shereadytoread's Reviews (806)

This book basically throws the first 4 out of the window. A was suppose to be one person, nope! This person was the killer, nope! It rehashes basically the entire first book. Aria in an inappropriate relationship with an adult, Emily continuing to struggle with her sexuality, Hannah hates her sister again, Spencer's life is ... I don't even know. In the previous book they make a big deal out of teasing Ali being seen at the end, but that is never addressed. There is mention of two Alis, but that is never addressed. Basically everything starts over but worse.

This book included some of the most terrible acts of abuse I've ever read about. The fact that one girl was victimized by so many people, including her own sister, at the request of a woman who otherwise held no power over them is shocking. The book is informative but reads like a long newspaper article. There is no perspective, context or anything else offered. Just a straightforward examining of the facts of the case and the results of the trial which if the crimes were not as disturbing as they were would be incredibly dull. The second half of the book that discusses the trial, drags on with summaries of different testimony. Save the time and read an article about the crimes. 

This book managed to do something that added to the series without contradicting the TV show. 

1. It opened up the world to other people that are connected in a way that makes sense
 2. It explains Randy's value (who is often seen as incompetent in the show) without contradicting his character traits in the show 
 3. Creates a conflict that is important enough to give the book stakes without something that would have to affect the show going forward 
 4. Introduces additional characters that add to the book without taking away from the focus which is the characters from the show 

Overall a good plot/mystery that you can solve if you are paying attention, but still comes up as a bit of a surprise. 

The world building is a little confusing. The world seems to be advanced in some ways but very little technology in others. For example, a "cycle" (motorcycle?) seems to be a prototype beyond imagination but an area with an electrified dome, a subway, camera systems and databases are commonplace. 

The main character is rather likeable, caught between two worlds and a love triangle. She is strong but does not have unexplained abilities and is well fleshed out with inner conflict. 

Unfortunately the first half of this book was extremely boring and in my opinion it doesn't really get interesting until the climax which is about 75% of the way in. Even the action scenes are pretty dull. Overall it was a good read but I will not be continuing the series. 

This book suffers from too much of a good thing. The basis of any TV novelization is that it benefits from having pre-existing characters that readers will recognize and they don't have to do any character building. However this book includes too many possible mysteries (which are wrapped up in the end of course) and too many new characters are introduced that are crucial to the plot in some way that it takes away from the novelization part. There are two chapters from the POV of characters exclusive to the book. The plot itself is pretty interesting, but detracts from the humor due to the amount of detail. There also isn't as much joking banter as the first novel but the banter itself is better written. Not a bad followup to the first novel.

Arguably the best of the 4 so far. Probably because it moves away from the  weird predatory relationships and actually focuses on the mystery. It does manage to wrap up most of the plot holes but then immediately sets up another sequel on the last page (there are 16 of these books after all). I didn't really like this book but I disliked it the least?

It's boring? The whole book basically takes place in the hospital where she's convinced she is "normal" and we need to figure out if she's reliable or not. I think my issue is the author creating a book about mental illness and institutionalization and then stating at the end that it is not meant to educate people about either subject and the stuff that happens in the book wouldn't really happen. So what was the point? About half the book seemed to just be fluff that is not really relevant 

This one didn't seem to have anything important happen, just a build up to the next book with no real plot of it's own. There are continuations from the previous book with a few of the characters but we don't learn anything new of substance, but I'm sure some of it is significant in the final book of this arc. 

This book was not terrible but not great. Rounded up from 2.5. My biggest two issues are that 

1. Introduces some random misogyny where they dictate that it wasn't sad that Anna Nicole Smith overdosed, but that she posed in playboy. Also continually calling one of the female characters a hooker for what seems like no reason? 
 2. The final solve is based on some random information pulled out of no where that was never hinted at the rest of the book. Half the fun of "whodunits" are trying to figure it out but if it is based in something never mentioned before, that's not possible. 

Otherwise it was a pretty fun read. Good banter between the characters and the personalities from the show are clear for the characters.