I'm gonna be a little tougher in my rating for this review, since it's traditionally published and therefore had access to resources that Indies struggle with. Like developmental editors...and a marketing team.

This so easily could've been a four-star for me. But...I didn't love it. While it was intriguing, there was something missing. The build-up and tension are spot on. The pacing is slow, and when you stretch a book into a trilogy, this sometimes happens. The character development wasn't detailed. I'm assuming this changes as we progress through each book. While there were moments that drew me in, the hot and cold drove me away. I don't feel an overwhelming need to jump into the next book. I can assume what happens next. There aren't twists and turns and those my friends are what keep me glued to the pages.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What if your entire life was a lie, and the truth could destroy everything you hold dear?

Abigail Owen's The Liar’s Crown plunges readers into a magical realm filled with deception, danger, and heart-stopping romance.
What a whirlwind of magic, secrets, and shadowy intrigue! Meren’s journey as the hidden twin princess swept me into a world of elemental magic, royal deception, and an enemies-to-lovers romance I couldn’t put down.

From the very first page, I was hooked by the high-stakes action and the richly imagined world of Aryd. Meren is a fierce yet relatable heroine who’s thrust into a dangerous game of power and politics. And don’t even get me started on Reven—dark, brooding, and oh-so-magnetic. Their chemistry crackled with every page!

While the pacing felt a little uneven at times, the twists and world-building more than made up for it. If you love courtly intrigue, forbidden romance, and a heroine stepping into her power, this book is for you.
What to expect:
⚔️ Hidden identities
⚔️ Forbidden romance
⚔️ Courtly schemes
⚔️ Plot twists that keep you guessing

This book was so good. It's got everything you want in a fantasy romance.

There is enemies to lovers, captivating world building, secrets, dynamic character relationships, sizzling romantic chemistry, and oh yeah a Shadow Daddy 😉. Not to mention a pretty good cliff hanger ending.

It's upper YA/NA fantasy, and if you haven't read it, you need to. This book should be talked about more. I will be very excited to continue the series.

The Liar’s Crown delivers a thrilling blend of fantasy, romance, and intrigue. Meren, a hidden twin princess, lives in her sister’s shadow until she’s kidnapped by the brooding shadow warden, Reven. As she navigates a world of political deception and dark magic, Meren must decide who to trust. Abigail Owen’s fast-paced storytelling, rich world-building, and intense romance make this a captivating read. Perfect for fans of slow-burn fantasy romance with unexpected twists!

**Title:** *The Liar’s Crown*
**Author:** Abigail Owen

**Rating:** ★★★★☆

**Review:**

*The Liar’s Crown* by Abigail Owen is an enthralling fantasy novel that pulls readers into a world of royalty, deception, and unexpected twists. The story centers on a strong and relatable heroine caught in a web of lies, forced to navigate treacherous court politics and hidden dangers. Owen’s world-building is impressive, and the plot is full of surprises that keep you hooked. While some elements feel familiar to the genre, the fast pace, engaging characters, and clever plot twists make *The Liar’s Crown* a captivating and enjoyable read.

I really loved how fresh and new this story felt. The characters had so much depth and were easy to connect with. It also successfully avoided many pitfalls I find in YA reads which is always an exciting find. I was literally on the edge of my couch waiting to know what happened next. I will absolutely be continuing this series!

The Liar's Crown by Abigail Owen is a captivating read that will enthrall fans of fantasy and romance, particularly those who delight in stories of hidden identities, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and royal intrigue, as it masterfully weaves together a thrilling adventure filled with secrets, deception, and forbidden love.

An engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend and will purchase several physical and digital copies for library collections. Thank you!!

This is a typical YA story. I did enjoy the physical setting and world building. The main characters had great back stories…especially Maren. The ending had me in a chokehold and I can’t wait to see where book two goes.

"The Liar's Crown" by Abigail Owen is a mesmerizing fantasy adventure that seamlessly blends magic, romance, and political intrigue. From the moment I entered the enchanting world of Dracones, I was captivated by the richly detailed settings and dynamic characters. Lyra's journey of self-discovery, intertwined with her passionate romance with Mateo, kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Owen's masterful storytelling and skillful world-building make this novel an absolute delight to read, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

I am a sucker for the enemies to lovers trope so this was right up my alley.

At first glance this is a book with a ton of popular tropes: enemies to lovers, magical kingdoms, two princesses with one as a spare, and a difficult choice to make between duty and the heart. Though we have seen this story hundreds of times, Owen keeps the story interesting and fresh. She grab's you from the start and then throws in a cliffhanger to keep you enthralled as you wait for the next installment.

It's a fun and fast paced story. I can't wait to see where the next book takes us!

Thanks NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to read this book!

The Liar's Crown was a fast-paced fantasy that ended on a cliff-hanger, involving a set of twins, one with the crown, one as the secret spare, and an enemies to lovers romance. I can't wait for the rest of this series!

I’m really enjoyed this story! The characters and the story building kept me hanging on! When she is kidnapped and has to pretend to be the Queen the story really grabs ahold of you. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Note: I ended up purchasing a final copy to read in the future.

The Liar's Crown book one in The Dominions series was my first Abigail Owen's read and WHOA it was amazing!! I was gifted a copy from Entangled Publishing and couldn't wait to dive in!! The Liar's Crown follows the captivating story of twin princesses Meren and Tabra. Their story was so compelling and well written. I was instantly in love with their world and their very different lives! I couldn't get enough and thought about their story long after I had finished reading the book!!

Just FYI in case it matters to you, this is more of a "new adult" novel than a "young adult" novel, meaning that the language and situations are little more adult in nature. I personally would only recommend it for older teens and up.

OK, that out of the way, I enjoyed the story. It might not stand completely out in it's genre, but it was entertaining. I found the story behind the love interest's identity and what he was to be very creative. The idea of a secret twin was also fun. I didn't realize that that the book was the first of a series, so the cliffhanger ending was jarring. But the world Owen created is lush and this book barely scratches the surface of what creatures and magics live there. I look forward to learning more about it in future books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free ARC of in exchange for an honest review.

On one hand, the relationship between Meren and the Shadowraith feels both predictable and toxic (Stockholm Syndrome), and there are other books with a royal twin double. On the other hand, curiosity of what is happening where Tabra is, about their lineage/gifts, and Eidolon and Shadowraith’s futures did keep me reading. I have mixed feelings on this one but would recommend to readers who like similar books to this.

I got more than I bargained for with this book! I think it was really fun, kept me on my toes and I didn’t expect this to be one of my favourite arcs. Thoroughly enjoyed

Great read, the story was really well thought out and well written. The characters were great and it’s a book you can really imagine whilst you read. Fast paced and gripping read.