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The Fated Blood Trilogy #1
A Liar's Twisted Tongue
Her power will kill her... if he doesn't first.
Desdemona Althenia has spent her life in the shadows, hiding the volatile magic that could kill her if it’s ever unleashed. Born into the lowest ranks of society, she’s survived by her wits and her willingness to deceive. But when fate traps her within the brutal walls of Visnatus Academy, it also offers a dangerous chance: power, for the first time within reach.
Prince Lucian Aibek lives beneath the weight of a rotting empire and the ruthless grip of a corrupt family regime. Desdemona’s untamed fire could be the key to his freedom—and her chance to master the magic that might consume her. But as their fates entwine, the line between ally and enemy blurs, and they’re caught in a deadly game of ambition and desire, where trust becomes more treacherous than the magic they wield.
As an ancient society stirs, Desdemona and Lucian are forced to confront the ghosts of a war that never truly ended. Caught between survival and surrender, they must gamble everything: let their connection bring them to ruin—or become their only hope of redemption.
Desdemona Althenia has spent her life in the shadows, hiding the volatile magic that could kill her if it’s ever unleashed. Born into the lowest ranks of society, she’s survived by her wits and her willingness to deceive. But when fate traps her within the brutal walls of Visnatus Academy, it also offers a dangerous chance: power, for the first time within reach.
Prince Lucian Aibek lives beneath the weight of a rotting empire and the ruthless grip of a corrupt family regime. Desdemona’s untamed fire could be the key to his freedom—and her chance to master the magic that might consume her. But as their fates entwine, the line between ally and enemy blurs, and they’re caught in a deadly game of ambition and desire, where trust becomes more treacherous than the magic they wield.
As an ancient society stirs, Desdemona and Lucian are forced to confront the ghosts of a war that never truly ended. Caught between survival and surrender, they must gamble everything: let their connection bring them to ruin—or become their only hope of redemption.
616 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
650 people are currently reading
29154 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Cusanelli
3 books186 followersCaroline has been writing since she was a child. What began as stories of fairies and frogs has since turned into something more sinister: beautiful worlds with dark underbellies. She loves creating deeply flawed characters and exploring their narratives. Caroline grew up in Southern California, where she cultivated a deep love of the sun and sea. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, swimming, singing, or exploring. She now resides in Barcelona and hopes to stay immersed in literature for the rest of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
Want to read
February 8, 2025you came here bc of that one banter audio didn't you?🫵
Want to read
June 13, 2024I literally want to read this based on the tiktok sound i just heard. Soon to be read
December 16, 2024
This was the most confusing book I’ve ever read.
I have no doubt the author has intricately mapped out this world and magic system, knowing it inside and out but it feels as if we were missing integral parts in understanding it. It was overly complex and difficult to grasp.
The pacing in the book confused me even further as it kept abruptly time jumping, which then created a disconnect for me with the characters and their motivations. I kept having to re-read pages because I thought I was missing crucial information as to what was happening but it just wasn’t shared in the story.
I genuinely think I could have loved this if the story was stripped back, simplified and had a more consistent pace. A longer book with more descriptions to help understand crucial parts of the characters, magic system and world. My head was unfortunately just all over the place trying to understand this and I think speaking simply, there was just way too much happening in such a short story.
I have no doubt the author has intricately mapped out this world and magic system, knowing it inside and out but it feels as if we were missing integral parts in understanding it. It was overly complex and difficult to grasp.
The pacing in the book confused me even further as it kept abruptly time jumping, which then created a disconnect for me with the characters and their motivations. I kept having to re-read pages because I thought I was missing crucial information as to what was happening but it just wasn’t shared in the story.
I genuinely think I could have loved this if the story was stripped back, simplified and had a more consistent pace. A longer book with more descriptions to help understand crucial parts of the characters, magic system and world. My head was unfortunately just all over the place trying to understand this and I think speaking simply, there was just way too much happening in such a short story.
Want to read
August 14, 2024yes, I only added this cuz of the tiktok audio.
edit: FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTED THE AUDIO, I FINALLY FOUND IT
https://youtu.be/17vkRNk7QVg?si=l0rOA...
edit: FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTED THE AUDIO, I FINALLY FOUND IT
https://youtu.be/17vkRNk7QVg?si=l0rOA...
June 19, 2025
read this last year and it sucked, should i drop the notes app review?
June 5, 2024
ok so
Almost did not finish it, I was rage-reading the last 30 pages.
I saw this book on tiktok where it got recommended for good banter.
check!
Moreover, the only thing that kept me going and made me finish this book was the banter and the tension between the 2 mcs, it was really good indeed.
Howevvverrr the world building and the plot... were not.
At some point I had to write this in my notes: the world building is like a sims 4 building challenge where you have to build a house in alphabetical order. Let me elaborate.
I am sure that the author knows this world from the inside out, she has it figured out for every little detail, she just happened to NOT explain anything in the book. I missed narrations, explanations, descriptions, how a fantasy world essentially builds up. So it was not an easy book to understand. It had little excerpts at the beginning of every chapter (like in Fourth Wing) but it just pissed me off. It did not help me much, and since I couldn't connect with the world and the scene (bc I did not even knew the basics of it) it was pointless IMO. Some stuff got eventually explained or descriped, but it came way too late.
As for the plot. It's nothing new. A little bit of Fourth Wing, SJM, and Hunger Games and I am totally fine with it, I would read a 100 more stories like these no problem. But it was just soooo much. Too much. In every 2 pages something new and big and sad and important happened but the author did not give enough time for the reader to adjust, to understand, or comprehend the weight of the things. The pacing was so off. I had no sense of time and place, and the amount of events, and twists and turns just made everything bland and rushed so the highs didn't feel high enough while the lows weren't so low either.
So consequently I did not understand (or care about) the motives of the mcs, toward the end Des kept pissing me off. Lucien I liked, he was a slightly deeper, more complex and more understandable charachter. I think?
I do not hate the fact that I read this book, there are many more way worse than this one, but I will not read the second one. However, you may as well give it a go, see it for yourselves.
Almost did not finish it, I was rage-reading the last 30 pages.
I saw this book on tiktok where it got recommended for good banter.
check!
Moreover, the only thing that kept me going and made me finish this book was the banter and the tension between the 2 mcs, it was really good indeed.
Howevvverrr the world building and the plot... were not.
At some point I had to write this in my notes: the world building is like a sims 4 building challenge where you have to build a house in alphabetical order. Let me elaborate.
I am sure that the author knows this world from the inside out, she has it figured out for every little detail, she just happened to NOT explain anything in the book. I missed narrations, explanations, descriptions, how a fantasy world essentially builds up. So it was not an easy book to understand. It had little excerpts at the beginning of every chapter (like in Fourth Wing) but it just pissed me off. It did not help me much, and since I couldn't connect with the world and the scene (bc I did not even knew the basics of it) it was pointless IMO. Some stuff got eventually explained or descriped, but it came way too late.
As for the plot. It's nothing new. A little bit of Fourth Wing, SJM, and Hunger Games and I am totally fine with it, I would read a 100 more stories like these no problem. But it was just soooo much. Too much. In every 2 pages something new and big and sad and important happened but the author did not give enough time for the reader to adjust, to understand, or comprehend the weight of the things. The pacing was so off. I had no sense of time and place, and the amount of events, and twists and turns just made everything bland and rushed so the highs didn't feel high enough while the lows weren't so low either.
So consequently I did not understand (or care about) the motives of the mcs, toward the end Des kept pissing me off. Lucien I liked, he was a slightly deeper, more complex and more understandable charachter. I think?
I do not hate the fact that I read this book, there are many more way worse than this one, but I will not read the second one. However, you may as well give it a go, see it for yourselves.
June 1, 2024
*spoiler free*
•
•
I didn’t want this book to end! The banter between Lucien and Desdemona was through the roof. I was craving a high level of banter since Powerless. Caroline reached out to me and asked if she can send me her book. Little did I know it was going to hit the spot plus more! 😍
I loved seeing the way Des grew through out this book and feel everything she is feeling.
Lucien… let me leave some quotes below and you will get it 😮💨
•
•
1- “I don’t think you should speak to a prince in that way, perhaps titles are in order.” “Which one should I use? Prince? Or pathetic?” “𝖸𝗈𝗎 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌.”
•
•
2- “𝖨 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗈 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺𝗍 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗒 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗋𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖾𝗋“
•
•
3- “𝖨 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝖿𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌. 𝖲𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗉, 𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗒. 𝖲𝗍𝗎𝗇𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀”
•
•
P E R F E C T I O N!
Thank you so much Caroline for reaching out to me. This book was exactly what I needed in my life. 🫶🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
•
I didn’t want this book to end! The banter between Lucien and Desdemona was through the roof. I was craving a high level of banter since Powerless. Caroline reached out to me and asked if she can send me her book. Little did I know it was going to hit the spot plus more! 😍
I loved seeing the way Des grew through out this book and feel everything she is feeling.
Lucien… let me leave some quotes below and you will get it 😮💨
•
•
1- “I don’t think you should speak to a prince in that way, perhaps titles are in order.” “Which one should I use? Prince? Or pathetic?” “𝖸𝗈𝗎 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌.”
•
•
2- “𝖨 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗈 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺𝗍 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗒 𝖨 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗋𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖾𝗋“
•
•
3- “𝖨 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝖿𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌. 𝖲𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗉, 𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗒. 𝖲𝗍𝗎𝗇𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀”
•
•
P E R F E C T I O N!
Thank you so much Caroline for reaching out to me. This book was exactly what I needed in my life. 🫶🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 10, 2024
Lucian DOES NOT deserve Desdemona.
The author needs serious lessons on "Enemies to lovers". THAT'S NOT HOW YOU WRITE AN ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Lucian did some things(don't want to spoil much) were UNFORGIVABLE. He needs serious whipping in his manchild ass.
Also don't the authors used add a glossary in the last for the readers to grasp the world?
The author needs serious lessons on "Enemies to lovers". THAT'S NOT HOW YOU WRITE AN ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Lucian did some things(don't want to spoil much) were UNFORGIVABLE. He needs serious whipping in his manchild ass.
Also don't the authors used add a glossary in the last for the readers to grasp the world?
July 22, 2024
“i swear the moment i first laid eyes on you a part of me knew this was where my life ended and began. falling for you.”
“she could burn the universe down, burn me inside
out, and i’m sure this feeling would not falter.”
“if bleeding out grants me your attention, perhaps i’ll try it more.”
“to be stabbed in the back by such pretty hand would be a privilege.”
“YOU COULD HAVE CALLED ME YOURS.”
IM SORRY? SIR? the way this man has bewitched me?? the amount of things i would do to have him? it’s not even healthy
“she could burn the universe down, burn me inside
out, and i’m sure this feeling would not falter.”
“if bleeding out grants me your attention, perhaps i’ll try it more.”
“to be stabbed in the back by such pretty hand would be a privilege.”
“YOU COULD HAVE CALLED ME YOURS.”
IM SORRY? SIR? the way this man has bewitched me?? the amount of things i would do to have him? it’s not even healthy
August 3, 2024
Legit only read for the banter I heard about on Instagram. The book did not deliver. It’s a bad rip off of Powerless.
Idea: decent
Plot/ World/ Magic system: nonsense
Banter: alright but not enough to get a better rating
Idea: decent
Plot/ World/ Magic system: nonsense
Banter: alright but not enough to get a better rating
July 12, 2024
DNF-ing at 40%
This book was hard to get into. I do enjoy romantasy and I know details are important in world building but there was just too much info from the beginning, I couldn't keep track. Too many irrelevant characters, and I don't think there was any need for all the intricate extra details. It added nothing to the story and just confused me more. There were excerpts in the beginning of every chapter like Fourth Wing but I found myself skipping them bcs I couldn't understand. I have no doubt the author had the idea but unfortunately lacked execution. The writing was too messy. Not to mention, I found the mc a little weak for my liking. I picked this up bcs of BookTok and the other reviews on goodreads have mentioned the same issues I have with this book but most of them atleast finished it bcs apparently the banter is good but honestly I can't even force myself to do that. I don't feel any tension between the mcs yet and I don't think I want to read 592 pages of banter with no solid plot. That should say something bcs I'm a hoe for slowburn with angst, banter and enemies to lovers. I'm not invested in the story even though I'm halfway done. I still can't picture the world, the folks or whatever. There's too much of everything but also nothing at the same time. I read detailed reviews and now I know what happens further in the book but it's still confusing and doesn't make sense to me. Since things get worse, I'd rather not put myself through the misery. I did read the last few chapters and I hated it even more.
This book was hard to get into. I do enjoy romantasy and I know details are important in world building but there was just too much info from the beginning, I couldn't keep track. Too many irrelevant characters, and I don't think there was any need for all the intricate extra details. It added nothing to the story and just confused me more. There were excerpts in the beginning of every chapter like Fourth Wing but I found myself skipping them bcs I couldn't understand. I have no doubt the author had the idea but unfortunately lacked execution. The writing was too messy. Not to mention, I found the mc a little weak for my liking. I picked this up bcs of BookTok and the other reviews on goodreads have mentioned the same issues I have with this book but most of them atleast finished it bcs apparently the banter is good but honestly I can't even force myself to do that. I don't feel any tension between the mcs yet and I don't think I want to read 592 pages of banter with no solid plot. That should say something bcs I'm a hoe for slowburn with angst, banter and enemies to lovers. I'm not invested in the story even though I'm halfway done. I still can't picture the world, the folks or whatever. There's too much of everything but also nothing at the same time. I read detailed reviews and now I know what happens further in the book but it's still confusing and doesn't make sense to me. Since things get worse, I'd rather not put myself through the misery. I did read the last few chapters and I hated it even more.
November 29, 2024
wait i was so lost the whole time
November 13, 2024
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were obsessed with me, Aibek.” But she doesn’t walk away. “I don’t think you should speak to a prince in that way,” I mock. “Perhaps titles are in order.” I take a step away from her and smile to myself when she follows. “Yeah? Well, my apologies. Which one should I use? Prince? Or pathetic?” I shrug. “You could have called me yours.”
Nie oszukujmy się, jestem tu tylko i wyłącznie przez ten filmik z tym cytatem, nie mam nawet zamiaru zaprzeczać.
Mogłabym wam przybliżyć o co w tym wszystkim chodzi ale niestety cała historia jest mega poplątana, autorka wprowadza nam milion wątków, że nie jesteśmy w stanie stwierdzić co tak dokładnie się tam dzieję, jest to bardzo chaotyczne i nie praktyczne.
Jeśli chodzi o postacie, nie ma do czego się przyczepić, znajdziesz tu taką gamę, że na pewno, któryś wzbudzi u ciebie jakieś uczucie, np. Damien, którego zdążyłam znienawidzić, Lucien Aibek arogancka postać mająca jakieś głębokie uczucia czy coś tam, ale jest księciem, Desdemona nasza główna bohaterka, posiadająca trochę więcej cech samozachowawczych ale napisana tak jak każda inna (imię ma chociaż oryginalne), Liama (popularny Liam) i multum innych.
Zapytacie się; gdzie rozgrywa się akcja ? Bardzo dobre pytanie teoretycznie jest to akademia, mająca na celu kształtowanie elity i liderów - Visnatus, praktycznie wszędzie tylko nie tam (miejsce akcji poszczególne miejsca Elysii)
Możemy powiedzieć, że żeby to miało sens warto pamiętać o tym że, po pierwsze bohaterka trafi w miejsce, w którym każdy ją nienawidzi i ona ich też. Drugie, powinna nie wierzyć nikomu zwłaszcza kiedy wie, że własne życie jest zagrożone (bo wiecie nie to. że tylko ukrywasz kim jesteś ale jeszcze podajesz się za kogoś innego może się komuś nie podobać) i na koniec warto nie zakochiwać się w księciu, który pragnie cię wykorzystać do swoich niecnych celów. I nie, nie jest to enemies to lovers jeśli wam to spróbują tak sprzedać to zostaliście oszukani (wliczam się😂).
Jeśli chodzi o rozwinięcie wątku; tak łapie to za serduszko, wzbudza różne emocję, w tym złość, niezrozumienie i parę innych ALE jest to pierwszy tom w trylogii. Czy to może wszystko usprawiedliwić ? Większość tak, wszyscy wiemy że na początku mamy za dużo informacji, chaotycznych zdarzeń czy wpisów i nie koniecznie możemy widzieć rozwijające się relację, czy drugi będzie lepszy ? Mam nadzieję, wiedząc, że był to debiut autorki.
3.5⭐
Nie oszukujmy się, jestem tu tylko i wyłącznie przez ten filmik z tym cytatem, nie mam nawet zamiaru zaprzeczać.
Mogłabym wam przybliżyć o co w tym wszystkim chodzi ale niestety cała historia jest mega poplątana, autorka wprowadza nam milion wątków, że nie jesteśmy w stanie stwierdzić co tak dokładnie się tam dzieję, jest to bardzo chaotyczne i nie praktyczne.
Jeśli chodzi o postacie, nie ma do czego się przyczepić, znajdziesz tu taką gamę, że na pewno, któryś wzbudzi u ciebie jakieś uczucie, np. Damien, którego zdążyłam znienawidzić, Lucien Aibek arogancka postać mająca jakieś głębokie uczucia czy coś tam, ale jest księciem, Desdemona nasza główna bohaterka, posiadająca trochę więcej cech samozachowawczych ale napisana tak jak każda inna (imię ma chociaż oryginalne), Liama (popularny Liam) i multum innych.
Zapytacie się; gdzie rozgrywa się akcja ? Bardzo dobre pytanie teoretycznie jest to akademia, mająca na celu kształtowanie elity i liderów - Visnatus, praktycznie wszędzie tylko nie tam (miejsce akcji poszczególne miejsca Elysii)
Możemy powiedzieć, że żeby to miało sens warto pamiętać o tym że, po pierwsze bohaterka trafi w miejsce, w którym każdy ją nienawidzi i ona ich też. Drugie, powinna nie wierzyć nikomu zwłaszcza kiedy wie, że własne życie jest zagrożone (bo wiecie nie to. że tylko ukrywasz kim jesteś ale jeszcze podajesz się za kogoś innego może się komuś nie podobać) i na koniec warto nie zakochiwać się w księciu, który pragnie cię wykorzystać do swoich niecnych celów. I nie, nie jest to enemies to lovers jeśli wam to spróbują tak sprzedać to zostaliście oszukani (wliczam się😂).
Jeśli chodzi o rozwinięcie wątku; tak łapie to za serduszko, wzbudza różne emocję, w tym złość, niezrozumienie i parę innych ALE jest to pierwszy tom w trylogii. Czy to może wszystko usprawiedliwić ? Większość tak, wszyscy wiemy że na początku mamy za dużo informacji, chaotycznych zdarzeń czy wpisów i nie koniecznie możemy widzieć rozwijające się relację, czy drugi będzie lepszy ? Mam nadzieję, wiedząc, że był to debiut autorki.
3.5⭐
June 19, 2024
the most confusing book i have ever read. i was struggling so much!
i’m sure the author has thought about every aspect of the world and fully understands it. the problem is that it was not explained at all. i was confused about so many things till the very end of the book! the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter just made me more and more mad cuz they kept saying things i had no idea about.
i wanted to like it, but it was a struggle all the way.
the banter between main characters is good tho, the only thing that made me finish this book
i’m sure the author has thought about every aspect of the world and fully understands it. the problem is that it was not explained at all. i was confused about so many things till the very end of the book! the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter just made me more and more mad cuz they kept saying things i had no idea about.
i wanted to like it, but it was a struggle all the way.
the banter between main characters is good tho, the only thing that made me finish this book
August 29, 2025
I PRESENT TO U ONE OF MY NEW FAV ROMANTASY BOOKS !!!!!!! finally a book where they are ACTUALLY enemies to lovers?!?!?!?!
I have so much to say.
the world building and magic in this book is soooo cool and the lore of it all goes DEEP!!!! one thing about me is i’m gonna devour a fantasy with a huge dictionary of the world in the beginning. if that’s your vibe pls add this to the tbr.
this might be my favorite enemies to lovers i’ve ever read about and it was soooo well done. the romance felt so genuine to the characters and to the plot. it made so much sense why they hated each other but liked each other and how they navigated that. UNREALLLLLLL
there are so many characters in this story and they are all so absolutely necessary. i grew to care about each of them so much it was insane.
the writing is beautiful and captivating. the plot was to die for. that ending had me screaming crying throwing up.
❤️🔥🗡️🥀🌙⚖️
“I forget where I am, the fight I’m in, and all I can see is her.
Her thirty-three freckles. The flecks of gold in her eyes. Her tanned skin and lips that I’ve tried to make twist into a smile more times than I can count.
I see her strength—every attempt that’s been made on her life by people more powerful than she’s ever been. By elites and leaders and even my own soldiers. And suddenly I know, unequivocally, that she is going to survive me.
I see her mind as both a tunnel and the light at the end of it. She’s a falling angel. A faithless god. She’s everything right in the wrong way. Contradictory yet so utterly captivating. Controlling, because even now, even as I know her sins, I want to absolve them. Even as I try to kill her, I long to kiss her.
Her beauty is one thing, incomparable to all else. But it’s her spirit that I’m drawn to, like a moth to a flame, a finger to a thorn, a shipwreck to the sea.
Hope to a lost cause.”
I have so much to say.
the world building and magic in this book is soooo cool and the lore of it all goes DEEP!!!! one thing about me is i’m gonna devour a fantasy with a huge dictionary of the world in the beginning. if that’s your vibe pls add this to the tbr.
this might be my favorite enemies to lovers i’ve ever read about and it was soooo well done. the romance felt so genuine to the characters and to the plot. it made so much sense why they hated each other but liked each other and how they navigated that. UNREALLLLLLL
there are so many characters in this story and they are all so absolutely necessary. i grew to care about each of them so much it was insane.
the writing is beautiful and captivating. the plot was to die for. that ending had me screaming crying throwing up.
❤️🔥🗡️🥀🌙⚖️
“I forget where I am, the fight I’m in, and all I can see is her.
Her thirty-three freckles. The flecks of gold in her eyes. Her tanned skin and lips that I’ve tried to make twist into a smile more times than I can count.
I see her strength—every attempt that’s been made on her life by people more powerful than she’s ever been. By elites and leaders and even my own soldiers. And suddenly I know, unequivocally, that she is going to survive me.
I see her mind as both a tunnel and the light at the end of it. She’s a falling angel. A faithless god. She’s everything right in the wrong way. Contradictory yet so utterly captivating. Controlling, because even now, even as I know her sins, I want to absolve them. Even as I try to kill her, I long to kiss her.
Her beauty is one thing, incomparable to all else. But it’s her spirit that I’m drawn to, like a moth to a flame, a finger to a thorn, a shipwreck to the sea.
Hope to a lost cause.”
July 1, 2024
This is almost identical to powerless, but somehow I liked it less than powerless. It ended on a cliffhanger I mean, kind of I don’t know. Do they just forget her or what happened? There were a lot of quotes from powerless, and I felt like it was almost identical, but this one was somehow less entertaining. I still enjoyed it. But the similarities were just too much for me. There were identical scene. I don’t know who copied who. there were definitely different plot lines, but same scenes and I think there’s still enemies. I don’t remember them moving to the lovers part. I was very confused in the beginning about who’s who didn’t really give us much information like I had to guess. I thought his sister was his girlfriend which said a lot.
I felt really bad for her mom, but there isn’t a book two so we don’t know what happened if it ends like this that’s just a shitty ending which sums up a shitty book . and I think I still don’t know who Zola is. The kept on mentioning her but never saying who she is or maybe they did. I just didn’t really get it? Also, they never explained what a life force is. I had to guess it’s just their soul or something, but they never explained. How am I supposed to know? I was really sad when his best friend died because he was just a nice guy. He didn’t deserves to die honesty. It was really unnecessary. Just let him live.Also for a girl who’s so freaked of killing people you sure like to do it alot. literally when you’re five you killed two kids. I don’t know why why so distraught over killing people you’ve been doing it along time you’d think you’re actually used to it by now, but I guess your mother wiped her memories oh by the way mother that never wanted you. See it doesn’t make sense. She was looking for her mother because that’s the last of her family only to discover that her mother actually hates her and never wanted her so what exactly are we doing? I have no idea! But if there is a second book they should have left the first book on a cliffhanger that the love interest is now literally hunting her because he made a promise to bring her to these demons. They should’ve left it on that and the second book should be him haunting her.I still don’t know why the demons want her but KK. Not to mention that she’s also demon they’re not called demons I know that but that’s what I’m gonna call them so I don’t understand why a demon would be haunting another demon? It doesn’t makes sense. Other than the fact that I’m completely lost the banter was good just because they literally stole it from powerless, which is my favorite book. I was mad about that if you couldn’t tell. It Was entertaining when I knew what was happening definitely won’t be reading it again . Goodbye.
I felt really bad for her mom, but there isn’t a book two so we don’t know what happened if it ends like this that’s just a shitty ending which sums up a shitty book . and I think I still don’t know who Zola is. The kept on mentioning her but never saying who she is or maybe they did. I just didn’t really get it? Also, they never explained what a life force is. I had to guess it’s just their soul or something, but they never explained. How am I supposed to know? I was really sad when his best friend died because he was just a nice guy. He didn’t deserves to die honesty. It was really unnecessary. Just let him live.Also for a girl who’s so freaked of killing people you sure like to do it alot. literally when you’re five you killed two kids. I don’t know why why so distraught over killing people you’ve been doing it along time you’d think you’re actually used to it by now, but I guess your mother wiped her memories oh by the way mother that never wanted you. See it doesn’t make sense. She was looking for her mother because that’s the last of her family only to discover that her mother actually hates her and never wanted her so what exactly are we doing? I have no idea! But if there is a second book they should have left the first book on a cliffhanger that the love interest is now literally hunting her because he made a promise to bring her to these demons. They should’ve left it on that and the second book should be him haunting her.I still don’t know why the demons want her but KK. Not to mention that she’s also demon they’re not called demons I know that but that’s what I’m gonna call them so I don’t understand why a demon would be haunting another demon? It doesn’t makes sense. Other than the fact that I’m completely lost the banter was good just because they literally stole it from powerless, which is my favorite book. I was mad about that if you couldn’t tell. It Was entertaining when I knew what was happening definitely won’t be reading it again . Goodbye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
i feel so guilty giving this a bad review because I know it's the author's first book and she goes to uni in Barcelona so I have a soft spot for her.
With that being said...
Reading this book was torture.
I'm truly dumbfounded. I have never read a book with such poor writing - it truly, truly felt like a first draft of a middle schooler's creative writing project... and just made no sense... like ever. I don't have the energy to do a whole review. I wish the writing wasn't so bad because when I could understand what was happening I actually found some enjoyment. For example, the relationship between the FMC and MMC is clearly the author's strong suit, and probably the reason she wrote the book - their relationship and dialogue was entertaining & the cliffhanger at the end is lowkey tempting.
However, the book just made no sense, nothing made sense. Scenes would start and finish within two lines. Things would happen but just be ignored and moved on from, never internalised by the characters, and I never. ever. knew where we were. It was just so insanely jumpy and info-dumpy... just unbearable :/
With that being said...
Reading this book was torture.
I'm truly dumbfounded. I have never read a book with such poor writing - it truly, truly felt like a first draft of a middle schooler's creative writing project... and just made no sense... like ever. I don't have the energy to do a whole review. I wish the writing wasn't so bad because when I could understand what was happening I actually found some enjoyment. For example, the relationship between the FMC and MMC is clearly the author's strong suit, and probably the reason she wrote the book - their relationship and dialogue was entertaining & the cliffhanger at the end is lowkey tempting.
However, the book just made no sense, nothing made sense. Scenes would start and finish within two lines. Things would happen but just be ignored and moved on from, never internalised by the characters, and I never. ever. knew where we were. It was just so insanely jumpy and info-dumpy... just unbearable :/
September 16, 2025
This Romantasy owns the enemies-to-lovers trope and absolutely refuses to let go! Desdemona and Lucian? Chef’s kiss levels of tension 🤌🏻💔. The worldbuilding is sprawling and the magic system feels intricate and alive. You’ll definitely be piecing things together like a puzzle, and it’s so satisfying when it clicks.
At nearly 600 pages and the first in a trilogy, this is not a quick fling, it’s a slow-burn commitment…But that jaw-dropping ending? Worth. Every. Page. 😭🔥
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
✨𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎: “𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
At nearly 600 pages and the first in a trilogy, this is not a quick fling, it’s a slow-burn commitment…But that jaw-dropping ending? Worth. Every. Page. 😭🔥
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
✨𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎: “𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵”
🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️
November 13, 2024
perfect blend of everything good about ya romantasy!
absolutely fell in love with the banter and enemies to lovers trope in this! caroline did a fantastic job bc their chemistry leapt right off the page!!
you guys know i absolutely love found family, especially in fantasy! this book is where its at!! it has the perfect balance of magic, mystery, romance, and i couldn't stop reading!!
4 stars from me<3
absolutely fell in love with the banter and enemies to lovers trope in this! caroline did a fantastic job bc their chemistry leapt right off the page!!
you guys know i absolutely love found family, especially in fantasy! this book is where its at!! it has the perfect balance of magic, mystery, romance, and i couldn't stop reading!!
4 stars from me<3
December 23, 2024
what the actual fuck. This book was so hard to follow, the world building was so wack and the characters were confusing as hell. I wanted to love this book so badly but it felt like a knock off red queen, Lucien and Des were likeable characters but overall i felt like i didn’t know what was going on and i hated that. The ending was confusing too and so many things simply didnt make sense to me. All in all i hated this book apart from a select few scenes so i def don’t recommend :(
1.7/5 ⭐️
1.7/5 ⭐️
June 12, 2024
is the banter good? yes!
but this book was so confusing. there was so much going on in the story and with the plot that it was so distracting from the main plot.
also the time jumps? it was a really hard to keep up with who and what was being discussed.
but this book was so confusing. there was so much going on in the story and with the plot that it was so distracting from the main plot.
also the time jumps? it was a really hard to keep up with who and what was being discussed.
February 4, 2025
So. I definitely should've DNF'd this. But this was a book club pick, and since everyone suffered through it, I wanted to be a part of the collective rage reading. And boy, am I still raging 🔥
Can't believe I'm saying this, but this book actually made me appreciate the coherency of Fourth Wing's romantasy plot, despite all of my critiques. I had actual good things to say about Fourth Wing and the dragons, but Liar's Twisted Tongue? There's nothing redeeming. The pacing is all over the place, the characters are constantly getting drunk (i.e. droozed) on stupid vesi every two seconds and then getting into screaming matches the next. People die left and right without the school giving a flip. And the school, what school? Some Katniss Overseen doppelganger drops out of thin air, she's taken in by this elite academy, annnnd she can just study there (and kill anyone willy nilly) without any consequence or deep questions? There is a distinct lack of weight behind actions and words. I felt nothing for these characters because nothing mattered. People could just be killed off on a page, but because it just kept happening without repercussions, it was pointless and laborious to read.
They should call it Liar's Twisted Logic. It felt like the author kept harping on the "lie" element to validate the title, but Desdemona ridiculously keeps lying against all sense or understandable motivation. She's a ridiculous character and Lucian is only slightly more tolerable. They both do horrible things to each other (like stabbing and punching) and have a whole misunderstanding/hate arc. What an awful pairing.
The world-building is thrown at you without any prep. Confusing words and a billion characters are levvied at poor readers, delivered gracelessly and without proper writing technique that might give us an ounce of a clue what's happening in a world with 7 (or 9?) universes, portals, confusing magic systems and powers (people with snakes on their heads, some can use shadows, drain life energy, control fire, or heal), upper and lower class systems, kings and queens with confusing motivations. And corenths AND Arcanes? What's happening?! Maybe I need some vesi to wash this story away 🤣
So...is this convincing me to actually read Onyx Storm now? 🤣 Never thought I'd miss that bastard Xaden, but Lucian makes one miss a real shadow daddy.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but this book actually made me appreciate the coherency of Fourth Wing's romantasy plot, despite all of my critiques. I had actual good things to say about Fourth Wing and the dragons, but Liar's Twisted Tongue? There's nothing redeeming. The pacing is all over the place, the characters are constantly getting drunk (i.e. droozed) on stupid vesi every two seconds and then getting into screaming matches the next. People die left and right without the school giving a flip. And the school, what school? Some Katniss Overseen doppelganger drops out of thin air, she's taken in by this elite academy, annnnd she can just study there (and kill anyone willy nilly) without any consequence or deep questions? There is a distinct lack of weight behind actions and words. I felt nothing for these characters because nothing mattered. People could just be killed off on a page, but because it just kept happening without repercussions, it was pointless and laborious to read.
They should call it Liar's Twisted Logic. It felt like the author kept harping on the "lie" element to validate the title, but Desdemona ridiculously keeps lying against all sense or understandable motivation. She's a ridiculous character and Lucian is only slightly more tolerable. They both do horrible things to each other (like stabbing and punching) and have a whole misunderstanding/hate arc. What an awful pairing.
The world-building is thrown at you without any prep. Confusing words and a billion characters are levvied at poor readers, delivered gracelessly and without proper writing technique that might give us an ounce of a clue what's happening in a world with 7 (or 9?) universes, portals, confusing magic systems and powers (people with snakes on their heads, some can use shadows, drain life energy, control fire, or heal), upper and lower class systems, kings and queens with confusing motivations. And corenths AND Arcanes? What's happening?! Maybe I need some vesi to wash this story away 🤣
So...is this convincing me to actually read Onyx Storm now? 🤣 Never thought I'd miss that bastard Xaden, but Lucian makes one miss a real shadow daddy.
August 16, 2025
This was a great enemies to lovers fantasy! I loved the storyline and the magical world that the author created. I really liked this book’s cast of characters as well as the unique magic system. This was a book that I was constantly thinking about whenever I wasn’t reading it and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. This book was quite long, but I didn’t mind because the story had me completely captivated. I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the next book, especially after how this one ended.
Read this if you like:
📖 Enemies to lovers
📖 Academy settings
📖 Magic & monsters
📖 Dual pov
Thank you to @booksparks for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Enemies to lovers
📖 Academy settings
📖 Magic & monsters
📖 Dual pov
Thank you to @booksparks for the gifted copy.
August 28, 2025
Such a great read! If you want absolute banter and yearning, this book is for you with a nice enemies to lovers ✨
You have a good amount of characters in this story and I thought the magic system was unique. Took me a minute to get into it from the beginning as I was grasping the plot and world building but I promise it gets better!
I loved the academy setting, you got magic & monsters, and the secrets and betrayal will have you guessing throughout the book.
Then you have Lucian who is absolute divine and the banter between him and Des was 🔥😩 chefs kiss!
Thank you so much to booksparks and Caroline for the gifted copy! ❤️
You have a good amount of characters in this story and I thought the magic system was unique. Took me a minute to get into it from the beginning as I was grasping the plot and world building but I promise it gets better!
I loved the academy setting, you got magic & monsters, and the secrets and betrayal will have you guessing throughout the book.
Then you have Lucian who is absolute divine and the banter between him and Des was 🔥😩 chefs kiss!
Thank you so much to booksparks and Caroline for the gifted copy! ❤️
September 7, 2025
The audio was always trending from this book so I had to read the book it came from. You know I love me a romantasy with great banter and that for sure delivered in that! It’s true enemies to lovers and they very much loath each other at first which is always so fun! I love a morally grey FMC and so many tropes I loved like “who did this to you?” and more. With this book I def read it for the vibes and the characters because I was honestly pretty confused by the magic system and some parts of this book just felt really messy. Will I continue the series? Yes because I need to know what happens but it was for sure a tough to understand read!
Thank you to Booksparks for the copy!
Thank you to Booksparks for the copy!
October 10, 2025
Review for recently re-released edition on August 26, 2025 with edits and changes from previous editions.
This started off giving Hunger Games vibes, don't worry it is not the same. Immediately I was hooked. There is a LOT of world building and we are introduced to many characters, events, and types of magic pretty early. Some things do clear up as you go. Mostly, I just went with it. I got the gist of it, and enough bread crumbs were dropped for me to keep turning the pages. This book is almost 600 pages. It felt like it was moving slow but also jumping scenes and moving too quickly at times. I did like getting to see the different relationship dynamics between characters. However, I didn't feel super invested in them and their personal outcomes. Desdemona and Lucian go from reluctant allies to enemies. I really loved that. There is a lot of banter and flirting and also knife to the throat moments. They do have this instant attraction/love, but the relationship itself is a slow burn as they don't have many scenes together during the middle. They are both doing their own thing during that time.
Academy setting
Magic and monsters
Secrets and betrayal
Who did this to you?
Gods and goddesses
Prophecies
Multi verse/world
I still have questions, but with this being book 1 in a trilogy and the world being so vast, I anticipate more clarity in book 2. There is a glossary at the very beginning. Overall, 2.5 stars ( I should have dnf), I am interested in what happens next however it was too long and too confusing for me to stay invested to continue.
Thank you, Booksparks, for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2025
Caroline Cusanelli’s A Liar’s Twisted Tongue is the striking opener to The Fated Blood Trilogy, followed by the forthcoming sequel A Puppet’s Broken String. With an average reception of around four out of five stars, this debut has already carved its place in the YA fantasy-romance landscape. It is a tale of fire-born magic, political intrigue, and the fragile line between love and betrayal. What makes the book memorable is how it marries survivalist grit with lyrical world-building, though not without flaws that occasionally weigh it down.
Setting the Stage: A World of Oppression and Hunger
The novel plunges readers into Lorucille’s septic, a grim settlement defined by hunger, scarcity, and the merciless presence of the Nepenthe. From the first chapter, Cusanelli grounds her fantasy in the ache of survival. The desperation for water, the struggle to feed families, and the omnipresent fear of punishment add visceral tension that distinguishes this work from lighter academy fantasies.
As the narrative expands to the formidable Visnatus Academy, the setting shifts from poverty to privilege, yet danger never dissipates. Instead, the academy amplifies it, presenting a place where students are trained as weapons and alliances matter as much as ability. This duality—between desolation and decadence—gives the world remarkable texture and keeps readers invested in both the physical and political stakes.
The Core Duo: Desdemona and Lucian
At the center of the novel are Desdemona Althenia and Prince Lucian Aibek, whose intertwined fates propel the story forward.
Desdemona is a young woman born with volatile fire magic that could kill her if left unchecked. Her struggle is not simply about power, but about survival, identity, and guilt. Dreams of violence haunt her, forcing her to question whether she is destined to become a destroyer rather than a savior. She is not the typical chosen-one archetype but instead a portrait of fragility hardened by necessity.
Lucian exists on the opposite end of society, burdened by a corrupt family and a rotting empire. His yearning for freedom and autonomy mirrors Desdemona’s fears of being consumed by her own magic. His chapters balance political intrigue with personal vulnerability, offering a foil to Desdemona’s harsher reality.
Their connection is electrifying because it is fraught with mistrust and manipulation. The romance simmers dangerously, never a simple bond but rather a push and pull where attraction and betrayal coexist. This dynamic ensures the novel’s emotional core remains unpredictable.
Major Themes and Motifs
Cusanelli’s debut brims with thematic richness that resonates across the trilogy’s foundation:
Power as a Double-Edged Sword – Magic and political authority are tools of both liberation and destruction. Desdemona’s fire epitomizes this paradox.
The Cost of Survival – Choices are shaped by scarcity. Whether hunting illegally in the woods or facing punishments at the academy, the characters’ morality bends under necessity.
The Fragility of Trust – Deception is omnipresent. Even allies cannot be relied upon fully, underscoring the danger of intimacy in a world that thrives on secrets.
Legacy of War – The aftermath of conflict with the Nepenthe lingers like a scar, reminding readers that peace is as precarious as it is enforced.
These themes give the story weight and distinguish it from more formulaic fantasies.
Strengths That Shine
Despite being a debut, A Liar’s Twisted Tongue has undeniable strengths:
Atmospheric World-Building: The contrast between septic poverty and academy grandeur creates a layered landscape.
Complex Characters: Desdemona and Lucian refuse to be stereotypes. They are morally gray, flawed, and compelling.
Romantic Tension: The slow-burn relationship is dangerous and intoxicating, striking the balance between desire and mistrust.
Foreshadowing for the Series: The hints of ancient societies and Desdemona’s unstable fire magic ensure that the story feels larger than one book.
Where the Novel Stumbles
The critiques that keep this novel from reaching perfection reflect common reader feedback:
Pacing Issues: The middle act drags in places, lingering on descriptions or internal monologues without advancing the plot.
Exposition-Heavy Moments: World-building sometimes feels delivered rather than discovered, breaking immersion.
Underutilized Side Characters: Damien and Elliae, for example, spark interest but rarely fulfill their potential.
Tropes Without Reinvention: Academy settings and forbidden romance are familiar motifs, and while handled well, they occasionally tread predictable ground.
These shortcomings do not ruin the novel but highlight areas where refinement could elevate it further.
Writing Style
Cusanelli’s prose mirrors her themes: sharp, lyrical, and occasionally overwhelming. She excels in dialogue, where characters conceal as much as they reveal, perfectly fitting a story about lies and hidden truths. Her imagery often paints fire, blood, and hunger with visceral clarity. However, at times the style veers toward excess, slowing narrative momentum. A leaner approach in certain passages could sharpen the tension even more.
Final Thoughts
A Liar’s Twisted Tongue is a darkly compelling start to The Fated Blood Trilogy, one that thrives on tension—between survival and destruction, trust and betrayal, love and power. Its atmosphere and characters shine, even as pacing and exposition occasionally stumble. For readers of YA fantasy-romance who crave intensity, danger, and characters who must fight against fate itself, this book is an excellent recommendation. And with A Puppet’s Broken String promising to unravel the threads left hanging, Caroline Cusanelli’s saga has only just begun.
Setting the Stage: A World of Oppression and Hunger
The novel plunges readers into Lorucille’s septic, a grim settlement defined by hunger, scarcity, and the merciless presence of the Nepenthe. From the first chapter, Cusanelli grounds her fantasy in the ache of survival. The desperation for water, the struggle to feed families, and the omnipresent fear of punishment add visceral tension that distinguishes this work from lighter academy fantasies.
As the narrative expands to the formidable Visnatus Academy, the setting shifts from poverty to privilege, yet danger never dissipates. Instead, the academy amplifies it, presenting a place where students are trained as weapons and alliances matter as much as ability. This duality—between desolation and decadence—gives the world remarkable texture and keeps readers invested in both the physical and political stakes.
The Core Duo: Desdemona and Lucian
At the center of the novel are Desdemona Althenia and Prince Lucian Aibek, whose intertwined fates propel the story forward.
Desdemona is a young woman born with volatile fire magic that could kill her if left unchecked. Her struggle is not simply about power, but about survival, identity, and guilt. Dreams of violence haunt her, forcing her to question whether she is destined to become a destroyer rather than a savior. She is not the typical chosen-one archetype but instead a portrait of fragility hardened by necessity.
Lucian exists on the opposite end of society, burdened by a corrupt family and a rotting empire. His yearning for freedom and autonomy mirrors Desdemona’s fears of being consumed by her own magic. His chapters balance political intrigue with personal vulnerability, offering a foil to Desdemona’s harsher reality.
Their connection is electrifying because it is fraught with mistrust and manipulation. The romance simmers dangerously, never a simple bond but rather a push and pull where attraction and betrayal coexist. This dynamic ensures the novel’s emotional core remains unpredictable.
Major Themes and Motifs
Cusanelli’s debut brims with thematic richness that resonates across the trilogy’s foundation:
Power as a Double-Edged Sword – Magic and political authority are tools of both liberation and destruction. Desdemona’s fire epitomizes this paradox.
The Cost of Survival – Choices are shaped by scarcity. Whether hunting illegally in the woods or facing punishments at the academy, the characters’ morality bends under necessity.
The Fragility of Trust – Deception is omnipresent. Even allies cannot be relied upon fully, underscoring the danger of intimacy in a world that thrives on secrets.
Legacy of War – The aftermath of conflict with the Nepenthe lingers like a scar, reminding readers that peace is as precarious as it is enforced.
These themes give the story weight and distinguish it from more formulaic fantasies.
Strengths That Shine
Despite being a debut, A Liar’s Twisted Tongue has undeniable strengths:
Atmospheric World-Building: The contrast between septic poverty and academy grandeur creates a layered landscape.
Complex Characters: Desdemona and Lucian refuse to be stereotypes. They are morally gray, flawed, and compelling.
Romantic Tension: The slow-burn relationship is dangerous and intoxicating, striking the balance between desire and mistrust.
Foreshadowing for the Series: The hints of ancient societies and Desdemona’s unstable fire magic ensure that the story feels larger than one book.
Where the Novel Stumbles
The critiques that keep this novel from reaching perfection reflect common reader feedback:
Pacing Issues: The middle act drags in places, lingering on descriptions or internal monologues without advancing the plot.
Exposition-Heavy Moments: World-building sometimes feels delivered rather than discovered, breaking immersion.
Underutilized Side Characters: Damien and Elliae, for example, spark interest but rarely fulfill their potential.
Tropes Without Reinvention: Academy settings and forbidden romance are familiar motifs, and while handled well, they occasionally tread predictable ground.
These shortcomings do not ruin the novel but highlight areas where refinement could elevate it further.
Writing Style
Cusanelli’s prose mirrors her themes: sharp, lyrical, and occasionally overwhelming. She excels in dialogue, where characters conceal as much as they reveal, perfectly fitting a story about lies and hidden truths. Her imagery often paints fire, blood, and hunger with visceral clarity. However, at times the style veers toward excess, slowing narrative momentum. A leaner approach in certain passages could sharpen the tension even more.
Final Thoughts
A Liar’s Twisted Tongue is a darkly compelling start to The Fated Blood Trilogy, one that thrives on tension—between survival and destruction, trust and betrayal, love and power. Its atmosphere and characters shine, even as pacing and exposition occasionally stumble. For readers of YA fantasy-romance who crave intensity, danger, and characters who must fight against fate itself, this book is an excellent recommendation. And with A Puppet’s Broken String promising to unravel the threads left hanging, Caroline Cusanelli’s saga has only just begun.
June 27, 2025
This book was not good. I don’t like to leave bad reviews but this one deserves it. This book was so clearly plagiarized. It almost quoted multiple lines from Powerless and The Cruel Prince. This book was unoriginal and so many elements were definitely stolen. I will not be finishing the series. Also, the plot was incredibly confusing and the timing was terrible, the plot was just jumping all over the place. I’m sorry, and I don’t want to offend the author but it was just terrible. And please, don’t support this book it’s so clearly plagiarized.
August 11, 2024
I was originally gonna give it 2 stars but those last 20 pages rlly flipped the book for me. I need the second book immediately!!!
I shall go cry myself to sleep now after that heartbreaking ending
I shall go cry myself to sleep now after that heartbreaking ending
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September 2, 2024
honestly disappointed. it wasn’t awful. but it made me sleepy at 12 am and i’m never tired that earlier. the romance was cute, but the pace was slower than my pet turtle (he’s dead lol)
it was a soft dnf ngl. i’ll probably pick it up again if i get bored
it was a soft dnf ngl. i’ll probably pick it up again if i get bored
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