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mcdevimm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Classism, Alcohol, and Child death
justcallme_blondie's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Some people think BookTok is ruining reading and I disagreed, until this book.
I think book had potential. that's why I gave it two and a half stars instead of one. I actually liked the whole concept of a girl solving a mystery surrounding her family after suffering brain damage and I did enjoy the whole subplot of Gat and Cadence.
Gat and her might actually make a good couple if she wasn't so insufferable (more on this later). Gat actually seemed really hot and like the only one with common sense on the whole island. "He stops in front of me, breathing hard. His hair sticks up, bedhead. The muscles of his abdomen ripple and he seems much more naked than he would in a swimsuit." (see page 93)
This is my personal opinion, but this is a great way to show teenage awkwardness and moments of physical attraction.
What I Didn't Like:
- The purple prose. The purple prose was unnecessary. I'm definitely not saying this book had to be as bland as a box of saltines. Not at all! But the purple prose makes it difficult to distinguish the metaphors from the actuality.
For example:
"Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn on I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed." (see page 5)
This is just a metaphor for her dad's leaving/divorce to be especially hard but it could have been demonstrated in other ways. It was very confusing to me because I literally thought her dad shot her and that was her trauma in the beginning. But, then again, maybe I'm just stupid.
But then it was also difficult because at one point she talks about her wrists bleeding in front of Gat and I couldn't tell if this was a metaphor for her spilling her guts in front of him or what, but she was actually bleeding! Then, it was also confusing because it was never discussed why her wrists are bleeding, so then I thought she was self-harming. but that was never discussed.
I also didn't like the family tree. This is a weird complaint and I'm not talking about the actual drawing but I didn't like how there was practically no character building. There was a set of twins in the story and some cousins and aunts but after two weeks I can barely remember any of the characters except for Cadence, the Grandfather, Mirren (barely. I only remember reading something about her and Mirren forced to beg for tablecloths or something and I can't recall her relation to Cadence), and Gat. I didn't even know that the mother had two sisters except for when she started introducing those quirky fairy tales. I can't even remember who a "Liar" is and who isn't. (which is also confusing because I'm pretty sure only Cadence calls them Liars and it isn't really discussed why...)
Characters. I didn't like any of the characters except Gat. Don't get me wrong - they all had potential.
Cadence - She was too "not like other girls" for my taste. The whole story she says "I'm not like other girls because other girls have blonde hair but I dyed mine black. I'm not like other girls because I have trauma. I'm not like other girls because I'm donating things. etc.," She was basically a self-insert, Y/N-type character for those girlies in 2014 when this was published, who like to hate conforming, cheerleader types. Another thing I didn't like about Cadence was the fact that she was randomly donating things and acted like she was woke for that. She was too pretentious and I understand that the whole point of the story is that they're supposed to be overindulged but it was a bit too on the nose and made for an annoying read.
Grandpa - He was annoying but the best annoying character there. I actually thoroughly enjoyed reading about him because it was such a perfect example of an egotistical spoiled white man.
Gat - This man was another of the handful of likable characters. He can have my soul. He is the perfect pretentious woke teenager. Like I wanted Gat because Cadence surely didn't deserve him.
That's all I can remember of characters.
The plot twist. It could have been done so well but it flopped. It was a stupid and unbelievable idea that a group of kids would willingly agree to commit arson with a visibly mentally unstable teenager. Like and the fact that everyone ignored it? Girlie? What were they thinking?! I almost cried but not because this book was so mind blowing but because I wished it was better.
Something else I didn't like was the weird formatting.
The whole story was like this:
I
am
not like
those weird
o
t
h
e
r
girls. im different.
because i almost died as the flowers wrapped around my neck in peaceful scarf before fashioning themselves into a necklace growing tighter and tighter until the sun scooped me up and dyed my hair blonde again. i am mad. i want black hair because i'm different.
The fairy tales did nothing to add to the story and were weird and confusing. I found myself skipping them sometimes.
Things I Did Like:
Besides Gat, I liked the small chapters. I love a book with shorter chapters because I can get into more I feel like and this is definitely something this book accomplished.
I did like some of the descriptions of Gat and Cadence together and their love.
I did like the idea of the story and felt it could have been done well. The novel was a good size, it dragged on in parts but wasn't unbearably long.
So, read with caution but just know you're going to wish you had thought of this idea before E. Lockhart so you could've written a better novel.
I think book had potential. that's why I gave it two and a half stars instead of one. I actually liked the whole concept of a girl solving a mystery surrounding her family after suffering brain damage and I did enjoy the whole subplot of Gat and Cadence.
Gat and her might actually make a good couple if she wasn't so insufferable (more on this later). Gat actually seemed really hot and like the only one with common sense on the whole island. "He stops in front of me, breathing hard. His hair sticks up, bedhead. The muscles of his abdomen ripple and he seems much more naked than he would in a swimsuit." (see page 93)
This is my personal opinion, but this is a great way to show teenage awkwardness and moments of physical attraction.
What I Didn't Like:
- The purple prose. The purple prose was unnecessary. I'm definitely not saying this book had to be as bland as a box of saltines. Not at all! But the purple prose makes it difficult to distinguish the metaphors from the actuality.
For example:
"Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn on I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed." (see page 5)
This is just a metaphor for her dad's leaving/divorce to be especially hard but it could have been demonstrated in other ways. It was very confusing to me because I literally thought her dad shot her and that was her trauma in the beginning. But, then again, maybe I'm just stupid.
But then it was also difficult because at one point she talks about her wrists bleeding in front of Gat and I couldn't tell if this was a metaphor for her spilling her guts in front of him or what, but she was actually bleeding! Then, it was also confusing because it was never discussed why her wrists are bleeding, so then I thought she was self-harming. but that was never discussed.
I also didn't like the family tree. This is a weird complaint and I'm not talking about the actual drawing but I didn't like how there was practically no character building. There was a set of twins in the story and some cousins and aunts but after two weeks I can barely remember any of the characters except for Cadence, the Grandfather, Mirren (barely. I only remember reading something about her and Mirren forced to beg for tablecloths or something and I can't recall her relation to Cadence), and Gat. I didn't even know that the mother had two sisters except for when she started introducing those quirky fairy tales. I can't even remember who a "Liar" is and who isn't. (which is also confusing because I'm pretty sure only Cadence calls them Liars and it isn't really discussed why...)
Characters. I didn't like any of the characters except Gat. Don't get me wrong - they all had potential.
Cadence - She was too "not like other girls" for my taste. The whole story she says "I'm not like other girls because other girls have blonde hair but I dyed mine black. I'm not like other girls because I have trauma. I'm not like other girls because I'm donating things. etc.," She was basically a self-insert, Y/N-type character for those girlies in 2014 when this was published, who like to hate conforming, cheerleader types. Another thing I didn't like about Cadence was the fact that she was randomly donating things and acted like she was woke for that. She was too pretentious and I understand that the whole point of the story is that they're supposed to be overindulged but it was a bit too on the nose and made for an annoying read.
Grandpa - He was annoying but the best annoying character there. I actually thoroughly enjoyed reading about him because it was such a perfect example of an egotistical spoiled white man.
Gat - This man was another of the handful of likable characters. He can have my soul. He is the perfect pretentious woke teenager. Like I wanted Gat because Cadence surely didn't deserve him.
That's all I can remember of characters.
The plot twist. It could have been done so well but it flopped. It was a stupid and unbelievable idea that a group of kids would willingly agree to commit arson with a visibly mentally unstable teenager. Like and the fact that everyone ignored it? Girlie? What were they thinking?! I almost cried but not because this book was so mind blowing but because I wished it was better.
Something else I didn't like was the weird formatting.
The whole story was like this:
I
am
not like
those weird
o
t
h
e
r
girls. im different.
because i almost died as the flowers wrapped around my neck in peaceful scarf before fashioning themselves into a necklace growing tighter and tighter until the sun scooped me up and dyed my hair blonde again. i am mad. i want black hair because i'm different.
The fairy tales did nothing to add to the story and were weird and confusing. I found myself skipping them sometimes.
Things I Did Like:
Besides Gat, I liked the small chapters. I love a book with shorter chapters because I can get into more I feel like and this is definitely something this book accomplished.
I did like some of the descriptions of Gat and Cadence together and their love.
I did like the idea of the story and felt it could have been done well. The novel was a good size, it dragged on in parts but wasn't unbearably long.
So, read with caution but just know you're going to wish you had thought of this idea before E. Lockhart so you could've written a better novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Death, and Self harm
lauramaggie08's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
1jessicabearx's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Here in some way we are young forever"
I have no words. That plot twist had me reading the rest absolutely gobsmacked and in tears. Don't underestimate the tension in the chapters leading up to the plot twists either because knowing you're about to find something huge out and not being able to turn the pages quick enough, is such an overwhelming feeling haha. Also looking back It's was to notice that almost everything is important and means something. I don't think there were any accidents written into this book.
The writing throughout this novel is so beautiful and the imagery created is breathtaking. The use of metaphors is so clever and really added something unique and memorable to the story. This could be a literally masterpiece, but I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to award that title. That being said I did get the ick a few times but was that really a big deal, the romance was cute anyhow.
If you’re going to read this please stop reading reviews - this book is incredible when you have no idea what is going to happen!
I have no words. That plot twist had me reading the rest absolutely gobsmacked and in tears. Don't underestimate the tension in the chapters leading up to the plot twists either because knowing you're about to find something huge out and not being able to turn the pages quick enough, is such an overwhelming feeling haha. Also looking back It's was to notice that almost everything is important and means something. I don't think there were any accidents written into this book.
The writing throughout this novel is so beautiful and the imagery created is breathtaking. The use of metaphors is so clever and really added something unique and memorable to the story. This could be a literally masterpiece, but I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to award that title. That being said I did get the ick a few times but was that really a big deal, the romance was cute anyhow.
If you’re going to read this please stop reading reviews - this book is incredible when you have no idea what is going to happen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Dementia, Racism, Child death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Gaslighting
tnemelce's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Blood
Minor: Drug use and Racism
serenspace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Self harm
kalyaniwarrier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Acceptance of grief is a gift not many can accept, much less survive, in the tragedy of the matter. The same can be observed in the case of Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the protagonist of the novel, who cherishes her summers with her cousins, away from problems and the angst of teenage life, to enjoy love, memory and family. Except, a tragedy occurs that spoils her memory and leaves her questioning of her existence.
We Were Liars focuses on the relationship dynamic between family and oneself, and the acceptance of illusion aligned with grief. A novel with underlying mysteriousness and a void to question the validity of the storyline, e. lockhart portrays life's dilemma's with conviction and doubt at the same time.
For the ones who find life's chaos entertaining, but confusing to tangle out of.
We Were Liars focuses on the relationship dynamic between family and oneself, and the acceptance of illusion aligned with grief. A novel with underlying mysteriousness and a void to question the validity of the storyline, e. lockhart portrays life's dilemma's with conviction and doubt at the same time.
For the ones who find life's chaos entertaining, but confusing to tangle out of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury
bookishpip's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
no_knees's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The plot twist is actually insane, kept me on my toes the entire time I was reading, one of my favorite books of all time! Had me all emotional towards the end, but I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Animal death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury