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Lisa Vegan's Reviews > Liar & Spy
Liar & Spy
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Lisa Vegan's review
bookshelves: fiction, childrens, novel, reviewed, young-adult, nyc, readbooks-female-author-or-illust, z2012, zz-5star
Jun 30, 2012
bookshelves: fiction, childrens, novel, reviewed, young-adult, nyc, readbooks-female-author-or-illust, z2012, zz-5star
Oh, how I’d have loved this one at ages 9 and 10, and if my life had been slightly different at 11, 12, and 13 too, and even then I still would have loved it, as I do now. I didn’t like it as much as When You Reach Me, but since that made both my favorites and favorite-time-travel-books shelves, that isn’t surprising.
4 ½ stars
I almost gave it only 4 stars. I found one thing at the end great, though not surprising, but one other thing I found anti-climactic and, for me, almost boring, definitely disappointing. That goes for me now, and me from 11 on. I don’t think most readers will feel disappointed though. (Sorry to be so cryptic but saying anything more would be a spoiler.)
In most ways I think this is a brilliant children’s novel. This author has a remarkable talent for creating fascinating characters and engaging situations, and she is a wonderful storyteller.
I love the quirky characters, how NYC is made to feel like a small town, how big personal issues are put out there, and how readers’ intelligence is not at all insulted. I adore the humor (Sir Ott and Candy’s candies and so much more) and I really enjoyed the Blue Team and Bob and Candy and so many of the characters, including the narrator.
Thoughtful kids will really appreciate this one, I think.
I am impressed with how both kids and adults are shown as complex people, and how so many of them are off beat and unconventional is so many ways, yet how relatable and recognizable they are.
Gosh, I like this author. I just officially became a fan (I can’t believe I wasn’t before now) and I must get to her first novel First Light sooner rather than later.
Perfect novel for: (huge spoilers/suggest you don't read if you haven't read the book): (view spoiler)
4 ½ stars
I almost gave it only 4 stars. I found one thing at the end great, though not surprising, but one other thing I found anti-climactic and, for me, almost boring, definitely disappointing. That goes for me now, and me from 11 on. I don’t think most readers will feel disappointed though. (Sorry to be so cryptic but saying anything more would be a spoiler.)
In most ways I think this is a brilliant children’s novel. This author has a remarkable talent for creating fascinating characters and engaging situations, and she is a wonderful storyteller.
I love the quirky characters, how NYC is made to feel like a small town, how big personal issues are put out there, and how readers’ intelligence is not at all insulted. I adore the humor (Sir Ott and Candy’s candies and so much more) and I really enjoyed the Blue Team and Bob and Candy and so many of the characters, including the narrator.
Thoughtful kids will really appreciate this one, I think.
I am impressed with how both kids and adults are shown as complex people, and how so many of them are off beat and unconventional is so many ways, yet how relatable and recognizable they are.
Gosh, I like this author. I just officially became a fan (I can’t believe I wasn’t before now) and I must get to her first novel First Light sooner rather than later.
Perfect novel for: (huge spoilers/suggest you don't read if you haven't read the book): (view spoiler)
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Reading Progress
June 30, 2012
– Shelved
September 20, 2012
–
Started Reading
September 20, 2012
–
0.56%
"I have very little time to read this week, so I was just going to read my cookbooks and CEU book and my current non-fiction book, because a week from today I'll want to start The Casual Vacancy as soon as I get it. But I have a few short children's novels out of the library (this is one) and I think I can read it this week, before 9/27."
page
1
September 20, 2012
–
30.56%
"I think this is another winner. This author has a talent for creating wonderful characters and is a good storyteller."
page
55
September 21, 2012
–
Finished Reading
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JonahS
(new)
Oct 03, 2016 05:35PM
This review made me want to read the book. It was very detailed and sounds interesting and covers a wide variety of topics. Lisa is a good writer and she drew me into the story that I can't wait to read.
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Jonah, And I see a typo. Oh well. If you do read this book I hope that you really enjoy it.
