Rating: 4 stars
Cover Synopsis: In Tally's world, your 16th 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. But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty.
This is a book that I never would have picked up on my own at a bookstore or library, especially after reading the cover. But a friend recommended it to me enthusiastically, and I'm glad I took a chance on it. What an awesome read!
The book is built on the premise that people who are attractive succeed better in society, so why not make everyone attractive? If you remove stark differences in appearances, there is no war. Just peace and harmony with the universe.
Of course, there is a secret catch -- the operation that turns everyone pretty also messes with their brains. "Uglies" shows the ugly side of taking away mankind's agency and individuality at the same time it shows that it was mankind's agency that brought its downfall. The heroine here has to make some tough choices that will impact not only herself, but many others.
Riveting and unexpected with a cliffhanger ending! Can't wait to read the sequel, "Pretties." Friend dropped it off yesterday so I'm diving right in.
