‘PRETTY SLY,’ BY ELISA LUDWIG

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‘PRETTY SLY,’ BY ELISA LUDWIG. Review of the 2014 YA caper novel from Harper Collins. All text © Rissi JC / RissiWrites.com

Hotly following on the heels of the events of Pretty Crooked, the next story in this contempory Robin Hood-esque invention goes a step further than petty thieving.

STORY: Staying out of trouble and accepting her punishment is something 15-year-old Willa Fox is willing to accept as she knows not just how badly she messed up by thieving from her wealthy classmates, but also the disappointment she caused her mother. Only trouble now is her mom has disappeared and though she’s been told by her mother no to follow, Willa cannot seem to stay behind without answers. Despite the parole violation she will raise by leaving, she again falls into old habits with the assistance of her friends including her crush, Aidan Murphy who just happens to be willing to take to the open road with Willa in pursuit of finding her mother.

Pretty Sly, by Elisa Ludwig | Book Review

Everything about the first novel really sets up the sequel. From the bread crumbs of secrets about to Willa’s foray into criminal mastery, the set-up is unavoidable. Usually I’m not the biggest fan of road trip stories as they tend to bore me. However, this reads even better than the first. That said, Willa is a sometimes-hard-to-like heroine, but at least here, there’s a better reason for her wild side. Vulnerable and worried over a future, she sets out to fight for and protect that future only to set in motion a series of events that she never could have foresee.

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For the most part, this is a fun, quick read. The cute guy is a bad boy who doesn’t fall into the same stereotypes (he’s got oodles of secrets, yes, though I don’t think they’re going to pan out as being of the norm). Irrespective of Willa’s personality who isn’t always the most endearing titular Robin Hood (although as she’s only 15, this sort of excuses some cluelessness), though I like the people around her. This includes her friends and the occasional appearance of a certain FBI agent. Ludwig does a good job of upping the premise of book two, and makes us guess what will go down (even though readers can surmise the big reason for the mystery, all of the little things leading up may throw up for a loop). Instead of staying in a rut and going stale which promises to keep things hopping to roll into book three. It’s been a long while since there’s been a more fun pair of on-the-run crooks in a long while!  

About the Book:

Author: Elisa Ludwig
Publisher: Katherine Tegen, an imprint of HarperCollins
Source: Author, ARC Copy
Publication Date: 2014
Find the Review elsewhere: Goodreads
Series: Pretty Crooked – Book 2
Genre: Fiction; Young Adult/Teen
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5

CONTENT; there’s a few innuendos and one kissing scene is a bit suggestive, some profanity including sh*t, h*ll and some minor crudities. Willa and Aidan break into homes while on the run, steal cars, etc.

Sincere thanks to the author, Elisa Ludwig for providing a complimentary ARC copy of Pretty Sly for reviewing purposes.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

8 comments

    1. We (I) miss you too, Ganise! :) Your absence is definitely noted around the blog and/or twitter universe. Super glad you are stopping by blogs so we can still chat!

      Thanks for reading. :)

  1. Bummer on there being some language. I was hoping to share this series with my niece, but I'm really picky about what I pass on and language isn't allowed unless it's super mild and very rare. I'll still be reading this though.

    1. I agree, Tressa! It's hard to find clean YA/teen fiction today and I don't blame you on being picky – my family was too. It's hard to know the limitations when recommending because while we were growing up, my family was very strict but others aren't as much so, which makes it difficult to know what the standards are when recommending. I hope you can find some books to share with your niece… :)

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