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Pretty Little Liars #0.5
Ali's Pretty Little Lies
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2013)Perfect for fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling series and the hit ABC Family TV show, this Pretty Little Liars prequel novel reveals Ali's secrets from before she was murdered.Rewind a few years to seventh grade: Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the It girls of Rosewood Day. Boys want to date them. Girls want to be them. But even though they seem to have it all, these girls are hiding some major secrets--especially Ali. She knows better than anyone that if the truth gets out, it will ruin everything.Set in the weeks before Ali's murder, Ali's Pretty Little Lies is the first Pretty Little Liars novel told entirely from Ali's point of view. After all, who better to tell her story than Ali herself, the prettiest little liar of all?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2013
695 people are currently reading
23289 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
128 books14.7k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,235 reviews
January 20, 2013
I actually liked this one better than "Pretty Little Secrets" and a lot more than the last four books that have come out. This is the prequel to the series and we're given an insight of how all the madness began. It all takes place a couple of days before "The Real Ali" kills Courtney. After reading this, I felt sorry for "The Real Courtney" because her family got manipulated into believing she was crazy, thanks to Ali. I do think Ali was jealous of her sister and really wanted to be an only child. I understand why she had to keep up the charade of being her sister but being her sister really harmed her and turned her into a total biatch.
Also after reading this, I have a guess of who might be the next A. I don't remember what happened to Iris but it seemed like she was helping "The Real Ali" spy on her sister. So maybe she's on the A Team and wants to take revenge for Ali's possible death. If you're a series fan, you'll enjoy this one.
Also after reading this, I have a guess of who might be the next A. I don't remember what happened to Iris but it seemed like she was helping "The Real Ali" spy on her sister. So maybe she's on the A Team and wants to take revenge for Ali's possible death. If you're a series fan, you'll enjoy this one.
May 6, 2015
Since I’m now one book away from what had BETTER be the end of the series, I thought it was now or never for this cash-in prequel. Why didn’t I choose never?
Looks like the PLL/Ali relationship is going to be taking a weird turn.
Spinning? How the hell does that work? Unless Aria is some type of nightmare robo-teen? Actually, I could see that.
Most Reasonable Supposition
In the real world that would be terribly judgemental, but in this case…
In short, a pointless cash-in where we learn absolutely nothing. How the hell could the twin-swap actually work? How can Ali manage to mind-control so many people? Why did no-one think to check the massive hole in the Dilaurentis garden when Ali disappeared? Why does Ali actually want the PLLs dead instead of her shockingly neglectful family. No idea whatsoever.
First we have a background re-hash. This is unwise, as the more details we have the more ridiculous the story is. For example, we learn precisely what Courtney did to earn her indefinite stay in a mental institute. It seems that one day she and Alison were fighting, and when caught with her hands around her sister’s throat Courtney not unreasonably tried the classic “she started it” excuse. Usually this results in a sibling draw and a stern parental talking-to. However in this household it directly results in Courtney being labelled a paranoid schizophrenic, shipped off to a mental institute and forgotten about. This seems somewhat of an overreaction even before we are explicitly told that Courtney was 9 years old when her family had her permanently committed. I know there’s one rule for the rich and another for the poor but seriously, how did they get away with this unquestioned?
The family’s next stupid move is to move house and change their name from Day-DiLaurentis to DiLaurentis in order to confuse their old neighbours, as “Day” is clearly the memorable part of the name. Thus no-one will ever find them or remember that there were twins, especially not their new next-door neighbour who is secretly the father of those twins. Good plan. Makes sense. Doing well already Sara. Then we have to hear more about the frigging flag hunt thing, bane of my PLL-reading existence, with which Shepard seems obsessed despite its irrelevance. Eventually, after the flag has been sufficiently discussed, we get a participant-focused description of the infamous twin “switcheroo” that has since caused so much pain and hardship for all, particularly the readers. Turns out that Courtney simply went outside to talk to the proto-PLLs (who were outside because of the whole flag thing, which I refuse to discuss further) and waited until her parents grabbed the first child they could find and dragged her off to an insane asylum. Bad luck Ali. Shame that your mother, father and brother are all negligent idiots.
So despite this book supposedly being Ali-centric she’s out of the picture before the end of the prologue. Instead we get to hear the adventures of Courtney, who is confusingly referred to as Ali for the majority of the book. Ali meanwhile is now referred to as either Courtney or “Courtney”, depending on whether or not Shepard can remember her own back-story. CourtAli’s adventures basically consist of waiting around for the PLL series to begin, and since we already know what’s going to happen there is literally no excitement or suspense whatsoever. Instead we have to listen to 5 rich tweens bitching about their school-mates and talking about clothes and boys. How is this supposed to make a novel?
Pretty much nothing whatsoever happens. More things are incorrectly labelled “über”. People bicker about boys who will later end up dead, discover secrets that we already know and obsess about the same things as they will 4 years later. Mike is as big as pervert as usual, even though he’s only 12. Everyone is an idiot. The only thing this book actually achieves is making the story seem stupider. The twin-swap storyline was beyond ridiculous even before this book told us that apparently the DiLaurentis family are visiting Ali in the mental institute regularly, and yet she is still completely unable to think of a single thing to say that would prove her identity. This is a girl who is supposedly an evil genius, yet she can’t come up with a single fact known to her but not to Courtney that would make either her parents or brother even a little suspicious of her true identity? Even when she’s allowed to come home and wander around the DiLaurentis house unattended she can’t find a way of swapping places with Courtney again. Yet we’re constantly reminded that she’s a master-manipulator and can wrap Courtney around her little finger given half a chance. How does any of this make sense?
Nothing much happens to CourtAli except that even she seems to be being stalked by Real Ali, despite Real Ali being still incarcerated. But Ali can haunt people from beyond the grave even when she’s not actually dead, so a bit of impossible stalking is hardly a challenge for her. Mrs DiLaurentis keeps mentioning the giant hole in the back garden so often that I begin to suspect the upcoming revelation that she planned the twin-murder from the beginning. Sadly, instead of anything new happening we just get yet more of the same old story. Eventually AliCourt reappears and kills Court Ali, in exactly the manner we already read about. And that’s it.
Stupidest Names
Lara Fiori
Garrett Flagg
Reed Cohen
Dara Artz
Most Worrying Metaphor
“Ali” on excluding her friends:
“It wasn’t to be mean, exactly. It reminded her of what Spencer’s labradoodles, Rufus and Beatrice, did …They would play for a while, and then Rufus would climb on top of Beatrice and pin her down to remind her who was the alpha.”
Looks like the PLL/Ali relationship is going to be taking a weird turn.
Most Concerning Physical Reaction
“Aria’s eyes were shining, almost spinning”
Spinning? How the hell does that work? Unless Aria is some type of nightmare robo-teen? Actually, I could see that.
Most Reasonable Supposition
“There was definitely a stigma to having a daughter or sister in a loony bin. People might assume the DiLaurentises were bad parents for putting her there. Or maybe they’d assume the rest of the family was crazy, too.”
In the real world that would be terribly judgemental, but in this case…
In short, a pointless cash-in where we learn absolutely nothing. How the hell could the twin-swap actually work? How can Ali manage to mind-control so many people? Why did no-one think to check the massive hole in the Dilaurentis garden when Ali disappeared? Why does Ali actually want the PLLs dead instead of her shockingly neglectful family. No idea whatsoever.
April 5, 2019
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE!! I loved reading from Ali’s perspective. It definitely gave me a different insight to the characters before the main story happened and it was really (surprisingly) enjoyable to read!
January 13, 2013
One of the best pll books I love Ali which is really Courtney. she is really sweet, She just acts mean cause that's how Ali acted. I can't stand Courtney who is really Ali, she is a bitch. I loved Ali's connection with girls...she actually really loved them. I cried when she died. I think the person who hit her was nick, But most of all I think he was actually Tripp the real ali's boy friend. like I said this one was my fave. and Ali is my fave girl. I hope Sara makes many more to come. :-)
Want to read
January 14, 2013I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS SERIES!
March 16, 2017
Ali's Pretty Little Lies is an OK read compared to the other books in the series. It started off well enough by setting the mood with just the right amount of mystery and drama to keep the readers interested.
Unfortunately, it began to drag during the middle and towards the end. I find myself not as invested in the story anymore, especially since this book being a prequel, I already know what's going to happen and how it'll end.
At first, it was fun to see how the sweet Courtney started to take charge of the situation by turning into confident, fabulous Ali, only with different set of friends. As the book progresses, she got worse and worse and became this emotional bully to her 'friends' that I started to hate her. She also turned into this manipulative bitch to guarantee her position as the leader of the group by using the girls' secrets as a weapon against each of them.
Betraying someone's trust and taking advantage of them is definitely a shitty thing to do. I get that the author wanted to show the transformation of Courtney from a sweet, misunderstood girl into this back-stabbing, conniving bitch, but what happened is that by the time the real Ali got her revenge, I was rooting for her instead. Not sure if this was intended by the author...
In conclusion, this book is basically a 290-page prologue for the Pretty Little Liars series. I dare say that this book is merely an attempt to tie up any loose ends in the early PLL books. I recommend this book to people who are looking for a fresh, new perspective of the popular series, and also to read about the life of Courtney/Ali DiLaurentis before she was presumed to be missing. This book is worth reading if only just to gain a deeper insight on how the story came to be.
Unfortunately, it began to drag during the middle and towards the end. I find myself not as invested in the story anymore, especially since this book being a prequel, I already know what's going to happen and how it'll end.
At first, it was fun to see how the sweet Courtney started to take charge of the situation by turning into confident, fabulous Ali, only with different set of friends. As the book progresses, she got worse and worse and became this emotional bully to her 'friends' that I started to hate her. She also turned into this manipulative bitch to guarantee her position as the leader of the group by using the girls' secrets as a weapon against each of them.
Betraying someone's trust and taking advantage of them is definitely a shitty thing to do. I get that the author wanted to show the transformation of Courtney from a sweet, misunderstood girl into this back-stabbing, conniving bitch, but what happened is that by the time the real Ali got her revenge, I was rooting for her instead. Not sure if this was intended by the author...
In conclusion, this book is basically a 290-page prologue for the Pretty Little Liars series. I dare say that this book is merely an attempt to tie up any loose ends in the early PLL books. I recommend this book to people who are looking for a fresh, new perspective of the popular series, and also to read about the life of Courtney/Ali DiLaurentis before she was presumed to be missing. This book is worth reading if only just to gain a deeper insight on how the story came to be.
July 7, 2016
Okay so...
I enjoyed the book, and it fit well with what's going on in the series.
Spoilers below:
My running theory is that "Courtney"'s boyfriend in The Preserve she introduces as Tripp, but we don't meet him.
Coincidentally, a random boy shows up at Rosewood Day introducing himself as Nick from summer camp. Knowing Ali would go for any chance she had to one-up her sister, "Courtney" has Nick/Tripp make up a story about how he rejected her then so Ali would go for him.
In the end, Nick/Tripp shows up when real Ali pushes old Ali into the hole. That is her accomplice. Enter "A" team which was introduced at the end of Burned. Nick/Tripp is out to avenge Real Ali's death from the Poconos (if she died) *or* they're in it together to avenge Tabitha's death etc. therefore, Nick/Tripp was the guy that was in the boiler room with Aria and Tabitha'a ex.
Thoughts?
I enjoyed the book, and it fit well with what's going on in the series.
Spoilers below:
My running theory is that "Courtney"'s boyfriend in The Preserve she introduces as Tripp, but we don't meet him.
Coincidentally, a random boy shows up at Rosewood Day introducing himself as Nick from summer camp. Knowing Ali would go for any chance she had to one-up her sister, "Courtney" has Nick/Tripp make up a story about how he rejected her then so Ali would go for him.
In the end, Nick/Tripp shows up when real Ali pushes old Ali into the hole. That is her accomplice. Enter "A" team which was introduced at the end of Burned. Nick/Tripp is out to avenge Real Ali's death from the Poconos (if she died) *or* they're in it together to avenge Tabitha's death etc. therefore, Nick/Tripp was the guy that was in the boiler room with Aria and Tabitha'a ex.
Thoughts?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
Oh no I have officially completed all the books... seriously, what am I supposed to do with my life now D:
January 5, 2013
I don't even know where to start with this book.
I have to admit, I loved it. This ENTIRE book was from Ali's point of view.
Okay, I need to revise that...it was between Courtney (who is pretending to be Alis) point of view.
There are two girls, twins, living in Connecticut, Courtney and Alison Day Dilaurentis. They live with their older brother Jason, and their parents. The girls are inseparable as kids, but as they get older, the more minicing twin, Alison, grows cold. It starts with disagreements, shoves, etc. Just general sibling rivalry, the normal stuff. But as they get older Alison decides she wants to be the only pretty daughter, she doesn't want a duplicate. So she finds ways to make Courtney do things, she threatens her, and even tells Courtney to pretend to be her. Courtney, who loves her sister, and wants to be her friend, agrees. It blows up in Courtney's face though when Alison starts telling her parents that Courtney is trying to be her, and she that's crazy. Alison also sets Courtney up multiple times to make her look like she really is guilty. Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Dilaurentis decide to put Courtney into a mental health facility because they fear that she really does have identify issues, and is trying to be Ali. This is just what Ali wanted! So she is now the only daughter in the house. The parents are embarrassed to have a child in a psych ward, so they relocate to a different state (Rosewood Day, PA) and put Courtney there. On one weekend however, she comes home and that is where this whole book really picks up. Courtney and Alison are both home, in Rosewood, when problems start back up at home. Alison is mimicking Courtney in the kitchen and causing trouble like always, and this was just minutes before they were taking Courtney back. Alison goes upstairs after being thoroughly satisfied with upsetting her sister. Just then, Courtney sees Emily, Aria, Spencer, and Hannah in her yard, contemplating stealing a flag that is apart of their schools yearly tradition. Like a big game of capture the flag. Courtney sees Ali's shoes by the door, and slips them on and goes outside. She figures if her parents see her outside, maybe they will be believe she is Alison and NOT have to go back to the preserve! This was not a last minute plan, either. Courtney had also taken Ali's ring the night before when Ali had taken it off to do dishes. It's a special ring with an engraved "A" on it, that her parents got her. Everyone knows that Ali wears it all the time, so Courtney took that as well. So the time comes to bring Courtney back, and her parents take ALI instead!! Since Courtney had the ring, and was outside, the parents believed that Courtney was Ali (what she wanted) and as the real Ali is kicking and screaming about being the real Ali, nobody believes her, because that's what "Courtney" always did, pretended to be the real Ali. See what you did there Ali? You made your sister pretend to be you, and then got her locked up, and now the game is being played against ya. Karma sure is a bitch, huh?
So Courtney takes over Ali's life and takes on the name of "Ali" permanently. She ditches her old best friends (since Courtney doesn't know them and knows they will be able to tell) and she instead plucks Hannah, Aria, Emily, and Spencer to be her new clique. It was SO interesting to read about Ali (er, well Courtney-as-Ali) because in all the other books it's all about Hannah, Spencer, Aria, and Emily, and in all of those books Ali is seen as so untouchable. Like, nothing can bring Ali down, and Ali has no heart. But in this book, every page, every chapter was all about Ali's (Courtney) feelings and she definitely had a lot of them. She was always afraid that her sister would eventually convince everyone of what really happened, and that she would be sent back to a psych ward for forever. I feel bad for Courtney, because she HAS to live a lie. She was the nicer twin, the one more relate-able to people, yet she couldn't be that nice twin anymore, or people would know she forced her sister and her to switch. So she has to take on the persona of a queen bee, a bitch. Although she is very good at it, and eventually it alters her actual personality (pretending to be something you aren't for a year and a half can really change who you really are) so towards the end I really didn't like Courtney that much because she really had turned into Ali. And then, the parents bring Courtney (Real Ali) back. Ali (real Courtney) has a fit, and is a huge dick to her parents over it, but they have made up their mind. Then the night of the end of 7th grade sleepover comes, and the real Ali is home, while the real Courtney is preparing for the sleepover. She is terrified that her sister will make her presence known, but nobody has any idea what is in store for that night.
Ali tries to convince her friends she can hypnotize them, but when Spencer get's pissy and tells Alison to leave, she does. She is afraid her sister is lurking anyways. So Ali storms out angry and Spencer goes after her. They get into a fight and Spencer shoves her and then leaves. Ali is on her way to find her twin who she saw lurking and then she finds her mother hooking up with Spencer's dad (surprise, it's her dad too! Courtney and Alison, are half sisters with Spencer!) Ali is shocked, and then "Courtney" finds her in the yard and they fight as well. Ali (real Courtney) is terrified of her sister and then they get into a physical fight as well. Finally real Ali pulls her to the edge of a hole in their backyard (due to construction) and eventually pushes her in. The hole is very deep and Alison (real Courtney) dies from the fall. The one big cliff hanger is that right before the real Courtney dies, she notices another person with her sister, who has been helping her all along. This ties in with where we are in the Pretty Little Liars series (this is a prequel) where there is a new "A" in town.
So in the end, it was a book all about Courtney/Ali, the stuff we never got to read/hear about in the other books because they are all from Aria, Spencer, Hannah, and Emily's point of view.
The book ends the morning after the sleepover. The twins parents know Ali (real Courtney) is missing. Ali thinks she can finally reclaim her name, and just pass Courtney off as missing, but her parents know the daughter they have had for past year and a half is missing, and they are terrified (rightfully so) that "Courtney" had something to do with it. Mrs. Dilaurentis gets very emotional and they immediately send real Ali back to the preserve. Ali is so upset, because she thought she was getting her life back now that she killed her sister. But nope! Back to the psych ward for her! The thing is, real Ali has a hate for Emily, Hannah, Spencer, and Aria simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time a year and half ago when Courtney went outside and fooled her parents. This is where "A" begins and then the whole series is about the girls being stalked.
It was really interesting hearing about the girls from the twin's point of view, and not from there's. Emily is in love with Ali (Courtney) and Courtney feels weird about it, but not as bitchy as she has to pretend to be. Aria finds out her dad is a cheater, and Ali uses it against her when she get pissed off. Same with Spencer and Hannah. Ali is so terrified people will find out she is really Courtney that she can't stand when her friends are not under her control. She thinks they should be obedient little sheep at all times, and when they aren't she gets enraged.
In a nutshell, I think both the girls are crazy (Ali and Courtney) The real Ali obviously has issues from the beginning when she decided she wanted to get rid of her twin, and definitely when they switched and real Ali got put away, that had to have made her super crazy as well. Courtney was originally sane, but I think all the paranoia she endured being Ali and always being fearful that people would find out, messed with her psych as well. It's just sad that one of them turned into a killer. Such a morbid story line for a bunch of teenagers. It's even more ironic that all the books are super bright and cheery looking. I really love this series. I'd definitely recommend reading this book before starting the series, because if you don't (like I did) then all missing pieces of the puzzle about Ali's disappearance will confuse the hell out of you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2016
This is a prequel, but if read before book eight, it will spoil something huge for you. It's best to read it in publication order. (After book 12)
This was a good, quick read.
Books 10, 11, and 12 haven't been great, so i'm glad that i got to read something in the series that was like the earlier ones.
The main thing i liked about Ali's Pretty Little Lies, was the murder being shown.
I thought it was really interesting how we finally seen it all unravel.
Overall, a good read.
This was a good, quick read.
Books 10, 11, and 12 haven't been great, so i'm glad that i got to read something in the series that was like the earlier ones.
The main thing i liked about Ali's Pretty Little Lies, was the murder being shown.
I thought it was really interesting how we finally seen it all unravel.
Overall, a good read.
August 29, 2021
Yeahhhhh, I'm NOT finishing this. This is only the novella for the pretty little liars series and their are multiple problems already.
First of all Ali was an awful character. I cannot stand her personality or how disgustingly mean she is. The author really got under my nerves because she is projecting a 12-year-old like a 17-year-old. These 12 year olds are doing drugs, partying, drinking! Like if she's going to include all that why doesn't she just make the characters older? The portrayal of young girls is absolutely disgusting. Ali is just 12 years old and here she is smoking, drinking and partying like she's an 18 year old. If the author really wanted to include all these things was it really that hard to just make the characters older. I don't understand what making them 12 years old does for the story or plot. And Courtney acting like Ali, she was no better than Ali herself! I understand how awful Ali was to her sister but Courtney really doesn't show any good behavior, so I don't really see a difference in personality between Ali and Courtney. This book was really unbearable, the author came back years after she started a series to write and release this prequel and for what?? Young girls should never read this! For me, all I saw in every page was the author objectifying girls. And I hated it, especially when it was girls that weren't even teens yet! I might watch the Netflix show because I originally picked this up to watch the show. But now I'm not so sure.
If I could give this zero stars I would. Also to think that so many people have read this and enjoyed it says a lot about this book community, it really horrifies me.
First of all Ali was an awful character. I cannot stand her personality or how disgustingly mean she is. The author really got under my nerves because she is projecting a 12-year-old like a 17-year-old. These 12 year olds are doing drugs, partying, drinking! Like if she's going to include all that why doesn't she just make the characters older? The portrayal of young girls is absolutely disgusting. Ali is just 12 years old and here she is smoking, drinking and partying like she's an 18 year old. If the author really wanted to include all these things was it really that hard to just make the characters older. I don't understand what making them 12 years old does for the story or plot. And Courtney acting like Ali, she was no better than Ali herself! I understand how awful Ali was to her sister but Courtney really doesn't show any good behavior, so I don't really see a difference in personality between Ali and Courtney. This book was really unbearable, the author came back years after she started a series to write and release this prequel and for what?? Young girls should never read this! For me, all I saw in every page was the author objectifying girls. And I hated it, especially when it was girls that weren't even teens yet! I might watch the Netflix show because I originally picked this up to watch the show. But now I'm not so sure.
If I could give this zero stars I would. Also to think that so many people have read this and enjoyed it says a lot about this book community, it really horrifies me.
July 7, 2018
Sometimes, a family is like an ear of summer corn: It might look perfect on the outside, but when you peel the husk away, every kernel is rotten.
*If you haven't read any of the other books, this will have some major spoilers. Because I'm pretty sure this book spoils information you don't know about until a few books in.
Synopsis
It's the end of seventh grade, and Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the girls of Rosewood Day. Ali runs her clique with an iron fist, and she's got enough dirt on Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer to keep them in line. But Ali's hiding a dark secret of her own, something so huge it would destroy everything if it ever got out. She's desperate to keep the perfect life she's worked so hard to build, but in Rosewood deadly secrets have deadly consequences...
Set in the weeks leading up to Ali's murder, this special Pretty Little Liars tale is told by the prettiest little liar of all: Ali herself. For the first time ever, we see how the mystery began... and how Alison DiLaurentis's life ended.
*synopsis taken from the book because I'm lazy, lol.
Ali & "Ali" (aka the worst characters ever)
I really, really hate Alison. She's manipulative and does awful things to her friends because it makes her feel more powerful. There are a few moments where she feels bad about the things she says or does, but then she goes on to say that it's just the way it has to be because she's Alison DiLaurentis. This girl is twelve years old.
So she shut her eyes and channeled her sister. A beautiful bitch. A manipulative queen bee. The girl who'd ruined her life.
How awful she is to her "friends"
I could write an entire book about how awful Ali is to her "friends"... But then you'd literally be holding this book in your hands. So... yeah. It's bad.
Okay, so I have a ton of quotes from Ali when she's talking about the men who are working on building the gazebo in her backyard.
“And then, when I looked out my window, one of the workers was staring at me.” Ali was telling her friends about the guys who’d come to dig the hole for the gazebo that morning. “And then he actually whistled! I mean, he was as gross as Toby Cavanaugh used to be. Maybe even grosser. I felt icky all over. What if they took pictures of me?”
And then lied about the fact that these men were gawking at her in order to receive pity from her friends. Which is pretty gross. Stuff like this is why women aren't taken seriously when they raise actual red flags.
Okay, so she’d stretched the truth a teensy bit. The workers actually hadn’t as much as cast a glance in her direction this morning, even when she walked to Jason’s car.
And Ali only continues with the lie, telling her friends every once in a while that they keep staring at her.
“That is so wrong.” Emily clucked her tongue. Ali pulled her legs underneath her on the chair. The truth was, even when she’d paraded in front of the workers in a bikini, they’d barely looked at her. She wondered if her dad had warned them or something.
“This. Definitely.” The girls were playing their favorite game: What Would You Buy If You Had All the Money in the World? “Really?” Ali made a face. “That’s so grandmotherly.” Hanna looked horrified and dropped it. “Uh, I picked up the wrong one. I meant this.” She showed her a red Louis Vuitton. Ali nodded her approval, and Hanna smiled with relief.
These girls are so desperate for her approval. The relationship they have with this girl is so incredibly toxic. Honestly, I could see this affecting all of their future relationships.
Annoyed, Ali tried a last-ditch effort. “You know my friend Cassie? She asked me to be her BFF. And I’m thinking about it.” Emily blinked with this change of subject. “Really?” She sounded crushed. “I wasn’t going to be, but if you won’t trust me, then maybe we’re not as close as I thought,” Ali said.
For a moment, Ali almost regretted the lie. Noel probably would have gone for Aria if Ali had asked. And she really had planned to talk to him about her. But why should she put herself out for a friend who wouldn’t even tell her what was going on in her life? Friendships were tit for tat—what was she getting out of this?
Aria liked Noel, Ali promised to talk to Noel. Ali never did and then lied and said that Noel liked Ali instead, adding that they went on a few dates already. Ali witnessed something about Aria's family that she didn't know about and then held that over her head. Why does Ali need to get something out of their friendship?? Again, they are 13!!!!
And she’s, like, so manipulative,” Hanna was saying.
At least she realizes how manipulative Ali is.
Motivation for the switch/the pity
Svengali, it said. Definition: person who, with evil intent, controls another person by persuasion or deceit. The Svengali may feign kindness and use manipulation to get the other person to yield his or her autonomy. That’s me, Ali thought grimly. It’s who my family has turned me into.
Portrayal of young girls
I was constantly disgusted with the portrayal of these young ladies. These girls are 12/13 years old but they're written as if they're supposed to be older. Ali is constantly flirting with 17/18 year old boys (seniors in high school) and there is absolutely no hint from any character that this is gross.
These girls are being portrayed as sexy and flirty. They are in 7th grade!!!!! Girls of this age shouldn't be shown as sex symbols. It only enables rape culture. Plus, they talk about sex and mention getting drunk and stealing parents' alcohol???? Excuse me? It's almost like Shepard forgot the age of these characters.
I understand that this is a prequel and the first book is set when the girls are juniors in high school, but it's uncomfortable and unbearable to read about. I realize this is set from Ali's point of view to show how all of this came to be, but come on.
And now the examples of portrayals that I thought were extremely disturbing.
Once, at a party at Noel Kahn’s house earlier this year, an eighth grader had squeezed Emily’s butt hard, giving her a playful wink when she’d turned around to glare at him. Emily had recounted this story to Ali with horror, not realizing that she should have taken it as a compliment.
Why should she take it as a compliment when she's uncomfortable and OH 13 YRS OLD??????
Ian examined the picture, too. “You look gorgeous,” he said. A thrill ran through Ali. “You do, too,” she answered. When she tilted her chin up, she was surprised to see Ian’s face right there, almost like he wanted a kiss.
SHE'S IN SEVENTH GRADE!!!!!! HE'S A SENIOR!!!!!!
She pulled away and gave Ian a long look. “I know someone who likes you.” Ian’s eyebrows shot up. “Who?” “Spencer.” Ian blinked, perhaps thinking Ali was going to say it was her. “Spencer Hastings?” He laughed. “Okay.” “Would you kiss her?” He stared at her like she was crazy. “That seems a little dangerous.”
He says this because he is dating Melissa (Spencer's older, age appropriate sister). Not because she's 13 years old.
Ali thought of Ian, then of her and Spencer’s game to kiss as many older boys as they could. She’d made out with a few eighth graders, and once even a ninth grader, but they’d just been simple kisses, nothing more.
Why?? They are competitive, I get it. But why are they being forced to grow up so fast?
Some things just didn't make sense
Nick is supposed to be "about her age" then he later gets a job at a restaurant. How could he do that if he's about 12/13 like Ali is?
...he’d already had a woman who could’ve been his mother hit on him today. “It was totally weird,” he admitted.
“Are you excited for graduation?” “Definitely,” Ali said. The ceremony was coming up, and they all got to wear official-looking gowns and caps, just like the seniors.
Why would seventh graders need gowns for "graduating"??? Eighth graders would make more sense.
She did see, however, a petite, slightly chubby girl standing in the corner of the courtyard, talking animatedly with her hands. She stood up straighter. Was that Hanna?
Ali keeps referring to Hanna as 'slightly chubby' then turns around and makes her sound really heavy.
Lol... What??? Counting is hard.
There were a few instances of different characters saying "who are you writing to" in reference to another character texting someone. I mostly think this one is funny because it sounds so dated now.
As the ride slowed, Nick’s phone chimed, and he pulled it out of his pocket and started texting. “Who are you writing to?” Ali blurted.
Wrap up
The writing itself was fine, though, the dialogue was a little strange at times.
If the rest of the books are just like this one, there's no way I'll be able to get through them. Which is a shame, because I loved these books when I first read them.
She'd make them wish they were never Alison DiLaurentis's friends in the first place. She didn't know how, and she didn't know when, but at least she had one person she could count on to help her carry it out. Together, they were going to make it happen.
Even if it killed her.
*If you haven't read any of the other books, this will have some major spoilers. Because I'm pretty sure this book spoils information you don't know about until a few books in.
Synopsis
It's the end of seventh grade, and Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the girls of Rosewood Day. Ali runs her clique with an iron fist, and she's got enough dirt on Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer to keep them in line. But Ali's hiding a dark secret of her own, something so huge it would destroy everything if it ever got out. She's desperate to keep the perfect life she's worked so hard to build, but in Rosewood deadly secrets have deadly consequences...
Set in the weeks leading up to Ali's murder, this special Pretty Little Liars tale is told by the prettiest little liar of all: Ali herself. For the first time ever, we see how the mystery began... and how Alison DiLaurentis's life ended.
*synopsis taken from the book because I'm lazy, lol.
Ali & "Ali" (aka the worst characters ever)
I really, really hate Alison. She's manipulative and does awful things to her friends because it makes her feel more powerful. There are a few moments where she feels bad about the things she says or does, but then she goes on to say that it's just the way it has to be because she's Alison DiLaurentis. This girl is twelve years old.
So she shut her eyes and channeled her sister. A beautiful bitch. A manipulative queen bee. The girl who'd ruined her life.
How awful she is to her "friends"
I could write an entire book about how awful Ali is to her "friends"... But then you'd literally be holding this book in your hands. So... yeah. It's bad.
Okay, so I have a ton of quotes from Ali when she's talking about the men who are working on building the gazebo in her backyard.
“And then, when I looked out my window, one of the workers was staring at me.” Ali was telling her friends about the guys who’d come to dig the hole for the gazebo that morning. “And then he actually whistled! I mean, he was as gross as Toby Cavanaugh used to be. Maybe even grosser. I felt icky all over. What if they took pictures of me?”
And then lied about the fact that these men were gawking at her in order to receive pity from her friends. Which is pretty gross. Stuff like this is why women aren't taken seriously when they raise actual red flags.
Okay, so she’d stretched the truth a teensy bit. The workers actually hadn’t as much as cast a glance in her direction this morning, even when she walked to Jason’s car.
And Ali only continues with the lie, telling her friends every once in a while that they keep staring at her.
“That is so wrong.” Emily clucked her tongue. Ali pulled her legs underneath her on the chair. The truth was, even when she’d paraded in front of the workers in a bikini, they’d barely looked at her. She wondered if her dad had warned them or something.
“This. Definitely.” The girls were playing their favorite game: What Would You Buy If You Had All the Money in the World? “Really?” Ali made a face. “That’s so grandmotherly.” Hanna looked horrified and dropped it. “Uh, I picked up the wrong one. I meant this.” She showed her a red Louis Vuitton. Ali nodded her approval, and Hanna smiled with relief.
These girls are so desperate for her approval. The relationship they have with this girl is so incredibly toxic. Honestly, I could see this affecting all of their future relationships.
Annoyed, Ali tried a last-ditch effort. “You know my friend Cassie? She asked me to be her BFF. And I’m thinking about it.” Emily blinked with this change of subject. “Really?” She sounded crushed. “I wasn’t going to be, but if you won’t trust me, then maybe we’re not as close as I thought,” Ali said.
For a moment, Ali almost regretted the lie. Noel probably would have gone for Aria if Ali had asked. And she really had planned to talk to him about her. But why should she put herself out for a friend who wouldn’t even tell her what was going on in her life? Friendships were tit for tat—what was she getting out of this?
Aria liked Noel, Ali promised to talk to Noel. Ali never did and then lied and said that Noel liked Ali instead, adding that they went on a few dates already. Ali witnessed something about Aria's family that she didn't know about and then held that over her head. Why does Ali need to get something out of their friendship?? Again, they are 13!!!!
And she’s, like, so manipulative,” Hanna was saying.
At least she realizes how manipulative Ali is.
Motivation for the switch/the pity
Svengali, it said. Definition: person who, with evil intent, controls another person by persuasion or deceit. The Svengali may feign kindness and use manipulation to get the other person to yield his or her autonomy. That’s me, Ali thought grimly. It’s who my family has turned me into.
Portrayal of young girls
I was constantly disgusted with the portrayal of these young ladies. These girls are 12/13 years old but they're written as if they're supposed to be older. Ali is constantly flirting with 17/18 year old boys (seniors in high school) and there is absolutely no hint from any character that this is gross.
These girls are being portrayed as sexy and flirty. They are in 7th grade!!!!! Girls of this age shouldn't be shown as sex symbols. It only enables rape culture. Plus, they talk about sex and mention getting drunk and stealing parents' alcohol???? Excuse me? It's almost like Shepard forgot the age of these characters.
I understand that this is a prequel and the first book is set when the girls are juniors in high school, but it's uncomfortable and unbearable to read about. I realize this is set from Ali's point of view to show how all of this came to be, but come on.
And now the examples of portrayals that I thought were extremely disturbing.
Once, at a party at Noel Kahn’s house earlier this year, an eighth grader had squeezed Emily’s butt hard, giving her a playful wink when she’d turned around to glare at him. Emily had recounted this story to Ali with horror, not realizing that she should have taken it as a compliment.
Why should she take it as a compliment when she's uncomfortable and OH 13 YRS OLD??????
Ian examined the picture, too. “You look gorgeous,” he said. A thrill ran through Ali. “You do, too,” she answered. When she tilted her chin up, she was surprised to see Ian’s face right there, almost like he wanted a kiss.
SHE'S IN SEVENTH GRADE!!!!!! HE'S A SENIOR!!!!!!
She pulled away and gave Ian a long look. “I know someone who likes you.” Ian’s eyebrows shot up. “Who?” “Spencer.” Ian blinked, perhaps thinking Ali was going to say it was her. “Spencer Hastings?” He laughed. “Okay.” “Would you kiss her?” He stared at her like she was crazy. “That seems a little dangerous.”
He says this because he is dating Melissa (Spencer's older, age appropriate sister). Not because she's 13 years old.
Ali thought of Ian, then of her and Spencer’s game to kiss as many older boys as they could. She’d made out with a few eighth graders, and once even a ninth grader, but they’d just been simple kisses, nothing more.
Why?? They are competitive, I get it. But why are they being forced to grow up so fast?
Some things just didn't make sense
Nick is supposed to be "about her age" then he later gets a job at a restaurant. How could he do that if he's about 12/13 like Ali is?
...he’d already had a woman who could’ve been his mother hit on him today. “It was totally weird,” he admitted.
“Are you excited for graduation?” “Definitely,” Ali said. The ceremony was coming up, and they all got to wear official-looking gowns and caps, just like the seniors.
Why would seventh graders need gowns for "graduating"??? Eighth graders would make more sense.
She did see, however, a petite, slightly chubby girl standing in the corner of the courtyard, talking animatedly with her hands. She stood up straighter. Was that Hanna?
Ali keeps referring to Hanna as 'slightly chubby' then turns around and makes her sound really heavy.
Lol... What??? Counting is hard.
There were a few instances of different characters saying "who are you writing to" in reference to another character texting someone. I mostly think this one is funny because it sounds so dated now.
As the ride slowed, Nick’s phone chimed, and he pulled it out of his pocket and started texting. “Who are you writing to?” Ali blurted.
Wrap up
The writing itself was fine, though, the dialogue was a little strange at times.
If the rest of the books are just like this one, there's no way I'll be able to get through them. Which is a shame, because I loved these books when I first read them.
She'd make them wish they were never Alison DiLaurentis's friends in the first place. She didn't know how, and she didn't know when, but at least she had one person she could count on to help her carry it out. Together, they were going to make it happen.
Even if it killed her.
November 19, 2015
Out of all the 18 books in Pretty Little Liars, this is my favorite, hands-down.
While I was going through the 16 PLL books, I've always thought Ali, the fake one, was a total manipulative b*tch and she had it coming. While Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily were (amusing) idiots to have tolerated her in the first place, and they partly deserved what happened to them, I was more sympathetic of their plights because I could only see it from their POVs. I hated Ali to the core, and I thought that I would never understand her for doing all those things she did to her friends. But then came this book, which I read after finishing the saga. I really did save this for last because Ali (or in this case, Courtney), was so unlikeable, and whatever image I had of her in my head was fixed as the concrete she was buried in and it would never change... until I finally got a peek inside her head.
After learning everything that happened between her and the real Ali, I immediately jumped ships. There really are 2 sides to every story. I began to despise the 4 girls just a bit because Courtney had been going through so much and they didn't even realize it - and to think they call themselves BFFs. Courtney wasn't a nice girl, and she initially used the 4 for her own escape (literally), but she came to love and care for them in her own (weird) way. If they only opened up to her regarding their problems and stopped acting all cagey and insecure, Courtney would have spilled her secrets to each of them in return (part of it, anyway). She was dying to have someone to confide in but she couldn't even depend on her friends. I admit Courtney is paranoid and insecure about herself as well, but she had good reason to, considering what she'd gone through because of her twin.
I felt so bad that it had to happen to her. While Courtney wasn't entirely scotch-free, I think she was a bit more misunderstood. She felt bad for the bad things she did and had to do, but she had no choice but to put up with the pretenses or else it would be her back in the asylum. She even felt bad for pushing her old confidante, her brother, away. She wasn't completely like Ali (Ali was the real psycho and had always been); she was different from her twin, but she had act like Ali - the person she despised the most - just to save herself from the fate Ali sealed for her when they were young. And even if she was finally free (and it was Ali caged up behind walls), she had to live with the guilt and paranoia everyday. She couldn't even be her true self because she was afraid someone might see through the mask she was hiding under.
I never thought I would be able to connect with someone like Courtney at all, so this came as a huge surprise to me. I understood her better, and at the same time, I feared for her life. I was praying that there would be a sliver of hope that the real Ali wouldn't really do it to her sister - but in the end, she did... with the help of the only person Courtney trusted with her secret.
I will definitely miss this series. It had a lot of seemingly never-ending twists and turns, but it all came together nicely in the end.
While I was going through the 16 PLL books, I've always thought Ali, the fake one, was a total manipulative b*tch and she had it coming. While Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily were (amusing) idiots to have tolerated her in the first place, and they partly deserved what happened to them, I was more sympathetic of their plights because I could only see it from their POVs. I hated Ali to the core, and I thought that I would never understand her for doing all those things she did to her friends. But then came this book, which I read after finishing the saga. I really did save this for last because Ali (or in this case, Courtney), was so unlikeable, and whatever image I had of her in my head was fixed as the concrete she was buried in and it would never change... until I finally got a peek inside her head.
After learning everything that happened between her and the real Ali, I immediately jumped ships. There really are 2 sides to every story. I began to despise the 4 girls just a bit because Courtney had been going through so much and they didn't even realize it - and to think they call themselves BFFs. Courtney wasn't a nice girl, and she initially used the 4 for her own escape (literally), but she came to love and care for them in her own (weird) way. If they only opened up to her regarding their problems and stopped acting all cagey and insecure, Courtney would have spilled her secrets to each of them in return (part of it, anyway). She was dying to have someone to confide in but she couldn't even depend on her friends. I admit Courtney is paranoid and insecure about herself as well, but she had good reason to, considering what she'd gone through because of her twin.
I felt so bad that it had to happen to her. While Courtney wasn't entirely scotch-free, I think she was a bit more misunderstood. She felt bad for the bad things she did and had to do, but she had no choice but to put up with the pretenses or else it would be her back in the asylum. She even felt bad for pushing her old confidante, her brother, away. She wasn't completely like Ali (Ali was the real psycho and had always been); she was different from her twin, but she had act like Ali - the person she despised the most - just to save herself from the fate Ali sealed for her when they were young. And even if she was finally free (and it was Ali caged up behind walls), she had to live with the guilt and paranoia everyday. She couldn't even be her true self because she was afraid someone might see through the mask she was hiding under.
I never thought I would be able to connect with someone like Courtney at all, so this came as a huge surprise to me. I understood her better, and at the same time, I feared for her life. I was praying that there would be a sliver of hope that the real Ali wouldn't really do it to her sister - but in the end, she did... with the help of the only person Courtney trusted with her secret.
I will definitely miss this series. It had a lot of seemingly never-ending twists and turns, but it all came together nicely in the end.
September 30, 2013
I know i've said this before but Sara Shepard's PLL series really is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures. I'm a sucker for this type of stories, what can I say ;D It is just so dang entertaining. I just had so much fun back when the series was being released (one book at a time every six months - which was, you guessed it, just pure torture lol), trying to decipher the clues that the author would leave inside the books to unravel Alison Dilaurentis'mysterious disappearance; I would stalk forums and posts on Amazon to see if my hunches matched others...100% addicted I'm telling you ;D Ali's pretty little lies was just as good as the rest of the series and made for one great prequel, as we are now in "Alison's" head and man, was she a complex and tortured character. I loved how SS made me feel and emphasize with her, even knowing how snide and mean she could be with her so-called BFFs. Plus, I really enjoyed how she introduced another sketchy and creepy character that I'm guessing, will or is already playing a big role in the other installments which I haven't picked up yet (I loved how PLL ended and didn't think SS needed to add any more to the table). Now I'm itching to get my hands on the rest of these books and pray that those girls will finally be able to move on from those
January 7, 2013
I know Ali was supposed to be this horrible, bitchy little girl, but with her being the heroine/protagonist of this story, there should have been a bit more to her, in my opinion. There were points in the story where I was literally waiting for her to die. The were flashes on personality, sure, where I actually felt for her, but they were too few and far between.
Also, I still think Shepard seemed (quite often) to forget that these characters were supposed to be in 7th grade. I'd have been fine with them cursing, smoking, drinking, flirting (to a certain extent) with older boys, had the older characters not indulged/encouraged them. Ian, being a senior in high school, had no problem making out with 13 year old girls and slipping them alcohol. And Ali seemed to have no problem nearly exposing her nether regions to a younger, but still far too old, Darren Wilden.
This book had tons of potential, as did the rest of the series, but now not only has it dragged on too long, but it needs to be taken out to pasture and put out of its misery. But I have a feeling the girls are gonna be using walkers, still getting texts from A, jumping to irrational conclusions and . It will never end.
Also, I still think Shepard seemed (quite often) to forget that these characters were supposed to be in 7th grade. I'd have been fine with them cursing, smoking, drinking, flirting (to a certain extent) with older boys, had the older characters not indulged/encouraged them. Ian, being a senior in high school, had no problem making out with 13 year old girls and slipping them alcohol. And Ali seemed to have no problem nearly exposing her nether regions to a younger, but still far too old, Darren Wilden.
This book had tons of potential, as did the rest of the series, but now not only has it dragged on too long, but it needs to be taken out to pasture and put out of its misery. But I have a feeling the girls are gonna be using walkers, still getting texts from A, jumping to irrational conclusions and . It will never end.
June 16, 2015
THIS. WAS. INSANE.
I've always wanted to know what goes through a twisted mind like Ali's. With this special installment, Shepard allows us to slither through Alison DiLaurentis's psychology and find out her true motivation. I FINALLY KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!
This is probably one of the best books in the series (maybe not the best... Wanted and Unbelievable are quite difficult to beat) and I absolutely loved and enjoyed it. Just thinking about what this part of the story brings into the picture makes me shiver.
PS: What about that BIG TWIST at the end?
I've always wanted to know what goes through a twisted mind like Ali's. With this special installment, Shepard allows us to slither through Alison DiLaurentis's psychology and find out her true motivation. I FINALLY KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!
This is probably one of the best books in the series (maybe not the best... Wanted and Unbelievable are quite difficult to beat) and I absolutely loved and enjoyed it. Just thinking about what this part of the story brings into the picture makes me shiver.
PS: What about that BIG TWIST at the end?
September 27, 2015
This book was great, in the way that it showed us what went on with Alison and Courtney before the events of Pretty Little Liars took place.
It was so awesome to see what all the 'flashbacks' in the TV-Show were really like!
This book was very entertaining, and a great insight into the background of the series and characters!
I recommend reading if you love the PLL show or books! :D
It was so awesome to see what all the 'flashbacks' in the TV-Show were really like!
This book was very entertaining, and a great insight into the background of the series and characters!
I recommend reading if you love the PLL show or books! :D
January 12, 2013
YESS! The cover looks fantastic! So excited for this one! xD
February 4, 2023
2.5 ?
idk if i’m going to continue with the series, because this just. yeah.
idk if i’m going to continue with the series, because this just. yeah.
December 20, 2024
Alison DiLaurentis they could never make me hate you
FINALLY FINISHED WITH THIS SERIES!!!!
FINALLY FINISHED WITH THIS SERIES!!!!
December 23, 2024
i get it twins look the same. but come on! you can't tell your two daughters apart...like at all??
this is literally so stupid I refuse to talk about it more.
this is literally so stupid I refuse to talk about it more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
Se merece las cinco estrellas a tope, todo lo que ha pasado hasta ahora (voy a por el libro 9 ) se ha revivido en mi interior. Te da una explicación de como y por qué sucedieron las cosas, la perspectiva contada a través de Courtney, que luego se convierte en Ali, es increíblemente genial y atrapante. EL final me ha dejado con la boca abierta y súper indignada ajjajaj aunque ya sabía lo que pasaba, siempre te sorprendes de como cada detalle suele encajar y te deja en shock porque no te la ves venir.
April 3, 2017
Quizá sea la emoción de esas ultimas paginas pero quiero darle las 5 estrellas.
Fue super super interesante leer desde la perspectiva de Alison. Revivir todo lo que paso y cosas nuevas que la llevaron a su trágico final. Este es uno de los mejores libros de la saga y es un must-read para los fans.
Fue super super interesante leer desde la perspectiva de Alison. Revivir todo lo que paso y cosas nuevas que la llevaron a su trágico final. Este es uno de los mejores libros de la saga y es un must-read para los fans.
September 26, 2013
First, I don't think this is a prequel.
I don't think this book should be read until you are at atleast book 8 or 9 in the series! Not before!
And, honestly, since I am that far in the series, this book just made me mad. It's the first Pretty Little Liars book that has left me this frustrated and angry when I was done. I've gone through some crazy plots, a lot of finger pointing and I've really gotten to know these characters.
I feel like this book just tried to tell me what I know is a lie
"Ali" was not a nice person. We know that through EVERY book up until now. She's manipulative, evil incarnate and just tried to own everyone through sheer willpower. She was cruel and willing to sell secrets for top dollar - and used everything she could to try to control everyone.
There is no way a book trying to convince me she really just had a rough childhood would excuse her madness
This book did, however, reveal some secrets - so it was very good for that, and well worth the frustration just for a glimpse into the last few days of that time.
Now I can't wait for the next one!
I don't think this book should be read until you are at atleast book 8 or 9 in the series! Not before!
And, honestly, since I am that far in the series, this book just made me mad. It's the first Pretty Little Liars book that has left me this frustrated and angry when I was done. I've gone through some crazy plots, a lot of finger pointing and I've really gotten to know these characters.
I feel like this book just tried to tell me what I know is a lie
"Ali" was not a nice person. We know that through EVERY book up until now. She's manipulative, evil incarnate and just tried to own everyone through sheer willpower. She was cruel and willing to sell secrets for top dollar - and used everything she could to try to control everyone.
There is no way a book trying to convince me she really just had a rough childhood would excuse her madness
This book did, however, reveal some secrets - so it was very good for that, and well worth the frustration just for a glimpse into the last few days of that time.
Now I can't wait for the next one!
March 21, 2016
So good to get into Ali's head!... Or Courtney actually in this book, but Ali was the one who started everything. Can't say much without spoiling the story just that Ali is definitely my favourite character, she is mean and cruel but also really smart! It was so easy for her to ended up doing all those bad things... Although I think she had a reason, I blame her parents entirely, they couldn't even tell the difference between their twins!!... Ali just needed attention.
March 27, 2023
This was good. I really liked the books and reading from Alison’s/Courtney’s perspective. It was a great way to read about what happened the night “Alison” disappeared. In the other books, the girls sometimes make some stupid decision, but thankfully, that did not happen in this book. Alison/Courtney is a bully, but I did not find any of her actions extremely dumb.
One negative thing to me about this book was that it felt like, the author wrote it so she could add some new characters and details to the story, that were not mentioned in the previous 8 books, so she could continue the series and write 8 more books. It did not bother me too much, but it seemed odd to meet some new characters that have never been mentioned before or hinted to even though this book is a prologue.
Overall, I still highly enjoyed the book and it was a great companion novel.
One negative thing to me about this book was that it felt like, the author wrote it so she could add some new characters and details to the story, that were not mentioned in the previous 8 books, so she could continue the series and write 8 more books. It did not bother me too much, but it seemed odd to meet some new characters that have never been mentioned before or hinted to even though this book is a prologue.
Overall, I still highly enjoyed the book and it was a great companion novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2021
Han cachado cuando hacen precuelas de villanos y entiendes sus motivos e incluso simpatizas? bueno, aquí eso no pasa. Obvio la historia de Alison te da pena, porque es un niña asesinada, pero me cuesta mucho entenderla a ella y a su familia (su mamá is the worst la vdd) y en general sentí que la historia arruinó esa mysterious y charming vibe que tenía la Alison
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 18, 2022I read all 18 books in the Pretty Little Liars series for a video project, check out the 2-hour video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KKRwaHcAmfE
February 15, 2013
It's not very often that you find a particular series that you enjoy especially when there are like 15 books in the series if you count the new one to be released in July 2013. Normally like most they reach a point where they are kind of blah and repeating themselves etc. However, for me not the Pretty Little Liars series. I am head over heels in love with them and find it so amazing, that each book Sara Shepard will bring out a twist and turn that you least expected. In Ali's Pretty Lies, we read the tale of how it all began with two twin sisters Ali and Courtney. How one of them was viewed as crazy and the other normal and how Courtney was shipped off to the mental hospital , only to later switch during 6th Grade with Ali - leaving Ali in the MH. Then just before 7th Grade, there were two again and only one was left to survive - was it Ali or Courtney ? Which twin died that fateful night and which one lived?
Ali's Pretty Little Liars is like a prequel to the whole series and just a hint - pay careful attention to some of the names of the patients in the mental hospital as one will surprise you :)
Another great tale in the Pretty Little Liars series and I look forward to reading more in this series .
Ali's Pretty Little Liars is like a prequel to the whole series and just a hint - pay careful attention to some of the names of the patients in the mental hospital as one will surprise you :)
Another great tale in the Pretty Little Liars series and I look forward to reading more in this series .
August 2, 2013
This was definitely my ALL-TIME FAVOURITE PLL book! We get into Ali's (Courtney's) head for the first time and see how the series all began.
If you love the PLL books or tv show then you should definitely pick this up. I wasnt expecting too much at first but it's consistent and really interesting and there's a major cliffhanger at the end and you're probably wondering how a prequel can have a cliffhanger, but if you're reading this then it's probably no secret that the real Alison D. killed her twin sister Courtney posing as Alison but when you get to the last chapter of the book something happens when Ali kills Courtney and I was just like OMFG, why does Sara do this to me?!! I cant say it because it'll spoil the book but I highly recommend it to PLL fans but only if you're up to date with the books,like finished the 1st arc of books which i think is 1-7 or 1-8...
The regular PLL books usually focus on each of the liars problems for that specific book with the added backstory of who is really A, but this book really makes you understand why the books even started in the 1st place and you can finally understand why Ali (Courtney) and the real Ali became the way they were and it was just soooo GOOD!
Best one yet, and my favourite!
If you love the PLL books or tv show then you should definitely pick this up. I wasnt expecting too much at first but it's consistent and really interesting and there's a major cliffhanger at the end and you're probably wondering how a prequel can have a cliffhanger, but if you're reading this then it's probably no secret that the real Alison D. killed her twin sister Courtney posing as Alison but when you get to the last chapter of the book something happens when Ali kills Courtney and I was just like OMFG, why does Sara do this to me?!! I cant say it because it'll spoil the book but I highly recommend it to PLL fans but only if you're up to date with the books,like finished the 1st arc of books which i think is 1-7 or 1-8...
The regular PLL books usually focus on each of the liars problems for that specific book with the added backstory of who is really A, but this book really makes you understand why the books even started in the 1st place and you can finally understand why Ali (Courtney) and the real Ali became the way they were and it was just soooo GOOD!
Best one yet, and my favourite!
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