Extras (Uglies series #4)

Extras is the fourth book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. It begins three years after Tally, Shay and David helped to bring the bubbleheaded time to an end.

The world has changed a great deal since then. One city has installed a system where you fame ranking is what decides your status in the economic ranking as well. The higher your face rank, the bigger your apartment, the more merits you have to spend. This economy leads to "kickers." Kickers spread gossip and stories to gain fame.

Aya Fuse is a fifteen year old ugly who wants to raise her face rank. Right now she is at 451,369. A nobody. An extra.

Then Aya meets a group of girls who pull great stunts. The strange thing about them is that they want to be anonymous. But if Aya can become one and then kick the story she might be famous enough to break out of the extras.

Though this book features other characters, Scott Westerfeld stayed true to the vision he began with Uglies. Extras is just as exciting as the first three books. I can't wait for the next one!

Westerfeld, Scott. (2007). Extras. New York: Simon Pulse.

Specials (Uglies Trilogy #3)

Specials is the third book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy.

Tally has been an ugly, a pretty, and now she will become a special. How will she react to being on the other side of the battle for freedom? Will she, like other specials, capture the pretties who are trying to escape the city?

Specials are super fighting machines. They are created to keep the uglies and pretties in line with the dogma of the city. They have strength, speed, clarity and focus. And Tally feels better than she ever thought possible. Being icy makes everything clear at last.

She has the chance to stop the New Smokies once and for all. As soon as she can make Zane into a special she will do whatever is asked of her...

This is an awesome trilogy! Go read it! Now!

Westerfeld, Scott. (2006). Specials. New York: Simon Pulse.

Pretties (Uglies Trilogy #2)

Pretties is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy. The trilogy takes place in a world where everyone has an operation when s/he turns 16. An operation to become pretty.

There are those who try to fight against becoming pretty. Those who escape the city to live in the wild. Because there are those who believe that along with changing bodies, the operations alter personalities - a way to control the population.

But for those who have already had the operation, is there any escape? Or are they to "pretty-minded" to care about anything other than the next party?

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Pretties. New York: Simon Pulse.

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy #1)

Uglies is the first book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy. It is partly a social commentary on the superficialness of society.

Tally is about to turn 16. On her birthday she will have an operation that will change her from an "ugly" to a "pretty." Her time living in the dorms in Uglyville will come to an end. New Pretty Town, here she comes... or not.

A few months before her birthday she meets Shay - another 15 year old who shares her birthday. Shay tries to convince her not to become a pretty - a concept that goes against everything they have been programed to believe.

Shay is convinced that outside of the city there is a place where people go who do not want to have their faces and bodies altered to look like everyone else. Tally is sure it does not exist.

Just before their birthday, Shay runs away. She leaves Tally a cryptic note she can follow if she want to join her.

On her birthday, the authorities - Special Circumstances - informs Tally that she will not be able to become a pretty unless she helps them find Shay and the others who have run away.

This is a great book! I cannot wait to read the next one - Pretties.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse.