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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Extras - Scott Westerfield

(one book is generous)
*both books have moderate violence, is for young adult audiences, discusses post apocalypse type society**

So, I don't usually review books that I'm not dying to recommend, but this one is the end of a 'series' and the first few I really liked so I want to talk about Extras so I can talk about Uglies, Pretties and Specials. Extras wasn't horrible, just in comparison to Uglies it was very bland. And it probably would have been better as a stand alone (not mentioning Tally at all) but on the other hand it might not have made sense if you hadn't read the Specials... very confusing I know.
Uglies was a fantastic book and the follow ups of Pretties and Specials were worth the read. I like the idea of post apocalypse type societies for a good story (Hunger Games, The Giver, The Alliance) and I understand that people are subject to the culture they were raised in, but I still felt the main character was selfish and stupid. Where as Tally-wa was a genuine and strong character.

moral of the story? Read Uglies

Extras is set post apocalypse about 2 years after Tally-wa changes the world and stops the government from controlling peoples brains. Aya's world is run by a reputation or popularity economy. The more popular you were the higher up in society you were. In fact everyone was given a number, at the beginning of the book, Aya is in the 500,000's (there are 1,000,000 people) and that means she is a nobody. Bloggers and Reporters and 'surge monkeys' people who have extreme surgeries to stand out, are the high rankers. So Aya sets out to get THE story so her ranking will be higher and she will no be and 'extra'





It's always fun to find a book with such a great protagonist, and this one has several. Female and Male. In this society every one is broken into categories, as are we today, but much more defined and role oriented. (a little like the Giver) Littlies are children, Uglies are young adults before they turn 16, who attend school and live in very advanced dorms where they can get anything they want by asking the 'wall'. They are all separated from the 'crusties' adults past their prime. Once they turn 16 they are given a surgery that makes them beautiful, and they go live in Prettyville, where all they do is party and have a good time (Uglies are NOT allowed in Prettyville). Tally Youngblood longs to grow up and cross the river to Prittyville. Then she meets Shay who shows her the 'Rusty' ruins, (Rusties are our society that was destroyed) and introduces her to a world where being Pretty isn't all its cracked up to be.

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