Extras

By Scott Westerfeld

At the end of Specials, the conclusion to the Uglies trilogy, things in Tally's futuristic world had stabilised. The walls between the social classes - the uglies, pretties and specials - had been torn down. So Tally took off to live on her own in the wild. Fast forward... Tally discovers another brand new world. In Extras, it's all about who you know, and how much you have. It's just like LA. Only Paris and Nicole are way dead...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: May 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781847389237

Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld is the author of the Leviathan series, the first book of which was the winner of the 2010 Locus Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. His other novels include the New York Times bestseller Afterworlds, the worldwide bestselling Uglies series, The Last Days, Peeps, So Yesterday, and the Midnighters trilogy. Visit him at ScottWesterfeld.com or follow him on Twitter at @ScottWesterfeld.

Reviews for Extras

[cindywho-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The action moves from California to Japan. Where everyone is hungry for limited resources, one city has made the move to a "reputation economy" where fame and merit are the key to wealth. Aya is a 15 year old journalist, living under the shadow of her famous brother, working on kicking a story that will get her noticed. Her adventure will lead her to crazy train surfing girls, a radically honest love interest and eventually ties in with the Uglies trilogy. Aya can be a little silly, but she's 15 and the story is a lot of fun.

[saucy1831 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The fourth book in the Uglies "trilogy", and that is not a mistake on my part. However, I believe it was a mistake on the authors part not just to leave the trilogy as it ended. This comes across as a classic example of an author doing that one extra book purely for the extra money. It was not related to the story of Tally Youngblood and the Uglies/Pretties/Specials although they all made an appearance as part of the story.It would have been a good story had the author used the main plot idea as a base for a trilogy of books not related to the Uglies trilogy in this manner. There was too much going on for one book and it could have been extended into three separate stories and by omitting the Tally Youngblood link it would have been quite enjoyable in it's own right.It did sum up where the current "Facebook" online society is going where everyone has to put every little thing they do online for all their "friends" to see. Ok I do have a blog and a Facebook account but I don't live my whole life through it or care whether people follow me and like me because of it. The story did have aspects of 1984 (George Orwell) and even, Blind Faith (Ben Elton). So nothing that unique although this book gives it a more modern take on it.You will read and get some enjoyment out of it if you have already read the original trilogy but nothing that will enhance your life. 2 out of 5 for me.

[buzzinglibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Uglies trilogy did not need a fourth book!

[jennie_103 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I felt this was quite a poor end to the series with Tally fading out of view. It was interesting to see how Prettytown ended up after the mind-pills but this didn't leave a lot of the book for the actual plot... The whole book felt more like the beginning of a series than the end - perhaps there will be a spin-off focusing on Aya.

[mutantpudding · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting both to see the aftermath of the previous book, and get a look at a different culture within the same universe. The plot was a little convoluted tho.

[kaianicole · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So, it's a couple of years after the end of 'Specials', and we're introduced to a new character and a city where your worth is determined by YouTube the reputation economy. It sort of felt like this story was set in Japan, just so the characters could have "Manga Eyes" and a few other cultural references. I liked the new characters, and it was good to see some of the old characters too. I liked it more than I expected to.

[linyarai · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting addition to the trilogy, neat how everyone has their own feed and strives for popularity points

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After Tally Youngblood destroys the Pretties' society in [book: Specials], the whole world has to figure out what to do with their newfound freedom. One city decides to use merits (earned by doing work for the society) and facerank (earned by number of people talking about you) to dole out the limited resources. Aya, a girl raised in this society, is obsessed with earning fame. Pursuing fame as an undercover reporter, she finds an underground cavern and an unbelieavable secret.

Westerfield is playing off the YouTube and social sites phenomenoms, but aside from his clever twist on the concept there's not a lot to this book. The plot never gripped me and I never warmed to Aya.

[knsievert · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So, it's a couple of years after the end of 'Specials', and we're introduced to a new character and a city where your worth is determined by YouTube the reputation economy. It sort of felt like this story was set in Japan, just so the characters could have "Manga Eyes" and a few other cultural references. I liked the new characters, and it was good to see some of the old characters too. I liked it more than I expected to.

[lunaradawn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Right, so first thing's first: I read this a long time ago, it's the only book of the Uglies series I've read, and I actually didn't read all of it (I had a hard time reading anything in high school). I'll have to read it again someday, along with the other three, but I think I got enough of a read from it to determine if it was any good. I love concept of this, especially because at least the modification aspect is a possible future reality. Also, as a manga fan, I love the anime eyes thing going on. Since this was set a couple years after the last of the first three, I wasn't as confused as I would have been if I'd started with Pretties or Specials. I still feel that I need to read all of the books to truly grasp the whole story, which I plan to do in the future. When I do re-read this, I'll modify this review.

[stige_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A surprisingly fun and quick read. Westerfeld is pouring ideas into his books and instead of a single macguffin he crams this book fit to burst with ""what ifs"".

[thermopyle-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A well told adventure set in a future where the populace is contained in idyllic enclaves devoted to a luxuriant yet regimented lifestyle. This becomes a somewhat typical story of how the heroine learns more about the secrets behind those cities and how they work to subvert them. However, the story never lags and the use of cosmetic surgery to produce perfect faces and bodies (based on human evolution) adds a unique touch. Recommended if you enjoyed the Hunger Games (though it was written prior to that series).

[ellsbethb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was nice to see the impact of the first three books on the world.

[charitybradford-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought there were only three in the series, but surprise! I actually really liked this one. I liked the ending better than Specials, although I figured out the ending half way through the book. It was still a good ride.

[marlene9nl · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Maybe I should not have read this 4th book immediately after reading the first 3 books. At first I thought it could be good. I liked the way he portrayed this new world where it's all about being known. Everybody uses the internet (feed) and tries to be famous. That was interesting but I think it became all a bit too ridiculous after she did tell her big scoop and every body started to chase her. Not sure if it is the book or it is just me. Looking forward now to read something different.

[leftik_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Compared to the first three, not as good. not even close.

[krumbs_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a follow-up to the Uglies trilogy, focusing on a different character and different area of the world. A reputation-based economy is one I haven't read about before--nicely done! The characters were believable within their own small world, although the wider story wasn't terribly interesting. It was nice to see Tally (from the trilogy) from an outsiders perspective. This one was just kind of silly.

Not necessary to read as a bookend to the trilogy (it really was an afterthought), but you need to have read the trilogy to read this book.

[alwright1_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the premise of the fame economy put forth in this book. It was fun to think about. I also liked the second group of Extras at the end, but but I didn't find many characters hardto cheer for. Aya was ok, but sometimes frustrating, and I've struggled to like Tally Youngblood throughout the entire series. If you appreciated the other Uglies books, you should enjoy this, too.

[jeremypreacher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The only bad thing about Scott Westerfeld's books is that they're categorized as Young Adult and so adults might be tempted to skip them. Extras is as incisive a look at the effects of social media, ubiquitous self-promotion, and the lack of privacy modern life affords us as I could possibly have asked for. The lack of explicit sex or violence doesn't detract in the slightest.

[librarybrandy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The fourth book in Westerfeld's Uglies series, and we're right back at the beginning. The first book featured Tally Youngblood, who wanted to be made pretty at all costs. She then falls in with a group of daredevils who want to bring down the regime and remain ugly, decides that maybe there way is the One True Way, then betrays them all and we're off toward Book 2.

Extras is the Asian reboot. Aya Fuse wants fame, her culture's unit of currency, and she plans to get it by breaking a story about the elite group of daredevil girls who actively try to stay out of the limelight. Aya follows them, wins their trust, and becomes one of the group, planning to betray them all along--but then her scoop gets bigger. Sound familiar? This time we're saving the world instead of preserving a culture, but the basic story structure is the same, right down to the complicated love interest with different values.

Westerfeld's invented slang (things can be bubbly or icy; fame-bloggers "kick" their stories) feels far less organic than it did when the series began, as if slang has not progressed in the 5 years since Tally first appeared (though technology has changed almost daily). Most annoying is his refusal to use adjectives relating to emotions--a situation is nervous-making or happy-making; a boneheaded move is brain-missing.

I think this is the final volume in what was once a trilogy. Knowledge of the earlier books is helpful for context, but eliminates most surprises. It's better than Specials, but I find myself wishing this quartet had been a duo.

[dalzan_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The unexpected 4th novel in the ‘Uglies’ series. It’s been over three years since the cure for the brain lesions was released and the world is slowly regaining what it has lost. Aya Fuse is a fifteen-year-old Japanese girl, whose one ambition in life is to be popular by “kicking” an interesting story about something important. In a world were popularity buys you everything including the best house, clothes, and friends Aya must do something great to change her mediocre life. In her search for this amazing story Aya meets up with the Sly Girls. These seemingly ordinary girls live on the wild side by riding on top of a super fast mag-lev train while trying to stay away from the kickers. Aya is forced to sacrifice her hovercam Moggle to be a part of their clique so she can gain access to their story but later rescues Moggle and uses him to unlock the greatest story every kicked. The one problem is that she got it all wrong. She has some help getting it right from her famous brother Hiro, her tech friend Ren, her boyfriend Frizz, the always-helpful David, and three of your favorite cutters and mine, Shay, Fausto, Tally. These eight people discover the truth behind the metal shortage and the inhuman “freaks” while once again trying to save themselves and the world from destruction.

[rnc0909 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was originally thinking I was getting something additional to the story told by Tally Youngblood in the Uglies series. But what I got from this was so much better! Uglies fans - do not despair! Westerfeld doesn't disappoint and does throw out some good old Uglies morsels. But mostly, this is an entirely different story set in a post-Diego war era in Asia. It follows Aya Fuse as she struggles to navigate her way through the new economy, based on face rank, or popularity. As a kicker, Aya's goal is to kick the story that will make her the most famous. Now that she can grasp such a story, what will she do with it? And is that really the end of it? Or is there more (much more) to the story than she thinks? I highly recommend you read it to find out! It's fantastic!

[sareiner · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

i was not impressed. this was an extra story that really had nothing to do with the series it self. tally did make an apperience in the book but everything after just didnt make sense. I should have stoped after specials. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER ON THIS BOOK AT ALL.

[vivacie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As if Tally’s story wasn’t enough, we’re introduced to Aya, a young Japanese girl, who lives in, well, Japan. Aya is looking for a good story to ‘kick’ in order to get her face rank up and stumbles upon something bigger than she could ever imagine.I’ll say it right now: I wasn’t impressed. Aya in particular was unrelatable and whiny. Frizz, a manga-head pretty, was even worse with his “radical honesty” surge. The two of them combined made one head-aching story. I honestly didn’t buy their relationship, at all. The story started off pretty good…until it just started to drift away in pieces. This is one of those books where a certain event is built up and you think something major is about to happen only to be let down with the sunshine and rainbows. It really killed me that the plot was so long and drawn out and in the end nothing happened.Our Special, Tally (plus Shay and Fausto), makes a surprise appearance, and I really, really hate to say it, but everything after she appears is just bogus. I love Tally to death, but she made the book go downhill. Imagine the language barrier. Aya can barely speak English. Her brother can say a few words and his best friend is no better. But, for some odd reason, toward to the end of the book everyone is having a conversation…in English. Their chatting happily with Tally and I’m left wondering what happened.I’m sorry, it just didn’t work for me.I can’t say Extras was absolutely terrible, the Sly Girls were pretty awesome and Moggie is pretty cool, but everything else? Not so much. It was just alright and it felt it was like an ‘extra’ in the series. I recommend borrowing or checking Extras out at the library before committing to a buy.

[terriko_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Extras starts off in a different city from those we saw in previous books, and correspondingly shows a very different societal structure (and totally avoids the problem of the last book, Specials, which felt a little too familiar). This foreign city is strangely familiar to anyone who's used Facebook or other modern social media: a city based on the economy of how many people are tuning in to your feeds. So why are a group of girls with low rankings so darned fascinating?

[abookvacation · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great ending to the Uglies series. Westerfeld pulled it back together for the finale.

[melydia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I almost didn’t read this book at all. I was so upset at the end of Specials that I figured I might as well just give up on the series, since Extras was supposed to be just sort of an additional story rather than a continuation. But a friend of mine convinced me to give it a try and I am so glad I did. While the first three Uglies books took place somewhere on the west coast of what used to be the United States, for this book we have been transported to Japan. It's been a few years since Tally's adventures and the Mind Rain (the removal of the lesions causing people to be Pretty-heads) has caused the world to go a little bit crazy. In Japan, Aya lives in a world of face rank - measures to fame compared to the other people in her city. They live in a reputation economy, where relative fame means more credit to purchase items. Aya is a kicker - what we’d call a vlogger - and in order to become famous she goes undercover with a secret clique of fame-shunning maglev-surfing girls. When she unwittingly stumbles upon the biggest story in the world, she attracts a whole lot of unwanted attention.This isn’t just another story taking place in the same universe as the rest of the series: it actually is connected. Loose ends are tied up and I felt extremely satisfied by the end - and getting there was a hell of a lot of fun as well. Radical Honesty - the physical inability to lie or even hold back the truth - was an interesting plot device that ended up being more funny than contrived. I loved all the new characters and while I guessed at the truth behind the mystery pretty early on, I still enjoyed watching them figure it out. And, of course, the appearance of some of my beloved characters from the previous books was much appreciated. Definitely a worthy finale to the series.

[carlybahrah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Uglies was captivating, Pretties was annoying, but saved itself a little bit. Specials was hit and miss. But, Extras just fell flat. I read it for the sake of finishing the series. I guess it's just near impossible to find a consistently-good series, or maybe once the first book is good, we hold the following to the same standards. We should expect less, I suppose. But dangit, everyone raved about these books, and I could have gone without reading these. Aya was annoying. Her love interest not appealing in the slightest. Tally felt dis-connected with the story and I don't even know why she was even there. I'm bummed. Ok, I'm over it now.

[dancinsoftball · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Extras was good book to end a series because it tied up most of the lose ends after the last book where Tally disappears into the wild. It tells you what has happened to the world now that everyone is free from bubbleheadness and how they are adapting to this new freedom. This book like the others has an underlying message in it relating to teens today. That even centuries in the future teens want to be the most popular and they will do anything to get that way, even lie to people who trust them. All in all this book was a good closer to the series.

[brynnr_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i loved this book, even more than i loved specials. maybe it's just because i am in the mood for this writing style, but anyways, i really loved the background, like the way of living and the words and how they talked and stuff. it was just so cool, and it actually made sense. personally, i wasn't totally crazy over aya or frizz's characters,though i was on aya's side the whole book, and frizz was pretty funny in some parts with his radical honesty. i do think hiro's character is a little more lifelike. i hated tally in this book. she was so much more like a real person in the other books, even specials, and in this book she acted like a snob and as wild as an animal. i was happy to see her and david back together again. i always thought that david and tally belonged together and zane was never good enough for her. recommended, though not much goes on. enough to make you want to keep reading sure, but the background and how the world has changed since the last book is really what held my attention.