Liar's Test

by Ambelin Kwaymullina

A gripping YA fantasy with a deadly contest to win a crown, a fierce heroine determined to right the wrongs done to her people, and a smoldering love story that could change everything...

I didn’t want to rule the Risen. Wreak a little havoc upon them, though? That was something else entirely.

Bell Silverleaf is a liar.

It’s how she’s survived. It’s how all Treesingers have survived, after they were invaded by the Risen and their gods. But now—thanks to some political maneuvering—Bell is in the Queen’s Test. She’s one of seven girls competing in deadly challenges to determine who rules for the next twenty-five years. If Bell wins, she’ll use the power to help her people and get her revenge on the Risen.

But Bell doesn’t know how much she’s been lied to. She’s part of a conspiracy stretching back generations, and she’s facing much bigger dangers than the Queen’s Test. She’s up against the gods themselves.

Getting hold of that crown might just be the least of her problems.

Aboriginal writer Ambelin Kwaymullina has created a fast-paced, twisty narrative and an unforgettable heroine inspired by the strength and power of Aboriginal women.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Indigenous, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction, Religion

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2024

About the author

Ambelin Kwaymullina belongs to the Palyku people of the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is a writer, illustrator and law academic who works across a range of genres including YA, science fiction, verse and non-fiction.

Reviews

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to GetUnderlined for the free ARC.

I AM SO CONFUSED.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This book confused me. There wasn’t enough world building for me to understand anything and I was constantly in a state of befuddlement as I tried to piece together the land, the rules, and the magic system.

The summary even mentions a romance, there is no romance. There is one kiss, with no relationship buildup.

I guess I kind of liked the side character friends Bell had?

And the writing style didn’t work for me. There was a severe lack of dialogue for much of the book and it made it hard to connect with characters.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kiss
- Violence: low-moderate

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liar's Test is an Aussie fantasy that draws on the strength and lore of Aboriginal women. The Treesingers are people who are closely tied to trees and the land, who have lied in order to survive.

Bell finds herself in a magical competition to the throne. She's a tough, strong and smart main character who is embodied by the strength of her people. I liked the complex world and the concept of the Liar's Test and the main character.

I did however find that the actual competition was rushed, with limited character development. It is a fast paced read, with an interesting concept, but did get quite confusing. The romance was also a barely there element. I think a bit more world building would've helped, and some time to develop the character relationships.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot going on here, and it's up to the reader to keep up.

Love all the work around secrets, truth and lies and the connections to what's happening in our world.

Lively, well plotted with complex characterisation.

[Bang Bang Books]

DNF at 18%

I'm not in the mood for a contest.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Liar's Test

‘Intriguing and layered worldbuilding that draws on the author’s Australian Indigenous culture steals the show in this serpentine fantasy adventure.’
Publishers Weekly

‘Tucked into a twisty, fast-paced narrative that explores legacies of colonialism are subtle messages about the ever-changing, symbiotic web of life. Intriguing and imaginative.’
Kirkus Reviews

‘A genre-bending, non-stop adventure foregrounding First Nations lifeways, the power of resistance and the multi-generational harms wrought by colonialism and empire. Bell Silverleaf is the kick-arse First Nations heroine we have longed for.’
Rebecca Lim

‘A fresh and far-reaching tale brimming with adventure, bravery and resistance—this is must-read Australian YA fantasy!’
Kate Murray

‘A high-action, thematically rich fantasy with a gutsy, intuitive protagonist...Kwaymullina's character development is strong, and she has created a rich lore full of beauty and complexity…Fierce and deeply imaginative.’
Books+Publishing

‘This fantasy thriller set in a rich and sophisticated world deserves a wide audience. The tests of faith, strength and cleverness are thrilling, with themes of colonialism, religion and abuse of power providing deeper complexity. Highly recommended for ages 14+.’
Angela Crocombe, Readings Monthly

‘Earnestly told through the eyes of 15-year-old orphaned Bell Silverleaf, the book is a fine example of contemporary Indigenous futurism and the ways it can reflect the horrors of Australia’s colonial past…The novel pays homage to the strength one derives from ancestral lineage. In Bell, we witness a strongly developed character, moving closer to her essence.’
Jessie Tu, Age

‘A fascinating exploration of resistance, multi-generational trauma, the fallibility of historical narrative, and the effects of colonisation—all within a high-action fantasy packed with unexpected plot twists. Fans of Kwaymullina’s previous YA novels, as well as Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, will relish this story.’
StoryLinks

‘Bell is a memorable protagonist inspired by the strength and power of Aboriginal women…With themes of resistance and power, as well as exploring the inter-generational harm caused by colonialism, Liar’s Test is a fast-paced adventure fantasy with an important story to tell.’
Magpies

‘Liar’s Test is distinctive in its rich world-building detail, including how an oppressive society can be created and manipulated by shadow actors and the power of a minority’s next generation in creating change. A fascinating exploration of resistance, multi-generational trauma, the fallibility of historical narrative, and the effects of colonisation—all within a high-action fantasy packed with unexpected plot twists. Fans of Kwaymullina’s previous YA novels, as well as Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive, will relish this story.’
StoryLinks

‘Liar’s Test is a fast-paced, first-person fantasy novel of impressive imagination. If you have been reading, for instance, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or the Fire Sermon trilogy by Francesca Haig, you will know the kind of taut, heart-stopping, and ethically challenging read you are in for here…. It is quite a ride. Ambelin Kwaymullina is a major prize-winning First Nations writer from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and this novel does indeed honour the voices of Indigenous Peoples colonised by powers indifferent to their welfare.’
CBCA Reading Time

‘Aboriginal writer and artist Ambelin Kwaymullina’s novel is a fantasy adventure tale that features a strong female lead, the orphaned Bell Silverleaf, whose clan has faced religious persecution. Bell undergoes a series of challenges, but she has some tricks of her own—she’s an excellent liar and she can commune with allies in the form of trees. The complex world building draws on the author’s background to explore colonialism, resistance and the power of matriarchy. Liar’s Test can be classified in a growing category as Indigenous Futurism.’
Thuy On, ArtsHub

[Julia Pika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's for the copy in exchange for an honest review. It's a solid 3.5 stars.

Fair warning: Although this book is marketed as a romance it is NOT primarily a romance. There's literally a tiny little sliver of romance and it's almost nonexistent.

What a fun read! It's fast-paced with lots of world-building that you must pay attention to to understand. Bell is a fun and compelling protagonist and you can't help but side with her. I feel like the book suffered from being short, oddly enough, I think another hundred pages would've helped expand some of the world-building. I was surprised it ended so quickly.

Tricks was my favorite character, what a sweetie!

(I would've rounded this up to 4 stars but I feel like it needed another round of editing and more pages to help space things out--I genuinely thought things were going way too fast to keep up and I had to re-read sections to really understand what the heck was going on!)

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amberlin Kwaymullina might be my favourite young adult author writing, and well, now she is writing again. There is a smart, thought provoking set of ideas weaving through this perfectly paced adventure, but you don't have to notice that if you just want to get swept up in a good story.
It is a bold move to center the idea of deception as survival skill, one that will resonate with many who move through a world that inherently threatens them.
There is a lot that is innovative here, but Kwaymullina centers a trope (how fast things become tropes!) of a test that pits young people from different social groups against other, which balances the more unfamiliar ideas.
This felt very wrapped up as a standalone, but is listed as a series, so will be interested in how it goes.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This did a lot of interesting things with an adventure story. It was a science fiction/fantasy match-up, with gods being high tech people, but there was also true spirituality among the characters. They did some bait and switch with death at the end, which is a trope in kidlit I don’t really like. But in general it was fun and I would give the author more tries.

[rachel x]

mmm not a huge fan of the cover but the blurb is still intriguing me!

[Rich in Color is now on StoryGraph]

If you’ve been around Rich in Color for a while you know that I love reading books from around the globe, so when the request to read a YA novel by an Aboriginal writer came, I jumped at the chance. The story sounded interesting and as a fan of fantasy I was looking forward to it. I was not disappointed. The story drew me in and with its fast paced storytelling kept me intrigued right up to the end.

The highlight of the book, aside from an awesome and likable character in Bell, is the world-building. It was very clear that Kwaymullina took her time creating Bell’s world as the rules of her society, the different religions, the mythologies, and even the supernatural aspects of the world was so clear that Risen society felt completely real. I fully understood Treesinger beliefs and their ways of life which gave Bell her strength to survive in such a hostile environment. What also was impressive to me was the complete history of the world that was slowly revealed through the story as Bell figured out the truth behind her own personal heritage. Each chapter was a mix of revealing more of this complex world while mixing it with a story that had political intrigue, a mystery that needed to be solved, and an overthrow the government type of thriller.

The heart of the novel is Bell Silverleaf, who when we meet her is dying but is brought back to life through a supernatural power. We realize she is someone special but because she is trapped inside a temple, she has been oppressed for much of her childhood. Bell survives by lying to who oppressors, pretending to share their religious beliefs, but by holding fast to the beliefs of her Treesinger people. She is courageous and thoughtful and really rises to the occasion when she is entered into the Queen’s Test against her will. Since she is such a survivor, she leans on those skills in the test but also discovers how much of a leader she can truly be and how much she actually really cares not just for her Treesinger people but for people as a whole. The growth that Bell went on as she learned to lean into her power was what really connected me to her. I enjoyed going on the journey with Bell and wanted to continue on her journey after the end of the novel (I don’t know if there is a sequel, but I hope there will be).

I really enjoyed Liar’s Test as it was a fun, immersive read that allowed me to escape into to another complex world for a brief moment. The story was full of plot twists that kept me guessing and drew me deeper into the story. This novel was so different than so much other fantasy and it is a world that I would love to visit again and again.

[Jess Gibbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down.

This wasn't entirely without charm - It was a zippy read and I wasn't bored. But I had several issues with it (every part of the book is spoiled below so really, stop reading if you care about that.) Issues are pretty much in order of how much they influenced my score, from most the least.

- A lot of the achievements and knowledge in the book weren't earned by Bell. So many of the answers came to her in a dream or she just *felt* them or The Ancients gave her exactly what she needed. I do understand that this is an allegory for Aboriginal spirituality and connection to the earth, and I do have some time for that, but as a narrative device I think it took away from Bell's heroism. She also didn't seem to have to learn things the hard way - she speaks of being a secret-keeping Silverleaf to the core, then her Uncle comes and reminds her she is also a Holdfast and should share her burden with her friends, and she just... does.

- So. Much. Info. Dumping.

- The stakes never felt very high. Of the seven girls in the test, the unlikeable ones were picked off quickly and the "good" ones remained. We lost Ronan and Tricks, and then kind of unlost them both. Some of the moments that were supposed to be emotionally resonant fell a little flat for me (like Bell discovering Eldan was actually Tomas, which should have been kind of devastating.)

- The book did not trust the audience to make connections at ALL. There was one line where Bell said something like "it was down to me (a world class liar) to tell the truth." Bell being a Liar is a massive theme in the book and I didn't feel like I needed to be reminded in this moment to get the gravity of it, so it felt condescending. This happened a few times.

- The 'romance' between Ronan and Bell came out of nowhere. Also, she is 15 and he is how old??

My favourite part was probably Journeys Far's perspective. I enjoyed learning about 'him' and his sparklies and his trade relationships, and was interested in the connections between the religions and how the same holy places/symbols/beings meant different things to the different groups.

To conclude, I wouldn't actually warn someone off reading this, but nor would I pick up the second book when it comes out.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Kwaymullina, who has written several young adult books which draw on her own cultural background to create unique and immersive new worlds.

The influence of the Dreamtime legends of the Australian Indigenous People was particularly strong in her first trilogy. Here Kwaymullina draws more on Indigenous people’s connections to the land and associated traditions than on specific legends or legendary figures.

“Liar’s Test” had me interested from the first page, absorbed throughout, and ends with me waiting eagerly for the next instalment in this trilogy.

Perhaps because this is a young adult novel, it’s quite slim. However, Kwaymullina packs a lot into a short book. Although the basic plot is straightforward, it’s loaded with twists and turns. Many of those twists are lodged in the strong characterisations.

I’m not sure whether I was just so absorbed in the story that I wasn’t looking far enough ahead, or whether some of those twists and turns were truly unforeseeable. Whichever, I didn’t see them coming and that kept me on my toes.

I loved the characters. Bell in particular is a very vivid portrayal of a young person on the cusp of adulthood. She’s starting to feel confident in herself and her values, but still has moments of uncertainty and insecurity. She’s particularly uncertain about some of her relationships. It’s here that we see the most growth in her through the novel. She becomes not just a little more aware of others, but more understanding both of who they are deep down, and of how she relates to them.

Look, this was a really good reading experience. It’s original, fast moving, with a strong and interesting plot. Strong characters get you emotionally involved in the story. There are some morals here, but they’re subtly woven into the story and character development. You won’t feel lectured to.

There’s a strong sense of completion here – a satisfying wrap up to this part of the story. But it’s also clear that there’s more to come. I’m waiting eagerly for it, and will pounce upon the second in the series the moment I see it.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

[Jedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So overall I LOVED this book, so many cool elements in it, like a cute tree spirit character called Tricks, great female characters, memory keepers who can go into the past and relive other people's memories, all of this interwoven with many elements of Aboriginal culture, quite alot of parallels with our fucked Australian history, but being in the fantasy genre, the author can play and change the narrative by seeing it from an empowered strong character who is an agent of change. I was very much invested but I also acknowledge there were lots of glitchy parts of the novel which made it confusing. e.g. A bit of an intense launch into the beginning of the book,it took abit of time to orientate where and what this world was like, and also sudden romance dynamic of protagonist which I was not vibing. I found it interesting she chose to use dialogue/descriptions that were very modern slang and sounded like a teen girl from today, e.g. swooshy dresses. Regardless, it was a realllly fun read!!!

As an Asian POC who has grown up obsessed with the fantasy genre, I know how important it is for a teenage girl to see representation of themselves in literature. I never realised how powerful it also feels to have black characters with some explicitly black culture elements in these books until I read Jordyn Ifueko's books and I was like; YES, this is beyond the typical white mediaeval troupe (which is still great), and makes fantasy even more enjoyable and reaches a wider range of readers. I'm probably not doing a good job explaining why it feels so important, but #diversevoices!! so I'm glad this book has turned up and we need more!! looking forward to reading more of Kwaymullina's works.

[Melissa Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Risen Kingdom needs a new queen, and Bell Silverleaf is one of the chosen to compete for the honour. But first she needs to work out who to trust and what she really wants.

Seven girls are selected to compete in a series of challenges that, if they survive, will narrow down who will rule across the Risen Kingdom for the next twenty-five years. Bell doesn’t really want rule. What she wants is revenge against those who hurt her people, the Treesingers. But if she takes this opportunity, she might just be able to have her revenge as well.

Kwaymullina has created an intricate fantasy world full of mystery, history, intrigue and action. The main character Bell has different shades of toughness, strength, kindness and vulnerability. A perfect combination! The journey created by Kwaymullina for Bell Silverleaf enables her to show these wonderful traits in her character. For that reason, the careful and detailed writing to craft this character mean that as the reader, you really hope Bell succeeds in all the challenges.

The storyline moved quickly between high stakes action, important details surrounding events, increased stakes and drawing all the threads of the storyline together to work out where it was going. It really keeps the reader guessing page after page.

Liar’s Test is book one in the Silverleaf chronicles. There is no release date for the next book as yet but it will definitely be worth the wait! Inspired by strength and power of Aboriginal women, this story will keep the reader mesmerised by the fantasy world and every character in it.
Liar’s Test is suitable for a 12+ readership.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kwaymullina covers the same scope and breadth of her peers on the YA SFF shelf in what feels like half the time, and certainly fewer pages. Does this mean she's abbreviated some of the world- and relationship-building, yes, and I think it works as well as her longer counterparts (who just as often rely on the reader to make similar leaps). The world and its lore is incredibly rich, the relationships satisfactory. There is a lyricism that maintains a rhythm and pace that is clearly well-edited and lovely and easy to read.

I was surprised by how quickly we were in and through most of the Trials. The pacing in this novel lingers only where it needs to and this may mean the reader may need to pay attention more. Also, it is a pretty twisty plot. That said, if you get confused, just be patient because Bell does pause to reflect and congregate her findings. Those more familiar with Science Fictional worlds/media will find this easier to follow; also, video-gamers.

I picked this up to read an Aboriginal writer and I was wise to do so. The conversation on post-colonialism is stellar. These moments were the only place I found the plot gaining weight (for good and less good ala heavy moralizing). All in all, a fantastic read and well worth the time. This would be a crowd-pleasing read for any book club or syllabus.

It brought Donna Barba Higuera's work to mind, especially that SF shift; which is a good thing.

With gratitude for the eARC from the publisher and Edelweiss+

[Tahnaya (catsandpaperbacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“His eyes were focused on mine, wide and shocked. He breathed, “It’s you.”
…
“One step, two steps, three steps, four
Turn to the right and step some more
When you reach the place of eight
Step left and left and then step straight
Now you’re almost done, my love
Just once more left and then above”
…
This fast-paced YA fantasy novel was a pleasure to read, full of intricate world building that requires you to really tap into your imagination and is very open to interpretation. I loved the take on indigenous culture in the story with mention of ancestors and passing on traditions through family as well as the deep connection with nature with Treesinger families being so closely related to different types of trees. Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a fantasy book that isn’t full of romance and I really loved the small bit of romance that blooms between two big characters (not saying too much here😊). I’m all about big female lead characters that are courageous, brave and not afraid to stand their ground so I loved that about the main protagonist, Bell Silverleaf, she suffers abuse and is discriminated because of her background but throughout the book, Bell develops into a really strong heroine. The friendship that forms between Bell and two of the competitors is heartwarming and wholesome. Can we also just talk about how cute Tricks is!!
…
Thank you @text_publishing for sending me a copy!✨🥰

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

💙🖤 Liar’s Test ARC Review 💙🖤

Thank you so much to Ambelin Kwaymullina, Knopf books and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book

Liar’s Test is a YA fantasy. Bell is an expert liar - she has to be because it’s how her people have survived. When she finds herself participating in the deadly Queen’s Test, she realizes that she’s surrounded by more liars than she ever imagined

Overall this was an enjoyable read with strong characters. I feel like there was a lot of lore and world building all at once and I struggled a little bit to keep up, but this got a little better as the book went on. This was an interesting story and I enjoyed it overall, I just felt overwhelmed in a few places because it seemed like there was a lot going on - but that’s a “me” issue and not a book issue

This was a solid three star read for me. This book has some darker elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book had hints of a romantic subplot but it didn’t really go anywhere, so no ratings will be given for spice

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy with complex world building, intricate lore and strong characters, then absolutely pick this one up!

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, wow. I absolutely loved this book.
It's very (very!) fast paced, there were a few times where I had to intentionally slow down and read with intent.
It feels very 'of its time' - a contest for the crown, magic and worlds, unlikely allies...

I did believe this was a Book 1 of a series, so the characters not being completely fleshed out was fine with me at first. Then by the time I was halfway through and realised it was the only book, I enjoyed it so much there wasn't a problem anymore!
Nothing about this story was predictable except the happy ending, which almost annoyed me but I loved the character so it was okay... but I did find the ending a little too predictable once you understood the rhythm of the story.
I do have to say - as someone who has a decent understanding of Australian Indigenous cultures and family structures, that prior knowledge helped me to understand the storyline and background much better. I can imagine that for readers of other cultures or countries, that would be a challenge to overcome.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so if you are used to or invested in novels that are fast paced right from the first chapter, this book is calling your name. We meet Bell, an indigenous Australian young teen who is voluntold to enter a test of strength and faith in order to win the prize of being Queen. Her native people have been colonized by the Risen and Bell is determined to do better for her people (Treesingers)
This is lightly similar to other fantasy / challenge based books but there is a lot of self reflection in this one. What that means is there are moments in the book where we get glimpses of the past from the POV of Bell's family members and why the Treesingers were colonized / taken away. The gods and goddesses also are a part of the story as the competition moves forward.
There is mention of being abused and blood. The romance is sprinkled lightly on the side of the book.

[Marguerite Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwaymullina is a master of complex story arcs. Just when you think you’ve got her world sorted it changes, expands, becomes more real.

She explores the theme of lies as a way to protect truth from being distorted or used to harm others. The technologically superior but morally inferior majority population is fought by Kwaymullina’s hero, Bell, who rises from imprisonment to defeat her opponents in the Queen’s Test.

Heroes don’t rise from nothing and Bell has secure family roots and the power of her culture to win a victory for justice. She also wins strong allies.

The lies are found in all - those who lie to hide from the truth, who deceive themselves. But Bell is one whose lies protect and whose truths are able to save not just people of worth but possibly a whole planet.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liar’s Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina
When I first heard about a new Australian fantasy novel written by a First Nations author I was ready to give it a go. When I realised that the story focused on a First Nations heroine I was thrilled. This storyline is relentless and magical. The world building is layered. The character development is paced well. Normally I’d start a book like this and be begging the gods to please hurry up to the good bits. Kwaymullina has started this at a run, built to a sprint and held it there until the final pages. The respect and love of culture, Country and family is something special and carried on every page.
Best part of the book? It’s Book 1.
Worst part of the book? It’s Book 1. 🤣

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a bit of a Hunger Games vibe but with subtext of colonialism, Indigenous survival, and interconnectedness, this tightly written adventure follows Bel, a young Treesinger who has been stolen from her people and her Grove. Treesingers are deeply connected to the trees of their Grove. But when the Grove's trees became gravely ill and trees and Treesingers began to fall dormant, Bel's grandmother deliberately disconnected Bel from the Grove so that she could stay awake and someday heal the Grove. After being held captive amongst the Risen, Bel is unexpectedly chosen to compete in the Queen's Test to become the next Queen. But to truly win this challenge and save her people, Bel must forge connections, rather than compete alone.

[Katherine Bichler · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy

The blurb of this one sounds like something I would love: a deadly trial to get the crown. While there was a deadly trial, the plot was more whimsical than I wanted it to be. There was a lot going on and at times a little confusing with fast transitions that I had to go back a few times to reread. I did enjoy the actual trials and competition and thought it was creative.
If you want a fast paced, quick YA fantasy read check this one out!

Thank you Underlined for the ARC!

[Helen Farch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new YA fantasy book, with a heroine inspired by the strength and power of Aboriginal women, is fast-paced, unexpected and a must-read.

I loved the characters and the world building.... but I do have to say my absolute favourite character is Tricks - and you will just have to read the book to find out why,

I highly recommend to all lovers of fantasy and adventure.

I can't wait for more books in this series so I can continue to follow Bell on her adventures.

Thanks to the Publisher for the review copy of this book

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another fantasy where the main character has to pass a series of tests with deadly perils and dramatic world-changing implications. The writing was clunky in this one and the supernatural help jumped in too conveniently to save Bell during the tests, which brought the rating down to 3. We have this in our teen section, but it reads younger - like for middle school - because so many of the side characters are either Good or Evil rather than more complex. One kiss in the story, but no other physical yearnings to bump it higher.

[Kirstie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo good. my son and I dove in and quickly struggled to pause each night on just one chapter before bed.
The protagonist has lived a life of hiding in plain sight, under the watchful eyes of an oppressive god-like regime. She thinks she has people, although few, she can trust at most or manipulate at worst. She trusts in her own ability to lie. But, what if everyone else is lying too? What if, the ones you thought you could trust, you can't. And how do you then trust two new people who come into your life right when things have taken a turn for the worse.

[kael · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book that incorporates nearly every plot line for sci fi and fantasy stories. It tries to do too much, new relationships are just suddenly ride-or-die, and it can be confusing at times (maybe it is easier to keep up with if you’re not on audiobook) but it didn’t keep me from finishing the book. I recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different under the sci fi/fantasy genres.

[Violet Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine, I guess? I read the whole thing, it was fairly engaging, the world was intriguing, etc…

My biggest issue was that everything just worked for the main character. Any obstacle lasted maybe two pages, in which she either already knew exactly how to handle it or spent a moment praying and then immediately had an idea that worked perfectly. She was a fairly well-rounded character, I thought, but didn’t struggle at all, which made her difficult to root for.

[Maggie Crawford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried so hard to like this book. I wanted to love it so, so badly. The writing was so lovely. The story was complex, the characters multidimensional, but the world building wasn't quite there for me. What we did get was intriguing, but I wanted more, and a better explanation of the magic wouldn't have been unappreciated, either. It just missed the mark for me, however, I can see where other readers would love it like I wanted to.

[Aυѕтιη · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like JASMINE THRONE but with a lower mortality rate and for teens. The writing style is fun and engaging and the book is short. Good for reluctant readers who like the sort of fantasy tournament games style plotline - 10/10 no regrets would reread.

Full review on Booklist.