Friday, July 6, 2012

Alibi Volumes I - IV: The Complete Series by Annie Miles, John Byrne, Isabel Echersley , Sorrel Provola ~ Revew & Giveaway

Source:  Received eBook from Twist Literacy in exchange for a fair and honest review


From Goodreads:

Abigail Shelton is dead.

Spring Valley's golden girl is found floating face-down in her boyfriend’s pool, hands bound behind her back, head bleeding, drugs and alcohol in her system. Her friends are the only suspects – and they all have reasons to want her dead. Everyone has an alibi, but no one is innocent.

ALIBI is a 4-part young adult e-book series. Each one-hundred page installment reveals the perspective of a different character: the secret love, the nemesis, the boyfriend, the best friend. As their tales unfold, we learn that Abby is not as perfect as everyone believes, but she’s not the only one with secrets to hide. This page-turning tale of suspense, betrayal, murder, and lust will keep fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars up and reading well past curfew.

My Thoughts:





4 stars - Brilliantly explaining why the truth lies somewhere in the middle 

Yeah so I wasn't sure about this one because it seemed outside my normal genres but really I have to give kudos to the authors for peeking my curiosity with their request to review their book.  They actually read my review police and provided everything I requested.  So I gave their book a chance and I'm certainly glad I did.  


The book is divided into four sections, about 100 pages each, one from each of the four characters surrounding the girl who is found dead at the beginning of the book.  I was surprised how fast those pages flew by.  Now I can read fast but when I'm really STUCK in a book, yeah well that's what happened here.  I read the first two sections in a couple hours.  I forced myself to put it down to go to sleep only to not be able to.  My mind keep racing through the possibilities.  The book got finished the next day.

I liked the characters.  They were strong, full developed characters that I cared about.  When I was reading Charles' section, I was certain he was 100% innocent.  Then as I read Palmer's section I was thinking well maybe Charles didn't see how he contributed.  And on and on it went.  Each character going through different aspects of the weeks leading up to Abby's death.  Some overlapping but always emphasizing different things. Amazingly, it was like real life.  So many times we think we understand the truth but we are missing some detail or we are only focused on ourselves and we miss reality.  It was like four different people staring out at the grand canyon.  Each seeing just a little bit different scene.  Each focused on the thoughts in their own head.  Each somewhat aware that the others are involved.  But each missing something that's important to one of the others.  Really this book brilliantly explains why the truth always lies somewhere in the middle.


Mystery isn't my normal thing, but I really enjoyed this book.  The mystery was expertly woven among a rich contemporary storyline that had the pages flying.   It had some interesting romance going on with some subplots on social structures.  While the story revisited some things, the details were always increased.  I was never bored with that.  I was pretty sure I knew who actually killed Abby as I approached the end and I was right but as the book suggests no one was innocent.  At first, the ending seemed strange but as I sat thinking about it after I'd finished, I realized it was the perfect ending.


Not sure if this book will drive me to read more mystery but I will say this, it is a fabulous YA read and you should check it out.

***GIVEAWAY***


First, Twist literary is running this fabulous GIVEAWAY for for a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for reading and posting a review of Alibi.  You can check out all the deets here.

Second, Twist Literary has an eBook copy of Alibi to give away to one of you lovely's!  You know the drill here.  Fill out the rafflecopter below.  International as long as you can accept an eBook.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments:

  1. This sounds really awesome!! I love mystery books. I used to read a lot of mystery growing up. I am pretty perceptive so I tend to pick up on little details and figure stuff out. I love when a book can surprise me though.

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  2. I'm not good at all!! I'm always intrigued about what's going to happen next!

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  3. I'm really good. I think outside the box most of the time.

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  4. I would say I'm pretty good at figuring out mysteries. Of course, it all depends on how much I really want to figure it out.

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  5. I am pretty good. All those episodes of CSI and Criminal minds and all the mystery books I've read had really helped me.

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  6. How cool! I absolutely love this concept. I'm glad you have this a chance, Val, or I would've never heard about this.
    Nice review!

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  7. Usually I can do it by about half way through, which is why when a book really gets me and I go back and reallize, "Huh, how did I miss that" I am quite impressed.

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  8. I say I get things right 50% of the time - but when I do, it is early on.

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  9. Pretty good I can say. I have a lot of guesses in every mystery. :))

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  10. Not good at all lol thats why I lov them they keep me guessing

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  11. Usually I can figure it out, but I'm not one of those people where it ruins the story. I like the process of a mystery. But I know a excellent book when I can't figure it out!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  12. sad to I suck at solving mystery, you know that girl in every book that has no idea what's going on even though it's obvious. Yep, THAT'S ME... :D
    THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

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  13. Not good at all... I suck at it... They give me a headache, actually...

    Thank you for this!!!

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  14. sometimes i am good at solving a mystery other times.. not so much- I change my mind alot about who-dun-it
    :)

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  15. I try...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

    Thanks!

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  16. I'm terrible at it! lol But I like to try.

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  17. I am figuring out mysteries in books because I am a BIG cheater!! LOL I have to look at the end to get a peak...I know bad me

    forettarose@yahoo.com

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  18. I usually figure out the mysteries. I love it when I find one that stumps me, though :)

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  19. I am pretty good at it but every once in a while a book will really surprise me.

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