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The Last Lie
The lie saved her family. Now it might destroy them all.
Every morning, Wren bandages her chest, reshapes her silhouette, and walks out the door as her dead twin brother. In a city where cameras watch everything and your every action earns or costs you points, her disguise isn't just an identity — it's survival. Without a man in the family, she and her sister would be sent to the factories to work until they die.
The lie has worked for years. Then the Inquisitor notices her.
He's the most feared man alive — and he's her age. He executes prisoners without flinching and collapses behind closed doors with a flat-faced cat and a drug habit no one can know about. He knows her secret. And instead of destroying her, he forces her into his service. Because the Inquisitor has secrets of his own. Secrets that could shatter everything the City was built on.
Now Wren is caught between a regime built on lies, a revolution she never asked to join, and a truth so devastating it will change what she believes about everything — her society, her family, and the people she was taught to worship.
If she slips, her sister pays the price. If she doesn't act, everyone does.
Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, Red Rising, and The Silo series. If you love hidden identities, morally gray characters who wreck you, dystopian worlds with real teeth, and a slow-burn revolution driven by revenge — this is your next obsession.
What readers are saying
"...the story kept my interest from beginning to end, and immediately searched up more titles by the author" - Amazon 5-star review
"A very immersive and smooth read. Nothing looks like what it seems, and gives you a nostalgic feeling for dystopian books we haven't seen around in a while. Highly recommended!" - Amazon Germany 5-star review
"A dystopian book of gray moral zones and a journey of lost innocence. It's a haunting reminder of how quickly ideals can be shattered. A must-read for lovers of thought-provoking fiction." - Goodreads 5-star review
Every morning, Wren bandages her chest, reshapes her silhouette, and walks out the door as her dead twin brother. In a city where cameras watch everything and your every action earns or costs you points, her disguise isn't just an identity — it's survival. Without a man in the family, she and her sister would be sent to the factories to work until they die.
The lie has worked for years. Then the Inquisitor notices her.
He's the most feared man alive — and he's her age. He executes prisoners without flinching and collapses behind closed doors with a flat-faced cat and a drug habit no one can know about. He knows her secret. And instead of destroying her, he forces her into his service. Because the Inquisitor has secrets of his own. Secrets that could shatter everything the City was built on.
Now Wren is caught between a regime built on lies, a revolution she never asked to join, and a truth so devastating it will change what she believes about everything — her society, her family, and the people she was taught to worship.
If she slips, her sister pays the price. If she doesn't act, everyone does.
Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, Red Rising, and The Silo series. If you love hidden identities, morally gray characters who wreck you, dystopian worlds with real teeth, and a slow-burn revolution driven by revenge — this is your next obsession.
What readers are saying
"...the story kept my interest from beginning to end, and immediately searched up more titles by the author" - Amazon 5-star review
"A very immersive and smooth read. Nothing looks like what it seems, and gives you a nostalgic feeling for dystopian books we haven't seen around in a while. Highly recommended!" - Amazon Germany 5-star review
"A dystopian book of gray moral zones and a journey of lost innocence. It's a haunting reminder of how quickly ideals can be shattered. A must-read for lovers of thought-provoking fiction." - Goodreads 5-star review
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 8, 2026
Considering the circumstances surrounding the main characters in this book and the stressful conditions they had to live under, I found that through every chapter, the tension just grew, and grew.
It centres around Wren and her older sister Hanna.
They live in an outer circle from the main city called Heart.
Heart is run as a meritocracy.
The old Leader and his fathers before him had guided their City through the troubled time and built the greatness they lived in now.
Its inhabitants are called Heartians, and all anyone growing up in this post apocalyptic world wants is enough citizen points to allow them to live in the main city and become one of its entitled residents.
The only other way to gain access is to be one of the chosen.
One of the smartest and the brightest, that are recruited to replace the older residents who have retired to “ Paradise”
Wren, and several other members of her high school graduating class find themselves chosen to sit the exams to be employed in the capital.
However, Wren, who had been working in security, and believes in the Supreme Leader and the system whole heartedly, and despite being one of those chosen, plans to fail the test.
Why?
Because for the past few years she has been pretending to be her deceased twin brother
So, Yes! Wren has become a boy, so that herself, and Hanna would not be sent to the men less circle
This has also proven to be necessary due to the fact that, families with males are usually sent to work in the factories.
As for Wren, the last thing she wants is to have to have a physical exposing her secret/Lie
Unfortunately for Wren, not only is she chosen but, she is also assigned to The Inquisitor, Delune,.
A young man not much older than her who is unapologetic at handing out retribution to people he feels are plotting against “Heart” and the Supreme Leader.
He, alone with The Investigator, Leon, and the Supreme Leader all share a bond as they are all the product of the same orphanage ( where children of Heartians who have cavorted with servants are sent.)
But as she begins her appointment as “the assistant” to the Inquisitor she quickly finds out that he has been hiding some lies of his own.
Addiction, and possibly (?) homosexuality, despite him being engaged to the beautiful ballet dancer Saria from a noble family
So, from this point on, Wren is playing a balancing act trying not to run foul of Delune as she comes to terms with her new job, and avoid detection about her true identity as a female.
Meanwhile, some of the main players know of an even BIGGER secret that,if found out, and revealed, will cause uproar amongst the City of Heart.
A secret that the Counsel and Supreme Leader, will go to great length to protect the Heartians from knowing
Wren is run ragged, trying to hide Delune’s addiction with the help of Saria
as well as her true self. ( female )
Things however get even more precarious though as politics and backstabbing begin to undermine The Inquisitor.
Even Saria isn’t adverse from a little manipulation from the Supreme Leader as jealousy rears its ugly head.
But in the meantime, it’s a struggle to keep Delune coherent and focused as, through the nature if his job, he turns further to substance abuse
“His eyes were glassy, the black centers of his dark eyes barely cousins when they were supposed to be twins. What had they done to him?”
- Hanna helping Delune
-
This was everything you want from a dystopian novel .
Wren is a true believer in the Heartians cause
“ A life where your capabilities in serving the common good and willingness to put in the effort were what mattered.”
She was however, terrified and stressed every moment she had to work for The Inquisitor
“Being this close to him made her understand how a mouse would feel when seeing a cat ready to pounce on you.”
She was under constant scrutiny as Delune’s “ assistant “, becoming more, and more irate with her role, and his indifferent attitude.
One minute responsive, dare we say friendly ? Then, closed off.
She does however manage to form a close friendship with Leon, The Investigator
As her job becomes more precarious.
Especially after visiting one of the outer circles known as …The Farm.
This is the agricultural element of Heart, producing its food for its inhabitants, and what Wren is allowed to discover and witness, is equal parts disturbing and shady.
The things they are doing for Heart to keep its citizens fed
Slowly, tension begins to build as The Supreme Leader turns his sight on Delune.
No longer is he prepared to turn a blind eye to the rumours ( some spread by him ) pertaining to Delune’s …cough* “deviant practises “
Everything builds, and builds towards an explosive ending.
Such an awesome read.
The world of Heart and surrounding areas DID remind me somewhat of The Hunger Games but that’s were the similarities ended.
I was so there throughout Wrens nail biting appointment as The Assistant and her unsureness
Would love to read more about Wren, Hanna Delune, Leon, and…Frank ( Delune’s cat )
It centres around Wren and her older sister Hanna.
They live in an outer circle from the main city called Heart.
Heart is run as a meritocracy.
The old Leader and his fathers before him had guided their City through the troubled time and built the greatness they lived in now.
Its inhabitants are called Heartians, and all anyone growing up in this post apocalyptic world wants is enough citizen points to allow them to live in the main city and become one of its entitled residents.
The only other way to gain access is to be one of the chosen.
One of the smartest and the brightest, that are recruited to replace the older residents who have retired to “ Paradise”
Wren, and several other members of her high school graduating class find themselves chosen to sit the exams to be employed in the capital.
However, Wren, who had been working in security, and believes in the Supreme Leader and the system whole heartedly, and despite being one of those chosen, plans to fail the test.
Why?
Because for the past few years she has been pretending to be her deceased twin brother
So, Yes! Wren has become a boy, so that herself, and Hanna would not be sent to the men less circle
This has also proven to be necessary due to the fact that, families with males are usually sent to work in the factories.
As for Wren, the last thing she wants is to have to have a physical exposing her secret/Lie
Unfortunately for Wren, not only is she chosen but, she is also assigned to The Inquisitor, Delune,.
A young man not much older than her who is unapologetic at handing out retribution to people he feels are plotting against “Heart” and the Supreme Leader.
He, alone with The Investigator, Leon, and the Supreme Leader all share a bond as they are all the product of the same orphanage ( where children of Heartians who have cavorted with servants are sent.)
But as she begins her appointment as “the assistant” to the Inquisitor she quickly finds out that he has been hiding some lies of his own.
Addiction, and possibly (?) homosexuality, despite him being engaged to the beautiful ballet dancer Saria from a noble family
So, from this point on, Wren is playing a balancing act trying not to run foul of Delune as she comes to terms with her new job, and avoid detection about her true identity as a female.
Meanwhile, some of the main players know of an even BIGGER secret that,if found out, and revealed, will cause uproar amongst the City of Heart.
A secret that the Counsel and Supreme Leader, will go to great length to protect the Heartians from knowing
Wren is run ragged, trying to hide Delune’s addiction with the help of Saria
as well as her true self. ( female )
Things however get even more precarious though as politics and backstabbing begin to undermine The Inquisitor.
Even Saria isn’t adverse from a little manipulation from the Supreme Leader as jealousy rears its ugly head.
But in the meantime, it’s a struggle to keep Delune coherent and focused as, through the nature if his job, he turns further to substance abuse
“His eyes were glassy, the black centers of his dark eyes barely cousins when they were supposed to be twins. What had they done to him?”
- Hanna helping Delune
-
This was everything you want from a dystopian novel .
Wren is a true believer in the Heartians cause
“ A life where your capabilities in serving the common good and willingness to put in the effort were what mattered.”
She was however, terrified and stressed every moment she had to work for The Inquisitor
“Being this close to him made her understand how a mouse would feel when seeing a cat ready to pounce on you.”
She was under constant scrutiny as Delune’s “ assistant “, becoming more, and more irate with her role, and his indifferent attitude.
One minute responsive, dare we say friendly ? Then, closed off.
She does however manage to form a close friendship with Leon, The Investigator
As her job becomes more precarious.
Especially after visiting one of the outer circles known as …The Farm.
This is the agricultural element of Heart, producing its food for its inhabitants, and what Wren is allowed to discover and witness, is equal parts disturbing and shady.
The things they are doing for Heart to keep its citizens fed
Slowly, tension begins to build as The Supreme Leader turns his sight on Delune.
No longer is he prepared to turn a blind eye to the rumours ( some spread by him ) pertaining to Delune’s …cough* “deviant practises “
Everything builds, and builds towards an explosive ending.
Such an awesome read.
The world of Heart and surrounding areas DID remind me somewhat of The Hunger Games but that’s were the similarities ended.
I was so there throughout Wrens nail biting appointment as The Assistant and her unsureness
Would love to read more about Wren, Hanna Delune, Leon, and…Frank ( Delune’s cat )
July 18, 2025
IT'S BACK!!! What is back, you ask? The good old dystopian genre! Love that there are more and more of these kinds of books again. Anyways, on to the review:
The world was believable and just made sense (like "this could actually happen"), but it was the characters and their secrets that were at the core of the story. I am a sucker for hidden identities and characters that you can't really tell whether they really are good or bad - and this had it all. I kept wanting to know more aaaand pretty much read the whole book in one day as a result. They also felt real, sometimes a bit too real with their problems and motives for doing... what they did. To not spoil anything: it was the motives and the characters that made the ending also interesting and a bit different.
All in all: would definitely recommend if you like dystopian books and/or enjoy morally gray characters and twisty plots.
The world was believable and just made sense (like "this could actually happen"), but it was the characters and their secrets that were at the core of the story. I am a sucker for hidden identities and characters that you can't really tell whether they really are good or bad - and this had it all. I kept wanting to know more aaaand pretty much read the whole book in one day as a result. They also felt real, sometimes a bit too real with their problems and motives for doing... what they did. To not spoil anything: it was the motives and the characters that made the ending also interesting and a bit different.
All in all: would definitely recommend if you like dystopian books and/or enjoy morally gray characters and twisty plots.
January 14, 2026
This book was slow to start, but for a good reason, it was building the world around you as you read. It is much like Hunger Games. Wren is cross dressing playing at being her dead brother named Wren(never found out what her real name is). Wren does this to protect her and her sister from being moved to a place where families are without males. As she works to make her and her sister's situation better she is tested and made into the Inquisitor's assistant. Little does she know it's because he has his own secrets and knows her secret. As the book goes Wren discovers all the secrets of the world around her, and that none of the lies that the citizens of her world believe to be true are. The Inquisitor and Investigater pull her into their scheme to change everything. The ending is great!!!
August 8, 2025
I don't usually write reviews, but the author asked so nicely in the afterword (or what do you call it?) that here I am.
So, the verdict: I liked it. The characters felt real enough that I either rooted for them or wanted to give them side-eye. The whole “who’s actually the villain / what even makes someone bad” vibe kept me hooked. Plus, the meritocracy-based world? Really interesting. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that it didn’t feel totally fresh for the genre — but it was still a ride I was happy to take. And I guess if you like the genre, yes, you are going to like this one too.
So, the verdict: I liked it. The characters felt real enough that I either rooted for them or wanted to give them side-eye. The whole “who’s actually the villain / what even makes someone bad” vibe kept me hooked. Plus, the meritocracy-based world? Really interesting. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that it didn’t feel totally fresh for the genre — but it was still a ride I was happy to take. And I guess if you like the genre, yes, you are going to like this one too.
April 3, 2026
Great Story
I enjoyed the story and so I kept reading to the end, which I’m glad I did. However, this book is in desperate need of editing. There were several sentences that didn’t quite make sense but I think I was able to understand what she was trying to say. It had a good ending that I wasn’t able to guess beforehand so that’s always a plus in my opinion.
I enjoyed the story and so I kept reading to the end, which I’m glad I did. However, this book is in desperate need of editing. There were several sentences that didn’t quite make sense but I think I was able to understand what she was trying to say. It had a good ending that I wasn’t able to guess beforehand so that’s always a plus in my opinion.
July 19, 2025
Oh, looks like my review has vanished. It was: A dystopian book of gray moral zones and a journey of lost innocence. It's a haunting reminder of how quickly ideals can be shattered. A must-read for lovers of thought-provoking fiction.
July 19, 2025
A dystopian book of gray moral zones and a journey of lost innocence. It's a haunting reminder of how quickly ideals can be shattered. A must-read for lovers of thought-provoking fiction.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews