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Armor for Liars
A brilliant girl risking it all to infiltrate a secret society of enchanters gets unexpected help from one of their victims—now a vengeful spirit—in this historical dark academia novel by New York Times bestselling author S. E. Grove.
In a world where magic is drawn from the realm of the dead, enchanters—always men—go to great lengths to steal it. Voyaging to the spirit realm, an enchanter will claim a dead woman’s spirit as his own and make her a servant, a tool for his own magical ends. Enchanters maintain great secrecy around their practices, so only a wealthy elite have access to this members of a secret society shrouded within Commonwealth University, the nation’s premiere institution for the study of enchantment.
When Sam—the son of islander immigrants of modest means—dared to use magic to blend into the blueblood world of Commonwealth, it cost him his life. Now a spirit, he’s determined to avenge his murder and uncover the secrets of the Cisneros Society from beyond the grave.
When Sam encounters Clementine Quinn, a young woman disguised as a male student at Commonwealth, he quickly sees that Clem is putting herself in grave danger at the school. But as he tries to warn her of the peril, it becomes clear that his past and her fate are inextricably entwined. To avenge his murder and prevent hers, they’ll need to help one another and thereby prove, ultimately, that friendship and love can transcend everything, even death.
In a world where magic is drawn from the realm of the dead, enchanters—always men—go to great lengths to steal it. Voyaging to the spirit realm, an enchanter will claim a dead woman’s spirit as his own and make her a servant, a tool for his own magical ends. Enchanters maintain great secrecy around their practices, so only a wealthy elite have access to this members of a secret society shrouded within Commonwealth University, the nation’s premiere institution for the study of enchantment.
When Sam—the son of islander immigrants of modest means—dared to use magic to blend into the blueblood world of Commonwealth, it cost him his life. Now a spirit, he’s determined to avenge his murder and uncover the secrets of the Cisneros Society from beyond the grave.
When Sam encounters Clementine Quinn, a young woman disguised as a male student at Commonwealth, he quickly sees that Clem is putting herself in grave danger at the school. But as he tries to warn her of the peril, it becomes clear that his past and her fate are inextricably entwined. To avenge his murder and prevent hers, they’ll need to help one another and thereby prove, ultimately, that friendship and love can transcend everything, even death.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 23, 2026
A lot of fantasy published for adults isn't doing half of what Grove is. While the pace is slow, I think that allowing the story to unfurl gradually is absolutely worth it for (a) the fury-fueled explorations of racism, misogyny, classism and power with which she very naturally infuses her worldbuilding and narrative and (b) I promise that it all ramps up at the end.
I love Sam and Clem and the cast of side characters, who are complicated and interesting, and sometimes you just want a book where heroic people are heroic. Especially in the face of the other major element of his book, which is: it's genuinely so great to read a book where the bad rich men are just BAD! RICH! MEN! And you don't have to qualify that or complicate it you can just be like, yeah when patriarchy and money and magical power give you a boost, sometimes it makes you disgusting and you don't care. And everyone else pays for that, and some people spend their lives fighting against it.
The worldbuilding here is fabulous, a historical AU of Boston where magic is abundant and tied strictly to the material and spiritual artifacts of death, and what is good is co-opted and bastardized by horrible people. All I want in this world is to read fantasy where the trappings and the themes are best friends. HELLO! HERE IT IS!
I really, really enjoyed this and I hope that adult readers who are looking for some substance come across it, as well as teens who want big ideas to sink their teeth into and characters with motivations that are heroic, yes, but also grounded in the reality of being a normal & decent person in a world that is sometimes viciously unkind.
I love Sam and Clem and the cast of side characters, who are complicated and interesting, and sometimes you just want a book where heroic people are heroic. Especially in the face of the other major element of his book, which is: it's genuinely so great to read a book where the bad rich men are just BAD! RICH! MEN! And you don't have to qualify that or complicate it you can just be like, yeah when patriarchy and money and magical power give you a boost, sometimes it makes you disgusting and you don't care. And everyone else pays for that, and some people spend their lives fighting against it.
The worldbuilding here is fabulous, a historical AU of Boston where magic is abundant and tied strictly to the material and spiritual artifacts of death, and what is good is co-opted and bastardized by horrible people. All I want in this world is to read fantasy where the trappings and the themes are best friends. HELLO! HERE IT IS!
I really, really enjoyed this and I hope that adult readers who are looking for some substance come across it, as well as teens who want big ideas to sink their teeth into and characters with motivations that are heroic, yes, but also grounded in the reality of being a normal & decent person in a world that is sometimes viciously unkind.
May 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy! This in no way impacts my review.
This was a fun read! It was so interesting to be in Sam’s omnipresent point of view, and I loved seeing his thoughts about Clementine evolve. The magic system was fascinating! For those who follow me, there are talks of seances and the magic is spirit based, so maybe not something everyone is interested in, but I didn’t have much issue with it as it doesn’t seem to be meant to be dark magic. :) I’d be really interested to see another book set in this world!
This was a fun read! It was so interesting to be in Sam’s omnipresent point of view, and I loved seeing his thoughts about Clementine evolve. The magic system was fascinating! For those who follow me, there are talks of seances and the magic is spirit based, so maybe not something everyone is interested in, but I didn’t have much issue with it as it doesn’t seem to be meant to be dark magic. :) I’d be really interested to see another book set in this world!
December 29, 2025
Thanks to Simon for the ARC of this book. I previewed it for potential sale in my children's book store.
I would not recommend this book for kids younger than 14-15, unless they are comfortable with heavy themes of death. All magic in this fictional world is 'dead weight' or pulled from artifacts belonging to the dead.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's very deft at handling some difficult topics. I highly recommend.
I would not recommend this book for kids younger than 14-15, unless they are comfortable with heavy themes of death. All magic in this fictional world is 'dead weight' or pulled from artifacts belonging to the dead.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's very deft at handling some difficult topics. I highly recommend.
July 29, 2026
Thank you to Simon Teen and NetGalley for the E-Arc!
I really enjoyed the chapters in which Clem disguised herself as a male student to work her way into a realm she otherwise would not have been able to as herself. I think the idea of this was very clear as to she felt the need to disguise herself as a male and truly enticed me to continue reading as it piqued my interest. When we got to the plot point where mysterious deaths were added, I was fully invested and unable to put down the book.
I appreciated the characters of Sam and Clem and their overall character development. Their relationship becomes the main part of the story and as it developed, I grew more interested to read on. I absolutely enjoyed the narration being told by Sam, a spirit that is angry and vindictive. His desire to protect Clem from his own untimely fate was so sweet to read and was truly beautiful to watch their trust in one another bloom as they began relying upon one another.
I really found the magic system incredibly fascinating but it took a while to understand due to the complexity. S. E. Grove’s writing style truly pushed me to want to dissect the magic system and understand, her knowledgeability shining through as it was clear she had each plot point clearly formulated in her mind that she did not stumble.
The themes of patriarchy, privilege and power pulled me into the story but I stayed for the plot and character development. The book was clearly well thought out and I incredibly enjoyed it.
If you are interested in dark academia, secret societies and stolen magic, this book would be perfect for you!
I really enjoyed the chapters in which Clem disguised herself as a male student to work her way into a realm she otherwise would not have been able to as herself. I think the idea of this was very clear as to she felt the need to disguise herself as a male and truly enticed me to continue reading as it piqued my interest. When we got to the plot point where mysterious deaths were added, I was fully invested and unable to put down the book.
I appreciated the characters of Sam and Clem and their overall character development. Their relationship becomes the main part of the story and as it developed, I grew more interested to read on. I absolutely enjoyed the narration being told by Sam, a spirit that is angry and vindictive. His desire to protect Clem from his own untimely fate was so sweet to read and was truly beautiful to watch their trust in one another bloom as they began relying upon one another.
I really found the magic system incredibly fascinating but it took a while to understand due to the complexity. S. E. Grove’s writing style truly pushed me to want to dissect the magic system and understand, her knowledgeability shining through as it was clear she had each plot point clearly formulated in her mind that she did not stumble.
The themes of patriarchy, privilege and power pulled me into the story but I stayed for the plot and character development. The book was clearly well thought out and I incredibly enjoyed it.
If you are interested in dark academia, secret societies and stolen magic, this book would be perfect for you!
August 3, 2026
An excellent Fantasy that blends light academia and magical theory into a slow burn novel that feels both atmospheric and adventurous.
I adored this book because it’s an excellent example of what happens when someone gets right that part of Fantasy novels that almost every book gets wrong: The actual magical system itself.
I rarely find myself satisfied with that aspect of a Fantasy novel, so I was thrilled to come across this book, which focuses heavily on the magical system and how it dovetails with the plot.
I suppose this one won’t be for everyone because it’s not a romance-heavy story and the pacing is on the slower and more immersive side, but these are actually pluses for me and made this book stand out in a crowded field.
The characters are more likable than they are complex, but the story itself is intricately woven, and the magical politics of this are a lot more interesting than your standard palace intrigue.
In all it’s a fun book that feels immersive throughout, has some charming humor, and revels in the nuts and bolts of magic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I adored this book because it’s an excellent example of what happens when someone gets right that part of Fantasy novels that almost every book gets wrong: The actual magical system itself.
I rarely find myself satisfied with that aspect of a Fantasy novel, so I was thrilled to come across this book, which focuses heavily on the magical system and how it dovetails with the plot.
I suppose this one won’t be for everyone because it’s not a romance-heavy story and the pacing is on the slower and more immersive side, but these are actually pluses for me and made this book stand out in a crowded field.
The characters are more likable than they are complex, but the story itself is intricately woven, and the magical politics of this are a lot more interesting than your standard palace intrigue.
In all it’s a fun book that feels immersive throughout, has some charming humor, and revels in the nuts and bolts of magic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 21, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 stars
set in 1800s Salem, MA, the Armor for Liars follows Clementine Quinn, a girl who disguises herself to infiltrate a deadly secret society of male enchanters at Commonwealth University. Clem partners with Sam, the spirit of a murdered student, so they can both exact their revenge.
I really loved the unique structure of this book: Sam functions as an omniscient narrator who follows Clem throughout the journey. I also really enjoyed how the author centered the story of immigrants, people of color, and women in a society largely dominated by white men. It felt extremely well-researched throughout.
The pacing was inconstent at times and it didn't have the true dark academia setting I was expecting, but I still really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advance copy! As always all opinions are my own.
set in 1800s Salem, MA, the Armor for Liars follows Clementine Quinn, a girl who disguises herself to infiltrate a deadly secret society of male enchanters at Commonwealth University. Clem partners with Sam, the spirit of a murdered student, so they can both exact their revenge.
I really loved the unique structure of this book: Sam functions as an omniscient narrator who follows Clem throughout the journey. I also really enjoyed how the author centered the story of immigrants, people of color, and women in a society largely dominated by white men. It felt extremely well-researched throughout.
The pacing was inconstent at times and it didn't have the true dark academia setting I was expecting, but I still really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the advance copy! As always all opinions are my own.
September 8, 2026
Clever idea but execution that left me saying “what a stupid book” and being sorry I stuck with it.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
3.3
*Review to come*
*Review to come*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Book vibe: Secret societies, stolen magic, and a friendship powerful enough to reach beyond death.
Rating: 4 ⭐️s
My thoughts:
Armor for Liars is a YA historical fantasy with mystery, secret societies, and dark academia threads woven throughout. And that premise? Immediately intriguing. Magic is taken from the domain of the dead, but the way these men gain their power is especially disturbing: they claim the spirits of dead women and force them into service. It gave the entire magical world a sinister edge before the story had even truly begun.
The early chapters at Commonwealth University were probably my favorite part. I loved watching Clem disguise herself as a male student and quietly work her way into a realm that was never meant to include her. Add in the secret Cisneros Society, suspicious deaths, and powerful men guarding generations of secrets, and I was fully invested. I do think readers looking for a true dark academia novel may be a little surprised, though. The university setting is mostly limited to the first third of the book. The atmosphere and themes remain, but the story eventually stretches well beyond the school.
Sam and Clem were what kept me emotionally connected to the book. Both characters develop so much, and their relationship slowly becomes the heart of the story. Sam particularly touched me. He is angry, and understandably so, but his heart shows through everything he does. His need for fairness is tied up with grief, loneliness, and an earnest desire to protect Clem from suffering the same fate. I loved watching their trust grow because neither one of them entered this partnership expecting to need the other quite so much.
The magic system is fascinating but also very complex. Sometimes too complex for me, honestly. Sam possesses an enormous amount of knowledge about enchantment, history, politics, and the spirit world, and there were occasions when all that information began to steer the story rather than the characters. I could feel the pace slow whenever the explanations took over. My brain occasionally wanted to raise its hand and request a diagram. Possibly several diagrams.
Still, the combination of mystery and magic works incredibly well, and the story explores strong themes of privilege, power, gender, identity, colonialism, and access to knowledge. There is a lot happening here, maybe more than the plot could always carry smoothly, but I liked how ambitious the story was. It gave me plenty to think about while still making me care deeply about what happened to Sam and Clem.
Armor for Liars wasn’t quite the dark academia story I expected, but it was an imaginative and emotionally layered historical fantasy. The magic occasionally knotted itself, yet the characters, mystery, and haunting premise kept pulling me back in.
Floral Verdict: 🌸 A Peony
Beautiful, thoughtful, and ambitious, but its intricate magic system and slower sections may not work for every reader.
Rating: 4 ⭐️s
My thoughts:
Armor for Liars is a YA historical fantasy with mystery, secret societies, and dark academia threads woven throughout. And that premise? Immediately intriguing. Magic is taken from the domain of the dead, but the way these men gain their power is especially disturbing: they claim the spirits of dead women and force them into service. It gave the entire magical world a sinister edge before the story had even truly begun.
The early chapters at Commonwealth University were probably my favorite part. I loved watching Clem disguise herself as a male student and quietly work her way into a realm that was never meant to include her. Add in the secret Cisneros Society, suspicious deaths, and powerful men guarding generations of secrets, and I was fully invested. I do think readers looking for a true dark academia novel may be a little surprised, though. The university setting is mostly limited to the first third of the book. The atmosphere and themes remain, but the story eventually stretches well beyond the school.
Sam and Clem were what kept me emotionally connected to the book. Both characters develop so much, and their relationship slowly becomes the heart of the story. Sam particularly touched me. He is angry, and understandably so, but his heart shows through everything he does. His need for fairness is tied up with grief, loneliness, and an earnest desire to protect Clem from suffering the same fate. I loved watching their trust grow because neither one of them entered this partnership expecting to need the other quite so much.
The magic system is fascinating but also very complex. Sometimes too complex for me, honestly. Sam possesses an enormous amount of knowledge about enchantment, history, politics, and the spirit world, and there were occasions when all that information began to steer the story rather than the characters. I could feel the pace slow whenever the explanations took over. My brain occasionally wanted to raise its hand and request a diagram. Possibly several diagrams.
Still, the combination of mystery and magic works incredibly well, and the story explores strong themes of privilege, power, gender, identity, colonialism, and access to knowledge. There is a lot happening here, maybe more than the plot could always carry smoothly, but I liked how ambitious the story was. It gave me plenty to think about while still making me care deeply about what happened to Sam and Clem.
Armor for Liars wasn’t quite the dark academia story I expected, but it was an imaginative and emotionally layered historical fantasy. The magic occasionally knotted itself, yet the characters, mystery, and haunting premise kept pulling me back in.
Floral Verdict: 🌸 A Peony
Beautiful, thoughtful, and ambitious, but its intricate magic system and slower sections may not work for every reader.
August 27, 2026
Oh my gosh, it has been a MONTH since I finished this book and it is still resonating for me! I guess this is my attempt to pretend like I am not woefully behind in my reviews. This is the first New Year's resolution I have ever kept and it is so close to slipping through my fingers. I go back to work Monday and I plan to do so with a completely clear google sheet with all reviews completed. Dare to dream, Barb.
So back to the book at hand, It was spectacular! I was predisposed to love it because I had read Grove's THE WANING AGE and adored the world building. This one also had a fascinating setting. I started reading it when I was taking a history class at the Boston Athenaeum and even though it is set in Salem and Beverly (and the Lynn Woods) the Athenaeum was the perfect spot to begin it.
Okay, so the opening scene is SO evocative! There is a carriage going down the road, it is stopped by a seemingly benign person who ends up ruining EVERYTHING! I am not sure if I can do the magic in this book justice, just allow me to say that it is intricate, but not to intricate; scary but not too scary; and perfectly described. It boils down to an alternate North Shore in the early 1900s and Clem is disguising herself as a boy to attend the Commonwealth School to learn magic. The magic in this world is very anti-woman, anti-poor person, basically, anti-anything that isn't a white, rich guy with no conscience. I read a review on Goodreads that said, "I adored this book because it’s an excellent example of what happens when someone gets right that part of Fantasy novels that almost every book gets wrong: The actual magical system itself." and that is absolutely true. The magic is an entirely new type for me and it is perfect. And I don't even usually really like the magic! I am all about the drama and the interpersonal relationships. Grove gets those right too. There is a strange friendship between the young woman in question and a dead boy who is trying to help her. There are family obligations, and there is a delicious quest for revenge. It doesn't move fast (until it does) but the build up is really compelling. Even though the story is fairly straightforward, there is a ton of subtext about equity, entitlement, and communication,
I have to admit that I got a thrill seeing the action take place in my own stomping ground, but I would have loved this if it took place in Ottumwa, Iowa. I should also mention that S. E. Grove is a local writer and is actually doing a kick-ass event at the Beverly Public Library in October so I will get to tell her in person how much I loved this book. I am not going to nag her about writing a sequel because the book ended without the need for one. But I would really love to read more stories set in this world.
So back to the book at hand, It was spectacular! I was predisposed to love it because I had read Grove's THE WANING AGE and adored the world building. This one also had a fascinating setting. I started reading it when I was taking a history class at the Boston Athenaeum and even though it is set in Salem and Beverly (and the Lynn Woods) the Athenaeum was the perfect spot to begin it.
Okay, so the opening scene is SO evocative! There is a carriage going down the road, it is stopped by a seemingly benign person who ends up ruining EVERYTHING! I am not sure if I can do the magic in this book justice, just allow me to say that it is intricate, but not to intricate; scary but not too scary; and perfectly described. It boils down to an alternate North Shore in the early 1900s and Clem is disguising herself as a boy to attend the Commonwealth School to learn magic. The magic in this world is very anti-woman, anti-poor person, basically, anti-anything that isn't a white, rich guy with no conscience. I read a review on Goodreads that said, "I adored this book because it’s an excellent example of what happens when someone gets right that part of Fantasy novels that almost every book gets wrong: The actual magical system itself." and that is absolutely true. The magic is an entirely new type for me and it is perfect. And I don't even usually really like the magic! I am all about the drama and the interpersonal relationships. Grove gets those right too. There is a strange friendship between the young woman in question and a dead boy who is trying to help her. There are family obligations, and there is a delicious quest for revenge. It doesn't move fast (until it does) but the build up is really compelling. Even though the story is fairly straightforward, there is a ton of subtext about equity, entitlement, and communication,
I have to admit that I got a thrill seeing the action take place in my own stomping ground, but I would have loved this if it took place in Ottumwa, Iowa. I should also mention that S. E. Grove is a local writer and is actually doing a kick-ass event at the Beverly Public Library in October so I will get to tell her in person how much I loved this book. I am not going to nag her about writing a sequel because the book ended without the need for one. But I would really love to read more stories set in this world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“It had been four months and eleven days since my death, and I was here to watch my murderer attend a party.”
I truly don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this type of narration style/POV. Armor for Liars was a unique, creative, and atmospheric historical fantasy with a magic system that immediately stood out. The idea of drawing magic from the realm of the dead (and the ethical questions surrounding it) made for a fascinating world that felt original and unsettling in the best way.
Clem and Sam were both engaging characters, and I especially enjoyed their unlikely partnership as they worked to uncover the secrets surrounding Commonwealth University. Sam’s perspective as a spirit added an emotional element to the story, while Clem’s determination kept the plot moving forward. The themes of power, privilege, and exploitation were woven throughout the story in a way that gave it more depth beyond the mystery.
That said, I do think the marketing as dark academia set different expectations than what the book ultimately delivers. While the university and secret society are central early on, the story quickly shifts into more of a historical fantasy mystery, which wasn’t a bad thing! I just found myself wishing we’d spent more time in that academic setting. The pacing was also a bit uneven, with a slower beginning before the story picked up in the second half.
Even with those minor issues, I really enjoyed the originality of the world, the haunting atmosphere, and the fresh take on magic. If you’re looking for a historical fantasy with ghosts, mystery, and a unique magic system, this is definitely one to check out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this eARC!
I truly don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this type of narration style/POV. Armor for Liars was a unique, creative, and atmospheric historical fantasy with a magic system that immediately stood out. The idea of drawing magic from the realm of the dead (and the ethical questions surrounding it) made for a fascinating world that felt original and unsettling in the best way.
Clem and Sam were both engaging characters, and I especially enjoyed their unlikely partnership as they worked to uncover the secrets surrounding Commonwealth University. Sam’s perspective as a spirit added an emotional element to the story, while Clem’s determination kept the plot moving forward. The themes of power, privilege, and exploitation were woven throughout the story in a way that gave it more depth beyond the mystery.
That said, I do think the marketing as dark academia set different expectations than what the book ultimately delivers. While the university and secret society are central early on, the story quickly shifts into more of a historical fantasy mystery, which wasn’t a bad thing! I just found myself wishing we’d spent more time in that academic setting. The pacing was also a bit uneven, with a slower beginning before the story picked up in the second half.
Even with those minor issues, I really enjoyed the originality of the world, the haunting atmosphere, and the fresh take on magic. If you’re looking for a historical fantasy with ghosts, mystery, and a unique magic system, this is definitely one to check out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Armor for Liars follows our two main characters, Sam and Clem. Now a ghost set on seeking revenge against those who were involved in his death, Sam monitors the Cisneros Society, a secret society woven into the elite academy for young enchanters, Commonwealth. At the arrival of a young woman disguised as a male student at Commonwealth, Sam’s focus shifts to her peculiar actions. He soon learns that she also seeks revenge against an enchanter apart of the Cisneros Society who has imprisoned her late mother’s spirit to draw power from. As Sam continues his own investigations into the Cisneros Society from the spirit realm, he finds himself teaming up with Clem to help expose and take down the Cisneros Society.
This was such a fun read. This book blended together the plot, characters, and setting into a story hard to put down. I loved our two main characters, Sam and Clem, as well as their dynamic. I also found the writing of the Cisneros Society and Commonwealth to tie together very well with the topics spoken on in this book such as difference in race, class, gender etc. The setting had to be my absolute favorite. I enjoyed the academic setting and magic system quite a lot, and found myself sucked right into this world. Overall, this was an incredibly fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of dark academia- based fantasy books with supernatural elements.
Thank you Simon Teen for the review copy! :)
This was such a fun read. This book blended together the plot, characters, and setting into a story hard to put down. I loved our two main characters, Sam and Clem, as well as their dynamic. I also found the writing of the Cisneros Society and Commonwealth to tie together very well with the topics spoken on in this book such as difference in race, class, gender etc. The setting had to be my absolute favorite. I enjoyed the academic setting and magic system quite a lot, and found myself sucked right into this world. Overall, this was an incredibly fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of dark academia- based fantasy books with supernatural elements.
Thank you Simon Teen for the review copy! :)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Simon Audio for the audiobook and Simon Teen for the gifted ARC.
NOT FOR ME.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I kept trying to get into this and nothing ever GRABBED me.
I think the point of view was an intriguing idea but kind of lost me in connecting with the other characters. Maybe the beginning was a bit more confusing than I’m remembering? It was more clear as things went on what the situation was so that at least made for an easier read.
The mystery worked for me on some levels though I think if the pacing/page count was tightened up a bit things would have moved better. There’s a lot of meandering and trying to combine Sam’s story with Clementine took a long time. Then to add a “romance” in the epilogue? Not quite what I was expecting. And I’m still not sure how that works.
There’s some dark academia, secret societies, and a historical fantasy vibe. Things that usually work for me but might work for you with this book. I also did like the characters. They weren’t part of the issues I was having with the overall plot.
🎧: I do think the audiobook narrator was great. If you’re going to try this book out, that can be option for format! I liked the narrator.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Fantasy
- Language: mild
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Content warnings: racism, sexism, loss of a parent
NOT FOR ME.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I kept trying to get into this and nothing ever GRABBED me.
I think the point of view was an intriguing idea but kind of lost me in connecting with the other characters. Maybe the beginning was a bit more confusing than I’m remembering? It was more clear as things went on what the situation was so that at least made for an easier read.
The mystery worked for me on some levels though I think if the pacing/page count was tightened up a bit things would have moved better. There’s a lot of meandering and trying to combine Sam’s story with Clementine took a long time. Then to add a “romance” in the epilogue? Not quite what I was expecting. And I’m still not sure how that works.
There’s some dark academia, secret societies, and a historical fantasy vibe. Things that usually work for me but might work for you with this book. I also did like the characters. They weren’t part of the issues I was having with the overall plot.
🎧: I do think the audiobook narrator was great. If you’re going to try this book out, that can be option for format! I liked the narrator.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Fantasy
- Language: mild
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Content warnings: racism, sexism, loss of a parent
July 12, 2026
3.5
The writing was so interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a book with this type of point of view and writing. It’s definitely very descriptive and detailed. At first, I was confused trying to comprehend, until it was clearer that the point of view I was reading from was from a spirit. With that said. The beginning was confusing but once you grasp it, things get more fast-paced. Meeting Clem was a mystery you can’t quite put together but seeing that side of the school was so valuable for the whole story. Once we know Clem’s real identity things start becoming clearer and clearer. I enjoyed hearing Sam’s side of the story, very tragic but I really liked the timing where that is revealed to us as a reader. Then, we have Clem who wants to free her mother and prove that women can practice magic too. 💯 plot. I loved Clem for being this daring, it was sad seeing her sisters’ fate, I do think that scene missed more emotion. After that, sam and Clem proved to be a great team. Very much enjoyed the ending. I only wish I wasn’t so confused in the beginning it made me read slower than usual
The writing was so interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a book with this type of point of view and writing. It’s definitely very descriptive and detailed. At first, I was confused trying to comprehend, until it was clearer that the point of view I was reading from was from a spirit. With that said. The beginning was confusing but once you grasp it, things get more fast-paced. Meeting Clem was a mystery you can’t quite put together but seeing that side of the school was so valuable for the whole story. Once we know Clem’s real identity things start becoming clearer and clearer. I enjoyed hearing Sam’s side of the story, very tragic but I really liked the timing where that is revealed to us as a reader. Then, we have Clem who wants to free her mother and prove that women can practice magic too. 💯 plot. I loved Clem for being this daring, it was sad seeing her sisters’ fate, I do think that scene missed more emotion. After that, sam and Clem proved to be a great team. Very much enjoyed the ending. I only wish I wasn’t so confused in the beginning it made me read slower than usual
October 2, 2026
I am so impressed at Grove for managing to write a book narrated by a ghost who can't do anything for the majority of the novel and still make him such an active presence in the story. i love sam, and i love the way he latches onto clem because he can see the similarities between them, and the way clem and sam's relationship grows throughout the book despite their inability to communication. Clem is so fiercely angry at the society she lives in, and has so many good reasons to be, and it makes her a wonderful protagonist to watch. She's stubborn and single-minded, but she's incredibly devoted to her family and to helping other women who have been forced into the sidelines of society. It's so fun to see this as a foil to Sam's careful detective work. They both have been forced to live in a society that doesn't value them, but have such different ways of dealing with that. This book is as much as it is about the politics in their time as it is about Clem saving her family and I really enjoyed reading it
September 14, 2026
A lot of books have failed to hook me in like this one has.
It has a really solid story, decent world building and a really unique perspective of story-telling. The fact it is from a spectator's perspective adds a lot to it. We only see what the spirit sees, and it sets up a few twists pretty well.
Big fan of the relationship Clementine and Sam have. It didn't necessarily need to be romantic, but I don't mind it and actually think all the signs were there, so it doesn't really come as a shock. They're two souls bound to each other's side until the end and I think that's lovely.
One thing I think was entirely unnecessary was the scene of Simeon groping Rosetta near the end of the book. We already were that he has a history of sexual harassment at the start of the story with the confrontation with Vera. It seemed weird to me, especially since we think she dies very shortly after. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, though, great compelling story, that got a nonreader such as myself into it. Highly recommend. I might be biased because it's my first book in a while, but 4/5 stars from me !!!
It has a really solid story, decent world building and a really unique perspective of story-telling. The fact it is from a spectator's perspective adds a lot to it. We only see what the spirit sees, and it sets up a few twists pretty well.
Big fan of the relationship Clementine and Sam have. It didn't necessarily need to be romantic, but I don't mind it and actually think all the signs were there, so it doesn't really come as a shock. They're two souls bound to each other's side until the end and I think that's lovely.
One thing I think was entirely unnecessary was the scene of Simeon groping Rosetta near the end of the book. We already were that he has a history of sexual harassment at the start of the story with the confrontation with Vera. It seemed weird to me, especially since we think she dies very shortly after. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, though, great compelling story, that got a nonreader such as myself into it. Highly recommend. I might be biased because it's my first book in a while, but 4/5 stars from me !!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
Armor for Liars by S.E. Grove is a wildly original and mesmerizing dark academia fantasy that perfectly blends historical mystery with a haunting magic system. I was completely spellbound by the unique concept of magic being drawn from the realm of the dead, especially with Clementine risking everything in male disguise to infiltrate the elite Cisneros Society. The dynamic between Clem and Sam, the vengeful spirit of a murdered student trying to protect her, adds an amazing layer of emotional depth and high-stakes tension to the plot. While the pacing is definitely more of a slow burn as the secrets of Commonwealth University unfold, the themes of privilege and corruption kept me completely hooked. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves feminist historical fantasy, ghostly mysteries, and plenty of academic intrigue!
July 30, 2026
Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted copies!
The ghost narrator perspective was such an interesting choice and definitely one of my favorite parts of this book. I’m always here for stories that explore the effects of exploitation, especially when it comes to class and gender, and I really enjoyed the way this book looked at those ideas through its magic system and world. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but once the story got moving, I found myself much more invested. I did find myself hoping for a little more romance between Sam and Clem, but even without that, their relationship was still incredibly satisfying to read. Overall, this was a really unique and thoughtful fantasy with a lot of interesting things to say.
The ghost narrator perspective was such an interesting choice and definitely one of my favorite parts of this book. I’m always here for stories that explore the effects of exploitation, especially when it comes to class and gender, and I really enjoyed the way this book looked at those ideas through its magic system and world. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but once the story got moving, I found myself much more invested. I did find myself hoping for a little more romance between Sam and Clem, but even without that, their relationship was still incredibly satisfying to read. Overall, this was a really unique and thoughtful fantasy with a lot of interesting things to say.
September 2, 2026
In this world (ha ha), historically only white men have been permitted to attend Commonwealth University and be licensed to practice magic. Of course this leads to nefarious deeds, because concentration of power that can be lorded over others does that.
The story is primarily told from the perspective of a ghost (spirit?), Sam, who was a student at Commonwealth, until his true identity was found out. He's out for revenge and finds the perfect conduit in Clem Quinn, another student who is not who they seem.
This is YA, but the approach to systemic issues of oppression and abuse are not handled lightly, which adds some heft to the story a lot YA books can't quite manage.
I had a good time reading this book and think most folks interested in dark academia and magic would be into it.
The story is primarily told from the perspective of a ghost (spirit?), Sam, who was a student at Commonwealth, until his true identity was found out. He's out for revenge and finds the perfect conduit in Clem Quinn, another student who is not who they seem.
This is YA, but the approach to systemic issues of oppression and abuse are not handled lightly, which adds some heft to the story a lot YA books can't quite manage.
I had a good time reading this book and think most folks interested in dark academia and magic would be into it.
Did Not Finish
July 5, 2026Thank you to Simon and Schuster for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley! These thoughts are my own.
I unfortunately DNF'd this book. I really wanted to like it, and there were some parts I did enjoy. The atmosphere of the school was amazing, and I think the plot had a lot of potential. I found the characters to be very unique and interesting to read about.
However, the plot just moved too slowly for my taste. I made it about 20% of the way in, and barely anything had happened. That is great for some people, but it was just too slow for me to enjoy.
If you like slower-paced fantasy books with academic flair, this book is worth checking out. It just wasn't for me.
I unfortunately DNF'd this book. I really wanted to like it, and there were some parts I did enjoy. The atmosphere of the school was amazing, and I think the plot had a lot of potential. I found the characters to be very unique and interesting to read about.
However, the plot just moved too slowly for my taste. I made it about 20% of the way in, and barely anything had happened. That is great for some people, but it was just too slow for me to enjoy.
If you like slower-paced fantasy books with academic flair, this book is worth checking out. It just wasn't for me.
June 10, 2026
This book is a pleasure to read with an engaging plot, likeable characters, and a really interesting world. It is truly a YA novel that is just as enjoyable for adults. That being said, it is a little too quickly paced in the second half; it feels like it would be better as a duology.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher as a Goodreads Giveaway. A review was requested but not required and the content and star rating are both my own. The edition I received was an Advanced Reader Copy and may differ from the published version.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher as a Goodreads Giveaway. A review was requested but not required and the content and star rating are both my own. The edition I received was an Advanced Reader Copy and may differ from the published version.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Simon Teen for the e-ARC!! 💗
This was such a cool and unique story! I really enjoyed this a lot. It did take me a bit to get into this, but once I did I was invested. The writing is beautiful and very detailed. I absolutely loved our main character Clem and her personality, as well as Sam. Also loved that it was set in the late 1880s! This kind of reminded me of a V.E. Schwab book, so if you enjoy their work I’d especially recommend this. The world-building was so cool and easy to understand as well. I would definitely read a sequel to this or more from this author!
This was such a cool and unique story! I really enjoyed this a lot. It did take me a bit to get into this, but once I did I was invested. The writing is beautiful and very detailed. I absolutely loved our main character Clem and her personality, as well as Sam. Also loved that it was set in the late 1880s! This kind of reminded me of a V.E. Schwab book, so if you enjoy their work I’d especially recommend this. The world-building was so cool and easy to understand as well. I would definitely read a sequel to this or more from this author!
Did Not Finish
July 28, 2026I tried, I really did, because I liked the premise, but I could not get into the writing. I dnf’d at 55%. I even gave the audiobook a chance - the narration was delightful! I don’t mind flowery prose or a slow-paced book, but it needs to keep my interest, and I found that neither the physical book nor the audiobook did that. The prose and pace were just overwhelming, trying too hard to be something when it had good bones of an idea and should have just let that come alive on its own.
Thanks, SimonTeen and SimonAudio, for the ARC and ALC!
Thanks, SimonTeen and SimonAudio, for the ARC and ALC!
September 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
With autumn approaching, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in academia and mystery and secret societies. Something I found incredibly impressive was the magic system, it was so fascinating, well written, and unique! This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I am very satisfied with the experience and what this book had to offer. I also loved how darker themes were handled in this book, exposing the harshness of it all while still keeping it readable for younger audiences.
With autumn approaching, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in academia and mystery and secret societies. Something I found incredibly impressive was the magic system, it was so fascinating, well written, and unique! This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I am very satisfied with the experience and what this book had to offer. I also loved how darker themes were handled in this book, exposing the harshness of it all while still keeping it readable for younger audiences.
September 13, 2026
2.75 stars
This book has such a good premise - it just fell short in the execution for me.
This historical dark academia follows a young woman disguised as a male student who infiltrates a secret society of elite enchanters and teams up with the vengeful spirit of a murdered student to expose the deadly classist exploitation behind their magic.
The concept shows immense promise, and there are fleeting moments where the world-building shines, hinting at a much more compelling story. But overall, the story gets lost about midway through and the characters were not fully developed.
This book has such a good premise - it just fell short in the execution for me.
This historical dark academia follows a young woman disguised as a male student who infiltrates a secret society of elite enchanters and teams up with the vengeful spirit of a murdered student to expose the deadly classist exploitation behind their magic.
The concept shows immense promise, and there are fleeting moments where the world-building shines, hinting at a much more compelling story. But overall, the story gets lost about midway through and the characters were not fully developed.
August 13, 2026
Armor for liars is a dark academia fantasy about a secret society of enchanters. The story is told from the POV of Sam who is a ghost and he discovers Clementine’s secret and he wants to help her. The plot of the book is super engaging with lots of plot twists and reveals. I really liked the relationship between Clementine and Sam. The story is kind of slow and confusing at points but it is a good dark academia.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
August 19, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Armor for Liars tells the story of Clem who is trying to gain access to a secret society and a ghost is helping her. The concept of this story was very intriguing and I really liked the characters, but could not get into the story. This is a good read to pick up still if you like dark academia and more of a slow burn story.
Armor for Liars tells the story of Clem who is trying to gain access to a secret society and a ghost is helping her. The concept of this story was very intriguing and I really liked the characters, but could not get into the story. This is a good read to pick up still if you like dark academia and more of a slow burn story.
October 5, 2026
It's nice to see 19th century historical fantasy centered in the US rather than London. In this case, Boston and Salem form a gothic background for a magic system based on harnessing the power of ghosts. How the ghosts are harvested becomes an allegory for early struggles against patriarchy. Clem and Sam as the dual narrators harassed by a secret society operating out of a Ivy League type college are both charming liars and doing it all for a very good cause.
Did Not Finish
May 25, 2026DNF at 15%.
Lyrical prose and third person point of view are not my cups of tea, so I knew getting through this book was going to be a challenge for me. Ultimately, I made the choice not to continue. I am sure this book is great and many readers will enjoy it, but sadly I can’t be one of them! Just my personal preference.
Thank you to Simon Teen for the advanced copy.
Lyrical prose and third person point of view are not my cups of tea, so I knew getting through this book was going to be a challenge for me. Ultimately, I made the choice not to continue. I am sure this book is great and many readers will enjoy it, but sadly I can’t be one of them! Just my personal preference.
Thank you to Simon Teen for the advanced copy.
June 16, 2026
While I thought the characters were likable, I just couldn’t connect to the plot. I found myself dragging to finish this and it’s probably more of me problem. I think this has wonderful potential but for whatever reason I just couldn’t get into it like I wanted to. I think I’d still recommend to others because I do believe this has a lot of ingredients people look for an academia fantasy!
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