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Book Review: Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

January 28, 2010 by Darlene


Pretties is the second in Scott Westerfeld’s dystopian series following Uglies (my review) which I loved! While I didn’t find Pretties as ‘on the edge of my seat’ exciting, I still loved it! The one thing I really liked is that I’m already a part of this world of Tally’s so I’m familiar with the people and what’s going on. It felt like getting together with old friends on their next adventure. Just as a note this review will contain spoilers from the first book so if you’re planning on reading the series, you may not want to go any further.

In Pretties, Tally is now a pretty. She’s beautiful and has everything she could want now except of course the ability to think on her own anymore. She’s heading to the parties and drinking all night, only to be hung over the whole next day and then start over. This is the life of a new pretty. Tally’s only concern right now is to make it into the Crim clique – even in the world of Pretties, there are still the ‘in’ groups in which to belong. All of her old friends – Shay and Peris- belong to the this group along with an intriguing boy named Zane, who is the leader. Of course Tally makes it into this desired group and not only that she seems to attract the attention of Zane.

However Tally keeps having these nagging thoughts about what she assumes is her past but they are a jumble. This is where she and Zane really connect. Zane explains things to Tally, how you can stay bubbly to keep your mind alert instead of in a fog. When bubbly, things appear a lot more clear to Tally. In the meantime, someone from her past shows up and leaves her the pills to make her normal again along with the letter she wrote herself back in Uglies. Tally is terrified to take the pills – there is two of them – Zane is with her when she finds them. Yes, you guessed it; they each take one. Now the question is, was this a really good idea to take these pills or not?

The second half of the book really picks up and kept me on the edge of my seat again while I was very busy rooting for Tally and Zane to become normal again. Together they make a great couple and I enjoyed them together much more than Tally and David. Zane just seems to be the other half of Tally for some reason. Again I loved Tally. She is still my favorite character in this series. However do things ever really go smoothly where Tally is concerned? It seems she can’t escape the pretty world no matter how hard she tries.

Once again I was left hanging at the end of the book wanting more! Thankfully I had Specials ready and waiting and have, of course, given it a teeny tiny start already. I just can’t seem to control myself once I start one of these books. This is a great series that I am thoroughly enjoying!

Darlene

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Filed Under: 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 eBook Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge

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Comments

  1. A Bookshelf Monstrosity says

    January 28, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    I still can't believe I haven't read any of Westerfeld's books yet. I've really got to remedy this!

  2. Vivienne says

    January 28, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    I really do need to order this from the library soon. Great review.

  3. Nise' says

    January 28, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    Just brought Uglies home to read, so I skimmed your review of Pretties!

    Looking forward to reading this series.

  4. itsJUSTme-wendy says

    January 28, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    Ya know… I was interested in this series when it first came out. Now I might actually have to read it.

  5. Blodeuedd says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    I just read the blurb for his steampunk book and now I so want that one too. he is so good

  6. cherylbaryl says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    I requested the "Uglies" from Goodreads book swap. Can't wait to read it. I will have to put this book on my list too.

  7. bermudaonion says

    January 28, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Carl really liked this series and talked about Tally for a while after he read it. I need to read the series now!

  8. Serena says

    January 28, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    I didn't read the full review, but you are so enthusiastic about these books. They are on my To-read list.

    also, I wanted to tell you that your WWII win will be a bit late…I've got something coming in the mail from my cousin that you will enjoy! She's going to be here at the end of February, so I'll mail everything together.

  9. carolsnotebook says

    January 28, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    I read Uglies, but just didn't care enough to continue with the series.

  10. carla says

    January 28, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Sounds like you are having alot of fun with this series!
    Great review!

  11. Ti says

    January 28, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    I haven't read any of the books in this series but dystopian story lines are really popular right now! I like this genre because it's often very different than how we live life right. Makes for a good escape read.

  12. Staci says

    January 28, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    These books sound addicting like candy!! I will read them soon!

  13. Christy (A Good Stopping Point) says

    January 28, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    It's a toss-up as to whether Pretties or Specials is my favorite of the series. I love the character of Tally Youngblood and how she changes (not just physically) throughout the books. I agree with you about preferring the Zane / Tally pairing over the David / Tally pairing.

  14. Anna says

    January 28, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    I'm glad you're enjoying these books. I hope to read them at some point.

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  15. Melody says

    January 28, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    I guess I must be the last person on earth who haven't read this series! These books will be high up onto my wishlist!

  16. Lisa says

    January 29, 2010 at 4:54 am

    My daughter started Uglies a couple of years ago and never got that one finished. I need to convince her to pick it up again; I think she would like the series once she got going.

  17. Alice Teh says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Before long, I foresee myself starting on this series. Sounds mighty good! The first book and this.

  18. Ladytink_534 says

    January 29, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    I read Uglies last year I believe and I recently got the entire box set of these for Christmas. I plan on finishing the series for two of my challenges sometime this year.

  19. naida says

    January 29, 2010 at 11:33 pm

    I need to read these books. Great review!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  20. Gwendolyn B. says

    January 30, 2010 at 12:55 am

    I'm a little curious about these books and I'm sure I'll read at least the first one at some point. It's good to know how much you enjoy them!

  21. Zibilee says

    February 3, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    I haven't read your whole review, as I am trying to keep myself spoiler free for this series. I am really interested in it and think I would like these books a lot. Glad that you liked it so much and I hope you continue to go forward with the series!

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