Author: Scott Westerfeld
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
This is one book that lived up to it's hype! I got this book to read for the Read A Thon, but for some reason never got to it. I wish I had read for that event, because this was a super short read that can be done in one sitting.
Tally Youngblood is about to turn 16. She can't wait for her birthday because it's when she goes from being an Ugly to a Pretty. She gets to stop living in her dorm room in Uglyville and live with all the other Pretties in New Pretty Town-whose only job is to have fun. Her best friend Peris has already become a Pretty, and she feels left behind without him. Then she meets Shay-who for some reason doesn't want to become a Pretty. She wants to remain the way she is. For the life of Tally can't figure out why. She tells Tally about a secret town where people go who don't want to become a Pretty and says that she can come with her if she wants. Tally says no, and when it's discovered that Shay has disappeared she finds that she is given a horrible task to do-she must find her friend and bring her back or she'll never become a Pretty.
I thought that this was a really good coming of age book. Tally starts off being really self centered and cares about nothing except becoming a Pretty. Then gradually she matures, and starts to see that maybe life as a Pretty isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and that there are other people to be concerned about then herself. I really didn't care a lot for her at the beginning of the book, and thought she made some pretty bad choices-but she warmed up to me as the book went on. I loved seeing her change as a person and she showed that was tougher then she thought she could be.I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Page Turner Meter: High
Sleep Meter: Honestly? It depends on when you start this one. Don't start it before bed or you'll be up all night.
Action Meter: High
Cheer Meter: High-I found myself cheering for Tally throughout the book
Challenges Counted toward:
