Review: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl & Po

By: Lauren Oliver

Pub. Date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 307

Source: Netgalley

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places.

I loved Lauren Oliver's Delirium and when I saw she wrote a middle grade book, I knew I had to pick it up. Liesl & Po was also getting fantastic reviews so I was very excited to get it from netgalley! Liesl & Po was everything that I could want and more. It was such a beautiful story and it had so much heart. I loved everything about it.

Liesl is one of the main characters in the story. She has been locked in the attic since her father got sick. Now that he has died she is completely alone. Her stepmother is a horrible women and treats Liesl only with abuse. One night she meets Po, a ghost from the other side. Po helps her escape the attic and agrees to go with her to bury her father's ashes in her childhood home.

While on the run, Liesl and Po meet Will. An orphaned boy who also has only known loneliness and abuse. He knows who Liesl is and has watched her through her attic window from the street below.

The characters were wonderful. There was so much to Liesl, Po and Will. I loved that the story was told in multiple view points, so we got to see the inner thoughts of each character.

The story was fast paced and I read this book in one sitting. I know that it is for middle graders, but I think people of all ages can enjoy this story. It was so beautifully written.

The illustrations throughout the story also gave the story a nice touch. Kei Acedera were beautifully done. I'm a sucker for books with illustrations and I thought it was very nicely done.

Liesl & Po is definitely a story that can be enjoyed over and over again. I have since bought myself a finished copy to add to my shelf. This is one story that is not to be missed!

The trailer is also fantastically done. I am obsessed with the song "A Train With Wings" which is featured in the trailer.