The Masterpiecers by Olivia Wildenstein

I so wanted to love this book. The idea behind it is brilliant and I loved the original reality show and that the main characters (identical twins) are such unreliable narrators. They kept me guessing throughout the story.

As both characters are restricted by the boundaries of their unique environments, the supporting characters had a very big role to play. This is possibly where the essence of the book was lost. With no voice and little insight into their lives, the supporting characters were missing something, their characters shallow.

The story started off well, but about halfway through I started to feel it weaken. The plot had so many missing pieces and loose ends and not all had been revealed by the end.  I kept waiting for a twist or something to give clarity to the storyline.

There is a sequel planned so here’s hoping clarity is still to come.

Recommended age: 13+

Title: The Masterpiecers
Series: Masterful
Author: Olivia Wildenstein 
Publication Date: 15 April 2016
Source: ARC

 
Purchase this book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Add to your shelf:
Goodreads

Nineteen-year-old Ivy Redd’s talent with a needle and thread has earned her a spot on a coveted reality TV art competition set in New York’s Metropolitan Museum. The prize: a significant amount of money and instant acceptance into the Masterpiecers, the school that ensures new artists fame and fortune. Her talent has also thrust her and her twin sister, Aster, into the spotlight. 

Not that Aster needed help with becoming a media favorite. She managed that on her own by running over a wanted mobster. She told the police it was self-defense, because she couldn’t tell them the truth—the truth would make her sister look bad.

Locked in an Indiana jail to await her trial, Aster watches Ivy on the small TV hanging in the dayroom. It’s the highlight of her day, until she finds out what her sister truly thinks of her. Then, observing her sister becomes a punishment far crueler than imprisonment.  — abstract from Goodreads.com

The fact that I received a free advanced copy of this book does not influence my policy to write an honest review.