I love myself a good spy thriller and I was immediately intrigued by the premise of Proof Of Lies. An international setting, conspiracy theories… Can it get any better than that? This is definitely my kind of story and decided to dive into the first book straight away. I confess it took me a little while, but as soon as the story changed setting I was completely hooked. Where the story starts out a little slow despite everything that happens, the second half was that fully made my heart race. Partly because it was set in Italy and the descriptions of the different places were very well done, but also because of the non stop action and plot twists as Anastasia is trying to find her sister. The first part set in the US did serve very well as an introduction and base line which the rest of the plot stands on. Another thing I really liked (probably the philologist in me speaking here) were the introduction of (mainly) Spanish phrases into the text. I did detect some spelling mistakes, but it’s always tricky when it comes to foreign languages in texts. The mention of local food was another nice touch, although I do have to say that even though I’m Dutch I had never heard of ‘spekdik’ before. Might just be me though… As for the characters, I kind of have a weak spot for Marcus, probably because he’s from Madrid and I spent some time there studying abroad. And I agree with Anastasia: I do love a Spanish accent. Talking about Anastasia though, I think she is the main reason I couldn’t rate this story higher than I did. Instead of feeling sorry and rooting for her, I found myself rather annoyed by her dramatic, whiny and dramaqueen attitude. I can understand feeling low after all that happened, but she really took it to extremes… The constant ‘I can’t have anything positive happening to me while my sister is gone’ and ‘I shouldn’t be flirting for the same reason’ and the crying in general really were too much for me. And as for the romance… The romance itself wasn’t as bad, but Anastasia’s attitude towards it was. One moment she was all over him, then the next she’s all cold and distant because it’s not fair to her sister… What about the other person in the equation? Ugh. The writing really flows though and makes it easy to keep turning those pages. And while I had my guesses, the plot twists and conspiracy theory elements are well executed and mostly managed to surprise me. Also, that ending! I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel to find out what happens next. In short, this YA spy thriller is fast-paced and entertaining and perfect for fans of the Embassy Row and The Conspiracy Of Us series.

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is Book 1 of the Anastasia Phoenix Series.

Wowzaaaa! Hands-down this was one thrilling ride! Wallach delivers a YA read that incorporates a phenomenal blending of mystery, suspense, and a titter of light youthful romance that will knock your socks off. Proof of Lies is a fast-paced, action-packed story that will keep you engaged until the very end. I had thought this was going to be a good read but omgosh ya’ll it was hella bettaaaaaa!! Can’t wait for book 2!

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

Mini review:

I received this e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This was very frustrating. I did not like Anastasia at all. In fact I didn’t like any of the characters.

It was a fast read. But honestly I didn’t even like the direction the plot was heading.

I do not recommend.

I enjoyed the book and the characters were engaging. There were times the plot felt convoluted and I’d have to reread passages in order to keep things straight. Strong female protagonist who acknowledges her own failings.

A fast paced twisty thriller straight through the eyes of the protagonist, Anastasia. Lots of conspiracy, mystery and danger. The author does a great job of dropping clues without giving anything away. Romance could've been more of a back burner as I didn't feel it flowed well with the rest of the story. I like them together, just not as a couple.

DNF at 60%. The problem here is not the writing style, but the heroine, who is initially portrayed as being very strong minded and positive, if a little annoying. However, while she understandably falls apart at the loss of her sister, the continued erratic descent into a negative stupor was distracting and overwhelming to the point where I was as depressingly uninterested as the main character, having to force myself back into the plot. I had to abandon the book as it not only lost my interest, but I no longer liked the main character. I will not be posting an online review.

I ended up not finishing this book. I had a hard time getting into the story and characters.

Action, mystery, and thrills all come together in Proof of Lies to make an exciting read that is sure to thrill and excite readers of all types! It's so engaging and the characters are fantastic to follow, and the mystery is enough to keep you on edge until the very end. Definitely recommend as a great new thriller/mystery that will leave you craving the sequel!

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is filled with tension and suspense as a whirlwind-of-a-mystery unfolds.

I love books that feature a conspiracy in them and that is exactly what this book gives you. Plenty of action, twists, and a mystery set in Rome for a thrilling setting. If you like globetrotting and intrigue with a touch of romance in your reads, then you may just want to take a look at Proof of Lies.

Told through Anastasia's voice, we learn of her globe-trotting scientist parents, their subsequent tragic deaths, and the mysterious Dresden Chemical Corporation they were heads of.

Three years later, Anastasia is trying to fill the void in her heart and the guilt she carries over the last conversation she had with her parents. One of hateful and mean words she can never take back. To add to her confusion, she discovers the fact that her sister is researching her parent's deaths and keeping secrets from her.

“There are moments in your life when you know everything is about to change. Time isn't whizzing by, your mind isn't in a blur, you're in it, living it, and you know, consciously, that your world will never be the same again. You will never be the same again.”
― Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Proof of Lies.

When her sister Keira goes missing soon after, Anastasia knows she's in trouble and nothing is as it appears. The search will lead her to Rome, where everything she’s ever known is revealed to be a lie. With the help of her friends and a mysterious boy named Marcus, Anastasia won't stop until she finds her sister Keira.

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach turned out to be a fast-paced thrill with some great twist in the mystery.

I enjoyed Anastasia's voice and the author's use of it to slowly reveal clues from past and present. The romance was probably my least favorite. I liked both characters, but as a couple, I just didn't connect with them. What I especially enjoyed was the European vibe and gritty feel of the story and its slow reveals which made for an entertaining read.

Anastasia Phoenix has faced a lot of loss in her young life. After being moved around the globe with her mom and dad's engineering jobs, she and her sister Kiera wind up making Boston their home after their parents are killed by a drunk driver. There's quite a few books in this type of genre and while it's definitely a fast paced adventure, I wanted different reactions from the characters. There is a family mystery entangled within a race around Europe to find answers to Kiera's 'murder/disappearance'. Anastasia keeps reaching out to family friends and co-workers, and not everyone is who they seem. I found that frustrating while I read, always wanting her to be less trusting. By the time it resolves, it's clear that there is more to the story, and I hope in the next one, Anastasia is more careful about who she tells what.

2.5 “Spies, Murder and Mysteries” Stars

ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you, Entangled Teen.

Well, this didn't go as I was expecting.

Sure, a mystery book is supposed to NOT go as the reader expects and all, but it's also supposed to keep the reader entertained and wanting to read more from start to finish, right? That was my main problem with this book: it just didn't hook me.

I started Proof of Lies weeks ago and I kept putting it aside and getting distracted with other books, because I simply couldn't connect with the story enough. I'm not saying the story isn't good--I'm just saying it didn't win me over.

The main character is Anastacia, a teenager tired of moving around because of her scientist parents. She's finally convinced they'll stay in the States for good when her parents announce they need to move again because of another mysterious job. Of course she doesn't take it well, and I sympathize with her drama, but Anastacia soon regrets her outburst because her parents end up dying in a car accident before she can apologize for saying she hated them. Ouch. Poor girl.

Fast foward, Anastacia and her older sister are kind of miserable, but trying to adapt. Until her sister is presumed dead. The morning after a party where Anastacia meets her sister's boyfriend, a guy she dislikes instantly, Anastacia walks into her sister's bedroom to find nothing but a lot of blood. Despite Anastacia's protests, the police are quick to rule it as a homicide.

Depression hits hard and Anastacia basically stops living for a while. She doesn't get out of bed for weeks (months, if I'm not mistaken) and she's pretty much done with this stupid life that keeps killing everyone she loves.

While I get that plot choice, I have to say it distanced me from the story. I don't want to come across as heartless, but having Anastacia spend that much time just doing nothing but lying in bed didn't really help keep me interested in the story and what was coming next.

I understand her pain and desperation after losing her entire family, but I wanted her to come back to life and fight for her sister and her own survival earlier. She eventually does that and things move faster from then on, but at that point I was already struggling with the story.

Another thing I struggled with was Anastacia's relationship with the love interest, Marcus. He's a Spanish guy whose parents are also involved in the same corporation Anastacia's parents used to work for, and he becomes Anastacia's sidekick as they start following clues in their search for her missing sister. I liked him and what he brought to the story. I just didn't really like them together. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the connection. And if I'm not shipping the main couple at some level, then I'm definitely struggling with the book. I'm sorry, but that's how my romance-obsessed mind works.

On the plus side, I liked the spy-world the author created, and I also liked the writing. It was simple, but good. If the story had progressed faster and the romance had been written in a more intense way, I would've probably loved it. Unfortunately, it took me too long to get into the story.

I have attempted to read and get into this book but it isn't something that would hold my attention. I even gave it a book span in between starting again, it just wasn't for me.

Anastasia is tired of moving all over the place and has finally found a place she'd like to settle down in Boston. When her engineer parents decide to move again, she is furious. Unfortunately, her parents are killed in a tragic accident and Anastasia's older sister Keira becomes her caretaker. Keira drops out of medical school and becomes a hard partying nurse reluctant in her role as guardian. When Keira disappears after a night of partying, leaving behind a tub full of bloody water, the worst is assumed. Anastasia, however, is convinced that Keira is still alive, and that the people who have taken her are part of the black ops world she is now discovering her parents may have been a part of.

A fun thrilling mystery/suspense YA read.

This book is so awesome. For sure keeps you guessing.  Anastasia finds that her sister is missing and a tub full of blood. With police saying her sister Keira is most likely dead.
Anastasia not believing that Keira is dead, starts looking for more clues with her good friend Charlotte and her newly found friend Marcus. They uncover more about Anastasia's family and her parents. Which leads them out of the country, not knowing if her parents were spies and if they can save and find Keira before it's to late. Charlotte thinking Keira may be dead doesn't want to admit that they are just being sent on a dead end.

Anastasia learning more and more about a company her parents founded, is not really what it seems.

Looking forward to reading book 2.

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the first book in the Anastasia Phoenix series and was a one day read for me, I couldn’t put it down! I always enjoy a good mystery / thriller and Proof of Lies was written very well.

Anastasia is the daughter of scientist parents who are constantly on the move, she speaks four languages and has a black belt in karate; when her parents announce that there will be yet another move she is extremely annoyed and upset but before this happens they tragically die in an accident leaving Anastasia living with her older sister Keira.

Things aren’t always easy for Keira and Anastasia and they do clash often but when Keira goes missing presumed dead, Anastasia will do anything she can to find her sole living relative, even if it means flying around the world to meet with questionable people to get her sister back; travelling with Anastasia is another Dresden corporation child – Marcus.

The plot of Proof of Lies is fast paced and action packed and I couldn’t quite guess who could and couldn’t be trusted! It really was a search for the truth throughout the whole book and many secrets were revealed. I was impressed by the world-building and I am excited to read the next book to see how it all plays out, especially with the exciting ending that we were left with.

We get a small amount of romance but it wasn’t at the forefront of the story, it also was a little bit of a letdown for me because of Anastasia’s hot and cold feelings; Marcus was great and understanding but I would like to see it further developed in the next instalment.

The secondary characters were each written well but I would like to get to know them more, especially Marcus who is still a bit of a mystery to me, we meet Anastasia’s closest friends but we also meet a few along her travels that I could never quite call friend or foe, as previously mentioned I never quite knew who could be trusted.

Proof of Lies was a thrilling read! It was mysterious, filled with interesting characters that progressed throughout the book and an exciting plot that left us with an ending where you need more.

I enjoyed Diana Rodriguez Wallach’s descriptive writing, exciting storyline and the build-up that she has left us with; I am excited to read Lies that Bind which has an anticipated 2018 release date.

Thank you to Entangled Teen via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Proof of Lies.

Growing up Anastasia and her sister Keira moved from country to country with their parents as they were world-renowned engineers and co-owned a company called Dresden. They became part of a club known as Dresden Kids which are nomadic children whose parents move around every few months, and if they are lucky, then they can live in a place longer than six months. Boston was supposed to be their last stop, and their new home as Keira had just started medical school in Boston and the company's base was in Boston. That is until Anastasia's parents inform her they are off to Canada. Her parents leave and then Keira is awoken with the tragic news that their parents have been killed by a drunk driver. Keira becomes Anastasia's guardian, and for the next year they struggle, but they make do with what they have. That is until Keira has a Mother's Day Eve party with her nursing friends and the next morning their house is a crime scene. Keira is missing, and the bathtub is overflowing with blood and a lot of it. Anastasia, the only one who believes her sister is still alive will start an international mission along with her new best friend Marcus - a fellow Dresden kid starting off in Italy. What will Anastasia receive though is more questions as she discovers her parents weren't what they seem and that Keira's disappearance could be connected to their deaths? Proof of Lies was a fast-paced novel filled with lots of twists, and I loved the direction that the book took with uncovering Anastasia's parent's company. The only thing I wish was that we might have had a bit more interaction with Marcus and his family and how they are connected, though I did read at the end that they will be featured in the next book. Proof of Lies left me with lots of unanswered questions, so I am hoping that the next book will give readers like me a clearer view of what is happening and of the past and what has led to the current events.

This is a totally amazing suspense filled young adult mystery with a bit of romance! I read it all in one day because I could not put it down. Anastasia is a junior in high school, living with her older sister, Keira since their parents had died in a tragic accident several years before. When Keira disappears and is presumed to be dead due to the amount of her blood that was at the scene, Anastasia refuses to believe her sister is dead and sinks into a deep depression. Then, evidence turns up that Keira may be alive and Anastasia is determined to find her. She is sent to Europe with Marcus, a boy from her high school whose parents and brother work for the same company her parents worked for. There is lots of action and plot twists and this is the first book in a series and I look forward to reading the rest when they come out!

great book! Kept me on the edge of my seat! Can't wait to read more from this author.