Book Series · 8 Books

Uglies Books

A young-adult dystopian series about a society that promises beauty and happiness through compulsory surgery—and the teenagers who discover what that promise costs.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 11, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Uglies Books

Read Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras in that order. Impostors begins years later in the same world and works best after the four original novels. Bogus to Bubbly is an optional reference guide, not another story installment.

Sources: Simon & Schuster official Uglies inventory, Scholastic official Impostors series.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The books directly examine appearance pressure, cosmetic surgery, eating and exercise rules, social control, environmental damage, and the desire to belong. They also include dangerous stunts, fighting, weapons, injuries, deaths, romance, and manipulation. The critique of enforced beauty can open useful conversations, but body-image themes are constant rather than incidental.

Where to start

Where Should My Reader Start?

New to the world

Start with Uglies and read the four original novels before moving to Impostors.

Finished the originals

Continue with Impostors for a later story in the same world.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$1348

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

Uglies

By Scott Westerfeld

Tally must choose: betray a friend or remain an 'Ugly' forever.

426 pages· 87,152 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.0/7 Bookroo

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a world where turning sixteen means a transformation into beauty, Tally eagerly awaits her new life as a 'Pretty.' But when her friend Shay questions the system and disappears, Tally faces a dilemma. The authorities demand she betray Shay to secure her own future. As Tally uncovers the dark truths behind the facade of perfection, she must decide between loyalty and her dream. Will she risk everything for friendship, or conform to a society that values appearance above all? Tally's choice will redefine her world and her identity.

In reading order

Uglies Series

4 books · Published 2005–2007

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1348

Uglies

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

Tally must choose: betray a friend or remain an 'Ugly' forever.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$1348

Pretties

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2005

Tally's perfect life hides a dangerous secret that could cost her everything.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1348

Specials

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2006

A super soldier must choose between duty and a forgotten past.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1348

Extras

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2007

Aya uncovers a secret that could change her world and her fate forever.

Continuation Series

Impostors

4 books · Published 2018–2022

Four later novels set in the Uglies world, following new characters after the original sequence.

Series

Sale price

$1797

Impostors

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2018

A twin trained to kill must impersonate her sister in a deadly game of deception.

Series

Sale price

$1797

Shatter City

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2019

A twin's secret mission turns chaotic amid rebellion and war.

Mirror's Edge

Series

Sale price

$1899

Mirror's Edge

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2021

Infiltrate a city, unmask deception, and face a sister's betrayal.

Series

Sale price

$1797

Youngbloods

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2022

Two rebels unite to challenge power and uncover hidden truths in a world on the brink.

Optional Guide

Explore the Uglies World

1 book · Published 2008

Bogus to Bubbly explains terms, technology, and ideas from the original novels; it is not required reading.

Sale price

$1139

Bogus to Bubbly

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2008

Explore a future world where technology dazzles, but status rules. Discover secrets and gadgets that redefine reality.

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Uglies series?

There are 8 books in the main Uglies story so far, organized into 2 series. It begins with Uglies in 2005, and the newest published main-story book is Youngbloods from 2022.