Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard


Title: Pretty Little Liars
Author: Sara Shepard
Published: August 2007

My Rating: 4 stars
Tags:
YA | Girls | Series (Book One)
Includes: Profanity, Sexual Content, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Homosexuality, Eating Disorders

First Lines: "Someone finally bought the DiLaurentises' old house," Emily Fields's mother said. It was Saturday afternoon, and Mrs. Fields sat at the kitchen table, bifocals perched on her nose, calmly doing her bills.



I have never really been the type of reader interested in those girly, cliche series like Gossip Girl, Private, The Clique series, etc. So when my two friends were urging me over and over to pick up a copy of Pretty Little Liars, the first in the series, I have to admit that I wasn't convinced at first. However, once I went to Borders to get some new books, I saw it staring at me from the bookshelf...and what do you think I did next? Yep, I bought it. (:

After just reading the first chapter, I was HOOKED. Sure, even though it seems like another typical girl series with the "rich/snobby/stuck-up" characters, I really enjoyed this book. The author covered just about every single problem/scenerio a lot of teenagers face in their lives: body image and eating disorders, trying to figure out if you're straight or lesbian, parent and family issues, finding love in all the wrong places, cutting to deal with emotional pain, oh and your everyday disapperance of your best friend.

...................

Yes you read that right. After just the first chapter, Alison, the leader of the seventh grade 5-girl-clique has gone missing. The girl who knew everyone's secrets, and swore to take them to the grave. Meet Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna; four girls who were inseperable in middle school but have long since moved on since their best friend Alison's disapearance.

But, life changes suddenly for all four of the girls once they start getting strange emails and texts from someone anonymous, who calls themself "A". With each chapter, readers will discover the truths under each lie the girls have told in the past, until all of them somehow connect. Each girl has her own story and her own secrets, that will leave you wishing for more.

As soon as I finished the last page of the book - which I loved the cliffhanger ending, by the way - I was desperate to read the next book in the series. I like the variety of plots going on; the storyline never bored me or dragged along. This is definitely a girls' book though, I don't think guys would enjoy it. The author doesn't hold back when describing make-out sessions, and she introduces each chapter with the exact detail of what the characters are wearing.

There were some very awkward moments in the book though while I was reading it in public - like at school - where I was practically covering up the whole page with my hand so people looking over my shoulder wouldn't be able to read it and ask what the heck I was reading! (Yes, I get embarrassed easily.) I think this is one of those books that you either love or hate; and I fell into the "love" category. My two friends who had originally told me about this series, were ecstatic to hear that I really liked it. This is just the beginning of a great new series!


Book Supplied by: Bought it at Borders! :)

16 comments:

  1. I really want to read this series! It sounds so good. Great review!

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  2. "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same and still retain the ability to function...One should, for example, see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise." ---F. Scott Fitzgerald

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  3. I love this series. I can't wait for the next one to come out at the end of the month. Great review!

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  4. Glad you liked Pretty Little Liars! Read the rest of the books! They are amaziiiiing. And Killer which is the sixth book if I'm not wrong, is coming out on 30 June (not sure if it's correct). Woo hoo! =D Haha and I get embarassed easily too, especially if the book has some *ahem* scenes.

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  5. I know, I just loved it! I want to read the entire series before Killer comes out, but that's like impossible :)

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  6. Mary D

    I've just recently learned about this series, and would enjoy reading them, if only I can find 'em. (downside of SMALL town living)

    The wealth of detail along with multiple plot lines & cliff hangers sounds like an enjoyable read.

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  7. i liked this book as well as the series...i didn't read books like Gossip Girl or The Clique but this series was just amazing....loved it!

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  8. I'm not into Gossip Girl or anything like it, but maybe Pretty Little Liars will change that :D Great review, I love the cover of this book!

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  9. This sounds interesting but I really dislike the cover...it's really weird to me...

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  10. I read it and lovveeedd ittt!!!!I had to cover my book for certain parts too!!!Ever since i read it, more and more people in my homeroom want to and we all talk about the characters and problems!!!Its great!

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  11. Oooh! You should read the rest of them! They get so good! And it is also being made into a tv show airing June 8th. By ABC Family...which I am a little concerned about. But I am still eager.

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  12. Though I haven't read this book yet, I'm procrastinating since the TV show's theme song creeps me out. Have you seen it?

    I understand your embarrassment. I do that all the time, especially when I read books such as Gossip Girl. I hate it when people read over your shoulder!

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  13. Haha yes, and I LOVE the show! You definitely need to check out the books too though.

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  14. I heard so much hype about this series i'm still not sure? but i love the tv show and i'm not a fan of the clique same drama but maybe this will change my mind Your review is convincing :D

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  15. This is another series that i found too young for me. But also, i love the tv series and I found it too confusing to keep track of the differences.

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Thanks, I love what you have to say!