Reflecting on "Perfectos mentirosos": A Mixed Bag of Clichés and Curiosity
When I first stumbled upon Perfectos mentirosos, the buzz surrounding it was hard to ignore. With its eye-catching cover and rave reviews permeating social media, I was drawn to this debut by author ¿?, hoping to uncover some hidden gem amidst the clutter of young adult fiction. Admittedly, my intentions were not entirely altruistic, as I had previously floundered through the rough draft available on Wattpad. Yet, I thought, perhaps the polished version would shine through the cracks of the original. Spoiler: it didn’t.
Plot Overview and Characters
Perfectos mentirosos follows our protagonist, Judniss Derrydeen, as she navigates a prestigious university filled with glamorous but shallow characters. The setting is almost another character itself—replete with luxurious apartments and exclusive clubs, it reflects typical yet exaggerated tropes of American college life. Judniss, who slinks into this world with dubious motives, aims to dismantle a power hierarchy that seems inherently flawed, though ironically, her own character wrestling with a cliched journey detracts from the plot’s potential.
My personal experience reading the book felt like a series of unfortunate encounters with cardboard cutouts rather than multi-dimensional characters. Despite being armed with quirky names—like AWho and AEdgelord—these characters displayed little substance beyond their eye candy appeal. Judniss flits through the storyline without a definitive purpose or goal, which leaves readers like me grappling to invest in her journey.
Writing Style and Pacing
The writing style mirrors that of many indie stories that skirt the line between insightful prose and forced dialogue riddled with clichés. The pacing felt uneven; moments of potential drama were swiftly sidelined by awkward humor that just didn’t land. There were glimmers of witty moments, often overshadowed by the overarching need to prove itself as something "different," when in reality, it adhered closely to formulaic storytelling.
One notable cringe-fest for me was the incessant reminder that this story was not a cliché, while every plot twist screamed otherwise. It’s a case of the title being a perfect reflection of the narrative—a series of perfect lies wrapped in the veil of an intriguing premise.
Memorable Highlights
While slogging through the pages, I clung to a few highlights to salvage my reading experience. Certain scenes, particularly at the university’s infamous party, catapulted me into moments of humor that lifted my heavy heart. But even as the plot unfolded, I was battling insistent thoughts about how things could have played out differently if the characters had revealed more depth.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Your Time?
In conclusion, Perfectos mentirosos is a mixed bag; perhaps it can be enjoyed by readers unfamiliar with its draft origins or those who can appreciate its absurdities. If you’re in search of a light, entertaining read that requires little emotional investment, then this might be for you. Should you, however, find yourself craving well-rounded characters and a coherent plot, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.
Reflecting on my reading journey, I left the pages with an odd blend of frustration and amusement. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even in our quest for compelling stories, we may end up with perfect liars instead. So, will I read the next installment? Perhaps, but only if my wallet feels forgiving that day.
Discover more about Perfectos mentirosos (Perfectos mentirosos, #1) on GoodReads >>