eebusaurus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
abigail_ody's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, I’m just a ya mystery girlie. The reader is dipped back into the truly devious world with Stevie feeling adrift after her last mystery whilst juggling with college applications and a long distance relationship. This was just a nice read, followed the same mystery formula as her other books which still works pretty well. The pacing wasn’t really steady but it wasn’t pervasive. It was just the ending for me that pissed me off because I’m a lover of hea and this wasn’t it☹️.
greene_house_gases's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tsubramaniam's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
Absolutely rude of Maureen Johnson to end this book this way. I need the sequel immediately thanks
Spoiler
I was less committed to the murder in book and really in it for Stevie and David so I am truly upset that it ends on him making out with someone else.bookishexpat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sc0425's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
katetriestoread's review against another edition
5.0
MAUREEN JOHNSON BETTER WRITE AND RELEASE ANOTHER TRULY DEVIOUS BOOK IMMEDIATELY.
•
I literally can’t—I love this book series so much. This installment was so great. It was the perfect YA cozy! I loved the Nine, Izzy was a fantastic addition, and I absolutely loved the character development of Stevie’s friends. We learn a lot of important things about Nate and Janelle in this book, and it’s so evident that they’re growing up and struggling.
I’m not a big fan of David but I enjoyed reading the tension between him and Stevie. On the note of David, Johnson had this book end in an extremely bold way. I hope she does something great with this in the next novel. If this problem she created is resolved quickly in the next book, I’ll kind of roll my eyes. I hope this creates lots of tension in the next book.
Lastly, I kept thinking I knew the killer and I didn’t. Whoops.
•
I literally can’t—I love this book series so much. This installment was so great. It was the perfect YA cozy! I loved the Nine, Izzy was a fantastic addition, and I absolutely loved the character development of Stevie’s friends. We learn a lot of important things about Nate and Janelle in this book, and it’s so evident that they’re growing up and struggling.
I’m not a big fan of David but I enjoyed reading the tension between him and Stevie. On the note of David, Johnson had this book end in an extremely bold way. I hope she does something great with this in the next novel. If this problem she created is resolved quickly in the next book, I’ll kind of roll my eyes. I hope this creates lots of tension in the next book.
Lastly, I kept thinking I knew the killer and I didn’t. Whoops.
readwithkayy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nine liars is the fifth book in the truly devious saga, following stevie bell and her friends on a weeklong study abroad trip in london. there, she meets Izzy, a friend of David’s, who basically hands her another case on a silver platter. back in the 90s, Izzy’s aunt and her theatre troupe went on a trip, where two of their friends were murdered with an axe in what appeared to be a burglary gone wrong. but izzy’s aunt isn't so sure, so stevie takes on the case.
i'm always partial to stories set around theatre groups, for the drama and the closeness that their dynamic provides. however, I did feel like out of books in the series, this mystery wasn’t my favorite. it may have been due to the structure of the book. jumping right into the background on the case was a little hard to do out of context, especially with there being 9 people involved, and because of that, we get little time to actually care about them. also, this may just be a me thing, but i found myself pretty indifferent about the reveal. i still love being in Stevie’s orbit, though. she’s so funny and quirky and smart, and the found family between her and her friends is top tier. specifically her closeness with nate warms my heart. david... smh. i can't wait to read the next one.
i'm always partial to stories set around theatre groups, for the drama and the closeness that their dynamic provides. however, I did feel like out of books in the series, this mystery wasn’t my favorite. it may have been due to the structure of the book. jumping right into the background on the case was a little hard to do out of context, especially with there being 9 people involved, and because of that, we get little time to actually care about them. also, this may just be a me thing, but i found myself pretty indifferent about the reveal. i still love being in Stevie’s orbit, though. she’s so funny and quirky and smart, and the found family between her and her friends is top tier. specifically her closeness with nate warms my heart. david... smh. i can't wait to read the next one.
erinmccoyalarcon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kristaaquinn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5