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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. I love that this was written backwards, and that it had an unreliable narrator, but overall I found the story to be very underwhelming and the ending was just meh.
This is the 3rd E Lockhart book I've read, after We Were Liars and The Disreputable History... - Genuine Fraud was probably on par with the latter.
I agree with what a lot of people have said: this isn't really a mystery. Once you get over the twist of Jule pretending to be Imogen, it's really just a case of filling in the gaps and seeing the rationale behind everything as you go back in time.
The structure is probably the most important talking point of this book. I didn't mind having the story backwards. It was interesting to see why certain things happened and connect subtle thoughts from one chapter to the next - such as Jule's blisters and small things like that. However, I can totally understand why some people have found that a bit tedious and not the most rewarding. It was a bit hard to follow at times; it's never good to feel like you need to be taking notes while reading a book.
As for the style of writing, I personally love E Lockhart's style. When she writes about relationships, there's something charged and you can feel the hate or uncomfortable feelings between the characters. I like when she writes in a fairy tale way, although it was not a patch on how it was executed in We Were Liars.
I agree with what a lot of people have said: this isn't really a mystery. Once you get over the twist of Jule pretending to be Imogen, it's really just a case of filling in the gaps and seeing the rationale behind everything as you go back in time.
The structure is probably the most important talking point of this book. I didn't mind having the story backwards. It was interesting to see why certain things happened and connect subtle thoughts from one chapter to the next - such as Jule's blisters and small things like that. However, I can totally understand why some people have found that a bit tedious and not the most rewarding. It was a bit hard to follow at times; it's never good to feel like you need to be taking notes while reading a book.
As for the style of writing, I personally love E Lockhart's style. When she writes about relationships, there's something charged and you can feel the hate or uncomfortable feelings between the characters. I like when she writes in a fairy tale way, although it was not a patch on how it was executed in We Were Liars.
This had a few of the elements that I like so much about E. Lockhart's writing, but overall, there wasn't much to savor. I felt like the goal was a mysterious story, but the reality was just a lack of clarity.
I can't say much about this book without spoilers, so I won't offer up a plot summary. This novel is quite unique for YA literature, imho. There's so much action and intrigue. I loved the mystery and the plot twists. I loved that the novel is told backwards in sequence of events. It was confusing at times, but in a way that kept me wanting more. I read it in one sitting, which has become quite a rare happening for me these days. I loved it.
Did I finish it? Yes
Did I think it was good? Kinda
Did I like it? Eh
Would I recommend it? No
Would I re-read it? No
similar slow-reveal style as we were liars but without the emotional resonance. meh.
Did I think it was good? Kinda
Did I like it? Eh
Would I recommend it? No
Would I re-read it? No
similar slow-reveal style as we were liars but without the emotional resonance. meh.
Clever and suspenseful, with just the right amount of class-related angst, GENUINE FRAUD does everything a book should. Lockhart's prose is dazzling, her pacing is perfect, and her characters are mesmerizing. Some of her references are a little too on the nose, giving away key plot points a bit before their time, but otherwise, this is a spectacular thriller that respects the intellectual prowess of its YA audience. Read it!
it was a very interesting ride but was anti climatic
chapter 19 was not needed it would of ended better with 1
chapter 19 was not needed it would of ended better with 1
2.5 stars . Disappointing end after all that buildup
I loved that the book had a very different way to be read, starting with the newest events and going backwards so that you slowly start putting things together. However, this also lead to so much confusion which made it a bit tedious until the end. I also thought the end was too anticlimactic for the way it was written. I was waiting for some grand epiphany or cliffhanger but that never came.