Absolutely incredible, the world building and magic systems are unique and draw you in. The characters are relatable and have a lot of depth to them. There were many twists, the further along and more conflicted the situation became the harder it was to know what was real (similar to what the FMC experienced). I still don’t fully know which characters to love and which to loathe but in the best way.

I’m incredibly grateful to have received this ARC!

Den of Liars is a thrilling YA fantasy romance that had me hooked from the start. Jessica S. Olson crafts a world full of secrets, high stakes, and emotional intensity. The writing is sharp, blending mystery, romance, and adventure seamlessly. Lola’s struggle to balance loyalty, love, and the dark world she inhabits makes for an emotional rollercoaster, and I couldn’t get enough. The emotional connection between her and the Thief is palpable, but the complexities introduced by the Liar add layers of tension and drama. It’s a story about secrets, choices, and the blurry lines between right and wrong, with just enough romance and intrigue to to leave you desperate for more, and after that cliffhanger, I’m left absolutely dying to find out what happens next!

Argh!!! Two things I need to scream right now: I absolutely loved this book, and I’m furious that I only realized it’s part of a duology (or maybe a trilogy—who knows?) when I hit that cliffhanger!

This book delivers heart-pounding action, intricate twists within twists like Russian dolls, sharp execution, fast-paced storytelling, and a fiery enemies-to-lovers romance that lights up every chapter! Nothing is as it seems in this Inheritance Games-meets-Ocean’s Eleven with a magical twist, complete with thrilling mind games, dark secrets, and a tantalizing web of betrayal and trust between brothers. I couldn’t get enough, and I practically screamed for Jessica S. Olsen to release the next book soon—I need more of this magical casino world, the high-stakes Liar’s Dice Tournament, and the Devious Brothers’ mind games!

The story follows Lola St. James, daughter of a dangerous crime mogul who loses her identity in a high-stakes game of Liar's Dice - a tournament where players gamble their deepest secrets. When the rival Salazar family puts a target on her head, she's saved by Enzo, the notorious leader of the Tentacles, but at the cost of sharing her heart with him.

Reinventing herself as Astra, she transforms into an accomplished thief, dying her blonde hair brown and perfecting her skills in climbing and stealth. Meanwhile, she harbors resentment toward her father, who never searched for her after she faked her death. Enzo seeks revenge against his brother, known as "Liar," who cursed him to steal people's starlights (souls) and bound him to Lola's heart.
When Lola convinces Enzo to attempt a heist during the legendary Liar's Dice Tournament to steal a watch containing clues about a hidden moonshard, she's caught by Liar himself. He challenges her to compete in the tournament until midnight - a game she accepts while concealing her true motives from Enzo. As she navigates three increasingly dangerous challenges, she must contend with a sabotaging blonde competitor and Liar's hawkish surveillance.

The story takes an unexpected turn as Lola's growing attraction to Liar forces her to question everything she believes. Could he be a broken hero rather than a villain, sacrificing himself to protect something vulnerable?

While the cliffhanger ending may frustrate readers eager for resolution, it perfectly sets up the anticipated sequel. The strength of the narrative lies in its ability to constantly subvert expectations while maintaining a breakneck pace that never sacrifices character development or emotional depth.

Five stars, and here’s hoping book two arrives soon or that I get lucky with another early reading opportunity!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends for this unputdownable fantasy ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.