[1] The third novel in the Uglies series begins two months after events in Pretties in which Tally Youngblood has become a member of an elite group of "Specials," surgically enhanced super-humans, called the Cutters, who were founded by Shay.

They were adopted into Special Circumstances and given enhanced senses, strength, and reflexes and are among the youngest agents working for Dr. Cable.

Giving chase, the Cutters are ambushed by Smokies with unusually advanced technology, including infrared masking sneak suits and electrical weapons.

Tally finds Fausto at a party for newly arrived runaways but realizes his Special brain surgery has been cured.

She is picked up by Diego's authorities and locked up for her lethal strength and weapon-sharp teeth and fingernails, which they insist on removing.

The doctors inform her that she has received brain surgery to give her flashes of anger and euphoria, along with feelings of superiority, although they will not change that without her consent.

Diego publishes scans of Tally's Special body and calls her a "morphological violation," and the world is outraged by Dr. Cable's "secret" experiments on unconsenting teenagers.

She decides that she wishes to remain in the wild, free from surgery, and with David will form the "New Special Circumstances" to ensure that nature is protected from humanity's excesses.