If you like apocalyptic novels, you might as well order the trilogy and save time and money. "Uglies" is set several hundred years in the future where Rusties (the people of our time period) have left the civilized world in ruins, continues in "Pretties," and concludes with "Specials."
Tally is the main character and hero. However, her best friend, Shay, leaves her mark by being the catalyst that sets the story in motion. In this utopian world designed to distract the rebellious ones, Shay is the leader whose personality is such that others willingly follow. It is she who leads Tally first across the river to Pretty Town just to attend this party for Pretties. At sixteen Uglies are given operations to make them perfect in looks and bubbly-making in behavior. One thing leads to another and they leave the city for the Smoke, a primitive settlement way beyond, in the frontier where rebellious Uglies go to avoid the Pretty operation. It is the perpetual theme of conformity against individualism, or in this case forced conformity against individuality that erupts happenstance.
In "Pretties" Tally and Shay are finally one with the group of Pretties, although how they arrive is not typical. Even though they are Pretties now, part of the "worm" that caused their dissension is still there. Shay becomes a dreaded Special because she covets ultimate powers and Tally tries to get back to the Smoke to cure her Pretty boyfriend. Twists and turns and more betrayals are part and parcel of the story.
"Specials" quickly became my favorite of the trilogy. Specials are given special powers--they are quicker, stronger, can propel themselves several feet, and have super-hyper abilities. Pretties fear them because they were created to spy and evoke fear in Pretties, but the reader now knows that Specials are just that and not bogeymen. Until Shay and Tally. Remember that "worm" of dissension? Now it is a "worm" of discord and, boy, can it do some damage! When Shay and Tally were in the Smoke (the natural world), they learned important lessons for the third world beyond Pretty World and the Smoke.
For a quick criticism of society, find a science fiction book. Here's one: "Uglies." Look! Two more--"Pretties" and "Specials." What a bargain--a boxed set! You will be glad. And do something about your society and its ills before something evil this way comes.
