Review: Twisted by Sara Shepard

Twisted (Pretty Little Liars, Book 9) by Sara Shepard

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (July 5, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The Pretty Little Liars have more secrets than ever - twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild....more

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The Pretty Little Liars have more secrets than ever - twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild. Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship. Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore … eventually.
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This is the 9th book in the Pretty Little Liars series. If you have not read this series before I recommend you start from the beginning, otherwise you will just get lost. You would think by now the story would get old and maybe even predictable, but no. I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed it. I had thought that the 8th book was the last one and that the story was finished and I was okay with that because I felt that it was ending on a good note. Now that I have read Twisted I am so glad that the author decided to write more. At this rate I don't think i will ever get tired of this series.

Although there was quite a bit of death in the previous books this one somehow feels a bit darker and I think it has to do with the girl's secrets this time around. Not all the secrets they are keeping are revealed yet but the ones that are will shock you. Honestly, by now you would think they would realize that keeping secrets is like cancer. The lies and paranoia cause them to spiral out of control. Obviously, they have not learned their lesson the first time around.

Aria was my favorite to read about in this book. The situation with the exchange student staying with her boyfriend's family is laced with juicy drama. Hannah endangers her father's campaign when some not so tasteful photos of her are taken. I felt how she handled things was pretty extreme. Spencer makes me want to roll my eyes. It always seems to be guys with her, and this time it is her future step-brother. Okay, so technically they aren't actually related but still it is a stretch. When will she learn (or for that matter when will any of them)? Emily is the hardest one to read about because she always comes across as pathetic and needy. Her dilemma is pretty serious though and it is only compounded by her personality. Maybe she comes off as pathetic because she feels so guilty.

In addition to their individual dramas there is a secret even bigger that they all share. Totally unexpected with lots of twists and turns. The storyline will keep you in a lot of suspense and wanting more. I'm sure that there will be more crazy plot twists in the books to come and I am anxious to find out how the girls handle things not to mention learn more about their secrets.

5/5

I received a copy of this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.