Uglies (Uglies #1)

Reader reviewed by Vicky

This is an ecsatic book worth reading. It has adventure, romance, and friendship/rivalry. I loved it.

Uglies starts out when Tally's friend Perri moves to Pretty Town. She breaks in to see him and soon after meets Shay. Shay is an ugly like herself, and they soon hit it off. Tally learns to hoverboard very well. Then one day Shay leaves, leaving behind a coded note only Tally could ever figure out. Where does she go? What will happen to her?

Special Circumstances gets ahold of Tally and asks her what she knows about where Shay is. Tally says she doesn't know anything, but they know she is lying. She is sent on a trip to bring Shay back and betray the Smoke where Shay suppossedly had gone. Tally goes, but when the time comes to betray her friends, will she be able to do it? Or will she tell the truth and let things fall into place?

This book was so good, I couldn't put it down. It is specifically my type of read. It's a little bit of scientific fiction and mystery, along with what happens now in every day life between friends and enemies.

Reader reviewed by Boatdock

There are two things I love about this book:
1. the writing
2. the reality

Scott Westerfeld is my all-time favorite author. He can paint the pictures in my mind so well. But, the reality of the story is amazing. If you described the book to someone they usually wouldn't see the reality. But when you read it, you ,or at least I, can tell that even though we don't go through that drastic of a surgery, we will usually do anything to look 'pretty'. Even though everyone else sees a normal person, we see the ugliest thing in the world when we look in the mirror. We love but hate the people that are already so beautiful, but sometimes they are the ones that envy you also.
Anyway, this book is GREAT!!! I have recommened it to my family and friends, and I have had long conversations at the dinner table about the book, even though nobody has a clue what I am talking about. THIS IS THE BEST booK I HAVE EVER READ!!! SCOTT WESTERFELD ROCKS!!!

Reader reviewed by Megan S

I love this book! i ended up getting the whole series and im now on extras! i love tally! it was fun reading how she would sneek into new pretty town! Then not knowing what to do when shay left..Should she turn her in or not? i just loved the book!

Reader reviewed by MissGoodie2Shoes

In this launch title of a planned trilogy,teenager Tally Youngblood is living an unexamined life in a world unlike ours, hundreds of years from now. She's impatiently awaiting her birthday because in her town, Uglyville, everybody gets the same gift at age 16: cosmetic surgery which transforms them into gorgeous creatures. They also move into "party towers" in New Pretty Town. Tally's best friend has already made the transition and, motivated by her desire to see him, she sneaks into town. Her near-capture leads to a new best friend, Shay, who has the same birthday. On the eve of their operations, Shay reveals a plan to escape to a renegade settlement called "the Smoke." When Shay disappears, government agents blackmail Tally into leading them to the rebels. Once in the Smoke, Tally has a crisis of conscience when she learns the surgery is more sinister than she imagined. Teens will appreciate the gadgetry-including bungee jackets and hoverboards that work by magnetic levitation. But plausibility problems creep in, such as Tally leading a breakout of Smokeys from a high-tech compound while wearing handcuffs.

I thought this book was really good. I cant wait until the sequel comes out. If you like the action saving and boyfriend getting types of books you will definetly like this trilogy and will be waiting impatiently like me for the 2nd book to come out.

Reader reviewed by Nicole

Well, I read this book and, what can i say, I LOVED IT! Then I got the Pretties and I loved that one even more. I really recommend these books and I can't wait until the Specials come out in March!

Reader reviewed by Razz

From teh first action-packed scene of this book, I was hooked. With the crashing of the party, to the meeting of friends, and to the escape into the Wilderness,this was a book that appealed to my imagination. It showed many flaws with our soctiety, and tauhg tme ow to feel good about myself.

Every turn of the page brought me more and more excitment and entertainment. This book informed me on the dire cost of our society. Any teenager, and many adults will like this book.

Reader reviewed by Kayla (Midnight Twilight)

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't imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.


You know a book is going to be interesting when the first sentience is "The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit." This was one of the best books I've ever read. Tally has a huge struggle to face. This book is full of romance, sci-fi, and the horrible effects humans can have on each other and on the world. This book reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode (that's the main reason i decided to pick it up) but it is one of the most original works I've ever read. I can't wait to read more by Scott Westerfeld.

Reader reviewed by Leah



Uglies suprised me because it has a lot of politcal meaning in it. Uglies is about a world where everyone gets to be pretty and Tally can't wait to get her operation. That is, until she meets Shay. Shay teaches Tally how to hoverboard, think for herself, and most of all, realize that beauty is skin deep. When Shay runs away, Tally's chance at being pretty is threatend. She has to bring her friend back and tell the city officials her location in order to become pretty. When Tally reaches the Smoke however, she doesn't know if she wants to go back to Prettyville.

Reader reviewed by looneytunez8

Most people want a brand new car for their sixteenth birthday, or maybe a huge party. But, had you ever thought of becoming supermodel -beautiful for your sixteenth? In Tally's world, that's what you get. Tally can't wait for that day to arrive, but when she meets Shay, everything turns the other way. Shay doesn't want to become pretty, so she runs away and asks Tally to come with her. This story was well-written, and is filled with adventure, and a little romance. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone.

I devoured this novel in one sitting. Uglies is such a unique and compelling sci-fi adventure - it is almost impossible to put down.

Tally was an incredible main character and such a great role model. She is one of my top ten book girlfriends.
And David - oh David. His and Tally's relationship was beautiful to watch develop - love them more than anything.

The plot was so different and intriguing. It is truly one of the greater YA novels out there.
Do yourselves a favour and read this novel.