This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

I’ll just say it upfront; I loved this book. Witches. Supernatural thriller. Locked-room murder. Yes, yes, yes, please. I couldn’t put this one down until it was finished.

The Lies we Conjure is a fun, fast-paced thriller that will keep you hopping and guessing at every turn. I love a mystery which I cannot easily guess and one that doesn’t feel like cheating, and this book is exactly that.

Read the full review here: https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-the-lies-we-conjure-by-sarah-henning/

The dark fantasy, magical competition storyline has been done multiple times in the same publication cycle and while this was a perfectly fine iteration, it wasn't the strongest one to come out. None of the characters were overly compelling and the comparisons to Knives Out created a draw that didn't hold up it's end of the bargain. Overall, a solid rec for readers looking for more things like the Inheritance Games, but not a first tier rec.

During a meeting of witch families, the leader of the four lines is murdered and the remaining participants must solve clues to find relics and solve the murder before they can leave the grounds. Two unwitting participants, Wren and Ruby, had been recruited to attend this dinner by an elderly woman who wanted them to pretend to be her long lost granddaughters, and they may be pawns in a very dangerous game.

Great for fans of Inheritance Games with a fantasy twist!

The Lies We Conjure has witches... it has murder... it has magical intrigue.... safe to say I was EASILY HOOKED! I had so much fun with this novel and am so fortunate to get an ARC copy, I can't wait to see what Henning comes up with next!

This was definitely my cup of tea. 4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to Tor Teen and Macmillan for the advanced copy.

This book was gripping and twisting. Even when I expected part of the twists, the writing made me question myself over and over again. The magic system and the history was great. That there was so much backstory and context given to the story made it heavy at times, but in a way that gives weight and meaning. That you feel empathy where you don't expect and later anger due to attachment to the characters. I was on board for the entirety of this fun ride. The -.5 was for some minor pacing issues. Looking forward to reading more from Henning!

I was intrigued by the book when I requested it on NetGalley. Knives Out meets Inheritance Games with magic? Yes please!

Right away the reader is pulled into the story with mystery, murder, prophecies, deceit, relics, witches, magic with every turn of the page.

The stakes are high as Ruby and Wren are caught up in a spectacular inner battle with magical families on the brink of destruction. Power and control is a stake and everyone is a suspect. I loved the magical world Henning created. Full of legacy and danger. Auden was especially great. Ruby is so smart, even while her and Wren are throw Into this crazy world, they stay true to each other. The end was so great and such a great surprise.

The audio narrators, Barrett Leddy and Kristen DiMercurio, were fantastic. The tones and expression used for each character nailed what was written for their personalities and situations.

The twists and turns were excellent and so unexpected. I couldn’t have begun to guess what would happen next.

I received a NetGalley approval from the publisher for the ebook. I borrowed a copy of the audio on Libby. All views are my own. There is language.

Sarah Henning's THE LIES WE CONJURE is a fun, fast-paced mystery that would appeal to fans of Stephanie Garber and Adalyn Grace. The book is pitched as Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games but it that neglects the magical world that Henning has created. It feels like the best bits of later Harry Potter books with tangled family trees and secret magical gifts only some possess. Overall, a magically good time.

Two sisters are approached by an elderly woman who asks them to pretend to be her granddaughters for a family function. However, when they get there, they realize there is a lot more going on than they thought - including magic.

I loved the premise here, but I don't think the book delivered on it. I was in with the first two chapters, but once they actually got to the manor, it really slowed down for me. It was ultimately just ok - not bad but not really what I was wanting based on the premise.

The magic in the book is super fun and the comps are spot on for this story! The relationship with the sisters was easy to follow and something many can relate to.

When I read Knives out meets Inheritance Games plus witches I was SOLD. I was SO excited to dive into this book, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The beginning moved SO quickly, and I spent more time questioning the sisters than actually getting into the book. They just trusted this old woman and said they'd pretend to be her granddaughters after not even 30 seconds of talking? I was also getting hung up on how none of the cousins noticed these twins had no idea what was happening and that they clearly weren't part of the family. That being said, it felt like so much was going on and at the same time nothing was really happening or progressing. Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this eARC.

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning is an interesting tale of two sisters who get invited to a Clue-esq dinner party where the murder of the host occurs. The sisters and other guests are then forced to detangle the web of lies and magic that hangs over them before anyone finds out they are not witches.

I always go into stories about magic in the modern-day hopeful, but I feel these types of stories are just not for me. The writing was good. The story was interesting. The characters fun. I just wasn't hooked. I've rated the book high because it has everything it needs to be a wonderful read, I just wasn't the audience for it.

I found this book to be a little confusing and kind of hard to get into. Ruby's personality gave me nothing to root for and I hated her sister. I did enjoy finding out the little history that was provided about the Hegemony/Witch dynasty families. Weirdly I kept getting European vibe from the story as if it was meant to be set there. I liked the twist at the end if I did find it sort of predictable. And I was left with way too many holes at the end.

The comp titles of Knives Out (doesn't everyone love Detective Benoit Blanc?) and The Inheritance Games immediately piqued my interest. Add in a locked-room murder and the supernatural angle, and this novel was irresistible.

The story starts off with a bang. Ruby and her sister Wren are paid well to stand in as the granddaughters of an older lady. It's an unusual job, but money is tight, and no one has seen the granddaughters for over a decade so their chances are being outed are slim. The dinner party takes place at Hegemony Manor, a place they've always been curious about. The dinner party is atmospheric and everything is just as they'd imagined in the house. Until it's not. Shortly after arriving, the hostess is murdered, their "grandmother" is nowhere to be found, and Ruby and Wren learn they're in a house full of witches. Unfortunately, the pacing slows considerably for several chapters after an explosive beginning.

With thirteen witches from various families, there are plenty of suspects running around the manor and its grounds as they try to solve the murder and secure power for their family. The murdered matriarch left instructions that her murder must be solved and the relics found in three days, which send the witches, Ruby, and Wren on a kind of treasure hunt. I liked the dynamics between the Hegemony cousins and the gradual reveal of what happened to their parents (they were raised by their grandmother, the murder victim). Ruby and Wren are polar opposites in personality, but they balance each other well in their sibling relationship. There are some twists I didn't see coming, and I admit I didn't guess the murderer until nearly the end.

With its slower pacing, this novel didn't work for me as well as I'd hoped, but that won't keep me from checking out this author's future releases. Recommended for readers who enjoy supernatural mysteries, locked room murders, and extensive suspect lists.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a good witches story, this book wasn’t a let down I liked that the story was very entering full of mystery. This book has of Magic and there is a spark of romance in it. You’ll find a story full of twists and turns!

I loved all of the tropes in this one! The locked room with witches and games is one of my favorites! I felt this was equally plot and character driven and was easy to read along. My one complaint is that it was a tad long, but overall I had a great time with it!

Ruby and Wren are sisters hired to impersonate the Blackgate sisters at a dinner party—what could go wrong?

This murder mystery with witches was a fun twist, and the sisters’ secret kept me hooked. Perfect for fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.

Great premise and a strong start, but the pacing fell flat. I wanted to love it more!

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning is a gripping blend of historical mystery and supernatural intrigue that keeps readers on edge until the final page. Set against a richly atmospheric backdrop, the story masterfully weaves themes of deception, loyalty, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood. Henning’s vivid prose and compelling characters make this a must-read for fans of twisty, character-driven tales. A hauntingly beautiful read that lingers long after you close the book!

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning? Lowkey obsessed. The mix of small-town secrets, witchy vibes, and messy friendships had me hooked. It’s giving mysterious, it’s giving drama, and the twists? Chef’s kiss. The atmosphere was so on point, I could practically feel the tension in the air.

Some parts felt a little predictable, but the strong characters and spooky energy totally made up for it. If you’re into witchy thrillers that keep you guessing, this one’s def worth your time.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book - definitely a fun YA feel to it. I did find it hard to keep track of all the characters and their magical abilities so a family tree of sorts would have been useful. Overall enjoyed the book and would press it into middle grade/high schoolers hands for spooky season!