The Avid Reader

Book Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Published: March 2014

Source: Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

What if you'd been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, who she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her archnemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she caused irreparable damage to the people around her—and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality. 

My Thoughts:

I bought this book when it first came out, and then I put off reading it for ages because I had read several mixed reviews for it. It seemed like a lot of people struggled to connect with Alice, finding her intensely unlikable. Characters are important to me as a reader, so once I started seeing these reviews I shied away.

Big mistake, because I actually loved this one! I did find Alice to be extremely hard to like, and there were many times that I found myself beyond frustrated by her behavior. She is manipulative, prideful, vengeful. She's easily hurt and she always, always goes below the belt, even (especially?) when trying to hurt the people she loves most. It's hard to imagine disliking a main character who is dying (sort of) of cancer, but man, I did not like Alice.

And yet. I really wanted to like her, and I spent most of the book secretly hoping that she would be redeemed in some way. In spite of how much she frustrated me, I wanted this prickly girl to get a happy ending. As much as I hated her for hurting Harvey again and again, I still wanted them to end up together. I hated some of the things Alice said and did to the "mean girls" in her life, but I still hurt for her when they struck back. Alice is a subtle character with a lot of depth, and Murphy did a fantastic job crafting her. 

But what really made me love this book is Harvey, whom I completely adored. I wanted to smack him sometimes for being so easily used, but there was something so sweet about his utter devotion to Alice. He's so loyal and selfless, and he isn't at all concerned with what anyone else at school thinks of him. It's the hardest thing in the world for him watching the girl he loves slowly waste away, but he never lets Alice see his pain. I also loved their history and the friendship between their two families. 

I don't have personal experience with cancer, but I felt like that aspect of the book was handled well. Alice's emotions were raw and volatile and felt genuine. In fact, I think everyone's reactions were depicted in a genuine and honest way. I love that Alice's mom lost her cool and called Alice a little bitch, and that Alice faked sick to get out of school while her parents were already sick with worry over her diagnosis. 

All in all, this book was a solid 4 stars for me, and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up something else by Julie Murphy.

I'm not usually a contemporary reader, but I really enjoyed this one. It's made me think I need to start working more contemporary YA into my reading pile! 

What contemporary YA are at the top of your list? 

Book Review: How To Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman

Published: October 2013

Source: I purchased this book from Amazon.

Goodreads Summary:

Marta and Hector have been married for a long time. Through the good and bad; through raising a son and sending him off to life after university. So long, in fact, that Marta finds it difficult to remember her life before Hector. He has always taken care of her, and she has always done everything she can to be a good wife—as advised by a dog-eared manual given to her by Hector’s aloof mother on their wedding day.

But now, something is changing. Small things seem off. A flash of movement in the corner of her eye, elapsed moments that she can’t recall. Visions of a blonde girl in the darkness that only Marta can see. Perhaps she is starting to remember—or perhaps her mind is playing tricks on her. As Marta’s visions persist and her reality grows more disjointed, it’s unclear if the danger lies in the world around her, or in Marta herself. The girl is growing more real every day, and she wants something.

My Thoughts:

Augh, how to convey how much I loved this book?! I took off half a star for the ending, which I didn't love personally but which I grudgingly admit did work well for the book. Everything else about this book was sheer perfection. It was the best kind of psychological thriller - I was immediately drawn in and invested and I had chills from page one.

Since it's pretty clear from the book description, I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that Marta is an unreliable narrator. As a reader, you very much want to believe in her version of events, but often find yourself unsure if you can. And at the same time you almost feel it might be best if the flashes of "memory" she begins to have do turn out to be hallucinations, because if they're real her whole life is a lie and she is married to a monster. Personally, I started to lean one way pretty early on, but there were quite a few moments that made me question my position.

The characters here are well-crafted. It is impossible to get a good read on Marta due to her unreliability, but it is equally impossible not to feel very protective of her. Whatever the reality it is clear that she lives an unfulfilled and isolated life. Marta's husband is, at best, controlling, sexist and manipulative. Her mother-in-law is a nightmare brought to life - horribly judgmental, constantly present, and impossible to please. Life with these two could push anyone into a nervous breakdown. It is heartbreaking to watch Marta push her beloved son away with her overbearing, desperate need to keep him close. 

I've seeh a few reviews that complain that the ending is ambiguous, but I disagree. Although it may not be clearly spelled out, I do think it's clear by the book's end what really happened. 

This is a great book to read this time of year, so if you haven't read it yet I strongly suggest that you do so. Fans of psychological suspense won't be disappointed.

If you have read it, I'd love to hear what you thought!

Follow Emma Chapman on twitter.

Short Story Review: No Escape by Michelle Gagnon

Published: July 2012

Source: I purchased an e-copy of this short story from Amazon.

GoodReads Summary:

Gritty and heart-stopping, this short story from break-out author Michelle Gagnon also features a teaser to her thrilling debut young-adult novel, Don't Turn Around.

Seventeen-year-old Alex might be living day-to-day on whatever he can steal, but he still prefers being on the run to getting caught and thrown back in juvie. Plus, he has Jenny to think of. She comes with her own world of problems, but for once Alex feels like somebody actually needs him. So when a shady organization gives Alex the chance to participate in a medical study, all he hears is easy money—and a lot of it! He'll soon find out there's more involved.

Set directly before Don't Turn Around, which in a starred review Kirkuscalled a "pulse-pounding scary-great read" and "a surefire hit," Michelle Gagnon's "No Escape" lays the groundwork for a world in which every move you make is being watched, and no one can be trusted.

My Thoughts:

In a nutshell: this prequel is not at all "necessary" to your enjoyment and understanding of Don't Turn Around, but it's a great story on its own and I wouldn't skip it. I liked seeing the world of Don't Turn Around from another perspective, and this story was both fast-paced and chilling. 

I've only read the first book of this series so far, and Alex isn't in it. I got pretty invested in his character while reading this short story, so I'm sort of hoping he makes an appearance later in the series.

Have you read this? Do you think these series tie-ins need to be

truly integral to the series, or do you prefer for them to be

completely optional bonus reads?

Book Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

Published: November 2010

Source: I purchased this book at a local book sale.

GoodReads Summary:

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends. They're a pack. They are Virals.

My Thoughts:

I haven't read anything by Kathy Reichs before, but I loved the concept for Virals so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did - this was great! Fast-paced, with lots of great twists and tension. I don't watch Bones but I watch a ton of true crime shows and I enjoyed the forensics elements of the story. I loved the transformation the teens went through and the old Animorphs fan in me was fully psyched about the animal connection and the fact that the group of friends became their own little pack. Love it.

The setting for this book was perfect. A lot of YA books feature teens who seem to have little to no parental supervision, which can be very convenient to the plot but also a little unrealistic. The teens in Virals have a lot of freedom too, but there are reasons for this freedom - first, their parents are important (and busy!) university scientists so they're legitimately not around enough to be totally on top of what their kids are up to. Second, they live together in university housing on a small island where everyone knows everyone. I think in that kind of a self-contained environment, a lack of parental involvement makes sense because there is a sense of safety. And even with those factors, the parents are still more interested and involved than is often seen in YA literature. This gets a huge thumbs up from me.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the friendship dynamics in this group of teens. I've picked up the next book in the series and I can't wait to see how these friendships grow and evolve over the rest of the series. Virals was a strong start for me so I have high hopes for the rest of the series!

Favorite Quotes:

“Why do all your brilliant ideas involve felonies?” 

“An elite confederacy of nerds. My peeps.” 

Visit Kathy Reich's website and follow her on twitter to stay up to date on her upcoming books!

Have you read any of Kathy Reich's books before?

What did you think of Virals?

Book Review: Defy the Dark, Edited by Saundra Mitchell

Published: June 2013

Source: I purchased this book on Amazon.

GoodReads Summary: 

Defy the Dark, an all-new anthology edited by Saundra Mitchell. Coming Summer 2013 from HarperTeen!

It features 16 stories by critically-acclaimed and bestselling YA authors as they explore things that can only happen in the dark. Authors include Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Hawkins, Carrie Ryan, Aprilynne Pike, Malinda Lo, Courtney Summers, Beth Revis, Sarah Ockler, and more.

Contemporary, genre, these stories will explore every corner of our world- and so many others. What will be the final story that defies the dark? Who will the author be?

My Thoughts:

I was a big fan of this collection of short stories. There were several "new to me" authors whose other work I'm now determined to track down. In the interest of not spoiling any of stories, I'm not going to provide summaries of each one, just my own overall impressions.

Sleepstalk by Courtney Summers

This was seriously creepy and a great start to an anthology about darkness. I love everything Courtney Summers writes, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed this. 

Nature by Aprilynne Pike

This was my first experience with Aprilynne Pike, and I loved it. I desperately wish she would turn this short story into a full length novel. I loved the dystopian concept and I was so bummed when this story ended. (This is my only complaint with short stories... when I find one I really love, I always wish for it to be developed into a full novel and sadly, that never seems to happen. Sadface.)

The Dark Side of the Moon by Dia Reeves

This story was so, so weird, and I started out having a hard time connecting to it because of that weirdness. By the end of the story I found myself disappointed that it was over, so I guess the weirdness won me over! Days after reading, I was still thinking about this story - definitely a good sign. I was intrigued by the idea of this Texas town with kind of tears in reality where darkness could slip through. Chilling.

Ghost Town by Malinda Lo

This was great. I liked the backwards timeline, I loved that it was about a haunted house, and I liked the inclusion of a lesbian as the main character. Everything moved really quickly; it was very plot-driven. 

Eyes in the Dark by Rachel Hawkins

This one was kind of your basic teen slasher flick with a twist... but I enjoyed it, and it definitely gave me a building feeling of dread as I was reading it. It ended before *I* wanted it to, but that worked for the story so I'm okay with it. 

Stillwater by Valerie Kemp

This might have been my favorite story in the collection. I really, really wish this was a full novel. I had so many questions when it ended and I think there's more than enough material here for a full length novel. I need to know what happens to Delilah and Pruitt! I want to meet Matt! Augh, don't leave me hanging! 

I Gave You My Love by the Light of the Moon by Sarah Rees Brennan

For me, this one was a good read, if not super original. That said, I know a lot of people are kind of "over" vampires and werewolves, but there were a few aspects of this story that I thought were different and nicely done. I liked the shy, nerdy vampire and his "unsexy" age (62). I liked the way the romantic relationship developed over time, too.

Night Swimming by Beth Revis

This was a great story, and I liked seeing another little slice of the Across the Universe series. That said, I would kind of like to see Beth Revis write something completely apart from that series. 

The Sunflower Murders by Kate Espey

I didn't love this one, but I feel sort of weird saying that because I did love its potential, I just feel like it ended way too quickly. What I read felt like the beginning of a really compelling novel, but I didn't feel like it really worked on its own as a short story. It's frustrating, because I feel like it could be great if fleshed out into a full length novel, and I wish that would happen.

Almost Normal by Carrie Ryan

Loved this, love zombies, love everything Carrie Ryan writes, basically. I've read several short stories that are set in the time period before the events of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and I feel like I could happily read dozens more. This setting just doesn't seem to get old for me. I;m always so bummed when one of her short stories is over. Moar please!!

There's Nowhere Else by Jon Skovron

This story frustated me because I liked it a lot in the beginning, but toward the end it abruptly got kind of cheesey and I wasn't as into it. It also ended sort of abruptly and way before I wanted it to, which was disappointing. 

Naughty or Nice by Myra McEntire

I completely adored this story. I need more Krampus stories!! This was the perfect mix of creepiness, romance and thrill. I loved the foreign setting and the foreign holiday and the best friends doing the awkward "is this something more or isn't it" dance with each other. I pretty much loved every word of this one. Please tell me she has written dozens of books for me to obsessively devour.

Shadowed by Christine Johnson

I enjoyed this story, but I didn't feel like it totally "fit" within this anthology, really only because it was the only midieval setting and that felt a bit jarring. (To be fair though, the author took a really creative angle on the "darkness" theme.) Without getting specific, there was one moment when this story made me want to throw this book violently across the room, but on further reflection that ended up being my favorite element of the story!

Now Bid Time Return by Saundra Mitchell

I loved this story, and I was sad when it ended. It was super creative, and again, the foreign setting really added to the mood and the creepiness. I sometimes struggle with insomnia, and it was kind of cool to see a protagonist with this issue. I haven't read many time travel stories before, but this story made me think that might need to change.

The Moth and the Spider by Sarah Ockler

I go back and forth on this one, which I guess ultimately means I didn't love it. I liked it at first, and I was into the topic of suicide being included in an anthology about darkness. I think my biggest issue with this one was that I didn't really "get" how the phone calls played into the rest of the story, and why or even if they contributed to how the story ended. Not bad, but not a favorite.

Where the Light Is by Jackson Pearce

This one was great. I totally did not expect to love a story about a coal miner, but it snuck up on me and ended up being one of the highlights of the anthology. I've never read anything about the type of fae featured in this story, but it was very compelling. Lots of great imagery in this one. 

This Was Ophelia by Tessa Gratton

I have a soft spot for Ophelia, always have, and I've read and loved Tessa Gratton's stories before, so I went into this story expecting to love it. I wasn't disappointed, this was great. I loved Gratton's portrayal of Ophelia, and the chosen setting was perfect for the story. Much love to this one. 

Overall I would rate this collection a solid 4 stars. There were some pieces that I adored, quite a few that were solidly good, and not a single one that I disliked outright. Win!

Do you like short story collections?

I used to shy away from them, but in the last couple of years that has really changed. Occasionally I get frustrated wishing for certain stories to reappear as full length novels, but I try to manage my expectations going in and that has helped. I like that this type of anthology gives me a quick glimpse of many different authors. It's a great way to find new authors to love!

Book Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Published: February 2014

Source: I received this book on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

GoodReads Summary:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

My Thoughts:

This was such a fun book! I loved Cara, and there was a great chemistry between her and Aelyx right from the start. I became invested in the characters quickly, and I was intrigued by the plot as well. This checked a lot of boxes for me, and it was just plain fun to read. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, lighthearted read.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"The fact that you purchased an inferior gift hardly seems like any failing on my part. It's common knowledge that shiny rocks are preferred among human females." 

"The crinkle of cellophane caught her attention, and for the first time since their argument began, Cara noticed they'd attracted quite the little audience... One soldier propped against his Hum-V was even munching popcorn from a Smartfood bag. He nodded for her to continue as if she'd pressed the pause button, and now he wanted to resume watching 'Romancing the Clone'."

This book had me snorting laughing out loud in several places (see above), which I really enjoyed. I was a big fan of the romance, and I loved the not-so-perfect friendship that existed between the girls. Definitely looking forward to the next book!

Have you read this one?

Anyone else spend at least half of the book laughing?

Book Review: All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry

Published: August 2013

Source: purchased on Amazon

Image Source

GoodReads Summary: 

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

My Thoughts:

I read a few reviews of All the Truth That's in Me before I went ahead and purchased it, and even though the reviews I read were positive, I will admit that I had some doubts. I was very worried about the second person narration, but I needn't have worried because that actually ended up being one of the book's many strengths. I adored the romance of this novel, and the second person narration made me feel invested in that romance from the start. 

Judith has so many fantastic qualities: strength, integrity, loyalty. She never gives up on her family, her town, or her love, even though she is given every reason in the world to do just that. Far from breaking her spirit, her horrible ordeal only makes her a stronger person. I loved her immediately and I cared deeply about the outcome of the story because of that.

This is not a lighthearted, easy read. I spent much of the book in a state of tension, filled with dread and worrying about the various tragedies that might befall Judith. But I just could not put this book down until I finished it, and I can't recommend it enough. It's an easy 4.5 stars for me. 

Go here follow Julie Berry on Twitter. You can also check out her Facebook page.

Have you read this one yet? What did you think of it? 

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I bought this book on Amazon a while back. It took me a while to get around to reading it, and now that I have read it, I am kicking myself that it took me so long!

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

 GoodReads Summary: 

 Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than  waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got  there.

 It can.

 She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t  remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously  unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one, with a few reservations.

In a nutshell, I loved:

The plot! When I read the description of this one, I thought it had potential because the premise seemed really fresh and interesting, and in that respect the book delivered. The flashback scenes with Mara and her now-deceased friends were deliciously creepy, and I definitely stayed up way too late reading on more than one occasion because trying to figure out what happened in the accident was making me crazy. 

Big, big fan of the cover - it's beautiful and stark and creepy and it really fits the tone of the book. Generic covers are a pet peeve of mine so I appreciate when a cover really works, as this one does.

And I really was not a fan of:

Noah, at least in the beginning of the book. He had some pretty cringe-worthy lines, and I know he was supposed to be all badass or whatever, but honestly it just wasn't working for me. Every time he opened his mouth I rolled my eyes, hard. 

I also wish secondary characters had been better developed. Most of Mara's family felt pretty one dimensional to me and that was disappointing. Her father was never around, so I kind of understand not knowing much about him, but her mom was very present and I feel like she was still pretty flat. Maybe that will change in the next book.

Also, I don't quite know how to address this without being totally spoilerish or incredibly vague, and I really try hard to avoid spoilers here, so I apologize in advance but this will make sense after you've read the book.

There is a scene toward the end of the book involving Mara's younger brother that is just... really not well incorporated into the rest of the book, at all. It kind of felt like a chapter that the author wanted to include somewhere, could never quite find a way to make it truly fit, and finally just shoved it between two chapters and moved on. I understand why she included it, but she needed to find a way of accomplishing her goal that was more organic to the story. This just didn't fit, at all, and it really pulled me out of the story.

Reading over this review I feel like I touched on a lot of negatives, but this was a really enjoyable read for me. The romance was a little lackluster but I thought the premise was really different and that held my interest. I will definitely read the next book in the series, and I'm looking forward to it. Though I must admit, if Noah sticks around I am sincerely hoping that he gets a personality rehabilitation. 

What did you think of this one? Am I the only one sort of hoping a new love interest shows up in the second book?

Book Review: Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I purchased this book on Amazon.

Publication Date: April 1, 2012

Goodreads Summary: 

It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him. This is my story. A letter from nowhere. 

Told in a letter to her captor by 16-year-old Gemma, Stolen explores the influence that a really wild and remote space can have on the inner development of a young woman.

Gemma, a British city-living teenager, is kidnapped while on holiday with her parents. Her kidnapper, Ty, takes her to the wild land of outback Australia. To Gemma’s city-eyes, the landscape is harsh and unforgiving and there are no other signs of human life for hundreds of kilometres in every direction. Here, there is no escape. Gemma must learn to deal with her predicament, or die trying to fight it.

Ty, a young man, has other ideas for her. His childhood experience of living in outback Australia has forever changed the way he sees things. But he too has been living in the city; Gemma’s city. Unlike Gemma, however, he has had enough. In outback Australia he sees an opportunity for a new kind of life; a life more connected to the earth. He has been watching and learning about Gemma for many years; when he kidnaps her, his plan finally begins to take shape.

But Ty is not a stereotypical kidnapper and, over time, Gemma comes to see Ty in a new light, a light in which he is something more sensitive. The mysteries of Ty, and the mystery of her new life, start to take hold. She begins to feel something for her kidnapper when he wakes screaming in the night. Over the time spent with her captor, Gemma’s appreciation of him develops …but is this real love, or Stockholm Syndrome?

My Thoughts:

I really, really did not think I would like a book in which the romance is between kidnapper and victim. Imagine my surprise when I actually found myself rooting for these two to find a way to make it work! 

This book is a psychological thriller that you will devour as quickly as possible. It's a tense read and at times, especially in the beginning, I found it almost difficult to read, but in the best possible way. Gemma's abduction at the airport had me anxiously reading as fast as possible out of worry for her.

My only complaint about this book is that I liked the kidnapper better than the victim! Later on in the book I found myself identifying more with Gemma, but in the beginning she struck me as pretty distant and I didn't have the easiest time relating to her.

In contrast, I was kind of disgusted with myself for falling for Ty! I mean, yes, of course he was wrong to kidnap Gemma, and it completely freaks me out how thoroughly he planned the whole event, and when you add in the years of stalking combined with the age gap their relationship is basically a series of one red flag after another. 

HOWEVER. Once the two of them get to Australia and we get a little insight into Ty's character, I couldn't help but feel for the broken little boy who grew up to be this kind of man. Ty did a terrible thing, but he's not a terrible person, and you kind of can't help but want a happy ending for him. I think most readers will be hard-pressed to hate Ty after the sacrifice he ends up making for Gemma toward the end of the book.

I have seen some people already hoping for a sequel, and I have to say I really don't think that would turn out the way people are hoping it would. I can't really say more without spoiling the book for people who haven't read it yet, but email me if you agree and we can discuss it there!

Book Review: Lies by Michael Grant

I purchased this book on Amazon after reading and loving the first two books in the series.

Publication Date: April 5, 2011

Goodreads Summary: 

It's been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness--or so they thought.

As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

My Thoughts:

Well, I loved the first two books in this series, and Lies did not let me down. All of the great things from the first two books are here: nonstop action, likeable characters, plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. 

I really like the development that occurs in Howard and Orc throughout Lies. I never would have believed that Orc could grow on me! I'm always impressed when an author can make me change my mind about a character.

My only criticism is that some of the major players took a bit of a backseat in this book. I really wanted to see Quinn become more involved in this series, not less. Ditto for Computer Jack. Lana seems to be headed in a downward spiral for much of the book, and after all she's been through to get to Perdido Beach that just bugs me. 

That said, I really liked the addition of Sanjit and his siblings. And if I saw less from some Quinn and Jack to make room for Sanjit and company, it was worth it.

I finished this book and eagerly moved on to Plague, the next book in the series.