Review: Uglies

Author: Scott Westerfeld
Edition: Simon & Schuster (Library) Paperback
Released: 8th February 2005
Series: Uglies #1
Pages: 425 approx.
Links: The Book Depository | Author's Website

Tally can't wait to turn sixteen and become Pretty. Sixteen is the magic number that brings a transformation 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.

MY REVIEW:

Straight off let me just say that I actually had a different edition cover than the one pictured above. The one I had was blue and had a surgical tray of dolls bodies on it... It was strange to say the least. I couldn't find a decent sized image of that cover though so that's why it's not included in this post and, in all honesty, I didn't like it that much. This one is much better. Anyway. On to the actual book. Personally, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked to but, at the same time, I still enjoyed it.

The main reason that kept me from loving this book was the pacing. For me, it's vital that the book I'm reading has a good pace. Unfortunetly, I just found Uglies a little too slow at times. Not only was the beginning a bit slow-going for me but throughout the book there were intervals where my attention would waver because the pace would suddenly drop. I do know a lot of people that have read this book, however, who didn't find the pacing an issue so I suppose it just comes down to your book pet peeves.

The storyline overall was quite unusual and intriguing - not to mention dystopian! ;) That vision of the future is terrifying for me. I would just hate to live in a world where everyone is turned 'pretty' at the age of sixteen! Wouldn't you? Though, at times, the main character, Tally, did seem a little brainwashed when it came to her world's values (like being pretty is everything), I could understand that she was only acting like that because she had grown up knowing only that life and being told the same thing over and over. Due to this I found I could empathise with Tally and I slowly started to warm to her. She was a likeable and well-developed character overall. David was also another enjoyable character. They were so sweet when they were together. :') I also thought Tally and Shay were a little like Lena and Hana out of Delirium. With Tally being more cautious like Lena and Shay being more rebellious and out going like Hana's character.

In conclusion, though I would have liked to have enjoyed Uglies more than I did, I'd still recommend it to those of you that think it would be there type of thing. Even to those of you who love dystopian; this book has a really unusual storyline that I'm sure you could all admire. I feel like this review has sounded pretty negative... but let me just stress, I did enjoy it! The ending was a shocker as well - and Tally did a really honourable thing! That honourable thing, you ask? Well I'm not going to tell! Better check this book out for yourself if you're that desperate. ;)

THREE/THREE AND A HALF STARS! :)

 

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo