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Extras (Uglies #4)

by Scott Westerfeld

3.59 · rating details · 27,207 ratings · 2,674 reviews

Fame

It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all...more

Paperback, 417 pages

Published April 28th 2009 by Simon Pulse (first published October 2nd 2007)

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Jan 01, 2008

Abby rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: sf, teen, dystopia

Like the other books in the Uglies trilogy, Extras is fun and a very fast read. I read this book in about 2 and 1/2 hours, pretty much non-stop.

However, Extras raised the same prickly issues for me that the other books in the series did. My years as a student steeped in cultural studies and gender theory make it pretty much impossible for me to read works of popular fiction without subjecting them to critical analysis, and Westerfeld's books certainly lend themselves to this sort of...moreLike the other books in the Uglies trilogy, Extras is fun and a very fast read. I read this book in about 2 and 1/2 hours, pretty much non-stop.

However, Extras raised the same prickly issues for me that the other books in the series did. My years as a student steeped in cultural studies and gender theory make it pretty much impossible for me to read works of popular fiction without subjecting them to critical analysis, and Westerfeld's books certainly lend themselves to this sort of critique. Especially if you are like me.

Like most dystopian science fiction, Westerfeld's books cast a critical eye on disturbing aspects of our present-day society -- obsession with looks, fame, etc -- by taking those aspects to extremes and weaving them into the very fabric of the future society. In Uglies & Pretties, everyone is "cured" of ugliness through a mandatory operation that takes place when individuals turn 16. In Extras, people earn money, respect, and privilege through the "reputation-based" economy, which rewards those who can make a name for themselves by publicizing and popularizing their thoughts, exploits, etc through the "feeds" (read: Internet). (If you think this is an interesting idea, you might want to check out Cory Doctorow's book "Down & Out in the Magic Kingdom" which explores the same conceit but with more skill and humor). In all of these books, the main (female) character desperately wants to be pretty, special, popular, famous or whatever, but ends up questioning the values of her society when she meets outsiders who don't subscribe to those norms.

The problem I have with Westerfeld's books is that these critiques, which are intriguing and thought-provoking, don't actually go far enough. Although the main character openly questions and in some cases initially resists the societal mandate to become pretty, special, famous, etc, she ALWAYS eventually ends up becoming pretty or famous even if it is against her will. Unlike all the other unenlightened pretty or famous folks who have never questioned their society's structure, however, she is well-aware of the pitfalls. She is now in fact doubly privileged -- as a pretty/special/famous person she has all the privileges that go along with being high-status in her society, AND she also has a sophisticated understanding of the "dark side" of her society that others can't see, through ignorance or fear or whatever other blinders they have on.

So although Westerfeld is clearly trying to show the reader how screwed up the dystopian society's norms (and by implication our own) are, in the end, he simply reinforces them. In Westerfeld's world, you can be hip to the ways in which our society's obsession with looks and celebrity oppress others and rail against the system, but you can still benefit from them at the same time. There's no sacrifice to make. And I guess that's why, as much as I enjoy Westerfeld's books, I can't help thinking that ultimately they're as shallow as the cultural norms they purport to critique. (less)

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Feb 23, 2011

Emma rated it

· review of another edition

Extras is the fourth book in Scott Westerfeld's critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling series (originally it was a trilogy). The first three books Uglies, Pretties, and Specials follow Tally Youngblood, a fifteen-year-old girl living in a futuristic world so dominated by plastic surgery that anyone who looks normal is ugly. Extras is set three years after the events of the trilogy unfold, in a different city, with different main characters. The trilogy, however, sets the framework for ...moreExtras is the fourth book in Scott Westerfeld's critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling series (originally it was a trilogy). The first three books Uglies, Pretties, and Specials follow Tally Youngblood, a fifteen-year-old girl living in a futuristic world so dominated by plastic surgery that anyone who looks normal is ugly. Extras is set three years after the events of the trilogy unfold, in a different city, with different main characters. The trilogy, however, sets the framework for everything that happens in Extras so while the book is great on its own it definitely assumes you know the story of the trilogy.

In this new world, where everything is changing, being pretty isn't enough to get by. Now it's fame that matters. The more famous you are, the higher your face rank is. A higher rank means more currency in a world where celebrity is everything.

Everyone is trying to get more attention somehow: "tech-heads" are obsessed with gadgets, "surge monkeys" are hooked on the newest trends in plastic surgery, and "kickers" use feeds (think blogs but techier and cooler because it's a Westerfeld idea) to spread the word on all the gossip and trends worth mentioning. But staying famous is a lot easier than getting famous. Just ask Aya Fuse. Fifteen-year-old Aya has had her own feed for a year, but her rank is still 451,369--so low that she's a definite nobody, someone her city calls an extra.

Aya has a plan to up her rank though. All she needs is a really big story to kick. Aya finds the perfect story when she meets the Sly Girls, a clique pulling crazy tricks in utter obscurity. As Aya follows her story she realizes it's much bigger than one clique: maybe the biggest story since Tally Youngblood changed everything.

Some sequels that bring in all new characters are annoying. Not this one. All of the "new" characters are original and, equally important, likable. The story is also utterly original covering very different territory than the rest of the series. It doesn't pick up right where the trilogy left off, but a lot of questions are answered by the end of this book.

Like the other books in the series, this one moves fast. The story has a lot of action and several twists and surprises (some old characters even turn up). The plot is never overly-confusing though. Westerfeld does a great job of creating (and explaining) the futuristic world he has created in these pages so that it truly comes to life on the page.

At the same time, Extras is a very timely book. In a world where everyone seems to have some kind of website and is trying to be more popular or more famous, it's fascinating to read about a city where everything literally depends on your reputation. Westerfeld raises a lot of interesting questions as Aya deals with the ethics of kicking her new story and tries to decide if honesty really is more important than fame.(less)

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Feb 07, 2009

Paige [eastIndies.] rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

Honestly, this book was kind of a disappointment. I liked how it was all accumulated around the Japanese society, but other than that, I was expecting much more of this book. In my opinion, Aya is a very whiny, self-absorbed suck up. I don't like the way Scott Westerfeld portrays Tally in this either because he renders her as a know-it-all b word, to say the least. Which, I don't think Tally has ever been. Her character is not put to justice in this book.

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Mar 02, 2009

Christina rated it

· review of another edition

I really struggled to finish this book, and I thought it was significantly worse than the others in the series. A lot of the dialogue was agonizingly stilted. The characters actually said things like "Not good!" and "uh, oh!" to react to approaching falling objects and other imminent bumps-on-the-head. AAAAAARGH. Those lines drive me crazy enough in movies. I was horrified to find them in a book.
At one point, characters from two different countries meet and have ...more

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May 02, 2008

Izlinda rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: utopian-dystopian, teen-angst-growing-up, science-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Set in the same "Uglies" universe as the previous three books, but set three years after Tally caused the "mind-rain" (when bubbleheads were given the choice to have their lesions repaired so they weren't empty-mindedly happy), this book takes place in Japan.

Aya Fuse's city decides to award resources to people based on their reputation/fame. This is done by everybody being given their own feed (Internet) once of age and their own hovercam. The more often someone's...moreSet in the same "Uglies" universe as the previous three books, but set three years after Tally caused the "mind-rain" (when bubbleheads were given the choice to have their lesions repaired so they weren't empty-mindedly happy), this book takes place in Japan.

Aya Fuse's city decides to award resources to people based on their reputation/fame. This is done by everybody being given their own feed (Internet) once of age and their own hovercam. The more often someone's feed is watched, or name is mentioned, the higher their rank, and the more luxuries they are allowed. For example, the higher rank you have, the more luxurious your house can be, or clothes given to you. This is called "face." People can also gain "merits" by doing good deeds, like finish homework on time, working hard, volunteering to babysit, etc.

Aya is pretty desperate to raise her rank so when she finds a secret clique of girls who do tricks with their hoverboards (such as riding the mag-lev train), she decides to join them and secretly spy on them so she can "kick" their story. This leads to a discovery of hidden steel cylinders in a mountain which starts this avalanche of events that inevitably brings in Tally Youngblood and her group of Cutters.

I admire the premise, but I do wish Westerfeld had gone more in depth about the type of fame-obsessed, notice-me society Aya lives in and the negative impact of it. While he does a good job of how relationships can be screwed due to the difference of ranks (called "difference of ambition" in her world, which is a reason people can break up their relationships, much like our "irreconcilable differences") or make things awkward, it doesn't go much further than that.

Also, I found it a little eye-rolling that the heroine does attain a very very high rank in the end, after all, which kind of deflates the purpose of the book, or a purpose. This purpose being a look at the impact of such a society. I mean, seriously, it's like Aya rolls out through perfectly, despite the lies and hardships on the way. And she does "truth-slant" a lot. It doesn't seem like there's enough of a difference shown in her personality by the end of the book, so while she does understand truth-slanting to get ahead for something as shallow and frivolous as fame, she doesn't seem to fully get it.

Tally's inclusion in the book as a peripheral character is an interesting difference from the past three books (two I've read). She seemed harsher and more violent seen from a third-person's viewpoint than when we're inside her head and see her struggles to rewire herself. Kind of brings into mind how we view ourselves is sometimes completely different from how others view us.

Overall a good book, but not really one I would recommend buying, but only checking out.(less)

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Dec 11, 2011

★ Jess rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, read-in-2011, 2-stars-average

I would give this 2.5
It was no where near as good as Uglies-though it was just as enjoyable as 'Specials'.
If you're a fan of the original three books, I strongly recommend reading this one as well!
If you thought the first three were just so-so, then give this one a miss.

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Jan 30, 2009

Kelly rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: worst-books, ya-sci-fi

You know this book started out okay but it quickly went down hill. I was actually annoyed to see Tally in this one and her attitude. I mean this book was not about her so I don't understand why she HAD to be in it. I didn't like how she was portrayed at all. I also quickly got annoyed at Aya.

The Uglies series was my first exposure to Westerfeld and though I really liked Uglies and liked Pretties and pretty much liked Specials I gotta say i'm noticing a pattern with his characte...more

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Jan 05, 2010

Violet rated it

Shelves: science-fiction

COUNT AS TWO BOOKS!The one reason Aya Fuse lives is for the hope of becoming famous.So does every other person in Japan's future.People do anything they can to have a story of there's recognized.Aya follows a group of teens to make a video that will give her the glitz and glamour of the celebrity life, who are unlike the majority of the population in several ways.During this time she discovers something more important than her story.
At the beginning of this story, the very little actions...more

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Sep 26, 2008

Christina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, science-fiction, 2008-reads

Finishing a series always makes me feel like I'm losing a friend. I've spent a good week or so reading these four books, absorbed in the pages and the characters and their lives, and now I just feel lonely.

Extras is set a few years after the huge finale of Specials, or the "mind-rain" as they now call it. It's also a bunch of new characters (although Tally, Shay, David and Fausto make a reappearance which I'm extremely happy about!), a new city, and a spanking new economy ...more

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Dec 13, 2007

Caryn rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: youngreaderandteen, scifi

There is an interesting arc to my appreciation of Extras.

I wasn't so sure at first. The girl on the front is obviously not Tally Youngblood, and so I was rather nervous about starting a Westerfeld book that wasn't about Tally Youngblood. But start it I did, and for the first half or so I was in young adult fiction bliss.

Extras does it all right when it comes to futuristic fiction with a bit of a social commentary. Insert Aya Fuse, a fifteen-year-old in post-mind-rain (see...more

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Oct 09, 2007

Joe rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of the Uglies trilogy

Shelves: post-apocalyptic

This is a bit of a return to form for Westerfield, as compared to the last book in the series. Not that I think any of them is bad, but I liked Pretties a little less than Uglies, and Specials a little less than Pretties. I'm happy to say that Extras is the best book in the series since Uglies.

It definitely helps that Tally is not the main character here, and that the setting has moved from California to Japan. The protagonist is a 15 year old Japanese girl named Aya, living in an un...more

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May 28, 2008

Trin rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, ya, american-lit

The fourth, surprise volume in the Uglies no-longer-a-trilogy. I liked this way more than Specials, the last book in the series (which I actually kind of hated). This novel doesn't center around Tally, the protagonist of the previous three books, but around a new character, Aya Fuse, who's growing up in a post-Pretties world. The Important Teen Topic Westerfeld is tackling this time is fame, not beauty, as following Tally's act of liberation, the world has evolved into one where wealth and soc...moreThe fourth, surprise volume in the Uglies no-longer-a-trilogy. I liked this way more than Specials, the last book in the series (which I actually kind of hated). This novel doesn't center around Tally, the protagonist of the previous three books, but around a new character, Aya Fuse, who's growing up in a post-Pretties world. The Important Teen Topic Westerfeld is tackling this time is fame, not beauty, as following Tally's act of liberation, the world has evolved into one where wealth and social merit are derived purely from notoriety. In other words, Paris Hilton would still be in our faces all the time, dammit.

Like a lot of Westerfeld's work, this book is the most enjoyable if you don't think about it too much. There's a fun, exciting action plot to be had here, but the whole world kind of falls apart if you ponder it for more than five seconds. How is it that Aya's city—which is clearly not the same one as Tally's, as much is made of the language barrier later—was set up in exactly the same way as Tally's? Especially when Uglies made each community seem so wonderfully isolated? And I really don't see the logic of the post-Pretty world, as it's left at the end of Specials, evolving so soon into the world Aya introduces us to. And—but no. Let's go back to nothing thinking about this too hard, okay?

Well, first: I also have to say that I find the idea of all these teenage characters—Aya is fifteen—doing and accomplishing all of this stuff on their own vaguely ridiculous, which officially makes me too old for these books. (Part of my brain can't stop thinking, Where are their PARENTS?) But, uh. If you set all that aside, this really is a fun book! Really! And it provides a slightly more upbeat ending for Tally and David, which I really appreciate. So if you like the other books in this series—or even just the first one—this is a worthy addition. I'm much, much happier having this, instead of Specials, as my final impression of the Uglies world and these characters, and that's worth a lot, I think.(less)

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Nov 14, 2007

Erin added it · review of another edition

I just finished this and while I didn't like it as much as Uglies (the best in the series) it was better than Specials. I think one of the things I liked the most about it was that it was set in Japan and the characters didn't speak English and they talked about the differences between the cities. It's been awhile since I've read the others but I kinda got the impression from those that the whole world was the same. I liked that there were still some of the Rusty countries. Speaking of that,...more

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Nov 17, 2008

Bridget rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

I can't believe that I am finished with this series. (What to start on next, hmmm.)

This was my least favorite of the series. I really liked it for the first half. I liked Aya Fuse (cool name) and her brother, Hiro, and his friend, Ren. I liked the whole premise of popularity and fame being a commodity for living.

I can't believe that I am saying this, but I didn't really like Tally in this book! Once, she came on the scene, I thought the writing became very sloppy. T...more

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Dec 29, 2008

Darbus rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 10, 2008

Hope rated it

· review of another edition

An entertaining afterthought to the Uglies trilogy, full of Westerfeld's trademark mid-air action sequences, with no small amount of social commentary layered into it. However, it's currently my least favorite of the series. I wonder if it is because Tally Youngblood is a more likeable protaganist than Aya Fuse, or maybe just because of the three book structure of the initial trilogy leaves more room for suspense-building (wider story arc?). Either way, a fun return to this totally bubbly world....more

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Mar 03, 2009

Tammy rated it

· review of another edition

I originally gave this book a five-star-rating because it's part of the Uglies series which I think is amazing. However, comparing it to other books I've rated that high, I decided to bump it to a four, which is more accurate to my initial response.
Why do I like it so much? Well, it's a well-written story, of course, but I really appreciate the way Westerfeld takes an excess or obsession of our society and exaggerates it. In this case he plays with the desire for fame and popularity....more

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Feb 27, 2009

Debbie rated it

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First off this isn’t really a 4th book in the Uglies trilogy although Tally and a couple other Cutters do make an appearance. Aya is the main character and the story focuses on her ambition to kick a story that will make her famous and boost her rank. It’s actually kind of sad that once the bubblehead surgery was stopped how some humans reverted back to allocating resources based on how famous a person is. Aya is especially feeling the pressure once her older brother, Hiro, becomes one of the...more

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Feb 20, 2009

Sam rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ya

It has been three years since Tally Youngblood brought about the mind rain and ended the practice of surgery that turned humans into mindless "bubbleheads" incapable of fighting or really thinking for themselves. Aya Fuse is a 15 year old ugly living in a city whose inhabitants will do anything to raise their "face rank", a listing that shows who is the most popular in the city and confers upon them special benefits befitting the famous. In an effort to get out of the ranks o...more

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Jan 12, 2009

Jenni rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ya, sf

Enjoyed this, as I have the other books in the series. It's one of those trilogies-turned-longer things, but not badly self-indulgent with it; the choice of a different narrator and a new set of challenges helps. It zips along really well, and has some real depth to it too; the earlier books brought in questions of free will and self-determination, and this one tackles the Facebook-type culture of vapid self-promotion squarely.

Mind you, the thing I was particularly interested in was ...more

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Nov 29, 2008

Elizabeth rated it

· review of another edition

It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance.

"Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz ...more

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Jan 29, 2012

V.E. rated it

· review of another edition

Okay, so it seems like this author gets a premise and just decides to go with it, not really bothering to do much development. A little more world-building is done here, but not that much.
And the relationships are not developed at all. How can Aya and Frizz possibly be in love with each other when they never really have a conversation apart from one fight?
Why should Aya be loyal to the Sly Girls (Sly Girls? Really?) when they're not really her friend, and the whole relationship is...more

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Jan 26, 2012

Once Upon rated it

· review of another edition

This story was a continuation of the Uglies series, but focused on a new set of characters. I listened to the audiobook in my car on my commute to/from work. It felt like it was taking forever to get through the story, so I ended up skipping a few of the CDs because I wanted to see how it ended. Aya Fuse wanted to become famous, sort of like how Tally Youngblood wanted to become a Pretty in the first part of the series. Aya and her brother Hiro and friend Ren are called "kickers" and t...more

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Jan 13, 2012

Ellie rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: series, sci-fi

Ratio of high points to low points = 1:3
*High points = omg I'm hooked!! I can't put down this book even to pee!!!!
*Low points = why. is. it. dragging.

Yeah, I know, how immature of me to put it that way but it's not like I'm a walking dictionary or something. Anyway, this book has a pretty weak plot compared to the first three books of the series. I thought Aya was pretty shallow.. She would do anything for fame. It disgusted me, the way she thought. She reminded me of these g...more

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Jan 04, 2012

Kristine rated it

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In Extras we find out what happened to the world of the pretties after the "mind rain" cures everyone's bubbliness. The story is told from the perspective of Aya, a 15-year-old who wants nothing more than to be famous like her older brother, Hiro. Her chance at fame comes when she discovers a secret clique--the Sly Girls--are surfing on the backs of mag-lev trains. Determined to out these girls who are so dedicated to obscurity they'll even change names if the one they're using gets to...moreIn Extras we find out what happened to the world of the pretties after the "mind rain" cures everyone's bubbliness. The story is told from the perspective of Aya, a 15-year-old who wants nothing more than to be famous like her older brother, Hiro. Her chance at fame comes when she discovers a secret clique--the Sly Girls--are surfing on the backs of mag-lev trains. Determined to out these girls who are so dedicated to obscurity they'll even change names if the one they're using gets too popular, she joins them, and in the process discovers a secret plot to steal iron from Rusty cities and turn it into missiles. When she breaks the story--propelling herself into the spotlight almost instantly--the inhuman-looking people behind the plot try to capture Aya, Hiro, and their friends, Ren and Frizz. Tally Youngblood and her friends, Shay and Fausto, show up and rescue the four--sort of--and the group sets out to figure out what's going on and destroy the weapons before they can be used against cities. Unless, of course, that's not really what's going on...

Again Westerfield has created a young girl who wants to grow up, this time to be famous instead of just pretty. Aya was a little annoying for me, probably because I really can't relate to wanting to be famous. Personally, I enjoy my obscurity. Probably not as much as the Sly Girls, but I would have had no problem dropping the story of the Sly Girls to enjoy their company. That wouldn't make for nearly as fun a story, though.

At the end of "Specials," all of humanity had been freed from the mind alterations that had kept them happy and in check. As a consequence, in "Extras" humans have returned to higher levels of resource consumption, expanding their cities and re-discovering carbon-intensive hobbies. It's an interesting dilemma--do humans have to be controlled to keep our resource use in check? Westerfield seems to be saying yes, admitting we are inherently consumers and, given the opportunity, consume as much as we can. His final solution to this problem (I assume this is the final solution, anyway) is interesting, though probably only feasible in a world where smart materials can easily be reshaped and the human form is almost equally malleable. (less)

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Dec 31, 2011

Katiekat rated it

· review of another edition

I hate Aya. I relly truly freaking hate her. She's so obssessed with those thrice-damned cameras and getting famous that she's willing to betray people, expose their plans and secrets, and otherwise make herself out to be a life-wrecking bitch (which she is).

And no, I really don't care if all of that was to show how fame can turn people into monsters, because that's not the way it came across. I interpreted Aya's sickening thoughts/actions to be those of a greedy, selfish, arrogant bra...moreI hate Aya. I relly truly freaking hate her. She's so obssessed with those thrice-damned cameras and getting famous that she's willing to betray people, expose their plans and secrets, and otherwise make herself out to be a life-wrecking bitch (which she is).

And no, I really don't care if all of that was to show how fame can turn people into monsters, because that's not the way it came across. I interpreted Aya's sickening thoughts/actions to be those of a greedy, selfish, arrogant brat, which totally sucked any meaning out of whatever message Mr. Westerfield was trying to get across. It. Just. Sucked.

I really think Extras would have been SO much better if Aya had never gotten famous, had never been exposed to all the "glory" betraying those who trusted her brought. But no. She got the fans, the apartment, the hot boyfriend, and everything else that came with her ill-founded fame. Not only did that muddle the message of the book, but it also created a vile character that should just go fall off the edge of the world and die.

All the flaws in Extras upset me for one other reason: I LOVED the other three books!!! In the first three in the series, Tally was forced into these radical changes that she didn't even want, manipulated by the Specials, but still managed to overcome the programming in her brain enough to fix what had gone wrong. Despite her flaws, she was a good character with a good story.

And then.... Extras happened.

Besides the utterly-hateable main character, flat/lifeless secondary characters, and crappy execution, there is ANOTHER huge, snarling flaw in the story.

Wtf is up with this government???? Yeah, it's a similar system to the old prettytime, but it just DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Not only is the whole face-rank thing a recipe for disaster (I mean, come on people!!), but you'd think that this society would have learnes from the prettytime how stupid it is to make the way you look and act affect the treatment you get, your status in society. RIDICULOUS.

Okay, one more thing before I'm done with my rant. Dear old Scott should have done his research on Japanese honorifics before he wrote about some native Japanese. I realize that a lot of American teens wouldn't know much about the system, but he should've been more accurate anyway! Hmph. Firstly, unless you're SUPER close, you don't address anybody without adding some title onto their name. Boys your age or under would be -kun, girls -Chan. If they were older than you, -sempai (or senpai, I can't remember). Adults would be -San, unless they were of high rank. Then they would be -sama. Sensei would be reserved for teachers, mentors, or REALLY high-ranked people.

Dude, if a teenage American girl can tell you more about the culture you've researched, you know you did it half-assed.

So, in short, I found absolutely nothing likeable about Extras, except the writing style. I really hate it that the auThor tacked this piece of crap onto the end of a really nice trilogy, and if he dares to do something like this again then I really will have to kill him.(less)

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Dec 11, 2011

Jackson Downs rated it

· review of another edition

"Extras" is the fourth and final installment of the "Uglies" series. The story takes place somewhere in Japan a few years after the main character from the first three books freed everyone in whats called "The Mindrain" from the rule of the government in which everyone at sixteen had an operation making them pretty and stupid. Now everyone tries to get famous by raising their face rank since the more famous get better things. It follows a fifteen year old girl ...more "Extras" is the fourth and final installment of the "Uglies" series. The story takes place somewhere in Japan a few years after the main character from the first three books freed everyone in whats called "The Mindrain" from the rule of the government in which everyone at sixteen had an operation making them pretty and stupid. Now everyone tries to get famous by raising their face rank since the more famous get better things. It follows a fifteen year old girl named Aya Fuse who is almost dead last, an extra. This book is a good follow up and end to the series.
This book is very interesting because it provides a new way of looking at civilization in the future. While based like most books in the after affects of a disaster that nearly wipes humanity of the face of the Earth, the people have figured out how to live where no one goes hungry and nature is thriving more than ever. People use magnets to move around and no pollution is emitted. Some people are more privileged than others but otherwise there is no real remnants of society as we know it. The movie is for of ironic twist and surprises throughout the plot so you have no idea what is truly happening even when you think you do.
I didn't have many complaints with this book if any. There are a couple of times where you can get confused if you haven't kept up with the series. The book also doesn't tell you that the setting is in Japan until you learn of it later so you have no idea where you are until then but it is good at telling you where you are from then on. the book is a little slow building the characters and has a few pointless one in it also.
The book is definitely good with you wanting to find out what this new kind of society. It also has plenty of surprises in it where you think you know what happens and than its something else entirely. I think this is a very good book because it left me thinking about the book and what will happen next but being disappointed because it's the last one. A few complaints but nothing major. The book is definitely worth reading and the if you haven't started the series than you have an extremely epic fantasy to explore.(less)

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Dec 10, 2011

Christie rated it

· review of another edition

In summary, a disappointment.

My first issue: Aya. From page one, I couldn't stand her. The only thing that kept me reading for about 3/4ths of the book was the vain hope her enormous head would cause her to fall on her face. Unfortunately, it became clear that that wasn't going to happen. I read a little past 3/4ths of the book, then skipped ahead in frusteration and skimmed to see if Aya's personality would somehow become more bearable... Ummm... NOPE.

Second issue: Fri...more

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Dec 09, 2011

Brittanymurray rated it

· review of another edition

In Scott Westerfeld's 4th Uglies book in his YA series its a few years after Tally Youngblood took down the Uglies, Pretties, Specials conspiracy. The main character of this book is Aya who lives somewhere in Asia. "Kickers" spread gossip and trends; "Tech Heads" flaunt their latests gadgets; and "Surge Monkeys" are people hooked on extreme plastic surgery. Everyone has blogs and are wanting the most hits to be the most popular. Aya is fifteen and is a total nobody;...more

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Dec 04, 2011

Laura rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, science-fiction, post-apocalyptic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aya Fuse or Tally Youngblood?	37	85	Feb 08, 2012 06:13pm
how wonderful extras is	29	110	Dec 09, 2011 05:55am
Aya Or Tally???	20	37	Aug 25, 2011 06:00am
Best Books For Teenagers	3	22	Aug 16, 2011 11:19am

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About Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling American-born author of YA sci-fi literature. He was born in the Texas and now lives in Sydney and New York City. In 2001, Westerfeld married fellow author Justine Larbalestier.
His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Awa...more

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“You see, freedom has a way of destroying things.” — 646 people liked it

“Let me get this stright, Aya-Chan. You want me, a person who can't lie, to lie about the fact that I can't lie?"
-Frizz mizuno” — 87 people liked it

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Extras (Uglies #4)

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