Tally lives in a world where your sixteenth birthday brings aesthetic perfection: an operation which erases all your flaws, transforming you from an 'Ugly' into a 'Pretty'. She is on the eve of this important event, and cannot wait for her life to change. As well as guaranteeing supermodel looks, life as a Pretty seems to revolve around having a good time. But then she meets Shay, who is also fifteen - but with a very different outlook on life. Shay isn't sure she wants to be Pretty and plans to escape to a community in the forest - the Rusty Ruins - where Uglies go to escape ' turning'. Tally won't be persuaded to join her, as this would involve sacrificing everything she's ever wanted for a lot of uncertainty. When she is taken in for questioning on her birthday, however, Tally gets sent to the Ruins anyway - against her will. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend Shay and turn her in, or never turn Pretty at all. What she discovers in the Ruins reveals that there is nothing 'pretty' about the transformations... And the choice Tally makes will change her world forever. ‘The longing for fairy-tale beauty has never looked so sinister’ - Amanda Craig, The Times ‘Fast paced, exciting and thought-provoking.’ The Bookseller's Choice ‘With a beginning and ending that pack hefty punches, this introduction to a dystopic future promises an exciting series.’ Kirkus starred review ‘Superb sci-fi.’ Amanda Craig, The Times Supplement ‘Westerfeld introduces thought-provoking issues’ Publishers Weekly ‘Naughty children, from Max in Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, to Tally in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy, have the imagination and energy to go beyond convention.’ The Times ‘This exciting story makes you realise how important it is not to judge people by appearances.’ Newcastle Upon Tyne Journal ‘This book is a real thrill-ride and the world utterly convincing.’ Trashionista.com ‘Vivid, relevant and exhilarating dystopia which somehow manages to be thought-provoking and wicked good fun at the same time. It’s official: I'm an Uglies fangirl.’ I was a teenage book geek (Blog), 'Fun, and the many by-the-skin-of-your-teeth escapes and hoverboard chases, plus the non-stop action plotting were enough to catch my attention and have me eagerly wanting more.’ The Book Smugglers