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edshara's review against another edition
4.0
Liar & Spy was so very good. I'm a big fan of quirky characters and Georges, some of his classmates and Safer fit the description. Georges had a very interesting and open view of the world. I liked seeing how easy he moved through it, even though he was supposed to be the "different" one.
Safer was a bit of a struggle to like at first. He initially seemed like a bit of a jerk and too pushy. However, I liked his imagination and how easily he and Georges became friends. In the end, I felt like the explanation made sense.
The story is well crafted and the author keeps you on your toes. Even though I was able to partially figure out one aspect of the story, their were still other aspects that I completely missed and didn't see coming. While it was nice to see things get resolved, it also felt like an abrupt rush to the finish. I will say, this is definitely worth a read.
Safer was a bit of a struggle to like at first. He initially seemed like a bit of a jerk and too pushy. However, I liked his imagination and how easily he and Georges became friends. In the end, I felt like the explanation made sense.
The story is well crafted and the author keeps you on your toes. Even though I was able to partially figure out one aspect of the story, their were still other aspects that I completely missed and didn't see coming. While it was nice to see things get resolved, it also felt like an abrupt rush to the finish. I will say, this is definitely worth a read.
frenchleigh's review against another edition
3.0
cute but it went nowhere. It’s a slice of life marketed as something much more dramatic.
paige_is_me's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bmpolito's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
gmamartha's review against another edition
4.0
Rebecca Stead does not disappoint.
What is the difference between lying and playing a game?
What is the difference between pretending and avoidance?
Realistic fiction at its best.
What is the difference between lying and playing a game?
What is the difference between pretending and avoidance?
Realistic fiction at its best.
agmcculloch1's review against another edition
5.0
A great story of taking care of each other and accepting what others are struggling with.
sammybee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
Enjoyable.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I have to say though that because I am also listening to The Goldfinch in my car--and I am only on disc 8 of 26 and the main character is still a young boy--and they are both living in NYC, I kept mixing up the stories in my head! Both are great though this one is ten times short and is appropriate for 10 and up to read!
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
Rebecca Stead, whose previous book, [b:When You Reach Me|5310515|When You Reach Me|Rebecca Stead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395542s/5310515.jpg|6608018], I loved (and, apparently, so did a lot of other people, as it won the Newbery), is back with another middle grade novel, LIAR & SPY. Different in feel and content from [b:When You Reach Me|5310515|When You Reach Me|Rebecca Stead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395542s/5310515.jpg|6608018], it nevertheless pays homage to the intelligence and subtleties possible for middle grade literature.
Georges and other characters of LIAR & SPY are fairly average in terms of memorability, but wicked smart in terms of intelligence for characters their age. It’s not every day you get to read a middle-grade novel that involve the attempted English spelling reform movement and the umami taste (that’s the one that recognizes delicious or savory foods). Knowledge can come whenever and wherever, in all forms, as Rebecca Stead proves over and over again.
Safer’s suspicious and passive-aggressive behavior did get on my nerves pretty quickly, as they did Georges’, but the characters’ insecurities, actions, and feelings are all very genuine to the physical and emotional turmoil of middle school. And, as always, Stead writes a killer of an ending, one that nearly singlehandedly bumped my rating of this book up a whole star. Alas, the rest of LIAR & SPY didn’t capture my affections the way [b:When You Reach Me|5310515|When You Reach Me|Rebecca Stead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395542s/5310515.jpg|6608018] did—the pacing was slower and the characters not as easily likable. Nevertheless, despite the lack of emotional connection on my part, it is a touching and impressive work of literature that fans of middle grade and young adult literature alike should consider reading.
Georges and other characters of LIAR & SPY are fairly average in terms of memorability, but wicked smart in terms of intelligence for characters their age. It’s not every day you get to read a middle-grade novel that involve the attempted English spelling reform movement and the umami taste (that’s the one that recognizes delicious or savory foods). Knowledge can come whenever and wherever, in all forms, as Rebecca Stead proves over and over again.
Safer’s suspicious and passive-aggressive behavior did get on my nerves pretty quickly, as they did Georges’, but the characters’ insecurities, actions, and feelings are all very genuine to the physical and emotional turmoil of middle school. And, as always, Stead writes a killer of an ending, one that nearly singlehandedly bumped my rating of this book up a whole star. Alas, the rest of LIAR & SPY didn’t capture my affections the way [b:When You Reach Me|5310515|When You Reach Me|Rebecca Stead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320395542s/5310515.jpg|6608018] did—the pacing was slower and the characters not as easily likable. Nevertheless, despite the lack of emotional connection on my part, it is a touching and impressive work of literature that fans of middle grade and young adult literature alike should consider reading.