Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: Simon Pulse

4½ out of 5 stars

Note: This review assumes that you  have already read the first book in this series, Uglies.  If you have not yet read Uglies then you may not want to read this review, as it will reveal key points from the first book.  You can find my review of Uglies here.

Tally Youngblood has given up everything. She left David, the boy she loved, the Smoke, and her old, ugly past behind. Tally is now pretty. She’s one of them, one of the pretties she always used to envy. This is what she’s always wanted, isn’t it? To be popular, to go to the parties, and get hangovers left and right. After the operation, sixteen-year-old Tally Youngblood now lives in New Pretty Town, the place to be. She’s always dreamed of this, and now she has it all. She’s even with Shay and Peris, so now they all really can be best friends forever. The only problem is Tally can’t remember anything of her past, except the stories of how she used to be such a trouble maker and play tricks on people with Shay. But, Tally does remember one thing, she remembers the Smoke.

Tally can only remember what happened in the Smoke and what living there was like. She remembers killing animals and cutting down trees, and even wearing handmade clothing! How repulsive it all was is what she thinks when she remembers it. Tally even remembers David. However, she doesn’t understand how she could have ever liked him. There are only bits and pieces that are really clear. Other than that, Tally can’t remember anything else. Until that is, one night at a party.

It was a costume party. You had to dress up or you weren’t allowed in. Tally and Shay decided to dress up as Smokies, since they were trying to impress the Crims. The Crims are the biggest, coolest clique in New Pretty Town, where only the biggest trouble makers are allowed in. This was Tally’s night to see if she would be voted in to become part of the group. The party was like any other, with tons of cliques all dressed up, people shouting, and the smell of champagne filling the air. All was going well, until Tally thought she was being followed. Someone dressed as a Special Circumstances agent kept slipping in and out of the crowd behind Tally. Tally was getting nervous now, and when she saw the mysterious figure slip away she just had to follow him.

When she finally came face to face with her pursuer she was shocked, and bewildered. She knew this person. She knew him well actually. It was Croy, from the Smoke. Croy said that he would leave something for Tally, but he would leave it someplace where it would be hidden so no one else could find it. He gives Tally one hint, and it is up to her to figure it out. She and Zane, the leader of the Crims, embark on their quest to find out just what it was that Croy had left for Tally. After climbing a transmission tower and almost getting themselves killed, they find what they were looking for. And what they found would change both of them, forever. What will Tally and Zane do with their newfound discovery? Is it really what they think it is, and if so, what are they meant to do with it? Scott Westerfeld reveals all in this bubbly-making adventure, Pretties!

So here we are, yet again, with Tally running right into more trouble. I don’t know about you, but I like it! I’m glad that the sequel to Uglies was as good as ever. There was all the excitement, suspense, and adventure that there was in the first book. This one does not disappoint. It’s also nice to see Tally again and watch her as she takes on her challenges in life, and is forced to make the right decisions. I have to say though, that Tally perseveres more than ever as she tries to stay bubbly and learn the truth.

One aspect of Pretties that I really enjoyed was the fact that it took on a whole different perspective compared to the previous book. Instead of Tally being ugly and having a clear mind, now she was pretty and delving into her memories was always a struggle. I thought that this really added a new side to the story, as you watched Tally live her life as a pretty. This really let you see what it was like living as a pretty, compared to the uglies.

Another thing that was great about this book was the excitement and surprises around every turn. There were many instances where I was taken aback at what had just happened. I thought that this was great though, as it kept me interested as I wondered what Tally would do next. Even, the ending to Pretties was astonishing and left me quite stunned! I definitely can’t wait to see what happens to Tally next in the third book, Specials!

However, sometimes as I read Pretties it seemed a little slow. One such time was when Tally was traveling. It felt like nothing much was going on as she made slow progress. There were other instances too, where it felt the story elaborated on some parts a little too long. This doesn’t happen often though, and wasn’t that bad after awhile.

On the whole, Pretties is a suspenseful adventure that kept me guessing all the way through. Join Tally as she journeys back to her roots, and fights to face the truth at what her past once held, or overlook what once was in, Pretties!

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf…

Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Check out the Pretties website at http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/.

Pretties is available form Amazon here.