Specials

Specials by Scott Westerfeld, 350 pages

This is the third book in the Uglies series.  Tally and most of her friends have been made into Specials.  They can think more clearly than most pretties, although their brand of Specials are called Cutters, because they cut themselves and the pain helps see and think clearly.  They are also enhanced physically and are basically killing machines.  They are charged with finding New Smoke, where people are trying to undermine the whole system of uglies and pretties.  Tally and Shay figure out a way to help Tally's boyfriend, Zane, escape from New Pretty Town.  Tally is sure that Zane will prove that he can be a Special too, if he can get out.  Shay also thinks that they can use Zane to find New Smoke.  The plan works, but New Smoke is not at all what they expect.  I've enjoyed this series.  I can't say that I love it but I also think that it probably has a fairly wide teen appeal, especially those that like science fiction.

Pretties

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld, 370 pages

The sequel to Uglies starts with Tally in the City.  She has had the operation to make herself pretty and loves hanging out with her friends.  She hopes that the Crims will accept her as part of their group and she is sure that she will be happy forever.  Until someone from her past, Croy, shows up and reminds her that not everything in the City is as great as it seems.  All of the people who have had the operation have also had something done to their brains so that they are docile and never question the system and don’t think very much.  Tally and the leader of the Crims, Zane, want something more.  And when they discover the pills that Croy hid for her that are supposed to reverse the operation, they decide to each take one and escape the City as soon as possible.  This is a good sequel for fans of the series and teens who like fantasy and science fiction stories.