My review of the talented Mr. Westerfeld’s book is up at gothamist and be warned that it’s the final in a trilogy – I’ve been accused too often of spoiling things for people. In fact, even this blurb from my review is a spoiler. Duly warned:

So when we find Tally again in Specials, she’s something completely different than the Ugly Tally or the Pretty Tally. Crossing the last threshold of manipulation, the feisty Tally is special – a specially manipulated government agent designed to curb revolt.
Are you still with me? You should be. Aside from all the wicked cool tricks and gadgets that Westerfeld creates (skateboard-like hoverboards, skintennas, a floating ice rink), the entire trilogy is infused with humanity. The delicious rebellion against authority in Uglies becomes the struggle to escape mindless oppression in Pretties. The cult of beauty, apathetic distractions as a solution for unhappiness, even war and domination – doesn’t this sound familiar? They’re all in there. Westerfeld’s trilogy has everything an epic journey should have.

I’ll definitely be picking up Westerfeld’s other novels in my own time.

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