“What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.”
Scott Westerfield’s Uglies series revolves around a dystopian sci-fi premise where society has been divided into two groups: the ‘Uglies’ and the ‘Pretties’. In this world, all sixteen-year-olds are deemed ‘uglies’ until they undergo a surgical procedure to become a ‘pretty’. Readers follow Tally Youngblood who, on the eve of her surgery, meets Shay, another ugly who introduces her to a rebellious group who challenge the idea of enforced beauty. As Tally becomes more involved with this group, she begins to unearth the sinister secrets behind the seemingly perfect society around her. Westerfield explores themes of identity, conformity and social norms across his series, and if you are hungry for more young-adult (YA) stories similar to it, check out the best books like Uglies here at What We Reading!
Who Wrote The Uglies Series?
Scott Westerfield is a New York Times bestselling YA author. Uglies was first published in February 2005 and consists of four entries: Uglies (2005), Pretties (2005), Specials (2006) and Extras (2006). Uglies is still slated for a movie adaptation and was named one of the Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association (ALA).
Delirium (Delirium #1) – Lauren Oliver
First up on our list of the best books like Uglies is Lauren Oliver’s Delirium series. This Goodreads Nominee for Favorite Book Of The Year introduces readers to an alternate United States where the Government has declared love a dangerous disease. Everyone who reaches the age of eighteen is forced to undergo a procedure known as the ‘Cure.’
Living with her family in Portland, Maine, Lena Halloway looks forward to receiving the Cure and living a safe and stable life. Love destroyed her mother, and she isn’t going to let the same happen to her. But, with ninety-five days to go until her treatment, Lena meets Alex, a boy from the ‘Wilds’ who lives under the Government’s radar. What might happen if these two were to challenge everything Lena knows about the world around her and fall in love?
Matched (Matched #1) – Ally Condie
Another YA dystopia-romance book similar to Uglies comes from Ally Condie in Matched. In this series, the Society decides where you work, who you love, and when you die. Cassia has always trusted their decisions, knowing it’s a small price to pay for a long and fulfilled life. When her best friend appears on her matching screen, she believes he is the one for her. However, another face flashes on the screen for a brief second before it fades to black again.
This New York Times bestseller follows Cassia as she grapples with the choice between two boys: Xander and Ky, between the only life she has ever known and the one no one has ever dared to venture down before. With a futuristic utopian society and young protagonists walking the line between perfection and passion, Matched is the perfect read for anyone who loves Westerfield’s work.
The Selection (The Selection #1) – Kiera Cass
For thirty-five girls, The Selection is the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to escape the mundane life mapped out for them and be whisked off into a land of glittering gowns to compete for the love of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. However, for America Singer, being selected couldn’t be more of a nightmare. She is forced to leave behind her secret love to compete for a crown she doesn’t want in a castle that is constantly under attack.
Then, she meets Maxon, and everything she thought she knew before is suddenly thrown into question. Before long, America realizes that the life she has always envisioned for herself may not compare to the future she could have never imagined. One of the all-time classic young adult dystopia-romance book series, Kiera Cass’ The Selection explores themes of freedom and confinement, class, competition, and power across society.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Selection
The Giver (The Giver #1) – Lois Lowry
For another dystopia series similar to Uglies that explores controlled societal surroundings that look picture-perfect on the surface but hide some seriously sinister realities underneath, Lois Lowry’s The Giver remains a must-read.
In this futuristic world, people have surrendered their individuality, freedoms and emotions in exchange for an idyllic, harmonious community. At the age of twelve, Jonas is singled out for the position of Receiver of Memories. He is brought before the Giver for special training, a position that quickly exposes him to the hidden truths and emotions buried in this utopian world.
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) – Marissa Meyer
Humans and androids crowd the streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague sweeps through the population. The malevolent Lunar race watches the chaos unfold from space. No one can imagine that the fate of Earth and humanity hinges on Cinder, a young woman—a gifted mechanic and a cyborg. This is the enthralling premise set up by Marissa Meyer in her young adult retelling, Cinder.
Reviled by her mother and blamed for her step-sisters’ illnesses, Cinder lives as a second-class citizen. However, when she finds her existence intertwining with the enigmatic Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself in the middle of an intergalactic struggle and a forbidden romantic connection. Caught between her duty and her freedom, loyalty and betrayal, Cinder has to delve into the secrets of her past to preserve Earth’s future.
The Testing (The Testing #1) – Joelle Charbonneau
Joelle Charbonneau sets up another thrilling dystopian world like Uglies in The Testing. The Seven Stages War left much of the Earth as little more than a charred wasteland. Now, the future will be built by the next generation’s chosen few. However, to enter this elite group, candidates must pass the Testing, their only opportunity to obtain a college education and a fulfilling career.
Protagonist Cia Vale is selected as a candidate for the Testing and is eager to show her worth as a future leader of the United Commonwealth. But, her father’s final warning to not trust anyone before she leaves suggests a darker, more sinister side to her upcoming studies. But, surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who only seems to care for her more the deeper they progress?
They Both Die At The End (Death-Cast #1) – Adam Silvera
On September 5th, Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio receive a call from Death-Cast with some bad news: they are both going to die today. The pair are total strangers but are both on the hunt for a new friend for their last day on Earth.
Adam Silvera’s Death-Cast series kicks off with They Both Die at the End. The international bestseller follows Mateo and Rufus as they buddy up thanks to an app called the Last Friend and embark on an adventure to condense a whole life into a single day. One of the best books like Uglies for readers looking for a YA dystopian read with a life-affirming message, Silvera’s book explores how there is no love without loss.
Check Out The Best Books Like They Both Die At The End
Above The Sky (Above the Sky #1) – Jenny Lynne
Eighteen-year-old Seven and her best friend, Ten, live where everything is peaceful, minus the war raging on in the sky above them. Self-functioning drones and humanoid robots tend to everyone’s needs, leaving them to indulge their minds and enjoy the pleasures life brings. But there are strict rules to this idyllic existence that everyone must obey.
Every year, on Assignment Day, the Decision Makers map out the life each eighteen-year-old is expected to follow. Some are given jobs they have shown they have the skills for and are paired up with a mate, while others are sent to fight in the war in the sky. For Seven, the assignments are the first sign that the Decision Makers may have made a terrible mistake. To right the wrongs she has witnessed, she is going to have to do the unthinkable. Similar to Uglies, Above The Sky follows a brilliant young protagonist challenging the norms of a seemingly perfect society, uncovering the terrible truths hiding out of sight.
The Program (The Program #1) – Suzanne Young
Suzanne Young introduces readers to a chilling dystopian world where teenage suicide is an epidemic, and The Program is the only proven course of treatment. Sloane knows not to cry in front of anyone, with one outburst alone enough to have her sent to the Program. Those who return from their treatment do so with their depression gone, as well as all their personality and memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane attempts to maintain a brave face. The only person to whom she can truly reveal herself is James, who has promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment. Like Uglies, this dystopia-romance tale follows these two young lovers as they attempt to withstand the pressures being thrust upon them. Before long, the depression starts to set in, and the Program is coming for them both.
Check Out The Best Dystopian Books Like Divergent
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
