EXTRAS

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 gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn't care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

As you already know, I absolutely LOVED the UGLIES trilogy. So, I was excited about reading a book in the POV of a different character in the same world.

Aya Fuse lives in a different city, one where the currency is fame. Hovercams are everywhere, following those with the best face ranks. She's an extra - pretty much a nobody - and she wants to change that. The best way to do it is to 'kick' a story that the rest of the city will be fascinated with. She attempts to do that by infiltratring a group known as the Sly Girls. Except, when she does, Aya stumbles into something huge.

Something big enough to get Tally Youngblood's attention.

I really enjoyed this book. The concepts were once again, amazing! The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I really wanted to know what the deal was with those... ooops, can't say anymore without giving too much away. Lol. But it's fascinating.

Aya is an interesting narrator and the people in her life were cool too. She's very brave, though she doesn't always realise it. Her ultimate goal of reaching celebrity status can get a little frustrating at times because as you're reading, you just know she's so much better than that. Still, this is the only world she knows. The way she matures is great. Oh, and Moggle is totally cute. He was more like a pet than a camera.

Of course, having said all this... she's no Tally Youngblood. ;)