[Review] Twisted Fate by Norah Olson

Title: Twisted Fate

Author: Norah Olson

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary, Social Issues

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Whoa... who am I supposed to trust?

Immediately we're introduced to Sydney, Allyson and a few other point of views. Right off the bat you know something is off as the sisters recount events with different versions. But who's telling the truth? Who's version is accurate? It's all really weird but I was totally roped in and the pages kept turning.

Honestly, everyone is kind of creepy just to varying degrees
One thing I think Olson nails is the fact that we're all flawed. While some may find the multiple POVs a bit much it is needed to show all sides of the story, reveal "evidence", and bring clarity as to what/who we're dealing with here. There's only two people I trusted in the whole story and that's the police officers.

Because there's always boys...
The story kicks off with gorgeous Graham moving in next door and taking a liking to Allyson. Sydney, her younger sister, is immediately skeptical of him and along with Becky, the BFF, and Declan, her sort-of-boyfriend, they begin befriending him and spying...

The writing is on the wall from pretty early in the story but I was still unsure how things were going to shake out. The ending did not disappoint but did leave one big question for me.

Spoiler

One of the main issues is that Sydney is mentally ill. This is NEVER addressed and for all these kids to be super smart (Declan and Syd are top of the class and Becky is a hacker/computer programming nerd) NO ONE notices this!!!!! I kind of get absent parents but she hangs with these people everyday and reveals her sickness but everyone just shrugs it off. Even the school guidance counselor.

If this question/issue/point been addressed then it would've been a five star read for me.

You'll like is if... and it may annoy you if...

You'll like this if you enjoy psychological thrillers without questioning too much. The only character development is revealed/forced by the plot so you may not find yourself deeply attached to any one person but it's not boring. I promise! Also, if you're looking for a lot of explanations as to why... prepare to lose sleep. The ending is with little explanation after the last conflict.

If you enjoyed Gone Girl, or enjoy the TV shows Snapped or Forensic Files this should please you. 

Random side note: I could find nothing on the author except that she wrote this book. This totally adds to the creepiness factor, even if it's just a pseudonym. ;)

4 Stars – I don't know who to be more afraid of...