"Uglies" is a quick but intriguing read, another great addition to the bookshelf full of dystopian young adult fiction. Set in a seemingly perfect world, several hundred years after the society of Rusties (that would be us, folks) has died out, the world is divided into "uglies" and "pretties". At age 16, each person undergoes an operation to become pretty, achieving scientifically defined standards of perfect beauty, and then diving headlong into a beautiful life of fun and parties. All uglies look forward to becoming pretty. Main character Tally is counting the days until her operation, until a friend with other ideas turns her world upside down. The dark side of pretty life emerges in bits and pieces, and Tally is forced into a desperate path of betrayal in order to survive. "Uglies" is the first in a trilogy, and ends with a powerful cliffhanger. Can't wait to read book two, "Pretties".