I really enjoyed this book. I like the idea of prestigious universities and their secret societies. I also liked how the story was told through both Maya and Naomi's perspectives, both in the past and present. It created a very well rounded story, which left me guessing at every turn. The characters themselves were well written and I was rooting for a majority of them, except for certain admin characters that were abusing their power in these secret societies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to picking up other stories from this author!

Plenty twists and suspense will keep the reader engaged in Society of Lies. Set primarily in Princeton, two sisters separated by ten years are both members of an exclusive eating club and even more exclusive secret society that offers them access to equal parts privilege and misconduct. Told via dual narration through three timelines: the months leading up to the younger sister's murder, the older sister trying to uncover the identity of the killer, and flashbacks of the older sister's time on the Princeton campus 10 years prior, the reader uncovers a cast of characters who all seem to have motives and opportunity. A great surprise ending and plenty of twists will surely make this a must read for fans of the genre.

Maya and her sister navigate the world of the elite secret societies at Princeton 8 years apart. Both girls are drawn by the opportunities and connections they can build by joining the society. Little do they know these associations can also be deadly.

The Society of Lies was a thrilling book that kept the member guessing with many unexpected plot twists along the way.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown is a true rollercoaster of horror! This completely fictional story takes place at Princeton University. It involves two fictional college societies…Greystone and Sterling club…and what a who done it it is! The death of Naomi is the source of the question of “what’s going on”, and is prevalent throughout the novel… the ending…well, you’ll have to read it to find out!

A stunning debut that combines suspense, acadamia, and family dynamics. The exploration of privilege adds depth to the narrative. A gripping tale.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is well done, but not exactly a fun read because, even though I know unintelligent, lazy people succeed all the time not because of talent but because of money and connections, it’s not enjoyable constantly being reminded how unfair the world is. If you’re in the mood to escape from yucky reality, this isn’t the book for you.

Maya is ten years older than her sister and graduated from Princeton a decade before her sister is about to graduate from the same Ivy League school. Maya tried to warn Naomi away from the secret societies she herself was a part of but can’t explain why since she did some dubious things while wanting the advantages and connections that a woman of color whose parents passed away and doesn’t come from money can’t otherwise get. Instead of coming to the exciting graduation and meeting up with old friends, Maya is confronted with the death of Naomi that she doesn’t believe is an accident.

One challenge is that this is told in three timelines. One is just before Naomi dies, and the other two are from her older sister Maya’s POV, ten years ago when she herself was a student at Princeton, and today, after her sister is found dead. The POVs are first person, and Maya and Naomi don’t have distinctive voices, so if you have to put this down in the middle of a chapter, it takes a minute to reorient yourself into what year and character you’re reading.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES AUGUST 13, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/ Ballantine Group for an ARC of this book!
"Society of Lies" is a dual timeline novel of two sisters, Naomi and Maya, and both of their experiences at Princeton. Maya returns to campus for an alumni weekend to visit her currently enrolled sister, but is shocked to discover that her sister was found dead. Both sisters during their time attending university were involved with the "eating clubs" which are affectively, secret societies. Maya must come to terms with her past, and discover how much Naomi knew about Maya's time at Princeton.
Princeton as a campus feels like a character in the novel. The author spent a lot of time carefully crafting descriptions of the school, making it feel like it has an active role in the story.
I really enjoyed the multi-timelines. Even though we do not get much, if any interactions between the two sisters, seeing how the act in similar situations in each of their timelines solidifies the closeness. Furthermore the plot device of the timeline and the POVS made for a really engaging reading experience. The author was able to maximize the pacing and drama at each of the chapter breaks, making this book hard to put down!
I will say that I found the plot and the twist a little predictable. While the reading experience was enjoyable, I felt like I had read a book very similar to this in the past. I thought the twist/reveal at the end of the novel was not that gratifying as I was able to guess the ending. But, the excellent writing style kept me engaged throughout the entire novel.
I wish that we had a little bit more time spent explaining the "eating club"/society system. I was a little confused at some points when it came to distinguishing a few elements of the system.

This story is best read on a physical, paper book. The plot consists of two narrative POvs, plus two different timelines. I read this on a kindle and wish I could flip back and forth.
Otherwise who doesn't love a mystery amd secret societies?

Secret societies and mysterious deaths are totally up my alley, so I was really looking forward to hearing Maya and Naomi's stories involving Sterling Club.

While I like the back and forth timelines, I found it difficult to keep the timelines straight when some of the scenarios shared a lot of similarities. I often found myself going back to the start of the chapter to make sure I wasn't mixing up characters. The pacing was also a bit slower than I typically like. There's nothing wrong with that, but between the pacing and the character confusion, this book took me substantially longer to read than I anticipated.

With all that said, I would still recommend the book, you just need to be extra mindful of keeping the characters when you read it.

Publisher Random House kindly invited me to read this novel, so I tried it. Having completed the first quarter, I'm stopping. The story just isn't for me. The writing is professional--the prose clear, the dialogue natural--and many reader-reviewers have given it high marks. I'm sure there will be a solid audience for it. But the characters and subject matter haven't grabbed me, which is why I'm calling it quits.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Lauren Ling Brown, and publisher Random House for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

This was a very intriguing story. I enjoyed the multiple POVs/timelines and looked forward to finding out what was going on.

However, it was really long and got a little bogged down in some parts. The description of some of the academic schemes got so detailed that it felt like another story though I do think it was important to include

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

“Society of Lies" by Lauren Ling Brown is fantastic! Brown's storytelling is both gripping and thought-provoking, pulling you into a world where lies are currency and trust is a rare commodity. Her phenomenal character building and attention to detail will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about truth and deception. The characters are brilliantly crafted, each with their own secrets and agendas that keep you guessing until the very end.

This book is set at Princeton and focuses on a story that unfolds completely intertwined in the world of mysterious Ivy League secret societies. And a major highlight for me in this book is some of the themes Brown tackles - identity, race, and sisterhood. I really appreciated a perspective from a person of color. She did a fantastic job painting the picture of her characters’ experiences. There was so much attention to detail I could actually feel myself get lost in the story! It’s been a long time since a book has truly been able to do that for me. There was so much depth to this story, and it’s one that leaves you thinking long after you've finished reading.

With its intricate plot twists and sharp social commentary, "Society of Lies" is a must-read for anyone who loves a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride through a world where nothing is as it seems. Brown's writing is both razor-sharp and deeply insightful, making this book a true standout in the realm of dystopian fiction. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!

Society of Lies delivers a satisfying conclusion that ties up all the loose ends. While the reveal of the culprit may not have been a total shocker, the journey to uncover the truth was an exhilarating ride and there are plenty of other shocking pieces revealed that you won’t see coming. Overall, if you're a fan of mysteries with a touch of dark academia and a sprinkle of sisterhood, this book is definitely worth your time.

Thank you to Bantam Publishing and NetGalley for granted me access to this digital book in exchange for my honest thoughts!
The Society of Lies is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far! A suspense book that’s fast paced, set in the world of academia and influence, and follows a pair of biracial sisters as they navigate this tumultuous road is not one to miss!
Different than most books, I was not able to fully guess the ending.
Most importantly, it shows the importance of speaking out and reaching out if you see someone needs help.
5 stars all around!!!

The character, plot and were very well thought out and portrayed.

The book would have kept me invested, but I had a horrible time trying to keep track of who was speaking. I had to read and reread several chapters to try and keep in straight. Because if this I was detracted from the storyline and did not enjoy the book as much as I could have.

Three stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Bantam books. For this novel.

Expected publication August 13, 2024.

What a great thriller! I wanted to read all night. The characters were very well developed and Princeton University’ was depicted like another character in the story. It was chilling how everything hinged on the support of the eating society and who you associated with. Society of Lies is definitely one to read this summer, a real page turner!

Thanks to #netgalley and #bantam for this eARC to read.

Give me all the dark academia and combined with sisters and we have the perfect thriller! Stunning debut and I'm so excited to see more from this author in the future. Totally obsessed.

Interesting story about secret societies at a college campus and how far people will go to belong. The story is told by two sisters who are ten years apart, one alive and one dead. The characters are believable and the plot carries the story at a brisk pace. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I received an advanced readers copy from Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
#SocietyOfLies #NetGalley

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.
But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya’s worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on. As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister’s death, she begins to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya’s warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus—the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it. The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi’s decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya’s time at Princeton wasn’t as wonderful as she’d always made it seem.

I was amazed that this was the first adult novel by the author. The depth of her writing and characters was really good as was the description of college life. I kept wondering how the two stories would finally merge as I knew that they would and thought the author handled it very well. I hope she writes more novels. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend.

This is an interesting novel. I just struggled with the multiple point of views/timeline. There are a lot of beautiful quotes in this book that stuck with me. That alone makes it a 4 star book. I just am not smart enough for it.

"Society of Lies" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of dystopian fiction and political thrillers alike. With its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and timely themes, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the genre or simply looking for a riveting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, "Society of Lies" is not to be missed.