shereadytoread's Reviews (806)

Definitely the best of the novels so far. A 5 star is generous but it's part nostalgia and part an interesting mystery. The combination of the older character of Sharona was great. The mystery itself felt like it had actual stakes due to Sharona's absent connection to the characters. 

Characters: Monk is Monk. Lots of over the top characterization of OCD. Natalie is more fleshed out with a full range of emotions with her forming a new friendship, and coming to terms with her relationship with Monk. Sharona is great and spot on to her character in the show. 

Plot: The mystery was great! Of course there are red herrings that come along with any mystery, but as this book presents the accused is innocent from the beginning, everyone becomes a suspect and it works. The ending actually surprised me because it is definitely something the reader could figure out if they read carefully but it is so subtle I doubt anyone did. 

This is actually one I would consider reading again. 

This might have been the first PLL book I actually ... liked? It had elements of a thriller that didn't seem manufactured by the weird overcomplicated plot this series has created. The continuing issue is that the stakes have been raised so high in previous books (murder, car accidents, fraud, affairs, etc) that the twists almost feel like there is no consequence because there is such a cycle. They have brought in outside characters to begin to explain the "evidence" but there is still so much that it becomes difficult to understand at times. 

Characters:
They continue to be very unlikeable. They are suppose to be in things together but continually turn on each other suddenly and even throw other people under the bus even when they are aware that they've been manipulated for a year now. 

Plot:
Better! New settings (FINALLY) and starting to actually give some direction to the cycling thriller they have created. More people are actually dying so things seem to make a little more sense then every single person in the town being manipulated by one person. 

This was a tense read, that doesn't give any relief until the very end. Like a lot of people, I saw the Netflix film which piqued my interest in the book. Overall, I think the book has much more suspense than the film accomplished. 

Characters:
We mostly follow the MC, Malorie traveling with two children, who are young but clearly had to grow up quickly to survive. Through flashbacks we see the downfall of society and the people that Malorie survived with along the way, we obviously know none of them are with her currently due to her only having the children at the very beginning. We see Malorie's turmoil in a world without sanity as she tries to guide them through a life of some quality. She's not exactly likeable, as she has clearly been hardened by the events of the world, but she cares. 

Plot:
The plot was great. The use of flashbacks often annoys me with other books but it worked perfectly here as we see Malorie struggling to survive and then work through the events that led up to the current state of things. It is very suspenseful, as she has to lean on intuition and limited senses to move through the world. 

 

By book three, they finally hit their stride. The characterization was spot on with the TV show, the banter was improved, and they managed to work in most of the main characters in a way that worked out exactly how an episode would. The mystery itself was interesting, however it lacked the huge final reveal that we typically get where Shawn makes a big (humorous) speech. However, it worked out out in an interesting way because we get some Gus POV. In my opinion, the best of the first 4 books.

 

This graphic novel is very intense. First, it is visually beautiful with watercolor illustrations that are amazing! Next, the story itself is intense. A teen making the biggest choice, and likely the biggest mistake of his life, guided by the spirits of people that came and fell before him. The cast of characters is real and you see how their environment has taken so much from them and affected their choices and way of life. This is a dark story, but it beautifully told. 

This was a cute read for kids. It includes monsters without the scary elements of horror. Includes brief lessons about apologies and being kind to others. Overall nice.

 

This one was at least better than the last one. It offered some new information and widened the conspiracy. Its strength is also its downfall. They manage to pull the reader in so many directions with so many villians and possible villians that nothing seems important. There are too many red herrings to get invested in the idea that any person actually did anything because every ending sets up another sequel.

The only upside to this book is they finally reveal something they've been teasing for 3 books. Of course it comes at the end with no details as the hook into the 7th book, but at least it comes.

Characters:
- Aria - continued trend of her "relationships" with adult men
- Emily - a manufactured crisis revolving around who she wants to date. AGAIN.
- Spencer - makes some rash decisions that seem completely OOC for her
- Hanna - continues to be a mean girl in all areas. Honestly hard to root for her in any way at all

 

This book is a slow burn and then explodes. The focus is obviously on the sister in a coma and how her past and current life are slowly revealed. There is one expected red herring towards the beginning but then the true twists happen and they land each time. 

The last 1/3 of the book, there is a reveal every few pages and they all work and push the plot and character reveals. The MC is relatable for most of the book. A woman in a job that isn't that fulfilling, with a boss that is rude, a marriage that is strained but she wants it to work and the insecurities that result from both. 

The supporting cast of her sister and her husband are a good foil of one another that adds to the overall tension. Even the very brief appearance of the parents adds more to the story. Overall this thriller was well crafted and it shows. 

Content warning: There is some use of sexual assault that seems wholly unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the plot. I think this would have been a 5 star read for me if not for that addition.