themagicviolinist's review against another edition
3.0
eflatkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eriinmaureenn's review against another edition
3.0
The book was good but the characters were a little annoying. The story was interesting, but I called the twist from the beginning so when it was finally revealed it wasn’t exciting (for lack of a better word).
djlanatron's review against another edition
3.0
angelicasreads's review against another edition
2.0
That was the only reason I kept reading this novel.
When I first read the synopsis of this book I knew I simply had to read it. It’s a mix of every reader’s greatest dream and worst nightmare.
Imagine meeting your favorite author of all time. More than just meeting them, imagine becoming close, intimate friends with them. Imagine being able to go to their house and being invited to their parties and sharing your deepest darkest secrets.
Now imagine this author slowly starts to manipulate you. Imagine that they take advantage of your “friendship” for their personal gain. Imagine that they take your deepest darkest secrets and publish them in their brand new novel, barely bothering to change the names of the characters from those of you and your friends.
“She played with them as characters for her novel because she wasn't talented enough to think of her own story.”
That sounds like an interesting novel. That sounds like something I had to read.
And for the most part, this book was. It had all the pieces. They just weren’t put together in a way that compelled me to keep reading, or even to like or care about the characters I was reading about.
The book is told through a series of interviews, book passages, and journal entries. We get to see bits and pieces from everyone’s point of view and how they viewed the situation. Sadly, perhaps because of the format, I never got to connect with any of the characters. Then again, both the Illuminae trilogy and the Themis Files are written in similar fashions and I absolutely love them so, it’s probably not that.
Honestly, all the characters acted like a bunch of spoiled brats. And not even in an interesting way, where I recognize they are terrible people but they are still somewhat likable. No. They were just annoying. Also, they kept talking about being “friends” and we see how this friendship falls apart but honestly, they all sort of hate each other so that wasn’t believable either.break.jpg
I went into this book expecting a thriller. I wanted a mystery full of drama and morally questionable characters. I suppose, technically this book has all those things which only makes the fact that I didn’t care about any of it even worse.
There are probably some of you who might like it, to which I say, more power to you! I'm glad. Personally, though, I just wasn't feeling it. The one thing it's got going is that it's actually not that long. That said, despite knowing this, it felt like it went on forever and ever.
So, do I recommend? No. Not really. But hey, read it if you're still interested in it. I wish you luck and hope you like it more than I did!
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much, HarperTeen! All opinions are my own.**
raqreads's review
1.0
“She played with them as characters for her novel because she wasn't talented enough to think of her own story.”
{Note: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.}
I was intrigued by All of This Is True before starting to read it for two reasons. First one, because it was compared to We Were Liars, a book I loved. Second one, because it is told through interviews, journals entries and book excerpts.
We get to know the side of the story of Miri, Soleil and Penny, three girls whose lives change when they have the opportunity to meet Fatima Ro, their favourite author. We know from the beginning that something awful happened to Jonah, a friend of theirs, and that Soleil and Penny blame Fatima because of that.
The premise is not bad, but I hated the characters. They are a bunch of spoiled teens with a worrying obsession for an author and who speak and behave rather like children. But that wasn't the worst. No, the worst thing was that by the end of the book, the author tries to redeem a character who committed sexual assault. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Seriously, what was the author thinking?
So this wasn't the YA thriller I was waiting for. It was supposed to have a twist toward the ending, but I think the book was beyond predictable. And honestly, I was done with this book the moment the author tried to redeem certain character.
“I said I wanted a fair chance. That was my answer: a fair chance in life. I think that's all we can ask for, don't you?”
P.S.: I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please.
sarkenobi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Hate crime
Minor: Cursing and Mental illness
apigonfire's review against another edition
3.0
The girls - superficial dummies. The author - she had to be setting the whole thing up because it really doesn’t make sense that she would be hanging out with teenagers. The boy - I think assault story line would have been more interesting to read, but definitely not YA.
Overall, all good read. Had to keep reading to find out what happened. The ending... um, I think there are some things you probably don’t get absolution from...
Side Note: I don’t think Fatima’s first book was true either. Lol’d when I read “The Batchelor” bit!