Book Review: Pretty Little Liars

I bought books 2-4 in the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard a while back because I found them cheap at a used book store. But I was never too inclined to read them. To be honest, I think the covers turned me off. But when I heard they were turning this into a television series for ABC Family, I decided I should read it. So I recently got the first book, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, and I read the entire thing in one day.

I wasn't really expecting much. But I loved it. I could NOT put it down. It takes place three years after Alison disappears. The four remaining friends have grown apart. Each chapter jumped from one girl to the next, giving you enough time to learn about them in the present and past without lingering too long on one girl.

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed the novel so much was the DRAMA! I hate drama in my own life. But in others... it's fine. I can get my daily does of drama without having to deal with it in my own life. And to be honest, I feel better about myself knowing what these girls are dealing with. In high school, I was pretty much the opposite of these four, and I'm thankful for it. I had my own fair share of drama, but Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily create their own.

I've already started book two, FLAWLESS, because... well... I'm a little addicted.



Synopsis:

Everyone has something to hide - especially high school juniors Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna.

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. And Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.

But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were and the naughty girls they are now. And guess what? I'm telling.



And be sure to check out the ABC Family Original series which starts a week from tonight, June 8, 2010. I can honestly say I'm excited about this show. Holly Marie Combs (Piper from Charmed) plays the Mom of one of the four girls. It's from the producers of The Vampire Diaries... one of my favorite shows!



Check out http://wwwprettylittleliars.com/ for more info about the books. There are links for twitter, facebook, and more. Enter to win all seven books, and shop for PPL merchandise. Oh, and turn yourself into a pretty little liar. See me below:

Book Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth (and contest winner)

I really loved THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. I had heard good things, but I also heard that it was "awful". I assure you it was most definitely NOT awful. I could not put it down. I was sucked in from the beginning. There were some things that annoyed me, though I think they were supposed to. The Sisterhood is a group of women who serve God and set the rules. The Guardians enforce the rules. And Mary, our MC, is a headstrong girl who believes things she shouldn't. Stories her mother tells from generations ago about life before the Unconsecrated, aka zombies. Stories of a vast ocean and buildings as high as the sky.

I felt really connected with Mary. I've always been the different one. The one who believes and thinks differently. I don't know that I would have had her courage, but I certainly hope I would. The story was sad, but then again, it's about people who are living the only life they can in a world over-run with zombies. There's violence, death, and sadness. Be prepared for tears.

Definitely can't wait for THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES.

Synopsis:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

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As per the changes for this giveaway, there will be two winners. Winner 1 gets first choice. Winner 2 get the other. The choice is between a paperback of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH signed by Carrie Ryan and swag and THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES (not signed) and swag.

Winner 1: twistedfates
Winner 2: Chloe