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The Third Twin
Identical twins. Identical DNA. Identical suspects. It's Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge in this edge-of-your-seat thriller with a shocking twist.
When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia's guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything. The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they'd never, ever be with in real life.
Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect: Alicia. The girl who doesn't exist. As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer…or Alicia is real.
When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia's guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything. The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they'd never, ever be with in real life.
Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect: Alicia. The girl who doesn't exist. As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer…or Alicia is real.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2015
296 people are currently reading
9007 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Omololu
6 books523 followersI write as C.J., but you can call me Cynthia. My YA novel DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS came out in early 2010. My next book TRANSCENDENCE came out in June of 2012, followed by the sequel INTUITION in June of 2013. My newest book is a YA thriller called THE THIRD TWIN and will be out in February 2015 followed by another standalone thriller RECOVERY in early 2016.
You might notice that I only give 4 or 5 star reviews. That isn't because I love everything, it's because I only review things I really love. As a writer, I know all that goes into making a book, and while a story might not strike a chord with me, who am I to say it won't with someone else? I hate tomatoes, but lots of people like them, and it's the same with a book. So, if I rate something here, it's means that I'd let you borrow my copy, but I really do want you to give it back so that I can read it again.
You might notice that I only give 4 or 5 star reviews. That isn't because I love everything, it's because I only review things I really love. As a writer, I know all that goes into making a book, and while a story might not strike a chord with me, who am I to say it won't with someone else? I hate tomatoes, but lots of people like them, and it's the same with a book. So, if I rate something here, it's means that I'd let you borrow my copy, but I really do want you to give it back so that I can read it again.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 907 reviews
February 9, 2015
I have been a fan of Omololu's since her very first book and with each new book out, that fondness just grows stronger.
Her latest release, The Third Twin was every bit as great as I was expecting it would be and had that extra little umph that kept me turning the pages and staying up late to finish it.
Where should I start with this?
This one kept me on my toes. I was fascinated with the mystery aspect as much as I was with the murders. With each new clue, each new horror revealed, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next and constantly guessing...was there really a third?
The deeper the girls got into their mixed up mess of lies, the more I started to wonder about their innocence and the innocence of those around them.
The more tangled the web was, the faster it had me turning the pages. I loved it! It isn't often I get caught up in a story like this, in a genre, that let's face it, isn't over run with mysteries or thrillers that really keep you guessing and on edge. So it was no wonder I was hooked.
Once again Omololu shows that she can come up with something creative, something original, and something down right fun to read.
Her latest release, The Third Twin was every bit as great as I was expecting it would be and had that extra little umph that kept me turning the pages and staying up late to finish it.
Where should I start with this?
This one kept me on my toes. I was fascinated with the mystery aspect as much as I was with the murders. With each new clue, each new horror revealed, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next and constantly guessing...was there really a third?
The deeper the girls got into their mixed up mess of lies, the more I started to wonder about their innocence and the innocence of those around them.
The more tangled the web was, the faster it had me turning the pages. I loved it! It isn't often I get caught up in a story like this, in a genre, that let's face it, isn't over run with mysteries or thrillers that really keep you guessing and on edge. So it was no wonder I was hooked.
Once again Omololu shows that she can come up with something creative, something original, and something down right fun to read.
February 2, 2015
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. It does not change the outcome of my review in any way.
2.5/5 stars
Man, it is just hit or miss with me and YA thrillers. Either they are amazing (Far From You & The Creeping) or just not good. And this one, while compelling, just had too many issues for me to like it. I read it, I couldn't stop reading it, but I didn't like it. In the end, I was more thinking of how many implausible things happened than I was thinking about how neat of a twist it was.
And the twist, well, it wasn't that good of a twist. I mean, it is pretty much in the first few pages that you figure out at least part of the story. And context clues can lead you to the other twists. Rather than foreshadowing, the clues are big flashing arrows to the answers.
I actually liked the first 20% of the book, while it was building up to the mystery/thriller part. I felt like it was a slow build, that had some creepy undertones. But once the pace changed, it kind of soured for me.
The author speaks about working with a detective in her acknowledgements and how if he were on the case, it would have been solved. I kind of agree with that statement, because there were so many things I think cops would have figured out without teenage girls interfering. And
The character development was weak, the emotional attachments people had to one another were weird, and the "I can see this actually happening in real life" was low. Sure, most of my knowledge comes from television, but a lot of it also comes from a background (i.e. minor) in criminal justice. And logic, because I just don't see things happening the way they did.
THAT SAID, the idea and the writing weren't bad. And I actually enjoyed parts of the book. I really related to Lexi's application process and the results of said process. I got the whole 'prettier twin' thing (which is a mental thing since they were identical). The story definitely had potential, I just spent a lot of time confused by the execution.
The author also made a statement about being given to change this from comedy to thriller. I honestly think this could have worked spectacularly as a contemporary novel. I think the parts of the book I really liked were the parts that would have easily crossed over into this genre. Reworked, it had a potential to be a really cute/funny story.
I think younger teens would like this one, but there is a lot of SDV mentioned (if not participated in), so that is something parents will want to watch. Otherwise, for me, it just didn't work.
2.5/5 stars
Man, it is just hit or miss with me and YA thrillers. Either they are amazing (Far From You & The Creeping) or just not good. And this one, while compelling, just had too many issues for me to like it. I read it, I couldn't stop reading it, but I didn't like it. In the end, I was more thinking of how many implausible things happened than I was thinking about how neat of a twist it was.
And the twist, well, it wasn't that good of a twist. I mean, it is pretty much in the first few pages that you figure out at least part of the story. And context clues can lead you to the other twists. Rather than foreshadowing, the clues are big flashing arrows to the answers.
I actually liked the first 20% of the book, while it was building up to the mystery/thriller part. I felt like it was a slow build, that had some creepy undertones. But once the pace changed, it kind of soured for me.
The author speaks about working with a detective in her acknowledgements and how if he were on the case, it would have been solved. I kind of agree with that statement, because there were so many things I think cops would have figured out without teenage girls interfering. And
The character development was weak, the emotional attachments people had to one another were weird, and the "I can see this actually happening in real life" was low. Sure, most of my knowledge comes from television, but a lot of it also comes from a background (i.e. minor) in criminal justice. And logic, because I just don't see things happening the way they did.
THAT SAID, the idea and the writing weren't bad. And I actually enjoyed parts of the book. I really related to Lexi's application process and the results of said process. I got the whole 'prettier twin' thing (which is a mental thing since they were identical). The story definitely had potential, I just spent a lot of time confused by the execution.
The author also made a statement about being given to change this from comedy to thriller. I honestly think this could have worked spectacularly as a contemporary novel. I think the parts of the book I really liked were the parts that would have easily crossed over into this genre. Reworked, it had a potential to be a really cute/funny story.
I think younger teens would like this one, but there is a lot of SDV mentioned (if not participated in), so that is something parents will want to watch. Otherwise, for me, it just didn't work.
January 30, 2015
From the bestselling author of Dirty Little Secrets and Transcendence series comes yet another highly entertaining, suspenseful and supremely readable story!
The Third Twin is a murder mystery and a high-intensity thriller about identical twin sisters, Alexa and Ava, who play with fire by pretending to have a third sister, Alicia. Alicia is fun, beautiful, fashionable and extremely popular with boys. She goes on many dates, gets invited to all the hot parties and is simply the coolest sister out of the three. The only problem is, Alicia doesn't really exist. She's made up. It's always Ava and Alexa pretending to be Alicia, taking turns going on dates and fooling around with boys. But, as usual in these kind of situations, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. When Alicia's boyfriends start dropping dead and the cops come knocking on the door, looking for the third sister who doesn't exist, the girls find themselves in a whole lot of trouble. Someone's out to get them, will they find out who before it's too late?
This book was extremely entertaining. It took me back to my high school years when I was obsessively reading R.L. Stine's The Fear Street. Fun, fast-paced and easy to read, this was simply a solid and well-written teen thriller with some elements of family drama and romance. Semi-cautionary tale, designed to scare but also teach the kids not to play with other people's emotions, because, hello, you might get burned. Badly.
This is a plot-driven story. The characters are interesting enough to keep the readers engaged and captivated, but they're not particularly memorable. I didn't hate them, but I didn't get particularly invested in their fates, either. I did, however, want to find out what in the world was going on. The mystery aspect of the story was supreme and executed with the utmost care for details. I could not for the life of me tell who the evil culprit was. I had tons of theories and I suspected everyone. Well, almost everyone, because I was honestly surprised to find out who was behind the murders. The ending was very twisty and gasp-worthy. I was so sure I had it all figured out, but was taken aback by the final reveal. Omololu did a great job keeping the suspense going and she really managed to surprise me at the end.
I am so glad I got a chance to read this book. If you enjoy entertaining thrillers that really mess with your head, The Third Twin should be your next read. Particularly if you happen to be a fan of The Fear Street and movies such as I Know What You Did Last Summer or House At The End Of The Street.
The Third Twin is a murder mystery and a high-intensity thriller about identical twin sisters, Alexa and Ava, who play with fire by pretending to have a third sister, Alicia. Alicia is fun, beautiful, fashionable and extremely popular with boys. She goes on many dates, gets invited to all the hot parties and is simply the coolest sister out of the three. The only problem is, Alicia doesn't really exist. She's made up. It's always Ava and Alexa pretending to be Alicia, taking turns going on dates and fooling around with boys. But, as usual in these kind of situations, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. When Alicia's boyfriends start dropping dead and the cops come knocking on the door, looking for the third sister who doesn't exist, the girls find themselves in a whole lot of trouble. Someone's out to get them, will they find out who before it's too late?
This book was extremely entertaining. It took me back to my high school years when I was obsessively reading R.L. Stine's The Fear Street. Fun, fast-paced and easy to read, this was simply a solid and well-written teen thriller with some elements of family drama and romance. Semi-cautionary tale, designed to scare but also teach the kids not to play with other people's emotions, because, hello, you might get burned. Badly.
This is a plot-driven story. The characters are interesting enough to keep the readers engaged and captivated, but they're not particularly memorable. I didn't hate them, but I didn't get particularly invested in their fates, either. I did, however, want to find out what in the world was going on. The mystery aspect of the story was supreme and executed with the utmost care for details. I could not for the life of me tell who the evil culprit was. I had tons of theories and I suspected everyone. Well, almost everyone, because I was honestly surprised to find out who was behind the murders. The ending was very twisty and gasp-worthy. I was so sure I had it all figured out, but was taken aback by the final reveal. Omololu did a great job keeping the suspense going and she really managed to surprise me at the end.
I am so glad I got a chance to read this book. If you enjoy entertaining thrillers that really mess with your head, The Third Twin should be your next read. Particularly if you happen to be a fan of The Fear Street and movies such as I Know What You Did Last Summer or House At The End Of The Street.
February 27, 2015
This had a solid idea: a pair of twin girls invented a triplet sister when they were kids, and now dress as this fake sister as a way to go out with unsuitable boys. But now the fake sister's ex boyfriends are showing up dead, and it's one of the real twins bring accused of murder.
So, a promising mystery-thriller. But the main character is an idiot. Seriously dumb. Like, asking friends what on earth she should do with this evidence that could exonerate her, and everyone is mystified by the idea that one could do something with evidence BESIDES lay a trap for the potential killer, putting a friend in grave danger. WHY. "The cops won't believe me! I have to solve this myself and catch the killer!" even though this puts you at the scene of yet another crime. WHAT.
A good premise, and could have been a good story, but ugh there was too much stupidity to take this book at all seriously.
So, a promising mystery-thriller. But the main character is an idiot. Seriously dumb. Like, asking friends what on earth she should do with this evidence that could exonerate her, and everyone is mystified by the idea that one could do something with evidence BESIDES lay a trap for the potential killer, putting a friend in grave danger. WHY. "The cops won't believe me! I have to solve this myself and catch the killer!" even though this puts you at the scene of yet another crime. WHAT.
A good premise, and could have been a good story, but ugh there was too much stupidity to take this book at all seriously.
March 6, 2016
Yet again another book with a brilliant synopsis and innovative idea that just fell short. I was never fully invested in this book and didn't feel at all "thrilled" while reading this. Although I didn't catch the killer, I wasn't surprised or in any way impressed when it was revealed.
So here's a fun story: I bought this book because my family considers one of my friends "the third twin" because she's always around and gets along with both me and my sister equally. So I kind of bought it because of that. I also bought it because it's been awhile since I read a really good mystery. I was hoping this one was going to quench that need. Nope.
I don't know if this is Omololu's debut novel or what, because I read Dirty Little Secrets and the writing in it wasn't nearly as mediocre as the writing in this one. I mean, the two twins in this book are considered to be some of the best students in their school. Lexa wants to get into Stanford for goodness sake. Compared to the way they talk and think, it just doesn't add up. They make stupid decisions and their dialogue sounds like it's on a seventh grade level.
Then we have the suspicion that starts to create a barrier between these two twins. Murders have been coming up every where that these two girls have been, and Lexa starts to suspect Ava. I understand where she's coming from with the evidence and how coincidental it all seems, but I would never suspect my twin sister of being a murderer. Especially if she told me straight out that she wasn't. I know not all twins are on a friendship basis like we are, but still. It just made me shake my head because if you can't trust your own twin sister, who can you trust?
The romance aspect of this kind of lacked, same as in Dirty Little Secrets though. It didn't really add anything, and I could see who she was going to end up with from the first couple chapters of the book. It didn't add anything to the novel and didn't create any feelings in me. This whole book left me pretty numb the whole book though.
A lot of things just don't add up in this book, and I don't even care enough to go back and try to put the pieces together with this mystery. If anyone has any good mysteries, I'd love some recommendations. I'm feeling pretty let down with this one. Especially because mysteries are one of my favorite kind of books.
So here's a fun story: I bought this book because my family considers one of my friends "the third twin" because she's always around and gets along with both me and my sister equally. So I kind of bought it because of that. I also bought it because it's been awhile since I read a really good mystery. I was hoping this one was going to quench that need. Nope.
I don't know if this is Omololu's debut novel or what, because I read Dirty Little Secrets and the writing in it wasn't nearly as mediocre as the writing in this one. I mean, the two twins in this book are considered to be some of the best students in their school. Lexa wants to get into Stanford for goodness sake. Compared to the way they talk and think, it just doesn't add up. They make stupid decisions and their dialogue sounds like it's on a seventh grade level.
Then we have the suspicion that starts to create a barrier between these two twins. Murders have been coming up every where that these two girls have been, and Lexa starts to suspect Ava. I understand where she's coming from with the evidence and how coincidental it all seems, but I would never suspect my twin sister of being a murderer. Especially if she told me straight out that she wasn't. I know not all twins are on a friendship basis like we are, but still. It just made me shake my head because if you can't trust your own twin sister, who can you trust?
The romance aspect of this kind of lacked, same as in Dirty Little Secrets though. It didn't really add anything, and I could see who she was going to end up with from the first couple chapters of the book. It didn't add anything to the novel and didn't create any feelings in me. This whole book left me pretty numb the whole book though.
A lot of things just don't add up in this book, and I don't even care enough to go back and try to put the pieces together with this mystery. If anyone has any good mysteries, I'd love some recommendations. I'm feeling pretty let down with this one. Especially because mysteries are one of my favorite kind of books.
February 16, 2020
"The name rips right through me. Alicia. I can feel my heart slow for just a minute, and I inhale deeply. Tonight, I'm not Lexi; I'n Alicia. Strong, Confident, and infinitely capable. I might give up, but Alicia would fight this asshole to her very last breath".
The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu
This was not a bad read at all but I expected it to be way more frightening then it was. I think I expected just a different type of book overall.
This book is about two sisters who have an imaginary friend and as strange things start to happen, the girls become convinced that their "imaginary friend" is actually real.
I was so excited to read this. One of my all time favorite horror books is "The Other" a book about two twin boys. I guess I thought that's what this would be. Low on the YA, High on the genuine scares.
Turned out to be more like the other way around. While this book is not a bad one, it was not scary or even creepy really and a little to YA for me. I adore young adult books and read alot of them but my favorites are the ones that do not often read like YA if that makes any sense.
I did still moderately enjoy this and finished it quickly..it was not a dnf. And I think had it not been hyped as so creepy I'd have actually enjoyed it more then I did.
SPOILERS:
Much happens that does not make sense and there are some major plot holes. The sense of realism is not strong here. It was a let down as I was looking for an eerie little thriller and it was not that much of that.
However, that being said it is in no way a bad book..just not what I had expected at all.
All in all, I would give this a 3.5. Recommended to YA readers of mysteries.
The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu
This was not a bad read at all but I expected it to be way more frightening then it was. I think I expected just a different type of book overall.
This book is about two sisters who have an imaginary friend and as strange things start to happen, the girls become convinced that their "imaginary friend" is actually real.
I was so excited to read this. One of my all time favorite horror books is "The Other" a book about two twin boys. I guess I thought that's what this would be. Low on the YA, High on the genuine scares.
Turned out to be more like the other way around. While this book is not a bad one, it was not scary or even creepy really and a little to YA for me. I adore young adult books and read alot of them but my favorites are the ones that do not often read like YA if that makes any sense.
I did still moderately enjoy this and finished it quickly..it was not a dnf. And I think had it not been hyped as so creepy I'd have actually enjoyed it more then I did.
SPOILERS:
Much happens that does not make sense and there are some major plot holes. The sense of realism is not strong here. It was a let down as I was looking for an eerie little thriller and it was not that much of that.
However, that being said it is in no way a bad book..just not what I had expected at all.
All in all, I would give this a 3.5. Recommended to YA readers of mysteries.
June 7, 2018
***Spoilers included***
“Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge”…more like Lifetime meets Scooby Doo (which I have apparently been getting a lot of recently). So, I knew this attempt at a thriller wouldn’t be that great; it didn’t have much hype and I discovered it walking around in Target, not from some online list of recommendations. Maybe it was the fact that the title made me allude to Caroline Kepnes’s Hidden Bodies (which, after reading it, would be super insulting for her. I’m sorry!), or maybe I was on a Target buying binge high and didn’t really care, but, whatever the case, I paid money for this, which means I wanted what I paid for: real entertainment! I get that this is YA, but I really like this genre and think some aspects of this book would make readers have a lower opinion of the genre.
Plot: Ava and Lexi are adopted identical twins who always blamed an imaginary third sister for everything wrong they did growing up: Alicia. As they grow older, they see that they can use Alicia to be a less inhibited version of themselves and keep her identity going. But then guys “Alicia” hooked up with end up dying, and suddenly Lexi is wanted for murder. Turns out that they were triplets, but their teen mom only kept one of them, and the other, Rubi, the niece of their housekeeper, found out about their game and started playing too, but she didn’t kill anyone. In the end, Cecilia, the housekeeper was killing the guys (by stabbing them in the spine like farm animals, which I kind of appreciated) to “protect” the girls. Honestly, though I knew there would actually be a triplet pretty early on, I don’t think it was a bad idea; it was just executed in a way that 1. did not warrant 326 pages (which took me so much longer than anticipated due to the lack of any real suspense) and 2. made everything seem comically silly, from Lexi basically turning her back for a second and finding her ex in a pool of blood, to Lexi gasping when she finds a knife in Zane’s car and suddenly thinks he’s working with her sister to frame her for a few elongated seconds, to the standoff between Zane, Lexi, and Cecilia where everything is exposed ala Scooby Doo, basically ripping off her mask of “deceit” that only partially worked because Omololu provided so little information about her. “Oh, it’s that one character none of us really knew and therefore never cared about who provides a few lines at the end that make readers completely dismiss the severity of mental illness and murder as well as make us understand the motive before the epilogue!”
Major issues (in no particular order, as this book is a mess):
The police were idiots. They never even brought Ava in even thought she and Lexi basically have the same DNA? Still, though, they probably could have done their jobs way better if two idiot girls weren’t constantly lying to them, only made possible because their “amazing father” is always gone when his girls are possibly going to be convicted of murder…
No character development at all. Not only is the dialogue terrible, but Lexi is the “smart twin” and Ava is the “wild one.” That’s about it! Moreover, though slightly refreshing, the objectification of males, constantly treated as predators or hot pieces of meat that can serve a purpose to either twin, got old.
“What can I say? Alicia’s a little bit of a slut” (115). Don’t even get me started on the heavy psychology of a writer having a character with such depersonalization that she can make statements like that about her own actions, but Alicia didn’t even actually have sex with anyone according to the text. Sorry, but YA should not be encouraging slut shaming, and I’m not sure how old Omololu is, but teen girls have to do a lot more than make out with a bunch of guys to get that title now. I cannot believe this was intended for teens.
Eli gets mad at Lexi for not being Alicia, then basically tells her that he knew she was Lexi and liked who she was at the cafe, so what was he actually pissed about?! (124).
Lexi is able to obtain illegal vehicular information by crying and sweet talking a guy over the phone? Again, how old is this author?! What messages did she want to send readers?!
Is Lexi willing to spend her life in jail so Ava doesn’t get in trouble? That really isn’t developed at all (much like the rest of the book).
Why need the police, therapy, your parents, etc. when a hot guy can somehow set you up with a great lawyer, hide you from the cops, and protect you from your psycho housekeeper? Though Zane is the second coming of Christ for Lexi, all we know about him is that he was cool in elementary school, throws a mean punch, is tall with floppy hair, and likes to surf.
Why was Ava in Annie in the 9TH GRADE?!
The extent of the “chemistry” Zane and Lexi have can be summed up in the car scene where she blows onion breath at him and his fingers are coated with flaming hot Cheetos powder….
The only decent quote: “It wasn’t even that hard—I just pithed them like we used to do to suckling pigs [. . .] You should have seen the look on Casey’s face, so surprised and bug-eyed” (311). (Keep in mind that Casey was basically a rapist).
I hope I spared you!
“Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge”…more like Lifetime meets Scooby Doo (which I have apparently been getting a lot of recently). So, I knew this attempt at a thriller wouldn’t be that great; it didn’t have much hype and I discovered it walking around in Target, not from some online list of recommendations. Maybe it was the fact that the title made me allude to Caroline Kepnes’s Hidden Bodies (which, after reading it, would be super insulting for her. I’m sorry!), or maybe I was on a Target buying binge high and didn’t really care, but, whatever the case, I paid money for this, which means I wanted what I paid for: real entertainment! I get that this is YA, but I really like this genre and think some aspects of this book would make readers have a lower opinion of the genre.
Plot: Ava and Lexi are adopted identical twins who always blamed an imaginary third sister for everything wrong they did growing up: Alicia. As they grow older, they see that they can use Alicia to be a less inhibited version of themselves and keep her identity going. But then guys “Alicia” hooked up with end up dying, and suddenly Lexi is wanted for murder. Turns out that they were triplets, but their teen mom only kept one of them, and the other, Rubi, the niece of their housekeeper, found out about their game and started playing too, but she didn’t kill anyone. In the end, Cecilia, the housekeeper was killing the guys (by stabbing them in the spine like farm animals, which I kind of appreciated) to “protect” the girls. Honestly, though I knew there would actually be a triplet pretty early on, I don’t think it was a bad idea; it was just executed in a way that 1. did not warrant 326 pages (which took me so much longer than anticipated due to the lack of any real suspense) and 2. made everything seem comically silly, from Lexi basically turning her back for a second and finding her ex in a pool of blood, to Lexi gasping when she finds a knife in Zane’s car and suddenly thinks he’s working with her sister to frame her for a few elongated seconds, to the standoff between Zane, Lexi, and Cecilia where everything is exposed ala Scooby Doo, basically ripping off her mask of “deceit” that only partially worked because Omololu provided so little information about her. “Oh, it’s that one character none of us really knew and therefore never cared about who provides a few lines at the end that make readers completely dismiss the severity of mental illness and murder as well as make us understand the motive before the epilogue!”
Major issues (in no particular order, as this book is a mess):
The police were idiots. They never even brought Ava in even thought she and Lexi basically have the same DNA? Still, though, they probably could have done their jobs way better if two idiot girls weren’t constantly lying to them, only made possible because their “amazing father” is always gone when his girls are possibly going to be convicted of murder…
No character development at all. Not only is the dialogue terrible, but Lexi is the “smart twin” and Ava is the “wild one.” That’s about it! Moreover, though slightly refreshing, the objectification of males, constantly treated as predators or hot pieces of meat that can serve a purpose to either twin, got old.
“What can I say? Alicia’s a little bit of a slut” (115). Don’t even get me started on the heavy psychology of a writer having a character with such depersonalization that she can make statements like that about her own actions, but Alicia didn’t even actually have sex with anyone according to the text. Sorry, but YA should not be encouraging slut shaming, and I’m not sure how old Omololu is, but teen girls have to do a lot more than make out with a bunch of guys to get that title now. I cannot believe this was intended for teens.
Eli gets mad at Lexi for not being Alicia, then basically tells her that he knew she was Lexi and liked who she was at the cafe, so what was he actually pissed about?! (124).
Lexi is able to obtain illegal vehicular information by crying and sweet talking a guy over the phone? Again, how old is this author?! What messages did she want to send readers?!
Is Lexi willing to spend her life in jail so Ava doesn’t get in trouble? That really isn’t developed at all (much like the rest of the book).
Why need the police, therapy, your parents, etc. when a hot guy can somehow set you up with a great lawyer, hide you from the cops, and protect you from your psycho housekeeper? Though Zane is the second coming of Christ for Lexi, all we know about him is that he was cool in elementary school, throws a mean punch, is tall with floppy hair, and likes to surf.
Why was Ava in Annie in the 9TH GRADE?!
The extent of the “chemistry” Zane and Lexi have can be summed up in the car scene where she blows onion breath at him and his fingers are coated with flaming hot Cheetos powder….
The only decent quote: “It wasn’t even that hard—I just pithed them like we used to do to suckling pigs [. . .] You should have seen the look on Casey’s face, so surprised and bug-eyed” (311). (Keep in mind that Casey was basically a rapist).
I hope I spared you!
December 22, 2015
The Third Twin, is a twisty whodunit young adult mystery thriller that was an instantly enjoyable escape from the first page, on. Ava and Lexi are identical twins right down to their DNA and when they were younger they invented an imaginary friend-sister, named Alicia. Anything they did wrong- Alicia did it, but as the twins got older they're starting to see that playing the Alicia-card is getting more dangerous and eventually...deadly.
When I first heard about this book I knew that I was interested in reading it but I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. From the first chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to see how the twins deal with all these strange things happening to them, or well, to Alicia, a girl who's not even suppose to be real. CJ Omololu writing is very addicting and I love the voices she gave these characters but it was the storyline that had me completely glued to the pages. I might have guessed one of the twist loops but I never saw who the actual culprit was. I was shocked with the final revelation and loved how Omololu managed to kept me on my toes.
The twins were likeable and easy to connect with. Lexi is smart, driven and focused while Ava is a little more vain and reckless. The twins bring out Alicia when they want to have a little fun since she's the more fearless and daring one. Alicia was great to have around when they were little since it would get them out of trouble, but in their senior days Alicia comes out to play when hot boys are around, that is till they find their 'keeper'. But when the boys that Alicia were dating turns up murdered, this harmless game isn't so harmless any more.
I really loved the girls, they're close and didn't have that sibling rivalry I find in so many other reads, sure they had there disagreements where Alicia was concerned and yes there was a lot of lingering doubts about Ava, but despite all the strange happenings around them, there wasn't to much drama, just straight suspense and an unsettling vibe that there is more to this story. I also really loved Zane! He was pretty awesome, supportive and protective and provided some sweeter moments when things got to intense.
Bottom line, I had a lot of fun reading this book and while it may not be exactly new, I still love Omololu's take for this genre. The pace is steady, the writing is strong, the characters are realistic and the twist and turns made it a blast trying to guess this thrilling mystery. A solid escape!
When I first heard about this book I knew that I was interested in reading it but I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. From the first chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to see how the twins deal with all these strange things happening to them, or well, to Alicia, a girl who's not even suppose to be real. CJ Omololu writing is very addicting and I love the voices she gave these characters but it was the storyline that had me completely glued to the pages. I might have guessed one of the twist loops but I never saw who the actual culprit was. I was shocked with the final revelation and loved how Omololu managed to kept me on my toes.
The twins were likeable and easy to connect with. Lexi is smart, driven and focused while Ava is a little more vain and reckless. The twins bring out Alicia when they want to have a little fun since she's the more fearless and daring one. Alicia was great to have around when they were little since it would get them out of trouble, but in their senior days Alicia comes out to play when hot boys are around, that is till they find their 'keeper'. But when the boys that Alicia were dating turns up murdered, this harmless game isn't so harmless any more.
I really loved the girls, they're close and didn't have that sibling rivalry I find in so many other reads, sure they had there disagreements where Alicia was concerned and yes there was a lot of lingering doubts about Ava, but despite all the strange happenings around them, there wasn't to much drama, just straight suspense and an unsettling vibe that there is more to this story. I also really loved Zane! He was pretty awesome, supportive and protective and provided some sweeter moments when things got to intense.
Bottom line, I had a lot of fun reading this book and while it may not be exactly new, I still love Omololu's take for this genre. The pace is steady, the writing is strong, the characters are realistic and the twist and turns made it a blast trying to guess this thrilling mystery. A solid escape!
February 23, 2020
The story had potential, but I wasn't a fan of the execution.
January 9, 2019
I chose this book on its cover and title both very intriguing.
Before I start bombing the book, there were good aspects to the story - and I believe there will be those who really enjoy the book. There were spots, especially in the beginning that had me guessing. The premise (avoiding spoilers) was interesting, and being a YA lots of opportunities here.
Thennnnn the book just kinda dragged. On and on. And on. Then somewhere in the middle/toward the end, it got a bit predictable (that is not necessarily a negative for me). I feel about 100 pages could be chopped out to make a better story. There were long paragraphs of repeats and internal turmoil that our protagonist felt she has to keep going over. Land. The. Plane.
I’d recommend to someone who likes YA thrillers but I wouldn’t be over excited about it.
Before I start bombing the book, there were good aspects to the story - and I believe there will be those who really enjoy the book. There were spots, especially in the beginning that had me guessing. The premise (avoiding spoilers) was interesting, and being a YA lots of opportunities here.
Thennnnn the book just kinda dragged. On and on. And on. Then somewhere in the middle/toward the end, it got a bit predictable (that is not necessarily a negative for me). I feel about 100 pages could be chopped out to make a better story. There were long paragraphs of repeats and internal turmoil that our protagonist felt she has to keep going over. Land. The. Plane.
I’d recommend to someone who likes YA thrillers but I wouldn’t be over excited about it.
February 27, 2015
THE THIRD TWIN is a thrilling and spellbinding mystery full of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing as to who the killer is, a touch of romance, an engaging plot, and an ending that is sure to surprise. Hints are dropped, clues are left – some which are meant to intentionally mislead – and potential suspects are introduced, combining to make this an even more gripping and exciting read.
Ava is the gorgeous, confident twin. Lexi is the plain, studious twin. And Alicia is the twin they made up to take the blame, to date the boys who aren’t keepers, and to give Lexi the chance to be someone other than herself.
But when Lexi-as-Alicia’s date with one of those non-keepers – a boy that Ava-as-Alicia was already done with – goes south, she’s ready to say goodbye to Alicia forever. That is until the boy turns up dead and the police are knocking at the door looking for their non-existent third twin.
With no easy way to come clean about their deception without casting suspicion upon themselves, Alicia may just have to stick around for awhile longer. Though the longer she does, the more likely it is the truth will be revealed. And as she can’t possibly be the killer, does it mean that Ava is?
Author C.J. Omololu created a riveting story, told from Alexa’s point of view, that manages to place suspicion on a number of characters, including Lexi herself. She builds tension and suspense throughout as the bodies start to pile up, as the evidence starts to point more directly at Lexi and her sister, and as the dangers and risks grow. And she adds in the unexpected to keep things interesting, to keep doubt and uncertainty alive, and to keep the killer’s identity hidden.
THE THIRD TWIN offers more than just a nail-biting mystery for readers to puzzle out. It introduces two vastly different but ultimately likable twins whose harmless fun proves to be anything but, whose lies can be used against them, to corner them, and whose doubts can turn them against one another. It includes a diverse group of characters, most of whom have an important role to play in the story and its outcome. And it delivers a jaw-dropping ending that readers likely won’t have seen coming.
Those who enjoy a story that will keep them glued to the page, with characters whose motives are concealed and intentions are suspect, characters whose situation is intriguing and dangerous, and characters who add a little swoon into the mix, will fall head-over-heels for THE THIRD TWIN.
It’s a little bit chilling. It’s a whole lot fascinating and puzzling and captivating. It’s a story that can be and will likely be read in a single sitting. It’s a definite must from Author C.J. Omololu.
Ava is the gorgeous, confident twin. Lexi is the plain, studious twin. And Alicia is the twin they made up to take the blame, to date the boys who aren’t keepers, and to give Lexi the chance to be someone other than herself.
But when Lexi-as-Alicia’s date with one of those non-keepers – a boy that Ava-as-Alicia was already done with – goes south, she’s ready to say goodbye to Alicia forever. That is until the boy turns up dead and the police are knocking at the door looking for their non-existent third twin.
With no easy way to come clean about their deception without casting suspicion upon themselves, Alicia may just have to stick around for awhile longer. Though the longer she does, the more likely it is the truth will be revealed. And as she can’t possibly be the killer, does it mean that Ava is?
Author C.J. Omololu created a riveting story, told from Alexa’s point of view, that manages to place suspicion on a number of characters, including Lexi herself. She builds tension and suspense throughout as the bodies start to pile up, as the evidence starts to point more directly at Lexi and her sister, and as the dangers and risks grow. And she adds in the unexpected to keep things interesting, to keep doubt and uncertainty alive, and to keep the killer’s identity hidden.
THE THIRD TWIN offers more than just a nail-biting mystery for readers to puzzle out. It introduces two vastly different but ultimately likable twins whose harmless fun proves to be anything but, whose lies can be used against them, to corner them, and whose doubts can turn them against one another. It includes a diverse group of characters, most of whom have an important role to play in the story and its outcome. And it delivers a jaw-dropping ending that readers likely won’t have seen coming.
Those who enjoy a story that will keep them glued to the page, with characters whose motives are concealed and intentions are suspect, characters whose situation is intriguing and dangerous, and characters who add a little swoon into the mix, will fall head-over-heels for THE THIRD TWIN.
It’s a little bit chilling. It’s a whole lot fascinating and puzzling and captivating. It’s a story that can be and will likely be read in a single sitting. It’s a definite must from Author C.J. Omololu.
October 12, 2015
The Third Twin is about two twins, Lexi and Ava. They created a imaginary third twin, Alicia, when they were little kids. When ever they did things such as break something or steal cookies from the cookie jar, they blamed Alicia. Now that they are seniors in high school, they use Alicia for different things. They use Alicia to go out with boys they think are hot, but would never actually date. Ava normally uses Alicia more than Lexi. Then when one of the boys that Lexi (Alicia) goes out with ends up being brutally murdered that night, things take a turn. Signs begin to show up that Alicia may be real and when more murders of the guys she dates happen, Lexi is determined to find out if Alicia is real or Ava is the killer.
I thought the book was alright, but it had an obvious ending. Of course they're going to use the same ableist ending that thousands of other books use. From the beginning I suspected that Ava was the killer but I kept telling myself I was wrong because I thought that that would be too obvious. Although the book was still somewhat interesting, it had a terrible ending and an overall basic plot. I thought it was boring and over used for Ava to end up being crazy. I did like the characters though and the contrast of the twins. I thought it was interesting how the twins were complete opposites. I thought that the book had potential when I found it. It looked like it could've been really good but it was not. I do not recommend this to anyone, unless you're a fan of basic, predictable storylines.
I thought the book was alright, but it had an obvious ending. Of course they're going to use the same ableist ending that thousands of other books use. From the beginning I suspected that Ava was the killer but I kept telling myself I was wrong because I thought that that would be too obvious. Although the book was still somewhat interesting, it had a terrible ending and an overall basic plot. I thought it was boring and over used for Ava to end up being crazy. I did like the characters though and the contrast of the twins. I thought it was interesting how the twins were complete opposites. I thought that the book had potential when I found it. It looked like it could've been really good but it was not. I do not recommend this to anyone, unless you're a fan of basic, predictable storylines.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 11, 2015It's Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge in this edge-of-your-seat thriller with a shocking twist.
I'm actually excited for this book!
I'm actually excited for this book!
August 4, 2019
I am very sad because I REALLY enjoyed 80% of this book and was going to rate it 4 stars. Unfortunately, the only scenario that made sense as a twist, was the actual twist, and was done super poorly, so it ended up really ruining the story for me. If you have never read a thriller before, you may be surprised, but the trope was one that is extremely outdated.
June 27, 2020
This book was such a fun read! I wanted something short to get me back into reading and I really think this helped! The storyline is definitely not something you get a lot. These twin sisters living their whole life as if they had an imaginary third sister. Now everything changes after a guy that they dated is dead. In the end three guys end up being killed and they all think that it's one of the two sisters. Honestly I spend half the book thinking it was Ava, but things just didn't add up.
It really shows that the world can be cruel but you still have someone there for you sometimes looking out for you. Except here it's a twisted kind of protection.
This book had many happy endings and I'm just really happy with how they closed the story.
It really shows that the world can be cruel but you still have someone there for you sometimes looking out for you. Except here it's a twisted kind of protection.
This book had many happy endings and I'm just really happy with how they closed the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2015
‘In my mind it’s almost like there was actually a third twin with us. Even when we were kids, Alicia was fun and daring and not afraid to get into trouble now and ask for forgiveness later. “Even though she was imaginary, Alicia seemed to real then."'
Lexi and Ava are twin sisters and when they were younger, they both had an imaginary sister named Alicia. Problem is, they’re all grown up and still pretend like Alicia exists but they’ve just changed the rules a bit. Now the girls alternate being Alicia and they dress up and wear makeup far more scandalous than they would normally to go out on dates with boys they wouldn’t normally. It was all fun and games until one of “Alicia’s” dates turns up dead.
The Third Twin is told from the point of view of Lexi who begins to suspect her sister Ava as the mystery continues and more people keep turning up dead. The coincidences become too much and Ava quickly becomes a stranger to her. But could her twin sister, the person she is closer than anyone else in the world, truly be capable of murder? The focus on the mystery took up the majority of the novel with the character development being pushed to the back burner. Lexi and Ava were both of the snobbish, self-abosrbed variety and didn’t manage to garner much interest in me especially when some of the things they would do were just so illogical. With that said, the possibilities of the mystery were what kept the pages turning for me. But mysteries rarely surprise me anymore. It’s usually one or the other: either the outcome is evident from early on or the resolution comes out of left field. Neither one is satisfying, but I would much rather be kept guessing and The Third Twin certainly did that.
The mystery surrounding Alicia became stretched at the seams and took a while to actually get anywhere while the same pattern kept repeating itself regarding more people turning up dead with ‘Alicia’ being the only culprit. While I didn’t predict the ending, once revealed it did seem like the only reasonable possibility and I really should have seen it coming. All in all, even if the ending wasn’t one you would normally see in reality, this was still a pleasurable thrill of a mystery that YA mystery fans will no doubt enjoy.
I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lexi and Ava are twin sisters and when they were younger, they both had an imaginary sister named Alicia. Problem is, they’re all grown up and still pretend like Alicia exists but they’ve just changed the rules a bit. Now the girls alternate being Alicia and they dress up and wear makeup far more scandalous than they would normally to go out on dates with boys they wouldn’t normally. It was all fun and games until one of “Alicia’s” dates turns up dead.
The Third Twin is told from the point of view of Lexi who begins to suspect her sister Ava as the mystery continues and more people keep turning up dead. The coincidences become too much and Ava quickly becomes a stranger to her. But could her twin sister, the person she is closer than anyone else in the world, truly be capable of murder? The focus on the mystery took up the majority of the novel with the character development being pushed to the back burner. Lexi and Ava were both of the snobbish, self-abosrbed variety and didn’t manage to garner much interest in me especially when some of the things they would do were just so illogical. With that said, the possibilities of the mystery were what kept the pages turning for me. But mysteries rarely surprise me anymore. It’s usually one or the other: either the outcome is evident from early on or the resolution comes out of left field. Neither one is satisfying, but I would much rather be kept guessing and The Third Twin certainly did that.
The mystery surrounding Alicia became stretched at the seams and took a while to actually get anywhere while the same pattern kept repeating itself regarding more people turning up dead with ‘Alicia’ being the only culprit. While I didn’t predict the ending, once revealed it did seem like the only reasonable possibility and I really should have seen it coming. All in all, even if the ending wasn’t one you would normally see in reality, this was still a pleasurable thrill of a mystery that YA mystery fans will no doubt enjoy.
I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 11, 2015
I received this from Netgalley for my honest review! Publisher: Random House Children's
So I loved the idea for this book. The cover is gorgeous and I thought it sounded like an awesome thriller. The suspense didn't disappoint but sometimes it felt like reading about a lot of things that were irrelevant. This would have been a 3.5 star for me except for the fact that the MC and some of the other characters were just so naive and somewhat annoying. The MC did go through a major transformation throughout this story, which I liked; I just couldn't overlook how annoyed she made me most of the time.
I think I liked the idea of this book more than I actually liked it. Still a good book and besides the naive MC, the suspense was really intriguing. And I did't guess anything right, so that means it was a good suspense, right? And I didn't DNF so that means it was a good thriller, right?
You be the judge.
So I loved the idea for this book. The cover is gorgeous and I thought it sounded like an awesome thriller. The suspense didn't disappoint but sometimes it felt like reading about a lot of things that were irrelevant. This would have been a 3.5 star for me except for the fact that the MC and some of the other characters were just so naive and somewhat annoying. The MC did go through a major transformation throughout this story, which I liked; I just couldn't overlook how annoyed she made me most of the time.
I think I liked the idea of this book more than I actually liked it. Still a good book and besides the naive MC, the suspense was really intriguing. And I did't guess anything right, so that means it was a good suspense, right? And I didn't DNF so that means it was a good thriller, right?
You be the judge.
April 19, 2017
The Third Twin, Its about a two twins named Ava and Lexi... When they were little they used to pretend that they had another sister or twin they called her Alicia. They used to blame everything on Alicia, if something breaks it was Alicia's fault... Now that they are in senior high school, they use Alicia as a cover to out with guys. After Alicia's date night...Casey the guy "Alicia" went out with, they found out the very next day that Casey was dead in very same place Alicia and Casey was hanging out. Its either Alicia is real or Ava or Lexi is a killer! I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very interesting and very intense and sad. I would recommend this book to my friends.
March 3, 2015
Love love loved this! It is like this book was written for me. Exactly my kind of book!
March 10, 2025
I see a lot of negative reviews for this book and I don't understand it. It is a murder mystery/thriller with twins named Ava and Alexa (Lexi). The story is told from Lexi's POV. She and Ava remind me of Elizabeth and Jessica from the Sweet Valley series. They like to pretend they have a third sister, Alicia. Alicia is supposed to be the beautiful, wild one and they take turns going on dates as Alicia. Unfortunately, the dates start ending up dead. Lexi knows that she is not the one killing them, so does that mean it's Ava? The evidence points to one of the girls. Could Alicia really exist or is somebody framing them?
The book starts off a little slow but then picks up and I couldn't put it down. Towards the end I started suspecting who the killer was right before it was revealed.
The book starts off a little slow but then picks up and I couldn't put it down. Towards the end I started suspecting who the killer was right before it was revealed.
January 1, 2019
3.5 STARS
Twins Lexie and Ava created a triplet Alicia, whom they blamed for anything they did wrong. As little kids, Alicia left the mess, never Lexie or Ava. As teens they resurrected Alicia and sent her dating with certain rules. Alicia dated each boy a maximum five times, never slept with her dates and always wore a diamond A pendant. When Alicia’s date ends up dead, the trouble is just beginning.
Each twin has distinct personality traits. THE THIRD TWIN starts off slow and is a bit repetitive in the beginning. At the halfway point, I developed all kinds of theories. Was the killer Ava? Narrator Lexie denies involvement, but is she reliable? If the killer was someone else, why did all the evidence point to the twins?
THE THIRD TWIN is completely implausible, but an enjoyable read nonetheless, especially in the second half.
Twins Lexie and Ava created a triplet Alicia, whom they blamed for anything they did wrong. As little kids, Alicia left the mess, never Lexie or Ava. As teens they resurrected Alicia and sent her dating with certain rules. Alicia dated each boy a maximum five times, never slept with her dates and always wore a diamond A pendant. When Alicia’s date ends up dead, the trouble is just beginning.
Each twin has distinct personality traits. THE THIRD TWIN starts off slow and is a bit repetitive in the beginning. At the halfway point, I developed all kinds of theories. Was the killer Ava? Narrator Lexie denies involvement, but is she reliable? If the killer was someone else, why did all the evidence point to the twins?
THE THIRD TWIN is completely implausible, but an enjoyable read nonetheless, especially in the second half.
August 9, 2021
Review: This book was an interesting book. I first read the title, not knowing it was supposed to be a mystery murder novel, and just said, "If they are twins, how is there a 3rd?" Stupid Question. The book has good characters and development. The characters weren't bad, and the comedy was good. The plot was good, up until the twist. At least for me, it just seemed so unfit to the climax twist. Still, the rest of the book and the idea was fantastic. I just wish the twist played out a bit differently. It is only 1 perspective. I don't have any recommendations for a similar read, but this book is a 6/10.
-Reinaldo, PWPL volunteer
https://librarycatalog.pwcgov.org/pol...
November 30, 2020
This is a fun, quick read if you don't think too much about it. Twin sisters invent a 3rd triplet to take the blame for them when they are little. They keep her around to date guys that would not be appropriate. Suddenly these guys are getting killed and the made up triplet seems to be the culprit... It was fun but the ending was a bit lackluster.
October 9, 2018
I read this in a few days because it was so interesting! Every chapter had a new problem and more holes to fill! And I love myself a good murder mystery.
Read
March 9, 2017I very much enjoyed the Third Twin and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery that keeps you at the edge of your seat. I couldn’t get enough of this story. As soon as I read the summary on the back, I could not put it down. Identical twins, Alexa and Ava made up a third sister named Allicia when they were very young. Instead of dressing up as each other, they dressed as Allicia which was a more confident and outgoing version of themselves. But they couldn’t pull this off forever. Eventually trouble finds a way to reach them when a guy turns up dead and Allicia seems like the one to blame. This was a very scary story that I couldn’t put down.
September 2, 2016
omg this book was amazing i haven't marked a book 5 stars in so long but his is going in my favorites i would recommend this to everyone :))))))
Plot: The plot of this book was very fast paced and i really really enjoyed this book because of how it had me on the edge of my seat. The plot sucked me in and captivated me from the first page and it was incredibly intriguing. The only thing was i kind of suspected who the killer was by the middle but i wasn't sure so it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
Mystery: The mystery element was very well done i don't read a lot of mystery but i can say at first the mystery was put on the back burner but now i understand why because once the mystery really starts it doesn't end and it kept me guessing and wondering who the killer was. This book kept me not trusting anyone and i loved that about it that factor was extremely well done. The mystery was brilliantly developed and it captivated me and i had to spend all day reading it and when i wasn't reading it i was thinking about how much i wanted to continue and that was all because of the amazing mystery.
Characters: At first i didn't feel connected to Lexi the main character, i didn't like how she felt like she had to pretend to be Alicia to get people to like her. But as the story progressed i started rooting for her and connecting to her and i like how she was so smart and quick on her feet. I liked following her around as the main character. Since the romance wasn't a big element of the story i'll group it in with this category but i loved the main love interest who I'm not going to name because its a spoiler but i loved him and his personality and thought he added a lot to the story and was a good supporting character. I was connected to the twins Ava and Lexi and i enjoyed reading about their twinness and their dynamics as well as the dynamics between them and other characters it was well done.
Writing Style: The writing style obviously wasn't anything special it wasn't poetic or lyrical but i feel like the way this was written fit the story. The chapters seemed to fly by not only because of the plot but also because of the writing style. It was very straight to the point it wasn't descriptive or flowery and i appreciated that because it matched the pacing and the feel of the plot. The writing was also very easy to read and wasn't disjointed and flowed easily which was part of the reason it kept you turning the pages. It also somehow lent a hand in developing the characters and making them feel more real.
All the story elements worked together beautifully to successfully captivate me and to keep me on the edge of my seat needing to know what would happen. This book was an amazing thriller and i was so sad to finish this book because i felt connected to the characters. Frankly, I loved this book I'm so happy i read it and i haven't been this happy about a book in a long time. This is only the second book to go in my favorites all year so thats saying something. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced thriller or even for those who enjoy contemporaries you might be surprised by how much you will enjoy it. I'll gladly give this book 5/5 stars.
Plot: The plot of this book was very fast paced and i really really enjoyed this book because of how it had me on the edge of my seat. The plot sucked me in and captivated me from the first page and it was incredibly intriguing. The only thing was i kind of suspected who the killer was by the middle but i wasn't sure so it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
Mystery: The mystery element was very well done i don't read a lot of mystery but i can say at first the mystery was put on the back burner but now i understand why because once the mystery really starts it doesn't end and it kept me guessing and wondering who the killer was. This book kept me not trusting anyone and i loved that about it that factor was extremely well done. The mystery was brilliantly developed and it captivated me and i had to spend all day reading it and when i wasn't reading it i was thinking about how much i wanted to continue and that was all because of the amazing mystery.
Characters: At first i didn't feel connected to Lexi the main character, i didn't like how she felt like she had to pretend to be Alicia to get people to like her. But as the story progressed i started rooting for her and connecting to her and i like how she was so smart and quick on her feet. I liked following her around as the main character. Since the romance wasn't a big element of the story i'll group it in with this category but i loved the main love interest who I'm not going to name because its a spoiler but i loved him and his personality and thought he added a lot to the story and was a good supporting character. I was connected to the twins Ava and Lexi and i enjoyed reading about their twinness and their dynamics as well as the dynamics between them and other characters it was well done.
Writing Style: The writing style obviously wasn't anything special it wasn't poetic or lyrical but i feel like the way this was written fit the story. The chapters seemed to fly by not only because of the plot but also because of the writing style. It was very straight to the point it wasn't descriptive or flowery and i appreciated that because it matched the pacing and the feel of the plot. The writing was also very easy to read and wasn't disjointed and flowed easily which was part of the reason it kept you turning the pages. It also somehow lent a hand in developing the characters and making them feel more real.
All the story elements worked together beautifully to successfully captivate me and to keep me on the edge of my seat needing to know what would happen. This book was an amazing thriller and i was so sad to finish this book because i felt connected to the characters. Frankly, I loved this book I'm so happy i read it and i haven't been this happy about a book in a long time. This is only the second book to go in my favorites all year so thats saying something. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced thriller or even for those who enjoy contemporaries you might be surprised by how much you will enjoy it. I'll gladly give this book 5/5 stars.
July 7, 2017
See this is why I love lesser known books! You go into them knowing nothing and end up being in for a pleasant surprise wondering why this book hasn't gotten more attention!
The only thing I knew going into this book, besides that it's a psychological thriller, was that it's something like Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge (the TV-shows). So I immediately was intrigued as I love PLL. A lot.
As soon as I started this I was sold, this book is a real page turner. It left me in suspense and made me refuse to stop reading for even a minute. I wanted and HAD to know what was going to happen next and who "Alicia" was.
Because see, this story written by C.J. Omololu is about Ava and Lexi "Alexa", twins who when they were younger made up a third twin "Alicia". Whenever they broke something, anything went wrong, etc...they put the blame on Alicia. As seniors they still use Alicia as a cover to go out on dates with guys they themselves normally wouldn't go for. One day one of the guys ends up dead and all the evidence points towards only one person. Which is Alicia Rios, a girl that doesn't exist.
From there on the story goes and GOING IT DOES, it is such a quick read, it leaves you in suspense and you just want to know who the fuck is messing around or what tf is actually going on. It's impossible to put down as I read it in one sitting. I did create ideas as to who the killer or Alicia might have been been all of them turned out wrong which means the plot is great as well. Ava did really annoy me in the beginning because she was being such an oblivious ass wipe at times but you know...that's literally all I had a problem with throughout this whole book. I REALLY enjoyed this, thoroughly!
The only thing I knew going into this book, besides that it's a psychological thriller, was that it's something like Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge (the TV-shows). So I immediately was intrigued as I love PLL. A lot.
As soon as I started this I was sold, this book is a real page turner. It left me in suspense and made me refuse to stop reading for even a minute. I wanted and HAD to know what was going to happen next and who "Alicia" was.
Because see, this story written by C.J. Omololu is about Ava and Lexi "Alexa", twins who when they were younger made up a third twin "Alicia". Whenever they broke something, anything went wrong, etc...they put the blame on Alicia. As seniors they still use Alicia as a cover to go out on dates with guys they themselves normally wouldn't go for. One day one of the guys ends up dead and all the evidence points towards only one person. Which is Alicia Rios, a girl that doesn't exist.
From there on the story goes and GOING IT DOES, it is such a quick read, it leaves you in suspense and you just want to know who the fuck is messing around or what tf is actually going on. It's impossible to put down as I read it in one sitting. I did create ideas as to who the killer or Alicia might have been been all of them turned out wrong which means the plot is great as well. Ava did really annoy me in the beginning because she was being such an oblivious ass wipe at times but you know...that's literally all I had a problem with throughout this whole book. I REALLY enjoyed this, thoroughly!
February 8, 2015
Well, ever since reading about Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, I’ve been a sucker for books with twins (and, truly, so many other books about twins have been something of a disappointment - those Sweet Valley girls are by far my favorite fictional twins!). So, naturally, this title caught my eye. And the premise - of an imaginary twin that just may turn out to be real sounds fascinating (Margo, is that you? Or Nora??).
And from page one, twins Lexi and Ava are up to some very Sweet Valley shenanigans of sharing dates as their once-scapegoat, the fictional Alicia (Very Who's Who?) of them! But some strange events start happening - with only “Alicia” to blame. Soon the sisters begin doubting each other and then it proves more fatal to date one of these girls than to date a Wakefield! Soon, even the police are looking for Alicia. The book moves along at a very fast pace, and while the plot does have some predictable parts, there are surprises here, too. All in all, this is a fast-paced and very fun read! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Omolulu’s other books!
And from page one, twins Lexi and Ava are up to some very Sweet Valley shenanigans of sharing dates as their once-scapegoat, the fictional Alicia (Very Who's Who?) of them! But some strange events start happening - with only “Alicia” to blame. Soon the sisters begin doubting each other and then it proves more fatal to date one of these girls than to date a Wakefield! Soon, even the police are looking for Alicia. The book moves along at a very fast pace, and while the plot does have some predictable parts, there are surprises here, too. All in all, this is a fast-paced and very fun read! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Omolulu’s other books!
February 20, 2015
I really wanted to like “The Third Twin”, and for a little over half of the book, I did. Somewhere around there it really jumped the rails in several aspects. The first half is why I gave it three stars, but the second would most certainly would be a two star book, in my opinion.
The premise is a very interesting one, and an unsolved murder for which the protagonist is a suspect holds a lot of promise. The stakes rise as it goes on, delivering a mix of the predictable and good surprises. The set-up was the best part of the book.
The characters are not well-developed, relying mostly on tropes to establish their personalities, and by the end they are quite grating. The ending, without spoiling it, is everything that a mystery should not be. While unpredictable, which is a good quality, it comes out of nowhere with absolutely no clues to lead it there, which is anything but good.
For most mystery lovers, I would recommend giving this one a pass. If the little details are not something you care about in a mystery or thriller, it may be worth a try. If nothing else, “The Third Twin” is a quick read.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is a very interesting one, and an unsolved murder for which the protagonist is a suspect holds a lot of promise. The stakes rise as it goes on, delivering a mix of the predictable and good surprises. The set-up was the best part of the book.
The characters are not well-developed, relying mostly on tropes to establish their personalities, and by the end they are quite grating. The ending, without spoiling it, is everything that a mystery should not be. While unpredictable, which is a good quality, it comes out of nowhere with absolutely no clues to lead it there, which is anything but good.
For most mystery lovers, I would recommend giving this one a pass. If the little details are not something you care about in a mystery or thriller, it may be worth a try. If nothing else, “The Third Twin” is a quick read.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2014
When I first got this book the idea of it was very interesting and I was curious to see how it would play out. As a twin I did not like part of the twin mentality that was going on within this book, but as the book drew to a close it got better. This book is about Ava and Lexi, they are twins and they like to dress up as Alicia and date guys that they would never go out with in real life. It is all fun and games for them until the boy that Alicia dates ends up dead, then the next one ends up dead too. When the police start to investigate, things spiral out of control for Lexi and before she knows it she is a murder suspect. Lexi knows that it is not her, but then who could it be? The story is told from the perspective of Lexi, and it is not only a murder mystery, but it deals with the transition from high school into college trying to figure out what you really want to do and why. I liked the ending and found it to be very satisfying and I had no idea who it was until the very end. I recommend this book if you like murder mysteries and twins.
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