Thursday, March 3, 2011

Review: The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

The Liar Society

The Liar Society, Sourcebooks Fire in March 2011
Authors: Lisa & Laura Roecker

With pink hair and way too many freckles, Kate might be mistaken for an ordinary, happy-go-lucky teenager, but there is nothing ordinary about her. Ordinary teenagers don't get emails from dead friends. Ordinary teenagers don't pit themselves against secret societies. Ordinary teenagers can make it through a tennis match without running off the court and chasing phantoms.
Kate is not ordinary, but she is a heck of a lot of fun, at least when she isn't struggling with the death of her best friend. Dr. Prozac thinks she needs to put it all behind her, but Kate doesn't think it's over. Not by a long shot.

The Liar Society is one of those unique books that fall through the cracks in the bookstore genres. Part mystery, part thriller, part romance, it lives a life of its own that will sweep readers in and carry them along for the ride. Kate is a real teen living in an unreal situation, and you find yourself cheering for her even when she does the most stupid things. (No, Kate, don't get in the car! No, Kate, don't go there alone!, No, Kate, no!)

For those who think in S.A.T. terms, Kate is to Nancy Drew as You are to Barbie. Complex, fun and willful, she loves her full-fat Mocha Frappes and can't decide between the ultra-geeky Seth who has adored her since birth and the edgy Liam who seems torn between her and her arch-nemesis. Decisions, decisions.

There will be some who feel like the ending is neither neatly solved nor cleanly happily-ever-after, but it is still satisfying. It feels real in a way that only a slightly paranoid teen book can. I, for one, look forward to more books by the Roecker sisters, and a chance to find out what Kate gets up to next. I strongly recommend The Liar Society for teens and young adults, as well as parents who want to join in the fun. (Parental note: There is some drinking and implied sexual activity)

Five Stars!

More about The Liar Society on Amazon.com
More about The Liar Society on Amazon.co.uk (not available yet)

7 comments:

  1. It sounds great. I look forward to reading it. I have a son named Seth! Thanks for the recommendation, Ben.

    -Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a cute cover! Sounds like a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I will warn you that the book is a bit darker than the cover. Not too dark, but the cover makes it seem less serious a plot than it is.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the review! I'm looking forward to reading this one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Let me know what you think. I'm always curious what others think.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I need to get my hands on that book. I've heard great things about it. I even pinked my hair for their debut--hope it went well for them girls :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have to admit, I couldn't wait and just bought it for Kindle to read it right away.

    ReplyDelete