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These Wicked Lies #1
These Wicked Lies
When a princess with the ability to absorb and transfer life force energy discovers her mother, the queen, is manipulating her, she works with unexpected allies to steal the throne, battling magic-induced anxiety and unexpected attractions along the way.
Astrid is a vygora—a rare being that can absorb one’s life force energy and transfer it to another with a touch. Only two people know what she’s truly capable of: her best friend, Ilona, and her mother, the Queen of Hakran, a powerful myndox.
When foreign royalty and their handsome guard, Dashiel Dargan, show up unexpectedly with the ability to mute myndox manipulation, Astrid discovers she’s been a prisoner to her mother’s power her entire life, and she’s not the only one. Faced with a lifetime of memories built on lies, she’s caught between the story she thinks she knows, and the one she doesn’t remember.
But when she can’t trust anyone, how can she figure out which story is true?
Astrid is a vygora—a rare being that can absorb one’s life force energy and transfer it to another with a touch. Only two people know what she’s truly capable of: her best friend, Ilona, and her mother, the Queen of Hakran, a powerful myndox.
When foreign royalty and their handsome guard, Dashiel Dargan, show up unexpectedly with the ability to mute myndox manipulation, Astrid discovers she’s been a prisoner to her mother’s power her entire life, and she’s not the only one. Faced with a lifetime of memories built on lies, she’s caught between the story she thinks she knows, and the one she doesn’t remember.
But when she can’t trust anyone, how can she figure out which story is true?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2022
175 people are currently reading
2724 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Joy
10 books157 followersMiranda is a fan of all things magical and romantic. She believes some of the best heroes come from dark pasts, and family is more than blood. She loves writing about strong characters who overcome unpleasant situations and find love along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 23, 2022
great start… and then..
Okay, so I might spoil things so skip if ya don’t want that.
It was a great start. I was into it. I like the characters, the tension, the build up… and things went bad really quick.
There was the most random sex scene ever. “Hey, all hell is breaking loose but let’s forget about that and bang it out really quick.”
And the main becomes a toddler really quick. She was normal and I guess once things changed she reverted to a two year old throwing a tantrum because she couldn’t handle things.
I was really into this. I was super sad it went sideways so quickly.
Okay, so I might spoil things so skip if ya don’t want that.
It was a great start. I was into it. I like the characters, the tension, the build up… and things went bad really quick.
There was the most random sex scene ever. “Hey, all hell is breaking loose but let’s forget about that and bang it out really quick.”
And the main becomes a toddler really quick. She was normal and I guess once things changed she reverted to a two year old throwing a tantrum because she couldn’t handle things.
I was really into this. I was super sad it went sideways so quickly.
February 23, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of These Wicked Lies, and let me just say, I devoured this book. These Wicked Lies is an incredible romantasy novel. With so many twists and a complex FMC, you won’t be bored.
Astrid has started to feel conflicted about the sacrifices she takes for her mother. As the story goes on, she realizes there might just be a reason for those feelings. As unexpected revelations unfold, Astrid starts to find her true self.
Astrid is definitely a very complex, almost morally grey character and I absolutely loved reading through her eyes. She is constantly wanting what is best for her people and her friends and she wants to protect them, but she has also done some bad things that she doesn’t always regret. Often times the hero in fantasy feels stereotypical, but Joy wrote someone who isn’t your typical “sacrifice everything, save the day” main character.
The plot twists and revelations in this book were so crazy and well written. They were shocking, but also amazing foreshadowing and hints were thrown in, that the new information was believable and made sense to the story. My emotions were definitely taken on a roller coaster and I loved every second. The world and magic system was so well done, unique, and just really cool. I wanted to swim at Paramour Falls and eat Fala’s pastries.
The side characters also were all very round characters and I want to find out more about them. You could tell most of them has multiple sides to their personality and they weren’t just there to be fillers.
These Wicked Lies is a book you won’t want to miss out on, it is definitely a favorite of mine now. For all lovers of anything fantasy, a strong, (most of the time, but that just makes it more real) confident MC, and multiple brooding love interests, feel free to do yourself a favor and add this to your tbr, better yet order it right now!
Astrid has started to feel conflicted about the sacrifices she takes for her mother. As the story goes on, she realizes there might just be a reason for those feelings. As unexpected revelations unfold, Astrid starts to find her true self.
Astrid is definitely a very complex, almost morally grey character and I absolutely loved reading through her eyes. She is constantly wanting what is best for her people and her friends and she wants to protect them, but she has also done some bad things that she doesn’t always regret. Often times the hero in fantasy feels stereotypical, but Joy wrote someone who isn’t your typical “sacrifice everything, save the day” main character.
The plot twists and revelations in this book were so crazy and well written. They were shocking, but also amazing foreshadowing and hints were thrown in, that the new information was believable and made sense to the story. My emotions were definitely taken on a roller coaster and I loved every second. The world and magic system was so well done, unique, and just really cool. I wanted to swim at Paramour Falls and eat Fala’s pastries.
The side characters also were all very round characters and I want to find out more about them. You could tell most of them has multiple sides to their personality and they weren’t just there to be fillers.
These Wicked Lies is a book you won’t want to miss out on, it is definitely a favorite of mine now. For all lovers of anything fantasy, a strong, (most of the time, but that just makes it more real) confident MC, and multiple brooding love interests, feel free to do yourself a favor and add this to your tbr, better yet order it right now!
November 4, 2022
this book opened with the worst opening line i think i’ve ever had the displeasure of reading with my own two eyes, and it did not get any better from there.
the writing was so juvenile but seemed to take itself so seriously, which was almost hilarious if not for how genuinely embarrassing it felt to read it
“‘No, actually she keeps me grounded and makes me feel more human, Mother.’ Unlike you, I want to add, but I keep my mouth shut.”
It read like a shitey YA novel, complete with angst, despite the fact that it was aimed for adults.
the pacing was off and there was no development of relationships between characters, it just happened almost instantly in ways that were so painfully unrealistic and we are expected to go along with it.
the writing was distractingly terrible, the plot was inane, and not one of the characters was likeable. upon finishing this book i’m left with nothing other than the sense of having wasted my time.
“The air is sharp and metallic with the scent of murder.”
it seems overall like a book that’s been written by someone who has simply never been told that they are just not very good at writing. bit of an oversight if you ask me
the writing was so juvenile but seemed to take itself so seriously, which was almost hilarious if not for how genuinely embarrassing it felt to read it
“‘No, actually she keeps me grounded and makes me feel more human, Mother.’ Unlike you, I want to add, but I keep my mouth shut.”
It read like a shitey YA novel, complete with angst, despite the fact that it was aimed for adults.
the pacing was off and there was no development of relationships between characters, it just happened almost instantly in ways that were so painfully unrealistic and we are expected to go along with it.
the writing was distractingly terrible, the plot was inane, and not one of the characters was likeable. upon finishing this book i’m left with nothing other than the sense of having wasted my time.
“The air is sharp and metallic with the scent of murder.”
it seems overall like a book that’s been written by someone who has simply never been told that they are just not very good at writing. bit of an oversight if you ask me
June 16, 2022
STATS:
OVERALL RATING - 5 / 5
CHARACTERS - 5 / 5
WRITING - 5 / 5
PLOT - 5 / 5
SPICE - 🌶️🌶️
GENRE - Fantasy Romance
"I am sick of everyone telling me who I am. More than that, I am sick of fearing that people will misunderstand me or hate me for who I am."
— Astrid, These Wicked Lies by Miranda Joy
I've been on a fantasy kick lately and this just sky rocketed that enthusiasm for me. I am willing to get onto my hands and knees if it means I get the next book immediately because WHAT? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. I seriously do not want to give anything away because I want everyone to get into this book blind. This novel was like a blind box because every time I flipped a page, it was just another plot twist and I was sent reeling AGAIN. I LOVE the characters! I feel that readers will initially feel annoyed by Astrid's character but just WAIT for the development; she become such a girl boss. I really do enjoy imperfect female MC's because it creates a more relatable standard (as relatable as fantasy characters can get).
Dash was great, Dash was hot and Dash was... we'll see. I cannot express how much I wanted to chuck my kindle across the room and the amount of times my jaw was sent flying down. It was an absolute wild journey from beginning to end and you best believe I'm running to get the next one soon. This book features multiple love interests but do not fret love triangle haters (which includes me) it's a brilliantly written one. It's also enemies to lovers and look me in the eye and tell me when that trope ever goes wrong.
Run and read this book IMMEDIATELY, you'll have a great time ;)
Thank you to the author, Miranda Joy, for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
OVERALL RATING - 5 / 5
CHARACTERS - 5 / 5
WRITING - 5 / 5
PLOT - 5 / 5
SPICE - 🌶️🌶️
GENRE - Fantasy Romance
"I am sick of everyone telling me who I am. More than that, I am sick of fearing that people will misunderstand me or hate me for who I am."
— Astrid, These Wicked Lies by Miranda Joy
I've been on a fantasy kick lately and this just sky rocketed that enthusiasm for me. I am willing to get onto my hands and knees if it means I get the next book immediately because WHAT? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. I seriously do not want to give anything away because I want everyone to get into this book blind. This novel was like a blind box because every time I flipped a page, it was just another plot twist and I was sent reeling AGAIN. I LOVE the characters! I feel that readers will initially feel annoyed by Astrid's character but just WAIT for the development; she become such a girl boss. I really do enjoy imperfect female MC's because it creates a more relatable standard (as relatable as fantasy characters can get).
Dash was great, Dash was hot and Dash was... we'll see. I cannot express how much I wanted to chuck my kindle across the room and the amount of times my jaw was sent flying down. It was an absolute wild journey from beginning to end and you best believe I'm running to get the next one soon. This book features multiple love interests but do not fret love triangle haters (which includes me) it's a brilliantly written one. It's also enemies to lovers and look me in the eye and tell me when that trope ever goes wrong.
Run and read this book IMMEDIATELY, you'll have a great time ;)
Thank you to the author, Miranda Joy, for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 29, 2022
A STUNNING DEBUT!!!
“I hate how alluring his accent is. I hate how everything sounds good coming out of his mouth, even my impending death.”
“This is war,” he says coolly. “There are two types of people in our world. Predators and prey. Both are terrible choices. Choose your terrible.”
4.5stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
POV: First Person Present (Astrid)
Genre: New Adult/Adult Romantic Fantasy
Romance: YES!
Smut: YES! A couple of intense makeout scenes, one explicit scene, lots of sexual references. Definitely appropriate for someone who isn’t shy, but also doesn’t like a ton of sex in their books.
Violence: Moderate to high.
Language: Yes. Not an exorbitant amount, but definitely adult language sprinkled throughout.
Triggers: Gaslighting, manipulation, abuse, death, murder, rape, orgies.
Ending: Cliffhanger!
Read This If You Like: The Bridge Kingdom or loose fairytale retellings. This one is very loosely Rapunzel to start.
Review:
A SOLID DEBUT NOVEL!
These Wicked Lies follows Astrid, a young woman with the ability to suck the life force out of people (like Rogue from X-Men!) and transfer it into another person. She’s been using this ability to keep her mother, the Queen, young and beautiful (ahem “flower gleam and glow, let your power shine…”). But what Astrid doesn’t know is that she’s been a victim of her mother’s magical manipulation, and the proverbial curtain is pulled back when foreign diplomats come to pay a visit. Politics and love and magic and impending war and strange gods sprinkled with a healthy dose of intrigue all come together. Is Astrid’s whole life a lie? Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself?
The action does not stop for a second in this book! You will be on the edge of your seat from the moment the diplomats arrive (Hello, handsome Dash!) all the way to the cliffhanger ending. This was a fun, easy read that definitely tickles the Romantasy itch that we all want. If you love snarky side characters, boss-ass betches, twists and turns with plot, and a sprinkling of smut, These Wicked Lies will be right up your alley!
If you loved the Bridge Kingdom, fairytale retellings, multiple love interests, fated mates, magic sharing, ENEMIES TO LOVERS, and you wanna be left gasping with anticipation for the next installment, you MUST read this.
*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
For more book content, check me out on Instagram: @beauty.books.blackbelt
“I hate how alluring his accent is. I hate how everything sounds good coming out of his mouth, even my impending death.”
“This is war,” he says coolly. “There are two types of people in our world. Predators and prey. Both are terrible choices. Choose your terrible.”
4.5stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
POV: First Person Present (Astrid)
Genre: New Adult/Adult Romantic Fantasy
Romance: YES!
Smut: YES! A couple of intense makeout scenes, one explicit scene, lots of sexual references. Definitely appropriate for someone who isn’t shy, but also doesn’t like a ton of sex in their books.
Violence: Moderate to high.
Language: Yes. Not an exorbitant amount, but definitely adult language sprinkled throughout.
Triggers: Gaslighting, manipulation, abuse, death, murder, rape, orgies.
Ending: Cliffhanger!
Read This If You Like: The Bridge Kingdom or loose fairytale retellings. This one is very loosely Rapunzel to start.
Review:
A SOLID DEBUT NOVEL!
These Wicked Lies follows Astrid, a young woman with the ability to suck the life force out of people (like Rogue from X-Men!) and transfer it into another person. She’s been using this ability to keep her mother, the Queen, young and beautiful (ahem “flower gleam and glow, let your power shine…”). But what Astrid doesn’t know is that she’s been a victim of her mother’s magical manipulation, and the proverbial curtain is pulled back when foreign diplomats come to pay a visit. Politics and love and magic and impending war and strange gods sprinkled with a healthy dose of intrigue all come together. Is Astrid’s whole life a lie? Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself?
The action does not stop for a second in this book! You will be on the edge of your seat from the moment the diplomats arrive (Hello, handsome Dash!) all the way to the cliffhanger ending. This was a fun, easy read that definitely tickles the Romantasy itch that we all want. If you love snarky side characters, boss-ass betches, twists and turns with plot, and a sprinkling of smut, These Wicked Lies will be right up your alley!
If you loved the Bridge Kingdom, fairytale retellings, multiple love interests, fated mates, magic sharing, ENEMIES TO LOVERS, and you wanna be left gasping with anticipation for the next installment, you MUST read this.
*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
For more book content, check me out on Instagram: @beauty.books.blackbelt
November 6, 2022
⭐⭐⭐
Basically agree with a combination of other reviews. It has potential, a lot of potential - I enjoyed the twists for what they were and the world building is also interesting. I enjoyed the writing style, it's not a bad debut at all.
The big 'buts' is that the pacing feels off to me - not enough time to really care much for side characters, the initial romance between Astrid and Dash was obvious and developed rather quickly. I feel like Dash became rather one sided, weirdly placed sex scene? Super flirty as confident then in love within two weeks and a massive baby. Lots of confusion within the MC due to the twists. Then suddenly you get Lex, another love interest. He's supposedly her fated and I hate to refer to it but..slight Rhysand vibes. 'Here I am I'm mysterious and powerful and I already love you but please do what's best for you - I take real good care of my people too!' Not enough time in this first book to establish a real connection before that's thrown at you - hopefully more from book two.
Then onto Astrid, I never really connected with her. I started out giving her excuses, like 'oh yeah she's conflicted and spoiled etc, she'll change.' but actually, she was pretty irritating the entire way through. Angry! Emotional! Everyone is in love with me! Why me! Etc etc. I know what with her losing her memories etc she would be confused and upset but it just missed the mark - I didn't really care about her, or any of the characters really to be honest.
There are so many twists, good twists, but maybe not executed as well as they could have been, but regardless that's why I kept reading! I did overrall enjoy this first installment and I'll look out for the next, I really want everything to be more fleshed out - please, less twists and new characters and just more time spent on what's already been established.
Basically agree with a combination of other reviews. It has potential, a lot of potential - I enjoyed the twists for what they were and the world building is also interesting. I enjoyed the writing style, it's not a bad debut at all.
The big 'buts' is that the pacing feels off to me - not enough time to really care much for side characters, the initial romance between Astrid and Dash was obvious and developed rather quickly. I feel like Dash became rather one sided, weirdly placed sex scene? Super flirty as confident then in love within two weeks and a massive baby. Lots of confusion within the MC due to the twists. Then suddenly you get Lex, another love interest. He's supposedly her fated and I hate to refer to it but..slight Rhysand vibes. 'Here I am I'm mysterious and powerful and I already love you but please do what's best for you - I take real good care of my people too!' Not enough time in this first book to establish a real connection before that's thrown at you - hopefully more from book two.
Then onto Astrid, I never really connected with her. I started out giving her excuses, like 'oh yeah she's conflicted and spoiled etc, she'll change.' but actually, she was pretty irritating the entire way through. Angry! Emotional! Everyone is in love with me! Why me! Etc etc. I know what with her losing her memories etc she would be confused and upset but it just missed the mark - I didn't really care about her, or any of the characters really to be honest.
There are so many twists, good twists, but maybe not executed as well as they could have been, but regardless that's why I kept reading! I did overrall enjoy this first installment and I'll look out for the next, I really want everything to be more fleshed out - please, less twists and new characters and just more time spent on what's already been established.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
The overall idea for this book was awesome. I was so excited when I read the description! But the execution is severely lacking.
The opening scene of the boom was gripping off the bat. It introduced the protagonist well and set the scene for the rest of the book. As soon as Dash’s character was introduced though, it was as if the strong inner monologue of Astrid is lost and a whiney, toddler is all that comes through.
I tried to see if it would improve, but based on others reviews and my reading, it only gets worse.
I stopped reading at 30%.
The opening scene of the boom was gripping off the bat. It introduced the protagonist well and set the scene for the rest of the book. As soon as Dash’s character was introduced though, it was as if the strong inner monologue of Astrid is lost and a whiney, toddler is all that comes through.
I tried to see if it would improve, but based on others reviews and my reading, it only gets worse.
I stopped reading at 30%.
July 7, 2022
excellent start!
This book was a true 4.5 for me, as I felt the middle got a little telly and some of the dialogue needed tweaking, but overall, I adored this story. There were so many exciting plot twists and layers of deception! Astrid is an MC that is wicked and morally grey and better for it. And the different love interests are complex and infuriating and delicious all at once.
This book was a true 4.5 for me, as I felt the middle got a little telly and some of the dialogue needed tweaking, but overall, I adored this story. There were so many exciting plot twists and layers of deception! Astrid is an MC that is wicked and morally grey and better for it. And the different love interests are complex and infuriating and delicious all at once.
June 22, 2022
UM. I HAVE DIED. I HAVE FULLY PASSED AWAY. These Wicked Lies just chewed me up and spit me back out. In the absolute best way.
Where do I even start? The world-building? The silky-smooth prose? Astrid? Dash? Lex? This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.
First of all, Astrid. That girl, my goodness. Bless her little fiery soul. I felt every conceivable emotion from her in both the best and worst ways. I cried with her, laughed with her, screamed with her. That’s the mark of good writing—this girl made me FEEL.
The story itself is so well done. It weaves so many intricate details, lore, and storylines together seamlessly, and I never felt confused or lost. I forgot I was reading half the time. And the locations felt so real! I’m fully convinced I can hop on a plane and visit Hakran or Nevaris right now.
And let me just say, this book lives up to its title. The lies, betrayal, and deceit are ABUNDANT. In the best way. I was knocked back by twist after twist, leaving me reeling. Am I okay after that ending? NO. I have questions, and I���m desperate for answers.
Where do I even start? The world-building? The silky-smooth prose? Astrid? Dash? Lex? This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.
First of all, Astrid. That girl, my goodness. Bless her little fiery soul. I felt every conceivable emotion from her in both the best and worst ways. I cried with her, laughed with her, screamed with her. That’s the mark of good writing—this girl made me FEEL.
The story itself is so well done. It weaves so many intricate details, lore, and storylines together seamlessly, and I never felt confused or lost. I forgot I was reading half the time. And the locations felt so real! I’m fully convinced I can hop on a plane and visit Hakran or Nevaris right now.
And let me just say, this book lives up to its title. The lies, betrayal, and deceit are ABUNDANT. In the best way. I was knocked back by twist after twist, leaving me reeling. Am I okay after that ending? NO. I have questions, and I���m desperate for answers.
November 15, 2022
yo dude wtf this book was so weird and confusing
and just like not good lowkey and it dragged
and just like not good lowkey and it dragged
January 14, 2023
i didn’t understand anything tbh
June 9, 2022
I recently received a copy of These Wicked lies by @readwritejoy and I am absolutely blown away by this book! It is AMAZING. There are so many insane plot twists and they are extremely well written! I was shocked more times than I care to admit because I usually can guess plot twists before they happen. Miranda is an incredibly talented writer with an uncanny ability to weave foreshadowing into her story seamlessly. The magic system is believable, well thought out & incredibly unique. All the characters are well developed with a strong believable heroine and broody swoon worthy love interests! I went in expecting to enjoy this book but I was not prepared for it to become one of my favorite reads of 2022! Definitely check it out if you love fantastical adventures with a little romance sprinkled on top! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!
March 9, 2022
I might be a bit biased because my friend wrote it
but
READ
THIS
BOOK
preorder it now and then buy a second copy when it's released on 6/22/22. Buy a copy for every room in your house so you don't have to constantly go fetch it from one shelf.
It did take me a minute to get into it, but once I did I could.not.put.it.down.
The setting? LUSH ISLAND JUNGLE
The characters? DEEP, RELATABLE, POWERFUL
The relationships? FUN, REALISTIC, SPICY
The plot? DRIVEN, MYSTERIOUS, TWISTING
The lies? WICKED
"You have me, and I won't let you drown."
but
READ
THIS
BOOK
preorder it now and then buy a second copy when it's released on 6/22/22. Buy a copy for every room in your house so you don't have to constantly go fetch it from one shelf.
It did take me a minute to get into it, but once I did I could.not.put.it.down.
The setting? LUSH ISLAND JUNGLE
The characters? DEEP, RELATABLE, POWERFUL
The relationships? FUN, REALISTIC, SPICY
The plot? DRIVEN, MYSTERIOUS, TWISTING
The lies? WICKED
"You have me, and I won't let you drown."
August 24, 2022
I really enjoyed Miranda Joys “these wicked lies”. It was everything I anticipated and expected in a new adult romantic fantasy while still keeping me guessing and surprised. I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys the following theme/troupes:
✔️hidden identities
✔️court politics
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️unique magic world
✔️fated mates
✔️smut (low on the scale but still there)
✔️deception and betrayal
✔️mature themes and kickass FMC
I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶
Darkness: 🌑🌑🌑
✔️hidden identities
✔️court politics
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️unique magic world
✔️fated mates
✔️smut (low on the scale but still there)
✔️deception and betrayal
✔️mature themes and kickass FMC
I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶
Darkness: 🌑🌑🌑
July 26, 2022
Okey, once things got cleared up I truly liked the female lead character
July 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this hidden gem of a fantasy! Has all the elements I want - magic, romance and humor! And such huge plot twist just when you think things are working out for Dash and Astrid. But Give me a snarky yet soft Lex any day!
July 3, 2022
This book cured my reading slump and I think that says enough HOWEVER if you need more:
- strong female lead who’s learning about herself and to be vulnerable
- one of my favorite lore twists/tropes
- spice
- banter (between the MC/LI but also side characters antagonizing each other)
- very smooth world building (like I was never once confused and read this book so fast)
Overall such an enjoyable read that sucked me right in with its strong characters and twisty secrets!
- strong female lead who’s learning about herself and to be vulnerable
- one of my favorite lore twists/tropes
- spice
- banter (between the MC/LI but also side characters antagonizing each other)
- very smooth world building (like I was never once confused and read this book so fast)
Overall such an enjoyable read that sucked me right in with its strong characters and twisty secrets!
June 14, 2022
Ahhhhh!!! I received my arc yesterday and I finished it in a day! It was so good like the characters, the plot and the twists were unexpected but amazing! (13 March 2022)
(14 June 2022)
In honour of this of this book being released next week (22 June) heres the more detailed review that I promised you guys back in March!
So I LOVE Dash and Astrid’s dynamic and their banter was *chefs kiss*… the interactions between the two of them was a relationship I strive to have with a guy one day😂
Now the plot? Oof I loved how interesting it was and how quick the story went, which I loved! Fast paced, action packed, good banter, romance and tension? Yes please, pass me the book☺️
The cliffhanger?? Yessss!!! There’s a few characters that get introduced later one in the book who I absolutely love and can’t wait for the next book. The ending caught me by surprise and was not what I was expecting. (Definitely thought one thing was going to happen and was completely wrong but, loved what happened instead!)
Overall PLEASE read this book! I love how Miranda wrote this book and the world, characters and dynamics that she created was so fun to read and guess what happens… 10/10 read, gooo read it please🥹
(14 June 2022)
In honour of this of this book being released next week (22 June) heres the more detailed review that I promised you guys back in March!
So I LOVE Dash and Astrid’s dynamic and their banter was *chefs kiss*… the interactions between the two of them was a relationship I strive to have with a guy one day😂
Now the plot? Oof I loved how interesting it was and how quick the story went, which I loved! Fast paced, action packed, good banter, romance and tension? Yes please, pass me the book☺️
The cliffhanger?? Yessss!!! There’s a few characters that get introduced later one in the book who I absolutely love and can’t wait for the next book. The ending caught me by surprise and was not what I was expecting. (Definitely thought one thing was going to happen and was completely wrong but, loved what happened instead!)
Overall PLEASE read this book! I love how Miranda wrote this book and the world, characters and dynamics that she created was so fun to read and guess what happens… 10/10 read, gooo read it please🥹
August 12, 2023
Do you like hypocritical female leads who throw temper tantrums?
I seriously considered DNF-ing this book because of the incredibly awful main character, Astrid, and her hotties without any thought-ies (lol, I tried). There were so many instances of her claiming to dislike being treated like a princess, yet quickly turning around and throwing a fit at even a hint of disrespect from someone. This, coupled with the fact that she felt she would somehow miraculously become a great ruler, really made me dislike her.
But wait! There’s more! The way she’s written, Astrid just seems supremely fickle and seems to fall in love (or lust) at first sight without any real character development/believable plot devices. The writing is immature and everything feels rushed, almost like the author couldn’t be bothered to really explore anything beyond the superficial plot. That really shows, and I’ll be skipping out on the sequel - a rarity for me, someone who hate-reads things to see if things will get better.
I seriously considered DNF-ing this book because of the incredibly awful main character, Astrid, and her hotties without any thought-ies (lol, I tried). There were so many instances of her claiming to dislike being treated like a princess, yet quickly turning around and throwing a fit at even a hint of disrespect from someone. This, coupled with the fact that she felt she would somehow miraculously become a great ruler, really made me dislike her.
But wait! There’s more! The way she’s written, Astrid just seems supremely fickle and seems to fall in love (or lust) at first sight without any real character development/believable plot devices. The writing is immature and everything feels rushed, almost like the author couldn’t be bothered to really explore anything beyond the superficial plot. That really shows, and I’ll be skipping out on the sequel - a rarity for me, someone who hate-reads things to see if things will get better.
April 7, 2022
Thank you to the author for giving me the chance to beta-read her debut novel.
I'm so glad to see so many positive reviews for this book and I am truly sorry to be negative about it - I think it might just have been a case of 'not right now' for me.
I think the first quarter of the book was excellent - the characters were well-written and the pacing was good, I liked all of the individual elements of the plot, but I felt like everything was just a bit too rushed after this point. I wish more time had been spent developing some of the backstory a bit more, because without the fleshing out many things and characters just came out of nowhere and, for me, their significance was a bit lost.
I think the cliffhanger ending was done well - it certainly has me intrigued for the sequel.
I'm so glad to see so many positive reviews for this book and I am truly sorry to be negative about it - I think it might just have been a case of 'not right now' for me.
I think the first quarter of the book was excellent - the characters were well-written and the pacing was good, I liked all of the individual elements of the plot, but I felt like everything was just a bit too rushed after this point. I wish more time had been spent developing some of the backstory a bit more, because without the fleshing out many things and characters just came out of nowhere and, for me, their significance was a bit lost.
I think the cliffhanger ending was done well - it certainly has me intrigued for the sequel.
February 16, 2023
Edit: I just reread this to read the These Wicked Truths ARC and it’s so much better the second time. The second half is still absolutely phenomenal! I loved that I knew the twist this time because I could catch things I didn’t the first time around! I can’t wait to find out the truths! And the cliffhanger is *chefs kiss* one of the better ones seriously, I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS AND WILL DIE ON THIS CLIFF!
———
I really enjoyed this one!
I felt a bit confused in the beginning and wasn’t sure why things felt a bit off and now that I finished it that was probably on purpose. For me, once everything started coming together this book got awesome! The second half was amazing and the last 100 pages really did it for me! Love the plot twist! Definitely want to read the next one!
———
I really enjoyed this one!
I felt a bit confused in the beginning and wasn’t sure why things felt a bit off and now that I finished it that was probably on purpose. For me, once everything started coming together this book got awesome! The second half was amazing and the last 100 pages really did it for me! Love the plot twist! Definitely want to read the next one!
May 23, 2023
These Wicked Lies interested me as the plot sounded unique and mysterious. Unfortunately the writing style was not to my taste and I came across a number of mistakes which pulled me from the story. I tried to get into the story as the idea was intriguing, and I didn’t dnf as I hoped it would improve, but ultimately I couldn’t get past the extremely unlikeable and childish main character and her unpredictable, immature and nonsensical outbursts. I really liked the love interest however his entire personality eventually revolved around being romantically involved with the main character. The story was also quite predictable so I found myself skimming toward the end. There were some good tropes and plot twists, so 3 stars overall.
February 3, 2023
DNF after 28%.
I just couldn't do it. The writing was way too dry for my tastes, there wasn't a great sense of narration, and the dialogue seemed ridiculous. To make matters worse the MC is super juvenile and annoying. She's rude to everyone for no reason at all and it makes her absolutely unbearable. I can tell that the author was trying to create a feisty female lead but it so didn't work.
I thought I was in store for a dark, evil mom, and badass daughter, type of story but it just seemed like a lot of teenage whining to me. I don't know if these reviews are reading the same book as I am because I don't understand all of the 5 star ratings. Overall, was not for me.
I just couldn't do it. The writing was way too dry for my tastes, there wasn't a great sense of narration, and the dialogue seemed ridiculous. To make matters worse the MC is super juvenile and annoying. She's rude to everyone for no reason at all and it makes her absolutely unbearable. I can tell that the author was trying to create a feisty female lead but it so didn't work.
I thought I was in store for a dark, evil mom, and badass daughter, type of story but it just seemed like a lot of teenage whining to me. I don't know if these reviews are reading the same book as I am because I don't understand all of the 5 star ratings. Overall, was not for me.
October 17, 2022
ehh
I stopped reading at 50% and just skipped to the end. I can’t remember how old the FMC is but she has the mentality of a spoiled child with a superiority complex, after the second instance of her using degrading tones to depict people of perceived lower status I was already sick of her. Nothing really read genuine to me, emotions weren’t believable, the supporting characters could’ve been alright but the writing kind of dulls it. I skipped to end and then stopped reading again because it didn’t get better. DNF
I stopped reading at 50% and just skipped to the end. I can’t remember how old the FMC is but she has the mentality of a spoiled child with a superiority complex, after the second instance of her using degrading tones to depict people of perceived lower status I was already sick of her. Nothing really read genuine to me, emotions weren’t believable, the supporting characters could’ve been alright but the writing kind of dulls it. I skipped to end and then stopped reading again because it didn’t get better. DNF
April 27, 2023
3.5 Stars feels right
I can not stand Astrid eveytime she opened her mouth I was annoyed. She was a whiny selfish brat from the first page to the last. Even when the memory manipulation and overwhelming emotional bond stuff came in to play I had a hard time forgiving her for being so unlikable.
All said though the story is interesting and the plot kept me engaged.
The cliffhanger ending was smart cause if there was even a hint of resolution I likely wouldn't continue with the story but I'm not one to leave things unfinished.
I can not stand Astrid eveytime she opened her mouth I was annoyed. She was a whiny selfish brat from the first page to the last. Even when the memory manipulation and overwhelming emotional bond stuff came in to play I had a hard time forgiving her for being so unlikable.
All said though the story is interesting and the plot kept me engaged.
The cliffhanger ending was smart cause if there was even a hint of resolution I likely wouldn't continue with the story but I'm not one to leave things unfinished.
November 13, 2022
Oh my gosh, this was so bad. Who would ever believe that whiny, bratty Astrid is the goddess of death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
To see my full review, plus many more, check it out on goodyreads.blog by clicking the link HERE
For a debut novel, this was a pretty impressive story to get into. It was so easy to get wrapped into this world and meet Astrid, who’s more than just a regular Princess. She’s got some depth to her, and some morally gray traits to her personality. She’s got some fire to her spirit!
She’s feeling very conflicted in her position: Princess by day and lifeforce sucker by night. She disguises herself in a veiled costume and takes the life of a willing victim as a sacrifice in order to pass it to her mother in order to keep her alive and keep their whole island safe. The seeds of doubt were already planted that something more nefarious may be going on with all this, but it takes some foreign company visiting their lush island home to really set things in motion.
I’ll be honest, I got some major From Blood and Ash/A Shadow in the Ember vibes from this book, which isn’t a bad thing! If anyone reading this has followed my reviews on here, they should know the FBAA series is a big favorite of mine! I wouldn’t say this even comes close to copying it , TWL definitely still feels like it’s own entity, but I can definitely see some comparisons between the two or possibly the author even drew some inspiration from the story! Who knows?
Reading this book, I was easily sucked in to the exotic and tropical world the author created, and created fun and familiar dynamics between the cast of characters. Dashiel and Astrid had some great chemistry and lots of playful banter—think a similar vibe to Cassian and Nesta in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas—and I really got into their slow burn romance throughout. Dash was an easy guy to like, and Astrid wasn’t afraid to humble him and put him in his place when he (maybe) needed it.
The midpoint got a little slow for me, only because we already knew about the Queen’s manipulation of Astrid and her people because it’s in the synopsis, so that part wasn’t all that shocking to see develop. There is a question of which side everyone is on exactly, and the unknown of what everyone’s intentions are definitely keep you interested. Astrid and her friend Ilona grow closer to Dashiel and Prince Zale, but also more weary of them as questionable behavior shows; there’s definitely more going on beneath the surface.
You meet Lex later on in the story, and once again complete and total mystery surrounds him, but he’s a major character believe me! He’s not just a random addition to the story at all…
The ending sequences are the piece-de-resistance of the whole book. I’ll admit I didn’t see it coming, and it certainly leaves you with a brow-raising expression, and the final page ends on a dark and sexy way that leaves you yearning to see what could possibly happen next, and also wanting the next book, like, yesterday.
Once again, even if I didn’t get to personally know the author, I’d say this is a pretty remarkable debut novel that shows so much promise for bigger and better things! Miranda Joy is certainly a name to remember if she keeps this up!
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell
For a debut novel, this was a pretty impressive story to get into. It was so easy to get wrapped into this world and meet Astrid, who’s more than just a regular Princess. She’s got some depth to her, and some morally gray traits to her personality. She’s got some fire to her spirit!
She’s feeling very conflicted in her position: Princess by day and lifeforce sucker by night. She disguises herself in a veiled costume and takes the life of a willing victim as a sacrifice in order to pass it to her mother in order to keep her alive and keep their whole island safe. The seeds of doubt were already planted that something more nefarious may be going on with all this, but it takes some foreign company visiting their lush island home to really set things in motion.
I’ll be honest, I got some major From Blood and Ash/A Shadow in the Ember vibes from this book, which isn’t a bad thing! If anyone reading this has followed my reviews on here, they should know the FBAA series is a big favorite of mine! I wouldn’t say this even comes close to copying it , TWL definitely still feels like it’s own entity, but I can definitely see some comparisons between the two or possibly the author even drew some inspiration from the story! Who knows?
Reading this book, I was easily sucked in to the exotic and tropical world the author created, and created fun and familiar dynamics between the cast of characters. Dashiel and Astrid had some great chemistry and lots of playful banter—think a similar vibe to Cassian and Nesta in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas—and I really got into their slow burn romance throughout. Dash was an easy guy to like, and Astrid wasn’t afraid to humble him and put him in his place when he (maybe) needed it.
The midpoint got a little slow for me, only because we already knew about the Queen’s manipulation of Astrid and her people because it’s in the synopsis, so that part wasn’t all that shocking to see develop. There is a question of which side everyone is on exactly, and the unknown of what everyone’s intentions are definitely keep you interested. Astrid and her friend Ilona grow closer to Dashiel and Prince Zale, but also more weary of them as questionable behavior shows; there’s definitely more going on beneath the surface.
You meet Lex later on in the story, and once again complete and total mystery surrounds him, but he’s a major character believe me! He’s not just a random addition to the story at all…
The ending sequences are the piece-de-resistance of the whole book. I’ll admit I didn’t see it coming, and it certainly leaves you with a brow-raising expression, and the final page ends on a dark and sexy way that leaves you yearning to see what could possibly happen next, and also wanting the next book, like, yesterday.
Once again, even if I didn’t get to personally know the author, I’d say this is a pretty remarkable debut novel that shows so much promise for bigger and better things! Miranda Joy is certainly a name to remember if she keeps this up!
Thanks for Reading!
-- Nick Goodsell
July 1, 2022
These Wicked Lies follows Astrid, a princess with the rare power to absorb life force from one person and transfer it to another, a power she uses to her mother Queen Enira young and beautiful. Enira herself is incredibly powerful and uses her abilities as a myndox to manipulate others into compliance and maintain her hold on the island of Hakran.
When foreign royals who are immune to Enira's powers arrive on the island, Astrid will slowly start to realise she has been her mother's prisoner for all her life, and it will take all she has to know who to trust while untangling the deep web of lies she finds herself in.
These Wicked Lies is a great read for any fantasy and romance fans. I loved following Astrid, who is a truly compelling main character. She is complex, conflicted, opinionated and fierce, and it was really refreshing to read about a protagonist who is not just good and fated to save the world. Essentially, a deliciously morally grey character at her finest.
The cast of secondary characters was also varied and really interesting to read about. It was clear none of them were a mere filler, but at the same time, some definitely had more space than others to truly shine. As this is only the first book though I expect we'll see much more of them in future instalments. I particularly enjoyed the dark, brooding love interests and the banter between Astrid and other characters. It was also just spicy enough, with one more explicit scene but plenty of other delightful romantic exchanges.
I also really enjoyed the worldbuilding. It is very easy in fantasy books to either have massive infodumps or a system far too complex for readers to keep up with, but there was no such issue here. I liked how the author managed to explain the world and magic systems clearly while avoiding long expositions and also pacing it in such a way that there was plenty of time to absorb key information before new reveals. The settings were lush and intriguing, and the descriptions of food definitely made me hungry!
The plot was twisty enough to keep me reading well into the night. I had an inkling about some reveals, but I was still surprised when they rolled around as I had not quite expected that, and there was more still that I had absolutely not seen coming. The foreshadowing was executed really well, so that at no point did it feel like things were coming out of nowhere. The ending absolutely blew me away and I need Book 2 as soon as possible! It is a cliffhanger ending, so just be aware of that if you dislike them.
I did have some small issues with pacing, and a few passages felt slightly repetitive, but overall this was a wicked read and a great debut novel, which is likely to appeal to fans of romantic fantasy and Sarah J. Maas.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery. I received a digital review copy of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
When foreign royals who are immune to Enira's powers arrive on the island, Astrid will slowly start to realise she has been her mother's prisoner for all her life, and it will take all she has to know who to trust while untangling the deep web of lies she finds herself in.
These Wicked Lies is a great read for any fantasy and romance fans. I loved following Astrid, who is a truly compelling main character. She is complex, conflicted, opinionated and fierce, and it was really refreshing to read about a protagonist who is not just good and fated to save the world. Essentially, a deliciously morally grey character at her finest.
The cast of secondary characters was also varied and really interesting to read about. It was clear none of them were a mere filler, but at the same time, some definitely had more space than others to truly shine. As this is only the first book though I expect we'll see much more of them in future instalments. I particularly enjoyed the dark, brooding love interests and the banter between Astrid and other characters. It was also just spicy enough, with one more explicit scene but plenty of other delightful romantic exchanges.
I also really enjoyed the worldbuilding. It is very easy in fantasy books to either have massive infodumps or a system far too complex for readers to keep up with, but there was no such issue here. I liked how the author managed to explain the world and magic systems clearly while avoiding long expositions and also pacing it in such a way that there was plenty of time to absorb key information before new reveals. The settings were lush and intriguing, and the descriptions of food definitely made me hungry!
The plot was twisty enough to keep me reading well into the night. I had an inkling about some reveals, but I was still surprised when they rolled around as I had not quite expected that, and there was more still that I had absolutely not seen coming. The foreshadowing was executed really well, so that at no point did it feel like things were coming out of nowhere. The ending absolutely blew me away and I need Book 2 as soon as possible! It is a cliffhanger ending, so just be aware of that if you dislike them.
I did have some small issues with pacing, and a few passages felt slightly repetitive, but overall this was a wicked read and a great debut novel, which is likely to appeal to fans of romantic fantasy and Sarah J. Maas.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery. I received a digital review copy of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
November 13, 2022
4.5/5 ✨
2/5 🌶️
Hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say! (Eloquent is very much a stretch but it is what it is).
If you are into new adult fantasy romance, please do not sleep on this book! I’m just getting out of a long drawn out slump and this book, LET ME TELL YOU consumed me to the point that I was up until 3am needing to know how the story ends. I gobbled it up in around 6 hours and I have zero regrets. None. Nadda.
All I can say is I need the next book in my hands ✨immediately✨
So, where do I start with this? There’s our main girl, Astrid. She’s a princess with a rare deadly power that is being used for “the good of the kingdom” (we’ll go with that), a Queen who also has a different set of powers who tends to focus more on her royal duties than her duties of a mother… then all of a sudden, another mysterious royal family shows up with their own soldiers and we meet one of the best banter characters that I’ve read in a long time, Dash, the newly assigned personal guard to our spirited princess. When I tell you that these two have such a fun back and forth 👀
Then there’s a character we meet a little more than half way through the book and then the script is flipped - you’ll have to read to understand what I mean.
If you are a fan of ACOTAR and ASITE and the feelings it gave you when you first read it, you’ll love this one.
Now read it and make a TikTok about how you feel about it because honestly, the book needs more reviews! It’s a hidden gem that deserves its moment!
2/5 🌶️
Hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say! (Eloquent is very much a stretch but it is what it is).
If you are into new adult fantasy romance, please do not sleep on this book! I’m just getting out of a long drawn out slump and this book, LET ME TELL YOU consumed me to the point that I was up until 3am needing to know how the story ends. I gobbled it up in around 6 hours and I have zero regrets. None. Nadda.
All I can say is I need the next book in my hands ✨immediately✨
So, where do I start with this? There’s our main girl, Astrid. She’s a princess with a rare deadly power that is being used for “the good of the kingdom” (we’ll go with that), a Queen who also has a different set of powers who tends to focus more on her royal duties than her duties of a mother… then all of a sudden, another mysterious royal family shows up with their own soldiers and we meet one of the best banter characters that I’ve read in a long time, Dash, the newly assigned personal guard to our spirited princess. When I tell you that these two have such a fun back and forth 👀
Then there’s a character we meet a little more than half way through the book and then the script is flipped - you’ll have to read to understand what I mean.
If you are a fan of ACOTAR and ASITE and the feelings it gave you when you first read it, you’ll love this one.
Now read it and make a TikTok about how you feel about it because honestly, the book needs more reviews! It’s a hidden gem that deserves its moment!
April 19, 2022
4⭐️
This was a great debut and I’m grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the world building, the magic and the mystery in this book, it was done well. I hope the lore about the gods etc is expanded upon in the next book because I thought that was super interesting.
I didn’t really mesh with the main character, Astrid, she’s super bratty and insecure and all in all this book was kind of like a soap-opera with all all the various drama and backstabbing etc – if you like that vibe then this is the book for you.
I did feel like the pacing was a little off in places and that more time could have been spent on certain aspects of the story for greater impact E.g. the time spent in Nevaris. I also felt like there was lots of epic love in this book, but I couldn’t take it seriously because the characters had all only known each other for like a few weeks.
Overall, I liked this book and thought it was a good debut, but I’m not sure if that amount of plot-convenient drama is my thing as it made this a messy read plot-wise and the characters annoyed me often, which made it a bit hard to care about any of them. I also feel that in general this book was a bit rushed towards the end and things could have been slowed down and fleshed out more. This sort of has From Blood and Ash and ACOTAR vibes but I think the author did a great job creating a unique world with an interesting magic system.
This was a great debut and I’m grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the world building, the magic and the mystery in this book, it was done well. I hope the lore about the gods etc is expanded upon in the next book because I thought that was super interesting.
I didn’t really mesh with the main character, Astrid, she’s super bratty and insecure and all in all this book was kind of like a soap-opera with all all the various drama and backstabbing etc – if you like that vibe then this is the book for you.
I did feel like the pacing was a little off in places and that more time could have been spent on certain aspects of the story for greater impact E.g. the time spent in Nevaris. I also felt like there was lots of epic love in this book, but I couldn’t take it seriously because the characters had all only known each other for like a few weeks.
Overall, I liked this book and thought it was a good debut, but I’m not sure if that amount of plot-convenient drama is my thing as it made this a messy read plot-wise and the characters annoyed me often, which made it a bit hard to care about any of them. I also feel that in general this book was a bit rushed towards the end and things could have been slowed down and fleshed out more. This sort of has From Blood and Ash and ACOTAR vibes but I think the author did a great job creating a unique world with an interesting magic system.
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