Pretties

I'm not sure how he does it, but Scott Westerfeld somehow combined aspects of today's teen troubles (such as drugs and cutting) and stick them into a futuristic, dystopian-in-a-way world in a context that's different but still makes sense. For example, two of the characters starve themselves, but only to get clamped handcuffs off their wrists. Plus, the world he created even has its own unique language and cliques (something that he's pretty fond of, judging by his other books). In terms of plot, Pretties had a healthy dose of adventure and survival, plus some boy woes and recurring villains. Although I couldn't shake the feeling that it was staged so much like Uglies, the first book in the series. I mean, first half of the book, everything's fine and dandy, then something is learned, and then comes a survival part and then in the end, the main character is changed. Hmm.

Despite the constant parties, fun, and clothes in her new life as a pretty, Tally can't help but know in the back of her mind what her old life was like. Chopping trees, getting hoverboard scrapes, and outdoor toilets. I mean, ewww. But her faded memories are confirmed when she gets a letter from her past self telling her that being pretty is almost like living with an empty head, and follows the instructions to become real again. But now a secretive government group has figured out that Tally's mind isn't as blank as she and her boyfriend are pretending, and they're coming to get her. No matter what it takes.

Related links:
• Author's blog
• Official series site
• Series fansite