Author: Justine Larbalestier
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Book - Library
Synopsis: Micah Wilkins lies - all the time, about everything. But this time, she promises to tell the truth. Her boyfriend was been brutally killed and while no one knew she was his girlfriend, she knows she didn't kill him. But what is this family illness she has? When did she really last see Zach? And is she really telling you the truth?
What I thought: I loved this! Justine Larbalestier has written an exceptional novel that really messes with your mind. Do you believe Micah at the beginning of the book when she says this time she will tell you the truth? How can you believe her? And in what follows, what is truth and what isn't? I started reading it wanting to believe Micah, trust she was telling the truth. After all, part one was called Telling the Truth. But then you hit part two and it's called Telling the True Truth. So what wasn't true in the first bit?? And then you get to part three, The Actual Real Truth and you really start to question things! The thing is,I like Micah, and I believe she was trying her hardest to be truthful. The further you go into the book, the more secrets are revealed, the easier it is to understand why Micah is such an accomplised liar. But then again, isn't that what a good liar does - makes you believe they are genuine? In the end you have to make a choice - is she still lying or has she really come clean? I chose to believe her - I think...
A NOTE ON THE COVER: The cover I have shown here is the Australian cover. The US cover apparently caused a bit of controversy. The original US cover showed Micah as white. In the book, she is described as black with nappy hair which she wears natural and short. The discussion about it on Larbalestier's blog (click either of the links above) make for interesting and thought provoking reading. For the record - I like Larbalestier prefer the Australian cover.
Recommended for: those who like a book that messes with their heads right to the end!
Challenges: 100+ Challenge, A-Z Challenge, Aussie YA Challenge, For the Love of YA Challenge
