Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

What would you do to be drop-dead gorgeous? Tally is an ugly whose hopes and dreams for the future all center on becoming exactly this. At the age of 16, everyone undergoes a dramatic surgery that molds bodies into physical masterpieces. As Tally counts down the days until her ugly face becomes breathtakingly perfect, she meets an ugly who makes her stop and think. Unlike every other ugly, Tally’s friend is not so sure she wants to go through with the operation that will thrust her into the world of new pretties. Tally learns things about being pretty that will suddenly make her question everything she’s ever known, wanted, and planned for. Will she do what it takes to become pretty in the end?

Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld, is the first book in a trilogy that introduces a fascinating new world. It takes place in the future, where a different kind of society lives: a society where perfection is the goal that may come with a price.

This series was the first that I truly and thoroughly enjoyed after reading such books as the Harry Potter and Stephenie Meyer series. Uglies not only had me sitting on the edge of my seat, but forced me to think outside the box. I think the whole premise of the series is absolutely fascinating! This novel really had it all too: action, suspense, romance, and drama. I won’t say anything more because I don’t want to spoil it; you just have to read it!

Recommended for ages 14 and up because of a cutting theme that appears later in the series.

Review by Sarah, occasional reviewer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon, Stephenie Meyer’s sequel to Twilight (reviewed here), picks up in a difficult place, where everything that has happened between Edward and Bella is threatened. After having felt like he had put the love of his existence in jeopardy time after time, Edward decides to leave Bella without a trace of his existence, hoping and believing she will be better off. She manages to get into trouble regardless. Feeling as though her heart will never heal from the emptiness without her darling immortal in her life, she puts her life in serious danger. The hidden Cullen family can’t ignore it anymore, but there is a misunderstanding. Bella must race against time, common sense, and friendship to save her relationship with Edward.

This book was a torture and a thrill the whole way through. I found myself stumbling to finish page after page as fast as I could. It was so easy to drift into the world of Bella and Edward that I couldn’t put the book down! It drove me crazy sometimes, but that’s why I absolutely loved it. Stephenie Meyer is a phenomenal writer who uses rich words and tugs at every human emotion possible. I definitely recommend this series to everyone. After all, who doesn’t like to get lost in an enthralling world of fantasy? Now looking back I wish I hadn’t finished it so fast so that I wouldn’t have to wait for the third book to come out in August; maybe I’ll just read them again!

Posted by Sarah B., my adored sister.