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/... ( )

Westerfeld's 2nd book in the "Uglies" trilogy (which added a 4th book) is a good transition. "Pretties" delves into a world where pretty people are constructed via cosmetic surgery and do nothing but hang out, go to parties and look beautiful. Tally receives a note from herself before she became "pretty" and soon embarks on a journey to cure herself and others of the lesions that are put into pretties' brains.

Good ethical and philosophical arguments arise within the story and will keep teenagers discussing what is shallow vs. what is real. Excellent science fiction. ( )

After her surgery to make her a Pretty, Tally Youngblood struggles against the brain lesions that work to keep her “bubble-headed” and unquestioning. She has forgotten her promise to test out the cure from the Smokies—until the delivery of the pills and the letter Tally wrote to herself. Too afraid to take the pills alone, her new boyfriend Zane convinces her to share with him. As they begin to stay focused more and more, plans are made to escape their city and find the New Smoke. Tally’s escape leads to frightening discoveries of what the Specials have been doing in the name of human progress and preservation. ( )

http://talesofarampaginglibrarian.blo... ( )