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The Lies that Summon the Night
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50 copies available
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Lies, beauty, and seduction mingle in the first book of an enthralling romantasy series where making art is considered a sin, and the shadows born from it aren't the only danger to the creators—from the bestselling author of
Curse of the Wolf King
.
From the art of liars, the monsters came…
Ever since art gave life to bloodthirsty shadows, creative works have been forbidden and the talented creators sacrificed to the Sinless—the immortal royals who feast on human blood in return for their protection.
Inana’s secret storytelling nearly got her killed once, and she’ll be damned if she’s ever caught again. With a bounty on her head, she keeps to the city’s dark underbelly where she earns a meager living from thrill-seeking patrons desperate to hear her illicit fiction. Until Dominic, a Shadowbane, catches one of her performances. . .
Dominic is a half-Sinless monster hunter as fearsome as his prey. But to complete his hunt, he needs an artist to summon the shadows . . . he needs Inana. Dominic delivers an ultimatum: serve him or he’ll claim her bounty. When survival is all Inana has left, the choice is clear. At least until she can betray him and leave him for dead.
As their tense alliance leads them into the heart of danger, dark secrets unravel—about each other, their world, and the threats they face. But the greatest risk of all is the desire growing between them. There’s something more sinful than lust at play, and it could bring the world to its knees.
From the art of liars, the monsters came…
Ever since art gave life to bloodthirsty shadows, creative works have been forbidden and the talented creators sacrificed to the Sinless—the immortal royals who feast on human blood in return for their protection.
Inana’s secret storytelling nearly got her killed once, and she’ll be damned if she’s ever caught again. With a bounty on her head, she keeps to the city’s dark underbelly where she earns a meager living from thrill-seeking patrons desperate to hear her illicit fiction. Until Dominic, a Shadowbane, catches one of her performances. . .
Dominic is a half-Sinless monster hunter as fearsome as his prey. But to complete his hunt, he needs an artist to summon the shadows . . . he needs Inana. Dominic delivers an ultimatum: serve him or he’ll claim her bounty. When survival is all Inana has left, the choice is clear. At least until she can betray him and leave him for dead.
As their tense alliance leads them into the heart of danger, dark secrets unravel—about each other, their world, and the threats they face. But the greatest risk of all is the desire growing between them. There’s something more sinful than lust at play, and it could bring the world to its knees.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 17, 2026
73 people are currently reading
19623 people want to read
About the author
Tessonja Odette
29 books3,631 followersTessonja Odette is a Seattle-based author of fantasy romance, epic romantasy, and fairytale retellings. Her different series range from cozy fae romcoms to dark and twisty fantasy. In her books you’ll find witty banter, sizzling romance, and breathtaking magic. When she isn’t writing, she’s watching anime, squeezing her pets, or dancing to the music only she can hear.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
December 19, 2025
If you’ve ever thought, I want vampires, but not the same boring vampires thats been done before, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!
I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis before diving into this book. I’ve loved everything Tessonja Odette has written, so I was confident I’d enjoy this one too and I was NOT disappointed.
Within the first few pages I was hooked, the prose and imagery in the opening scene had me staying up till 2am because I did not want to put this down.
The world is so unique and well developed, there is a lot to it, but it’s presented in bits and pieces so the world building never feels overly heavy. I cannot wait to read more in this world.
This is a series but I will say this book has a very satisfying conclusion and wraps things up nicely!
Whats to love…
- shadow daddy
- vampires like you’ve never seen before
- forbidden romance
- TENSION for DAYS
- the banter is bantering
- mystery, secrets, and lies
- really freaking cool world
- gorgeous prose and imagery
- perfectly placed (& very hot) spice
🌶️ - 3-ish scenes. Wide open door. Ch 25, 31, 36
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis before diving into this book. I’ve loved everything Tessonja Odette has written, so I was confident I’d enjoy this one too and I was NOT disappointed.
Within the first few pages I was hooked, the prose and imagery in the opening scene had me staying up till 2am because I did not want to put this down.
The world is so unique and well developed, there is a lot to it, but it’s presented in bits and pieces so the world building never feels overly heavy. I cannot wait to read more in this world.
This is a series but I will say this book has a very satisfying conclusion and wraps things up nicely!
Whats to love…
- shadow daddy
- vampires like you’ve never seen before
- forbidden romance
- TENSION for DAYS
- the banter is bantering
- mystery, secrets, and lies
- really freaking cool world
- gorgeous prose and imagery
- perfectly placed (& very hot) spice
🌶️ - 3-ish scenes. Wide open door. Ch 25, 31, 36
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️ I’m conflicted with how I really feel about this book. On one hand I really enjoyed certain aspects of it while on the other I found it very dense, very complex, finding myself bored a lot of times. The first 70% felt like nothing major was happening, with the last 30% being jam packed with secrets, revelations and more action. Yet at the same time, I felt that the author tried to “complicate” the twists with so much detail that made me lose some interest along the way. It was a total info-dump in my opinion with half explained rules that do not unfold organically or weave the threads together naturally, making the fantasy more complicated than it should have been.
In the world of The Lies That Summon The Night, darkest sins taste the sweetest. The book explores the idea that art is a sin and making art or creating craft is punishable by death or imprisonment. Inana Westwood is a sinner, a fugitive storyteller in hiding. One night, her storytelling catches the eye of a Shadowbane/hunter, Dominic Graves, who is seeking “Summoners” to help him with his own personal and dangerous mission. He promises her freedom in exchange for her cooperation and protection from Shades, shadow monsters that are manifested out of human sins. Together, along with two other Summoners, they set on a journey that is full of lusty thoughts and steamy looks, an attraction that is dark and dangerous and a twisty ending that ends on a cliffhanger.
I thought the concept was brilliant, anywhere along the likes of True Blood and The Witcher but with a refreshingly original take on vampires, gods and monsters. Odette added a twist to the vampire lore with incorporation of the seven sins: greed, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth, lust and pride. She used parts of these sins and gave them their own personalities, own voices, adding intoxicating allure to the concept of carnal pleasures. The beginning especially read like a very different world—very burlesque, very theatrical. I was a goner for what was yet to come.
Except it never came. I wrestled with the core concept of world building. I had a hard time understanding how everything connected because it wasn’t clear and honestly difficult to comprehend. I also wasn’t a big fan of the romantic dynamics. This is a romantasy that read more like erotica. Not that I am complaining, but it didn’t “fit” in with the Romantasy concept. We had two love interests who sexually riled each other up at any given moment they were left alone. They were sexually frustrated and had a need that wasn’t met in a long time. Their lusty conversations and the amount of F-bombs was at times off putting. It overshadowed the enemies to lovers romance.
Overall I think this is 3.5 but rounding down to 3. Right ideas, not favorite execution.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Publisher and the author, Tessonja Odette for an early eARC!
Publication date: February 3, 2026
In the world of The Lies That Summon The Night, darkest sins taste the sweetest. The book explores the idea that art is a sin and making art or creating craft is punishable by death or imprisonment. Inana Westwood is a sinner, a fugitive storyteller in hiding. One night, her storytelling catches the eye of a Shadowbane/hunter, Dominic Graves, who is seeking “Summoners” to help him with his own personal and dangerous mission. He promises her freedom in exchange for her cooperation and protection from Shades, shadow monsters that are manifested out of human sins. Together, along with two other Summoners, they set on a journey that is full of lusty thoughts and steamy looks, an attraction that is dark and dangerous and a twisty ending that ends on a cliffhanger.
I thought the concept was brilliant, anywhere along the likes of True Blood and The Witcher but with a refreshingly original take on vampires, gods and monsters. Odette added a twist to the vampire lore with incorporation of the seven sins: greed, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth, lust and pride. She used parts of these sins and gave them their own personalities, own voices, adding intoxicating allure to the concept of carnal pleasures. The beginning especially read like a very different world—very burlesque, very theatrical. I was a goner for what was yet to come.
Except it never came. I wrestled with the core concept of world building. I had a hard time understanding how everything connected because it wasn’t clear and honestly difficult to comprehend. I also wasn’t a big fan of the romantic dynamics. This is a romantasy that read more like erotica. Not that I am complaining, but it didn’t “fit” in with the Romantasy concept. We had two love interests who sexually riled each other up at any given moment they were left alone. They were sexually frustrated and had a need that wasn’t met in a long time. Their lusty conversations and the amount of F-bombs was at times off putting. It overshadowed the enemies to lovers romance.
Overall I think this is 3.5 but rounding down to 3. Right ideas, not favorite execution.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Publisher and the author, Tessonja Odette for an early eARC!
Publication date: February 3, 2026
September 9, 2025
That was the BEST book!!! This is going to break the world the moment it is released!!!
If you asked me before finishing THE LIES THAT SUMMON THE NIGHT to pick my one singular favorite book out of everything I have read in my whole life I would have said Crescent City HOEAB by Sarah J Maas. Hands down. This might top crescent city for me. I don’t know how Tessonja managed to weave a story of this complexity yet kept it absolutely delicious! Shadow hands are a thing of the past... now we have shadow SINS like Lust and Pride!
In a world where shadows are sentient, hostile beings, the world is kept as brightly lit as possible. It's run by the "Sinless"- humans that have been elevated to nobility, stripped of their sins, who now cast no shadow and crave the blood of others. The church preaches that art, creativity and much more are sins that attract the shades and promote violence. Sinning is expectedly, illegal and our FMC, Inana is one of the biggest sinners of all.
She is a seamstress and a story teller. Whispering her stories to the shades at night when no one can hear her, waiting for her lover to come home. One day everything that can go wrong, does. Our sinner is captured and sold like a criminal prize. From an underground entertainment circle for the rich to indulge in sins, to being bought by a Shadowbane- hunters that work for the church/nobility to take out the most dangerous shades.
The Shadowbane, Dominic, has purchased a crew of sinners (artists) and promised them freedom if they help him as his summoners. Their job? Use their talents. Sin. But this Shadowbane is different. He has shades that are connected to him. Lust, Pride and Sloth. Human sins manifested as his own personal shades. They bicker and banter constantly and Inana can hear them. He frustrates and excites her with his cryptic secrets and hidden agendas. But Inana makes him feel things his half soul shouldn't be able to. As they get closer, they learn that not all is as it seems and the world they knew, may not be so simple after all.
This story was so much more than I could have ever imagined! From manifested sins to delicious spice (shades included *wink*) I am in awe of the author's endless creativity and ability to sink her literary claws in and fully immerse me in a story.
I simply cannot wait to read this again and watch as the world gets to experience Tessonja Odette.
Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are very much my own <3
If you asked me before finishing THE LIES THAT SUMMON THE NIGHT to pick my one singular favorite book out of everything I have read in my whole life I would have said Crescent City HOEAB by Sarah J Maas. Hands down. This might top crescent city for me. I don’t know how Tessonja managed to weave a story of this complexity yet kept it absolutely delicious! Shadow hands are a thing of the past... now we have shadow SINS like Lust and Pride!
In a world where shadows are sentient, hostile beings, the world is kept as brightly lit as possible. It's run by the "Sinless"- humans that have been elevated to nobility, stripped of their sins, who now cast no shadow and crave the blood of others. The church preaches that art, creativity and much more are sins that attract the shades and promote violence. Sinning is expectedly, illegal and our FMC, Inana is one of the biggest sinners of all.
She is a seamstress and a story teller. Whispering her stories to the shades at night when no one can hear her, waiting for her lover to come home. One day everything that can go wrong, does. Our sinner is captured and sold like a criminal prize. From an underground entertainment circle for the rich to indulge in sins, to being bought by a Shadowbane- hunters that work for the church/nobility to take out the most dangerous shades.
The Shadowbane, Dominic, has purchased a crew of sinners (artists) and promised them freedom if they help him as his summoners. Their job? Use their talents. Sin. But this Shadowbane is different. He has shades that are connected to him. Lust, Pride and Sloth. Human sins manifested as his own personal shades. They bicker and banter constantly and Inana can hear them. He frustrates and excites her with his cryptic secrets and hidden agendas. But Inana makes him feel things his half soul shouldn't be able to. As they get closer, they learn that not all is as it seems and the world they knew, may not be so simple after all.
This story was so much more than I could have ever imagined! From manifested sins to delicious spice (shades included *wink*) I am in awe of the author's endless creativity and ability to sink her literary claws in and fully immerse me in a story.
I simply cannot wait to read this again and watch as the world gets to experience Tessonja Odette.
Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are very much my own <3
October 30, 2025
I’ll be honest—I went into The Lies That Summon the Night excited. The idea of art giving life to monsters sounded eerie and brilliant. But somewhere between the first chapter and the last, I completely lost interest.
The romance? A total miss for me. I didn’t feel an ounce of chemistry between Inana and Dominic. Their connection felt forced, like I was told they were drawn to each other rather than actually seeing it unfold. I wanted to root for them, but there was just…nothing there.
The world itself could’ve been rich and darkly magical, but it never got there. The lore and magic system were confusing from the start—half-explained rules, names tossed around without context, and so many new characters thrown in at once that I couldn’t keep anyone straight. I kept flipping back, trying to piece things together, but the threads never formed a clear picture.
By the end, I was mostly frustrated. The story had all the right ingredients but none of the follow-through. I love fantasy that makes me feel something—mystery, wonder, heartbreak—but this one just left me tired and disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The romance? A total miss for me. I didn’t feel an ounce of chemistry between Inana and Dominic. Their connection felt forced, like I was told they were drawn to each other rather than actually seeing it unfold. I wanted to root for them, but there was just…nothing there.
The world itself could’ve been rich and darkly magical, but it never got there. The lore and magic system were confusing from the start—half-explained rules, names tossed around without context, and so many new characters thrown in at once that I couldn’t keep anyone straight. I kept flipping back, trying to piece things together, but the threads never formed a clear picture.
By the end, I was mostly frustrated. The story had all the right ingredients but none of the follow-through. I love fantasy that makes me feel something—mystery, wonder, heartbreak—but this one just left me tired and disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2026
Obsessed!!!! ⭐️
This is SO good!!!
I loved everything about this book 😆
Just when you think shadow daddies are played out, Tessonja brings it in one of the most unique ways with such a captivating world!!
In a world where art is breaking the law, where there’s these evil, scary, you need to stay away from them shades… we follow Inanas journey of heart break and discovery.
The world is perfect!
The romance is CHEFS KISS!
(The tension will drive you insane 😆❤️🔥)
Not to mention, an original take on vampires?!!
Truly a perfect balance!
I need more of this NOW! Absolutely a must read 🫶
This is SO good!!!
I loved everything about this book 😆
Just when you think shadow daddies are played out, Tessonja brings it in one of the most unique ways with such a captivating world!!
In a world where art is breaking the law, where there’s these evil, scary, you need to stay away from them shades… we follow Inanas journey of heart break and discovery.
The world is perfect!
The romance is CHEFS KISS!
(The tension will drive you insane 😆❤️🔥)
Not to mention, an original take on vampires?!!
Truly a perfect balance!
I need more of this NOW! Absolutely a must read 🫶
November 25, 2025
''I refuse to face death while holding still. I will dance with it like a fucking lady until it strangles the breath from my lungs.''
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️.5
Release Date: Feb 03, 2026
Wow, this was such a refreshing and unique take on vampire lore and sin. The magic system and world was very different from anything I have ever read before. This was my first book by Tessonja, and her writing was beautifully done. You can tell she is a very experienced writer.
The pacing throughout the book was very well done. Her writing flowed effortlessly off the pages and made it super easy to read! We had a good amount of depth and development in the world-building that kept you engaged and locked in from start to finish. A lot of great characters with their own interesting backgrounds and stories. The romance had a love-hate dynamic going on that created great tension and amazing banter! The spice was very yummy. We got about three scenes; it was definitely on the lighter side, but still delivered in the best way! Let's just say our characters still have a lot to explore in book 2.😉
The magic system had to be one of my favorite dynamics in this book! Between the unique vampire lore and the shadow shades💞, I was extremely captivated in learning and seeing where everything was going to go. We also had a lot of twists and turns with the storyline that I did not see coming! That ending.....🤯 I don't even know what to think!
If you are looking for your next Romantasy read but want something unique and eccentric that still gives you all the things you love in a great book, I would definitely give this new series a try! 💖
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC read opportunity!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️.5
Release Date: Feb 03, 2026
Wow, this was such a refreshing and unique take on vampire lore and sin. The magic system and world was very different from anything I have ever read before. This was my first book by Tessonja, and her writing was beautifully done. You can tell she is a very experienced writer.
The pacing throughout the book was very well done. Her writing flowed effortlessly off the pages and made it super easy to read! We had a good amount of depth and development in the world-building that kept you engaged and locked in from start to finish. A lot of great characters with their own interesting backgrounds and stories. The romance had a love-hate dynamic going on that created great tension and amazing banter! The spice was very yummy. We got about three scenes; it was definitely on the lighter side, but still delivered in the best way! Let's just say our characters still have a lot to explore in book 2.😉
The magic system had to be one of my favorite dynamics in this book! Between the unique vampire lore and the shadow shades💞, I was extremely captivated in learning and seeing where everything was going to go. We also had a lot of twists and turns with the storyline that I did not see coming! That ending.....🤯 I don't even know what to think!
If you are looking for your next Romantasy read but want something unique and eccentric that still gives you all the things you love in a great book, I would definitely give this new series a try! 💖
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC read opportunity!
September 17, 2025
If I had to choose one word to describe Odette’s new romantasy, it would be: scintillating. Every element—from the prose to the characters to the romance—glows with life and dazzles with brilliance.
September 5, 2025
This was so good! Such a really interesting and well built world. The chemistry 😍 there is enough spice thrown in to satisfy those looking for it without detracting from the plot at all. My only complaint it ends on a cliff hanger and now I must wait for the next book 🫠 Thanks Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read this early!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
A really interesting premise with great characters and a crazy ending.
This one started out a little slow for me. There was definitely a lot of info dumping, but it wasn't done in such a way where I felt like I was reading a history book. It was just a lot of information and slowed down the progression of the book a bit.
But there was a lot going on and a lot of secrets that were out there that I was just dying to know more about. And a lot of them didn't take the entire book to come out, which certainly helps with the flow and keeping the reader on a forward trajectory. Just giving us more and more crumbs so we keep eating 😄
The MMC was 🤌 though I felt his character was a little inconsistent, but I enjoyed every bit of him. FMC was also pretty good, but I did have issues with her here and there. And her "art" is something that I have trouble with in books. I've come across a couple stories where the FMC's power is storytelling. And that just doesn't pack a punch for me. It gives an opportunity to have some really beautiful prose but that's about it for me. And honestly, it wasn't even used that much anyway so the whole premise of the book didn't really end up being the meat of it.
But jesus that ending! Super emotional, definitely made me tear up a bit. And a twist I didn't fully see coming. The rest of this series is gonna be crazy ❤️🔥
A really interesting premise with great characters and a crazy ending.
This one started out a little slow for me. There was definitely a lot of info dumping, but it wasn't done in such a way where I felt like I was reading a history book. It was just a lot of information and slowed down the progression of the book a bit.
But there was a lot going on and a lot of secrets that were out there that I was just dying to know more about. And a lot of them didn't take the entire book to come out, which certainly helps with the flow and keeping the reader on a forward trajectory. Just giving us more and more crumbs so we keep eating 😄
The MMC was 🤌 though I felt his character was a little inconsistent, but I enjoyed every bit of him. FMC was also pretty good, but I did have issues with her here and there. And her "art" is something that I have trouble with in books. I've come across a couple stories where the FMC's power is storytelling. And that just doesn't pack a punch for me. It gives an opportunity to have some really beautiful prose but that's about it for me. And honestly, it wasn't even used that much anyway so the whole premise of the book didn't really end up being the meat of it.
But jesus that ending! Super emotional, definitely made me tear up a bit. And a twist I didn't fully see coming. The rest of this series is gonna be crazy ❤️🔥
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 🌟
rtc
Going through a breakup at the moment so I felt this story... HARD! ❤️🩹
rtc
Going through a breakup at the moment so I felt this story... HARD! ❤️🩹
January 7, 2026
4.5⭐️ Extremely engaging fantasy with some spicy romance in the world where art leads to summoning dangerous shades.
"The Lies that Summon the Night" tells a story of a storyteller Inana, which is forced to live in a world where any art is forbidden. It causes dangerous Shades to be summoned and therefore any of such acts are scrupulously removed. When Dominic, a monster hunter appears and takes Inana into his crew she will discover secrets about the world and about herself that she had never dreamt of. Will they be able to take a risk and stand up in the name of their beliefs and the spark that's between them?
"The Lies that Summon the Night" was an amazing and very addictive read. The general idea for a story was very imaginative and the whole plot was very picturesque almost like from a movie. I really enjoyed all the battles with Shadows and the journey that our characters commenced.
The politics and secrets were intricately woven and stitched together. I was extremely curious about how the book will end and I was not dissapointed.
The romance was also to my taste. It wasn't rushed and I could actually feel how their bond is tightening. The spice scene was also very nice, I even blushed! :)))
For sure I will recommend this book to every fantasy reader who'd like to read something refreshing with a bit of romance and very good and mysterious plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
"The Lies that Summon the Night" tells a story of a storyteller Inana, which is forced to live in a world where any art is forbidden. It causes dangerous Shades to be summoned and therefore any of such acts are scrupulously removed. When Dominic, a monster hunter appears and takes Inana into his crew she will discover secrets about the world and about herself that she had never dreamt of. Will they be able to take a risk and stand up in the name of their beliefs and the spark that's between them?
"The Lies that Summon the Night" was an amazing and very addictive read. The general idea for a story was very imaginative and the whole plot was very picturesque almost like from a movie. I really enjoyed all the battles with Shadows and the journey that our characters commenced.
The politics and secrets were intricately woven and stitched together. I was extremely curious about how the book will end and I was not dissapointed.
The romance was also to my taste. It wasn't rushed and I could actually feel how their bond is tightening. The spice scene was also very nice, I even blushed! :)))
For sure I will recommend this book to every fantasy reader who'd like to read something refreshing with a bit of romance and very good and mysterious plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 29, 2025
4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Wow what an amazing novel. This is fantasy folks!! I was so enthralled by this novel from the glossary. The world is so intriguing and I haven’t read a magic system quite like this one. The uniqueness of it made the action scenes so cool, and the way normal art was magical in its own way was so so powerful.
Inana is a FANTASTIC main character. I loved her so much. Her humour, love for art, personal conflicts, and guts blend together to make someone so easy to root for. The ending I did see coming for her and I’m so curious as to how we’re moving forward 👀
Dominic I have to say was actually really likeable???! Sometimes I don’t vibe with the main guys in fantasies for the first book or two, but I’m happy he had an established backstory and goal from the beginning. We don’t stay in the dark too long about him which makes his small growth really well written. I found him super funny as well!
The romance was insta lovey but I think the dynamics and chemistry of Dom and inana make up for that haha. I’m so invested!!
The side characters have so much potential and I’m super interested in all of their futures (Harlow especially!).
The plot guys I’m so locked in. The world is rich and corrupt, which makes the story have some interesting themes. I enjoyed the conversations about religion and corruption so much. The beginning seeds of this plot had SO much potential and I’m so excited to see where Tessonja takes us!
The writing is also so so good. Dual POVs that are distinct and the writing is simply just addictive.
I really really enjoyed this one and I’m so so excited for book 2!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Wow what an amazing novel. This is fantasy folks!! I was so enthralled by this novel from the glossary. The world is so intriguing and I haven’t read a magic system quite like this one. The uniqueness of it made the action scenes so cool, and the way normal art was magical in its own way was so so powerful.
Inana is a FANTASTIC main character. I loved her so much. Her humour, love for art, personal conflicts, and guts blend together to make someone so easy to root for. The ending I did see coming for her and I’m so curious as to how we’re moving forward 👀
Dominic I have to say was actually really likeable???! Sometimes I don’t vibe with the main guys in fantasies for the first book or two, but I’m happy he had an established backstory and goal from the beginning. We don’t stay in the dark too long about him which makes his small growth really well written. I found him super funny as well!
The romance was insta lovey but I think the dynamics and chemistry of Dom and inana make up for that haha. I’m so invested!!
The side characters have so much potential and I’m super interested in all of their futures (Harlow especially!).
The plot guys I’m so locked in. The world is rich and corrupt, which makes the story have some interesting themes. I enjoyed the conversations about religion and corruption so much. The beginning seeds of this plot had SO much potential and I’m so excited to see where Tessonja takes us!
The writing is also so so good. Dual POVs that are distinct and the writing is simply just addictive.
I really really enjoyed this one and I’m so so excited for book 2!!
Currently reading
November 19, 2025Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine|Delacorte Press for the Arc!
It’s my first book by Tessonja Odette, so I’m not yet familiar with her style, but I’m really excited to jump into it. The mix of art, paranormal elements, and romantasy feels like a fresh, intriguing concept.
What I expect from my quick pre-read:
🗡️ Vengeance & Justice — I have the feeling the FMC is going to be unleashed.
👑 Forbidden Alliance — A hunter… and her prey.
🖤 Dark Magic & Curses — Bloodthirsty shadows, monster hunting, paranormal danger.
💔 Trust vs. Betrayal — Using each other without ever fully trusting… right?
🔥 Slow-Burn Tension — Always unavoidable in this kind of story, isn’t it?That's why we like it
It’s my first book by Tessonja Odette, so I’m not yet familiar with her style, but I’m really excited to jump into it. The mix of art, paranormal elements, and romantasy feels like a fresh, intriguing concept.
What I expect from my quick pre-read:
🗡️ Vengeance & Justice — I have the feeling the FMC is going to be unleashed.
👑 Forbidden Alliance — A hunter… and her prey.
🖤 Dark Magic & Curses — Bloodthirsty shadows, monster hunting, paranormal danger.
💔 Trust vs. Betrayal — Using each other without ever fully trusting… right?
🔥 Slow-Burn Tension — Always unavoidable in this kind of story, isn’t it?That's why we like it
January 19, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Great characters and fantasy elements. But I was confused by the world building.
Great characters and fantasy elements. But I was confused by the world building.
September 28, 2025
First of all, I would like to thank Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC! I feel so honored to receive ARCs for phenomenal books like this and it is such a joy of reading for me.
This book was so unexpectedly unique. Essentially, this world surrounds humans and sinless (vampires) who are coexisting in a world where shades (demons born from human sin) threaten their very life and livelihoods. Sinless provide protection through Shadowmasters to ensure nobody dies at the hands of the shades. With this “protection” they get to feed off of humans and essentially live their lives unchecked as close to royalty. Shades are created from humans creating art. Anything from poetry, painting, singing, playing music, or sharing stories. So humans are forbidden from creating or engaging in art.
Our fmc, Inana doesn’t care. She finds so much awe in creating art. She’s a storyteller and has always been fascinated by weaving a story strong enough to ensnare a shade. After working in a brothel as a storyteller in a taboo, underground club she longs to find a way out, somewhere she can practice her art without the fear of imprisonment. Dominic, our brooding Shadowhunter mmc, decides to buy her services and bring her and few others onto his team. What takes place is an epic adventure across the realm where Inana, Bard, and Harlow all get to use their artistic gifts to ensnare the shades and bring peace to the realm. What starts off as a simple mission, turns into an eye opening experience of betrayal, lies, corruption, and lust. This world isn’t what it seems, and Inana starts to fall for Dominic even though he is everything she despises.
Inana is strong, witty, and artistic. She longs for a world different than her own and finds a home with Dominic and the rest of their crew. What she learns about herself is more than anything she could have imagined and the chemistry and longing between her and Dominic is sizzling.
Dominic is brooding, quiet, and not what he seems. There’s a darkness in him that doesn’t allow the others to get close. Although he slowly becomes more and more open while Inana is around him. He has sentient shadows that speak and interact outside of himself and they all have a strange obsession with Inana. Don’t even get me started on their shadows hands….
If you like unique magic systems, longing, forbidden romance, twists and turns, shadow mmc’s, and a dark, oppressive world with secrets at every turn, you should definitely pick up this book. I can’t wait for the second book and for the conclusion of this story!
This book was so unexpectedly unique. Essentially, this world surrounds humans and sinless (vampires) who are coexisting in a world where shades (demons born from human sin) threaten their very life and livelihoods. Sinless provide protection through Shadowmasters to ensure nobody dies at the hands of the shades. With this “protection” they get to feed off of humans and essentially live their lives unchecked as close to royalty. Shades are created from humans creating art. Anything from poetry, painting, singing, playing music, or sharing stories. So humans are forbidden from creating or engaging in art.
Our fmc, Inana doesn’t care. She finds so much awe in creating art. She’s a storyteller and has always been fascinated by weaving a story strong enough to ensnare a shade. After working in a brothel as a storyteller in a taboo, underground club she longs to find a way out, somewhere she can practice her art without the fear of imprisonment. Dominic, our brooding Shadowhunter mmc, decides to buy her services and bring her and few others onto his team. What takes place is an epic adventure across the realm where Inana, Bard, and Harlow all get to use their artistic gifts to ensnare the shades and bring peace to the realm. What starts off as a simple mission, turns into an eye opening experience of betrayal, lies, corruption, and lust. This world isn’t what it seems, and Inana starts to fall for Dominic even though he is everything she despises.
Inana is strong, witty, and artistic. She longs for a world different than her own and finds a home with Dominic and the rest of their crew. What she learns about herself is more than anything she could have imagined and the chemistry and longing between her and Dominic is sizzling.
Dominic is brooding, quiet, and not what he seems. There’s a darkness in him that doesn’t allow the others to get close. Although he slowly becomes more and more open while Inana is around him. He has sentient shadows that speak and interact outside of himself and they all have a strange obsession with Inana. Don’t even get me started on their shadows hands….
If you like unique magic systems, longing, forbidden romance, twists and turns, shadow mmc’s, and a dark, oppressive world with secrets at every turn, you should definitely pick up this book. I can’t wait for the second book and for the conclusion of this story!
November 9, 2025
Thank you very much Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts on this one were a bit mixed from the start. The opening glossary explanation of everything is intense. I struggle with magic systems that require a heavy info-dump upfront, I prefer when it unfolds organically as you go along - but this was perhaps just the formatting of the arc rather than the intended reading order.
I thought the premise itself was solid and the writing is was fine too but (and I feel ancient admitting this) the sheer volume of *f*ck* took me out of the story. I’m absolutely not bothered by swearing in general (literally never even thought about it in a book before), but it gave the dialogue a different edge that didn’t fit the vibe and fantasy setting I was building in my head. Once I noticed it, it became impossible to ignore.
I also wrestled with the core concept, that the Sinless - souls scrubbed clean - are the cruel, violent faction. Their behaviour felt at odds with the premise, and I couldn’t quite reconcile how a human church holds power over immoral beings. The art system tied to the seven sins didn’t quite click for me either.
There are definitely interesting ideas here, certain elements reminded me of The Witcher and Crown of Nyaxia which I really liked. But I struggled to connect with the characters Inara (although I love the name) and Dominic and without that anchor, my engagement slipped and I ultimately wasn’t invested enough to continue the latter half.
My thoughts on this one were a bit mixed from the start. The opening glossary explanation of everything is intense. I struggle with magic systems that require a heavy info-dump upfront, I prefer when it unfolds organically as you go along - but this was perhaps just the formatting of the arc rather than the intended reading order.
I thought the premise itself was solid and the writing is was fine too but (and I feel ancient admitting this) the sheer volume of *f*ck* took me out of the story. I’m absolutely not bothered by swearing in general (literally never even thought about it in a book before), but it gave the dialogue a different edge that didn’t fit the vibe and fantasy setting I was building in my head. Once I noticed it, it became impossible to ignore.
I also wrestled with the core concept, that the Sinless - souls scrubbed clean - are the cruel, violent faction. Their behaviour felt at odds with the premise, and I couldn’t quite reconcile how a human church holds power over immoral beings. The art system tied to the seven sins didn’t quite click for me either.
There are definitely interesting ideas here, certain elements reminded me of The Witcher and Crown of Nyaxia which I really liked. But I struggled to connect with the characters Inara (although I love the name) and Dominic and without that anchor, my engagement slipped and I ultimately wasn’t invested enough to continue the latter half.
November 4, 2025
2.5 🌟 i swear i was gonna ignore the insta lust bc i actually thought the magic system had potential so i figured it’d be fine if i didn’t care for the romance as long as i liked everything else. but at some point everything just turned into a big unnecessary mess and it honestly ruined the whole experience for me. i am (unfortunately) curious to see how that ending’s gonna be resolved in the sequel tho
Want to read
November 29, 2025AHHHH!!! I love Tessonja! I am so excited to be holding this arc & can't wait to dive in
November 17, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early access to this novel. This review however is not influenced by this and is a completely honest review!
The Lies That Summon the Night
~Tessonja Odette
A deeply captivating and enticing story with a plot so unique and masterfully crafted
The Lies That Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette follows along the story of Inana in a fantastical land of magic and mystical monsters.
The story itself is very captivating but also easy to follow and read, the magic system, the cultures, and the world building screams perfection, from the relationship between the MCs, the banter between them and their emotions to the backstories of the side characters and their lives everything is well done.
This was my first time reading a book by Tessonja Odette, and I was certainly not disappointed! I look forward to reading more of her works.
Overall this Is an amazing story packed with magic, mystery and malice✨️~
Publisher Information:
Source:I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this title from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
goodreads: Kristeen_
Run Date: November 17, 2025
The Lies That Summon the Night
~Tessonja Odette
A deeply captivating and enticing story with a plot so unique and masterfully crafted
The Lies That Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette follows along the story of Inana in a fantastical land of magic and mystical monsters.
The story itself is very captivating but also easy to follow and read, the magic system, the cultures, and the world building screams perfection, from the relationship between the MCs, the banter between them and their emotions to the backstories of the side characters and their lives everything is well done.
This was my first time reading a book by Tessonja Odette, and I was certainly not disappointed! I look forward to reading more of her works.
Overall this Is an amazing story packed with magic, mystery and malice✨️~
Publisher Information:
Source:I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this title from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
goodreads: Kristeen_
Run Date: November 17, 2025
December 11, 2025
I absolutely loved everything about this book, it's slotted itself into one of my favourite reads of the year! The storyline was so unique and the world building was phenomenal with such clear and vivid details that it felt like you were alongside the characters as they went through certain scenes.
In The Lies that Summon the Night, art is a sin and the artists are the sinners. Inana our FMC is a storyteller, so a sinner known as the seamstress. Straight from the very first chapters I was engaged and intrigued, Tessonja has such a beautiful way of telling a story and it really came to life in the way we learn Inana's story of love and treachery, it pulled you in and set up what was the start of a phenomenal book.
Every single character who made up the group of summoners ( fugitive artists with Inana included,that go on a monster hunt to rid the shadows that are created from using art) were unique and with their own heartbreaking story that we see through Inana and the MMC Dominic's the shadowbane (like a half vampire) PoVs. Then there's the slow burn romance between Inana and Dominic that was filled with so much chemistry and tension with some very well written scenes between them.
I just loved every single moment of this book especially the ending that was fantastic and so well done and left me instantly needing book two. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review before publication. All opinions are my own.
In The Lies that Summon the Night, art is a sin and the artists are the sinners. Inana our FMC is a storyteller, so a sinner known as the seamstress. Straight from the very first chapters I was engaged and intrigued, Tessonja has such a beautiful way of telling a story and it really came to life in the way we learn Inana's story of love and treachery, it pulled you in and set up what was the start of a phenomenal book.
Every single character who made up the group of summoners ( fugitive artists with Inana included,that go on a monster hunt to rid the shadows that are created from using art) were unique and with their own heartbreaking story that we see through Inana and the MMC Dominic's the shadowbane (like a half vampire) PoVs. Then there's the slow burn romance between Inana and Dominic that was filled with so much chemistry and tension with some very well written scenes between them.
I just loved every single moment of this book especially the ending that was fantastic and so well done and left me instantly needing book two. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review before publication. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lies that Summon the Night is a dark Romantasy with rich worldbuilding, shadow creatures, and a painfully good slowburn that'll test your patience in the best way.
The story follows Inana, a secret storyteller in a world where art is sin, who is forced into a reluctant alliance with Dominic, a Shadowbane, after he discovers her illegal performances, and needs her power to hunt down Shades.
I absolutely adored the concept of creativity being forbidden and sins given a physical form. The world feels layered and unique, almost dystopian with vampire-like immortals and a society controlled by fear. I also loved how the worldbuilding was slowly woven into the story and how natural that felt.
There's a dual POV that worked quite well, especially when it came to the romance and the tension between Inana and Dominic. It's full of "I don't like you, but why are you so annoyingly attractive" vibes! The banter is sharp and fun, and the attraction builds slowly. And when I say slowburn, I mean it. That kiss around 75% in had me screaming internally. (Shadow daddy enjoyers will be very happy.)
There were a couple of moments where the pacing dipped, or it felt like the plot didn't progress, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
This book also had one of the best twists I came across in a while, and I'm already excited to see everyone's reactions to it!
Overall, I'd say this was an immersive and addictive first book, and I will absolutely be continuing the series.
The story follows Inana, a secret storyteller in a world where art is sin, who is forced into a reluctant alliance with Dominic, a Shadowbane, after he discovers her illegal performances, and needs her power to hunt down Shades.
I absolutely adored the concept of creativity being forbidden and sins given a physical form. The world feels layered and unique, almost dystopian with vampire-like immortals and a society controlled by fear. I also loved how the worldbuilding was slowly woven into the story and how natural that felt.
There's a dual POV that worked quite well, especially when it came to the romance and the tension between Inana and Dominic. It's full of "I don't like you, but why are you so annoyingly attractive" vibes! The banter is sharp and fun, and the attraction builds slowly. And when I say slowburn, I mean it. That kiss around 75% in had me screaming internally. (Shadow daddy enjoyers will be very happy.)
There were a couple of moments where the pacing dipped, or it felt like the plot didn't progress, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
This book also had one of the best twists I came across in a while, and I'm already excited to see everyone's reactions to it!
Overall, I'd say this was an immersive and addictive first book, and I will absolutely be continuing the series.
October 19, 2025
✨The Lies that Summon the Night✨
Author: Tessonja
Release: 2.17.26
Series: Book 1 of a new series
I knew I would be so happy to be back in one of Tess’s books and I was NOT wrong. Though darker than usual, this beautiful beginning to her newest series was no less swoon-worthy, whimsical, or hilarious. Tess has the incredible talent of weaving darker elements perfectly balanced with humor to keep every moment entertaining in a way that makes you crave more.
TLTSTN follows two first person POVs. Inana is an outlaw, a sinner. An outlaw because she manifests art and art is a sin: one of the most deadly sins that creates shades that terrorize the kingdom ruled by the Sinless, who are perfect beings living off sinner’s blood. When Inana’s contract is purchased by a Shadowbane (half Sinless), she finds herself part of a crew now protecting the people from shades but also under the authority of that which she hates: a man working his way to become Sinless. But our Shadowbane, Dominic, has many secrets and as they come to light, everything we’ve learned is questioned.
This was such a neat take on vampires and the lore/history was incredibly intricate. As you continue to move through the story, so much is revealed that at each turn I was gasping- never thinking that this was what was actually happening. And those last couple reveals! Holy smokes. This was just such a fun read.
Dominic’s shades were just 👩🍳 💋 and the romance was flirty, devious, and delightful. Our dysfunctional found family was so unique and I can’t wait to explore those characters more. I feel like we got to know our MCs so deeply and yet I feel like (after that ending) there’s SO MUCH MORE I NEED. Like we just got the taste of what’s truly to come. I cannot WAIT to see what happens next.
Tropes you may find in TLTSTN are forced proximity, broody shadow daddy, forbidden love, storyteller FMC, calls her love, slow burn to medium spice (3 scenes but no home run yet 😉), all the banter, plot twists, he falls first and harder, body warmth, shadow play, vampire-like beings, and wound tending.
Thank you so so much to Tess, Netgalley, and Ballantine books for this amazing opportunity and arc. I’m so humbled and grateful!
Author: Tessonja
Release: 2.17.26
Series: Book 1 of a new series
I knew I would be so happy to be back in one of Tess’s books and I was NOT wrong. Though darker than usual, this beautiful beginning to her newest series was no less swoon-worthy, whimsical, or hilarious. Tess has the incredible talent of weaving darker elements perfectly balanced with humor to keep every moment entertaining in a way that makes you crave more.
TLTSTN follows two first person POVs. Inana is an outlaw, a sinner. An outlaw because she manifests art and art is a sin: one of the most deadly sins that creates shades that terrorize the kingdom ruled by the Sinless, who are perfect beings living off sinner’s blood. When Inana’s contract is purchased by a Shadowbane (half Sinless), she finds herself part of a crew now protecting the people from shades but also under the authority of that which she hates: a man working his way to become Sinless. But our Shadowbane, Dominic, has many secrets and as they come to light, everything we’ve learned is questioned.
This was such a neat take on vampires and the lore/history was incredibly intricate. As you continue to move through the story, so much is revealed that at each turn I was gasping- never thinking that this was what was actually happening. And those last couple reveals! Holy smokes. This was just such a fun read.
Dominic’s shades were just 👩🍳 💋 and the romance was flirty, devious, and delightful. Our dysfunctional found family was so unique and I can’t wait to explore those characters more. I feel like we got to know our MCs so deeply and yet I feel like (after that ending) there’s SO MUCH MORE I NEED. Like we just got the taste of what’s truly to come. I cannot WAIT to see what happens next.
Tropes you may find in TLTSTN are forced proximity, broody shadow daddy, forbidden love, storyteller FMC, calls her love, slow burn to medium spice (3 scenes but no home run yet 😉), all the banter, plot twists, he falls first and harder, body warmth, shadow play, vampire-like beings, and wound tending.
Thank you so so much to Tess, Netgalley, and Ballantine books for this amazing opportunity and arc. I’m so humbled and grateful!
January 12, 2026
☆ 3 stars
The Lies That Summon the Night is the first instalment in the Songs for The Sinless trilogy by author Tessonja Odette. Odette wows with the introduction to this story with an enchanting setting and poetic narrative meant to entice and enthral the reader from the very first chapter. The concept of the world felt rich and innovative with its unique magical system and interesting take on what we know from classical vampires with their religious agenda and corrupt political impact. The distinction between sinners and the Sinless kept my intrigue through to the end as the long-buried truth is slowly brought back into the light through the narration of our two main characters. This is a fast-paced and unputdownable story that you’re going to want to binge within one sitting, so I’d definitely recommend reading this book when you can dedicate the time to do so.
That being said… this could very much be a ‘me’ problem but admittedly I did find myself struggling with the premise of the world and all of its components at times with the delivery of information being provided in its abundance. I felt like I was being tossed a bunch of facts at a rapid-fire pace and very little time to come to terms with it all. I understand the majority of the lore in theory, but when it became time to see it all coming into place my mind struggled to navigate everything in full. I think my main (personal) issue is that this wonderfully creative concept felt too ambitious in its time constraint. I understand that this is only the first book in a trilogy and therefore there is much more to unveil throughout the upcoming instalments, but ultimately my main issue is that I believe I should be ending the first book of a series feeling anticipation for what comes next and shock at whatever cliffhanger we’re left on… not muddled confusion due to limited understanding. I truly believe this story would have had the opportunity to thrive in the way it deserves had it been longer than the mere 300-ish pages that it is.
Inana Westwood is such an interesting character who showcases promise and intrigue as a biased narrator. I really enjoyed getting to understand the history of her character which sets up to explain what drives her forward during the current timeline. The yearning of her artistic soul battling with her moral compass made for a compelling arch to follow Inana’s journey on as she struggles to discern what is true and what is a lie. She felt layered and complex whilst being easy to sympathise with, and I definitely had fun getting to understand her motivations on a deeper level as the plot continues to progress. I adored that her strength felt fresh and new as it didn’t depend on her physicality, sword-play or her ability to stand her ground in a physical fight. Inana’s strength is derived from her ability to face her fears head-on and the resilience that her past experiences has ingrained into her very soul. There was several small indicators to Inana’s character that suggests there is more to her story than what we are currently being led to believe, so there’s no denying that I’m keen to see what comes next after that shocking and unexpected ending.
Dominic Graves had all of the foundations to make for a really intriguing love interest and main character whose intention should be to drive the story forward, but unfortunately for me I just found his exploration lacking and therefore unmemorable. My interest was piqued by the seemingly dangerous and ruthless Shadowbane who inspired fear and commanded the page upon introduction as he threatened Inana into submission with the assistance of his shadows… but where did that man go in the aftermath of that scene? He sadly seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye and was instead replaced with your standard grumpy hero that communicates very little as you can come to expect in a Romantasy story. I yearned for more grit and depth to Dominic’s character whereas instead we were provided a lacklustre insight into his past and the mission that he is determined to see through. I understand that the length of a trilogy will allow more time for character exploration and expansion, however I still like to end the book feeling as if I still somewhat know and understand a character who for all intent and purposes should be highlighted as important. I know nothing about Dominic other than his goal and that he’s been working all of his life towards said goal… but that’s basically it. I wished we’d gotten more depth into his character at this current stage so that I could properly enjoy his narration and anticipate what will come next, however ultimately I will instead hope that Dominic’s exploration becomes more of a priority in the second book.
One of the true highlights for me during The Lies That Summon the Night was the inclusion of Dominic’s Shades; Pride, Lust and Sloth and the way that their narration stole the show. The vividness of their presence and the way that they were characters in their own right was such a fun addition that I looked forward to seeing time and again with every new chapter. It reminded me a lot of some of my favourite Disney and Pixar movies growing up with the many animal companions that stole the show over the main characters themselves. They were the comedic relief that the dark themes of this book needed as a counterbalance, and I greatly hope that this is something we see continue in the rest of the series.
Whilst I liked and enjoyed The Lies That Summon the Night overall… I sadly haven’t fallen in-love with it in the way that I had initially hoped. I commend the author on her innovative concept and the clear passion that has went into establishing an elaborate world in so little time. There were some highs and lows for me throughout the story that left a lasting impact, and I cannot deny the emotional grip that the enlightening ending has had on my brain. I did not see those twists coming as that alone is enough to keep my interest piqued for what will come next in book two, so I’m definitely hoping that we’re not left in suspense too long awaiting release news.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
The Lies That Summon the Night is the first instalment in the Songs for The Sinless trilogy by author Tessonja Odette. Odette wows with the introduction to this story with an enchanting setting and poetic narrative meant to entice and enthral the reader from the very first chapter. The concept of the world felt rich and innovative with its unique magical system and interesting take on what we know from classical vampires with their religious agenda and corrupt political impact. The distinction between sinners and the Sinless kept my intrigue through to the end as the long-buried truth is slowly brought back into the light through the narration of our two main characters. This is a fast-paced and unputdownable story that you’re going to want to binge within one sitting, so I’d definitely recommend reading this book when you can dedicate the time to do so.
That being said… this could very much be a ‘me’ problem but admittedly I did find myself struggling with the premise of the world and all of its components at times with the delivery of information being provided in its abundance. I felt like I was being tossed a bunch of facts at a rapid-fire pace and very little time to come to terms with it all. I understand the majority of the lore in theory, but when it became time to see it all coming into place my mind struggled to navigate everything in full. I think my main (personal) issue is that this wonderfully creative concept felt too ambitious in its time constraint. I understand that this is only the first book in a trilogy and therefore there is much more to unveil throughout the upcoming instalments, but ultimately my main issue is that I believe I should be ending the first book of a series feeling anticipation for what comes next and shock at whatever cliffhanger we’re left on… not muddled confusion due to limited understanding. I truly believe this story would have had the opportunity to thrive in the way it deserves had it been longer than the mere 300-ish pages that it is.
Inana Westwood is such an interesting character who showcases promise and intrigue as a biased narrator. I really enjoyed getting to understand the history of her character which sets up to explain what drives her forward during the current timeline. The yearning of her artistic soul battling with her moral compass made for a compelling arch to follow Inana’s journey on as she struggles to discern what is true and what is a lie. She felt layered and complex whilst being easy to sympathise with, and I definitely had fun getting to understand her motivations on a deeper level as the plot continues to progress. I adored that her strength felt fresh and new as it didn’t depend on her physicality, sword-play or her ability to stand her ground in a physical fight. Inana’s strength is derived from her ability to face her fears head-on and the resilience that her past experiences has ingrained into her very soul. There was several small indicators to Inana’s character that suggests there is more to her story than what we are currently being led to believe, so there’s no denying that I’m keen to see what comes next after that shocking and unexpected ending.
Dominic Graves had all of the foundations to make for a really intriguing love interest and main character whose intention should be to drive the story forward, but unfortunately for me I just found his exploration lacking and therefore unmemorable. My interest was piqued by the seemingly dangerous and ruthless Shadowbane who inspired fear and commanded the page upon introduction as he threatened Inana into submission with the assistance of his shadows… but where did that man go in the aftermath of that scene? He sadly seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye and was instead replaced with your standard grumpy hero that communicates very little as you can come to expect in a Romantasy story. I yearned for more grit and depth to Dominic’s character whereas instead we were provided a lacklustre insight into his past and the mission that he is determined to see through. I understand that the length of a trilogy will allow more time for character exploration and expansion, however I still like to end the book feeling as if I still somewhat know and understand a character who for all intent and purposes should be highlighted as important. I know nothing about Dominic other than his goal and that he’s been working all of his life towards said goal… but that’s basically it. I wished we’d gotten more depth into his character at this current stage so that I could properly enjoy his narration and anticipate what will come next, however ultimately I will instead hope that Dominic’s exploration becomes more of a priority in the second book.
One of the true highlights for me during The Lies That Summon the Night was the inclusion of Dominic’s Shades; Pride, Lust and Sloth and the way that their narration stole the show. The vividness of their presence and the way that they were characters in their own right was such a fun addition that I looked forward to seeing time and again with every new chapter. It reminded me a lot of some of my favourite Disney and Pixar movies growing up with the many animal companions that stole the show over the main characters themselves. They were the comedic relief that the dark themes of this book needed as a counterbalance, and I greatly hope that this is something we see continue in the rest of the series.
Whilst I liked and enjoyed The Lies That Summon the Night overall… I sadly haven’t fallen in-love with it in the way that I had initially hoped. I commend the author on her innovative concept and the clear passion that has went into establishing an elaborate world in so little time. There were some highs and lows for me throughout the story that left a lasting impact, and I cannot deny the emotional grip that the enlightening ending has had on my brain. I did not see those twists coming as that alone is enough to keep my interest piqued for what will come next in book two, so I’m definitely hoping that we’re not left in suspense too long awaiting release news.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
December 7, 2025
2🌶️ THIS WAS SO GOOD OMG!!! i need all of y’all romantasy lovers to pick this up as soon as it releases! it has everything we love, a badass fmc (and not annoying at all!!!! rare these days for me), a shadow daddy mmc with dark hair and dimples, a witty cast of side and main characters that are all full of depth, and a plot twist at the end to blow your mind and have you BEGGING Tessonja for the next book (even though this one hasn’t even been released yet 🥲). i seriously cannot say enough good things about this book. i can’t believe i went into this thinking it was gonna be a stand alone and now i have to wait for the next book 😭 i would’ve flew through this if my week wasn’t as busy as it has been and any time i wasn’t reading, i was absolutely thinking about this book. it was darker than i was expecting it to be, so definitely falling into the dark romantasy category! i LOVED this book!!!!!
thank you to Netgalley, Tessonja Odette, and Delacorte Press for randomly emailing me that i was chosen to e- ARC read this!! im so glad i took a chance on it!
thank you to Netgalley, Tessonja Odette, and Delacorte Press for randomly emailing me that i was chosen to e- ARC read this!! im so glad i took a chance on it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️
I have read other books by this author and was so intrigued on how this would go being her first Dark Fantasy and wow was I blown away 🤯.
We start with a glossary!!! Thats right! All authors should take notes. This world is so unique and large I cannot wait to explore it more. We have humans, shadows, kings, priests, church, religion, and so much more. The magic is so interesting too. She did an amazing job with all of it. There are for sure dark elements to this world and it read very moody at times. In some scenes i was a little freaked out 😆. At first it took a while to understand it all but once i got the hang of it it was smooth.
We have our fmc Inana who has many secrets. She is fierce and strong. I loved her personality. We then have our mmc Dominic who stole my heart. He is not your typical hero but will have you going weak. Guys these two are so freaking good together! We have some slow burn that will have you in your feelings. The spice is medium with some scenes that had me sweating and scre inwards 😂. She took shadows to a whole new level 😏.
We have Harlow and Bart who have a sad past. I loved Harlow and her youthful personality. Calvin is hilarious and him and Harlow would be so cute 🥹.
THE ENDING 😱. Idk how im supposed to move on. Wowowow. What a plot twist. Its one of those that literally had me checking for more pages! I will be thinking of this one until book 2 comes out. Plain cruel.
Things i didn’t love. I wish we got a bit more of the found family. It was a bit on the side but i wanted more.
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC. My thoughts are honest and my own.
I have read other books by this author and was so intrigued on how this would go being her first Dark Fantasy and wow was I blown away 🤯.
We start with a glossary!!! Thats right! All authors should take notes. This world is so unique and large I cannot wait to explore it more. We have humans, shadows, kings, priests, church, religion, and so much more. The magic is so interesting too. She did an amazing job with all of it. There are for sure dark elements to this world and it read very moody at times. In some scenes i was a little freaked out 😆. At first it took a while to understand it all but once i got the hang of it it was smooth.
We have our fmc Inana who has many secrets. She is fierce and strong. I loved her personality. We then have our mmc Dominic who stole my heart. He is not your typical hero but will have you going weak. Guys these two are so freaking good together! We have some slow burn that will have you in your feelings. The spice is medium with some scenes that had me sweating and scre inwards 😂. She took shadows to a whole new level 😏.
We have Harlow and Bart who have a sad past. I loved Harlow and her youthful personality. Calvin is hilarious and him and Harlow would be so cute 🥹.
THE ENDING 😱. Idk how im supposed to move on. Wowowow. What a plot twist. Its one of those that literally had me checking for more pages! I will be thinking of this one until book 2 comes out. Plain cruel.
Things i didn’t love. I wish we got a bit more of the found family. It was a bit on the side but i wanted more.
I was lucky to receive this as an ARC. My thoughts are honest and my own.
January 7, 2026
3.5 stars
This book immediately stood out with the premise of art treated as a sin which I felt was well set out from the start. The world building is imaginative with such a compelling religious and political structures, although I do feel like it was a little repetitive and slowed my interest around the half way point (it does make sense with the twist at the end)
Tension is well built throughout with Dominic and Inana revealing just enough to keep you guessing throughout. Their dynamic is charged with wit, restraint and their uneasy alliance is intriguing throughput.
The story is well balanced, with darker themes surrounded by humour it definitely keeps the story from becoming too heavy.
The ending did shock me and has left me wanting more! Such a creative world and I’m excited to see what happens next.
This book immediately stood out with the premise of art treated as a sin which I felt was well set out from the start. The world building is imaginative with such a compelling religious and political structures, although I do feel like it was a little repetitive and slowed my interest around the half way point (it does make sense with the twist at the end)
Tension is well built throughout with Dominic and Inana revealing just enough to keep you guessing throughout. Their dynamic is charged with wit, restraint and their uneasy alliance is intriguing throughput.
The story is well balanced, with darker themes surrounded by humour it definitely keeps the story from becoming too heavy.
The ending did shock me and has left me wanting more! Such a creative world and I’m excited to see what happens next.
August 25, 2025
4.5 ★ rounded up.
I have been in quite the reading slump lately, and Tessonja brought me back to life with this. To feel excited about a book/series again is absolutely glorious.
My introduction to Tessonja’s work was the first two books in her Fae Flings and Corset Strings series (still in progress), and they became instant favorites of mine. When I heard she had a new romantasy series coming out, I said “say less” and immediately sought out an ARC. Much to my delight, The Lies that Summon the Night sets the stage for what I’m anticipating is going to be a new favorite series of mine, and I had such an enjoyable time reading it.
What I Liked:
🩸 The World and Magic System - I found these to be unique and really fascinating. Tessonja builds them so well, and I cannot wait to see how this world expands as the series progresses (What else is out there?!)
🩸 Inana - After a few tough reads prior to this book, it was refreshing to have an FMC who fought back, held her own, has been through some stuff, and is growing and learning through it. I really enjoyed her Seamstress identity and the range of her storytelling (some heartbreaking, others amusing). Her and her Snow White moment with the squirrels was somehow sweet, creepy, and funny all at the same time.
🩸 Dominic (and his Shadows, with a capital S) - He is not your average shadow daddy (shall we call him a half daddy?). He’s surly yet considerate, and I freaking loved his shadows. Having them each be their own kind of character was so fun to be a part of, and the moments they were all giving reverse harem energy was delightful. Who’s a good boy?
🩸 The Side Characters - The Summoner crew and Calvin each contributed their own distinct backstory and force to the plot. Filled with sass, sorrow, and some serious potential for a great found family, I’m so curious to see how this seemingly “broken” lot evolve throughout the series.
🩸 The Budding Romance and Friendships - We definitely get some spice here, but I appreciated the slowness of its arrival and that we’re still left wanting more between them. I also enjoyed the trust and relationships being built between the leads and side characters.
🩸 The Sarcasm and Humor - Tessonja has this down. The commentary she has the FMC make about her world and its players had me laughing and nodding in agreement. I see what you did there, girl.
🩸 The Twists! (and that Ending!) - I could not get into a comfortable reading position throughout that last 10% of this because my body was vibrating with the book’s energy. I did not see that ending or those revelations coming, and oh my am I already salivating for book two.
What I Struggled With:
🫀 Slight Repetition of World Details - This is minor, but it felt like some of the details of the world and the hierarchy of beings were repeated to really drive the point home of who was who and what was what. I didn’t think it was necessary, and it came off a little over-explanatory at times.
🫀 Wanting More! - This doesn’t really count as an issue considering it’s a series and I’m assuming (hoping!) I’ll get it in the next book, but I would really love more of Dominic’s background as well as additional nitty, gritty details behind that big goal he’s got.
** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
I have been in quite the reading slump lately, and Tessonja brought me back to life with this. To feel excited about a book/series again is absolutely glorious.
My introduction to Tessonja’s work was the first two books in her Fae Flings and Corset Strings series (still in progress), and they became instant favorites of mine. When I heard she had a new romantasy series coming out, I said “say less” and immediately sought out an ARC. Much to my delight, The Lies that Summon the Night sets the stage for what I’m anticipating is going to be a new favorite series of mine, and I had such an enjoyable time reading it.
What I Liked:
🩸 The World and Magic System - I found these to be unique and really fascinating. Tessonja builds them so well, and I cannot wait to see how this world expands as the series progresses (What else is out there?!)
🩸 Inana - After a few tough reads prior to this book, it was refreshing to have an FMC who fought back, held her own, has been through some stuff, and is growing and learning through it. I really enjoyed her Seamstress identity and the range of her storytelling (some heartbreaking, others amusing). Her and her Snow White moment with the squirrels was somehow sweet, creepy, and funny all at the same time.
🩸 Dominic (and his Shadows, with a capital S) - He is not your average shadow daddy (shall we call him a half daddy?). He’s surly yet considerate, and I freaking loved his shadows. Having them each be their own kind of character was so fun to be a part of, and the moments they were all giving reverse harem energy was delightful. Who’s a good boy?
🩸 The Side Characters - The Summoner crew and Calvin each contributed their own distinct backstory and force to the plot. Filled with sass, sorrow, and some serious potential for a great found family, I’m so curious to see how this seemingly “broken” lot evolve throughout the series.
🩸 The Budding Romance and Friendships - We definitely get some spice here, but I appreciated the slowness of its arrival and that we’re still left wanting more between them. I also enjoyed the trust and relationships being built between the leads and side characters.
🩸 The Sarcasm and Humor - Tessonja has this down. The commentary she has the FMC make about her world and its players had me laughing and nodding in agreement. I see what you did there, girl.
🩸 The Twists! (and that Ending!) - I could not get into a comfortable reading position throughout that last 10% of this because my body was vibrating with the book’s energy. I did not see that ending or those revelations coming, and oh my am I already salivating for book two.
What I Struggled With:
🫀 Slight Repetition of World Details - This is minor, but it felt like some of the details of the world and the hierarchy of beings were repeated to really drive the point home of who was who and what was what. I didn’t think it was necessary, and it came off a little over-explanatory at times.
🫀 Wanting More! - This doesn’t really count as an issue considering it’s a series and I’m assuming (hoping!) I’ll get it in the next book, but I would really love more of Dominic’s background as well as additional nitty, gritty details behind that big goal he’s got.
** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
October 10, 2025
I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read.
As time goes on, romantasy seems to be growing on me - in small bits. I still hate stories were the romance is the focus since a lot of the other bits get lost or neglected (plot, focus).
I guess the focus of: why should I rate this book down two stars? The religious aspect / how the gods tie into the magic. The fact that he brought her to 'tell stories' to fight. It was weird when there was a scene where a dragon showed up and she had to tell a story about the dragon that shrank it down to size. Which when you think about it, she has no other fighting skills. SO imagine if she was in a bad situation and she had to tell a story to kill something? If someone used an arrow, she'd be dead quicker than the first word came out of her mouth. So Idk why the hell they're using her to be a fighter.
Anyway. All in all, it ended up being one of those stories that might be better in the second book, but still I'm not continuing it. I found their attraction for enemies to lovers way too fast for me.
As time goes on, romantasy seems to be growing on me - in small bits. I still hate stories were the romance is the focus since a lot of the other bits get lost or neglected (plot, focus).
I guess the focus of: why should I rate this book down two stars? The religious aspect / how the gods tie into the magic. The fact that he brought her to 'tell stories' to fight. It was weird when there was a scene where a dragon showed up and she had to tell a story about the dragon that shrank it down to size. Which when you think about it, she has no other fighting skills. SO imagine if she was in a bad situation and she had to tell a story to kill something? If someone used an arrow, she'd be dead quicker than the first word came out of her mouth. So Idk why the hell they're using her to be a fighter.
Anyway. All in all, it ended up being one of those stories that might be better in the second book, but still I'm not continuing it. I found their attraction for enemies to lovers way too fast for me.
September 11, 2025
if you like dark (and i mean check your trigger warnings dark), fantasy, a little spice (the little there was GOOOOD) and some suspense/mystery, add this to your tbr for when it comes out and read it. thank me later.
this was amazing. i have never read anything like this before and i loved every second, start to finish. it even had some parts that literally made me laugh out loud.
both main characters are amazing and i have literally no flaws to them because their lives, their tragic lives, how they react/respond.. i just loved it.
i don't even know how to go about explaining this book without just telling someone to pick it up and read it and then text me EVERYTHING. cause it's just that good.
literal goosebumps from the ending (cliffhangers make me SCREAMMM) and from the whole book in general.
can't wait for the next one and can't wait to see what else this author has in store.
this was amazing. i have never read anything like this before and i loved every second, start to finish. it even had some parts that literally made me laugh out loud.
both main characters are amazing and i have literally no flaws to them because their lives, their tragic lives, how they react/respond.. i just loved it.
i don't even know how to go about explaining this book without just telling someone to pick it up and read it and then text me EVERYTHING. cause it's just that good.
literal goosebumps from the ending (cliffhangers make me SCREAMMM) and from the whole book in general.
can't wait for the next one and can't wait to see what else this author has in store.
remind-me-once-out
November 10, 2025Thank you Tessonja Odette for making my heart happy
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