Uglies

Scott Westerfeld

Mar 2010 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The first book in Scott Westerfeld's international bestselling series, Uglies!

Tally lives in a world where your sixteenth birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation which erases all your flaws, transforming you from an 'Ugly' into a 'Pretty'. She is on the eve of this important event, and cannot wait for her life to change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also fifteen - but with a very different outlook on life. Shay isn't sure she wants to be Pretty and plans to escape to a community in the forest - the Rusty Ruins - where Uglies go to escape ' turning'. Tally won't be persuaded to join her, as this would involve sacrificing everything she's ever wanted for a lot of uncertainty.

When she is taken in for questioning on her birthday, however, Tally gets sent to the Ruins anyway - against her will. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend Shay and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. What she discovers in the Ruins reveals that there is nothing 'pretty' about the transformations... And the choice Tally makes will change her world forever.

‘Fast paced, exciting and thought-provoking.’ The Bookseller's Choice
‘Superb sci-fi.’ Amanda Craig, The Times Supplement
‘Westerfeld introduces thought-provoking issues’ Publishers Weekly
‘The longing for fairy-tale beauty has never looked so sinister’ Amanda Craig, The Times
‘With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series.’ Kirkus *starred review*
‘Naughty children, from Max in Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, to Tally in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy, have the imagination and energy to go beyond convention.’ The Times
‘This exciting story makes you realise how important it is not to judge people by appearances.’ Newcastle Upon Tyne Journal
‘This book is a real thrill-ride and the world utterly convincing.’ Trashionista.com
'Fun, and the many by-the-skin-of-your-teeth escapes and hoverboard chases, plus the non-stop action plotting were enough to catch my attention and have me eagerly wanting more.’ The Book Smugglers

Also by Scott Westerfeld:
Pretties
Specials
Extras
Afterworlds

Ratings and reviews

Liked it. Simple yet addictive writing. A little hmm feels like I'm reading a teen novel I guess. But cool somewhat original concept too. I will buy the next one.

Uglies is the tale of a stroppy teenager called Tally living in an apparent Utopia, but the story slowly shows her the world isn't as simple as it seems. Lots of threads are left dangling, presumably to be used in the sequels, but it's a self contained set-up story with a good conclusion.

I had this book for ages before I got round to reading it. But once I did, I had to read all the others. Great for fans of YA dystopian novels.

About the author

Scott Westerfeld is the author of the Leviathan series, the first book of which was the winner of the 2010 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. His other novels include the New York Times bestseller Afterworlds, the worldwide bestselling Uglies series, The Last Days, Peeps, So Yesterday, and the Midnighters trilogy. Visit him at ScottWesterfeld.com or follow him on Twitter at @ScottWesterfeld.