Monday, July 15, 2013

Review: Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead

Liar & SpyLiar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liar and Spy had me fooled. In a good way. Yes I know that sounds completely weird. So let me explain myself. This is the story of Georges (the S is silent) who said goodbye to a comfortable life with his family in a house and moved into an apartment, in a building housing a boy named Safer who considers himself a spy. Georges is handling the change of lifestyle like a pro and Safer is about to bust a criminal with his help. Or so it seemed.

The story was captivating from page one thanks to the way Georges viewed the world. His world. At times he sounded smart-lipped but it was just him being a very observant and smart kid. However he also got fooled.

Let's talk characters. I disliked Safer from the beginning and when everything fell apart I still didn't like him but I understood where he came from. He was such an intriguing and persuasive kid I gobbled everything he said. His family was eccentric but also pretty cool. His sister Candy, even though she didn't play a major role stood out just with her personality. I loved how Georges finally decided to handle the bullies at his school since choosing to ignore or do nothing can only go so far.

I mean I could summarize the book down to I got fooled by a character who himself got fooled by another character. Although there was a much serious reason behind one versus the other. The story of a family going through a tough time. The author did an amazing job at plotting things in such a way that the very little that you know makes such perfect sense you don't even question or suspect anything.

This book is high on my most favorite list. I have a burning need to dissect the book and learn how the author plotted it so well that I saw nothing coming. I love books with plot twists that take my breath away and get me to look like this at the end. ---> O.O

View all my reviews

-- Akoss  

18 comments:

  1. I have been wanting to read Liar and Spy for a while. How wonderful that you were taken by surprise! I love when that happens. The characters and plot sound interesting. Great review and thanks for sharing!

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    1. I really hope you read it. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  2. I read this last year and loved it. I can't wait for the next MG from this author.

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    1. This was the first book I read from this author. Now I need to read the others as well.
      Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  3. I haven't heard of this book before, but you make it sound amazing! It's always so much fun when a book can blow you away with its plot twists. :)

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    1. I know huh?
      I'm always happy to add to your tbr list. :)

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  4. Loved this one! Thanks for the review :)

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  5. I love books with great plot twists! I was also fooled by Liar and Spy. And Candy was my favorite character. (Congrats on the new blog!)

    Cindy

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    1. Thanks Cindy!
      I'm glad I wasn't the only one fooled. :)

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  6. This book kept me guessing too, Akoss. It was very clever. I enjoyed this more than her first book (First Light -- published 2007 and no one seems to have read it except me!), but I still like her second book, When You Reach Me, the best.

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    1. I need to check both books out.
      Thanks for stopping by, Joanne. :)

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  7. Sounds like a great book! I love When You Reach Me, by the same author. I'm adding this one to my to-read list.

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    1. I've read a lot of praises about WYRM too and I need to read it.
      Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  8. great review, Akoss! Makes me want to pick up the book right now!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  9. Great review! I also enjoyed When You Reached Me.

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  10. Thanks to a great chat with #Kidliterati readers, we have a list of other MG mysteries to share!

    --@bankstirregular 's KIKI STRIKE series
    --Kate Messner's books, including Capture the Flag
    --Turtle in Paradise
    --Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me
    --From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
    --Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence
    --Hitchcock's The Detectives
    --Nancy Drew
    --@KKittscher’s WIG in the Window
    --Three Times Lucky
    --Brian Selznick's Wonderstruck
    --Mr. Lemoncello's Library

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