jenna_justi2004'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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Antisemitism, Child death, Colonisation, Blood, Classism, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Cultural appropriation, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
kayleejanes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Outing, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mororke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Classism, Addiction, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Cursing
guivx5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
We Were Liars,
I said:
"I still have the sequel to read, and I hope it doesn't suck."
Well,
I'm glad to say it didn't!
Lockhart had a terribly doomed job here: to write a worthy new story based on the universe of a success she wrote almost ten years ago, a book that was so unique in it's style it would be hard to avenge. Thankfully, the task was accomplished, and now we have more lies to be shocked of.
I see Family of Liars as a great expansion of the first book's universe. The Sinclair family has a twisted charm to their tale that guaranteed my interest here, no matter what. You simply want to know more about them, it's undeniable. But then, what could she write? After the shocking story of Cadence and her friends, the broken family full of intrigue and ambition? We Were Liars was an ambitious story itself. I had to find out what's up with their past. Turns out, it wasn't pretty.
Now, let's talk about reading experience here. This book has less strength than it's older brother, simply because it doesn't benefit of the surprise factor. That was taken away by the first story, so it is an inevitable fragility. But I do think Lockhart handled well with this weakness, and soothed it as much as she could, which made the story still full of surprises. The characters, both old and new, were as intriguing as ever, and the plots involving the long-known family of liars were really good. I feel like the second third of the story could do with a bit more of clues and intrigue, but that's just me. Overall, the story is as well built as the first one in terms of consistency. But I do have a big caveat:
Spoiler
RosemarySpoiler
This could be just me playing with my frustrated expectations, but I do feel like Rosemary deserved a better plot. I mean, it's The Sinclair Family we are talking about, I don't believe she just died on an accident. Her presence could be more meaningful, specially revolving around her motives to visit Carrie. Even if she just died like that, even if this is really her only motive, to look out for her sister, I feel like this wasn't developed enough. It should be brought up more during the chapters. But sorry Lockhart, the only way to redeem yourself here is to write a third book, a prequel where we learn the origins of Harris and Tipper and how they were the real guilty ones behind Rosemary's death. You just have to do it, or I won't raise my rating on this book on my next reread.Again, I think Lockhart gives us mystery and suspense done right. And this is a great expansion upon the first novel, maybe with a few hiccups towards the middle and in the need of a little more development here and there. It is, ultimately, worth reading if you liked the first book.
Now, how long do you guys think she'll take before deciding to write another prequel? I don't want to reread this too much before she releases it.
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Grief, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexism
safety_pin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Child death, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Outing
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Violence, Murder, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
mysterymom46's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Medical content, Sexual assault, Blood, Toxic friendship, Death, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, and Infidelity