Once Upon a Twilight!: Lisi Harrison

Pretenders
Pretenders #1
Author: Lisi Harrison
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary/Realistic Fiction
Released: October 1st 2013
Review Source: Poppy

Three girls, two guys, five secret journals.

The five most popular students at Noble High have secrets to hide; secrets they wrote down in their journals. Now one of their own exposes the private entries...

I am leaking these because I'm tired and I know you are too. The success bar is too high and pretending has become the only way to reach it. Instagrams are filtered, Facebook profiles are embellished, photos are shopped, reality TV is scripted, body parts get upgraded like software, and even professional athletes are cheating. The things we believe in aren't real.

We are pretenders.

The Phoenix Five are the top dogs at school. The five most outstanding freshman. WHY are they The Phoenix Five? Someone suspects they aren't as put together as they appear. The book starts off with a mysterious letter from a student explaining that at the end of each school year, The Phoenix Five are chosen. Attached to the letter is something big. The journals from each of the five freshmen that they kept as an assignment from their English teacher the previous year! Journals that were never meant to be read or seen by anyone are out now in full display for every ones eyes. Do The Phoenix Five really have it all together?

Immediately I was excited to read this book because it's in journal form. I. Love. Journal form! And I have to say, that's probably the main reason why I finished reading the book. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book. It was just too juvenile for me. Not to mention the fact that it's more like a prequel. Still, the characters were easy to like and the story was easy to follow.

I felt for all five of these kids. When a book is set up to have the top five students secrets spill, we know it will be interesting. We also know, not everyone is perfect and so these five kids most likely won't have everything together. I'm curious to know what happens next. And if it's in journal form again, which I'm sure it will be, I'll keep following the series!

Today we are excited to share with you an interview with one of this year's YALLFEST authors.

YALLFest will be happening this November in Charleston, SC. It’s one of the biggest gatherings of Young Adult and Middle Grade Author’s in the South. This years Keynote Speakers are Rae Carson and Veronica Roth. Event will take place Saturday, November 9th 2013.

LISI HARRISON

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Every week – they are releasing interviews with authors, and today’s interview is with Kami Garcia. Here’s what the author had to say…

Q: What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A: A scented candle. Each book has it’s own scent.

Q: Describe your book in 5 words

A: Popular freshmen’s secret journals revealed.

Q: What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

A: First. 100%

Q: Best writing tip you ever received?

A: Stop writing in the middle of a chapter instead of the end. It will be easier to start up again the next day.

Q: What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

A: Stargirl.

Q: Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I can’t run.
I have a tattoo with a type-o. It’s supposed to say, “creativity” but it says, “dry.”
In college I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo written in Chinese characters.
I was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I changed my reservation at the last minute. Now every time I look at a clock it says 9:11.
I can’t stand being asked about my “favorites.” I don’t have favorites. If I did I’d forget what they are the minute you asked and would remember them the minute you leave. It’s maddening.
I prefer to give 6 random facts.

Q: Where's your favorite place to write?