Uglies Series - Late But Loving It

Yep, I’m late to the party. Again. This time, I’m not even fashionably late. You know, like with the clean up crew who are sweeping up confetti and there’s nothing left to nibble on. Not even peanuts. Yeah, that’s where I am.

When Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies, the first book in
the series came out, I didn’t think I wanted to read it. Do not throw things. It’s hard on the computer screen and even with an interface ring you won’t make it all the way to me.

I’d read all the raving reviews, but still, I just didn’t think this was a book for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love YA books, but this was a little SciFi and, well…I don’t know other than that. Very bogus excuse. I get it.

But, before you start feeling all sorry for me, (you were going to feel sorry for me, right?), don’t. I may be late, but guess what? I found out the party is still going on. In fact, from what I can tell, the party is still totally bubbly. (If you haven’t read the book, that makes no sense, I get it).

So there I was in Borders and not only where the books in plain sight, but they had great real estate in the bookstore. My hands trembled as I reached for the first book. Here I’d said I didn’t want to read them, but my fingers where itching to pick up the book.

Here’s what I read on the backcover for Uglies:

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Sitting next to it was Pretties and here’s the backcover blurb:

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.

Yeah, I was hooked. Still, I only picked up the first two. You know, just in case. Silly me. So not a bubbly thing to do.

I read Uglies in four days. And Pretties? Two days. The books are amazing. You figured I’d say that much, I’m sure. His world building is fabulous and I totally feel I’m there. The characters are alive and although they don’t overshadow Tally, the main character, they’re still very much on the forefront and you care about them as well.

So what’s the problem? Hello, did you read the above? I only bought the first two. I even thought, somewhere around the middle of Pretties that it was okay. I love the books, but I don’t really have to read the third one, Specials. Yeah right.

I can't wait to open this book and find myself in the world of the Uglies, Pretties, Crims, Cutters, Smokes, N Smokes, and oh yeah, the Specials.

Here’s the thing, if you haven’t read them then you don’t totally understand, but the author has amazing hooks. Sure he ends each book, the major conflict of that particular plot is resolved, but it’s the last line. Always the last line that leads you hanging. Just enough that you can’t wait to open page one of the next book.

Yep, he’s real good. And he has a new book Leviathan releasing today.

So, what about you? Have you read them already? What did you think? If not, what’s your favorite YA book? Go ahead and recommend.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki