Aug 24, 2011

Review: Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard


Title: Never Have I Ever
Author: Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date:
Pages: 309
Genre: Contemporary; Mystery
Series: Yes (The Lying Game #2)
Source: E-book

Rating: A

Summary (from Goodreads):
My perfect life was a lie.

Now I’d do anything to uncover the truth.

Not long ago, I had everything a girl could wish for: amazing friends, an adorable boyfriend, a loving family. But none of them know that I’m gone—that I’m dead. To solve my murder, my long-lost twin sister, Emma, has taken my place. She sleeps in my room, wears my clothes, and calls my parents Mom and Dad.

And my killer is watching her every move.

I remember little from my life, just flashes and flickers, so all I can do is follow along as Emma tries to solve the mystery of my disappearance. But the deeper she digs, the more suspects she uncovers. It turns out my friends and I played a lot of games—games that ruined people’s lives. Anyone could want revenge . . . anyone could want me—and now Emma—dead.

Review:
I read The Lying Game when it came out last year, my first Sara Shepard book. I thought it was cute, fun, summer-y fluff with a unique plot. I’m not sure if I simply have a different frame of mind this time around, but while book one was fun, I found Never Have I Ever to be addicting. I could not put this book down!

While it still has the catchy, summer vibe that I enjoyed in book one, Never Have I Ever takes it to the next level. It explores the dynamic between the lying game group, and makes deeper connections between the friends. Anyone I considered a suspect in Sutton’s murder was systematically refuted as the killer, which frustrated me in the best way possible. I love the mystery surrounding these books.

I know there’s now a renewed interest in this series because of the TV series on ABC. I’ve watched the first few episodes of The Lying Game and while it is great, it doesn’t hold a candle to the books. I adore the romance of Emma and Ethan in the books, versus how it is being set up on the TV show. There’s something more visceral and emotional about their connection in the novels that is lost on the show. And after all, aren’t books always better than anything TV or movies can create?


6 comments:

  1. I haven't even read the first in this series but I keep thinking about it... mayhaps I should since you gave this one an A :)

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  2. I love this series! It's really awesome.

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  3. I love this series. I completely agree with you about the books being better than the TV series. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

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  4. ha, I totally didn't make the connection between the book and the commercials for the tv show. I haven't read the first one yet, though it is something I'm interested in. The TV show makes it seem extremely cheesy. Glad you liked the second one!

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  5. I need to read the first book! have seen the tv adaptation and i'm totally hooked! awesome review :)

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  6. I LOOOVE this show (comes back in January or February) & I have the first in the series, so why havent I read them yet? IDK.
    I normally prefer the books then the show/movie. This happened the other way around.

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