The Lying Game (Book #1) by Sara Shepard
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 320
Source: Kindle edition from NetGalley.com
Summary: Foster kid Emma Paxton has only just discovered Sutton Mercer, the wealthy twin sister she never knew she had, when Sutton drops off the face of the earth, asking Emma to cover for her at home, school, and with her friends—just for a few days. At first Emma enjoys trying on her sister’s fabulous life: her fiercely loyal friends, her adoring boyfriend, her close-knit family. But as Emma is drawn deeper into Sutton’s world she finds the friends are not so fabulous, the boyfriend is not who she wants to be with, and the family is clinging to long-buried secrets and a veneer of functionality. And worst of all, Sutton may not be coming back. In fact, someone may have made sure she never could…and that someone knows Emma is not who she claims to be. Emma will need all her wits to survive The Lying Game.
My Review: Where has Sara Shepard been all my life? Writer of the Pretty Little Liars series, she has proven to be the queen of drama and murderous revenge. I haven't had the pleasure of picking up this series yet, even though I am a fan of the TV show. If it's anything like The Lying Game, I'm sure I'll love it. The Lying Game started with a bang and ended with me drooling for the next installment. The story opened up with Emma, a foster teen who grabbed my heart at first word. Bouncing from home to home, her tumultuous life lacked stability. After the discovery of a brutal online video with her face on it, Emma sought answers. On Facebook, she learned of a long lost twin. Therefore, meeting her would be the obvious decision, while her dead twin lingered overhead haunting her every move. The narrative, told by Emma's twin, Sutton, was thrilling and different. Sara had a way of organizing both distinct voices without confusing the reader.
Emma, confused and lonely, was thrown into Sutton's glamorous upbringing. Meanwhile, little did she know, danger was lurking in every corner. With a will to find her sister and a strength like no other, she landed in a deadly game not meant for the weak. The minute you peg a killer, Sara will succeed in fooling your assumption. The fluidity and arousing concept made it into a full-fledged YA thriller. The Lying Game has officially awakened my love for a thought provoking plot with suspicious characters who creep into your mind. Unfortunately for my sake, I didn't realize it was a series until the end. The way it concluded, I was disappointed the ride was over and wished I had the sequel, Never Have I Ever (love that title -- the game not so much). I am intrigued to see how these puzzle pieces will fall into place. Overall, definitely a mysterious concept of secrets, cunning friends and a little bit of romance to make it just right!
My Rating: 
Author's Info:
Sara Shepard has been writing for as long as she can remember, though when she was young, the things she wanted to be when she grew up were a soap opera star, a designer for LEGO, a filmmaker, a claymation artist, a geneticist, and a fashion magazine editor. She and her sister have been creating joint artistic and written projects for years, except they’re pretty sure they’re the only ones who find them funny. She got her MFA at Brooklyn College and now lives outside Philadelphia, PA with her husband and dogs. The Visibles / All The Things We Didn’t Say is her first novel for adults. Pretty Little Liars, her bestselling young adult series, is loosely based on her experiences growing up on Philadelphia’s Main Line…although luckily she never had any serious stalkers.
For more info on Sara, visit her sites:
Coming Soon:
Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game, Book #2) - April 18, 2011
7 comments:
This was on the TBR, but you just bumped it up a few notches!
I just got this from Netgalley too - can't wait to start reading!
Thanks for the review,Eleni!
I loved the PLL series(I haven't read the last book yet ugh!)but I am reading The Lying Game right now and so far I am loving it!
This book was crazy good! I also wasn't sure if it was part of a series or not until I was right at the end. But I reallllly enjoyed it... such action, and great characters.
I love NetGalley. Needs more epic fantasy though. I'm expectign the e-book arc system to catch on.
I love the PLL series so CANNOT wait to read this :) Great review!
I completely agree! I loved it and I will definitely have to pick up the PLL series soon!
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