My Book Reviews

Category: Young Adult

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of Young Adult genre.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Release: December 27th 2016
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Amazon

Thirteen Reasons Why Synopsis:

You can’t stop the future.
You can’t rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why.

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

Review:

Watch my video review of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTKlQemSJI[/embedyt]

I saw the Netflix series and I really enjoyed it, so I was curious to see how the book would turn out to be. You know how they say that the book is always better than the TV/Movie adaptation? I always thought that was true, but I have to disagree in this scenario. For once, the TV series was much better than the book. Before starting my comparison with the TV series, let me give my thoughts only on the book. I had mixed feelings about this novel.

Let me start with the positive. The book itself is fairly easy and quick to read, and is written in a very captivating manner. I really loved Jay Asher’s style of writing as I thought the writing was fluid and concise. Moreover, I also like the style of narration told through dialogues between Clay’s thoughts and Hannah’s dialogues in the tapes, as it felt easier to relate to the characters. I also liked Clay as the main character and could completely relate to what he was going through. However, that is probably the only positive thing I can say about this novel.

Now coming to Hannah. I am sorry but Hannah was annoying and very whiny. Don’t get me wrong. I could empathize with what she was feeling what she was going through and know she went through some pretty crappy situations in the first half. However, in the second half of the book, probably from the 7th tape onward, I felt that she was just letting herself into the situation and using it as another excuse to commit suicide. For example, when she goes to the party and sees Bruce in the hot tub, she knows what could happen. She knows how dangerous they are, and yet she does not do anything to stop it.

Also, Hannah knows that she is not strong enough and cannot speak out about it, so why does she keep getting mixed up with the wrong crowd to be disappointed all over again? If she knows that she cannot stand up for herself, she needs to seek help professionally or rely on a friend she can trust. I feel Hannah was really dumb on how she thought she could try to befriend people like Marcus and Ryan, knowing their reputation. Also, there are so many instances where she could have turned out to Clay, knowing what kind of a person he is and how he can help her, but she doesn’t say anything. I could really feel Clay’s frustration when he thinks that Hannah did not say anything.

Coming to my thoughts on the book vs. the TV series. I think the TV series is much better because it given more history behind all the characters, not just Hannah. You get to learn more about Justin, Jessica and Alex and understand the complexities of all the characters, instead of just listening to Hannah’s perspective in the book. In fact, I found Courtney’s character to be more interesting and dynamic in the TV series than the novel.

Having said that, I do think this is an important book to read as it starts a discussion on how serious suicide is as a topic and what you think you can do to help a loved one from going through it. Even though this book (and the TV series) somewhat glamorizes suicide, you need to seek help if you are having thoughts about it. Bullying or abuse in any form cannot be tolerated, and if you see someone going through this, please spend time to help them through the situation.

Overall, “13 reasons why” is a quick and easy read, but fails in its execution. I give it a rating of 3/5 stars.

July 19, 2019
Sweet Valley High: Academic All-Star by Katy Rex, Andres Genolet

Sweet Valley High: Academic All-Star by Katy Rex, Andres Genolet
Release: July 9th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Source: Netgalley

Sweet Valley High Synopsis:

When Jessica falls in love with her Shakespeare teacher, she begins to act like her studious twin sister Elizabeth to impress him. Now it’s up to Elizabeth to make sure that all’s well that end well – but with Jessica playing her role, will anyone be able to tell which twin is which?

The treasured series that has entertained generations and sold over 60 million books returns! Fans of the over 600 classic novels and spinoffs and the TV show will adore this charming graphic novel from rising star writer Katy Rex (Charmed Magic School, Jade Street Protection Services) and artist Devaki Neogi (The Skeptics, Curb Stomp). Sweet Valley High is also in development as a major motion picture.

Review:

A big thank you to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for sending me an advanced e-copy of “Sweet Valley High: Academic All-Star” in exchange for my review.

I have to admit, Sweet Valley High used to be a guilty pleasure when I was growing up. Even though I have not read all the books in the original series, I have read quite a few to know the characters and the situations. Having said that, this comic revamp was a lot of fun to read and does not disappoint!

The characters still have the same personalities, but they are updated for the present world of social media. Jessica and Elizabeth are still the same beautiful twins going through the perfect life with turbulent friendships and boyfriend drama. Jessica’s story-line of falling for the teaching assistant was much more interesting than Elizabeth’s drama with Todd. It was a little creepy to see the lengths at which Jessica would go to get what she wants.

I thought the illustrations were average. I felt like the sisters did not look really beautiful and came off as a bit trashy, even Elizabeth. The colors also did not feel vibrant enough for the book to stand out. I think the book would have been perfect if they illustrations were crisper. However, I liked the angles in which the panels were drawn, like showing the dialogue through chat windows.

As always, the book ends with a beginning of a new story-line, which makes me want to read the next book once it is published. Overall, I loved reading this for the most part and think it is a great way to restart the series. It gave me the nostalgic feeling of reading the old series, but made it fresher for new generation of readers to relate to. I think this series will go a long way and it would be interesting to see how it turns out.

July 9, 2019
The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas

The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleas
Release: September 18th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Netgalley

The Good Demon Synopsis:

True Detective meets The Exorcist in this gripping YA mystery debut about one girl’s exorcism—and her desperate quest to reunite with her demon

Clare has been miserable since her exorcism. The preacher that rid her of evil didn’t understand that her demon—simply known as Her—was like a sister to Clare. Now, Clare will do almost anything to get Her back. After a chance encounter with the son of the preacher who exorcised her, Clare goes on an adventure through the dark underbelly of her small Southern town, discovering its deep-seated occult roots. As she searches for Her, she must question the fine lines between good and evil, love and hate, and religion and free will. Vivid and sharp, The Good Demon tells the unusual story of friendship amid dark Gothic horror.

Review:

A big thank you to NetGalley and Amulet Books for sending me an advanced e-copy of “The Good Demon” in exchange for my review.

I love reading thrillers and horror books, but I tend to stay clear of possession story-lines as they really creep me out. For the same reason, I was skeptical to read “The Good Demon” as I thought I would not enjoy it. As I did not have very high expectations of this novel, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would have!

To begin with, the story is really not your typical gory, horror, possession story-line. It is actually haunting, beautiful, creepy, and mysterious tale all put into one. I loved the concept of how Clare, the main character, misses her spirit “Her” and wants to be possessed again. Moreover, I really enjoyed Clare as a character overall, and the different emotions she goes through. I loved her flashbacks with ‘Her’, her complex relationship with her family and her first love with Roy. It was interesting to read how she goes through different emotions while trying to solve the mystery of who the ‘One wish Man’ is, how he is connected to Kevin, and how he can help her get ‘Her’ back. We gradually see Clare grow into a mature person during the course of the story.

That is not to say that the book doesn’t have its scary moments. One particular scene that sent chills down my spine is when Clare gets locked in with Luther Simpkins. I don’t know why, the image of him coming after her was terrifying. The where also other gripping moments like when Clare meets Gaspar, or when she sees Miss Mathis without her glasses. I was at the edge of my seat with Kevin’s flashback and how he connects to the Paradise Society. There are just so many things happening in this book and each chapter offers something new and intriguing. The author has done an amazing job in giving equal importance to the plot and the interaction between the characters. I would like to check out his other novels to see if they are equally good

Overall, I really enjoyed “The Good Demon” a lot and would give it 5/5 stars for its unique take on possession.

June 28, 2019
Giant Days by Non Pratt

Giant Days by Non Pratt
Release: August 21st 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Source: Netgalley

Giant Days Synopsis:

Based on the hit graphic-novel series from BOOM! Studios, the publisher behind “Lumberjanes”, Giant Days follows the hilarious and heartfelt misadventures of three university first-years: Daisy, the innocent home-schooled girl; Susan, the sardonic wit; and Esther, the vivacious drama queen. While the girls seem very different, they become fast friends during their first week of university. And it’s a good thing they do, because in the giant adventure that is college, a friend who has your back is key–something Daisy discovers when she gets a little too involved in her extracurricular club, the Yogic Brethren of Zoise. When she starts acting strange and life around campus gets even stranger (missing students, secret handshakes, monogrammed robes everywhere . . .), Esther and Susan decide it’s up to them to investigate the weirdness and save their friend.

Review:

Many thanks to Netgalley in providing me an e-ARC of the book.

I have not read the graphic novels prior to reading this, hence my opinions are solely based on this novel. When I started reading this book, I did not think I would enjoy it. The author jumps right into the story and I felt like there was no time to gradually introduce and personalize with the characters. However, as I continued reading, I started to enjoy the plot and the characters as well. The plot is a bit silly, and the characters are quirky, but it was still fun to read.

The main thing I like about “Giant Days” is that it is never dull. There is always something happening with the three characters to keep the plot interesting. To begin with, I like how the author shifts between story-lines after each paragraph to keep the pace consistent. Personally, I found Daisy’s character and her story-line fascinating. I loved how she tries to participate in all the activities to socialize, given her background. I was hooked when she gets involved in the shady Yoga Club and starts to lose herself. Moreover, I also liked Esther and dramatic expressions on trying to befriend Vectra. Probably the only character who did not have much going for her was Susan. She seems to be a complex character, but the only thing that happens to her is McGraw coming back in her life.

Honestly, I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had read the graphic novels first. There are a quite a lot of supporting characters like Reggie, Ed, and Kully, whom I could not connect with at all. There is also so much happening in the plot that I didn’t get to enjoy the characters as much I would have liked to. However, I really liked the theme of college friendship, and the interesting phases that the girls go through.

Overall, “Giant Days” was a good read, but I felt it could have been better. It has sparked my curiosity to pick up the graphic novels and give them a try.

June 26, 2019
The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos

The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos
Release: May 28th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Source: Amazon

The Wise and the Wicked Synopsis:

Ruby Chernyavsky has been told the stories since she was a child: The women in her family, once possessed of great magical abilities to remake lives and stave off death itself, were forced to flee their Russian home for America in order to escape the fearful men who sought to destroy them. Such has it always been, Ruby’s been told, for powerful women. Today, these stories seem no more real to Ruby than folktales, except for the smallest bit of power left in their blood: when each of them comes of age, she will have a vision of who she will be when she dies—a destiny as inescapable as it is inevitable. Ruby is no exception, and neither is her mother, although she ran from her fate years ago, abandoning Ruby and her sisters. It’s a fool’s errand, because they all know the truth: there is no escaping one’s Time.

Until Ruby’s great-aunt Polina passes away, and, for the first time, a Chernyavsky’s death does not match her vision. Suddenly, things Ruby never thought she’d be allowed to hope for—life, love, time—seem possible. But as she and her cousin Cece begin to dig into the family’s history to find out whether they, too, can change their fates, they learn that nothing comes without a cost. Especially not hope.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Wise and the Wicked by Rebecca Podos!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjJMxfoVLpg[/embedyt]

I initially picked up this book because I loved the cover design of it! It is simplistic, gorgeous and reminds me of the old fairy tales. The plot is unique and interesting and held my interest for the most part. I had heard of the basic tale of Baba Yaga before but did not really know much about Russian folk tales. This book sparked my interest for reading more about Russian folk tales in general.

I think the main aspect I liked about this story was that it was focused more on family and how they protect each other and the secrets they keep, instead of the usual teenage angst and romance. The author shows the problems and hardship that Ruby has with her family members, but how they also love each other at the same time. The author also put in some LGBTQ themes, where one of the characters is transgender, and there is a lesbian couple, making the story more interesting.

All the supporting characters like Cece, Dov and Thalia are likeable and realistic for most part. I really liked Cece’s character more than Ruby. While Ruby comes off as very smart and savvy at times, I did not really find her a great protagonist. She seemed very confused, and was always asking Dov or Cece to help her with her problems. Actually I liked all the supporting cast more than the main character as they seemed to have more depth.

However, there are precisely three things that I did not like about the story.

Number 1: The number of characters in the flashback. There were just too many characters in the flashback stories, and I could not keep track as to who each one was. I feel the author could have just stuck to the three main ones like Polina, Eveline and Annie. But then the author throws in Vladlena, Galina, Vera, Anfisa and other characters, and their names also sound alike. So I had to go back and forth to recollect how each character connects to one another.

Number 2: There were just too many sub-stories within the plot, told in flashbacks. This is still okay if the backstory connects to the main plot right? But, the story contains subplots of a podcast that Ruby listens to, which is interesting, but does not connect to the main plot at all. The author also gives a flashbash of Dov’s life, which again has no relevance to the plot.

Number 3: The ending was just disappointing. The author does not provide any conclusions as to what happens to any of the characters at all. The main theme was for Ruby to learn whether she would die as per her vision, or overcome it. But, the ending has a big question mark, and we have to decipher it ourselves, which was frustrating.

Overall, “The Wise and the Wicked” had its ups and downs, but in the end, it was mediocre.

June 14, 2019
Drop Dead Gorgeous (Return to Fear Street #3) by R.L. Stine

Drop Dead Gorgeous (Return to Fear Street #3) by R.L. Stine
Release: February 5th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Amazon

Drop Dead Gorgeous Synopsis:

Morgan Marks is the new girl—and nobody can stop talking about her. She’s popular, smart, and beautiful. Everyone wants to be her friend. But her past is veiled in mystery, and no one, not even her boyfriend Ben, knows where exactly she came from. But Shadyside Homecoming is just around the corner. And Morgan’s dark secrets are about to be dug up for all the world to see.

Review:

Watch my video review of Drop Dead Gorgeous by R.L. Stine!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIUhbyJKko[/embedyt]

This book was strange, and weird, and not really that good. As I have mentioned in my previous videos, I am a big fan of the original fear street novels, but this one just did not live up to my expectations.

Firstly, the main characters are very boring with zero personality. All the characters are one dimensional and clichéd. The book drags out more than it has to because of the unnecessary dialogue that keeps repeating. Every other page is about Winks breaking up with Delia, or Julie trying to win over Zane. Or they talk about how mysterious Morgan is.

But, the original fear street novels were also zero in character development and more about the thrills and scares. So, was this book scary to read? Not really. We know who the villain is right from the beginning and how their prey on their victims, so it was not really scary. The pacing is also very slow because there are only certain parts of the book which is scary. Perhaps if I was more attached to the characters, I would have been shocked when some of them are killed. There is also a back story of Morgan’s life which I thought was unnecessary and put in to add more pages.

There are only two parts that I liked about “Drop Dead Gorgeous”. The first part is about the mysterious man with the glass like eyes that keeps showing out of nowhere. I thought he was the most interesting character in the book and he did creep me out. The second thing I liked was the twist in the very end. R.L.Stine always provides a shocking twist in the end of his books and this book also concludes with a good twist that I didn’t see coming at all.

But overall, “Drop Dead Gorgeous” was not good, not bad, but boring and unoriginal and I would give it a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

March 18, 2019
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Release: February 5th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Amazon

On The Come Up Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

Review:

Watch my video review of On the Come Up by Angie Thomas!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejuVVBt7aZ0[/embedyt]

I loved reading this book, and could not put it down!

The main thing that stands out in this book is Bri’s character. From the first page, we get to see how strong willed she is in pursuing something she is passionate about. She wants to reach her goals and also help her family out of the tough situations, even when her loved ones and the environment are labeling her in a certain role and pushing her to be someone she is not. True, she doesn’t think clearly at times and makes really stupid decisions, but her intentions are good. In fact, one of my favorite scenes in this story is when Bri sees the children of the neighborhood rap her lyrics and misconstrue it to sound like a violent song about guns and shooting people. You can clearly see her go through a change and see the negative affect her words have on others.

I enjoyed Angie Thomas’s style of writing, and how down to earth and realistic she makes the characters and situations. Although I am not really a big fan of hip-hop, I did enjoy the freestyle lyrics that Bri comes up with to voice her opinions, and the process she goes through to make it. I loved all the supporting characters as well like Jay, Sonny, Malik and Aunt Pooh. They are so interesting because the author has made them diverse and complex, facing other issues different from Brianna. Moreover, I loved how the author highlights Jay’s struggles to do what is right for her family even when they hit rock bottom. The author has not only highlighted about racism, but about poverty, drug abuse, public harassment and other issues.

Overall, ON the Come Up has diverse characters, realistic situations and dialogue, family drama, teen romance, and a strong main character that makes this book stand out from the others. I actually liked this book a slot and would give it 5/5 stars. I will definitely be reading “The Hate U Give” now that I have enjoyed reading this one.

March 2, 2019
The Me I Meant to Be by Sophie Jordan

The Me I Meant to Be by Sophie Jordan
Release: January 1, 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: Amazon

The Me I Meant To Be Synopsis:

Girl Code: Never date a friend’s ex.

Willa Evans has no intention of breaking the code. So what if she’s always secretly loved her next-door neighbor Zach? As her best friend’s boyfriend, he was always off-limits and it needs to stay that way, even though they just broke up. Even though every time she turns around he’s there, tempting her…

No keeping secrets from your bestie.

Flor Hidalgo has a lot on her plate: her breakup with Zach, her dad’s new dating life, and her struggling grades. So why can’t she stop thinking about her hot, know-it-all tutor? At least she’s got Willa, her constant in the chaos.

Breaking the code breaks friendships.

Two friends find themselves tempted by love that defies the rules in this steamy romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Simone Elkeles.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Me I Meant To Be by Sophie Jordan!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk4fM0ZHLDY[/embedyt]

Honestly, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It is your typical teenage, contemporary, romance novel with quite a few twists and turns here and there. Willa and Flor are prominent main characters, and they have their own distinctive personalities and it was interesting to see how the plot progresses from their perspective.

The author has also done a nice job in building the chemistry and maintaining the romance between the characters. I particularly liked Flor and Grayson’s relationship more than Willa and Zach. While I liked Willa more as a character, I didn’t really like her relationship with Zach because I thought he was a player and I really could not believe him when he said that he had genuine feelings for her. On the other hand, I really liked Flor and Grayson together. Even though he has a weird secret identity, I found it interesting and quirky and different from things we usually read.

However, I felt that the author could have added a more details to a few things. The main one being that we really don’t get to know more about Grayson and Zach and what issues they have to behave the way they do. Especially Grayson, as he seems to be a very mysterious and interesting character, but we really don’t get to learn anything about him. In the same way I could not understand how Willa and Flor were besties. They seem like complete polar opposites who would not fit into each other’s social circles. Also, I felt that Willa’s sister was completely unnecessary who did not add anything to the plot.

However, apart from all this, the plot was fast and interesting. What I particularly enjoyed about this story is that it shows how people make mistakes, and there is no right or wrong in a situation and it depends on a person’s perspective. I also liked how the author realistically shows how the girls handle their friendship when put to the test.

Overall, “The Me I meant to be” is a breezy read with fun characters and interesting situations. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

February 24, 2019
Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland
Everless by Sara Holland
Release: January 2, 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Amazon

Everless Synopsis:

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Review:

Watch my video review of Everless by Sara Holland!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB0lSgX2hsw[/embedyt]

I loved this book! Everything from the cover design to the last page was just perfect. There are so many things going on in this novel that I could not put it down.

Firstly, I loved the whole concept about time being money. The fact that you can bleed time from yourself and exchange it for goods and services itself sounds very intriguing. The author has designed the world so intricately, whether it is Crofton or Everless. You have a clear structure of how people live, and how the people give up their time to feed their children, while the rich waste it on frivolous things. It sounds unbelievable, and yet we can relate it to our present world.

Secondly, there are so many plot twists that come out of nowhere. While the story is gripping from the start, I found it becoming intense when Jules vows vengeance for her father and tries to get closer to the Queen to find out the truth. Each chapter has a shocking reveal, or a twist and turn that makes you want to turn the page and find out what happens next. Some of the most memorable parts for me in the book where:
- When Jules meets Rinn in Briarsmoor to find out the truth about what happened there
- When Jules, Ina and Caro go to the hedge witch to learn about their past
- The climax when we find out what is happening
Coming to the characters, Jules is a wonderful protagonist who is very complex and interesting to read. At some parts, she shows her bravery and fearlessness, whereas in other parts she shows how naive and gullible she can be, which gets her into a lot of trouble. She is the perfect role model and heroine for such kind of novels. I also liked the fact that the story did not divert and focus primarily on Jules’s love interest. It is nice to read her infatuation with Roan and her chemistry with Liam without becoming a teen, angst love relationship. Even the supporting characters are very memorable and my favorite characters are Ina and Liam. Even the villain is so memorable and devious that I cannot wait to pick up the next book.

Sara Holland has done a wonderful job in this novel, covering so many things like revenge, deception, love, magic etc. Overall, I loved reading Eveless and would give it a rating of 5/5 stars.
February 24, 2019
The Color of Lies by CJ Lyons

The Color of Lies by CJ Lyons
Release: November 6, 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Blink, HarperCollins Publishing
Source: Amazon

The Color of Lies Synopsis:

High school senior Ella Cleary has always been good at reading people. Her family has a rare medical condition called synesthesia that scrambles the senses—her Gram Helen sees every sound, and her uncle Joe can literally taste words. Ella’s own synesthesia manifests itself as the ability to see colors that reveal people’s true emotions…until she meets a guy she just can’t read.

Alec is a mystery to Ella, a handsome, enigmatic young journalist who makes her feel normal for the first time in her life. That is, until he reveals the real reason why he sought her out—he wants to learn the truth behind her parents’ deaths, the parents that Ella had always been told died in a fire. Alec turns Ella’s world upside down when he tells her their deaths were definitely not an accident.

After learning her entire life has been a lie, Ella doesn’t know who she can trust or even who she really is. With her adoptive family keeping secrets and the evidence mixing fact and fiction, the only way for Ella to learn the truth about her past is to find a killer.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Color of Lies by CJ Lyons!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYx6uVmAH4o[/embedyt]

The first thing that drew me to reading this novel is the concept of synesthesia. I had actually never heard of this term before, and I thought the author described the concept perfectly through the characters, where she mentions that it is not seeing words as colors, but it can also be triggered as a feeling or a touch. This book introduced me to synesthesia, and made me want to research more about it after reading it. Moreover, the book also maintained the suspense really well for the most part, and the author throws quite a few red herrings where you keep guessing as to what happened to Ella’s parents. The author also paces the storyline nicely, where we get to gradually see Ella starting to suspect everyone around her.

However, there are a few parts of the book that I found unnecessary. The main aspect which I did not like was the instant love between Alec and Ella. The two fall in love as soon as they meet and it feels unnecessary. Even though the author does a good job in maintaining the suspense, I feel the romance could have been avoided. Another part I found to be a bit boring was the reveal of what happened the night Ella’s parents died. Since the story doesn’t have many characters, it really isn’t shocking when the killer is revealed. The book gets a little clichéd towards the climax where you know how things are going to pan out.

December 25, 2018