A City of Lies

A Shade of Vampire #55

by Bella Forrest

Lies will crumble.
Truth will unfold...

Reunite with the Shadians in A City of Lies !

Pre-order now.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2018

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

###

Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Val. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This got off to a slow start for me. It was a struggle to get thru it. Finally at 70% is when shit got interesting. I really wish Bella would stop giving every single character their own chapter. it is so unnecessary. It's mostly just a repeat of what happened in the previous 3 chapters or about their feelings towards their crush. I really wish Bella would kill off Harper, she annoys my poor little soul.

[Chris Villarreal · Rating 3 out of 5]

FINALLY got some answers, but slowly....

I was a HUGE shaddict until all of the time jumping and frantic couple matching started. I actually thought the idea of a time jump was interesting until the plot got lost in all of the matchmaking. This newest release is still struggling to maintain my attention and that is so disappointing. The best part of this edition (they don't feel like complete novels anymore, just drawn out chapters of a larger novel) was the very last section involving Derek. Names of characters that I love and don't have to mentally calculate who is related to what couple and are they vampire, human, part werewolf, part fae, part sentry, ect. It has become even more crazy with the "forgotten" generation. I actually cringed when Derek mentions great-great grandkids. I seriously think I will be finished after this series, it's just not as much fun anymore. It feels like a chore that has to be cranked out. I miss the old Shade...

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh nostalgia

If your reading a review about book 55 in a series, pretty sure your a fan. So just pick this bad boy up and start reading!

This was another wild ride with a few turns I didn’t see coming. I absolutely love Zane! Harper is also one of my favorites. This book was full of action and I can’t wait till the next one comes out (happy birthday to me!) The final chapter also made me super nostalgic so I see a reread marathon coming...

Also pretty sure Bella is a vampire. Has to be. I have no idea how she keeps up with all of these worlds, constantly has new creatures, and puts out so many books, so quickly otherwise.

Recommended for all Shaddicts!

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many questions answered! So many new questions! 😂

I'll be sad when Bella ends this series. Never stop writing about the Shade.

[Tina Knippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this series 50 books ago I didn’t think I’d still be into it. I read each ‘season’ at a time. Maybe one of these days I’ll go back and start from the beginning. But for now I love catching up with past characters and meeting all the new.

[Kelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back together and ready for a fight!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best in the series so far for me.

When I first started reading and a got a few chapters in but didn’t get any of the long anticipated answers to Nerakas secrets I was a little skeptical that my expectations were too high for this book.

However I did enjoy the build up to jax, Hansa, Harper and caspian saving Blaze and caia from Shaytans palace within the first half of the book.

From this narrative my favourite part was Zane helping the team out. Nearly getting caught by one of his brothers thus pretending the team had blindsided him. I’m certainly keen to see where his relationship with Fiona ends up as we learn more about his rebellion against his father/family and the respect he seems to have from his people.
I enjoyed the introduction to his mother who is clearly close to him. He seemed protective of her and the other newer women to shaytans harem. He was also opposed to shaytans treatment of them. I was intrigued to know more about a woman named Luella. Zane spoke of her with saddness.
Another great moment was Darius (one of the 5 lords and rewas father who was killed in the last books fire) being seen alive and well, in cahoots with Shaytan.

The real juicy stuff started when they all escape the palace and make their way to the western plains to find the imen tribes. The tribes however find them first, headed at this point in time by Vesta ( the water fae that helped them in a previous book against daemons in the valley oh the screams. She is happy to help them but not so keen on having caspian around (he is therefore chained and locked up).
It is back at the imen camp that we learn the whole truth of nerakas dirty secrets.

1) the exiled maras also consume souls
2)they have consumed so many that rewa specifically went to recruits the help of gasp in order to breed other supernaturals to consume
3) everyone has been acting a part since gasp arrived
4) caspian knows everything but took a blood oath (because the other lords didn’t trust him, they are even responsible for the death of his family who didn’t support what they were doing) which was implemented on him by a swamp witch and means if he talks about their secrets he starts to burn and thus could die
5)the swamp witch was part of the original delegation , none of which ever returned to their homes. Thus she is somewhere on the island and being used for the joint use of daemons and exiled maras
6) it is the swamp witch that is disrupting tellius and not allowing the team return passage home

It was very moving reading Harper’s struggles, firstly with her uncertainty surrounding Caspian, then her anger at him for knowing only to then try and fathom that he really couldn’t say anything but had risked himself anyway by trying to get her answers without hurting himself. Their connection, other than jax and Hansa is the strongest. I’m glad they have opened up to each other now.

Whilst the revelations are coming out in the western plains the other side of the team are experiencing the same information but with their own eyes. Avril and heron actually see a nurse consuming an imen soul. Then Scarlett, Patrick, Fiona and Caia and blaze (who’d flown back with the news of Darius) called a meeting with the lords to see if any of them gave away that they knew about Darius being alive and with the daemons. At first the lords put on another good performance, however Fiona notices that Emilian refers to the leader of the daemons as shaytan, a piece of information the team had not shared with them. From here, the lords reveal the truth. Their demeanours turning cold and dark. Rewa laughing that she had them all fooled etc. As more information is given the lords summon more and more. Correction officers to gather around the team, thus started a brawl where rewa mind bends blaze into strangling Caia.
During the brawl we are reintroduced to both Arrah and Cadmus who give the team a message to get away from the city and find the western plains. Vesta then has people waiting to guide them back to the others where they all reunite and formulate a plan to get to the swamp witch and take the exiled maras down, once and for all (this time I believe the maras aren’t getting another chance)

For me, this was so gripping and so excited I did come down a little when reading dereks last chapter on expanding the shade etc however in the days following it I found that I became very nostalgic and can not wait to see more of the originals joining the team on neraka. We are definitely nearing this plot as draven found out that there was no record of the delegates ever returning from neraka as rewa told them. A few more pieces of the puzzle of the whole of gasp will be in full charge....I hope. I’m keen for them not to drag this part of the story line out now. I actually sit shouting at the book for the people of the shade to be smarter haha

Overall, a much more intense read with both action and romance as well as a super strong Plot reveal. I’m excited to see what’s to come next.

[Tasha Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella's books never cease to amaze me! You would think with this being the 55th book in the same series that you would get tired of them, but that is not the case here. I had so many emotions running through me with this book I couldn't catch a break! I was joyful one minute, and angry the next. I laughed and screamed at this book so many times. There was never a dull moment. I can't wait to read the next book! I absolutely love the romances! This book will leave you yearning for more answers and outcomes. Ive never been so excited about an author releasing books as I am when Bella comes out with one. Now I'm left biting my nails until next month when book 56 comes out! If only there was a time machine that could take me to the future! Amazing job Bella! The book was outstanding!

[Maria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bombshell of truth

It was obvious the Maras were lying about stuff but once everything was revealed I was shocked by the extent of their lies. I never would have guessed all of which was revealed, once again Bella has outdone herself and surprised me. The team in the daemon city gets some unexpected help to rescue Blaze and Caia. Patrick's attempt at breaking the asteroid proves fruitless but does shed some light on what is preventing them from leaving and communicating with GASP. This book is by far the most thrilling and most revealing you wont be able to put your book down.

[Brittany Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I swear this season of ASOV just keeps getting better and better!! So much build up with the budding romances and some real serious adventure. Lots of twists and turns were revealed with some major knock out surprises that I did NOT see coming!!! Finally I feel like our Shadians are getting somewhere with all of the mysteries of Neraka but as usual we are left with even more questions!! I can not wait for the next book to come out! This is definitely another great read by Bella Forrest and will not disappoint.

[Heather Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 55! How does she do it?!? 55 books later and I am still reading through as fast as I can because her books are so entertaining. She really appeals to the reader’s emotions with her books and allows them to experience an emotional rollercoaster. It is hard not to root for the good guys. After every twist and turn they keep forging along for the greater good. Even better, once the reader thinks they have figured it out, she pulls a fast one and keeps them guessing. Now I am on pins and needles waiting for book 56!

[Tonya Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always the Good guess

Our new generation of GASP had takin a job for the first time. To scope out a new world and see if the can find the reason to the missing people of the planet. Lies and secerts at Avery turn make things more dangerous that the GASP time thought. The new alies made and new species of paranormal being come together to protect a world filled with evil soul sucks. Love and friendships Kindle in the midst of all the fighting making people pull together even better.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo fascinating and steamy!!! This book was absolutely enthralling! There is so much complex information that I'm going to have to read it again to make sure I absorb it all. Not that I mind! The chemistry between characters makes your heart beat faster and your palms sweat! Always the highlight of my month!!! I don't know how Bella Forrest does it! I wish there were more than five stars to give!

[Rachel Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaze-balls

This was everything I hoped for and more!
My fav love story is Fiona's and Avril's maybe Cia's if blaze broke the vow if not I wouldn't want her to have to wait for her love. Or blaze like "u don't have to wait be happy I'll be there when I can"
And then when he finally can she's married with 5 kids and he never will be happy. Cuz he hanging with guilt cuz "its his fault" he should have broken the vow! And blah

[Elizabeth Choi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Forrest is amazing

This is another example of the talent of Bella Forest as a number one author. She pulls you into a story and your heart begins to fall in love the people. I hate waiting to read the next book. A month is along time to wait until we find out what's happening to our hero's.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The shade 55

This book was much interesting.it kept you one your toes per say. It's weird in the end how they plan to increase the shade. Harper and capian finally figured it out well actually I think all the couple's are figuring it out. Can blade keep his celibus in tack. Totally as always recommend this series

[Paula Dunn, · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of lies

Well the Exiled Maras have finally been caught out and all their lies revealed, and not all the daemons are evil, as well as all that love is in the air for our shadians. A fantastic read as always with lots of twists and unexpected turns can't wait for the next one to see what happens. Once again Bella Forrest you have given us a fantastic read

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it!!!

We finally find out the secrets of the Daemons and Exiled Maras! And even though things are dire, there is still love blooming in the midst of it all. I love this season it is so good, can't wait for next book on Feb. 19!!! Best series ever, book 55 and still going strong!!!!!

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

In shock!!!

I still can believe everything the GASP team in Neraka had discover, totally in shock!!!... Bella you keep surprising us with all the turns this story is taking, can't wait to read the next book. Loved it!!! 😱❤️

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in this series

The young team leading an investigation in another world comes up against so many obstacles and inconsistencies that leaves them and citizens in danger. Help that they get from different beings will help them figure out what is going on.

[IdRatherBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers

Finally, The GASP team are given answers to the secrets of Neraka. And that was not at all what I was expecting! Some species don’t deserve 2nd chances. Romances are blooming, answers are given. The suspense of what is next in unnerving! Love it!

[Siobhan Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome as always

Bella never lets Me down, just when I thought I was on to something. I was completely wrong talk about a game changer. Can't wait to see where Bella is taking Us next!

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story outlined

The series of the shade of vampire keeps on getting better and better. This book had enough action along with romantic exchanges to make you keep on wanting to reading more until you finished.

[Sharlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return of the Swamp witch....

Surprises keep popping up! Soul eating Exiled Maras, Daemon allies, exiled mara allies, plus, other species that are keeping out of sight and reach of the soul eaters! Can’t wait for February 2018 release of #56!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't expect the exciting turn of events!

One of my favorite books this season! Love the chemistry between each couple! Zane is my favorite so far! Looking forward to continuing this journey!

[Lisa Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lies deepen

Another amazing twist is revealed in this episode of the hero's of GASP they finally reveal the truth with some horrifying facts ... Can't wait to read how they're going to sort this out

[Judy Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read, keeps you turning each page to see what is going to happen next, this book is packed with mystery, suspence, romance, and good clean fun and hot sexy men and badass woman. A must read.

[Marisol Acevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This keeps getting better

Doesn’t mater where you are or how bad things may seem there are always allies!!!

GASP will prevail although things may seem bleaker then, well hell lol

Dragons, daemons, Maras oh my!!!!

Off to the next one.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit!

Ahh! I can’t believe how much better and better these books get! I can’t wait for 2/19/18! So pumped !!!

[Chali’Inaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nerve racking

This is getting on my last nerve. I just want to jump inside this book and he'll at Draven Ugh. Come on man. I love this season can't wait for this to unfold