I have always been fascinated by dystopic tales, be they novels, films, or episodes television. I have loved The Twilight Zone - the original version - since I was a little girl. That being said, it is no wonder that the synopsis of Uglies intrigued me.

Tally is a typical teen: that is, typical for the time when and the place where she lives. She's waiting for the operation everyone gets at age sixteen - the operation that makes a person pretty. Oddly enough, this tradition of cosmetic surgery seems to have made society a better place. People are more accepting of others and more cheerful as a general rule.

Not only that, but the world seems to be pretty peachy for most people. There are fewer arguments and more agreements, less poverty and more technological improvements than in past generations. War is but a distant memory, and things are relatively peaceful.

Then Tally's friend Shay knows vows to evade the surgery - and asks Tally to come with her to the Smoke, a special place that accepts people who don't want to have the surgery. Tally thinks this sounds blasphemous. After Shay escapes, Tally is approached by the authorities, who know of Shay's plans - and tell Tally she must follow her friend and reveal the secret location of the Smoke. Tally wants to refuse, but when told that she'll remain an Ugly forever if she doesn't comply with their wishes, she is forced to go on a journey she never could have imagined.