This was a pretty solid read. It had moments that truly sucked me in but otherwise I wasn’t all that interested in the characters. I wasn’t fully invested until chapter 19 and the pacing was a bit too slow for me. Still, it’s a good book that I would tell others to check out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I read Bittersweet in the Hollow and enjoyed it and as such, was excited to jump back into that world. Lies on the Serpent's Tongue tells the story of a new James sister, Rowan, and Hadrian. They are both dealing with issues stemming from the Bone Tree, which connects the real world to the Otherworld. Overall, I liked this story but struggled to get through the book despite its short page length. The pacing was a tad slow for the first 60% or so and I didn't feel like I learned too much about any of the characters as the story moved along. What this book does continue to do very well is create an atmospheric and spooky setting.

3.25 stars!

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Lies on the Serpent's Tongue on January 7, 2025.

This might be the first time in a long time when I wished a book were 100 pages longer. I also had NO IDEA I was picking up a sequel (I think it's supposed to be an interconnected standalone?), so it might have filled in some gaps had I read Bittersweet in the Hollow first. But this book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL for greatness if we'd just had a bit more time with the plot and characters.

The writing is gorgeous, the setting is super atmospheric and spooky, and I was really intrigued by the characters. But there were so many references to the first book to fill in certain gaps that I found myself confused at times. It felt like the previous book left off a massive cliffhanger, and this book picks up where it leaves off, but from a different sister's perspective. And while I love the idea for that narrative style, I just wish we'd had more explanation and time to get to know the characters within their own story.

I honestly can't say what I really learned about Rowan in this book? She has older sister vibes, can navigate the forest really well, is stubborn and hot-headed at times, and can smell lies. That's about it. I'm not sure what actual growth she went through? It almost felt like she was more of a placeholder for the reader to step into a scary Appalachia story.

And the romance was... not in the room with us? Once again, there are references to their past and interactions in THE PREVIOUS BOOK but we barely see them spend time together on the page in this book. Plus, he apparently reveals himself to be MOTH MAN at the end of the last book? And now he's the love interest in this book? Like girl what is happening.

The plot twists and suspense were great, but everything just felt so rushed because there were not enough pages of this book. Give me a 400-page book with all the lore and family history and relationships played out, and this could've easily been 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and PRH Audio for the ARC and ALC.

I thought this book had an interesting beginning but I lost interest at about 25%. I was also not aware that this book was a sequel otherwise I probably wouldn't have requested it.

I read Bittersweet in the Hollow earlier this year and really enjoyed the way the author described the setting and atmosphere of Caball Hollow. The characters were lovable especially the James women.

Rowan was not a major character in the first book and I was looking forward to her story in Lies on the Serpents Tongue. Though I enjoyed the book overall, the pace was a bit slow and it took a while to get into the book. I found the plot to be lacking and I missed the restaurant interactions from the first book. Overall, I recommend it if you enjoyed her first book and will continue to read her future books.

4.5 stars
——————

YES YES YES. I loved this book, making Kate Pearsall an instant buy for me.

I devoured this book in two days. I loved Bittersweet in the Hollow when I read it last year and this was such a well written follow-up. The setting and the folklore add to the plot and the ambiance. I love how this book interjects and elaborates on James family folklore throughout the book. Rowan’s gift is featured heavily and furthers the plot. Caball Hollow is such an interesting setting and plays into the book well. The small town vibes and this everyone knowing everything was really important to the plot and was handled so well. The expansion of this town and this world hooked me instantly. The plot as a whole was engaging from the beginning and maintained that interest throughout. There was tension and twists and both were well written. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, something twisted and I was back to questioning everything. The writing was even better than the first.

I love the characters and the James women’s connection. Rowan grows so much across the novel and her relationship with Hadrian is well developed, developing off of their strife in book one. I thought the buildup to the romance was interesting, though a little expected. There was good tension between them and I loved the evolution of them as people playing into the romance plot. Less miscommunication would have been nice, but I understand its relevance. We get the perfect amount of side characters and the sisters and their gifts are wonderful in the plot.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.

Wow. What a great story and a great follow up to book #1 in the series, Bittersweet in the Hollow.

I’m really excited for anyone who has read the first book to read this one. Or if you haven’t, go ahead and read book one before this one comes out.

My only issue was a slight pacing issue, but that could have been a “me” thing. Other than that, I loved every single minute!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam for providing the ARC!

Once again, I am obsessed with this series. Hadrian and Rowan are an iconic duo that create such interesting lore to Caball Hollow. In the last two days I have spent reading this series, it has become instantly one of my favorite series of this year, and MY GOD I cannot wait to see where it goes.

Kate Pearsall does such a fantastic job creating a Tim Burton-esque cottage core environment in Caball Hollow. The love story between the characters is so BEAUTIFUL and I am just so excited to see Juniper and Sorrel’s story. Hadrian and Rowan are such complex characters and I love how everything doesn’t tie up in a neat little bow, that there is more to explore and add onto, especially with auntie Z. I’m seriously in love with this series and recommend ANYBODY to read this.

It’s got murder mystery, it’s got romance, it’s got intrigue, it’s got found family and bad ass sister family dynamics and I am OBSESSED OBSESSED OBSESSED.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for supplying me with an egalley and finished copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
When this popped up for request I was super excited. The publisher had sent me the first book to read and review and I really enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. So when I saw this I jumped on the chance to get a copy. And then a finished copy showed up in the mail for me and I knew it was meant to be.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, stop here as there may be spoilers in this review with regards to that book. And this book picks up right after the first one ends, so you'd be lost if you didn't read that one first! The world that is established in that book as well as the developed characters can only be understood if you have read these books in order.
After the tumultuous summer the James girls had, things are finally settling down. But the Moth Winged Man, always a myth in Caball Hollow but now made real, is still haunting the area. The myth is definitely a reality. While the first book focuses on Linden and Cole, this book focuses on Rowan and Hadrian.
Rowan James continues to scent lies on people tongues as they tell them. And things are not what they seem when she takes a job to help the forest rangers be on the look out for poachers. She isn't expecting to ever see Hadrian Fitch again but he ends up in her path anyway, flitting between her world and the Otherworld. Together they try to solve the mystery of the slowly dying Bone Tree while navigating their attraction to each other.
It's nice that Pearsall does not simply focus on a romance between Rowan and Hadrian. She builds the world out more than what we saw in the first book and gives the characters the space they ned to grow and develope. At the same time, I do wish there was just a bit more of them in that capacity in this book. You can feel their pull to each other but the scenes aren't really there to back it up.
Pearsall does a great job continuing to build the fantasy world that is within the boundaries of Caball Hollow. I feel like the pacing of this one is a bit slower than the first. There were areas where things dragged for me a bit. But the tension, banter, and mystery made up for it and kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happens. One of the things that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was the fact that at some points the story line almost felt disjointed and confusing. I had to turn back pages a few times in order to truly understand what was going on or what had just happened.
Pearsall does a great job with describing the area, though. I've not spent time in this part of the country and I really felt as though I was right there. It was easy to picture the area in my mind.
The ending leaves you seeing there could definitely be a third book if the author chooses, though it does wrap up fairly well. I'm hoping we get to see the stories from the other sisters!
This series would be perfect for people looking for a bit of a spooky read during Halloween season!

While “Bittersweet in the Hollow” wasn’t a perfect read for me, it got a lot of things right, particularly with regards to the atmosphere of mystery and creepiness that surrounds Caball Hollow. I also always enjoy stories about a bunch of sister with magical powers, so there’s that. Rowan didn’t play a huge role in that story, but I was definitely intrigued by her character and excited to see where her story would go in this sequel!

So, to get it out of the way, this one probably came in at around or a bit below the same level as “Bittersweet:” in that, I definitely see parts that I appreciate, but it also failed to capitalize on its strengths in a way that would have elevated it to a higher level for me. But let’s start with the good, as always. Like “Bittersweet,” one of the biggest strengths of this book is its overall tone and the vibe of this small town and the dark woods that surrounds it. It worked out in a strange way that I was reading two books back-to-back with this general setting (Adrienne Young’s “A Sea of Unspoken Things” was the other), and I found that I appreciated the use of this setting just as much here as I did there.

Beyond the mysteriousness of the woods and the dangers it contains, I also liked the exploration of small-town life. Particularly, the challenge of living in a town with such a limited population where you know everyone, for better or worse. Forgive and forget becomes a necessity to functioning in an environment like this, sometimes for very practical, economic reasons, as we see here with the family’s café that depends on the town folk for business even if some of them have behaved in truly terrible ways.

However, as I read, I found myself really struggling with the pacing and some of the plotting of this book. It’s just a very slow read, taking a long time to really get started, with what feels like numerous “false starts” to the plot. Further, as I continued to read, I was dismayed to see so much time spent on events and characters from the first book. In some ways, Lindon was allowed to overshadow Rowan in Rowan’s own book, which is always disappointing. I’m not sure whether the author simply didn’t have a robust enough storyline for Rowan herself or what. But I do think this book may have been more successful as a novella or shorter companion piece. As it stands, it feels as if Rowan was short-shifted as a main character.

In a similar way, the romance was very lackluster. It wasn’t bad, and I did enjoy moments with the romantic lead. But at the same time, I failed to really feel any chemistry between these two characters. I felt as if I was being told they were developing feelings for one another, but I wasn’t getting any of that on the page. For a character like Rowan with her particular ability with lying, there should have been plenty of material to build a complex romantic relationship, so it was disappointing to see the book flounder in this way.

Overall, this was an ok read. If you enjoyed the first book and Lindon as a character, this one is probably worth reading simply for the large emphasis on the events of that book and that character. If you were hoping for a truly fresh-feeling story and a clear development of Rowan as her own character, however, you may find yourself as disappointed as I was.

Rating 7: The story shines with regards to its atmosphere and mysterious vibes, however, weaker characters brought it down a bit in the end.

Link will go live on Jan. 10 on The Library Ladies

Absolutely LOVED this book. The tangled family tree. The sisters and all their foibles and fierceness. The special abilities and otherworldly environments. Couldn’t put it down! When is the sequel coming?

3.5 stars, rounded down

I had high hopes for Lies on the Serpent's Tongue since the setting and atmosphere of Bittersweet in the Hollow had been so beautifully written, but sadly, after reading it, I feel very much the same about this one as I did the first one.

The descriptions of Caball Hollow and the surrounding national Forest were immersive and well-done, but the plot was thin and underwhelming, and it didn't really grab my attention. It felt like we were getting parts and pieces of a dozen different smaller mysteries, and then instead of taking the time to work through them, we were simply told how they were resolved. It also relied heavily on rehashing plot points from the first book, and the story here didn't have much to stand on on its own. The pacing was incredibly slow, up until the ending, which then felt rushed by comparison.

The romance aspects are no surprise considering there was so much tension and build-up between Rowan and Hadrian in the first book, but their relationship just felt a little off to me here, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is that I didn't like about it.

All in all, this wasn't a bad read, I just wouldn't go into it with high expectations.

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is unlike anything I've read before, weaving a unique blend of supernatural gifts, Appalachian folklore, and raw emotional stakes. Rowan James’s ability to smell lies is a striking narrative tool that brings a tangible tension to every interaction. It’s refreshing to see a protagonist grappling with such an unusual skill, which shapes her relationships and amplifies the story's complexity.

What stood out to me was how the Appalachian setting becomes almost a character itself, steeped in mystery and secrets. The atmosphere is haunting, and the small-town dynamics feel authentic, layered with gossip, suspicions, and long-buried truths. The story’s exploration of family, trust, and identity makes it resonate on a deeply personal level, adding layers to the suspenseful plot.

Rowan’s interactions with Hadrian Fitch are captivating, especially as their connection shifts between wary distrust and reluctant alliance. Unlike other supernatural or fantasy books I've read, this story doesn't rely on heavy action but rather on the slow unraveling of secrets, which kept me intrigued. The supernatural elements, like Rowan’s lie-detection, are seamlessly integrated into the narrative without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.

One minor drawback is that Rowan’s unique gift takes a backseat in the latter half, as the plot veers towards solving the town’s mysteries. While I would’ve liked more focus on her lie-smelling ability, the compelling central mystery and rich character dynamics more than made up for it.

This book felt truly original compared to other supernatural or mystery novels, offering a perfect balance of eerie folklore and heartfelt drama. For readers who enjoy deeply atmospheric settings and thought-provoking character journeys, Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is an unforgettable read​.

The plot of this moved relatively slow for my liking. I liked bitter in the hollow, so I was excited for the sequel, but it sort of disappointed me. I love the Appalachia setting and the dark fall vibes, but it was hard to trudge through at times and at other times confusing.

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

4.25/5
Thank you @penguinteen #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

This is the second book and follow up to Bittersweet in the Hollow and I devoured it just like the first one! I just love the premise of these characters! Rowan can smell people’s lies and Linden can taste other people’s feelings. How fun is that?! Ok so back to this book…they initially were not thrilled when one of their most disliked enemies showed up on her front porch. Her first instinct was to mad and push him away but with him being beaten and bloody she second guesses that impulse to get rid of him. She senses something amiss in the surrounding woods and soon other townspeople are losing their memories. Something is certainly not right in this Appalachian town so when a body shows up in the middle of town Rowan knows the clock is ticking to sort it out!

I loved the creepy vibe and eerie sensation I got while reading this book. The characters are fierce and fiery and unique in their special powers. The setting makes this feel like a folklore gothic tale that is more os a magical suspenseful mystery! I certainly hope this series continues because I am invested in this series. I also want to point out the cover art on these books are stunning! 🤩 I highly recommend both of these books and can’t wait for more!

3.5 Stars
This book follows Bittersweet in the Hollow and continues the story of the James women in Caball Hollow, in the West Virginia mountains. Each of the women in the family have some sort of 'gift' and Rowan's is that she can smell lies on the breath of the person telling it. This makes for a difficult time in trusting anyone.

Rowan takes on the volunteer task of readying a cabin for fire watchers in the National Forest. The staff that usually prepare it are busy with ginseng poachers and multiple accidents on National Forest land. The cabin is near the Bone Tree and Rowan continually sees odd things that shouldn't be in the area, such as magpies, and adders, causing her to wonder if the Bone Tree is the reason. While there, Hadrian returns and shows up on her doorstep, the victim of a violent beating. He enlists her help to find out who attacked him and hopefully fix the Bone Tree before it fails and releases what it is holding. To complicate things there are many others out in the forest, looking to capitalize on the Moth-Winged Man stories, and increase their fame.

I wanted to like this book as much as Bittersweet in the Hollow but I didn't. I missed the interactions with people in the restaurant, and the southern small-town flair of that book. Don't misunderstand, I still recommend you read this, and I will read the next one by Kate Pearsall when it comes out, as well, just missed some of the depth of the first installment..

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of Lies on the Serpent's Tongue from NetGalley for an impartial review. Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want this book to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

A fantastic end to one of my favorite duologies. I couldn’t get enough of the James family and Cabal Hollow in Bittersweet in the Hollow and was so happy to return in Rowan’s POV. Pearsall’s writing is beautiful, and the mystery is well-plotted, somehow simultaneously slow-burning and fast-paced. An atmospheric, well-crafted novel I’ll be thinking about for a while.

I always enjoy anything by this author because of their lush descriptions of Appalachia, folklore, and this incredible witchy, feminist family. I also love it when a series jumps into another character’s head in the family for new perspectives. As always, the abilities of these characters are extremely unique, And despite having these gifts, they still act like teenagers about solving mysteries. I also especially enjoyed Rowan’s connection with Vernie as a mentor.

That said, I really loved this first book in this series and I’ve been struggling not to compare the two, but I think the first was stronger. I miss the amount of mountain wisdom/Farmer’s Almanac entries of the first at the most basic level, but there are a few things here that I struggled with after I read the last page. Don’t get me wrong, I was a good book that I had trouble putting down but the thing I find that commonly happens with slow burns is that things are really slow until you get to about the 70% mark and then it’s breakneck speed to close all the loops In a way that doesn’t always feel satisfying or fully concluded or is suddenly solved easily after a lot of hand-wringing.

That becomes even more difficult when there are a lot of things to solve, and I think this plot was doing a little bit too much between the bone tree and the poachers and the magpies and the Wompus cat and the Mothman and family connections to the other world. I also think that some people who haven’t read the first book are going to have a hard time figuring out why the love connection between the main character and Hadrian happened so deeply and quickly.