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katykelly's review
3.0
Unreliable narrator in a YA story about friendship, loyalty and truth.
3.5 stars. Sometimes 3, sometimes 4 stars. A YA look at a liar, which sometimes worked but the plots didn’t weave together consistently.
Nora has already lied - she admits it to us. She’s got an art teacher fired for an ‘inappropriate relationship’. We are almost her confession box, it appears she hides nothing from us.
Now she has a new passion though - Nora is cultivating a friendship with the slightly mysterious Bel, herself passionate about following in her dead mother’s acting footsteps.
From assisting Bel with her coming exams, we watch Nora become a vital friend and confidante. We wonder what she’s up to. Is there another motive behind her selflessness?
There are a few surprises along the way, though I was expecting much more from a known liar as a narrator. The conclusion did satisfy but there were many plot points I had questions about: I still didn’t really see the point of the relationship with her art teacher for example, what motivated Nora to act as she did really.
Some enjoyable teenage machinations, but not the best example of the untrustworthy narrator I’ve come across.
One for teenage readers who enjoy mysteries, twists and some background ideas on theatre and acting.
3.5 stars. Sometimes 3, sometimes 4 stars. A YA look at a liar, which sometimes worked but the plots didn’t weave together consistently.
Nora has already lied - she admits it to us. She’s got an art teacher fired for an ‘inappropriate relationship’. We are almost her confession box, it appears she hides nothing from us.
Now she has a new passion though - Nora is cultivating a friendship with the slightly mysterious Bel, herself passionate about following in her dead mother’s acting footsteps.
From assisting Bel with her coming exams, we watch Nora become a vital friend and confidante. We wonder what she’s up to. Is there another motive behind her selflessness?
There are a few surprises along the way, though I was expecting much more from a known liar as a narrator. The conclusion did satisfy but there were many plot points I had questions about: I still didn’t really see the point of the relationship with her art teacher for example, what motivated Nora to act as she did really.
Some enjoyable teenage machinations, but not the best example of the untrustworthy narrator I’ve come across.
One for teenage readers who enjoy mysteries, twists and some background ideas on theatre and acting.
fcarpenter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
millie_mcd's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
megha28's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marthamorgan's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chrissireads's review
3.0
I wasn’t sure whether I was going to enjoy this book or not. I’m always a bit dodgy about reading books about teachers being one myself. It does tend to feel a little uncomfortable. However, I thought I’d give Little Liar a go and I’m glad I did. It’s a story about deceit with an awful female character narrating the story. Despite her being such a liar, I did enjoy the story even if I didn’t enjoy her!
Little Liar is about a girl named Nora who is prone to lying. Nora finds it easy to lie. One day when the new art assistant at school dares to cross her, she decides to seek revenge , teach him a lesson and once again expand on the truth… The situation doesn’t end up like she intended though and she needs an escape from reality. Nora befriends Annabel (Bel). Bel introduces Nora to a new world of drama…which once again leads Nora’s life spiralling out of control.
This book is a decent read, despite me disliking the main character. I didn’t trust Nora much at all. All along Nora lied and you’re left wondering whether she was ever going to tell the truth. Don’t expect twists and turns in this book, because they’re not there. Yet something about it captivates you and keeps you turning the pages. It is quite a dark read, but there’s still something utterly readable about it.
I really enjoyed Julia Gray’s writing style, it was easy to read and I loved the setting of the school and Nora’s past in France. I’m all for reading more British Writers so it’s great to add another to my list!
Little Liar is about a girl named Nora who is prone to lying. Nora finds it easy to lie. One day when the new art assistant at school dares to cross her, she decides to seek revenge , teach him a lesson and once again expand on the truth… The situation doesn’t end up like she intended though and she needs an escape from reality. Nora befriends Annabel (Bel). Bel introduces Nora to a new world of drama…which once again leads Nora’s life spiralling out of control.
This book is a decent read, despite me disliking the main character. I didn’t trust Nora much at all. All along Nora lied and you’re left wondering whether she was ever going to tell the truth. Don’t expect twists and turns in this book, because they’re not there. Yet something about it captivates you and keeps you turning the pages. It is quite a dark read, but there’s still something utterly readable about it.
I really enjoyed Julia Gray’s writing style, it was easy to read and I loved the setting of the school and Nora’s past in France. I’m all for reading more British Writers so it’s great to add another to my list!
dandelionryu's review
1.0
I really wanted to love this book, and for the majority I did. The first two parts were thrilling, and I thought that it would be building to a dramatic plot twist. Sadly, it just fizzled out. Not to mention the character of Bel was insufferable, especially when interacting with the main character Nora- who would then become equally as insufferable. The ending wasn’t that satisfactory either.
I was a fan of Gray’s writing however, she was very good at building suspense even if it amounted to nothing. I especially enjoyed the stories about Nora’s Dad, he was the most interesting character in the book despite being dead.
I was a fan of Gray’s writing however, she was very good at building suspense even if it amounted to nothing. I especially enjoyed the stories about Nora’s Dad, he was the most interesting character in the book despite being dead.
lydiahephzibah's review
2.0
DNF @ 42%. this has so much potential but I'm just bored. I wanted to read more about the lies and the relationship with the teacher (I've honestly forgotten all the names except Bel and I only put down the book half an hour ago) but it dipped into boring, tedious territory with Bel, which kind of came out of nowhere then took over. It felt like two books squashed into one.
kba76's review
4.0
Nora is a liar. She fabricates truths and surrounds herself with alternative versions of reality.
This in itself could just be a coping mechanism, a cry for help. But the lies become more and more preposterous, and I never really understood why she is so predisposed to lying.
Nora is not a particularly likeable character, but her attempts to manipulate those around her are chilling.
Not what I expected, but I’m intrigued by the wider appeal of this. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication.
This in itself could just be a coping mechanism, a cry for help. But the lies become more and more preposterous, and I never really understood why she is so predisposed to lying.
Nora is not a particularly likeable character, but her attempts to manipulate those around her are chilling.
Not what I expected, but I’m intrigued by the wider appeal of this. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication.