The Art of Deception

Portrait of Lies #1

by Madi Gologranc

At the heart of Dreadmore Manor lies a gallery of haunted masterpieces. Every canvas a whisper, each sculpture a secret. On every quarter century, four are chosen to compete for its inheritance. This time, Alexandria Blanchet is among them.

Invited under the guise of study, Alexandria and her rivals must endure a year of cryptic lessons, arcane trials, and perilous games. Where knowledge is currency, deception is art, and only one can claim the prize. The rules are simple: Use whatever advantage you can. Trust no one. Never forget the paintings are alive. And remember, only one needs to survive the year to claim the keys.

But as Alexandria becomes entangled with Sebastián, the charming archivist at the local historical society and drawn into a dangerous enticement with Evander, a rival whose secrets run as deep as his gaze...pale blue, like the still light in Monet’s Water Lilies. She begins to blur the lines between truth, loyalty, and desire.

In a world where magic lingers in brushstrokes and betrayal is just another medium, Alexandria must decide what she’s willing to lose to win.

Perfect for fans of The Atlas Six and Ninth House, The Art of Deception is a tale of art, ambition, and the dangerous games we play for legacy and for love.

Genres: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Academia

340 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2025

About the author

Madi Gologranc is an Aussie book lover turned debut author and aesthetic enthusiast who has wandered through one too many galleries—sometimes literally, often in her imagination.

She’ll be the first to admit her mind tends to run away with her, but she considers that a superpower. After all, it’s what fuels her love for stories, art, and the quiet magic hidden in museum halls and bookstore shelves.

She has spent countless hours drifting through galleries, wondering if she’d survive falling into the worlds they reveal. Spoiler alert: she absolutely wouldn’t—she’s far too attached to her vanilla lattes, cozy robe, and audiobooks.

Reviews

[Madi Gologranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing this on release day eve, perhaps it's a little silly but here we are... 🪷🫀✨

I’m giving this book five stars — not as its author, but as the girl who stayed up too late imagining one day she might write something that lived beyond her own notebooks. She’s waited a long time to see her name on a spine, to feel a story she loved in private become real in public. And she deserves this one small, shining moment.

But after this, I’m stepping out of the review space. This corner of the internet belongs to readers — to your opinions, your feelings, your interpretations, your joy, your critiques, your chaos. I won’t rate or respond or sway the conversation.

This review is simply a thank-you note to my younger self, and to anyone who picks up The Art of Deception and lets it live in their imagination for a little while.

With love,
Madi Gologranc

[rayhanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was such a stunning debut!

full of rich, haunting prose, The Art of Deception is a hunger games esque, trial-style dark academia, where four art historian students get selected to compete with each other to inherit the illustrious Dreadmore Manor and all its secrets.

if you know me you know i LIVE for dark academia. so this was straight up my alley and did not disappoint. i love when a book makes you think and question things. this had me questioning everyone and everything. i accepted nothing at face value and the reveal(s) had me SAT. it's been a few hours and i'm still digesting what happened.

while i enjoyed it mostly, i had a few issues. the book suffered a sluggish pacing with the middle dragging a bit and the use of footnotes was like nails on a chalkboard to me. footnotes are supposed to add information necessary to understanding the text... this author was just saying ANYTHING. it was so annoying and disruptive having to click on those almost every damn sentence. the punctuation was also weirdly done. a sentence would be continuing but the author would break it up into two so it reads very odd.

but other than that, i definitely recommend for a captivating read about art, magic, love and the lengths people will go to, to achieve their desires.

[Sara Jesus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept is really someting. Haunted painting. Art galleries challenges. And four students that will do anything for own that art. But as the action unfolded the worldbuling became too much confused. What save the book to me? The tension betteween the characters, the yearing betteween Alexandria e Evander. Evander is the real reason I became addicted with this story. He is the lie dectetor that can not help to fall for his academic rival and to protect her even if that destroy him. Also Sebastian is other intriging character, the second love interest of Alexandria that we do know if we can trust.

[Zahira⚡️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment. I truly thought I would love this story especially since it has tropes that I love…. But it ended up being quite boring. I couldn’t get invested to the characters, the lore, the magic. When it comes to the world building, i’ve noticed the lack of it. And there’s also this sense that we were supposed to understand what ether was, where it came from, the different types without even a proper introduction to it or explanation for its origins…. Or even the Societies? That they train few students to compete for this secret weird Master program in a haunted manor with paintings that seems to be alive….. it was confusing the whole point of it and it definitely took me our of my reading experience. I really wanted to enjoy the romance but i just couldn’t connect to the main couple or the characters at all… i didn’t understand why one remembered the other until the last page of the book. i give 2 stars because i do love haunted manors or houses as a setting, the mystery and the concept of having paintings that are alive… but thats it :((

[Alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 rounded to for because of the ending

The Art of Deception gave me the same feeling I had with The Atlas Six. Beautiful ideas. Lovely atmosphere. Very little clarity.

The art-centered premise is what kept me hooked. I loved the gallery setting and the idea that art carries power. Even when the plot dragged, the aesthetic made the world interesting. The ending was easily the strongest part. It finally added tension, explained the bigger picture, and made the story feel worth finishing.

The weakness is the confusion. The book starts with very little explanation and the magic system never becomes clear. It feels like you are meant to understand something that the story never actually explains.

Character-wise, Alexandria is written as gifted and brilliant, but she spends most of the book making choices that do not reflect that. She improves at the end, which helped, but it was a slow journey. Evander, on the other hand, is the highlight. He is compelling, sharp, and carries a lot of the emotional weight of the plot. Socrates the cat is also perfect and possibly the only one who fully understands what is going on.

The writing is lyrical and pretty, although some punctuation choices break the flow. The pacing is uneven, with a slow middle and a much stronger final act.

In the end, the book is confusing and slow at times, but creative and atmospheric enough to leave an impression. If you enjoy art-based fantasy and poetic writing, it might be your thing.

[Fsdigitaldiary · Rating 3 out of 5]

the author is extremely talented and genuinely has amazing and eloquent writing. a powerful debut . the footnotes however, constantly took me out of the story and they were overkill. i understand the specific voice and vibe they give to a novel but when i’m pausing three times in every sentence to press the footnote , it gets tedious. it also isn’t unskippable and often times , is necessary to read . it made the reading experience longer and less bingeable which to me is less enjoyable. sometimes an em dash or comma is enough to convey a point and having to press numbers over and over ( like 20+ times in a chapter) go too extreme for me . other than that, i was very impressed and the plot was very fun 🩷
thank you to the author for the arc and i have can’t wait to see her upcoming endeavors 🩷

[Sara ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying Madi has such beautiful, flowery writing. I enjoyed her descriptions throughout the book.

As someone who reads more than the average person, it was refreshing to see a new concept. Haunted art pieces, secret society, playing a game for a legacy. A unique and original story. I also loved the footnotes, I feel they really enhanced the story!

The first part felt slow for me. I also had a difficult time understanding what “ether” was in the beginning and wish it had been better defined early on to help grasp the story. I was expecting to feel more on edge than I did throughout. I wish there had been more about the magic and paintings. I wanted to feel a little more “spooked” or “thrilled” I guess.

Overall, I believe this was a great debut!

Congratulations on your first book and thank you so much for sending me an arc. 💙

[Marie-Ève22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I enjoyed reading this book full of misteries and secrets. The dark academia vibes are perfect for fall and winter! The concept of this book was very unic to me. I loved that it was centered arround art and magic.

However, I found that the use of footnotes broke my reading flow and it took me a while to get in the book. Honestly, I don't think that I would have read them if it wasn't an ARC. The first half was a little bit slow for me, but it definitely picks up.

Overall, I would say that it is a good book.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Art of Deception reads like a love letter to the haunting side of the art historical academia world.

Gologranc's writing style combines prose and poetry (and footnotes!) Through the characters' different perspectives, you come to know about them and their relation to the secret society. There is an obvious dark academic vibe: think autumn, knitted sweaters, brown colour palette, antique books, and lots of classical/ modernist art.

While it wasn't the mystery tension gripping level fit for me, I would still recommend reading this book because its exclusive secret society aspect, together with the practice of ether, makes this story mysteriously unique. And despite not getting the full grasp of the character depth, they were still very intriguing, since they all have special talents and fields of interest. Their dynamics between the characters was also one of my favourite aspects of the book. There are clear interactions and some tension here and there.

Finally, the ending was surely gripping, and it will leave your mouth open. A truly remarkable and well-researched story where the author's ambition shines through!

Thank you, Madi Gologranc, for the opportunity to read an e-arc of 'The Art of Deception'.

[ʀᴀᴇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
I’ve been binge-reading this book for the past two days, and wow… it absolutely blew me away! The concept is so unique, and omg those footnotes! I’ve never read a book like this before! The magic, the lively paintings, the characters, the beautiful romance… everything is just amazing. I love it so much, but I still have so many questions, and so I need the second book immediately! Can’t wait for it to come out next year… If you love dark academia with art history, you should definitely read this one 🙏🏻

[Frya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations beautfiul Madi on your debut and thank you for the ARC 💌

Every once in a while you read a book and think 'wow, this is something different than I've read recently' - and this is that book.

One thing this book did very successfully in my opinion is setting the scene / creating a vision, making it easy for your imagination to paint a picture (pun intended) of the world the characters are in. I loved the focus on art pieces, the haunted gallery, the competition.

It was something unique, and I can't wait to read more of Madi's books to come.

[Yamanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Ending was good, the rest BORING

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Art of Deception left me both intrigued and a little conflicted. The book has a clear vision, an intentionally mysterious world, layered magic, and a unique narrative style, but the execution doesn’t always land the way it seems meant to.

The heavy use of footnotes is a good example. I can see the purpose: moments of humour to break up the more intense storytelling. But instead of offering relief, they tend to interrupt the flow and become more distracting than charming.

I also struggled with the characters, especially the FMC. We’re told she has certain traits, but her actions don’t always match, which makes her feel inconsistent. Many of the side characters come across as flat as well, like they never fully step off the page.

The worldbuilding aims for ambiguity, and while that can be compelling, here it often just feels confusing. I frequently felt like I was missing information or context, as if parts of the story existed clearly in the author’s head but didn’t all make it onto the page. Not in a deliberate, mysterious way, more in a slightly unfinished way.

Still, I am interested in what the author is trying to do. There’s real potential in the ideas and the atmosphere. It just reads a bit like an early draft: ambitious, intriguing, but needing more clarity and depth to truly come together.

[Davis Ritenour · Rating 4 out of 5]

just finished and can i say wow. i did not expect this to take the turn that it did. and now i must wait for the second book.

if you’re a fan of dark academia books, magic, art, footnotes, than you should definitely check this out. the art of deception reminded me of atlas six— but i may like this book better.

more thoughts to come.

the art of deception is out december 5th!

[Molly Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ✨ Oh my god. A new auto-buy author perhaps? Congratulations Madi on your debut novel!

This book felt like stepping right through the frame of a painting. The magic system is so unique, and I love that so much of it remains unexplained. The character arcs, the setting, and the prose were exactly what I was looking for, so it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel.

I would have gladly stayed in this world longer and can't wait to return next year.

[Alyssa Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air! Interesting, unique, lovely, haunting, and thrilling!
The magic system was hard for me to follow. There wasn't much of a foundation for it. Makes for a good mystery, though.
I see a few comments on not liking the foot notes, but I loved them. They were so fun!
This book was beautiful, and i loved every second of it.

[Néea Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Deception ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
[arc]

Release day: today 🎉✨

This book surprised me in the best possible way. It’s a solid, glowing 5⭐️ read that I genuinely adore

From the moment Alexandria stepped into Dreadmore Manor, I was hooked. The sentient, haunted-gallery atmosphere, the secret-society tension, the academic footnotes, the deadly Masters program, it all pulled me in immediately. The whole setting feels like dark academia brought to life: crisp autumn air, old art that breathes when you’re not looking, rival scholars who might kiss or kill you depending on the chapter (or both?)

The magic system is one of the most unique I’ve seen in a while. It’s dense at first, (like wandering a real museum, where meaning only reveals itself if you’re willing to look closer.) but once it clicked, I loved how everything like power, history and emotion was tied directly to artwork. As someone that loves the arts that was truly amazing to read

Alexandria is the heart of this book. She is quiet, brilliant and kind in ways that feel rare in the genre. Her strength isn’t loud or flashy, it’s steady, thoughtful and deeply human. Watching her grow, struggle, trust and love was beautiful

Her rivals were another unexpected delight. I didn’t think I’d grow attached to all four, but I did. Even the ones who grated on me at first

The writing is atmospheric without being too heavy, immersive without losing its sharpness. Some passages hit so hard I had to pause, reread and sit with them for a minute. Those moments are rare and this book is full of them.

Overall, The Art of Deception feels like stepping into an eerie, beautiful museum at midnight and discovering that the art has been watching you back. It’s atmospheric, clever, romantic and surprisingly emotional
A standout debut that I’ll be thinking about for a long time!

A new favourite author? Definitely yes. And I’m already impatient for the sequel

[Briana Addicoat]

This book is like stepping into a painting itself. Madi’s prose is so gorgeous and vivid, it’s like you’re in the room with the characters. I adored the magic system and haunted art aspects, as well as the characters themselves and all their unique personalities. Evander my love 🫶🏼

The last quarter will have you on the edge of your seat, with a few twists at the end that you will not see coming. For anyone who loves dark academia and watching magical mysteries unfold: you will definitely enjoy this!

Super proud of Madi and everything she has accomplished. I knew when sitting next to her in writing classes years ago that she would create something beautiful - and she certainly has 💗

[Lila Salley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I am so impressed with this what stunning prose and an extremely creative story.

This should be a 5 star all it needed was a good editor.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

(arc copy)
Nowadays it is quite difficult to find a book that feels unique. It is harder still to stumble upon a story that keeps surprising you, up until its very end. For the first time in a while, I could not predict how the story was going to end, nor could I see the plot twists and revelations coming.
To me, reading Madi Gologranc’s “The Art of Deception” was an experience similar to seeing Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” for the first time. It belongs to that magical universe of art that makes your heart race and your thoughts spiral, because at first you do not first understand it completely, but you feel the need to explore it until you do. You want to keep reading it until it all makes sense - and then you want more.
When I entered the elusive and mysterious Dreadmore Manor, I expected a dark academia setting, with a high stakes magical competition and a rivals-to-lovers romantic subplot. While all that is true, there are no doubts that the story told in this book is much deeper. It is a grand exploration of love in all its facets: self-love (and acceptance of one’s ambitions and flaws, of one’s desires and fears), romantic love (and its strength against all odds), friendship (even under the direst of circumstances); but also how art is nothing short of our way to express what we feel in relation to both our emotions and how we perceive the events that surround us. We are history’s writers and its keepers, via what we choose to document and preserve. While we might be able to deceive others, we are also quite apt at deceiving ourselves.
(And I will have to become quite good at the art of deception, if I want to manage to convince myself I can wait patiently for the sequel.)
That said, I have to commend the author’s originality in creating a never-seen before magic system. It is so unique that it took me some chapters to really grasp it, but I believe this was also intentional - the underlying theme of the story is that you need to work for knowledge, and need to apply yourself to understand it. I truly loved how central artwork was to the workings of magic and how intrinsic the paintings and sculptures were to the characters’ abilities. I was soon absorbed by the universe described by the author, so much so that I felt like my own love for art was revitalised.
Another commendable choice was adding many footnotes to the chapters: on the one hand, it added to the book’s originality, for I had never seen an author deploy this writing style (and so amazingly at that); on the other hand, it also fitted to the academic vibe of the story, and was reminiscent of the main character’s scholastic studies.
However, the strongest point of the book is perhaps its main character: Alexandria Blanchet is not your now-typical and stereotypical female protagonist. She is strong and resilient not because she can pack a punch, or because she is sassy and irreverent, but because she is determined to be true to herself and to her kindness - finally someone has the courage to paint a soft and kind but yet strong-willed and smart female character! I adored her quiet strength, I longed to understand her brilliant mind and I envied her courage in facing all the trials she is put through. She is easy to love, easier still to root for: she is kind, and brilliant; her intelligence is breath-taking.
I also need to mention her rivals: I did not think I would end up attached to all of them - but I did. Even the least likable one of the four (the allegedly cold, calculating Tessa) managed to worm her way into my heart. And though Evander is swoon-worthy and quite irresistible (his words made me cry more than once), I have to say that Theodore is the one that stole my heart (yes, I’d date him and no, I do not want to dwell on what it means about me). I will dearly miss them - until they are returned to me in the next instalment of the series. (Which cannot come soon enough!)
Lastly, the writing style was utterly capable of capturing me and bringing me straight into the story. The descriptions were beautiful (though not overly long) and the dialogues immersive - I really did feel like I was in the room with Alexandria. Some passages hit me so deep I read them twice or thrice - I felt so seen and understood by the author’s depiction of universal yet complicated feelings that I immediately needed to feel those words resonate within me again.
To put it shortly: I was utterly impressed by Madi Gologranc’s debut novel, and I cannot wait to read more of her work - whether in this universe or in whichever she wishes to transport me in next.

[Silvia (libroliberatutti) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇬🇧 THE ART OF DECEPTION – when aesthetics envelops history.

Four young people gifted with magical abilities, a competition for a mysterious art gallery steeped in dark secrets, missing memories and sentient paintings, all set within a manor in the English countryside—a place made of rooms that appear as needed and capable of communicating with its inhabitants. Take this story and wrap it in a cover with impeccable design, surrounding the events with works of art and an intensely poetic lexicon. If that still isn’t enough to explain why this book obsesses me so much, add a romantic subplot between a kind, ambitious protagonist whose drive clashes with her empathy, and a charismatic, affectionate, razor-sharp boy. Oh—and marginal notes too (which for some might be a hindrance, but for me they are magnificent).

I know this book is not without its flaws—at times it gets lost in its desire to be overly poetic and neglects some background elements, and at times you can sense that the writing is still somewhat unpolished—but at the same time it has the remarkable ability to captivate and, above all, to absorb the reader, fostering a constant mental visualization of everything that happens. There are philosophical insights, not least the idea of art as power, and echoes of well-known dark academia novels. A poetic and profound debut, rich with Monet paintings and stacks of books, perfectly representative of the aesthetic that fascinates me so deeply.

🇮🇹 THE ART OF DECEPTION - quando l’estetica ingloba la storia.

Quattro giovani dotati di capacità magiche, una competizione per una galleria d’arte misteriosa e dai segreti oscuri, ricordi mancanti e quadri senzienti, in un maniero immerso nelle campagne inglesi, fatto di stanze che appaiono secondo la necessità e capace di comunicare con i suoi abitanti. Prendete questa storia e avviluppatela in una copertina dal design impeccabile, circondando gli eventi di opere d’arte e un lessico estremamente poetico. Se non vi basta per capire perché questo libro mi ossessiona così tanto, inseriteci una sottotrama romantica tra una protagonista gentile e dall’ambizione che si scontra con l’empatia e un ragazzo carismatico, affettuoso e tagliente. Oh e delle note a margine (che per qualcuno possono rappresentare un intoppo, ma per me sono grandiose).
So che questo libro non é privo di difetti - in alcuni punti si perde nel voler eccedere con la poesia e si perde alcuni elementi di background, e talvolta si percepisce che é una scrittura ancora acerba - ma al tempo stesso ha la capacità grandiosa di catturare e, soprattutto, di inglobare al suo interno il lettore, portando a una costante visualizzazione mentale di ciò che succede. Ci sono spunti filosofici, non da ultimo il concetto di arte come potere, e richiami a libri dark academia ben noti. Un esordio poetico e profondo, ricco di quadri di Monet e pile di libri, perfettamente rappresentativo dell’estetica che tanto mi appassiona.

[Julia]

This debut is incredibly ambitious but, unfortunately, falls short of nearly everything it set out to do. At face value, it seems like a massive hit: dark academia, art history, museums, fall/winter Pinterest-board aesthetic, morally grey characters, deadly competition, multiple love interests, and I'm probably missing at least 12 other buzzwords. However, any worthy praise from me would fall almost entirely on its ambition versus actual execution.
As the masses have already concluded, the use of footnotes in this book was beyond frustrating. I could have done with 75% fewer footnotes in exchange for more narrative/dialogue.
This book spends a lot of time building up an idea of a plot while excluding several key details that are necessary to keep a reader intrigued. The intended secrecy in this book is set up so that major points of revelation can occur in book 2. However, I believe the author failed to create a compelling enough reason to want to stick around for book 2 willingly and excitedly. I have half a mind to read the follow-up book (I won't), just because I'm so frustrated at having read a full-length book only to still not know anything.
I found all the characters to have been 1-dimensional, lacking any real substance or purpose of existence. The stakes of this "do or die" competition also felt very half-baked. I cannot be convinced to care about any of the characters in this story, barring maybe a cat (spoiler: there's a cat), because I don't even know if they themselves fully understand why they're competing in these games.
Also, I can understand that things are supposed to work out a certain way for a main character because they are, in fact, the central point of a story. However, I found that the way everything seemed to just magically "work out" for this main character was incredibly lazy writing. Her biggest struggle was being hot and socially awkward, but also perfect?? but also also just a girl who spent too much time alone with her cat and books - PLEASE! I tire of it.
There are several additional issues I took with this book and the overall way the story was executed, but I think perhaps there's no need to go too far with my complaints.


At the end of the day, this is a debut novel that showed a lot of promise, and perhaps it will manage to fulfill its ambitions in the sequel. Perhaps it already pleased several other readers. If that's the case, ignore everything I said and enjoy this book!

I would encourage everyone to give this book a try if the concepts align with something you might like. Debut authors and indie authors deserve to have their books praised (and rightfully critiqued!).
Just because it wasn't my cup of tea (I drink coffee) doesn't mean it won't suit someone else's tastes.

[Tammy's Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi! This reading took a little bit more time (work got in the way), but I made it, so let's start with the review. 
---
Alexandria's character is a complex one; at first, she's shown as a type of introvert student that doesn't trust easily, but her character evolves since she's, at her center, someone that doesn't want to be alone but that isn’t willing to deceive to get what she wants, which is ironically what the main plot demands of the characters: lies. 

I believe that what makes her character perceived as real or more human is the contrast of the plot (the constant need for lies) towards her moral compass (need for truthful connection with others).
---
Since there are several important characters, I'll just say that I wasn't expecting the turn of events, from Sebastián's change of heart to Evander's honesty. I actually enjoyed the romantic plot behind the main one, since this plot had something to do with the main story and it had an impact on Alexandria's development in the story. 
---
I love narratives based on the mix of modern life and a magical one; it exhibits what some people think or consider beautiful, like, for example, art. Not many people understand the importance of some pieces or even the word behind the art. So, writing about art as if it were something magical makes the reader experience any kind of art as something amazing. 
---
I've found interesting the concept of magic inside of art. I loved how the main plot described what it is to love through art, how art isn’t just creativity on paper or words; it's the feeling and expressing yourself through everything you do or create. Not only that, but I believe that this is the main idea and what kept me reading Alexandria's story.
---
Some dark academia-inspired narratives are written with intricate words, but what makes the difference between a well-written book and an amazing one is the empathy created between the writer, the story, and the reader, which, bravo to the author, I actually felt.
---
So, thank you to the author. I enjoyed reading The Art of Deception; I'm left thinking about what could happen next. Oh! And also, now that I've finished, I knew it!! (I'm not going to say what, but if you read the book, you know what I'm talking about).

[Lauren Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

In order to PROPERLY review this book, I need to break it up into sections because I was not a fan of the first, but a HUGE fan of the last:

Overall comments:
• They all always seem to be dressed nicely
• Feels like it is written more as a fantasy
• Starts slow, really picks up
• Beautiful cover and Instagram marketing
• Honestly I didn't find the footnotes necessary, the text could've been put into the main writing
• Madi has written this with a lot of trust in her readers to be intelligent, which is really good in the ending payoff, but really hard to get into when we are given no real context. It's like a 1000 piece puzzle being thrown at you that is one hue. Patterns slowly start making more and more sense, and you are able to figure out how everything fits, but there is a lot of trying out different ideas along the way. But when you're done, the big picture makes a lot of sense and you're rewarded with feeling smart.

0-30%:
• I feel like the author is speaking like we are on the second book in the series. There is a lot of information that we seem to need to know already, without being privy to.
• The word "whilst" is also used a lot as a connector.
• TONS of footnotes
• Lots of very flowery language, which I am usually a fan of, but there seems to be 3 sentences reiterating one point which makes it feel a little forced.

30-60%:
• Feeling something picking up a little more, interested in the story, but the execution still not entirely being there.
• Pace is getting faster and we are more familiarized with what is going on.

60-70%:
• Feeling something coming
• Flowery writing is really at an appropriate amount

70-100%:
• ..... wait
• ..... what?
• ...... OH
• Oh a second one coming in 2026?
(the most I can say without spoilers)

Knowing that there will be another book, and now I know the authors writing style, I am inclined to pick it up, especially since I have the advantage of knowing the world. Thank you Madi for providing me with an ARC of your story and I look forward to reading the next. I have already bought this on Kindle and will transfer my notes over because there are some nice quotes. Also to add, I only believe I spotted 1 spelling mistake in the ARC which is impressive for being a new author.

[toallthebooksiveread · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are right to wonder, question cautiously.”

While the words were passed to Alexandria from the magical and mysterious manor, when I turned that last page, I realised it was also speaking to us, the reader.

Through this gripping tale of inheriting the secrets all the magic societies in the world want, we watch the lengths four scholars will go to in order to win the competition. Alexandria, a seemingly soft and kind woman, has fought her entire scholarly career to be noticed by the elusive professor Ambrose. When finally picked to enter the quarter century competition to be the keeper of the Dreadmore Gallery, Alexandria is faced with more than studies and challenges, there is a high chance of a life-or-death situation. Follow Alexandria along her journey to securing or losing the one dream she has had her entire life.

What do you do when everything is a lie. I finished this book with my jaw on the floor in utter shock that the deception was in fact happening to the reader and not the characters alone.
Admittedly, it did take me some time to get into the book, roughly 50 percent of the way through is where I became hooked. The Art of Deception started as a good book; the initial pace was slow and dragged on. The magic system is what kept me intrigued at first. The magic was a complex and fascinating twist, often based around art, which I found unique. At the halfway point I began to see the illusion and lies the professor and competitors were beginning to weave. It became obvious that a lot more was happening below the surface. By the last 3 percent of the book, I was so confused but slowly and surely found why…lies upon lies were beginning to unravel. The misdirection of the book slapped me in the face at the end; the author brilliantly crafted an illusion for the reader. At that last page, I sat and questioned how I had missed so much…and yet, that was entirely what the author intended. The reveal that so much of the story was a façade for the deeper plan Alexandria had all along left me needing to read the next in the series ASAP.

Thank you for a new favourite read Madi, I have not been left astounded by a reveal in a book in a long time.

Thank you Madi and the Berry Agency for the ARC, it was a pleasure to read.
@theberryagency

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a very intriguing read. It took me a little while to wrap my head around the storyline, but once I got into it, I was hooked. Dreadmore Manor is full of mysteries, including haunted paintings and sculptures. Every quarter of a century, four people compete to inherit the manor and become its Keeper. Alexandria, the main character, along with Evander, Tessa and Theodore, each receive challenges they must face, solve and, hopefully, survive. The beginning of the story honestly left me a little confused, as there were quite a few terms introduced without much backstory or explanation. Things like the Societies and Ether were mentioned early on, and I would have loved a more in depth explanation of what the Societies are, how they came about and what their purpose is. I also found myself wondering why the characters wanted to become the Keeper so badly, as I don’t feel like this was really explained enough. There were also quite a few footnotes throughout the book that, personally, I didn’t feel added much to the story. I found they broke up my reading flow, and I think the story could have done without them. Aside from those things, I really liked the overall concept. Each character has their own power / gift, which I found really intriguing, and I would have loved to learn more about them. Does everyone in this world have powers, or is it only a select few? There were quite a few aspects of the world building that left me curious for more. The manor itself had an eerie atmosphere, and I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding it. I also looked forward to seeing what challenges the characters would receive and how they would overcome them. Overall, the story was admittedly a little slow paced at times, but the concept and sense of intrigue kept me reading. There were enough mysteries and unanswered questions to make me want to keep turning the pages and find out what was really going on.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Deception?! Oh, so we're lying, manipulating, keeping secrets and generally making me question everyone? Fantastic. 😂🎭

I went into this one knowing the title alone was probably a warning, and honestly, I should have listened. The Art of Deception had me constantly wondering who was telling the truth, what was being hidden, and whether I should trust anyone at all.

I really enjoyed the sense of uncertainty throughout the story. There’s something so satisfying about a book that keeps making you second-guess what you think you know, and I definitely found myself trying to connect the dots and figure things out before the story could reveal them.

The character dynamics were another highlight for me. There’s tension, secrets, complicated emotions and plenty of moments where I was sitting there thinking, “I KNOW you're hiding something.” 👀😂 I loved not always being completely sure where certain relationships or situations were heading.

I also liked the way deception and perception played such a big role in the story. It gave everything an extra layer because even the quieter moments felt like they might have something hiding underneath them.

That said, I did have a few moments where I wanted a little more development from certain parts of the story, and I didn't connect equally with every element. Still, the mystery kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages, and I definitely wanted to see how everything would unfold.

Basically, this book had me treating every character like a suspect.

Trust issues? Me? Nooo. The book made me do it. 😂🖤

✨ Tropes / Vibes ✨
🎭 Deception & Secrets
👀 Mystery & Intrigue
🤫 Hidden Motives
🖤 Dark & Mysterious Vibes
🔥 Romantic Tension
💕 Complicated Relationships
🧠 Psychological Tension
🎭 Uncertainty & Misdirection
👁️ Questioning What You Know
💔 Emotional Complications
✨ Twists & Revelations
😈 Morally Grey Energy
🖤 Suspense & Intrigue

[katrina カトリーナ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***will update review but here's the gut reaction

~~~SUMMARY~~~
A mysterious competition between 4 people, contained within the walls of a manor dedicated to art. Between the paintings woven with literal magic, a character who can’t remember her past, and the influence of a historical society down the road, it’s a race to garner favor and get to the top… but perhaps at what cost?

--- Written in 3rd person
--- Single POV (about 10 pages worth of other POVs)
--- Dark academia, rivals to ???, kinda grumpy x sunshine vibes, competition/trials, mystery, there is a cat
--- Book 1 of a finished duoligy

~~~I FINISHED 5 SECONDS AGO HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS~~~
Have you ever walked through an art gallery and felt like the paintings might just come alive? Because the characters in The Art of Deception have certainly pondered this and studied it extensively. All in preparation for a competition to inherit the gallery within Dreadmore Manor.

If you're a dark academia lover, this book is for you. If you're an art enthusiast, you should definitely see this unique take on what it means to set a book in a haunted/magical gallery. If you like nerdy comments, banter, and a story where the more you read the less you know......definitely add this to your TBR.

Biiiiiiig fan of the footnote system used in the book. Admittedly, it did take some getting used to (in order to not lose my place) but the insight these quips provided to better understand Alexandria's POV were debatably the most crucial part of the book. Don't. Skip. The. Footnotes. Pls. Thx.

ok im gonna go over the notes I took while reading and write a more coherent review but this was great!! (as a preview some hastily scrawled comments include "how delusional is she exactly?" "unreliable narrator? for what?" and "its crazy how there are just enough elements and things going on to distract from.... wait what's the main plot bc the side plot is equally interesting"

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to Madi for the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC!

She promised dark academia and she delivered. The story follows 4 students entering Master's level studies at Dreadmore Manor (it very much reminded me of Northanger Abbey and I loved that). They each have their own research interests and special talents in art history, making them be the 4 chosen this quarter. The stakes are high, the tension was solid enough to cut through (no matter how cordial they acted in each other's company) and resources must be used at all costs. I loved how fast paced this was, while her writing style remained graceful and poetic the whole time. The format of the book was really cool too, giving readers more insight into each of the 4 competitors, and where their interests are.

So many notable aspects of the story made it sound light, while there is indeed a much bigger picture to be looking at. Whether that be that this competition was described as deadly, how this was an exploration of love in many forms, or how perception is everything, this story unfolds in so many ways. We can also note that all the characters were definitely swoon worthy. Evander was literally perfect.

The twists had me on my toes, and the ending left me with my mouth gaping open.

I also think that having a main character named Alexandria in this kind of plot was an incredible choice. Her own strength was commendable as she did not feel like a typical 'unable-to-save-herself' main character, but was a strong-willed character who wanted nothing but to be able to tell the truth when being forced to surround herself with lies to get what she wants.

The whole story, the use of footnotes in fiction, and the competition worked together to make this an original experience in a book for me. I'm so looking forward to returning to Alexandria's insane life next year!

[meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖼️♟️ARC review: THE ART OF DECEPTION by Madi Gologranc♟️ 🖼️

dark academia, academic rivals, haunted art gallery, secret societies, a deadly competition, and a sentient manor?! count me in!!! much like the author, i love french impressionism art (especially monet’s and degas’s artwork) and museums, so i was very excited to read this debut! i could tell where she drew inspiration from and reading this made me look back at my own pictures at various museums and want to visit a museum again🥹 this was such a unique, creative, and atmospheric story and i really enjoyed gologranc’s poetic and lyrical writing, particularly the musical descriptions of art. i especially loved the concepts that art holds power and how each painting has a soul.

although i had issues with the pacing and thought the plot moved a little slow, the art-based fantasy x dark academia aesthetic as well as the character dynamics kept me engaged. i was very intrigued with the unique magic system of ether and my only wish is that it will be better fleshed out in the sequel! as for characters, i saw much of myself in alexandria, the main fmc; she’s smart, an introverted student who doesn’t trust easily, strong-willed but kind, determined to stay true to herself throughout the chaos of this deadly competition. i adored her quiet strength🖤 the plot twist ending was probably my favorite part of the book; it was a gripping, strong finale that tied everything together and i finally saw the whole picture (pun intended).

note that there are footnotes — i’m a nerd and enjoyed them as much as i did in r.f. kuang’s BABEL bc i thought they gave more insight. (but i also understand that they may not be everyone’s cup of tea).

thank you to Madi herself for this e-ARC and congratulations on your debut novel!

<3 meghan