Tally journeys out, away from her home in search of her friend Shay. Only to learn how fortunate she was to get away from the brain lesions she would have received if she betrayed the Smoke to obtain her New Pretty status.

Author Scott Westerfeld delivers a unique perspective in his dystopian young adult novel Uglies. A young teen girl begins her journey believing she is rescuing her friend. However, after arriving at the Smoke, she learns that everything she had looked forward to in life, had been a scam for something bigger.

In this world, looks are literally everything. At different ages, people are put through surgeries to change the way they look. The mold this society has created for their citizens drives their strong stereotypes for looks.

When someone reaches the age of sixteen, they have come to the time in their life when they become a New Pretty. This specific stage requires numerous surgeries that mold them into their perfect form. Everyone looks forward to receiving their Pretty status.

New Pretty life is just going to bubbly parties and being in the bubbliest clique. There’s no responsibilities, no school, and no obligations. These young adults spend about ten years having the time of their lives without knowing that they have been manipulated.

The reasoning behind this operation is truly horrendous. Turning people Pretty is just the bait to alter the thoughts of innocent people for a “safer” environment.

At the end of the Pretty operation, the surgeon adds brain lesions to alter how the New Pretty’s think. Some of the alterations reduce violent thoughts, take away certain memories, and makes them have a lack of focus.

The theme of Westerfield’s trilogy is that things are not always what they seem. Something can feel so right, but in reality be so wrong.

As Westerfield said, “In a world of extreme beauty, anyone normal is ugly.”

The mold of this society was established to terminate certain feelings resulting in violence and irrational actions. This leaves the society with semi-mindless young adults whose only interest is popularity.

This also results in anyone younger than sixteen, deeming themselves ugly, wanting the Pretty operation even more.

Overall, this is a good read. It brings to life a story of how the world could change if it focuses everything on looks, and tries to be in control of the people in it.

If you’re looking for an adventurous story with a great twist, I would highly recommend this series. However, don’t just read the first book. The whole trilogy is a good read for anyone looking for an engaging dystopian novel.