Review: The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr

The Truth and Lies of Ella Black is the second book I have read by Emily Barr. The One Memory of Flora Banks came out about a year ago and it was a book I greatly enjoyed, with its snowy remote setting. (You can read my review of that here.) The Truth and Lies of Ella Black focusses on teenager Ella, who struggles with her dark side while trying to appear picture perfect to her parents. When she is taken out of school one afternoon completely unannounced and flown to Brazil with her parents, Ella understandably has a lot of questions, none of which are being answered. There are secrets in her past that Ella knows nothing about, but while on the run she begins to slowly uncover the truth. 

We spend much of the book in the heat of Rio as Ella struggles to make sense of her life so far. It's a far cry from the snowy north of The One Memory of Flora Banks, but there are similarities in the unravelling of lies surrounding both Flora and Ella. Both girls' parents have lied in a bid to protect their daughters and both girls end up breaking out on their own, battling against their own brains to figure out what is true and what has been fabricated in their lives.

Much like Flora, Ella's journey is made all the more easy with the kindness of strangers and it seems luck is on her side to keep danger mostly out of her path. This is maybe a little unrealistic, and the same criticism could be applied to Ella's instant falling in love with an American boy from her hotel with whom she spends one night out partying. However the stakes feel high and so all emotions feel justifiably heightened, with the tension and peril of the plot keeping the pace up all the way through. I found myself wanting to get back to the story and quite honestly thinking to myself "right, what is this idiot doing to do next" as Ella went from bad decision to bad decision. 

I really enjoy Emily Barr's writing, so I'm looking forward to what comes next. She was recently in India doing research for the next book so I think we are safe to assume we'll be getting another great use of an interesting location. 

I received a copy of The Truth and Lies of Ella Black from Penguin Random House, which was very nice of them! This is an honest review, promise. 

Review!: The One Memory Of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

The One Memory of Flora Banks is the thrilling story of 17-year-old Flora who has suffered with anterograde amnesia since the age of 10. Unable to make any new memories, Flora has to be reminded each day of her age and situation with the help of her parents. One night, at the party of her best friend, who she has known since her childhood, Flora kisses someone she shouldn't and the next day she can remember it and their whole conversation. Convinced this kiss holds the answer to unlocking her memory for good, she takes meticulous notes (in notebooks, and in pen all over her hands and arms) to remind herself of her memory revelation and ends up figuring out how to get in touch with the boy she kissed, who has left the country for icier climbs. 

I absolutely adored Flora, and her determination to find herself and her memories under the fog of medication her parents keep her under. The truth slowly emerges from a tangle of lies built up to 'protect' her and as things become clearer for Flora they do for the reader too. I've seen some other reviewers struggling with the repetitive nature of the narrative as Flora's memory resets and she has to follow her trail of notes to regain her grasp of her reality, however this was not a problem for me and I actually enjoyed the tension it brought.

The book opens at the close on an arctic icy cold snowy mountainside with Flora alone and feeling angry, although she's not sure why, before the story goes back in time to take us back up to this point, which is an all the more powerful storytelling tool with Flora's lack of a memory. The setting is incredible, if a little farfetched, but if you're on board with this adventure it is a total thrill ride of a story. Oh, and it's out now!

I received a copy of The One Memory of Flora Banks from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review, honest!