Uglies

 Uglies by Scott Westerfeld 448 pages

Summary: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. In just a few weeks she’ll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally’s choice will change her world forever.

My Thoughts: Look I loved this book series as a teenager. However, reading it today, I did like the first book. the dystopian aspect was intriguing. The beauty standards and how everything affects the environment. I enjoyed reading the inner turmoil Tally faces because society has ingrained in her head that she is "ugly" and needs to be beautiful in order to matter. 

I love that she was strong enough to make the journey to find the Smokies in order to infiltrate and betray them. Her inner turmoil from that point on is should she betray these people or not. This book is about realizing right and wrong, standing up for what you believe in, and friendship.