I absolutely LOVED this book so much!! Most def my favorite of 2022! I can’t wait for book 2!! The author is so amazingly wonderful! Merin is our heroine, who’s a backup twin. She has to stay in hiding. Merin had a special power that she also is supposed to hide. The day Merin’s twin is going to be coronated as Queen, a man of the shadows steals Merin. His name is Reven and he needs help for his people. They go on a long, adventure fill journey to Reven’s land. These two encounter several types of weather & monsters along the way! But these two are both holding secrets from one another…..both of them have powers and a connection that’s hard to fight! So much happens in this book and I don’t want to give away spoilers! I can’t say I highly recommend this book! And it is a TBC! It won’t disappoint!

This is book one in the Dominions series. Great book! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This book has strong, well-developed characters, an interesting story line full of suspense, danger, action, mystery, unexpected twists, and an ending that left me wanting to read the next book in the series. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

~ I received an ARC copy of The Liar’s Club from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~

The Liar’s Crown reminded me what I love about the fantasy series. The world building alone was intriguing enough to pull me in, but I really liked Meren’s character and her interactions with the people around her. The enemies to lovers trope has a chunk of my heart, and Meren and Reven’s relationship develops interestingly. I definitely enjoyed Liar’s Crown, and can’t wait to see what else Abigail Owen’s Dominions universe has to offer.

The Liar's Crown is the first novel in Abigail Owen's Dominions series. It's also one of the prettiest covers I've seen this year, so let's give credit where credit is due! This series is perfect for those hoping for a delightful (and dangerous) fantasy romp.

We've all heard the story – a royal family has twins, and to keep the peace, the second born is quickly squirreled away, never to be seen again. Or so they hope (that's never how it works out). Enter Meren, a twin and second-born daughter of her kingdom. She's spent her whole life hidden away from the world. Her only purpose, or so she's been raised to believe, is to die for her sister, should it be so required.

Naturally, playing stand-in for the princess (now queen) has its risks, which is why Meren ends up abducted instead of her precious sister. However, this kidnapping may be precisely what Meren needs if she ever hopes to learn the truth.

“I'd rather be scared of real monsters than something my logical brain tells me is mostly in my head”

So, let's start by discussing the elephant in the room. There are two main reasons why I picked up The Liar's Crown. First, the cover (it's stunning!). Second, I may be a wee bit obsessed with the Man in the Iron Mask, so anything that alludes to it will immediately get my attention.

The Liar's Crown is a perfect fantasy novel. It has magic (duh), danger, a brooding hero, a strong female lead, action, and a bit of romance. In other words, there's something for everyone. Better yet, the balance between all of these elements is perfectly done. Oh! Did I mention that there's fantasy politics? You guys know I'm a sucker for that.

At first, my brain kept wanting to make comparisons to my favorite classic. Then, my brain wanted to compare it to the Impostors series by Scot Westerfeld. However, neither of these comparisons stuck for long. The Liar's Crown is very much its own novel, with a strong personality resonating all the way through.

I think the thing I loved the most is how well the characters are written – especially Meren. She's really the perfect protagonist. Honestly, I would love to see her story unfold on the big (or small) screen. It'd be so much fun!

I’m beginning to wonder if maybe it’s just me reading too much YA, but some books have started to look like a greatest hits mashup. This book being one of them. But, truthfully, I love those Hits of 2012 mashups. So I loved this book, too.

Unexpected love interest? Check. Shadow dude? Check. Feisty MC with powers she didn’t know about? Check. If you’ve read at least 5 of the biggest YA releases in the past 5 years, then you know the plot twists, you know where the story’s going. But, to the author’s credit, it’s done well and I genuinely enjoyed the read. I even read it in one sitting.

I do, however, enjoy lighter books that don’t get me in my head too much. I like the comfort of knowing that the Emo Boy we meet is actually going to be the tortured soul meant to be kindred spirits with our MC. I like knowing that she’s more than she seems. This book is absolutely a product of recent YA trends, and I love that about it.

If you’re not someone who enjoys the typical YA fantasy trajectory, this might not be for you. But, if you want to watch a good ol’ fashioned TGIF rerun or get yourself out of a reading slump with something that goes down smooth like a nice fruity cocktail, I highly recommend this book. It does leave on a bit of cliff hanger, though. It’s absolutely getting a sequel.

This review is entirely my own thought and made of my own free will. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eBook.

When I started this book I didn’t think I was going to like it. Right off the bat it had some very common themes: girl with a secret life, best friend in love with MC who becomes jealous, abducted by a handsome, dark and broody man(oh gee, wonder who the LI is)

While all of those things remained predictable, I thought it was a well written book and I did enjoy reading it.

I really like Meren and Reven and the building of their relationship. I appreciated that their sexual experience was on the same level as well, as that tends to be rare.

I do think everything with Cain wanting to marry Meren was so unnecessary to the story.

This felt more NA than YA to me.

I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of Meren and Reven’s journey takes them.

*Thank you so much to Abigail Owen and Entangled Teen for giving me a copy of the book for an honest review

**4.5 Stars**
This is the first in a series so be aware of the huge cliffhanger ending! I read someone else's review and they compared The Liar's Crown to the Shadow and Bone series and that is the perfect correlation. If you liked the darkness and intrigue of that series, then this is the perfect choice for you to read next. I think this is the perfect mix of world building, plot twists and character development. Keep in mind that this author also writes adult romance stories and it completely shows in all the tension and buildup in the forbidden romance (that I 100% was behind) in the story. I will be sitting here, trying to be patient waiting for the next book...

I have enjoyed stories from Ms. Owen before and it is entirely my own fault that I did not realize that this new series is Young Adult series. That being said, it's clear that I struggled with this story.
When twins are born into the royal family the older twin is raised as the Princess and brought up to rule. The younger twin is taken away and trained to be a shadow princess sort of a body double to take his sister's place if ever needed.
When the Queen dies, the secret twin is hustled to the palace. With danger threaten, Meren the shadow twin who is playing the role of her sister is kidnapped and spirited away. Tabra the true princess comes under the control of the evil King who wants to rule the world. Can Meren with her newly discovered secrets save her kingdom?
Since this is a series, we are left at a cliffhanger to see what happens. I know people have adored this story but it was not for me and for that I apologize to the author.

This book was a great read. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I did find the writing style a little sloppy, and it seemed to change around a bit regarding how it was written. I didn't know if this was due to the author finding their feet with this series or if it was due to it being a YA book.
It had amazing world-building that didn't feel too heavy or confusing. The plot carried nicely and didn't take away from any character development.
There was a touch of romance, very YA but still enough to add to the story.
I'm looking forward to the next book!

This is the first time I've read an Entangled Teen book (but I'm a long time fan of Entangled Publishing), but it just so happens to have been written by a favourite paranormal author of mine, so I'm willing to follow her into different avenues (so long as they stay in the romance realm). This is an imaginative fantasy romance, with the concept of twin princesses where one is the 'backup' in case something happens to the 'real' one certainly a different take though the idea of a twin impersonating the other is not. The worldbuilding is complex but not difficult to understand, as are the powers that the different characters have. I wasn't expecting the ending, but I'm not unhappy with it (it's cliffhanger-esque), though I'll probably have to read this one again when the next one comes out (which I hope won't be too far away). There is a sex scene in it but it's age appropriate for older teens and not graphic. The romance between Meren and Reven is well written, and if Meren is a complicated character then Reven is four times that complication. The pacing is good, there is lots of action and adventure, multiple intriguing secondary characters - just a great read overall.

The Liar's Crown had so many wonderful layers to uncover. It took me a little while to understand all of the different aspects of the story. About half way through though, I was all in and couldn't put the story down. Excellent storyline and characters with magic, fantasy, and romance to tie it all together. The story ends with the hope of a sequel, so I will ever so patiently try and wait for it.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I really liked this book. It was a fantasy. The story was good. The characters were good. The plot was good. I was hooked from right from the start. I don't want to give away too much here but I thought the battles depicted in this book were really good. I did not like the female lead as much but the male lead was pretty decent character- wise. I would love to read the second book in this series whenever it comes out.

An interesting beginning to a potentially promising new series with high stakes and intriguing world building. This first book fell somewhat short for me, with inconsistencies and perplexing character decisions, but I am looking forward to seeing what happens next for Meren!

Loved this! I’m so excited for the next book. I love the premise for this book and there’s been a lot of twin books lately where the twins are against each other. Something I can appreciate is that the sisters aren’t enemies or distant in ways that seem unrealistic but rather it’s clear they care for each other.

Great start to a fantastic series!

Outstanding! Two sisters, twins, one destined to rule and the other destined to die. How does not sound interesting?!? I loved this book so much. I'm just really getting into ya fantasy and I love Abigail Owen so of course I would read this. Magic powers element based kinda like Naruto, in my opinion, except they have soul power too. The big bad is practically immortal and is set on world domination, okay well he's starting with the sisters kingdom, and it all begins when they are born. It's a very exciting story and the ending is just so mmmm I can't wait for the next one. Mildly descriptive in the one sexy time shenanigans, but it pretty much is a slow burn.

Now THIS is exquisite fantasy. Five stars and a book hangover from this little beaut. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meren and Tabra are twins in a long royal line where the second born is hidden as a spare for the first born. Tabra is set to become the queen of Aryd, and has caught the eye of a neighboring king, Eidolon(also known as a shadow king). When the coronation is deemed too risky for her to attend, Meren is sent in her place. On her way, Meren is kidnapped by a dark young stranger. She must continue to convince her kidnapper that she is Tabra both in an effort to keep Tabra safe and keep herself alive. Will Meren's powers as a sand wielder help her escape back to Tabra? Or is there more to this stranger than meets the eye?

Guys....this is the beginning of something great. The world building is phenomenal, the characters are sassy and engaging, and the magic system is the real star. Meren is such a great heroine, she isn't whiny or resentful about being second born, instead she takes her duty as a double for Tabra severely seriously. It's so refreshing to see a hidden main want to serve her purpose while also finding out who they are outside of it. She doesn't throw her sister to the wolves upon realizing what she wants out of life. Reven, our kidnapper is very charismatic, reminds me a bit of the Darkling, and is hard to stay angry with, simply the best kind of enemy to lover in my opinion. This novel grants the reader everything they could want: classic tropes, fresh magic, and reveals leaving you gasping for air. I am STARVED for book 2 and will be counting down the months, days, hours until I can sink my teeth into it.

5 stars for the beginning of a new epic in fantasy. Recommended for readers who loved the Shadow and Bone trilogy or Vicious from V.E. Schwab. Age recommended for readers 15+ as there is some explicit romance, but nothing untoward. Don't mind me, I'll just be here willing time to go faster to get me closer to book 2!

As a big fan of Abigail Owen’s various series, I was deligthed to see the first of a new series on Netgalley. And The Liar’s Crown is definitely a totally new series, wehereas Fire’s Edge, Inferno Rising and Brimstone Inc share some characters and take place in the same world.

The Liar’s Crown takes place in the Kingdom of Aryd, where Meren is the hidden princess. She is the spare, the body double for her sister, who one day will become queen. She needs to stay hidden for the world and especially for King Eiddon from the neighbor kingdom. He is rumored to live forever and he has been killing the Queens of Aryd for centuries. But Meren want mre from life than just be the spare. So, she often sneaks out at night, to feel free.

One day, however, there is a kidnapping of the Queen. But fortunately the kidnapper has kidnapped the wrong princess: he captured Meren, the spare. Meren doesn’t understand why Reven, the mysterious kidnapper wanted to abduct the Queen. But as long as he thinks he haas the actual princess, her sister is safe. Reven takes her to the Shadowlands to show her all the people who have taken refuge there.

But while Reven and Meren are bickering away on the way to Shadowland, King Eiddon makes a move for Meren’s sister. Without Meren, she is in danger! So now Meren is faced with a difficult choice: trust Reven and tell him her real identity or try to find her way back to her sister on her own.

True to Abigail, this first book leaves you craving for more. Unlike the oterh series, you can’t read the next story as a standalone. There is too much in the total story to understand all the dynamics between the characters. But although I’m usually not a fan of cliffhangers, I loved this one!

Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

This is a new author to me...and I'm in love!! Owen's writing style is beautiful and enchanting. I sat down intending on reading a couple of chapters, but ended up binge reading the entire book in one sitting!! It was so enthralling, from the very first page...I just HAD to know how it ended. With a cliffhanger, of course. But that is to be expected of a series. It can't all be HEA in book one, lol. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, magic and strong female leads. Can't wait to dive into the next book!!

One of the biggest aspects of this book that I enjoyed was the politics engraved within the story. If you've read the Remnant Chronicles or Twin Crowns, this is definitely a book you will enjoy. It's a lot of fun to be sure. I would recommend you actually read a physical copy of this book. The audiobook version of the story just wasn't doing it for me and sometimes that can affect your opinion of the story - or at least it can in my case. I found it more engaging once I just finished reading through it for myself.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The stunning cover drew me in and the plot kept me turning pages.

The story revolves around Meren, the second born twin in the royal family plagued by a villain king who keeps killing Queens over generations. She struggles to navigate her duties as her sisters body double when her grandmother dies and leaves the thrown to her sister, and her independence as her own person with dreams when a mysterious man shows up and takes her away.

Reading how Meren navigates each relationship and trying to always do what is best leaves her in some precarious situations.

This is a YA Romantasy with a slow burn relationship. With statements like these:

"I didn't like him touching you."

And

"I'm going to kill the bastard who did that to you"

It will have your toes curling for more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and honestly can not wait for the second book in the series. I NEED to know how Meren gets herself out of the situation she finds herself in at the end of the book.

For that reason I give this book a solid 4 stars  🌟🌟🌟🌟