More interesting (and well-written) than the first book in the series, but ultimately it follows a similar trajectory. ( )

The second book of the Uglies series, this one was very interesting as it once again incorporated many aspects of the world, focusing more on the “pretties” before coming full circle.

Tally is now a pretty, forced to make a life changing choice for the sake of her old friends. Now with a whole new perspective, Tally is finding herself not quite what she thought a pretty would be, and even her best friend Shay is starting to notice.

Paranoid that she’s being stalked by Specials, Tally takes risk after risk and is confronted by the past. Too curious to resist, Tally and the Crims leader Zane, follow the path of clues to find that they may be saved afterall.

It was very interesting, the new characters were intriguing and brought more to the story than before, plus the reunion of other characters. I can only imagine what the next book , Specials, will entail.

Tally can't wait to turn 16 so that she can have an operation to become a Pretty, like all the adults in her city, and to get across to New Pretty Town where her best friend Peris has been without her for months. But in the lonely waiting time in between, she meets Shay, another senior Ugly who isn't so sure that she wants to become pretty like everyone else. Her friendship with Shay leads Tally down a path on which she learns much more about her society and the price Pretties may be paying for their beauty and from which she may never be able to return.

I wasn't crazy about many of the characters in this book. I guess many of them are not supposed to be likable, anyway, but the story was so compelling that I enjoyed it nonetheless, and I plan on reading the next book soon.

Tally Youngblood is back after the events of Uglies, but now she is a Pretty. The Pretty operation is what happens to everyone when they reach 16. They have their face and body changed to conform to Pretty standards. She lives with the other Pretties who form cliques/clans. They party all the time, have access to as many clothes and amusements as they want and generally have no responsibilities.

Tally is part of the Crim clique and their thing is pulling tricks like they did in their younger Ugly days. It gives them a buzz and helps them wake up from the Pretty haze that they otherwise live in. Tally is drawn to fellow Crim Zane and the two of them quickly start spending more and more time together. Events from Tally's past though don't stay buried for long and people form the Smoke start appearing to her with a series of clues and tests for her to follow. Trouble is, will she like what she finds at the end and where will it take her next.

This was a lot of fun. I like Tally and it was good to meet some new characters like Zane and Andrew Simpson Smith. The story moved on nicely and I am looking forward to the next in the series. ( )

http://tyranist.blogspot.com/2009/10/... ( )