Twisted by Sara Shepard

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The pretty little liars have more secrets than ever—twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore . . . eventually.

Review:

I have been a big fan of the Pretty Little Liars series ever since I read the first book way back when, but after the eighth book, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. Therefore, when I heard that Sara Shepard would be continuing the series with four new books, I have to admit that while I was excited (I mean, who wouldn’t want new books in one of their favorite series?), I was also worried that the new books would follow the same path of the eight. However, Twisted did more than just live up to the previous books- it managed to be even better. It brought a series back to life with fabulous, twisted new plot lines, as well as some fabulous characters.

Twisted opens up just as the four girls (Aria, Spencer, Hannah, and Emily) as well as Noel, Aria’s boyfriend, and Mike, Hanna’s boyfriend, are in Jamaica, enjoying some needed R&R after the Ali dilemma. However, everything changes after they spot someone eerily similar and commit an unforgivable sin. Fast forward to the middle of their senior year, and everything is once again awry. The girls are not talking and are quickly amassing new secrets and lies. Aria is worried about losing her boyfriend to the new and surprisingly hot Finland exchange student. Spencer feels an amazing connection with a new boy named Zach…too bad he may be her stepbrother sometime soon and hiding secrets of his own. Hannah’s dealing with the stress that has come with her dad’s senate campaign, but after a surprising new offer, she’s left feeling better than ever before. Lastly, Emily is dealing with the secrets of past summer, which makes the fact that she’s made a new friend to confide in all the better. Then A decides to make a reappearance, leaving the girls to come together once again, but what does A want this time? And worst of all, does she know what they did last spring- will she tell? Only time and more pages will tell in this addicting new addition to one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

One of my favorite aspects of the Pretty Little Liars series is the characters, and with Twisted, this managed to be the same. Emily, Spencer, Aria, and Hannah are not the most likable girls at time due to their silly decisions and naïve yet conniving personalities; however, they sure provide a fantastic and scandalous read with their POVs. There wasn’t a moment where I couldn’t be found on the edge of my seat, dying to know more about them and their new secrets and affairs, especially the one involving Jamaica. As mentioned above, there also was some great new character additions, such as Zach whose more than platonic relationship with Spencer is the definition of steamy, as well as Klaudia, Aria’s new nightmare who is evil in more ways than one.

The plot in this was also great. If you thought Sara couldn’t possibly have more twists and turns to expand on, well you’re wrong, as Twisted introduced some great new storylines, filled with plenty of drama and scandal to have even the most reluctant reader reading well into the night. I especially love the way Sara always manages to release the secrets of the girls' slow yet intriguing way.

In addition, the ending was the definition of a cliff-hanger, and all I can say is: I’m so happy the new book is due out in December, because I don’t think I could wait much longer.

Another fabulous and surprising addition, Twisted is sure to have fans of this series dying for more, more, and more!

Grade: A+ 

Twisted is now out!

Source: unsolicited review copy provided by publisher- thanks HarperTeen!

To find out more about Sara and her books, be sure to check the dedicated PLL website and Sara's twitter.