WE WERE LIARS: A Review

"If anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE"

(Spoiler-free review! Read on!)

TITLE: We Were Liars
AUTHOR/s: E. Lockhart
PUBLICATION DATE: 6th of May, 2014
AVAILABLE AT: Amazon | The Book Depository

The 'intriguing' quote above? You've probably heard it and it refers to no other than the recently hyped up book We Were Liars. Personally, I don't like reading books that I consider as mainstream as of the moment. I don't want to be accused of jumping right into the bandwagon but I guess in every rule, there is an exemption. And We Were Liars is one of those.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't pick this up just because of all the hype surrounding it but because I was genuinely intrigued by the plot itself (and not to say a handful of friends have recommended it so why not?) 

So here are some of my thoughts on E. Lockhart's We Were Liars :)

 

(via Goodreads)

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

I think the overview above fits We Were Liars. The structure above is the same through the story and unlike the others, I can personally say that I liked it. It isn't the usual writing style that most authors use nowadays but I found myself enjoying it. It sounds poetic and very well thought of though sometimes, things do get boring.

Plot-wise, it's new to me in the reading sense. I've watched a lot of shows and movies dealing with this kind of stuff but not that many when it comes to literature. The first few chapters are slow but eventually, things get better. I like how there is a bit of political tone (with Gat's character) and a dash of revolution-istic scenes at some point. For me, Gat is the best character in the book.

The characters are okay, I guess. Rich, spoiled children enjoying their summers on a private island; adults dividing up their wealth among themselves. That's only the tip of the iceberg, though. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it yet but all I can say is that everything- or everyone- is not what they seem.

"I am not talking about fate. I don't believe in destiny or soul mates or the supernatural. I just mean we understood each other." -Cadence

"Silence is a protective coating over pain." -Penny

"We lived too far apart anyway. Our families were too close, anyway. I never got an explanation. I just know he left me." -Cadence 

"Just think before you complain about stuff other people would love to have." -Gat

"You have a life stretching out in front of you with a million possibilities (...) it grates on me when you ask for sympathy, that's all." -Gat

"I'd a million times rather live and risk and have it all end badly than stay in the box I've been in for the past two years." -Cadence 

"He looked at you like you were the brightest planet in the galaxy." -Mirren 

"Always do what you are afraid to do." -Cadence

"I will prove myself strong, when they think I am sick. I will prove myself brave, when they think I am weak." -Cadence 

"It is good to be loved, even though it will not last." -Cadence

Overall, the book was great. There was only one problem (which wasn't the book's fault anyway) that I encountered: I figured out the big plot twist. I knew what was going to happen which ruined it for me since I wasn't surprised when I got to the last few chapters. I wanted to be swept off my feet; to be blown away. But alas, my mind ruined it for me, so meh. It would've been better if my guess was wrong haha :)

So I give E. Lockhart's We Were Liars a 3.5/5 rating :) and I do recommend it for those who want a good mind twist (not for me anyway) and for those who can tolerate its unnatural structure.

3.5/5 rating :)