Book Review: The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Title: The Last Time I Lied

Author: Riley Sager

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Adult, Mystery

Pages: 384

Publisher: Dutton

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"Fifteen years ago, summer camper Emma Davis watched sleepily as her three cabin mates snuck out of their cabin in the dead of the night. The last she-- and anyone-- saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising in the NYC art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings. They catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of the very same Camp Nightingale-- and when Francesca implores Emma to return to the camp as a painting counselor, Emma sees an opportunity to find closure and move on.

Yet, it is immediately clear that all is not right at Camp Nightingale. Already haunted by surfacing memories, Emma is suddenly plagued by a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca, and most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian apparently left behind about the camp's twisted origins. And as history begins to repeat itself and three girls go missing again, Emma must face threats from both man and nature in order to uncover all the buried secrets--- including what really happened all those years ago."

My Rating: 5/5

This story follows Emma through a traumatic experience that includes flashbacks, that coincide right along with current mysteries. And I loved it! I enjoyed this even more than the writer's debut, Final Girls. I felt like this book was so much more atmospheric just with the setting being at a summer camp. I also love an unreliable narrator done this well. Without spoiling it, the ending was potentially my favorite part. I can't wait to read another Riley Sager thriller and make my way through their works.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Title: Reached
Author: Ally Condie
Series/Novel: Matched Series (Book #3)
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia
Pages: 512
Publisher: Dutton Books
Year Published: 2012
First Line: "A man pushed a rock up the hill."

"Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.
The wait is over.
One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most- family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.
With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose."

My Rating: 4/5

I finally had a chance to stay up late and finish this book, with little to no regard to my studies. So take that midterms! I think that this book was a fine summary to a great Dystopian trilogy. It showed the rise of rebellion and a change in a society, while still following three of our favourite characters. We also get to learn about their different roles in the rebellion which is what we have all been waiting for.
Some parts of this final instalment were surprising to me all the same, as a fair amount of new characters come into existence within a torn country. The setting that is ever changing keeps things interesting while helping readers to visualize a change in a futuristic society. 
Unfortunately, I'm a girl who is stuck in a rut, and hates a good series to end, and this series is no exception. I can't help but wish there was more, but I'm grateful for what I learned from this series. That sticking up for the rights of all can be as easy as sticking up for something you believe. 
THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR SHOWING HOW GRATEFUL WE CAN BE FOR OUR RIGHTS!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny 

Spoiler: Reached by Ally Condie

This book is the final instalment in this series, which as mentioned is sad but necessary. I see why Ally Condie decided on this place to end. The following three different series through the rise of the revolution and the changing of a world was so interesting, especially from all the separate points of view. I certainly enjoyed seeing the development of feelings between new and existing characters.

Characters:
Cassia: Cassia has changed throughout the Rising. Figuring out who to stick up for, who to trust and who to believe. She's followed her feelings and her heart to get where she is. I think it was interesting to watch her figure out what she is immune to and different roles she could take in the future. One role I found especially interesting was a trader and a poet. Especially the idea of a Gallery. It seems so strange to have thought of during the change of a government, but it worked for her. It helped her cope. 

Ky: I was so happy about how he fought with the rebellion, and stayed with Indie even though he wanted to find Cassia. I do wonder about how their relationship may have worked if Cassia hadn't been around or if there was no Matching in the first place. When he fell still, I worried that the author would kill him off,  but grateful when he came back to them and helped Cassia to create the chances for all of society, to vote and have a choice.

Xander: I'm upset for him, but he has outgrown Cassia. He has become someone none of us could have ever imagined. A doctor, a scientist and a true caregiver to the people in his care. He gave everything to them and spent so much time working for them, only to be on trial for killing someone who was his role model. I hope that he learns to love again.

Lei: I suspected she was who she first was (this will make sense if you've read it). I hope that she will learn to love again and find a way to commemorate her love in the past while learning to love again and make the most of the new world.

The Pilot:  I don't particularly trust this man, he seemed to have good intentions but he got in over his head to quickly. I hope that he can find a place where he truly belongs but really, I don't believe that he should be the ruler of a country! He seems so stranger and unsure near the end, that he wouldn't be someone I chose as a leader. 

Oker: He was a role model. He made things as right as he could before passing, but everyone runs out of time eventually. I think that he did what he did in the beginning because he truly thought it was right, and after seeing how it affected those around him, he made the choice to make it right, which is harder to do then some might believe.

Hunter: What the literal heck! I was surprised that he could be capable about such a thing, but when people have been treated unfairly all their lives, it's crazy what they'll do. 

Moments to Remember:
Pg. 497
"For so long, we cared about who saw us. Who might be watching, who might be hurt. But now, we are only dancing."

Final Line: "Reaching and reached."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed

Author: Ally Condie

Series/Novel: Matched Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance

Pages: 367

Publisher: Dutton Books

Year Published: 2011

First Line: “I’m standing in a river.”

“The Society chooses everything.

The books you read.

The music you listen to.

The person you love.

Yet for Cassia the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him.

And when Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond the Society there is hope.

But on the edge of society nothing is as it seems…

A rebellion is rising.

And a tangled web of lies and double-crosses could destroy everything.”

My Rating: ⅘

I’ve been really taking my time with reading lately as I get into my final term in college. This installment into the Match series has really expanded on the first book, as the characters grow and as it says in the description nothing is as it seems, not the environment, the people or the rebellion.

This book introduces new characters and a different understanding of what both the Society and the Rebellion believe in. All in all, I think this book really hits on what makes us human. What makes us think that one thing is good while another is evil? Or is everything just a murky shade of grey in between the two?

When you look at the Society from the inside, it looks quite perfect, because you don’t have to take the time to make choices, but what is life without choices?

Outside the society, things are quite different. For those who have risked and lost, the Outer Provinces are safe for no one. As the characters expanded I began to wonder if this book could possibly live up to the first, and sadly no. It’s a good middle journey, but it’s nothing compared to the introduction. It follows the journey on the outside, but seems to drag on near the ending. The characters are what really carry this story throughout. I look forward to reading the ending in this trilogy, and seeing how the Society turns out.

THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR LETTING US FOLLOW A JOURNEY!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Crossed by Ally Condie

To recap, this second book in the Matched Series takes place on a journey on the outer rims of Society, where nothing as it says in the description, is as it seems. All the characters we knew are evolving with the addition of information and the forthcoming of secrets. The fact that they sent the noncitizens out to die is crazy. And I have the idea that it’s not an Enemy killing them of either. If anything,  they’re getting rid of all the people who refuse to conform, or who show any sign of rebelling. I guess now that we know the Rising is really that close it makes a sad amount of sense. The characters have also really started to expand, and we’re starting to understand where all the different groups are. The Farmers are the most interesting to me, living how they lived in a completely different way from the Society.

Characters:

♥Cassia: She’s starting for herself which is awesome, but I also think she’s doing it for herself to better fit in with one group of people. She’s not really part of the Rising, but she can’t be a part of the Society. I’m getting frustrated because she keeps deliberating between the two men. I thought we made our choice, but really she’s still pondering, so going back to Xander is a horrible idea!!!

♥Ky: I love Ky. I wish he didn’t lie, but I mean I see why he did. He’s a big teddy bear, and trying to protect everyone especially after what he’s been through. Still she wouldn’t be deliberating if she should chose the more straight laced guy. I hope that he pulls it together, but he’s lied too much to make it through. Also quit patronizing yourself for everything you do to survive Ky.

♥Xander: I think Xander’s a good guy. I’m surprised he’s involved in the Rising, but what if he’s playing both sides, waiting for a good deal. He’s not trustworthy either. I just don’t trust these men. I’m interested to see how he explains the blue tablets.

♥Indie: The least trustworthy person in this whole series. Lies, steals, displays all the jealousy. How are you in love with Xander, when you’ve only seen a microcard with him? I’m interested to see how she does in the rebellion.

♥Vick: I loved him. He was a hard ass, but his story was so damn beautiful. To fall in love with someone who might risk your whole future is crazy but also really romantic.

♥Hunter: Another sad story, but he was necessary in our story to better understand all the people who live outside the Society. The farmers were so peaceful and incredible, to have such a sad end to their lives as they knew it. Where did they all vanish to.

Moments to Remember:

♥Final Line: “It looks, I imagine as if someone painted stars or flowers at exactly the right time; a momentary capture of beauty that will too soon vanish.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo