Review : Pretties
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Pages : 425
Genre : YA, Dystopia
My Rating : 
From the back of the book :
Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she’s completely popular. It’s everything she’s ever wanted.
But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something’s wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally’s ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what’s wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.
Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don’t intend to let anyone with this information survive.
Personally, Pretties was my favorite book of the Uglies series. It had a perfect balance of suspense, action, romance, fun, philosophy, etc. I felt at this point that I knew enough about the Pretties’ world to feel comfortable with the book’s particular vocabulary, and the way the Pretties talked really amused me (although I perfectly understand why it could get on other readers’ nerves! I’ll be happy, too, if I don’t hear the word “bubbly” for a while!)
Pretties introduces us to Zane, a new character and love interest for Tally. I loved Zane, a lot more than I had liked David in the first novel. It’s hard to explain exactly why, but for me he had that “little something” that made me curious. As for Tally, although she is now different, she still is “the same” as a character : interesting, complex, I loved following her as she made her way through the story.
Already in the first book, the choices were difficult to make and not as “black and white” as it might seem. It’s still true in this second book. In fact, it becomes even more complex as you get to know more on what happened, and why. Tally is confronted to both her society’s past and future and her decisions have more weight than she could wish for.
I’m not saying anything more : if you haven’t start reading this series and are interested in dystopian literature, than please go grab Uglies right now!
Series reading order :
- Uglies
- Pretties
- Specials
- Extras
I liked Pretties just a tad more than Uglies, too, though it seems most people don’t like Pretties as much. I think it’s all about Zane…sigh. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Specials.
Great review 🙂
I love this series! Pretties is better than Uglies.
I’m curious about this series, all the more so because Scott Westerfeld is going to be in Montreal (well, Pointe-Claire, actually) in early November. Are you going to go see him?
My husband loved the trilogy, so I have it and hope to read it soon. He didn’t read Extras, so I’ll be anxious to see what you think.
I’m so behind the times….I need to get this series read!! Thanks for a great review on this one!
I liked Uglies slightly more, but still thought Pretties was the bomb 🙂 I’m totally team Zane!
I loved Uglies but somehow I haven’t got around to reading it inspite of having it in my TBR. Hopefully soon.
I’m definitely on a dystopian kick, originally spearheaded by The Hunger Games! It’s like I just can’t stop! So I’ll be grabbing Uglies soon and getting this series rolling, haha 🙂
Amanda : Yep, I think it’s all about Zane! 🙂 I have a bunch of thoughts on Specials, both good and bad. All in all I liked it, not loved it, but certain things I liked less than the previous books.
Juju : Thanks!
Cara : I agree! It was my favorite of the fours books!
Avisannchild : I didn’t know! And I would so love to go see him! I checked the date and it’s on a Wednesday, and I have classes all day. I think I’ll decide a little later depending on what kind of work I have to do then… but I would REALLY love to have my copy of Leviathan signed! Are you planning on going?
Kathy : I’m glad to hear he liked it! In short Extra was good entertainment. I didn’t loved it as much as the rest of the series, but I would still recommend it.
Staci : Oh, there are so many great series, it’s impossible to keep on with all of them! Don’t worry, I’m behind the times too on so many other things!
Lenore : Yay! Zane is the best!
Violet : Oh yes, you have to! Pretties is a really great read, not only entertaining but gives a lot to think about too.
Megan : I hope you’ll enjoy it! It was a little more “sci-fi” than The Hunger Games, but there is so much to talk about after reading these books, that’s why I enjoy them so much.
I’m considering going (several other Montreal bloggers are going for sure), even though I haven’t read any of his books yet! Let me know if you do decide to go — it would be fun to meet (if I go too)!
I love Zane! But I swear if I heard “bubbly” one more time I thought I was going to scream. LOL.
i’ve read about this book everywhere. that’s it! i’m putting it on my list! i’ve been saying it for ages, but i’m really going to do it. thanks for the kick in the pants!!!