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2.95 AVERAGE
2.95 AVERAGE
3.5 Stars. Ittook me a while to get into it. To get into the mindset of this teenage girl. In the end I liked her but she was weired. Even for me.
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.
Hawthorn is such a great character and she is totally me.
Here we go again - a book so many people are reviewing that they love and I just...don't...get...it. Hawthorne Creely idolizes a girl who was a senior when she was a freshman (Lizzie Lovett) as Hawthorne feels that Lizzie leads a charmed life. How unfair that Hawthorne doesn't have friends like she thinks Lizzie does, or be able to do things, go places, flirt with...blah blah blah.
And then Lizzie Lovett ends up missing. So naturally, Hawthorn becomes super creepy and tries to become Lizzie by taking her job at the local diner, and trying to date Enzo, Lizzie's boyfriend who was the last person to see her alive. If she could have worn Lizzie's skin, I think she would have.
Couple this creepy, unnatural obsession with an immature take on what Hawthorne really believes happened to Lizzie (the way a young child would try to process a disappearance and assumed death) and you have this book of nonsense. Other reviewers have called Hawthorne magical, whimsical or a breath of fresh air on how you see the world. I see a child who never grew up and blames the world for all of her perceived slights (ah she must be part of the award for participating crowd!)
I finished this book because I wanted to see what happened to Lizzie, not to see anything more about Hawthorne's "theory." I wanted to see what lies Lizzie told - still waiting on that. So how can this book be called The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett if that's never referenced?
I would skip this one. I need a character that is rooted in reality for me.
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And then Lizzie Lovett ends up missing. So naturally, Hawthorn becomes super creepy and tries to become Lizzie by taking her job at the local diner, and trying to date Enzo, Lizzie's boyfriend who was the last person to see her alive. If she could have worn Lizzie's skin, I think she would have.
Couple this creepy, unnatural obsession with an immature take on what Hawthorne really believes happened to Lizzie (the way a young child would try to process a disappearance and assumed death) and you have this book of nonsense. Other reviewers have called Hawthorne magical, whimsical or a breath of fresh air on how you see the world. I see a child who never grew up and blames the world for all of her perceived slights (ah she must be part of the award for participating crowd!)
I finished this book because I wanted to see what happened to Lizzie, not to see anything more about Hawthorne's "theory." I wanted to see what lies Lizzie told - still waiting on that. So how can this book be called The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett if that's never referenced?
I would skip this one. I need a character that is rooted in reality for me.
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review was orginally posted on my blog, Just A Few Chapters More!
When there's lag time between reading a book and reviewing it, I've noticed it makes it easier to differentiate between the truly noteworthy novels and the books that aren't memorable. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett falls into the latter category, unfortunately. When I sat down to write this review, I honestly couldn't even remember the protagonist's name. I did remember thinking the book was not what I expected, and I wasn't really sure how i felt about it. Nearly two months later, I think the fact that I could barely remember what it was about is indicative of my feelings (or lack thereof).
The story is narrated by Hawthorn, a seventeen-year-old girl who labels herself a "misfit." And, she's definitely weird. But, it stretches past being a good thing and takes a turn into crazy town. I mean, she becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a young woman (Lizzie Lovett), and her main theory (one she fully believes in) is that Lizzie is a werewolf. And on her quest to prove her theory, Hawthorn becomes employed at Lizzie's place of work, begins dating Lizzie's boyfriend (who is twenty-five), and, through her own actions, alienates herself from her best friend and family members. It was really hard to like her. But I think that was intentional because many of the other characters in the story call Hawthorn out on her behavior and refuse to coddle her when she makes a mess of things (which happens fairly often).
I had high hopes for this novel, but, in the end, it was just okay. There was nothing wrong with the writing, but the plot...the supernatural aspect surprised me, not really in a good way, and the whole romance with Lizzie's ex-boyfriend left me feeling sort of gross. I think it comes down to what I expected versus what I got. The title and blurb made me think I'd get a mystery rife with suspense, but it was basically just a unique take on a coming-of-age story with a splash of romance and a pinch of intrigue.
When there's lag time between reading a book and reviewing it, I've noticed it makes it easier to differentiate between the truly noteworthy novels and the books that aren't memorable. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett falls into the latter category, unfortunately. When I sat down to write this review, I honestly couldn't even remember the protagonist's name. I did remember thinking the book was not what I expected, and I wasn't really sure how i felt about it. Nearly two months later, I think the fact that I could barely remember what it was about is indicative of my feelings (or lack thereof).
The story is narrated by Hawthorn, a seventeen-year-old girl who labels herself a "misfit." And, she's definitely weird. But, it stretches past being a good thing and takes a turn into crazy town. I mean, she becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a young woman (Lizzie Lovett), and her main theory (one she fully believes in) is that
I had high hopes for this novel, but, in the end, it was just okay. There was nothing wrong with the writing, but the plot...the supernatural aspect surprised me, not really in a good way, and the whole romance with Lizzie's ex-boyfriend left me feeling sort of gross. I think it comes down to what I expected versus what I got. The title and blurb made me think I'd get a mystery rife with suspense, but it was basically just a unique take on a coming-of-age story with a splash of romance and a pinch of intrigue.
So this wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't what I was expecting. Like, it's not a mystery even though it says it is?
I think this book runs true to the experience of many teen girls in a social media era. The mystery behind Lizzie's disappearance, and Hawthorn's obsessive interest in both it and her boyfriend are engaging, and, I think, relatable for many teen readers. Sedoti explores themes typical of the genre; identity, early romance, peer pressure and family, but does so in a quirky and unusual story peopled by characters who are a mix of unique and stereotypical.
I found a few elements a little creepy/disturbing, but ultimately enjoyed the read.
I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found a few elements a little creepy/disturbing, but ultimately enjoyed the read.
I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure what to do with this book. It was engaging, and I finished it. I wanted to know what had happened. It wasn't completely predictable. The cover is gorgeous. I guess that's the good?
So, now onto the bad... The main character was shockingly unlikeable. She was selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed. In some ways, I think I finished this book quickly just so I wouldn't have to stay in her head any longer. I got the feeling that she was the kind of person who would shoot up her school because of her perception that they all hated her/thought they were better than her. That perception was so deeply steeped in how she viewed herself and where she belonged. It was really hard to stay in that mindset for any length of time. So, no, that's not the sort of MC you can enjoy being in a story.
The resolution to the mystery was somewhat satisfying, in that it did reveal a lot of the MC's own perception of the world to be BS which was great to finally see. The entire Enzo/Hawthorn ship was a disaster from the beginning and again, it was difficult to read knowing how deeply unhealthy they both were.
All in all, I wouldn't call this book a pleasant experience and I don't think I"d recommend it to much of anyone. The only reason it didn't get 1 star is because I usually reserve my 1 stars for DNFs. Really glad I didn't buy it with my birthday money and ended up reading it via the Overdrive Big Library Read, so I didn't even waste my time with a wait list or using one of my Overdrive check-out slots.
So, now onto the bad... The main character was shockingly unlikeable. She was selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed. In some ways, I think I finished this book quickly just so I wouldn't have to stay in her head any longer. I got the feeling that she was the kind of person who would shoot up her school because of her perception that they all hated her/thought they were better than her. That perception was so deeply steeped in how she viewed herself and where she belonged. It was really hard to stay in that mindset for any length of time. So, no, that's not the sort of MC you can enjoy being in a story.
The resolution to the mystery was somewhat satisfying, in that it did reveal a lot of the MC's own perception of the world to be BS which was great to finally see. The entire Enzo/Hawthorn ship was a disaster from the beginning and again, it was difficult to read knowing how deeply unhealthy they both were.
All in all, I wouldn't call this book a pleasant experience and I don't think I"d recommend it to much of anyone. The only reason it didn't get 1 star is because I usually reserve my 1 stars for DNFs. Really glad I didn't buy it with my birthday money and ended up reading it via the Overdrive Big Library Read, so I didn't even waste my time with a wait list or using one of my Overdrive check-out slots.
