Release Date: February 18th 2014
Published By: HarperTeen
Pages: 232
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list
Purchase: Click here to purchase

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis: Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.
But Annie’s visions of the future can’t show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia’s first love, Fia knows he’s hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

Review: This review contains spoilers for Mind Games (Mind Games (Mind Games, #1)

At the end of Mind Games (aka Sisters Assassin) Fia had changed the game – and now she gets to play.

At the end of Mind Games, we saw that Fia faked Annie’s death, so that she could escape the control of the Keane Foundation. Now separated, the sisters must learn to rely on themselves more, but, can they do it without each other? Will Fia be able to destroy the Keane Foundation? Is James to be trusted? Will Annie’s visions show some terrible outcome? And will the sisters ever be reunited?

Like Mind Games, Perfect Lies is filled with deception, calculation and ulterior motives. But will Fia’s perfect instincts or Annie’s visions show them exactly how much danger they are in?

Perfect Lies is once again from the dual points of view of Annie and Fia. And while some people did not like this too much about Mind Games, it is extremely important in this sequel. Annie and Fia are separated, and are living two completely different lives. Annie is out of the Keane Foundation’s clutches, while Fia is with James trying to destroy the Keane Foundation from the inside. Following both perspectives, we get to see these characters fleshed out in much more detail than in Mind Games - but one thing remains constant - they will do anything to protect each other. Even though the sisters are separated, their goal to keep each other safe never wavers - and although they follow different paths to try to protect the other, both sisters clearly show that their bond cannot be broken.

Both sisters show tremendous growth - although extremely differently. Annie who is no longer living under the shadow of her sister, quickly finds her inner strength and her independence and confidence flourishes. Annie goes from a shy, reclusive girl to someone who could well become a hero. She takes chances that you never imaged her take, she takes on battles that she would have previously dared. She makes an amazing transformation as she starts to take control of her own life.

Fia’s development is much slower, but to me, that makes it all the more powerful. For most of the story Fia is her same self: determined, disturbed, unpredictable and angry… actually, she is far angrier in this book. She is like a scared wounded animal lashing out at everyone and everything. Fia is crazier than ever - which also means she is more vulnerable, and I really enjoyed this aspect to her. Although I cannot really say why (due to spoilers), I found that Fia finally found herself, and her strength, and it was this that really impressed me the most. But don’t get me wrong, for the most part Fia is still extremely broken, and in fact she starts to fall apart, but her brokenness and instability is compelling and extremely well written, and once you see the real Fia, I think she is much easier to connect to.

The story is fast paced, filled with action, and the countdown only adds another layer of anticipation and suspense throughout the story. James’ motives and loyalties are a somewhat unknown factor throughout much of the storyline, even to Fia, as he continues to play the game as he always has. James charm and evasion adds an extra element of suspicion and distrust (or if you are like me and never trusted him, this only adds to your wariness).

Basically, not only is Perfect Lies pretty (it had to be said, that cover is gorgeous), but I think it is perfect sequel to Mind Games. Kiersten once again shows her ability write characters filled with emotional baggage and clouded by issues, but also shows that damaged or scarred characters can step up and take control. You will be filled with excitement and anticipation as you flip through the pages of this fast paced, action packed story filled with humour, heartbreak, hope, determination and sacrifices. Together these two kick-ass sisters have wit, quick thinking, perfect instincts and visions of the future, but separately only have themselves… will that be enough?

Quotes:

“ I hold out my hands, one with streaks of blood on it, and give him my best crazy crazy crazy crazy grin.”

“You’re so cute when you’re delusional.”

“I am a girl in want of complete destruction. But I am patient”

“Whatever else he is, James is my one safe place in the world”

“I just saved the life of the man I’ve vowed to destroy”

“Your name is not Katniss Everdeen”