One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Published:  May 2017

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 368

Copy Provided by NetGalley:

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. 

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High s notorious gossip app. 

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who s still on the loose? 

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them."

Review:

This definitely had elements of the Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars + perhaps 13 Reasons Why sprinkled throughout the story.  The novel begins with a murder and then sets off to see who was the murderer amongst a group of teens caught in detention.  If you liked Summer Girls by Abigail Haas, you might like this one. it had an interesting twist at the end. 

Every blurb is in the first person narrative of one of the teens in detention at the time of the murder.  Of course, everyone also has different motives for disliking Simon or having something against him. I guess when you run a blog that threatens to reveal your innermost secrets, you either have a lot of fake friends or tons of enemies.

One thing I found difficult at the beginning were the number of characters in the book. I actually found it helpful to write them all down as the chapters started skipping from person to person.  Of course I had the list memorized by the middle of the novel but it was still a challenge.

I enjoyed reading throughout its entirety and I liked how the relationships within the novel changed but I did feel like the ending was a teeny bit flat.  I can't quite put my finger on how so but I was hoping for something a little bit more dynamic.  Overall it was a decent read. I would not have been in favor of a second book and the end was just what I needed to close the book and not look back.  I would look for more books by this author and it was a good step outside of my comfort zone.

 - Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday - A Court of Wings & Ruin by Sarah J Maas

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

I have absolutely fallen in love with Sarah J Maas' books.  If you have enjoyed reading her Throne of Glass series,  you will certainly enjoy this series.  I think I read the first book in a couple nights...and these are THICK books!!  You might want a really big mug of tea and a plateful of cookies when you sit down to read this one! Oh, and turn off your ringer, you won't be answering any calls or texts!!

- Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves - Silver Star by Michael Grant

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received

Summary (by Goodreads)

She’s fighting to survive.

The summer of 1943, World War II. The Germans have been bloodied, but Germany is very far from beaten. The North African campaign was only the beginning of the long journey for Frangie, Rainy, Rio, and the millions of other Allies.

Now the American army is moving on to their next target: the Italian island of Sicily. Frangie, Rainy, and Rio now know firsthand what each of them is willing to do to save herself—and the consequences. With their heavy memories of combat, they will find this operation to be even tougher.

Frangie, Rainy, and Rio also know what is at stake. The women are not heroes for fighting alongside their brothers—they are soldiers. But the millions of brave females fighting for their country have become a symbol in the fight for equality. In this war, endless blood has been spilled and millions of lives have been lost, but there could be so much more to gain.

The women won’t conquer Italy alone. But they will brave terrible conditions in an endless siege; they will fight to find themselves on the front lines of World War II; and they will come face-to-face with the brutality of war until they win or die. 

I am currently reading Front Lines (book #1) and it is amazing so I thought I would borrow #2 from the library to see if the story continues as well as the first.  In reality though, I think that Michael Grant started with a fascinating idea.  What if women had been permitted to fight in WWII? What would their experiences have been like? I have so much to discuss with this series but you'll have to wait since I still have another 200 pages to read!!

- Christinabean

Waiting on Wednesday - Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (By Goodreads)

In the second installment of the bestselling Glittering Court series, Richelle Mead goes beyond the glitz and glamour, delving into the dark, political underbelly of their world through the eyes of one girl who dares to fight for her freedom.

A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining the Glittering Court.

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. But for Mira, it means further persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well--men she would potentially be expected to give her life to. 

By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies' maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely--one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.

Midnight Jewel is the extraordinary story of a girl with few options who courageously forges a new path, finding love, passion, lifelong friendships, and maybe even a way to freedom.

To be honest, it has been so long since I have read Glittering Court by Richelle Mead.  I know that I love this author though. I have read all of her YA series books except for one - the last title of the Bloodlines Series - The Ruby Circle (maybe I just don't want it to end?)  I will need a refresher on Glittering Court before I dive into this one!

- Christinabean