Review: All of This is True by Lygia Day Penaflor

Hey all, Dani here.

Today’s review is for a book that I learned about something like a month ago, but the premise intrigued me so I immediately went online to the Barnes & Noble web site and bought myself a copy.  Then it didn’t take me long at all before I was reaching for the book because I just needed to start reading it. And now, here we are, with a review of this suspenseful, psychological, and intriguing story.

Let’s just jump into it then.

Summary

Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault.

Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t believe she let Fatima manipulate her and Jonah like that. She can’t believe that she got used for a book.

Penny Panzarella was more than the materialistic party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was. She desperately wanted Fatima Ro to see that, and she saw her chance when Fatima asked the girls to be transparent with her. If only she’d known what would happen when Fatima learned Jonah’s secret. If only she’d known that the line between fiction and truth was more complicated than any of them imagined. . . .

My Thoughts

Rating: 4 stars

This was a good read, and pretty interesting. The past couple years we have started to see a few more books being released featuring a different format, such as documents, articles, interviews, etc. And honestly, I like the format, but it isn’t one that I want to read all the time. On occasion though, it does make for a nice change of pace.

All of This is True was pitched as being a good read for fans of last year’s release One of Us is Lying. It is a book I read and ended up loving, even though it was not the typical sort of book I would pick up. What intrigued me a bit more with this book is that it features young adults who befriend this author they love, and then are betrayed or manipulated by her. Seriously, I’ll leave it up to you to figure out what you think happened.

Because this book goes between interviews and articles by Miri, Soleil, and Penny, plus actual snippets from Fatima’s book, some events can be a bit open to differing interpretations. Also, the bouncing around between each person’s story gives you varying insights and opinions, while also helping to increase the suspense.

Again, this is not a book I normally would have picked up, but because the summary sounded interesting, and I enjoyed reading a similar book last year, I gave it a shot. I don’t think I was as caught up in All of This is True as much as One of Us is Lying, but it was still a read I’m glad I finished, though I probably won’t keep it for a re-read. Still, I will definitely be checking up on whatever Lygia Day Penaflor comes up with next, and if the premise sounds interesting, then I am absolutely willing to read another of her books.

Where to Buy

You can pick up this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, Book Depository, or your local indie bookstore.