I wanted to read this book for 2 reasons: I have loved Sarah Henning's YA contemporaries and "Knives Out with magic" intrigued me. I'm glad I stepped out of my normal contemporary romance world and gave this book a try. I loved how it was set up and how the story developed. The characters and the mystery were a lot of fun. My only issue with this book is that the pace slowed down a bit too much at times. It took me a while to get through it because of that, but I still enjoyed what was happening and the way things worked out.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=4 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=3 | ⚔️=4.5 | 14+

summary: two sisters are asked by a mysterious old lady to pretend to be her long lost granddaughters for a few hours at a party; a murder, a disappearance, and the sisters are stuck pretending to be someone they’re not in the midst of a magical murder mystery

thoughts: really, really loved the first 75% of this!—complicated family drama, secret identities, locked room mystery, witches, all good things! I’m not totally sold on the ending; it was a little tropey in a way that didn’t fit with the clever genre-bending vibes of the first part of the book, but overall this was pretty great. yes. 🙂‍↕️

This was a fun murder mystery read. It was a fun twist with the addition of witches. The sisters bond was nice to read about

I really struggled with what to rate this one. Overall I enjoyed the story but it didn't wow me. It's been compared to Inheritance Games but with witches which I can see the comparisons but Inheritance Games had much better writing. I struggled to really connect with any of the characters. The magic system was a bit confusing and I think would have been better with more explanation. There were some contradictions and things that happened that left me questioning things. I also could have done without all the curse words, it took away from the story in my opinion. .

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun ride - definitely witchy Inheritance Games meets Knives Out. Some graphic violence throughout, and I did guess the ending twist but it was still a great read!

Sarah Henning's "The Lies We Conjure" is an exciting mix of mystery and magic. It follows sisters Ruby and Wren, just regular high school students, who get caught up in a dangerous situation at a grand mansion. They agree to pretend to be long-lost relatives at a fancy dinner party, only to find themselves trapped by a deadly curse after a shocking murder occurs. As they navigate through puzzles and secrets, surrounded by powerful witches, the suspense keeps mounting. Henning's storytelling is gripping, with a richly detailed world and characters you can't help but root for. "The Lies We Conjure" is a thrilling read that will keep you hooked until the very end.

The Inheritance Games meets Magic in this thrilling new YA Fantasy from Sarah Henning. Two sisters are inticed by a mysterious woman who promises to pay them $2,000 to impersonate her granddaughters at a fancy family dinner. The sisters accept but get more than they bargain for when the family matriarch is killed right in front of them at the dinner and their mysterious benefactor disappears. The girls soon realize they are surrounded by witches and are trapped in the mysterious manner. In order to escape, the girls must keep up their facade and work together with the witches to figure out who murdered the head of the family and find the family relics. This is a non-stop thrill ride from start to finish.

Ruby and Wren are sisters that are paid to impersonate the Blackgate sisters at a dinner party. They are hired by the girls Grandmother one day while they are working at the Renfare and youre probably thinking, what could possibly go wrong? Well a lot actually! This murder mystery was definitely different with the addition of witches (was not expecting magical realism), but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. This is perfect for fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Lies We Conjure is marketed as Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games and I can see where the comparisons come into play, but this one just didn't do it for me. I jumped ship at about 20% because of the following:

1. The MCs-two sisters. who I couldn't remember if they were twins or not twins, but the sisters they were paid to impersonate weren't twins or were they? You get my point.
2. So many characters to keep track of...there were cousins, parents, granparents, sisters, brothers.. You get my point
3. Some sort of magic that is related to the Salem With Trials, because I guess?

I couldn't stick this one out to see if it got better. Perhaps a reader more patient than I am will enjoy it, but it wasn't for me.

I wanted this to be better than it was. It wasn't bad, but it felt a bit slow. I didn't really get sucked in until halfway through. The biggest issue was a lack of connection to the characters — I honestly couldn't tell the voices apart in the two points of view, and I didn't feel like I knew or cared much as much about anyone as I'd like.

I did enjoy the Knives Out-ness of it all, and the witchiness, but I just wanted more depth.

Thank you Tor Teen / Tor Publishing for allowing me to read and review The Lies We Conjure! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Find my murderer. Find the relics. You have three days."

While working a summer job at a Renaissance Fair, Ruby and Wren are approached by Marsyas, a mysterious older woman, with an enticing invitation: she will give Ruby and Wren two-thousand dollars each if they impersonate Marsyas's grandchildren at a fancy party. With information about each of the guests and fake accents they enter the party unaware of the horrors to come. The host is murdered, the guest are witches, and imposters Ruby and Wren are stuck in a lockdown where they have to find the killer and four magical relics to lift the spell. If they do not complete the tasks and follow the rules of the will made by the High Sorcerer, they'll be forever locked in the estate and possibly killed for impersonating witches.

"We're trapped on an estate with nine witches, and someone-possibly one of those nine witches-was willing to murder an old lady in her own backyard to trigger some magical Easter egg hunt."

The Lies We Conjure is a mixture of Knives Out, Clue, and The Inheritance Games but with witches and magical elements. There are Four Lines: Elemental, Celestial, Death, and Blood magic. The Four Lines are in charge of finding the master relics of their magic following clues left by Ursula, the High Sorcerer, who was murdered at the dinner table. There is a bigger plot at hand, which I won't get into because of spoilers, but it makes for an interesting story I enjoyed reading about. There are two points of views: we follow Ruby with her sister Wren and Auden, one of the witches of the Hegemony Manor and grandson of Ursula.

"I can't believe our lives hang in the balance of what sounds exactly like the magical equivalent of a mood ring."

Marsyas abandoned Ruby and Wren, leaving them to figure out how to survive the three days and how to escape an inescapable barrier triggered by the death of Ursula. I really liked reading from Ruby's point of view and her sisterly bond with Wren as they try to navigate each day. Ruby and Wren are relatable and their decisions made were realistic for their age.

I did enjoy Auden's point of view as well. Ruby gave us an outsiders view whereas Auden allows us to see what the witches were up to in this murder mystery. Auden and Ruby begin to work together to try to find the hidden relics. In the time frame they have they feel an attraction to one another. I kind of wish the romance was either fleshed out more or non-existent. I might be leaning more towards non-existent only because I don't think the story truly called for one. I did like their moments together though.

The story-telling and build-up to the reveals were entertaining and kept me hooked. I liked the magic system, and the way it was used. The murder mystery itself made me think of a very cool Escape Room, that I wish was real except for the dying part of course. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I love the haunting Easter eggs the cover artist put in.

I recommend checking out The Lies We Conjure for those who love witchy tales, fast-paced murder mysteries, and constant paranoia.

4.75 stars

Title: The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning
Genre: Supernatural Thriller
Pub Date: September 17, 2024

Dual POV (1st Person)
Family of Witches
Unique Magic System
Murder Mystery "Whodunit"

My Review:

The Lies We Conjure is a locked room murder mystery/whodunit with a witchy twist! This was an entertaining, quick read, perfect if you love Clue, or murder mysteries in general!

🚨 repeated use of "JC" and "g**d**n"

3.5/5

Thank you so much NetGalley and Tor Publishing/Tor Teen for the digital review copy ❣️

Ruby and Wren are sisters that are pulled into a magical dilemma they never expected. It all begins when they're paid to impersonate the Blackgate sisters at a dinner party. What could go wrong?

This murder mystery was definitely different with the addition of witches, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Add on the sisters' secret (they're imposters), and I was on my toes! For fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.

Absolutely incredible! Knives out meets clue but add witches. This story hooked me from the very first page. Two sisters looking to make some quick college fund money make a bargain they will quickly come to regret. An ancient mansion, a gathering of magical families and a murder mystery lead to the girls having to use their wits to stay alive.

This was so good. I couldn't put the book down, I just needed to know everything. If this book sounds like your genre then definitely grab, no matter your age

When Ruby and Wren agree to attend a dinner party and masquerade as an elderly lady's grand-daughters, they never expected to wind up in the middle of a magical murder mystery, surrounded by witches. Can they figure out who killed their hostess without revealing their own deception?

I loved this book. The mystery plot was well-developed, the magic system was innovative and the ending was completely unexpected. If you like Jennifer Lynn Barnes, here is another great book for you!

I felt like I was reading Knives out almost! It was such a great read with a good mix of magical and non magical characters caught up together in this dual POV story. I did get a big confused as to who's POV I was reading but that only lasted the first few chapters, as it does for me with any multiple POV. I loved that we were in one location the whole story. I felt that it really gave you the chance to grow the idea and mental pictures and really understand where you were in the story and what was happening.

I originally wanted to pick this book up just based on the cover alone but after reading the description I knew it would be a good one! I was so hooked- this was such an interesting and entertaining read. Without giving any spoilers I think the ending wrapped up this dynamic plot perfectly! Love this authors writing style and definitely would want to read more.

I loved that these two unknowing girls ended up in the midst of a witch power struggle! The characters were all interesting and worked within the plot. I liked the alternating chapters as a device to share the points of view. Reading as a middle/high school librarian, I did feel like it got a little convoluted. I struggled to keep track of why certain things were happening, why the father of the girls was killed, which family’s magic did what, etc. I wasn’t even clear on how having all of the relics of power for each line let the owner control all of the other witches. I feel like if I was confused by certain aspects of this my students absolutely will be. Aside from that, I enjoyed the story and was glad the girls went back at the end for a reunion. I will purchase for my school but will tell readers that they might get lost at points and to power through.

Thank you Netgallet and Tor for the ARC of The Lies We Conjur.
What's not to love abput this book. Dual POV, witches, and a murder mystery! Not to mention the beautiful cover.