The Lie Tree
Author Frances Hardinge
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Story
Hungry for knowledge, science and secrets, Faith does not accept her place as a girl in Victorian England. When her late father’s journals reveal the secret of the Lie Tree, she will stop at nothing to find it. But the bigger the lie told to the tree, the bigger the truth revealed to the liar, and the truth poses much more danger than Faith could ever imagine.
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Why we chose it
Part horror, part detective, part fantasy, part historical The Lie Tree is a powerful novel for young adults. Frances Hardinge piles on the suspense in this satisfyingly complex and original story of an intelligent young woman caught between knowledge and duty, truth and lies.
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What a young reviewer said
Engaging and gripping, with well-developed characters and setting and a plot that was unpredictable but not chaotic. (Becky, age 16)
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First published
2015, Pan Macmillan Children’s Books
Story Reviews
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I really enjoyed the story. I found it engaging and gripping, with well developed characters and setting and a plot that was unpredictable but not chaotic. The mystery was possible to conclude independently (you didn’t need information that wasn’t given) but well written so that I didn’t guess it. The writing style was evocative and enjoyable to read whilst also being accessible and not hard work.