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Book summary:
Tally Youngblood is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait
for the operation that turns everyone from a repellent ugly into a stunningly
attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only
job is to party. But new friend Shay would rather hoverboard to "the
Smoke" and be free. Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty
world and it isn't very pretty. The "Special Circumstances" authority
Dr Cable offers Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and
turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her
world forever.
This first thing that captivated me here was the idea itself. In times when beauty means more than it should and where you get judged just by your look this book played with that phenomena marvelously and it critiques it wonderfully. Not so long ago I have seen a documentary about little girls whose mothers do everything to make them the prettiest girls in the world. No matter what you say, no one can persuade me that it's not sick. Irony is that kids are the only ones who see the real beauty and never judge by the outside and then they are thought to do just that. It's like taking a childhood from the child. I know it's off topic but the beauty of this book is that it shows the real priorities and beauty. Not the outside one but the one inside. It shows in the descriptions of characters who went from ugly to pretty and the change it created in their actions and behaviors. With the transition we see changes made not only outside but inside.
While this series had a great idea and great world-building with really interesting characters and action, still I struggled with the start of the story. It was so slow that I thought I'd give up. Luckily I didn't. Now I hope I'll enjoy the Pretties more.
Rating: 4 stars.
Until the next time,
OMG! The idea of this book--I loved it as well. It was what made me pick it up from my local library in the first place. I thought the beginning was decent, but something kept me from enjoying this one so I put it on hold for indefinite time. I really like the point you made about inner beauty. That's what this series is truly about, I agree:)
OdgovoriIzbrišiYes I like the idea that the author used! :) I hope you'll get to finish this one. Thanks :)
IzbrišiI do agree that the beginning to this is slow. I picked it up when it first released and couldn't get through it, but when I tried again a few years ago, it worked out so well for me. I enjoyed this whole series a lot, actually, so I'm curious to see what you think of the rest of these books. Lovely review, Tanja - I'm so glad you liked this!(:
OdgovoriIzbrišiLady in library here said that they'll get the rest of the series in English in a few months so I'll wait. :) Thanks Keertana :)
IzbrišiI've seen this series around but never really paid attention to it. I'm glad you ended up enjoying it despite the slow start. And I hope you like the next book in the series!
OdgovoriIzbrišiThanks Sara :) Everyone say it gets better so we'll see :)
IzbrišiI have yet to read this series Tanja! I know what you're talking about with the kids though - I watched part of Toddlers & Tiaras the other day and it freaked me out to see those girls with their wigs and their fake tans and fake teeth parading about it skimpy costumes and being judged by adults. Yikes. Sorry it started so slow, but I'm glad you ended up enjoying it overall!
OdgovoriIzbrišiYes that show! I forgot the title but regardless it was sick. I hope you'll get to it soon. Thanks Jenny :)
IzbrišiI've always been interested in this series, but the book never seems to be available in my library.
OdgovoriIzbrišiThis does have an interesting idea and I'm very curious how it's executed.
"Not so long ago I have seen a documentary about little girls whose mothers do everything to make them the prettiest girls in the world."
This. This is the sickest thing ever. I cannot stand to watch parents cake make-up on the faces of their daughters and make them look bigger than they. That show is the worst and why people watch it is beyond me.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this book despite the slow start.
Great review!
Oh trust me I was waiting for it for so long. Yes it's really sick! I have no idea and I'll never understand that. Thanks Nick :)
IzbrišiI think this was the first Utopian book I ever read, I remember really liking it but that was years ago. I think I need to give it a reread. I hate the women that do that to their kids too.
OdgovoriIzbrišiIt's awful. I assume you enjoyed it more considering it was your first distopian :)
IzbrišiI haven't read this series, so I am glad you shared your review, I would struggle with this concept as well..i didn't raise my girls to look at beauty on the outside but from within.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI hardly believe any book-worm could rise their kids that way ;) Thanks :)
IzbrišiI probably didn't have huge expectations so I enjoyed it more. But then again I really love the way the author played with the idea. Thanks Aman :)
OdgovoriIzbrišiI bought book 1 awhile ago, but haven't read it. My mom stole it off my shelf and read it and ended up buying the rest of the series lol Now I have all the book in the series :) I can't wait to start them!
OdgovoriIzbrišiBTW, Great review!
Janina @ Synchronized Reading
LOL your mam rocks :) I hope you'll get to read it soon :) Thanks Janina :)
IzbrišiI just saw this book at the bookstore the other day and it did catch my attention because I'd seen it online before. It does sound like a solid and good read. And if you've praised it so much, I guess I can blindly go into it. Great review, girl!
OdgovoriIzbrišiSarika @ The Readdicts
People say that this series gets better :) Thanks girl :)
IzbrišiI have been struggling to decide whether I should read this or not. So many people have read this, and I have read mixed reviews. I also love the idea behind this series. I'm glad you enjoyed this, it seems this book has a strong message and I should pick this up. I can't wait to start this! Great review, girly! :D
OdgovoriIzbriši~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
We'll see with the next book, because I liked the idea here now it's time to connect with the story. :) Thanks :)
Izbriši