A review by unqualified_mc
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 I’d advise anyone to go into this book with as little knowledge about it as possible since I believe it elevated both my enjoyment of the plot and the “twist ending” to have gone into this completely blind. 

While the twist is criticized for somehow being both predictable and convoluted by other reviewers I perceived the twist as a natural progression of the story and found it to be just the right amount of shock and tying up loose ends. While I was able to predict a portion of the twist rather early on it didn’t diminish my reading experience but rather elevated my wish to understand the full scope of the Sinclair family secrets, as, I suppose, any story with a mystery aspect should aspire. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, a combination of dry descriptions, tense metaphors and fairy tale stories adapting to the emotions and health of Cady, as well. 

The only aspect I’d criticize were the final three or so chapters after the twist because with the grandness of the reveal the aftermath felt a bit anticlimactic. Additionally, there were a few scenes that, looking back now, don’t entirely add up to me.