Reviews

Gr 9 Up-This sequel to Pretty Little Liars (HarperTeen, 2006) opens with the story of Ali, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily's involvement in an accident that caused a classmate to be hospitalized at the end of seventh grade and Ali's subsequent disappearance. Chapter one then picks up three years later: Ali's body has just been found and the four ex-best friends are at her memorial service reading a virulent communique from someone named A. Throughout the remainder of the book, the text messages, notes, and emails from the mysterious A continue to plague the girls, threatening to reveal their darkest secrets. And now A has stepped up the pressure, manipulating them just like Ali did. They've been able to hide these secrets from everyone and present the appearance of being flawless. Only Ali knew, and she's been dead for almost three years. So who is A? And will the threats be carried through to ruin their now-perfect lives? The girls are similar to those in Cecily von Ziegesar's "Gossip Girl" series (Little, Brown): they are wealthy spenders who smoke, drink, think/talk about sex, and attend fabulous parties. What makes this book stand apart is the overriding mystery of A's identity and the girls' fear of discovery. This second book also continues to develop the characters as they work through their very real worries and insecurities. Secondary characters and situations are also more complex. Flawless won't stay on your shelves.-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.