A MightyMouse Book Review: LIAR by Justine Larbalestair

The reason I bought LIAR in the first place was because of the controversy over it's original US book cover. (The main character, Micah, is clearly described as African American in the book. Yet the version published in the US had a white girl on the cover because, as the marketers claimed, Black books don't sell.) Obviously, author Justine Larbalestier got her way and the cover was replaced with the gorgeous version to the left.

I am so glad I bought this book! LIAR is one of the most refreshing and quirky books I have read in a very long time. 

Micah is a compulsive, convincing, and lovable liar. Well, lovable to the reader at least. She tells us her story, and claims to be coming 100% clean once and for all. She is infamous for her dishonesty at home and at school, where she is an outcast. So when Zach, the boy she is secretly dating, is found dead, everyone wonders if Micah is more than just a serial liar.

As the story unfolds, her honesty becomes more and more questionable. But what did you expect? She told you on page one, she's a lair. Even with the narrators credibility ripped to shreds, Micah is compelling and  you'll be rooting for her. 

The other unique element of the book is it's quirky format! There aren't any chapters, the book is divided into parts. Within those parts are short chunks of time, just a few pages each. They're labeled Before (as in before Zach's death), After (after Zach's death), and History (hers or her families). It makes for a great pace and some crazy cliff hangers! 

I can honestly say, I have never read anything quite like this. My curiosity had me tearing through the book, I needed to know what was true and what was a lie! It will keep you on your toes until the very last page and because of that, LIAR one of the rare books that I can read over and over. I give it a 4.8!

And you'll just have to read it to truly understand what I mean when I say: 

You will never believe the ending!

This review brought to you by Mighty Mouse!

On a side note, I am considering a new service on Hypothetically Speaking and I wanted to get your opinions about it! I'm thinking of having  a critique service with a twist. I haven't quite figured it out yet but something along the lines of a Main Character vignette. Meaning, the writer introduces the character and the plot in the MC's voice, provides a head shot (if applicable), and gives us a scene that really shows us what their MC is all about. Then I'll critique their excerpt and the MC as a character.