All of This is True by Lygia Day Peñaflor Published by HarperTeen on May 15th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Young Adult
Goodreads
Miri Tan loved the book Undertow like it was a living being. So when she and her friends went to a book signing to meet the author, Fatima Ro, they concocted a plan to get close to her, even if her friends won’t admit it now. As for Jonah, well—Miri knows none of that was Fatima’s fault.
Soleil Johnston wanted to be a writer herself one day. When she and her friends started hanging out with her favorite author, Fatima Ro, she couldn’t believe their luck—especially when Jonah Nicholls started hanging out with them, too. Now, looking back, Soleil can’t believe she let Fatima manipulate her and Jonah like that. She can’t believe that she got used for a book.
Penny Panzarella was more than the materialistic party girl everyone at the Graham School thought she was. She desperately wanted Fatima Ro to see that, and she saw her chance when Fatima asked the girls to be transparent with her. If only she’d known what would happen when Fatima learned Jonah’s secret. If only she’d known that the line between fiction and truth was more complicated than any of them imagined. . . .
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. This does not influence my thoughts on the book or this review.
All of This is True is definitely one of the more innovative books I’ve read lately. Though it is a contemporary mystery, Peñaflor’s method of telling the story is unique. The format is all through news articles, transcripts of interviews and diary entries. Through this unique format, Peñaflor manages to weave an immersive story about writers and fans, and when that line is crossed.
Fatima Ro is the author of Undertow, a novel about grief that has swept up YA readers. When fangirls, Miri, Soliel and Penny all meet the author and slowly befriend her, they are not prepared for the consequences of when Fatima Ro puts their story in her next novel. This twisty novel is about when the lines between fact and fiction are blurred.
I really loved the way that the story was told. I am a sucker for unique storytelling methods and Peñaflor’s sophomore novel definitely hit it out of the park. Even though I vaguely knew what was going on, I was not prepared for the climax of the book. While the synopsis and interviews all hint at consequences for the characters’ friend, Jonah, the full truth isn’t revealed until the end. Peñaflor’s writing is twisty and engaging, making this a perfect novel.
Overall, Peñaflor’s sophomore novel is definitely a novel not to miss this spring. The writing and premise had me hooked and I can’t stop thinking about it.
