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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism
This is my second read from Lamar Giles, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has an excellent way with words, and I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. The stakes of the story escalate throughout the book in a natural and exciting way.
The premise of the story is different from anything I've read or seen in a movie. I was also pleasantly surprised that "Chidi" from "The Good Place," William Harper was the narrator of the audio book
I recommend this novel.
The premise of the story is different from anything I've read or seen in a movie. I was also pleasantly surprised that "Chidi" from "The Good Place," William Harper was the narrator of the audio book
I recommend this novel.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This rating is higher than I would have anticipated because I'm normally not a huge fan of realistic YA fiction. But this is a really fantastic thriller style story, with lots of action, some mystery, high school drama, and an interesting organized crime gloss. I read it in one day, and really enjoyed the ride. It's particularly a great read if you like mysteries, and I'm definitely going to bring it along for booktalks this summer. It does have a fair amount of swearing, but I think it's not excessive considering the events of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder
Uneven in parts, requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, but it does a good job of keeping the action going with characters that I came to care about.
I'm not sure that I would recommend this book as a four star book, but I did enjoy it a four star amount, if that makes sense. Probably not, so let's list the good things about this:
1. Tony/Nick, the main character, is why I enjoyed this story more than expected He had such an authentic voice, even though he was caught in this extraordinary, kind of unlikely situation. He was such a teenaged boy, but a smart one, and a guy you would believe had lived a rough life.
2. The family dynamics. Tony's family was incredibly messed up, but it blurs the lines when the "bad" parent stays and the "good" parent plots an escape. It was all happening more or less in the background of the story and did a lot to bolster the main action.
3. The romance takes a backseat in the novel, which is good, considering there is like murder and stuff going on.
4. It was fast paced and at just over 300 pages, incredibly easy to read.
5. I'm sure there are people who would complain about the ending, but I liked it. It didn't tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it resolved. I love feeling at the end of the book that a sequel would be nice if it happened, but I definitely don't need it in this case. The author closed with enough information that the story I read was over.
Overall, the writing was simple, clean, and conversational. Nothing to really write home about in that regard.
Also, it must be said that I appreciated the minority main characters so, so much. The love interest was Hispanic, and my favorite and least favorite moments of the book were via here. Favorite: At the funeral, Mrs. Cruz calls out to Reya and tells her to prepare a plate of food for Nick. The entire scene played out like something that I've lived through, and it really struck a chord with me. Least Favorite: Not everyone who speaks Spanish peppers every sentence with Spanish curse words. Just, FYI.
1. Tony/Nick, the main character, is why I enjoyed this story more than expected He had such an authentic voice, even though he was caught in this extraordinary, kind of unlikely situation. He was such a teenaged boy, but a smart one, and a guy you would believe had lived a rough life.
2. The family dynamics. Tony's family was incredibly messed up, but it blurs the lines when the "bad" parent stays and the "good" parent plots an escape. It was all happening more or less in the background of the story and did a lot to bolster the main action.
3. The romance takes a backseat in the novel, which is good, considering there is like murder and stuff going on.
4. It was fast paced and at just over 300 pages, incredibly easy to read.
5. I'm sure there are people who would complain about the ending, but I liked it. It didn't tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it resolved. I love feeling at the end of the book that a sequel would be nice if it happened, but I definitely don't need it in this case. The author closed with enough information that the story I read was over.
Overall, the writing was simple, clean, and conversational. Nothing to really write home about in that regard.
Also, it must be said that I appreciated the minority main characters so, so much. The love interest was Hispanic, and my favorite and least favorite moments of the book were via here. Favorite: At the funeral, Mrs. Cruz calls out to Reya and tells her to prepare a plate of food for Nick. The entire scene played out like something that I've lived through, and it really struck a chord with me. Least Favorite: Not everyone who speaks Spanish peppers every sentence with Spanish curse words. Just, FYI.
DNF. Reached Chapter 19. This is one of those books I did not finish not because it's a bad book. But. it is a book just not for me. Giles has an intriguing premise and a readable, page-turning book. I just realized that YA fiction is not for me. I do not connect with teenagers in fiction and it is the only reason I have stopped reading the book. Fake ID is a book worth reading if you are into conspiracy theories and the witness protection program set in a modern day setting.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Never completely transported me but solid audiobook performance.