Synopses & Reviews
R. seemed okay at first. She invited me and Dad over for dinner at her Upper West Side apartment, and we spent the first part of the evening just standing around and watching her cook. R. was mesmerizing; she swept around the kitchen in her silk robes and purple eye shadow, stirring bubbling pots of marinara sauce and bending down every few seconds to kiss Godot, her Yorkshire terrier. Dad was charmed by her, I could tell. She was beautiful and funny and she kept singing lines from different musicals. Dad would say, "The Pajama Game, right?" and she'd shriek, "YES! EXACTLY!" and then he'd sip his beer in this pleased-with-himself way. And it was nice she'd invited me. I guess it was like their first date, so it was a pretty cool move for her to say, "Why don't you bring your daughter?" It made her seem easygoing, sweet, kid-loving. Not at all like a crazy, jealous psychopath, right? Wrong.
Review
“Archer makes a wickedly funny debut. . . . The teens initial misjudgments of one another fuel much of the initial comedy, while Archers knowing prose gives even the old-fashioned moral a hip ring.”—
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Archer displays a sure sense of teens dialogue, anxieties, and, best of all, humor . . . Clever, hip, and satisfying, this will attract many readers, who will look forward to the sequels suggested at the storys close.”—Booklist
“This pleasant read offers food for thought for even the most reluctant reader. The strength of the story lies in its realistic portrayal of teen insecurity and the need to have love and structure in a seemingly hostile world. . . . Fans of Ann Brasharess Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will enjoy this tale of feisty young women on the brink of adulthood.”—Voice of Youth Advocates
“The Poison Apple members . . . are entertaining and their hyperbolic tales of woe might be whats most appealing to gossip-loving adolescents.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Good fun.”—School Library Journal
“[A] Funny, often poignant first novel . . . What sets the book apart from many in the boarding school genre is the underlying compassion these three retain, despite their new and uncertain circumstances. . . . Readers will hope for more from this likable trio—and this talented storyteller.”—Shelf Awareness
Review
Praise for The Poison Apples: " Archer makes a wickedly funny debut...Alternating among their perspectives with considerable wit... The teens initial misjudgments of one another fuel much of the initial comedy, while Archers knowing prose gives even the old-fashioned moral a hip ring." - Publishers Weekly, Starred review "...friendship forms the core of Archers tender, funny debut novel... Writing in the alternating voices of the three girls, Archer displays a sure sense of teens dialogue, anxieties, and, best of all, humor...Clever, hip, and satisfying, this will attract many readers, who will look forward to the sequels suggested at the storys close." - Booklist "This pleasant read offers food for thought for even the most reluctant reader. The strength of the story lies in its realistic portrayal of teen insecurity and the need to have love and structure in a seemingly hostile world....Archer smoothly alternates the point of view among the three girls, offering insight into how their different personalities cope with hardship. Fans of Ann Brashares Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will enjoy this tale of feisty young women on the brink of adulthood."--VOYA "The Poison Apple members...are entertaining and their hyperbolic tales of woe might be whats most appealing to gossip-loving adolescents."--Kirkus Reviews "...Good fun." - School Library Journal "...funny, often poignant first novel...What sets the book apart from many in the boarding school genre is the underlying compassion these three retain, despite their new and uncertain circumstances... Readers will hope for more from this likable trio--and this talented storyteller."--Shelf Awareness "The Poison Apples is Lily Archers first novel and its a very good riff on how much good friends can save you when everything else goes to hell. Its also very funny and one of those pitch perfect reads for sharing with many girlfriends (whether they have stepmonsters of their own or not)."--Bookslut "There definitely seems to be sequel potential for this book and dare I say it might be even as big as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."--The YA YA YAs (blog) "...debut novelist Lily Archer handles the contemporary issues faced by families with delightfully wicked humor and a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, forgiveness, and the true meaning of 'family.' Middle grade and teenage girls from around the country will laugh at and identify with the themes of this novel and the adventures of three unique main characters."--Midwest Book Review
Synopsis
We all know the stories of Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. But have you ever heard of Alice Bingley-Beckerman, Reena Paruchuri, or Molly Miller? Of course you havent. Not yet. What these girls have in common with their fairy tale sisters is this: They are the stepdaughters of three very evil stepmothers. And theyre not happy about it. They think they are alone in their unhappiness until they arrive at Putnam Mount McKinsey, a posh boarding school located in lovely rural Massachusetts. Here is where they will plot their revenge. But first they have to meet.
Synopsis
We all know the stories of Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. But have you ever heard of Alice Bingley-Beckerman, Reena Paruchuri, or Molly Miller? Of course you havent. Not yet. What these girls have in common with their fairy tale sisters is this: they are the stepdaughters of three very evil stepmothers. And theyre not happy about it. They think they are alone in their unhappiness until they arrive at Putnam Mount McKinsey, a posh boarding school located in lovely rural Massachusetts. Here is where they will plot their revenge. But first they have to meet.
In her first novel, Lily Archer tells a knowing, wickedly funny story about how friendship just may turn out to be more happily-ever-after than family.
Synopsis
Stepdaughters of the world, unite!
About the Author
Lily Archer lives in New York City, where she reads the dictionary for fun and secretly hankers for a pet penguin. She has known many stepmothers; some kind, others wicked.