Such an amazing gothic book. Walter Goodwater is an amazing writer.
So original, with so many twists and turns that you never know what is coming next. Highly recommend

This book was probably one of the best books I've read this year. With it's fast paced, steady going plot and likeable characters, 'The Liar of Red Valley' brings a hint of fantasy to the horror world. In all honesty, I'd rate this masterpiece a 4.5 out of 5. The ending was kind of disappointing compared to the beginning but overall it was a great book. Red Valley is an interesting town and I still have questions about the plot holes / lies told in this book. The twist at the end was definitely worth waiting for and I'd read any other book by this author again. Props!

This book is about Sadie, the next in line of being the Liar of the Red Valley after her mum died of stage 4 cancer. Hours after her mum died, a lot of people are coming for her, specifically for the ledges of her ancestors where the lies are being written and a secret involves the King is written there. Sadie then told the secret that involves the King to the Sheriff and now everyone knows it. Red Valley is now in danger and it's up to her to save her town.

This book is so amazing and perfect in a lot of ways. The world building was fantastic and it's really unique. The pacing and writing was great and the characters were loveable. I love the twist in the end like that was seriously unexpected and shocking. The book made me feel a wide variety of emotions in a good way. Walter Goodwater is a genius and this book proves it! This book also got me out of my reading slump and I am happy to have been accepted to read and review this.

Going into The Liar of Red Valley I had certain expectations. Maybe this would be some kind of American gothic Eldritch horror tale about how Sadie, suddenly dealing with gaining this primaeval blood magic, crosses the King, an entity as old and shadowy as the land itself. However, Walter Goodwater has instead crafted a story that refuses to be boxed in by genres, for better or for worse. 

Sadie the Liar

Sadie is our protagonist and she doesn't have too much in life. She lives outside of town with her mother in a broken-down old house, working as a waitress at the diner in town and has one friend, Graciela. I really liked Sadie as a character, she's spicy. She stands up for herself when she needs to and won't back down from doing what she perceives to be the right thing, but she will hide when she recognises it's necessary.

Her mother is the hated and feared Liar, who contains the power to rewrite truth. For instance, changing somebody's hair colour, taking away a terrible memory, or even bringing back a beloved pet - though all of these things are not real, by giving a little of their blood and paying the Liar's Price which takes time off their lives for every lie told, everybody in Red Valley believes the lies, they become the truth. It's tough to describe but it makes sense in the book, trust me. 

When Sadie's mother dies suddenly, she finds herself needing to work out how to be the Liar, and fast, because the ledgers that contain everybody's lies are wanted by forces that Sadie cannot deal with on her own. She does not want them to fall into the wrong hands, which she fast learns are basically everybody's but her own. Rightfully so, she is afraid, but also stubborn. 

Atmosphere is Everything

My first impressions of The Liar of Red Valley were that it was almost as though Neil Gaiman wrote True Blood, and I think that is still partially true having finished the book. It has a very gothic dark fantasy vibe, and Goodwater has the strange imagination that Gaiman also holds, with just a hint of magic and wonder that I was not expecting. He's very good at setting a scene and the whole book is very atmospheric.

"Telling a Lie will become easy, with time. Too easy. Never forget that once it is told, there's no taking it back. Once it escapes from your head into the world, it has a life all its own."

Of Magic and Monsters

My favourite thing about the novel is how alive Red Valley felt. The town is steeped in strange and ancient magic that makes it feel like another world. Obviously, we see this in the Liar and the King, a presence of fear that nobody has ever seen, who rules over the area, but that's just the beginning. The King has his King's Men, his eyes and ears, seemingly undead men who drive around keeping an eye on the town, notarised by their mirrored sunglasses. The diner that Sadie works at is built around an immortal tree that heals itself of any damage. The Laughing Boys are those that allowed demons to latch onto them when the drugs weren't giving them enough of a high anymore. There are "things" in the dark, most of which we never meet but they're always there just off to the side, held back by the King's Peace if you're on the right side of the River. If you're on the other side? All bets are off. I loved that aspect of it, taking the good side of town and the bad side of town to a whole new level.

However it isn't just the monsters and the magic in The Liar of Red Valley we need to concern ourselves with, Undersheriff Hassler also has a mighty bee in his bonnet for all the weird things in town and really seems to have it in for Sadie. He is a bit of a caricature of that "mean cop" trope, but he fits in with the story.

I love how much thought went into creating all of these elements that made Red Valley feel so magical. However, as strange as it may sound, this was probably also my least favourite thing about the novel. As much wonder and darkness as many of these elements added, some of them also felt a little too much at some points as there were so many things being introduced and juggled, I found it a little overwhelming at times. 

Too Fast or Just Right?

Add to that the fast pace of the story. For the most part, I found myself enjoying how the story kept moving. It made for a very compelling and hard to put down read, and that is a tough balance to strike.

There were times, however, that I found myself dying for Sadie to have a quiet moment with Graciela, or somebody else. Maybe just a chapter of sitting back, chilling, talking about what's been happening, the future perhaps. We meet so many cool side characters throughout, after all. There were certainly moments like this but for the most part, it felt to me like Sadie never had the chance to breathe, almost like the story was tripping over itself to get to the ending when it could have slowed down a little, just a smidge, and taken a more atmospheric journey. 

Coming to the End (No Spoilerinos)

While I previously criticised The Liar of Red Valley for having too much going on, it has to be said that the way it all came together in the ending was pretty brilliant. There are things so subtly hinted at that you don't even see the twists coming. Each element seemed to dance around each other like ocean waves in a storm as they crashed and merged and became new waves.

Some of the threads we see wrapped up were super satisfying, while others were somewhat... odd. I didn't hate the way everything wrapped up, but I didn't love it either. It's very tough to put into words without spoiling so I shall leave that there. 

Overall, The Liar of Red Valley is a speculative fiction story about breaking the rules, fighting for what is yours, and belonging. While yes, I hold some criticisms of the book, on the whole, I really enjoyed my time reading it. There are a few things that remain mysteries to the end and considering how much gets answered, that can be frustrating but at the same time, I think some things should remain mysterious. That's part of the magic.

Walter Goodwater has a wonderful imagination and a really solid writing style that made this book a joy to read. If it has you interested, I can recommend it. Just know going in that there is grit to the story. It gets dark, it contains monsters, though it's more akin to urban fantasy or high fantasy than horror when it comes down to it. 

The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater releases through Solaris on 28th September 2021.

It's a story of a normal small town in America. Except it's not that normal, given that it's full of weird stuff like junkies who have actual demons in their head, a house which appears and disappears at various points and is ruled over by a mysterious entity known as the King. So magic and monsters abound.

Well told tales of realistic settings with crazy fantasy shit going on is right up my street. I'm going to call this genre "Fantasy in A Realistic Town" or FART for short. Robert Jackson Bennett's American Elsewhere is another one I love and I was reminded of it during this book.

Anyway the story centres on Sadie, who, following the death of her mother, has to take on the role of the Liar. The Liar basically turns lies into reality (ish) for the townsfolk...but at a heavy price.

Sadie struggles to come to terms with her new role, as various antagonists, both human and otherwise threaten her as they look to uncover or protect various lies.

My only real criticism is that the book could actually have been a bit longer...and it's not often I say that! But in this case, the end felt a bit rushed and some of the mythological characters who enter the fray in the final 3rd could maybe have done with some fleshing out.

But overall, my most enjoyable FART for a long time.

This book is a thrill of twists and turns and so completely unique! I love American Gothic style literature so when I read the description of this book I knew it was for me. This is a memorable page turner and the perfect book to add to your Fall to read list. I love that it also has those horror elements to it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

First of all thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book. This book had a pretty interesting concept and I liked the plot.

I loved this. Totally original with a fantastic premise. Part horror and fantasy, with fantastic pace, characterisation and ultimately completely absorbing.
Set in the dark and somewhat eerie Red Valley of California where things are very different. Nothing much goes on there in that it is run down and poor, but actually so much odd magical stuff happens it is hard to keep track of it all. There are but 3 main rules:

Don’t trust the Liar.
Don’t go in the River.
Do not cross the King.

Sadie suddenly loses her mother and unwittingly becomes the Liar of Red Valley. Completely unprepared she has to fathom out what it means to be the Liar, meet the King whilst feeling very alone. It is full of quirky world building, has a quest and is full of twists and turns that I would never have seen coming.

Sadie is a great character, true, feisty, reflective and intelligent. She continually evolves and surprises herself. She, despite this is warm, yet determined and almost an antihero in the eyes of others. There are scary beasts, demonic esque beings, time travelling Victorians and much more that creates lots of intrigue and action. It is deftly dappled with humour, as well as some endearing self-depreciation. Great escapism; enjoy the journey. It’s a cracker.

This one was... Weird. There were elements that reminded me of Simon R. Green's Nightside series - lots of bizarre magical beasties and unusual magical abilities, many of which are introduced seemingly for no other reason than to expand the cast of characters... It can make for a confusing and distracting read at times, but the plot and concepts here are original and interesting and there's a twist thrown in three-quarters of the way through that I didn't see coming for a hundred miles. It saved the story for me, especially considering the somewhat trite and tidy - and unbelievably quick, given the long build up - ending. It was an entertaining and quick read and would make for a cool movie or miniseries, as it would be visually stunning.

Thank you to the publisher for letting me review this book!
I sincerely enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to think when it came to this book and how I was going to enjoy it, but it had a few surprises for me that I didn't see coming!
Characters: I felt that the characters were fleshed out and diverse. Some issues that the side characters were facing I wish were given more time. I honestly wish that the side characters were given more time. I could read a whole book about the Grays to be honest. I want more from them. If the author wanted to write a book about Beto and his powers or even the elderly sisters who could magic, I would pick them up in a heartbeat.
Atmosphere: Walter did such a good job of setting up Red Valley and giving us this small town with lots of secrets vibe. Red Valley felt real and fantastical all at the same time.
Writing: Another strong point. I had no issues with how this book was written other than wanting more time with side characters.
Plot: The plot was very interesting and had me guessing of what's really happening during the whole book. I felt that the hunter at the end should've had a bit more to say and do, but the final battle was fun.
Intrigue: The intrigue about the King was done beautifully. We were given just enough hints spaced out nicely as the story went on. The twist about Sadie had me intrigued of how she works now. The book definitely had me hooked the entire time.
Logic: Not very logical in a real world sense. I would've liked to see some more explanation of the magic in the world. There was some real world issues mentioned in the book but none of them were really expanded on.
Enjoyment: I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to go pre-order a physical copy right now. I can't recommend this enough. The side characters in this book make me want more books set in this world. I will be keeping an eye out for those if Walter ever decides he wants to write them.

What a wonderful book.

I was transported to the magical town of Red Valley where there are only three rules: Do not cross the King; Never, ever go in the River; Don't trust the Liar. During the course of the story, all three rules are broken to disastrous consequences. Oh, but the journey is worth it!

With magical powers passed down through generations, Sadie becomes the new Liar in Red Valley when her mother unexpectedly dies. Not knowing exactly how her magic works, she calls on a long dead ancestor for instruction. She learns that a Liar grants wishes for people through lying for them at a cost of time off of their lives. Thus, she is seen as both necessary and someone not to be trusted or admired in this isolated community. Sadie soon discovers a secret about the King that is potentially devastating to the community.. Pursued for her knowledge, Sadie does the thing Liars are never supposed to do: she reveals a lie granted to the King. This sets off a war of evil creatures against townspeople with Sadie and a few magical of cohorts to hold the line and save Red Valley. They must win, but at what cost?

This is a well-crafted story and has many plot twists that one expects to find in thrillers. The characters are expertly drawn and the magic seemingly realistic. The tension is taut and and seamless. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. The publication date is September 28, 2021.

A creative mix of horror, magic and fantasy. The story is a good vs dark vs magic page turner with a nice flow. The main character is colorful and engaging, and the Liar made for an interesting concept. Goodwater impresses with colorful, illustrative storytelling and plot twists.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Walter Goodwater and Rebellion Publishing for the advanced copy of The Liar of Red Valley. #TheLiarOfRedValley #NetGalley

This mystery/fantasy/horror follows Sadie - a young woman who is unexpectedly made the new Liar of Red Valley. The Liar has the power to make lies into truths at the cost of only a little blood but with that power comes threats in multiple forms. Red Valley has three rules that every child learns while growing up - do not trust the Liar, do not go in the River, and do not cross the King - and when Sadie finds herself in a battle for her life and the future of the town of Red Valley, she just might consider breaking the rules.

I absolutely loved this book. Fantasy is a genre that I want to like but I find myself not meshing with it in book form (audio books are okay, TV or movies are much better). This book, however, hit the bullseye of very specific things I like in my fantasy books and the rest of the book came together so precisely that I ended up loving this story. I found this a really nice mash up of mystery, fantasy, and light horror that I think would appeal to readers of all those genres.

The fantasy elements, I thought, were introduced perfectly. The story is set in Red Valley, California so we are pretty grounded in reality. In fact, Red Valley is a pretty normal town that is just vaguely magical. There are some magical creatures, some people have magical powers, the King is magical, but we don't get into too many specifics. We get eased into the different layers and magical elements as the story progresses so I never felt overwhelmed or confused and the elements have a good habit of building on each other so I never felt tricked or cheated. We find out one tidbit, then have a bit of time to adjust, then we find out another tidbit, etc. I also really enjoyed the way the townspeople acted about the magic as well. Everyone just sort of accepts that magic is a thing in this town but no one really seems all that bothered to figure out the exact reason for it. There is a sort of reason given, but when it comes to questions like "why is there only one Liar", no one really has an answer, it is just how it has always been. I really enjoy that sort of *shrug* explanations when it comes to the magic systems in my fantasy stories. However, if you're a reader who really wants a deep explanation into the roots and history of the magic, then this book isn't for you. The fantasy elements were just accepted by the characters so when they were presented to the reader, I would just accept them alongside the characters. I was getting pretty solid Welcome to Night Vale mixed with SCP Foundation vibes for the town and I was onboard from page 1. The horror elements were pretty light and I found they leaned more toward creepy and slightly bloody. A lot of the fantasy elements leaned on the darker side (no bubblegum pink fairy godmothers here) so we get a good amount of creature horror. I'd say it was the same level of horror as a summer blockbuster zombie action movie.

The characters were really well developed and the side characters had really strong characterization which made it easy to sink into the narrative. We are primarily following Sadie throughout the book (but do occasionally follow some of the outside threats to the town as they arise in the second half of the book) so we see her interactions with the townsfolk and how growing up as equal parts famous but also a bit of a social pariah given the implications of being the Liar. Sadie does have a close friend and the two do a good amount of investigating together in the story. I thought their friendship was really well illustrated and while we obviously don't get a whole play by play of their whole lives, the way they interact shows the reader just how great of friends they really are. I really enjoyed Sadie's character and thought her development arc as the main character was really well done. I don't believe her exact age is ever given, but she had graduated high school in the past few years so I'd say early 20s at the oldest. I think a lot of the character development came from the fact that she'd been just living her life and following the rules the same way she'd always done when suddenly this extra responsibility is thrust upon her and she has to make the best of it. There were multiple times when someone would ask her if she was scared and her internal voice would say 'of course, I'm terrified' but then she's pull herself up by her bootstraps and actually give some sort of witty/vaguely threatening retort.

The ending was a little anti-climatic for me, especially given the ramp up of the events throughout the story. As mentioned previously, we are following Sadie 98% of the time, but we do get some outside perspective. My biggest complaint with the ending was that we stayed with Sadie instead of switching to one of the other perspectives. We follow Sadie as she is putting together the last pieces of information she needs and then continue to follow her as she sees the big climax happening on the other side of town. I wanted to see that big ending and since we had already established in the narrative that we do switch POV at times, I think getting a bit of those other view points would really solidify the gravity of the situation that Sadie was in. It also would have been a nice pay-off for the reader. Since we've been following Sadie through her investigation I was pretty invested in the outcome of all these plot lines converging only for it to come to the climax basically off page. I also would have liked a bit more of a gentle wind-down of the story. This ended pretty quickly after the ending climax and I generally prefer a chapter or two of the aftermath to see how all the characters settled in after the events of the story. We do get a really quick run through of how characters are feeling, but it felt pretty rushed and considering the whole plot of the book takes place in just a few days, I would have liked a moment where the characters could finally breathe.

The investigation and twists were really well done and I think they worked well with the fantasy elements. Most of the investigating was pretty much driving around and finding the right person to talk to which could have been boring but when the people Sadie needs to talk to are a bit odd and fantastical and every conversation answers some questions but leaves with others, it was a really fun ride. I really enjoyed how a few of the twists were big enough to change how Sadie understood the history of the town she's lived in her whole life but they also made her more resolved to figure out what the real truth is. I really liked how the process of the investigation really brought out Sadie's character and we saw her growth through going through all these trials without much preparation at all. There was a nice mix of her both succeeding and failing at certain points that also showed her growth. For me, this was first and foremost a mystery book with fantasy elements and it worked so well!
Overall, this was a really great read. Great characters, setting, and mix of mystery/fantasy/horror. I do wish we had gotten a bit more of a gradual ending, but I highly recommend!

Thanks NetGalley and Rebellion publishing for the ARC in exchange for review

Expected publication date is September 28, 2021

Intense, Creepy with many unpredictable twists.
This is fantasy/horror, a genre I'm finding myself more and more drawn too.
Sadie the main character has inherited the title of the Liar of Red Valley. The liar being an extremely gripping character facing many crazy challenges that just kept me turning the pages and the plot twists are fantastic.
This is so well written, the writing just flowed and I was completely addicted.
The whole plot and narration is totally unreliable and I just had to keep turning the page for more, the ending did not disappoint!

I 100% recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!.

#TheLiarofRedValley #NetGalley

4 Stars!

I really went into The Liar of Red Valley completely blind. The synopsis of the book was intriguing as was the cover so I decided to give it a try without really knowing what to expect. It is safe to say that I was far from disappointed in the novel.

Red Valley, California, may be the strangest place in the world but it is one that is ruled by three simple rules: Don't trust the Liar, don't go in the River, and do not cross the King. Everyone learned the rules when they were children but that help much truer for Sadie than for most. Sadie was the daughter of the Liar and as such held a special place of honor and contempt with the residents of the town. No one really liked the Liar but they respected and feared her. The town knew the relationship between the Liar and the King, or at least it thought it did. Sadie knew about the relationship as well until her mother unexpectedly died from a cancer she had been hiding. Now Sadie was the Liar and quickly learned that things were not as they seemed.

Sadie knew nothing about what it was to be the Liar. She had the duty thrust upon her and she was besieged by the warring factions of the small town before she could even come to grips with her mother's death. What did the king want from her? What must she do to learn how to become the Liar? And for that matter, what was the true function of the Liar? Throw in an undersheriff hellbent on disrupting the ancient balance of the town and dark forces that constantly nipped at the edges of the King's power and Sadie found herself forced in the middle of a centuries-old feud between beings she could barely understand much less comprehend. Sadie is forced into a deadly game that can only be won if she can unfold the secrets of the small town. But in the end, what is the truth and what is a lie could ultimately lead to death or salvation.

What I found in The Liar of Red Valley was a strange tale that would several narratives and perspectives into one tale so that it felt like it was wandering along the edge of chaos but manages to never fall into the chasm. Goodwater keeps the reader on the edge of his seat by switching scenes and perspectives often so that the reader has to think to keep up. The book moves quickly but not so quickly that it leaves the reader behind. It did make me take a deep breath at times and backtrack as I felt that I had missed something, but Goodwater controls the story with a deft hand and never lets it stray. This is not a run of the mill story. It is not an easy read. It is fast and entertaining but it does take thought to unravel as more and more elements join the story at breakneck speed as the truth continues to warp and change. I am not really sure how to describe the story except to say that it is not what I expected at all and the only expectation that held true throughout was a constant changing to the storyline.

The Liar of Red Valley is full of demons and monsters and mythical beings both semi-human to completely alien but that is not what makes the story so engaging. It is almost as if every element of the story is a commentary on the human condition and the world we live in. From the Laughing Boys with their similarities to drug addicts to the King and his archaic relationship that is a mixture of symbiosis and leeching, there are a lot of parallels to the modern world that Goodwater throws out there to force the reader to think not only about the story but the "real" world as well. And then there is the Liar. What is the truth and what is a lie? That is the question that is central question of the novel and the answer may be that everything in the novel, and in the world in general, may be little more than small truths built upon greater lies that pull them together. The Liar of Red Valley is a complicated narrative with a strong moral element but also a fun story that it is easy to lose oneself in. The novel is highly recommended for those who are not afraid to question the truths they find in the world even as they lose themselves is a dark world of fantasy.

I would like to thank Solaris and NetGalley for this review copy. The Liar of Red Valley is scheduled to be released on September 28, 2021.

The Liar of Red Valley started out strong, creating a great atmospheric setting that sent chills down my spine as the story began to unfold. Characters were rich and complex, and the mystery of "The Liar" and the strange dynamics in the town kept me guessing.

However, the story stalled out for me in the middle and I had a hard time becoming fully invested again. The ending did pick back up though, but by that point, I had already lost my interest in the overall outcome of the story.

In Red Valley, you can make any lie become 'true enough' as long as you pay the Liar's price. When Sadie's mother dies, she inherits the role of the Liar of Red Valley and she becomes involved in the war between the King and the law as they fight for the town's control.
And while this dispute is going on and Red Valley wilts and succumbs to other paranormal threats, the town people are kept in place with three simple rules:
Don't trust the Liar
Don't go in the River
Don't cross the King

I have to say this book took me forever to finish because 1) PhDing is hard and 2) reading slumps are not great. But I decided to wake up at 4AM today to finish it and I did it in one sitting (me is currently sad, this was so much fun).

The Liar of Red Valley is fast paced, fun, creepy, and really well written. Non-spoilery list what is good/I loved:
- The characters and Sadie: dang I loved all of them. The King was creepy as hell, yet very likable? The re's a time traveling gay couple that I would die for. And Sadie is just charismatic, sarcastic, and just fun - one of the best main characters I've encountered in ages.
- The atmosphere: this is a contemporary gothic horror tale set in a small town surrounded by a river (or should I say, The River?).
- The twist(s).
- The ending: dang this was a <i>good</i> ending. I am here pleading to Walter Goodwater to continue the story because I just need more Red Valley.
- How it all made sense. I was scared of reading this book because I was not sure I udnerstood what the Liar was supposed to do from the synopsis and the book did a perfect job at explaining the role. World-building was perfect in the sense that everything is kept secret and all the creepyness came of not knowing which threats were approaching or their names (or their shapes!), it really felt like you were one of the towns people somehow and sort of being "well the King better solve this because I don't even know what this is or if this is a thing, thank you".

Anyways, 100000% recommend this book to everyone who's into darker themes and wants to read something fun.

PS. Dear Mr Goodwater, you're not reading this, but if you do, pease write a sequel. Or a prequel. Or whatever. Thank you in advance and have a good life.

Thanks to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for an advance copy of this book. Thanks also to Walter Goodwater for writing it. It was a pleasure to read.

The Liar Of Red Valley is a cleverly written horror story with a bit of fantasy thrown in. The lead character is engaging and leads you through the story nicely. There are some unusual characters and plenty of twists. The concept of the Liar is brilliant.

This is an easy read, one of those books where you think, just one more chapter.

I rate the book as 4.5 stars but I rounded it up for the originality. Well done, Mr Goodwater.

This is one of those books where leaving it to go be an adult with responsibilities, only resulted in me not being able to stop thinking about it.

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to NetGalley and
Rebellion/Solaris for the opportunity.

I have my own blog now (Daysinotherworlds.com), so please do give it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)

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This is one of the more unique reads of 2021 for me, and the best part of this experience is that it grabbed hold from the first few pages and refused to let go till the very end. Every time I would go and try to be productive, I'll find myself thinking of it and that's for sure one of the markings of a great experience.

The starting premise of the book is intriguing enough with the Liar of Red Valley having the ability to make any lie come to life for a price, and it's made insanely entertaining with the amount of elements the author decided to add to it to really give it that magical realism or urban fantasy feel to it with the inclusion of weird phenomena, gods, monsters and of course, magic.

Like Sadie, I only learn the very basic elements of what makes the Liar who they are before the adventuring begins, but it's done in a way that doesn't make it feel like the information is withheld because the author wants it to, but more so on the gradual learning curve of learning it with the protagonist. The reason I say this is because, when the information is available to be learned; Sadie is going to learn it right then and there with me alongside her, without a need for a part of that specific information to be kept secret and that's something I appreciated so much.

The power of the Liar, the rules, the different entities I mentioned earlier and their abilities, special locations, the lies themselves and of course, Red Valley all have secrets or something to be learned about them so not being hindered when I needed it to understand before moving forward was brilliant.

There are a lot of things to go through in this book, and getting a question cleared before moving on to the next one kept it fun, engaging and appropriately fast paced to also incorporate the horror elements surrounding Red Valley. There is a very specific structure to the town and trying to change or challenge that isn't exactly going to go through without bloody or deadly results, so having a protagonist who is stuck in the middle of all of this conflict, was incredibly fun to read about.

I do have to add a nitpick here even though I had a ton of fun and it's in regards to a discussed rule, that gets followed up by a big reveal; mainly because it makes that reveal feel akin to a plot hole. I spent a long time thinking about how it could work out, and with the established information it sort of doesn't at all, but maybe it depends on the "object" in question? Maybe, but I am still not totally convinced of that.

That being said though, it's technically minimal to the book as a whole and it doesn't affect the fun whatsoever, so in the end, it's still a winner in my books.

I do believe that what made it as fun, happens to be Sadie herself. I personally, won't say that she changed a lot from the start of the book till the end of it, if at all, but even then it doesn't really hurt the book in any way. She's headstrong, resourceful, smart and isn't exactly afraid of a confrontation nor was she gullible. She does of course, end up in messy situations all over the book, and is in danger for the duration of it, but she still ended up being an enjoyable character to be around.

There are several characters and entities that I got to meet over the course of the book and they all ended up bringing something to this book to make it more entertaining. I'm not going to go into details about any of them as almost half of them have some hidden secret that I think should be discovered through reading it, but I will say that this book added something that a lot of books seemingly neglect to have when including a female protagonist, which is a healthy friendship with another female of a simialr age. I mainly read fantasy so it might be the genre I'm reading that isn't as great in including this, but still, it can be better in this regard and I enjoyed it in the book.

The author is thankfully not stingy with the battle prowess of the characters and creatures he created in this world, which ends up giving me a huge chance to see the differences in abilities and them in action before everything gets wrapped up. Because of how many things end up happening in it, I got the feeling that the journey was longer than it actually was, but I enjoyed myself immensely for that to ever feel like a bad thing.

I think it's pretty clear that I enjoyed it a lot and I would really love to visit this world again in some other way assuming the Liar's story is finished, depending on where exactly, it could end up being another fantastic experience.

Book review: The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodman 4/5
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for an honest review* and am so excited I got to read this book before it comes out next month. Because this gives me the opportunity to reccommend you the perfect fall read!

We follow Sadie our main character in Red Valley, a creepy gothic small town in California. That is filled with paranormal vibes. Everyone growing up in the town learns three rules:
- Don't trust the Liar
- Don't go in the river
- Don't cross the king

This sets for a very disturbing atmosphere as you want to find out what it all means!! Sadie's mother is the Liar as the previous women in her family were. This means that people come to her for magical deals with the "devil" (king). She writes the lies for these people in her diary and seals the deal with blood. These lies can be very small things like changing appearances, but also very big disturbing things like forgetting loved ones. And it all comes with a price. However in the end it is still a lie. "A lie can do a lot of things, but it can't make cancer go away".
When Sadie's mother passes away, she becomes the new Liar and is keen on finding out what the three rules mean so she goes confront the king. Who is defenitly not a person, let's keep it at that. On this journey Sadie is being hunted by people and magical creatues (very scary ones) for the Liars' diaries since everyone wants to protect their lies. Luckily she does not have to fight this battle alone since she has her best friend and brujo brother to fight with her for the truth.

This book was amazing I flew through it the author did an amazing job of combining magical elements, with fantastical creatures, philosophical ideas and racisim.
I loved this books so much that I already preordered the limited signed edition with sprayed edges from Rebellion. You should do to!!