105 Ways to Give a Book

TeenReader Tuesday: Liar

Cover controversy aside — ancient history, right? — I present a review of Liar, by Justine Larbalestier. This is the story of Micah, a compulsive liar. When her boyfriend is mysteriously killed, she decides to tell the reader the truth about everything, to come clean completely. But with the truth so muddled in her lies, it’s hard to know what to believe.

LiarLiar offers the excitement of Catching Fire for people who don’t have the patience for all of Katniss’s whining. (Hunger Games? More like Whaaa! I’m Hungry! Games. Zing!) This book begins with the slow set-up, usually an enemy of me and my short atten— Hey, my cursor looks funny when it flashes! Hehehe… But yes, I normally can’t stand a measured, dramatic buildup. However, this one has some surprising events that propel the story and keep it interesting. Then when you get to section two, there is a game changer that blows your mind, and you never doubt the pure concentrated awesome of this book again. The beginning is slow but the payoff proves how necessary it is to have a deliberate beginning to provide contrast when action kicks in. It’s like your mom telling you to eat vegetables to be big and strong when you grow up. Except this is actually worth the pain. (Candy corn for life, baby!)

Liar is a fantastic read. A parting word, however: Be careful of reading too much — like the jacket flap or back cover. It can take some of the punch out of the storyline. But it’s certainly a phenomenal book, worth picking up today!

Or am I lying to you?

I’m not.

Or am I?

Seriously, though, I’m telling the truth.

The truth? What is truth?

Oh, shut it.

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11 comments:

Jennifer said...

Hilarious! I love your review...I knew there had to be someone out there who didn't adore HG.

web said...

Hehe.

carolyn said...

Fun review. I've been meaning to read this one, now I need to get hold of a copy.

Kelly Herold said...

I agree with you re: Katniss, at least as far as Mockingjay is concerned! (I liked "Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" a lot.)

I will read "Liar." Thanks for the review :)

Madigan Mirza said...

Fantastic review, so funny! You've refreshed my desire to move this book along from my TBR pile to my "books read this year" list.

Anonymous said...

Bless you bless you bless you for saying what I have not had the courage to say about katniss 'sucks to be me' everdeen!

Anonymous said...

Bless you bless you bless you for saying what I have not had the courage to say about katniss 'sucks to be me' everdeen!

tanita✿davis said...

Hahahah! Candy corn for LIFE. YES!

Sarah Stevenson said...

I still need to read this one! Thanks for the reminder. :)

Jennifer R. Hubbard said...

I loved this book, too. I thought the ending was very well done. (Wish I could say more, but I'm trying not to be spoiler-y).

Michelle said...

LOL!

I struggle with unreliable narrators. I tend to be a black and white girl, the kind that gets all the answers at the end. I've gotten much better with this issue over time since I've read Liar but I did really want to know the truth here. As you've said it's a phenomenal book!