Review: Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Pretties
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: May 3rd 2011
Series: Uglies #2
Source: paperback (borrowed)

Goodreads | Amazon

Summary: Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

Review:  This review is going to be a short one because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read Uglies, the first in the series. You can read my review of Uglies here. 

Pretties was actually a lot better than Uglies for me, mainly because we could dive straight into the plot without having to worry about world building. Also, I already felt so familiar with the world that Scott Westerfeld has built that it was comfortable immersing myself in it for the next few hours. This is why I love reading series!

I actually liked Tally in Pretties a lot more because she was braver and was willing to take her chances. It was exciting to read about her adventures and I felt like I could really connect with her. She was so much more complex. I also enjoyed her relationship with Zane, it felt a lot more real than her relationship with David. Not sure which ship I am on right now, tbh. 

The storyline was amazing with all the twists and even the predictable parts didn't feel old and boring. I honestly could not put the book down for more than 5 minutes without thinking about it and picking it right back up again. I was a little disappointed with the ending though. That has to happen after all she has been through? :( It just seems kind of sad. Another thing I enjoyed about Pretties was all the new characters being introduced and the addition of new elements into the story. It kept things fresh and not stale with the same old characters.

There was one thing that I really did not appreciate. THE SLANG. It really bugged the hell out of me for the first half of the book. I just didn't like how overused it was. I understand that it has to be used during Tally's POV but when it was the third-party POV, it is honestly not necessary. It just makes it so much more unbearable. 'Bubbly' was used at least twice every page, something-making was also used every chapter and EVERYTHING was Bogus. ugh just no.

Either way, the plot and pacing really made up for my annoyance with the language and I can't wait to read Specials that is just sitting on my shelf. :)

My rating:

Recommended for dystopian, adventure lovers and anyone that read Uglies! 

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Stacking the Shelves #1 (June 9th)

Stacking The Shelves by Tynga's Reviews is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!


So I decided to start another meme that actually happens on Saturday. I am usually busy on Sundays so I can never add my link to the linky at Story Siren's on the day itself. :(

Library:
And the borrowing continues...I officially have 10 library books at home. :O But all these were hardcovers, so freaking gorgeous how could anyone have resisted. :(((

Born Wicked: I don't care even if this books is terrible, all is forgiven when it comes to such an AMAZING cover.

Hourglass: Another one of those, ebooks-I-own-but-saw-this-hardcover-at-the-library-and-couldn't-resist. Plus, I have the sequel that I intend to review soon! :)

Wake: So many mixed reviews on this one, excited to read about dreams!! I downloaded the rest of the series onmy iPad as well.

Entwined: What an amazing cover! Plus it has some pretty good reviews on GR.

Glimmer: I liked how the blurb sounded.

Before I Fall: The reviews on GR are out of this world and this has been on my TBR list for the longest time!!! MEGA EXCITED for this one.

ebooks:  Too many to talk about individually. I mainly got them because the summaries sounded good or I have seen many good reviews on it! :) The number of ebooks I have is mind-boggling, I should really tackle them.




Share with me what you got this week! :)

P.S. All book covers on Bursting Books are click-able and will redirect you to its Goodreads page.

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In My Mailbox #6 (June 02)

IN MY MAILBOX from thestorysiren
Every week you share the books you received that week...ones you bought, or got at the library, and ones that you received to review on the blog. That way you could mention titles that might not otherwise get some face-time on you blog.


Library:

I've decided that there is no use in fighting with my addiction to borrowing, my desire to read overpowers my will power. Hahah just jesting! I can't afford to buy paperbacks and I love reading them so the second best option is to borrow them! :) Also, the library is not making it any easier. They just increased the cap to 10 books! *faints* I managed to resist and just borrowed 4 since I have 4 more sitting at home. /pats self


Thirteen Reasons Why: I got this on my iPad just last week but I saw the paperback in the library and I just had to have it!!!

Across the Universe: The cover is amazing. To be honest, I didn't know it was a popular book until a few minutes ago when I was adding it on Goodreads... :(

Pretties: Obviously I had to check out the rest of the series! Check out my review of Uglies here.

Looking for Alaska: A Goodreads friend recommended this books to me exactly 1 year 1 day ago, I finally found it at the library! Can't wait to read it. :)

A relatively small haul this week but I need to play a bit of catch up since many of my books for review are being released this month. :O 

Share with me what you got this month in the comments below!

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Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: May 3rd 2011
Series: Uglies #1
Source: paperback (borrowed)

Goodreads | Amazon

Summary: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. In just a few weeks she'll have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she'll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. Tally's choice will change her world forever...

Review:  I really enjoyed the issues that Uglies addressed about how everyone has a certain taste as to who is considered pretty and who isn't. There is a resemblance to The Hunger Games but I would say that if I were to compare, The Hunger Games had much better world building. 

It was a little creepy and haunting when I read the descriptions of the Rusty Ruins. It sounded so tangible and it is actually frightening to even consider the fact that the demise of the world as we know it, is all because of our preferences. 

The technology in Uglies sounded extremely cool and by the end of the book I was itching to get on a hoverboard. I would also love to have a wall that produces anything I want...books please. Another thing I really liked about it was the adventure! Yummy! I love how there was very little time wasted lazing around or 'planning' or just talks about life. The pacing was really consistent throughout the book and there was a clear peak in the story which I really appreciated. 

Tally's decisions were sometimes hard to relate to but I guess having grown up in the society where being a Pretty is everything, we cannot really blame her for the choices she makes. David was lovable but the love triangle thing is soooo old! I am sick of reading about them. So I guess I am not really reading this for the romance but more for the adventure and to see how the dystopian word turns out. I didn't really get the whole deal about being a Pretty. Partying all day is supposed to be fun??? Well I guess I am not the average teenager. :P

Overall, this wasn't a favourite but it is a pretty good story and I think everyone should at least read the first book in the series. I would definitely read the rest of the series because I am curious to know what happens next and to try and understand the world that has been built in the Uglies series.

My rating:

Recommended for dystopian and adventure lovers!

 

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WWW Wednesdays #5 (May 23rd)

WWW WEDNESDAYS from shouldbereading 

What I am currently reading: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Going to start on this soon, super excited! :D

What I recently finished reading: Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

This was a very fun read! I finished it in about two hours. :) Review coming up tomorrow!

What I think I am going to read next: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

This has been on my TBR list for the longest time, glad I got hold of a copy from the library!








P.S. All book covers on Bursting Books are click-able and will redirect you to its Goodreads page.

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In My Mailbox #5 (May 20th)

IN MY MAILBOX from thestorysiren
Every week you share the books you received that week...ones you bought, or got at the library, and ones that you received to review on the blog. That way you could mention titles that might not otherwise get some face-time on you blog.


ebooks:


I saw The Lover's Dictionary here: Jessica @ Simply Infatuated IMM post and I just had to get it! I've heard so much about The Hunt and The Glimpse and I am really thrilled to get my hands on it. I got City of Lost Souls to complete my collection of The Mortal Instruments, will eventually get the paperback once I see it in stores around here. Fury by Shirley Marr has such a great cover, I just couldn't resist!!!

Library books:
Someone needs to forcefully remove my library card from me. I.CANT.STOP.BORROWING. It really doesn't help that I have quite a few books that have their datelines coming up. :(

I realised after borrowing these that they are all DYSTOPIAN! Hmm, I hope I don't get sick of this genre anytime soon...
Bumped: I have the ebook version but I saw this hardcover at the library, so why not!
The Killables: Sounds really cool and I am intrigued by the cover.
Uglies: This has been on my TBR pile for the longest time, so excited to read this one!!!

P.S. All book covers on Bursting Books are click-able and will redirect you to its Goodreads page.

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