Uglies

Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Book 1: The Uglies Series

This book was incredibly well written, and packed with psychology and fascinating ideas about human nature.  I was hooked from the very beginning.  It takes place in the future, when the human race as we know it has expired.  In this new way of living, people go through stages in life.  They start as "Littlies," then when they turn 12 they are "Uglies."  On their 16th Birthday, "Uglies" go through an intense operation to make their features perfectly symmetrical into the ideal way people should look, and are then referred to as "Pretties."  The idea is that anyone that looks normal is hideous, and that all imperfections must be done away with, down to height, size, skin tone, and even eye color.

Tally, like all the rest of the people in this city, has been brainwashed to believe that she is nothing until she gets to turn pretty.  Her new friend helps her open her eyes to a new way of thinking, and she begins to slowly embrace a new idea of the right way to live.  When things go catastrophically wrong, Tally is forced to make difficult choices and stand for her beliefs based on very recent discoveries.  It is a very intense story full of unexpected twists and turns, and fascinating ideas on the way the human mind works.  There are so many aspects at play that bring the characters to life and allow readers to personally relate.

Warning:  Giant cliffhanger ending!  Have the second book ready to go! :)

My Recommendation: High