Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It came as a recommendation from my friend and author, Elyse Draper. She and her daughter read it and they had such glowing things to say about it. I lucked out and found almost full set of used copies at my local bookstore and bought them up instantly. I started in on Uglies and couldn't stop. It's such an interesting look into one of my potential futures based on where we are now.

Scott Westerfield takes us on a journey with Tally Youngblood as she is just about to turn 16. At the ripe age of 16, the people of Tally's world go from ugly to pretty with the stroke of a knife. And each and everyone of them are ecstatic to have it done. Almost.

Tally meets another young girl named Shay on the eve of her surgical change as well. Only Shay is different - she doesn't want the change. She doesn't want to become pretty. She wants to run away and live her life as she is right now.

When Shay runs away, Tally must either choose to find her friend or live without the surgery that will make her life perfect forever. She is forced to choose between a life of pretty, fun-filled excitement or forever being banished from her society and stay ugly.

This dystopian thriller leaves you thinking about our own society and how we value those who have the facial features, lifestyles and grand living we all think we want. But do we really? Or do we just want the admiration of others? Scott Westerfield challenges you to ask yourself: what is it you really want? And how far are you willing to go to get it?

Rated PG for theme, content and some mild violence. And a couple steamy kissing scenes. :)

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