book 1 of 52

Pretty Little Liars

By: Sara Shepard

Isbn: 978-0060887322

Length: 304 pages

Read: January 1, 2012 to January 8, 2012

Book Challenge: 1 of 52

Like I stated in my previous post on ya-bookends that I would be picking the blog back up and posting reviews on the books I have read. I am also starting a personal challenge that I think will help me keep up with posting. Every week, for this year, I will read a book and post a review on it. I am starting a little late, sadly. I have already read 3 books and I just have been struggling with getting time to type out my reviews. I am finally getting a moment to post about book 1 of my challenge.

I admit I would have never read this book if I had not watched the show first. I was not a fan of the covers (the plastic barbie-like girl on the cover and on the back a real version of the doll), I just found it a little creepy, and lets face the facts I am a cover snob. I admit it, I do judge a book by it's cover. However, I was able to pass this because I enjoyed the show quiet a bit.

The book starts off rather slowing following the lives of four girls; Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, Spencer Hastings, and Emily Fields. All of the girls share a common thread, their best friend went missing three years ago, taking a deep and dark secret with her, one secret from each girl. Now all the girls are attending and elite school in Rosewood, Penn. They each begin to receive messages from A, the messages all contain hints at past lies and secrets, as well as hints of new ones that are quickly forming.

Once I started to get into the book, I quickly discovered that this book is a nice mix between Veronica Mars, a sassy television detective, and Gossip Girl, a book series about Manhattan's teen elite. Since the girls were the queen bees of their school a lot of product reference is tossed around, normally this bothers me but it really helps the reader understand each girl deeper, and also allows the reader to understand each families financial status.

Another amazing surprise of the book was how it show cased the imperfections in life. How the perfect can even go into a downward spiral because of one lie or mistake. Each of the girls is dealing with a situation that is difficult for most adults, not to say they are smoothly getting through life but they are dealing with life as it is. This is nice and refreshing, compared to most young adult novels.

Over all I would say this book has a little bit of everything. I was laughing and scared for the girls all at once. I suggestion both the show and book for ever who wants a fun series. Though please if you read the book and start the show or vice versa, please do not let the characters physical traits through you off, they look complete different.