A review by lrose02
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is my second reread of the month, but a book I read when I was a teenager. It’s a lot darker than I remember but was also a light read as it was YA. It’s a change in genre for me. As I’m much older reading this, as I was Faith’s age during my first read, I find myself more protective of her. She’s let down by everyone, except the one boy her age. Her mother is cruel at times, but you come to understand her. She’s a mother doing her best after the mess her husband leaves her. You see the Reverend through Faith’s eyes, and the way she admires him. At the end, you become just as disillusioned as her. You also become protective of How, the same way she is. This is the second mystery type book I’ve read but I found it was much more satisfying, and the darkness is both necessary but accepted just as Faith accepts her facts of life. She’s so intelligent but still childlike, torn between being a young girl but not quite an adult. The ending is satisfying and as happy as the style of book can be. 
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