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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
List of Triggers: Self Harm, Sickness, Ableism ("r" word used a lot at beginning to emphasize that the Pretties aren't conscious of others), Death
I liked this one better than the first. The only qualm I have with these books is that they're not substantial enough. I mean, they seem to fly by and they don't pack the kind of punch I want to be left with when I finish something. I don't like the premise for the third book, but I've started it. The way the characters talk in this book, things like "nervous-making" have ruined me forever though. I've started mirroring their speech. See, this was a problem in Angela's Ashes and now it's a problem again. Argh.
I'd have to give this one, just like the first one, 3.5 stars. While they were in New Pretty Town, it seemed to just drag on and on. I waited forever for something big to happen. For some reason, the closet they had reminded me of Alicia Silverstone's closet in the movie Clueless. I like how it ended with a cliffhanger but am dreading to see what happens with Shay. The character Shay plays gives me the creep for some reason. She seemed way to jealous with all the wrong motives.
Eh...while I read this book in a short amount of time, it definitely didn't have the same grab as the first one. The thing that really bugged me was the 'slang' that the pretties used for everything. I understand that they're supposed to be stereotypically airheaded and shallow but it's all just so shallow. Even Tally, who is supposed to be fighting against the prettiness is consumed by the shallow world of pretties and constantly calls things bubbly and fashion-missing etc. She doesn't exactly come across as someone I'd want to follow into a rebellion, especially blindly as it seems most of the Crims do, just following along because she's had some adventures so she "must know how to do the best tricks".
I have to say I'm not exactly looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully it reignites my interest in the series.
I have to say I'm not exactly looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully it reignites my interest in the series.
This was a reread. A big part of my enjoyment of any book, probably the biggest influence on the star rating I give, is how long it took me to read it. That may seem too simplistic, but if I'm invested in a story I will make time for it. If I'm not, I have to force my way through it. I took breaks from this book to read other books, which is a good indicator it wasn't exactly grabbing my attention. I liked the pretty language, it added some fun to the story. I liked how the female friendship continued to be a big motivation for Tally's actions, even if it wasn't exactly a friendship anymore. I liked Tally's relationship with Zane, how her changing allowed her to connect with him even after building a relationship with David. Westerfeld seemed determined to explore all the facets and aspects of this world, looking into everything that might happen to a person and to society if beauty became the norm. I have very little negative to say about the book other than I felt it dragged a little in the middle and was less relatable than the first. Mostly though I just wasn't as into it as I was the first one. But that's just me.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretties, while not the best book I’ve ever read, kept me entertained. It’s a light and easy read, but I hoped for more out of the story and it’s characters. I didn’t find myself rooting for anyone in this book. The love triangle that occupied the last chapters was uninteresting. This book missed the mark in addressing anything meaningful. A big part of what’s missing in discussing beauty standards is race which isn’t mentioned at all.
3.5 stars I think. In some parts of the book I definitely liked this more but in others I wasn't enjoying it as much. Its an okay read but not a favorite. Still like the discussion and bad side of "perfection" in this but think it could have hit harder if it had been written more recently. But entertaining nevertheless
The ending was so twisted. I was really sad when I saw that Shay had stopped cutting herself and turned herself into something worse.
The second book is not as good as the first, but that would be a hard thing to do anyway. This is still a great book, and it leaves me with a cliffhanger that leaves me wanting more at once.
Tally has become pretty, she is perfect in every way and she is loving the parties, drinking and all the pretty things. The gang she is in is the coolest and she is drawn to the leader, Zane. But she cannot stay in her bubble forever and she is contacted by an ugly person, some bells ring in her head that they have met before. That is the beginning to trying to figure out what really happened before she became pretty, when she was "kidnapped" by uglies and taken to their camp, Smoke. But all is not what it seems to be. And the constant rush for a moment of clarity is dangerous.
It's great seeing Tally again, and this time she has fallen for Zane, who is troubled and who had started to figure out that when you become pretty, they do something to your personality too. I can see them as a couple even if I miss "ugly" David.
This book is about the struggle she has in pretty town where she is trying to figure things out. Not much happens in a way but it leaves more time to think. First I was horrified at what was being done to people, but now I see it has to be done. By doing this there are no wars, not even fights, people are happy and loving, and yes terribly shallow. They take care of nature and they live in their cities while nature takes care of itself outside. By doing this they are saving the world. The people that escape and go to Smoke, those burn the trees and cut them down. If there were more they would soon be too many and the planet would be harmed. Mankind stood on the brink of extinction and was only saved by this. Yes the way it's being handled is wrong, but there is a good thought behind it. It leaves me wondering, what is right and what is wrong? And what will Tally choose in the end?
He has managed to create an interesting world, and I like the concept behind these books. I really need to know what Tally will do and that cliffhanger, oh yes you should be ready with book 3 because it's a big one.
If Tyra Banks and George Orwell had a love child, "Pretties" would be its favorite book: fashion, beauty, and materialism meet supreme, high tech governmental control.
"Pretties" is the second novel in the series by Scott Westerfeld and loses no momentum or energy. Geared toward teens, it provides some thought provoking moments and entertainment for older readers, as well.
"Pretties" is the second novel in the series by Scott Westerfeld and loses no momentum or energy. Geared toward teens, it provides some thought provoking moments and entertainment for older readers, as well.