Character Profiles

Aria Montgomery

Lean, with jet black dark hair, and pouty lips, Aria used to be Rosewood's resident weird girl—but that was before a trip to Iceland did her a world of good. It seems sometimes you have to leave your hometown to realize that you're not weird, just different. Aria is artsy and imaginative, with hipster style, and a passion for knitting and writing. But, unfortunately for her, when Aria blossomed in Iceland, her deepest, darkest secrets didn't wither away as she'd hoped they would. The ugly truth is out there, and it's going to catch up with her.
Distinctive feature: Wide-set dark brown eyes
Known for: Being anti-Rosewood, making short films, and knitting
Favorite things: Coffee imported from Iceland, French films, literature, and Pigtunia
Biggest regret: Keeping her father's affair from her mom
Worst offense: Withholding evidence from the police

Hanna Marin

Hanna used to be chubby. Hanna used to feel like a hanger-on, someone who wasn't exactly welcome among the popular girls. Hanna also felt used up by her parents divorce, and used by her friends. But that was before a killer make-over helped propel Hannakins and her BFF, Mona Vanderwall, to their rightful place as Rosewood Day's reigning queen bees. With her own Amex, long brown hair, flawless skin and a to-die-for body, Hanna seems to have it all. But look closely and you'll see the truth: What Hanna really has are a lot of secrets, and everything to lose.
Distinctive feature: Size two—with size twelve insecurities
Known for: Shoplifting, impeccable style, and rising from obscurity to popularity
Favorite things: Her dog Dot, shopping for couture (at a five-finger discount), and being adored
Biggest regret: Her fat, dorky past
Worst offense: Stealing a Tiffany toggle bracelet from the King James Mall

Spencer Hastings

It's not easy being perfect—just ask Spencer. From striving to be valedictorian to scoring the most goals in field hockey, Spencer is on a mission to out-do her older sister, Melissa. But no matter how high her GPA is or how many extracurricular clubs she smashes into her schedule, the only time Spence scores more than Melissa is when it comes to Melissa's boyfriends. Aww, don't hate her because she's a naturally blonde princess with a perfectly toned body—wait until Spencer steals your boyfriend for that!
Distinctive feature: A perfect body—hidden under preppy, cashmere sweaters
Known for: Stealing her sister's boyfriends, pursuing perfection, and competing with Ali
Favorite things: Excelling at sports, acing her academics, and one-upping her sister
Biggest regret: Arguing with Ali the night she disappeared
Worst offense: Two counts of boyfriend theft

Emily Fields

Emily is dedicated. Dedicated to swimming, to her parents, and to her unrequited loves—some of them girl crushes. She's also a little superstitious, which helps her cling to the hope that . . . if the next car that drives by is red, Ali is still alive! Emily's strawberry blond hair is tinted green from the chlorine in the pool, and her dorky "Swim Chick" t-shirts are the height of Fields fashion. Ali definitely questioned Em's style, but she knew Emily would pounce on anyone who threatened her. That's why Ali nicknamed her "Killer." (Too bad it wasn't enough, Em.)
Distinctive feature: Broad swimmer's shoulders
Known for: Swimming, loyalty, naivete, and falling in love too easily
Favorite things: Corny t-shirts and the friendship bracelet Ali gave her
Biggest regret: Not having been there when Ali was in danger
Worst offense: Lying to herself

Alison DiLaurentis

Alison was, in a word, perfect. Boys wanted to kiss her, and girls—even older ones—wanted to be her. Blond and beautiful, Ali even persuaded four little liars—Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer—to tell her all of their darkest secrets. And the spell Ali cast over them remained, until she disappeared the summer after seventh grade. Ali's disappearance left the liars without their best friend, but it also released them from the secrets that only Ali knew. Or did it? In Rosewood, things aren't always what they seem, especially when you're a pretty little liar.
Distinctive feature: Her perfect, heart-shaped face
Known for: Her beauty, her popularity, and her disappearance
Favorite things: It's hard to choose when you have it all.
Biggest regret: If only she were here to tell us . . .
Worst offense: Toying with her friends