Westerfeld, Scott - Pretties
Second in a trilogy that started with Uglies.
Now that Tally has willingly undergone the brain-damaging operation that turned her into a Pretty, she doesn't really remember or care about most of the things that happened in Uglies. I admittedly am a bit annoyed at the reset button, especially since it means that the whole betrayal revelation with Shay has to happen... yet again! On the other hand, it's really interesting watching Tally struggle to keep herself again.
I liked Tally a lot more in this book, despite the Pretty factor. As an Ugly, she was sort of boring, and the entire "learn to live in the wilderness" factor isn't exactly my button, especially since living in the wilderness is always morally superior to city living. This irritates me because I like cities. Also, new designated love interest! This one was much more interesting than David, who read more as a symbol for the moral uprightness of the Smoke than an actual person.
I especially enjoyed the secret rebellion factors in the book, the secret communication between Tally and Zane, and all that jazz. I seem to disagree with most of the Amazon reviewers in that I think this is actually a more interesting book than Uglies, because everything here gets more complicated.
The whole big brain damage revelation of Uglies wasn't so surprising to me, so I very much liked how Westerfeld went on to explain why this system came about. And I liked the additional peeks into the social strata, why Uglies could so easily get around and play tricks and etc. And I very much liked how the battle this time was not so much a morality play (to betray or not to betray?), but more of an internal struggle to keep a grasp of Tally's inner self.
Also, I am totally amused that all the Pretties have beautiful jewel-colored eyes. I think this completely explains the stupidity of so many characters in romance novels and other Mary Sues. Obviously, they are all secret Pretties and completely brain dead.
Now the only problem is that I desperately want to read Specials.
Now that Tally has willingly undergone the brain-damaging operation that turned her into a Pretty, she doesn't really remember or care about most of the things that happened in Uglies. I admittedly am a bit annoyed at the reset button, especially since it means that the whole betrayal revelation with Shay has to happen... yet again! On the other hand, it's really interesting watching Tally struggle to keep herself again.
I liked Tally a lot more in this book, despite the Pretty factor. As an Ugly, she was sort of boring, and the entire "learn to live in the wilderness" factor isn't exactly my button, especially since living in the wilderness is always morally superior to city living. This irritates me because I like cities. Also, new designated love interest! This one was much more interesting than David, who read more as a symbol for the moral uprightness of the Smoke than an actual person.
I especially enjoyed the secret rebellion factors in the book, the secret communication between Tally and Zane, and all that jazz. I seem to disagree with most of the Amazon reviewers in that I think this is actually a more interesting book than Uglies, because everything here gets more complicated.
The whole big brain damage revelation of Uglies wasn't so surprising to me, so I very much liked how Westerfeld went on to explain why this system came about. And I liked the additional peeks into the social strata, why Uglies could so easily get around and play tricks and etc. And I very much liked how the battle this time was not so much a morality play (to betray or not to betray?), but more of an internal struggle to keep a grasp of Tally's inner self.
Also, I am totally amused that all the Pretties have beautiful jewel-colored eyes. I think this completely explains the stupidity of so many characters in romance novels and other Mary Sues. Obviously, they are all secret Pretties and completely brain dead.
Now the only problem is that I desperately want to read Specials.