Title: Perfect Lies
Author: Kiersten White
ISBN: 9780062135841
No. of Pages: 240
Genre: Science Fiction; Young Adult
Origins: HarperTeen
Release Date: 18 February 2014
Bottom Line: Decent
Synopsis:
“Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.
The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never-ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.
But Annie’s visions of the future can’t show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia’s first love, Fia knows he’s hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other—but that may not be enough to save them.”
Thoughts: Perfect Lies does not just pick up where Mind Games ends; the last sentence of the first book flows into first sentence of the sequel. It can be a bit jarring if there has been any significant amount of time between reading each book. Also adding to a reader’s potential discomfort is the fact that there is nothing to refresh one’s memory. The story continues as if one remembers exactly what happened during the first book. If one does not remember specifics, then Perfect Lies becomes a bit tortuous.
If one thought Fia was just this side of insane in Mind Games, her actions at the end of that book have pushed her over the edge. Her stream of consciousness ramblings take on an even more desperate note as all James’ and Fia’s plans come rushing to a head. Fia’s despair causes confusion as well because her thoughts ping around at random as she seeks closure and rest for her weary mind. It makes for intense and even disturbing reading as one watches Fia all but lose her mind.
The surprise of the story is Annie. While she is very much a victim in the first book, in the sequel she is done taking a secondary role to her sister and takes steps to act like the big sister she is. It is a welcome role reversal. Not only do readers get the opportunity to experience Annie fulfilling her potential, it gives readers a welcome respite from Fia’s unraveling. Also, it is wonderful to watch Annie step out from behind her disability to become proactive in her own fate.
As with the first book, the action is incredibly fast-paced. Readers need to pay close attention because the story flows quickly, the answers are fast and furious, and there is no respite for the inattentive. In many ways, the pacing matches Fia’s frenetic thoughts, which can in be disconcerting.
Perfect Lies is a decent sequel that stays true to its characters. Unfortunately, the answers that occur are somewhat disappointing. There are so many new characters introduced, while plot stretches into somewhat unbelievable directions. The final resolution feels anti-climatic and just a bit too convenient, but it is a solid resolution and that is something the story definitely needed. It is not exactly a happily-ever-after, but both girls obtain the closure they need.
