In a world years ahead of the present day, we’re following the story of a young girl who is about to turn sixteen years of age, and undergo a major operation which will see her life changed forever. This operation will change Tally Youngblood from an ‘Ugly’ who lives a life only brightened by performing ‘tricks’ such as being out hover-boarding after dark, to a ‘Pretty’ who gets to cross the border to Prettyville and spend the rest of her days as a Young Pretty partying the nights away with her old friends who all turned pretty before her.

Of course, this isn’t going to run smoothly, or the plot wouldn’t be at all exciting! Tally meets a new friend on one of her late night trips out named Shay, and, lo and behold, they share the same birthday! However, Shay has a completely different idea of what she wants to achieve before her sixteenth birthday.

Without revealing too much of the plot, you soon come to realise that Prettyville and those who live there may not be all that they’re cracked up to be, and one revelation takes our stories heroine by complete surprise.

With just the right mix of action, romance and surprise, the first novel in a set of four really does prove to be a belter, and one I would absolutely recommend to any young adult with some spare time on their hands. It not only entertains, but encourages the reader to take a step back and take a look at today’s world and the need to be ‘beautiful’ from a whole new perspective.

What is ugly? What is pretty? Just some of the questions you’ll ask yourself whilst starting on the first book from this series. Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy as soon as possible. You won’t regret it.

Tagged: Book, extras, fiction, pretties, prettyville, Review, scott westerfeld, specials, tally youngblood, the smoke, uglies, uglyville