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sarahthevampyrslayer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emcaro's review against another edition
2.0
Don't trust the blurb.
I've had this book on my watch list for a few months now because it appealed to the side of me that loves a good true crime, murder mystery with a YA spin and when I saw it at the library while on vacation and figured I'd give it a try when it wouldn't cost me anything. I'm incredibly glad I didn't spend any money on this book because it wasn't what I expected at all. Like I said above, the blurb makes the book out to be something it absolutely isn't. It takes a lot for me to give a book such a low rating because I really do try to give each book the benefit of the doubt since as a writer, I know the work that goes into it. For me, though, there was very little redeeming quality in the book. Add in my expectations being severely misplaced and I couldn't give this book a high rating even with the benefit of the doubt.
I wound up giving this two stars because there were a few redeemable lines and moments in the book that I was able to appreciate or enjoyed, but on the whole, it was lackluster and a waste of pages. Hawthorn is not the "quirky" and "unique" outsider as she's advertised, she's very much the "I'm not like other girls" trope on steroids. Nothing about her really is relatable, and I can say that as someone who often feels like an outcast, has awkward moments and is a rather awkward, "weird" human being, aka someone she was probably targeted to appeal to. She is self absorbed, confusing, and oversteps boundaries regularly, only to get upset and finger point when others rightfully call her out on it. I don't think I have ever hated a protagonist like I hate Hawthorn. She's so ridiculously full of herself. She is flat, and supporting characters are barely one dimension at best. Her connection with Lizzie's boyfriend ends abruptly and there is no closure whatsoever, the book leaves a dozen loose ties and feels entirely incomplete, like Chelsea Sedoti just got tired of writing and ended the book. Surprisingly, the only character I liked was Lizzie, who is missing and is only seen through Hawthorn's point of view, which tarnished her and turns her into a bundle of stereotypes as well. And even then, the story has nothing to do with her disappearance. There is no real mystery and search for answers, it's just Hawthorn theorizing outlandish things because she doesn't care, but she does? It's confusing. This book is a headache. The moments I did like probably summed up to be about 15 pages total.
I don't know who this book is made for, if anyone at all really, but it's certainly not me. Glad I saw it at the library because I would have hated to waste twenty bucks on this.
I've had this book on my watch list for a few months now because it appealed to the side of me that loves a good true crime, murder mystery with a YA spin and when I saw it at the library while on vacation and figured I'd give it a try when it wouldn't cost me anything. I'm incredibly glad I didn't spend any money on this book because it wasn't what I expected at all. Like I said above, the blurb makes the book out to be something it absolutely isn't. It takes a lot for me to give a book such a low rating because I really do try to give each book the benefit of the doubt since as a writer, I know the work that goes into it. For me, though, there was very little redeeming quality in the book. Add in my expectations being severely misplaced and I couldn't give this book a high rating even with the benefit of the doubt.
I wound up giving this two stars because there were a few redeemable lines and moments in the book that I was able to appreciate or enjoyed, but on the whole, it was lackluster and a waste of pages. Hawthorn is not the "quirky" and "unique" outsider as she's advertised, she's very much the "I'm not like other girls" trope on steroids. Nothing about her really is relatable, and I can say that as someone who often feels like an outcast, has awkward moments and is a rather awkward, "weird" human being, aka someone she was probably targeted to appeal to. She is self absorbed, confusing, and oversteps boundaries regularly, only to get upset and finger point when others rightfully call her out on it. I don't think I have ever hated a protagonist like I hate Hawthorn. She's so ridiculously full of herself. She is flat, and supporting characters are barely one dimension at best. Her connection with Lizzie's boyfriend ends abruptly and there is no closure whatsoever, the book leaves a dozen loose ties and feels entirely incomplete, like Chelsea Sedoti just got tired of writing and ended the book. Surprisingly, the only character I liked was Lizzie, who is missing and is only seen through Hawthorn's point of view, which tarnished her and turns her into a bundle of stereotypes as well. And even then, the story has nothing to do with her disappearance. There is no real mystery and search for answers, it's just Hawthorn theorizing outlandish things because she doesn't care, but she does? It's confusing. This book is a headache. The moments I did like probably summed up to be about 15 pages total.
I don't know who this book is made for, if anyone at all really, but it's certainly not me. Glad I saw it at the library because I would have hated to waste twenty bucks on this.
karen_hallam's review
5.0
From the first page, I was intrigued by what was happening to Lizzie Lovett. I had to know, and the MC's voice impressed more urgency for me to know. The author, Chelsea Sedoti’s voice is spot on, creating much tension and curiosity.
Quirky seventeen-year-old, Hawthorne Creely has a lot of thoughts, and when she learns that perfect Miss Lizzie Lovett, whom she once had an unpleasant run-in with, during her freshman year, has disappeared, her curiosity takes over. The mystery of Lizzie’s disappearance snags Hawthorne and doesn’t let her go. She goes into full detective mode. She learns about Lizzie’s camping trip with the boyfriend many would blame. Say he killed her and hid the body. Surprised a girl like Lizzie would even go camping. Hawthorne goes on a search, and her unique view of the world helps snag the twenty-something boyfriend Lizzie Lovett left behind, convincing him that Lizzie turned into a werewolf. She did have a wolf necklace and liked wolves.
He pushes her away at first, but Hawthorne convinces him (with that ever-convincing way of hers) and he follows along. They search for Lizzie until they come closer to an answer. Confusion and more thoughts rule Lizzie’s mind. She has some pretty creative thoughts, almost like poetry on occasion. A couple of my favorites:
“I knew that even though someone seemed perfect it didn’t mean they weren’t hurting inside.”
“It was a little crazy to think about. That while you were envying other people, they could be envying you too.”
“Nothing ends; it just turns into a different story.”
Chelsea Sedoti has a great teen voice, with the added doubts and troubles, a little obnoxious, she says what’s on her mind. Often getting her in trouble (sound familiar?) There’s so much to love in this book. I was eager to know what happened to Lizzie, and by the end, I was glad to have closure. There was a good amount of suspense, and I raced through this because the voice was so intriguing. I would have followed it anywhere. Glad to have this unique book to read. Hawthorne is a great character, with feelings many of us can relate to.
Quirky seventeen-year-old, Hawthorne Creely has a lot of thoughts, and when she learns that perfect Miss Lizzie Lovett, whom she once had an unpleasant run-in with, during her freshman year, has disappeared, her curiosity takes over. The mystery of Lizzie’s disappearance snags Hawthorne and doesn’t let her go. She goes into full detective mode. She learns about Lizzie’s camping trip with the boyfriend many would blame. Say he killed her and hid the body. Surprised a girl like Lizzie would even go camping. Hawthorne goes on a search, and her unique view of the world helps snag the twenty-something boyfriend Lizzie Lovett left behind, convincing him that Lizzie turned into a werewolf. She did have a wolf necklace and liked wolves.
He pushes her away at first, but Hawthorne convinces him (with that ever-convincing way of hers) and he follows along. They search for Lizzie until they come closer to an answer. Confusion and more thoughts rule Lizzie’s mind. She has some pretty creative thoughts, almost like poetry on occasion. A couple of my favorites:
“I knew that even though someone seemed perfect it didn’t mean they weren’t hurting inside.”
“It was a little crazy to think about. That while you were envying other people, they could be envying you too.”
“Nothing ends; it just turns into a different story.”
Chelsea Sedoti has a great teen voice, with the added doubts and troubles, a little obnoxious, she says what’s on her mind. Often getting her in trouble (sound familiar?) There’s so much to love in this book. I was eager to know what happened to Lizzie, and by the end, I was glad to have closure. There was a good amount of suspense, and I raced through this because the voice was so intriguing. I would have followed it anywhere. Glad to have this unique book to read. Hawthorne is a great character, with feelings many of us can relate to.
lexingtonreads's review against another edition
1.0
Look, i don't remember a single thing about this book not just because its been years BUT BECAUSE THE BOOK HAS NO PLOT. the main thought i remmeber having after finishing this book was "what was the point of this book?" I know its about this girl that is looking into the disappearance of Lizzie & i remember this one specific scene where the girl and the guy she was with was confused Lizzie went go live with wolves??? i have no idea. moreal of the story, just don't read this book.
beccarox7's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Stalking, and Death
nbonz4's review
5.0
Surprisingly, being a novel based on looking for a missing girl, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is a feel good book. Having such a strong voice, I feel like I could really relate to the main character, Hawthorn, and her high school woes. After everything she goes through I was with her as she came over that crest from a child who doesn't understand the world outside her bubble to a more mature girl who has become aware of her surroundings.
This book has so many more layers than that. I also felt a very strong message come through about how no one is ever as alone as they may think. You could feel differently about your situation being entrenched in it and those around you could provide perspective as well as support. On the other side, you may not see someone else's situation in it's complete picture. Great lessons that come through without being forced into the story.
This book has so many more layers than that. I also felt a very strong message come through about how no one is ever as alone as they may think. You could feel differently about your situation being entrenched in it and those around you could provide perspective as well as support. On the other side, you may not see someone else's situation in it's complete picture. Great lessons that come through without being forced into the story.
angelereads's review against another edition
5.0
I am a sucker for a coming of age story. One where the protagonist is selfish and makes bad decisions, blaming everyone else for the things that happen to them, when anyone can plainly see their shitty lives are a direct result of their own actions. By the end they've grown and matured, learned to take responsibility for their actions. That's exactly what Sedoti depicts in The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett, and I ate up every page of it. This novel is bizarre, from the characters, to the setting, to the premise, and at times I wasn't sure I understood where Sedoti was going with all of it, but the end leaves nothing wanting. You feel as though you watched Hawthorn come of age right before your eyes, and learned something about growing up along the way.
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely. I could barely put it down, it was all I could think about the few days I was reading it. It captured me, like Lizzie captured Hawthorn.
I think this book is criticized because of the somewhat misleading synopsis, many people have picked it up expecting a murder mystery novel, something like Girl In Snow by Danya Kukafka. But that's entirely wrong. This isn't about Lizzie Lovett disappearing, it's about Hawthorn's reaction to the situation, and how it brings about change in Hawthorn's life, inside and outside of herself.
Dive into this book expecting something like Greta Gerwig's movie Lady Bird, or Kelly Craig's The Edge of Seventeen, and I promise you won't be disappointed.
If you've read this book I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!
Angèle
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely. I could barely put it down, it was all I could think about the few days I was reading it. It captured me, like Lizzie captured Hawthorn.
I think this book is criticized because of the somewhat misleading synopsis, many people have picked it up expecting a murder mystery novel, something like Girl In Snow by Danya Kukafka. But that's entirely wrong. This isn't about Lizzie Lovett disappearing, it's about Hawthorn's reaction to the situation, and how it brings about change in Hawthorn's life, inside and outside of herself.
Dive into this book expecting something like Greta Gerwig's movie Lady Bird, or Kelly Craig's The Edge of Seventeen, and I promise you won't be disappointed.
If you've read this book I'd love to hear your thoughts as well!
Angèle
libwinnie's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what to say about this book. I was hooked by the plot description and though it did keep me reading, it was actually rather unsatisfying when all was said and done. Hawthorn was an interesting character, but I would have loved to know more about her internal life and where her motives originated.
coffeelitmama's review against another edition
3.0
I checked this out because it was the Big Library Read & I honestly don't think I would've read it otherwise.
Hawthorne has an active imagination, one that sometimes has some pretty unreasonable ideas. I didn't like Enzo throughout the book, he was definitely a loser but I think that's a phase we all experience in life & have to learn from on our own. There was a lot of teen angst & drama, which got tiring by the end of the book.
I wish there would've been some explanation for why Lizzie what she did, but I guess that's part of life too- never knowing why don't things happen.
Overall it was just okay, nothing remarkable but not the worst thing I've ever read either.
Hawthorne has an active imagination, one that sometimes has some pretty unreasonable ideas. I didn't like Enzo throughout the book, he was definitely a loser but I think that's a phase we all experience in life & have to learn from on our own. There was a lot of teen angst & drama, which got tiring by the end of the book.
I wish there would've been some explanation for why Lizzie what she did, but I guess that's part of life too- never knowing why don't things happen.
Overall it was just okay, nothing remarkable but not the worst thing I've ever read either.