I think this was a read that was solidly in the middle of the road, for me. The beginning was a bit slow, and it took some time to really get into the story. I also found myself...not very attached to the story? I never really felt sucked into the story at all, maybe because I was just a bit confused by the world-building and setting. Around the midway point was when the novel really picked up for me, and I did begin to enjoy it a lot more. I don't know how many people will push through the first half, especially because the difference in pacing and enjoyment is only noticeable in hindsight.
Super great cover, too!

Knives out meets magical locked room murder mystery when two sisters take up the job of pretending to be other people at a party only for bodies to start dropping... and did I mention this was a gathering of witches? Ruby is a seventeen year old girl and her sixteen year old sister Wren both are middle class working students who get an unexpected job opportunity while working at the local Renaissance festival. Ruby desperately has been saving money for college so when a stranger offers her and her sister $4000 to pretend to be her granddaughters at a family party, it should be easy money right? Ruby is weary but needs the money while Wren is absolutely on board. The job is simple: one night, pretend to be her granddaughters, deflect conversations, and that's it.... or is it? During the party the hostess ends up murdered and the gates are locked... and surprise surprise it turns out the gathering was for 13 witches from different families and with the hostess dead a magical curse is placed that ensures no one can leave until they both solve her murder and the riddles she's left behind.... in thre days or be forever trapped on the grounds. Ruby and Wren are completely over their heads now, they are regular humans now stuck in a house with witches who have magical abilities... and the person who hired them has abandoned them. Now they'll have to find a way to keep the act up and survive the weekend, catch the real killer, and absolutely avoid falling for the cute guys who are determined to find out the killer. With all the suspects trapped in one house, the clock ticking, and a murderer amongst them.... can Ruby save herself and her sister before it's too late? This started off really interesting but the pacing got a bit slow and the mystery itself felt a bit muddled in the middle. I previously read a book called These Deadly Prophecies that absolutely nailed the "Knives out meets magical murder mystery with a dash of romance" and felt that that book did it better. This one wasn't bad it just wasn't as great. I didn't like the characters as much and honestly, Wren got on my nerves so much. Ruby was a fine protagonist and the romance was light, the mystery was my main focus but it just didn't feel all that well laid out and paced. Overall it's a fine mystery magical read for YA readers who want a bit of knives out with witches and a touch of romance.

Release Date: September 17,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The beginning was a little slow for me. It started picking up around Chapter 17, and that's when I started to feel engaged by the plot and the characters' dilemmas. Throughout the book, I couldn't get a truly sold grasp of the worldbuilding and lore. I really loved the plot twists near the end, though. The last half of the book unfolded so well, and I was hooked at the end. I loved the wrap-up chapter that ties all the loose ends together.

When a family gets unexpected invited to a dinner. This “magical” family doesn’t know what to think when the matriarch of the family ends of dead during the dinner. Thing start to get even more creepy when words from
their grandmother beyond the grace ask for the family to solve her murder and no one will leave until it is solved. Will any of these witches be able to use their magic to solve the murder? Is the grandmother the only one that ends up dead?

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for the chance to read The lies we conjure by Sarah Henning. The summary stated that this was a Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games and since I loved The Inheritance Games I had to pick it up. Ruby and her sister Wren are approached by an eccentric old lady to pretend to be her granddaughters for a "family" dinner party. The money promised was too good to pass up but when the matriarch dies during dinner, the sisters realized they are trapped in the manor with four families of witches.
I thought I would really enjoy this read, but found the plot was over complicated and the pacing slow. As this is a YA book it may appeal to the teens. 21/2 stars rounded up.

I received a gifted eARC of THE LIES WE CONJURE by Sarah Henning from Tor Teen.

Publication Date: 9/17/2024

THE LIES WE CONJURE is set in a world of witchcraft. Ruby and her sister Wren are recruited by a woman to pose as her grandchildren for a formal dinner. The resemblance is uncanny and the finances offered are much needed, so they agree. What can one evening hurt, right?

When they arrive on scene it turns out this dinner is actually the meeting of four witch families, those responsible for four lines of magic. Things quickly go off track when the woman hosting the dinner is murdered, the fake grandmother has disappeared, and the entire estate is cut off from the outside world until the lines' relics can be found and the murderer revealed.

This was pitched as Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games so I of course had to pick it up! I think the comps are accurate, though this didn't quite have the humor I expected from the Knives Out link. The process of finding the relics finds the competing families and family members working to solve riddles or clues all while trying to survive and find a murderer.

I initially found this a bit hard to get into as there was a lot to learn. We're switching back and forth between Ruby and one of the teen witches and much of Ruby's POV is her and Wren trying to get up to speed on the fact that they are meant to be posing as witches with no knowledge of magic. Once we got caught up on the different types of magic, the pace of the book picked up quite a bit for me and I made it through the second half much faster. Still, it never fully drew me in.

Overall I think this had a lot of interesting concepts and magics, but it left me wishing for a little more depth to the characters and a bit faster of a pace. I would absolutely read more from this author because I think she has a lot of really creative ideas!

THE LIES WE CONJURE is out today!

Content warnings: poisoning, blood, loss of parent, mind/body control by another, confinement against your will

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

While I did really enjoy THE LIES WE CONJURE, I think it could have been edited down a bit to make it about 50 pages shorter. It's missing the blunt and brutal quips of KNIVES OUT so while that's not a bad comparison for this novel, I was expecting a similarly paced plot which I didn't get.

I'm with Wren and her fascination with Hegemony Manor and how it HAS to be haunted. I wish more of the hunt for what the group was looking for took place within the house because I wanted more descriptions of it. The murder and subsequent mysteries were interesting, I enjoyed Ruby and Wren trying to stick with their con while everything falls apart while also being legitimately swept up into the main plot of what is happening between the Four Lines. The outcome was satisfying as was the resolution of who did what and why. While there is some romance in it, I do appreciate that this is a fun locked room (of sorts) mystery that I can hand to teens that don't really want kissing books unlike it's other comp THE INHERITANCE GAMES that goes heavy on the romance.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and I'd love to see this turned into a series - I think that would be a lot of fun.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review.

The author describes this as shades of Knives Out which I can agree. I also would add Inheritance Games. Regardless i love both so this was such a fun read. She does a great job of creating the magic and adding suspense. It was a very enjoyable mystery. I wonder though if there could be another story in this world. If so, I would read it.

Thank you @torteen #partner for the free copy of this book!

Short synopsis:

Looking for a witchy book filled with games? This one may be for you then! This started out strong with an old mysterious woman asking two teens to pose as her “grandchildren” at a glamorous and high end dinner party…and they can earn money doing it! What’s so bad about that? The teens, Wren and Ruby agree and that’s when things go south. Very soon after things definitely change and these girls are left with anything but what they agreed to.

Thoughts:

I did enjoy the idea of this one. Locked room, games and witches!!💃 Yesssirr! This one started out really strong and sucked me in immediately as it was a fun concept as a whole. The plot had the makings of all of the things I adore in a book! Secrets, games, riddles, magic and some not so truthful characters! The characters in this one were all unique and interesting in their own way. I loved the mashup of fantasy, witchy, thrillery mix and enjoyed the dual POV. My only complaint is I do think this one could have been paired down to be a little bit shorter. Overall this book was very engaging and is being published at the perfect time of year! Get your witch on people! This one pubs next week!

Really enjoyed this one! And it's very spot-on to say it's 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Two non-magical teenage sisters pretend to be an old lady's grandchildren, last seen ten years prior, in exchange for some much needed college funds. They marvel at the huge mansion, lush gardens and grounds, set in Colorado's mountains. They do their best to fit in with the other 6 teenagers, and each sister soon finds herself flirting with one of the boys who live at the sprawling estate.

Then comes a murder during dinner. Then comes the magic: a Soul's Truth from the murdered witch and a powerful spell on the property which physically forbids anyone from leaving until the killer is found and 4 magical relics are located. Then comes the rules to the game and clues to find each piece. Then come the attempts at sabotage and misdirection between characters. Then come the additional murders. It is all perfectly 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Narrated by both Ruby, one of the sisters, and Auden, one of the teenage grandsons who lives at the mansion, 'The Lies We Conjure' has lots of 'YA Contemporary' feels, rather than 'YA Fantasy'. Auden makes for a wonderful book boyfriend, all good manners and knowledgeable about the grounds, magic, and family histories. Auden provides readers with all the background and context that Ruby wonders about and does not yet know.

Highly recommended!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. This was such a fun & thrilling read! I definitely got hints of "Knives Out" and The Inheritance Games, but it still was completely unique of a story. I loved the paranormal twist as compared to either of those stories as well. It was well written, the pace was great the whole way through, and I really loved the dynamic of the characters and how they each tied to the story. HIGHLY recommended for spooky season readers!!

"Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.

Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.

So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand - each - for a single night... Wren insists it's a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.

The hostess is dead, the gates are locked, and a magical curse ensures no one can leave until they solve both her murder and the riddles she left behind - in just three days. Because everyone else at this party is a powerful witch. And if the witches realize Ruby and Wren are imposters? The sisters won't make it out of Hegemony Manor alive."

Three things I love; magic, locked room mystery, and standalone.

Sarah Henning's The Lies We Conjure is a twisted story that is being compared to Knives Out and The Inheritance Game and I find no fault in either comparison except that the story mostly takes place in a locked manor with those who have magic. While working at a local Renaissance Festival, 17-year-old Ruby and 16-year-old Wren Jourdain are approached by an eccentric older woman named Marsyas Blackgate. The sisters are asked to attend a dinner party with her and in return, they will get paid a nice paycheck if they pretend to be her granddaughters Lavinia and Kaysa Blackgate. The only stipulation is they can't tell anyone.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this. Their hostess, Ursula Hegemony, the leader of the Elemental Line and High Sorceress, has been murdered, the gates to the Manor are locked, and a magical curse ensures no one can leave until they solve both her murder and the riddles she left behind in just three days. Because everyone else at this party is a powerful witch. And if the witches realize Ruby and Wren are imposters? The sisters won’t make it out of Hegemony Manor alive.

They’ve unknowingly walked into a sort of witches’ family reunion turned power struggle; everything is at stake, and being found out could have dire consequences. What starts as an innocent invitation to make some quick cash turns into a nightmare that leaves them trapped on an estate with a secret society of witches from 4 families; The Cerises, Starwoods, Blackgates, and Hegemony. Cerises are the blood line, Starwoods are the celestial line, Blackgates are death line, and Hegemony are elemental line.

Now, these sisters will have to do whatever it takes to make sure no one figures out who they really are, and make it out of this deadly game alive. The story is told in the POVs of Ruby, and Auden Hegemony who lives by the motto, "All rumors are assumed to be lies until proven true." Apparently, we can't get away from the serious older sister, and the carefree younger sister who just doesn't understand that trouble they are in even though they made a pack to stay together no matter what. The positive is that even though this is a hold your breath to see what happens next mystery, you will never guess who the villain is until it's right in your face.

Starting this book I was initially confused with all the characters being introduced. Once I got into it and got down who was who it was a very good book and read. I enjoyed the mystery and the intrigue of the book. The flow was fast paced and kept me thinking about it well after I had to put it down. Perfect book for the fall.

Thank you Netgally, TOR publishing and Sarah Henning for the ARC of The Lies We Conjure.

Review posted to StoryGraph and Goodreads on 9/9/24. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.
A round of applause to Sarah Henning for this book! Holy smokes! When I saw that it was described as Knives Out meets The Inheritance game I had pretty high hopes and this book didn’t disappoint. Ruby and Wren are extended an opportunity to make fast and what should be easy money by accompanying an older woman to a dinner party playing her granddaughters. What they didn’t expect was to stumble into a murder and a challenge to solve the murder and find magical objects if they ever want to escape the manor. With lots of twists and turns, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the world that Henning created. It was lush and full of so many little details that made the story even more fun.
This is a book I will be recommending to folks left and right.

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 9/17

Thank you so much to Tor for my advanced copies!

The Lies We Conjure is an addictive supernatural thriller that blends elements of Knives Out with a dash of magic. It’s a locked-room murder mystery featuring witches, non-magical imposters, and a deadly scavenger hunt.

The story follows sisters Ruby and Wren, who, while working a summer job at a Renaissance fair, are offered $2,000 each to impersonate the long-lost grandchildren of a mysterious woman at a dinner party. What was supposed to be an easy job quickly spirals into a nightmare as they find themselves trapped in Hegemony Manor with nine witches and a murder to solve.

This book is a lot of fun! It’s a witchy mystery full of twists and turns and a little romance. The pacing and world-building are perfect. Henning introduces the four magical lines and the key players at the party in a way that’s easy to follow. The story is told in Ruby’s POV, who is just finding out that magic is real while also pretending to be magical, and Auden’s, a witch and the grandson of the murdered host. His POV gives us some insight into the inner workings of the witch community and the people at the party.

The romance between Ruby and Auden feels underdeveloped, but the focus on the murder mystery and the magical relic hunt more than compensates. The plot twists and the intricate magic system create a thrilling, suspenseful read that feels like a magical escape room.

This is a must-read for spooky season, and is perfect for fans of witchy mysteries!

This book had an intriguing premise with a murder mystery dinner at a creepy manor and witches—what more could I ask for? I loved the setup in the first half, especially the dinner scene—it felt atmospheric and magical, and I was really enjoying the vibes.

However, the second half didn’t hold my interest as much. The pacing slowed down drastically, and what felt like several days in the plot actually only spanned a few hours. I also didn’t get the Knives Out vibes I was hoping for. While the magic and family dynamics were interesting, the info dumping made it a bit hard to follow at times.

Still, the story wrapped up nicely, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future.

“It’s a party, not a funeral.”…yet. 💀 (4.5 stars)

The Lies We Conjure is a fantastic paranormal high-stakes whodunnit, reminiscent of Knives Out + Inheritance Games with the classic privileged family stature meeting ruthless dysfunction (imagine handsome sweater guy’s character with magic? Big Yikes).

When financially struggling sisters, Ruby and Wren, are approached by an eccentric old lady and asked to impersonate her granddaughters at an annual family dinner for an easy $4,000, what could possibly go wrong?

Oh maybe it’s secretly a gathering of the most powerful witch families in all of North America? And someone has just decided to murder the matriarch during dinner? And now the whole estate is spellbound locked down until the murder is solved and some witchy relics are found? And if it takes longer than three days they will be trapped forever? No big deal…

Thirteen witches. Two non-magical sisters. A deadly whodunnit. Will Ruby and Wren make it out alive?

This was an absolute perfect start to Spooky Season.🖤

Thank you Tor Publishing Group, Sarah Henning, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy in exchange for a honest review. The Lies We Conjure comes out on September 17th.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sarah Henning for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Lies We Conjure coming out September 17, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. The summary really intrigued me. I thought the first half of the book was really good. I loved the setup of the mysterious manor and the dinner with a witch. I love witches stories. However, this book didn’t really work for me. I wasn’t as interested in the second half. Overall, I liked it, but I was hopeful for something different. I didn’t really get the Knives Out vibes. I would check out other books by this author though.

The Lies We Conjure has a serious undertaking. It delivers both Knives Out vibes with a deadly mystery, never knowing who to trust, and a locked room setting. At the same time it presents a magical society of witches with their own histories and powers. At the heart of The Lies We Conjure - and my favorite element - are two human sisters who were paid to attend and have no clue about either magic or witches. You can imagine they're in for A RIDE and also characters were can learn about the witches, and magic, through. The Lies We Conjure is multi POV and I do think that the other MC who knows WAY more can get confusing.