Mini-Review: Seven Ways We Lie

SevenWaysTitle: Seven Ways We Lie
Author: Riley Redgate
Genres: contemporary
Pages: 352
Publisher: Amulet Books
Review copy: Library
Availability: March 8th, 2016

Summary: Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—whether it’s Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage; or Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.

When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change. [Image and summary via Goodreads]

Review: The title kind of gives it away, even if you don’t read the jacket — Seven Ways We Lie is told through the perspectives of seven students, all different in their voices, cliques, and even sexuality (a pleasant surprise). At first, it’s a lot to juggle, but once you settle into the story, that’s when the going gets good. It’s a fun and arresting read, if a little stressful thanks to the ever present mystery of the teacher-student affair and its consequences.

I was initially worried a bit about the LGBTQIA representation, but each character is written in a vivid and engaging way, so my worries were mostly put to rest. I’d be very curious to see what someone with more knowledge of Autism and neurodivergence has to say about Valentine’s portrayal.

Seven Ways We Lie manages to tackle a wide variety of issues, and for the most part, incorporates them smoothly. There were moments when certain lines rang familiar — either they were wonderfully relatable, or too much like a text post from Tumblr. But generally, the issues were handled much better than they usually are in YA. It was refreshing to read.

If you’re looking for a contemporary YA to read, this is it. Seven Ways We Lie will gobble up your time and leave you wishing for more of this band of seven students. Grab it when you get the chance!

Recommendation: Get it soon!