Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the electronic ARC!

This book had me hooked almost immediately. I found the magic system interesting, I was pleasantly surprised by the spooky vibes, and I'm a sucker for dark academia. I appreciated the discussions about mental illness, power and society, but I feel that there were other conversations that were not fully explored. I would have appreciated more development in this respect. I am also left with so many questions! I feel that many crucial scenes were not referenced later in the novel, and because of that, I am unclear on the connections between characters and the significance of certain imagery. I want to know more about this world because I did have a blast there.

I loved this book. It 100% will not be everyone’s cup of tea but it totally hit on what I love. Magic school, dark academia, morally grey characters and much more. The themes can be dark at times and it took a bit to really settle in to the book but once I did I couldn’t put it down. Lennon is so interesting and it kept my attention all the way through. Would love more. Adding to our library 100%!

Eerily Southern gothic and thick with a magical harshness that stings, AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS is Alexis Henderson's best story yet.

Set in a school which has been hidden in a secret pocket behind magical gates in Savannah, Georgia, students study "persuasion" or the art of inflicting one's will and intentions on another person, or even matter.

Desperate and suicidal, Lennon gets a phone call directing her to appear for an interview for Drayton College. After completing a series of unusual tests, she enrolls and begins to study with other brilliant but troubled students and professors, including her handsome and mysterious advisor for whom she feels a powerful attraction. Lennon finally feels she has found her place in the world, and becomes a gatekeeper, or someone who can influence time and space, but will she use her exceptionally strong will for good or will her darker side emerge victorious?

This title is quite dark, with themes of mental illness, parental abuse, physical violence and teacher/student relationships. It is not recommended for children or teens but if you an adult reader intrigued by magical colleges who has enjoyed other dark academia titles like The Scholomance by Naomi Novik or Atlas Six by Olivie Blake than this one is your next read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced electronic copy of this title in exchange for a review.

𝔸𝕟 𝔸𝕔𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕃𝕚𝕒𝕣𝕤

This book was quite the wild ride. It took me a moment to fully immerse myself into the narrative, but once I did I couldn’t put it down.

Lennon was a character that I both loved and hated and it’s honestly what made her so compelling. The times when I was most frustrated with her decisions were the times when she was most insecure, and the reason I felt so strongly about her actions was because of all the empathy I felt for her. Lennon is perfectly imperfect in a way that anyone can relate too.

𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘴, 𝘸𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭.

Drayton is essentially Hogwarts for adults. A beautiful, hidden campus filled with every amenity your heart desires, all expenses paid. Throw in a guaranteed position of power upon graduation to a bunch of twenty something’s who’s futures were mediocre at best, and you’ve got the perfect recipe a dark academia that leaves you questioning your own morals. Which is honestly one of the reasons k enjoyed it so much. Over and over again Lennon is asked the same questions: where do you cross the line from right to wrong when it comes to manipulating free will? and how much power is too much? This novel was truly thought provoking and left me questioning myself again and again during the entire read.

My only hang up is that there were certain aspects that I would’ve loved more clarity on. Nonetheless, it wasn’t enough to convince me to put the book down, or change the way I felt about the experience. A must read for anyone who enjoys dark academia and I look forward to reading more by this author. Overall 4.5 ⭐️’s

Thank you to NeGalley and Berkely Publishing for my free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: September 16, 2024

Dark academia. Morally grey love interest. Folding the fabric of time. Creepy vibes and an ambiguous ending. I loved the ride that Henderson took us on and I'm equally impressed and disappointed that every thread in the tapestry she wove came together to create a full picture. This story could have easily been stretched out over one or two more books, but I actually think I appreciate it more as a standalone. Lennon, our FMC, is perfectly imperfect and even when I was screaming for her to run, I could understand the decisions that she made. This is going to be a perfect spooky fall read and I can already tell its going to fly off shelves.

I enjoyed this book. The world building was interesting but I feel like it could have been richer if this book had a sequel or if it was a series. 3 stars.

There are points here where the weight of unassigned grief makes it almost unreadable. Still, worth slogging through, if you can.

one of the best books I've read this year. everything about an academy for liars was honed to perfection. It's a lesson in how to write a dark academia book. the pacing, the characters, the twists and the epic ending, it felt like I was watching a well made movie set in Drayton. watch out for this book to be the next big thing in the dark academia sphere.

This was such an interesting take on dark academia! I loved that the “magic system” was more metaphysical than actual magic. I loved the characters! I love an unlikable main character!

As a die-hard fan of dark academia and an avid follower of the author’s previous works, the intriguing plot of a hidden school in the heart of Savannah, accessible only to the chosen, teaching the art of persuasion, was irresistible. I dove into this adventure without hesitation.

The journey was long, yet I wished it wouldn't end. The story's progression, pacing, characterization, backstories, tension-building, balance of horror and paranormal elements, and a forbidden teacher-student love story captivated me entirely. It felt like I was reading an entire trilogy because there was so much happening: betrayal, lies, academic politics, secrets, and backstabbing. However, despite the multitude of storylines, everything merged perfectly at the end without leaving any plot holes. I have to admit, by the conclusion, I screamed “Run” so loudly that my house nearly shook. Thankfully, no mysterious elevator appeared, but the epic ending left me exhilarated.

This is the best dark academia novel I've read this year, and I couldn’t recommend it more. I hope the author writes a sequel because some details about the main characters' pasts could further illuminate why they are the way they are and what traumas drove them to their powerful states, beyond just being born that way.

Here’s a quick summary of the plot:

Lennon Carter, recently withdrawn from school and hospitalized after enduring psychological trauma, finally found love and got engaged at 22. But when she catches her fiancé with her best friend, she leaves, driving his car. Stopping at an empty mall lot, contemplating ending her life, she hears a call from a mall phone booth. Answering the call, she realizes it's for her, summoning her to Drayton College to participate in an entrance exam. This magical school is hidden in a secret pocket of Savannah. Despite the incredulity of an unsolicited invitation and an eccentric phone call, she drives eight hours, rides a magical elevator to the administration, and meets the charismatic and intimidating professor Dante. In his early 30s, covered in tattoos, he exudes smart bad-boy vibes and becomes her advisor.

Drayton’s lush, moss-draped campus, her new classmates—who become her first real friends—and Dante’s protective, mysterious charm make her feel at home. However, as she discovers her new powers, she learns that something more sinister threatens Drayton's existence. She must use her powers to protect the school but risks being destroyed by them. Additionally, some at the school have secret agendas to thwart her control. Can she harness her abilities without falling victim to the school's power plays? Read more to find out!

I’m giving this book my highest dark academia rating and eagerly await more works from this author!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing dark academia thriller’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

An Academy for Liars is probably my favorite book of Alexis Hendersons so far! This book immediately gripped me from the very first page and never let go. I could turn the pages fast enough!

Highly recommend for fans of dark academia and time travel!

This is already my top read of the year! This was an adventurous that seamlessly blends sci-fi and fantasy elements into a gripping narrative. And, Henderson’s ability to weave together different worlds is masterful. Overalls, it was a captivating and a thrilling read!