Friday, May 27, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: Liar

Title: Liar


Author: Justine Larbalestier

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

RRP: $16.99

ISBN: 9781742375380

Release Date: March 2011

Pages: 360



Description:



Secrets, lies, murder and betrayal.

Micah Wilkins is a liar. But when her boyfriend, Zach, dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not. Especially when lying comes as naturally to her as breathing. Was Micah dating Zach? Did they kiss? Did she see him the night he died? And is she really hiding a family secret? Where does the actual truth lie?

Liar is a breathtaking roller-coaster read that will have you grasping for the truth until the very last page. Honestly.

Awards

Winner, 2010 Davitt Award for best Australian Women's Crime Writing - Children's/YA

Winner, 2009 Western Australia Premier's Literary Award - Young Adult

Winner, Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) Christina Stead Award 2009

Shortlisted, 2010 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year - Older Readers

Included in International Youth Library's The White Ravens 2010, an annual selection of outstanding books for children and young adults

Shortlisted, 2010 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards (Young Adult)

Shortlisted, 2010 NSW Premier's Literary Award - Ethel Turner Prize

Shortlisted, 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Book of the Year for Older Children 2010

Shortlisted, 2010 Inky Award

Shortlisted, Locus Award, Young Adult novel

A Bank Street Children's Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

About Justine Larbalestier

Justine Larbalestier was born and raised in Sydney and is the author of the Magic or Madness trilogy, How to Ditch Your Fairy and Liar , which won the YA Western Australian Premiers book award, the YA Sisters in Crime Davitt Award and was shortlisted for the CBCA Older Readers award, among many other honours. Justine also edited a scholarly collection of feminist science fiction in the twentieth century, Daughters of Earth, and is co-editor, with Holly Black, of Zombies vs Unicorns. She is married to YA author Scott Westerfeld and they divide their time between Sydney and New York City. Liar is the novel that messed with her mind for five years. Now it can mess with yours.



Review:

With so many accoaides to the author's name I had to read this book to find out for myself how good the book, writing and author was. I found the story a well written and fast paced read that lived up to my expectations. The narrator starts of her story by telling you that she is is a liar, but that that she won't lie to you, the reader. For some reason, I found that a bit hard to believe, a compulsive liar was going to be truthful to little old me. Had to read on to find out just how much she was going to fib to me and how interesting the lie was going to be. The narration of this novel transits back and forth in time, giving you glimpses of Micah's life before and after the mysterious death of Zach -- as well as occasional forays into the strange background of Micah's life and family. Then, Micah will suddenly confess that half of what she told you was a lie and revisit the previous events to give you the true story. For real this time, she promises you.

By the time the story takes an unbelievable twist, you've already suspected it and seen it coming, so you believe it totally. And then, once all the details have been fleshed out for you, you wonder if she's fooled you again .

A great read, not just for the YA audiance but anyone who enjoys a good story.

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