[REVIEW] Liar – Justine Larbalestier

Justine Larbalestier
Liar
Bloomsbury (US: 29th September 2009); Allen & Unwin (AU: October 2009)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA) Buy (Worldwide)

Zach Rubin has been murdered, and Micah Wilkins is a lifelong liar. When the police learn of the pair’s dalliances after hours, Micah is a prime suspect.

The less you know about this novel before reading, the better. And don’t stop to think; just enjoy the ride. It’s very difficult to discuss Liar without revealing spoilers, so instead you have this short, vague note. Other people may not be as considerate.

I’d read the author’s Magic or Madness trilogy, and thought it was okay. Liar, however, is staggeringly brilliant. The characters, dialogue and setting ring true, and the reasons for Micah’s lies are remarkably understandable. There’s mystery, intrigue and danger, and the psychology should speak to a lot of readers. If Liar isn’t nominated for book awards, I’ll declare shenanigans. This is unforgettable, with so much depth that’s often hard to find in fiction. Critics and readers alike should adore this; well worthy of a standing ovation.

Library Loot

This meme thing is from Marg at Reading Adventures.

Rarely go to the library nowadays, but since since I binge-reserved a stack of books recently, I collected five on Monday. And have been reading them, and thus spending less time reading blogs and Twitter feeds.

1. Amanda Marrone’s Devoured: Finished, and I loved it. Will review sometime later.

2. Jessica Verday’s The Hollow: Currently reading. Almost 100 pages in, and it’s been a bit slow thus far. When a book is over 500 pages long, it better be that long for a bloody good reason. I shall persevere…

After this I shall be reading:

-Justine Larbalestier’s Liar
-Cheyenne McCray’s Demons Not Included

October 2009 Releases

Done buying September 2009 Releases? Now time for October’s list, with books from the US, Canada, UK and Australia. As always, I don’t include anything – just the ones I’ve heard of and am interested in. Covers and release dates are subject to change, so if I’m wrong, blame my sources 😉

3 New US Pre-Order Links

Erica Hayes: Shadowfae (13 Oct 2009)
Justine Larbalestier: Liar (29 Sep 2009)
Lili St. Crow: Betrayals (12 Nov 2009)