Uglies Quartet (review)
crossposted at my group's Project Blog
Westerfeld, S. (2005) Uglies. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2005) Pretties. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2006) Specials. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2007) Extras. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Science Fiction
Interest Level: 11-16
Review:
Hover boards!
Even if there was nothing else good about this series, the hover board scenes alone would make it worth the time and effort it takes to read them. Luckily for all of us, hover boards are only the beginning of their awesomeness.
The main trilogy (Uglies, Pretties, Specials) focuses on Tally, an Ugly who is just a few months shy of becoming a Pretty. In Tally’s world, one’s sixteenth birthday brings special new privileges that go far beyond driver’s licenses - it comes with a whole new, surgically enhanced you and the chance to live in Pretty Town and party your cares away with all the other New Pretties. Until it’s time to become a Middle Pretty and choose a profession, at least.
That, however, would not be much of a story.
Instead, Tally finds herself betraying friends, venturing far beyond Pretty Town, and spying on non-conforming rebels who refuse to become Pretties. As the plot thickens, the themes grow more complicated as well. Tally eventually must not only question her assumptions and choose what she wants for herself, but also decide how much she values self-determination as an inalienable human right - and how much she is willing to sacrifice to defend it.
The final book in the series, Extras, stars a brand new character, Asa, and brings a much welcome fresh new look at the same distopian future, post Specials. Asa lives in a place where “reputation economy” has become a literal reality - and she’s at the bottom of the heap. In her search to find the story that will boost her ranking, Asa uncovers far more than she bargained for and is forced to deal with the consequences.
Plus! more hover boards.
This series will appeal most to those who have already reached that awkward stage between childhood and adulthood, but have not quite started becoming comfortable with their new selves. However, adults and older adolescents will find much to enjoy as well. Younger children may find the plot complicated, the themes boring, and certain scenes a bit intense. Best for ages 11-16.
Westerfeld, S. (2005) Uglies. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2005) Pretties. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2006) Specials. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Westerfeld, S. (2007) Extras. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Science Fiction
Interest Level: 11-16
Review:
Hover boards!
Even if there was nothing else good about this series, the hover board scenes alone would make it worth the time and effort it takes to read them. Luckily for all of us, hover boards are only the beginning of their awesomeness.
The main trilogy (Uglies, Pretties, Specials) focuses on Tally, an Ugly who is just a few months shy of becoming a Pretty. In Tally’s world, one’s sixteenth birthday brings special new privileges that go far beyond driver’s licenses - it comes with a whole new, surgically enhanced you and the chance to live in Pretty Town and party your cares away with all the other New Pretties. Until it’s time to become a Middle Pretty and choose a profession, at least.
That, however, would not be much of a story.
Instead, Tally finds herself betraying friends, venturing far beyond Pretty Town, and spying on non-conforming rebels who refuse to become Pretties. As the plot thickens, the themes grow more complicated as well. Tally eventually must not only question her assumptions and choose what she wants for herself, but also decide how much she values self-determination as an inalienable human right - and how much she is willing to sacrifice to defend it.
The final book in the series, Extras, stars a brand new character, Asa, and brings a much welcome fresh new look at the same distopian future, post Specials. Asa lives in a place where “reputation economy” has become a literal reality - and she’s at the bottom of the heap. In her search to find the story that will boost her ranking, Asa uncovers far more than she bargained for and is forced to deal with the consequences.
Plus! more hover boards.
This series will appeal most to those who have already reached that awkward stage between childhood and adulthood, but have not quite started becoming comfortable with their new selves. However, adults and older adolescents will find much to enjoy as well. Younger children may find the plot complicated, the themes boring, and certain scenes a bit intense. Best for ages 11-16.