I love dark academia books. This one was very good. You never know what goes on in the secret societies behind closed doors! Plenty of surprises to keep you interested and reading late into the night.

A twisty dark academia mystery told from two sisters points of view and has a dual timeline, All of my favorite things. I really enjoyed this slow burn mystery. It kept me guessing and on my toes. I liked the characters and enjoyed trying to solve the mystery.

Maya seeks answers after the mysterious death of her sister Naomi. Naomi, a Princeton student was found dead on campus and the police are ruling it an accident but a sister's intuition is rarely wrong. Maya believes that her sister's death is connected to a decade old mystery and secret from her very own time as a Princeton student. The sisters seemed very close on the outside but as time goes on Maya realizes that both and her younger sister are hiding and holding onto sinister secrets.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future.

Maya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion—it’s been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her time there. This visit is special because Maya will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi. The dual POVs of Naomi and Maya were powerful contrasts to one another. At the same time, their lack of mutual understanding was a driving force throughout the well-plotted chapters. Adding to the mix was the underlying menace of the Sterling Club and Greystone Society. So palpable was the foreboding surrounding them that they felt like yet another persona in this breathtaking doozy of a thriller. Along with plenty of standout supporting characters, they formed a brilliant cast who felt both genuine and flawed. Definitely portrays the who you know rather than what you know clearly in the society of the world. Thank you to Netgalley. the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Yet another Campus Mystery that I could not put down! Maya is going back to her alma mater, Princeton, for her sister Naomi's graduation, but before she can leave, she gets a phone call that her sister has been found dead. The novel is dual-perspective, allowing the reader to find out Naomi and Maya's stories. Maya is also harboring her own deadly secret about a girl who had been found dead during her own years at Princeton and this plays into the disapearence of her sister

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced thriller set on a college campus and I had a ton of fun reading it.

I thought this story had some good themes throughout, but the complexities that it had never really resulted in an ending that justified the means. The dual POVs was great to go back and forth between. I liked the academia setting but it didn’t feel very relatable and was hard to put yourself in that story.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
This was Lauren Ling Brown's fantastic debut and the start of a beautiful career. Everything about this novel was fantastic, including the focus on family, race, money, privilege, and the absolute power behind friendship.
This was told in alternating past and present perspectives, with sisters Maya and Naomi as our main narrators. Their journey was bold and beautiful, and their bond and love for one another was solid.
This would be such a delicious movie if done correctly. The twists and turns and secrets were off the charts. I loved the details and the way the story unraveled. If you’re looking for a novel that will make you cancel plans to keep reading, this is the one. Katy approved!

Publication date: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Bantam

I love an academic setting and secret societies are one of my favorite tropes. I feel like this book went on too long and the twist wasn't unexpected. I enjoyed the back and forth points of view and it helped with the pacing. On the flip side the dual POVs was hard to follow because of the overlap between the characters and places. I felt no real attachment to any of the characters. They all seemed awful in their own ways. As far as themes in the book, I would rather the author had done more showing and less telling.

This wasn't my cup of tea. Unsure if I would read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Random House Publishing/ Ballantine/ Bantam for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

DNF @ 5%

I originally soft DNF’d, but after a few months, I realized that I’m not invested in the plot. I like when thrillers hook me from the beginning, but this one did not pique my interest.

Lauren Ling Brown's debut novel "Society of Lies" is a gripping dark academia thriller that expertly blends elements of mystery, sisterhood, and the complexities of privilege within elite institutions. Set against the backdrop of Princeton University, the story follows Maya, a Princeton alumna who returns for her 10-year reunion only to be confronted with the tragic and mysterious death of her younger sister, Naomi.

Brown, drawing from her own experiences as a Princeton graduate, crafts a compelling narrative that alternates between past and present, unraveling the secrets of the exclusive Sterling Club and the shadowy society within it. The author's intimate knowledge of the setting lends authenticity to the portrayal of campus life and the intricacies of social dynamics at an Ivy League institution.

The novel excels in its exploration of themes such as racial identity, the pressure to succeed, and the moral dilemmas that arise when ambition collides with ethics. Brown's multiracial background informs her nuanced depiction of characters navigating complex social landscapes, adding depth to the story beyond its thrilling plot.

While the multiple timelines and perspectives can occasionally feel challenging to follow, they ultimately contribute to the novel's suspenseful atmosphere. The relationship between Maya and Naomi forms the emotional core of the story, driving the narrative forward as Maya delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding her sister's death.

"Society of Lies" has garnered significant attention, becoming a Reese's Book Club pick and a national bestseller. This recognition is well-deserved, as Brown demonstrates skill in crafting tension and delivering unexpected twists that keep readers engaged until the final page.

For fans of the dark academia genre and those who enjoy mysteries set in prestigious academic environments, "Society of Lies" offers a satisfying blend of suspense, social commentary, and emotional depth. Lauren Ling Brown emerges as a promising new voice in the thriller genre, and readers will likely anticipate her future works with enthusiasm.

I appreciate receiving an arc of this book and definitely enjoyed it. Society of Lies is a thrilling and sharp exploration of deception, power, and the consequences of secrets in the dark world of academia. The plot twists and reveals kept me intrigued and wondering until the end. A bit slow paced at times but overall a good read.

Holy moly slow read, Batman!

Maya should be celebrating her sister's graduation from her own alma mater - Princeton, but instead she finds herself investigating Naomi's death. Maya's quest for the truth leads her to the secret societies of Princeton - specifically one that she was involved in while attending. Maya is convinced they hold the secret to who killed Naomi, but getting to the truth is proving both difficult and dangerous.

The dark academic vibes are strong with this one - ivy league school, secret society, murder, rich people acting ABSOLUTELY unhinged - it's all there. We also get dueling points of view - one in the present from Maya and one in the not-so-distant past from Naomi leading up to her murder.

Most of this worked really well. It was very descriptive and atmospheric and I felt like I was in the room standing next to the characters as they moved forward in the plot. However, the pacing was SLOW. Oy. It took some real muscle for me to get through. I also struggled at times to remember who was speaking, Maya or Naomi. Being sisters, it makes sense that their POVs were similar, but there were times where they were TOO similar and made it hard to follow.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown is a gripping dark academia thriller that explores the lengths people will go to in order to belong and the secrets that can destroy lives. Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, hoping to reconnect with old friends and celebrate her sister Naomi’s graduation. But when Naomi is found dead, the celebration turns into a nightmare. The police call it an accident, but Maya suspects something much darker is at play.

As Maya digs deeper into Naomi’s life, she uncovers unsettling truths about the sister she thought she knew. Naomi had joined Sterling Club, an elite social group at Princeton that Maya herself had once been part of. Maya soon realizes that Naomi may have been selected for the secret society within the club, which could have led to her tragic end. The more Maya investigates, the more she becomes convinced that Naomi’s death is connected to the dangerous secrets Maya had buried from her own past.

Brown’s novel is full of tension and suspense, with each revelation bringing Maya closer to uncovering the truth about her sister’s death—and her own dark past. The writing is sharp and atmospheric, capturing the allure and danger of the exclusive world of Princeton's elite. The story keeps readers on edge, blending themes of loyalty, guilt, and ambition with chilling twists and turns.

For fans of dark academia thrillers, Society of Lies is a must-read. It’s a suspenseful and emotionally charged exploration of the lengths people will go to for acceptance and the secrets that can haunt them forever.

This was a good thriller to read when looking for one. It was a captivating read. I will read another by this author.

if you like drama and academic-based mystery thriller then this one is for you! lots of secrets and twist and turns but the pacing was a bit slow

Upon returning to Princeton to attend her sister Naomi's graduation, Maya is unprepared for the startling news awaiting her arrival in “Society of Lies," a compelling academic thriller by Lauren Ling Brown that exposes the darker sides of a prestigious college's secret society through the interconnected perspectives of two sisters in this dual-timeline murder mystery.

Learning that Naomi has drowned, Maya embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth surrounding Naomi's death, campus life, and the exclusive organizations to which she belonged.

"A Society of Lies" is a captivating, atmospheric novel about privilege, entitlement, promises kept, and secrets broken. I highly recommend this dark academia / twisted secret society suspense thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Lauren Ling Brown, and Publisher Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine | Bantam, for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s Copy Electronic Edition to review!
https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1

a tense, atmospheric thriller that delves into the dark side of Ivy League prestige and the lengths people will go to belong. Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, eager to celebrate her sister Naomi’s graduation. But the weekend takes a tragic turn when Naomi is found dead, and Maya is left reeling. Though the police call it an accident, Maya suspects foul play—and her suspicions lead her down a chilling path.

As Maya investigates Naomi's death, she uncovers disturbing truths about the secretive Sterling Club, an exclusive social group both sisters were part of. Maya's own involvement with the club and its hidden society becomes a key part of the mystery, and she starts to wonder if her own past is linked to Naomi’s death in a far more dangerous way than she could have imagined. The novel expertly blends past and present, revealing the dark undercurrents of college life and the brutal cost of power, belonging, and privilege.

The pacing is gripping, and the unraveling mystery kept me hooked. Maya is a deeply sympathetic character, caught between her protective love for Naomi and the guilt she feels about the secrets she’s kept. The tension between Maya’s idealized memories of her college years and the unsettling truths she uncovers adds emotional depth to the plot.

3.5 stars rounding up to 4. I liked this book - the story held my attention and I was surprised by the ending. But I felt like the characters of Maya and Naomi could have been fleshed out a little more and I would have liked more about their relationship.

I was excited to read this book as I really like the genre of Dark Academia. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me. The writing was fine, the premise was interesting. That said, I didn't feel anything for the characters, and the story was wildly implausible. Secret societies are often responsible for some dastardly acts, but this was beyond all credibility. I suspended my belief and enjoyed this for what it is...fiction!