Review: Pretenders by Lisi Harrison

Pretenders

(Pretenders # 1)

By: Lisi Harrison

Pub. Date: October 1, 2014

Publisher: Poppy

Pages: 293

It takes place at a high school in New Jersey. Summer is over. Sophomore year begins tomorrow. Outfits are being planned. Lunch buddies are being secured. Texts are flying. All seems normal when…ping! Everyone in the sophomore class gets an email.

SUBJECT: The Phoenix Five: License To Spill.

Attached is a mega document.

A letter from a mysterious student starts the book. It explains that at the end of each year the school yearbook- The Phoenix- names the five most outstanding freshman. She (or he) always suspected that last years’ five (3 girls, 2 boys) were phonies. She (or he) always thought they tried too hard to be popular. But she (or he) never had the proof. Until now. She (or he) stole the secret diaries they were asked to keep by their English teacher. She (or he) has compiled them into a book.

This is that book. 

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. 

I loved the concept of this book so much, but there was a few things that disappointed me. For one, I hate that this was turned into two books. I think one book would have been absolutely perfect. I actually didn't even know the book was going to end until I turned the page and it was over (I was reading an e-ARC and the formatting was all off-it told me I had another 60 pages :/).

The story is told through the journal entries of five teens-Lily, Vanessa, Sheridan, Duffy and Jagger. I started the book really enjoying everyone's POV, but as the story went on, the only one I really cared about was Jagger. While everyone else was complaining about stupid things and being overly dramatic, Jagger was the only one who really was dealing with things. If I do choose to read the second book, it will only be because I want to know more about Jagger and get resolution for his story.

I will say that having five point of views can be extremely difficult-not just for the author, but for the reader as well. But Lisi Harrison pulled it off wonderfully. I could clearly see the differences between the voices. They were all very unique. I definitely have to give her props for that.