult versions can get very depressing. This one reminded me in some ways of The Giver, a fantastic book that I’ve read countless times over the years. Both kids learn that their perfect, happy society is not at all what it seems in the end and that maybe they don’t want to conform to their society’s expectations of them.
Since I knew something was “wrong” with pretties, or at least something wasn’t good about them, I do have to confess I found myself frustrated with Tally for being so excited about the transition. I didn’t know what it was, though, and as I was impatient to find out, I found myself racing through the book. It’s a fairly quick read, I got through it in an evening, but the desire to know did not outweigh the pleasure that I found in these pages. Tally becomes a wonderful character, growing and changing and becoming more interesting. I love when this happens and when it’s believable. She makes mistakes and she learns from them. I’m not sure any of the secondary characters enjoyed a similar level of personability or character development, but there isn’t enough space with the dynamic, fast-moving plot.
I loved the little details about Tally’s world and how it has changed and I hope that in the following books, we get to learn more. It’s great when she finds old magazines and finds people who aren’t pretties being defined as beautiful, when she travels through the old rusted city and rides the roller coaster, or the orchid that eradicates all other plant life. Her own world is interesting too, with walls that can produce any movie she’d like, the endless parties in New Pretty Town, and the suburbs where all of the older pretties live. Again, I hope it in the next few, we can explore a little more outside this particular settlement.
Uglies was an interesting, thoughtful, but exciting and at times intense read. I think it can be appreciated by adults and young adults alike. There is enough here to ponder over while still providing a compelling story. I recommend it and I really look forward to the rest of the series, since this one ends in a cliffhanger!
I have all this series on Mt. TBR and I can’t wait to get to it. Too bad I have all the ARC-alanche to get through first *sigh* . I love The Giver, too, btw. Did you know it’s being made into a movie? The same director for the Harry Potters now is going to direct it after he’s finished with HP. The projected release date, last I looked, was 2011.
The Kool-Aid Mom’s last blog post..SBG daily ~ Shar-ities
Every time I read a review of this, I get more excited to read it. I can’t wait until the stars align and I finally get to. =)
Elizabeth’s last blog post..TSS – monthly wrap-up
I’ve been wanting this series since I read about them on At Home With Books. Your review is great – also makes me itch to get them!
rhapsodyinbooks’s last blog post..Giveaway of “Star Gazing” by Linda Gillard
I really want to read this! The only reason I haven’t yet is that it means starting another series, but then again, what’s one more, right?
Nymeth’s last blog post..The Sunday Salon – Help me Pick a Book!
I’ve read all four books in the Uglies series (including Extras) and they’re all fantastic. Shay is more developed throughout the series, and we definitely see more of the world. According to Scott Westerfeld’s blog, a movie is in the works! My coworkers & I read these at about the same time, and we talked in “pretty-speak” (you’ll get to that in the next book) for days, haha. I recommend this series often.
I really want to read this series, and eyed it in the bookstore the other day.
Kathy’s last blog post..Review: Every Last Cuckoo
I have this one in the TBR and hope to get to it soon!
Amy @ My Friend Amy’s last blog post..Newsweek, You’re On! The Fifty Books For Our Times Reading Project
I don’t know why I keep putting this series off. I really want to read it! I have this book, have had it for months, and still haven’t read it. Your review compells me to move it up on the pile. Thanks!
Heather’s last blog post..The Castaways
My niece gave me this one two years ago. I really must read it.
Beth F’s last blog post..Review: Every Last Cuckoo by Kate Maloy
I have been on the hold list for a library copy of this book for ages! Your review makes me want to pop out and buy the whole series because it sounds fascinating. I think my teenage daughter has read the first one, and I’m sure she would like to continue on. This goes to the top of the wish list. Thanks!
Zibilee’s last blog post..Surviving High Society: Lots of Love Trumps Lots of Money by Elizabeth Marvin Mulholland – 184 pgs
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it! Each good review I read convince me a little more to try it myself. I almost bought it today at the bookstore! I think after reading your review I’m finally ready to go through this one!:)
Kay’s last blog post..BTT + What’s on your desk?
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