I really enjoy fairy tale retellings, and this one had a lot of promise. The book started strong - I thought it was great when Ash separated the fairy tale "fact" from "fiction" (glass slippers & pumpkin carriages). However, early on the book took a slow turn and - for me - it took a really long time before it finally picked up the pace again. I thought the last third was terrific, I'm glad I stuck around for the conclusion.

The story of Cinderella is as timeless as her glass slipper. But what if it were a scam? What if she and her stepsisters used their charm, wit, and magic to change the course of histo… I mean, their place in society?

Thief Liar Lady reveals Lady Aislinn’s rise from poor, scullery maid into a mysteriously beautiful future princess wasn’t quite as full of magical pumpkins and mice as legend would have one believe.

Rather it required far more calculated preparation and even a new name. It was an evening of masterful scheming and dark magic handcrafted by herself and her stepfamily – though for very different reasons.

D. L. Soria has created an enchanting reimagining of the legendary Cinderella tale. She brings to life two contrasting worlds on the brink of a second war – one of nobility and grace profiting from one of starvation and illness.

This Cinderella is far more worried about watching her back, playing the political game, and seeking revenge than she is about love. Or maybe she can have both.

Our heroine, Ash Vincent, is prepared to do anything it takes, including casting spells on the royal family, for the sake of human rights. Unfortunately, her perfectly laid plan is skewered by an unexpected true love rebel ready to do the same, and an evil stepmother willing to further the cultural and political divide for the sake of power.

As a born and raised Disney lover, this book captured my imagination and heart from the description to the end of the book. It’s the perfect adult fairytale. D.L. Soria unapologetically gets the crown and the gown dirty. I loved it.

The author slowly smooths on the layers of depth for each persona resulting in an intricately woven cast of multidimensional characters that remind us to never judge a person by their shoes or lack thereof. I am dying to tell you who I loved and why, but that would give spoilers. I don’t do spoilers.

Thief Liar Lady doesn’t shy away from digging into the deep complexities of life, family, and government. Don’t judge the book by its fairy tale cover. It’s a tale of espionage, political intrigue, and independence led by a reimagined Cinderella ready to fight for her beliefs whether she has a man or not. And she’d prefer not.

This adult book is perfect for adult Disney fans and fans of fairy tales and villains, especially if you like a princess who is a bit shrewd. This would be a good “beginner’s level” storyline for fans of espionage and political intrigue.

From the publisher:
I’m not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we wanted in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I’m in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created . . . and that could prove fatal.

There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.

My Thoughts:

i gave this book 4/5 stars.It's an interesting take on the Cinderella story. Happily Ever After isn't guaranteed. It's up to Ash aka Lady Aislinn to use her wits, charm, and magic to work towards that goal.

I thought it was interesting that magic is dependent on lustre - a substance that can be mined. How the lustre is used plus the willpower behind the spell affects the results. Ash has been using lustre to establish herself in the palace. As the book goes on, there is a shortage of lustre due to unrest among the miners. Ash must then rely on her wits and charm to continue to hold her place in the palace. Good thing her stepmother taught her how to do that as well as how to perform spells.

Overall, the book is well-written. It is slow a bit in the beginning as the stage is set. Later on, the pace picks up and maintains a good clip until the end. I found myself struggling a little in the beginning. Once I reached the point where the pace picks up I found myself reading late into the night to find out what would happen next.

I liked Ash more than her alternate persona Lady Aislinn. I think even Ash prefers to be herself than to perform as Lady Aislinn. Prince Everett who plays the role of Prince Charming falls for her as Lady Aislinn. He is next in line for the throne. Everett is okay, but the hostage prince shines. I especially liked that he has a dog that he treats quite well.

Happily Ever After is not guaranteed. Ash, along with her stepsisters, must make it happen if they can. I had a little trouble accepting the ending. But, it is still a good ending.

Setting wise, it's a little unclear. The time period strikes me as a little medieval, but they have running water in the bathrooms. I was happy for Ash and them that it's like that, but it occasionally brought me out of the book when it was mentioned.

Overall, it's a good book. It's well written though it is a little slow in the beginning, the rest of the book makes up for it. I liked the characters I was supposed to like and didn't like the ones we are supposed to find unlikeable. There are some characters that start out in one column and end up in the other as the story progresses. This makes it more interesting. If you enjoy retellings, this is an interesting one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review,

✨️ Thief Liar Lady ✨️

DNF at 65%. I tried very hard to get through this book but nothing is grabbing me. The tension between Aislinn and Rance was the only part of the story I was willing to read more for but even now, I think I'm throwing in the towel.

For me, I didn't care for having a Cinderella inspired story have an unlikable FMC (maybe it's just because I grew up loving the Disney version that having her be this person conning and taking away the princes ability to make his own choices just gave me the ick). I also didn't love that Ash hit the prince when they had an argument, violence with your "partner" even if it's fake to you was very off-putting and must have been very hot and cold to the prince where she's smacking him and then kissing him right afterward to make the wedding still happen.

This story, from start to finish, was interesting, entertaining and engaging. I really loved the different elements to this retelling and found myself wondering how in the world no one has ever had this take before! I love the "Cinderella" universe and always am up for fresh twists of well-known stories, but this one exceeded all of my expectations!

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

A Cinderella story with a real twist. It has the magic and the energy. This book is not in any way written for even young adults to read the language constantly bad words being used di not expect in a classic story. It has me reading couldn't put it down otherwise just was not happy with the language, It's a very different type of story with a very interesting ending to the book. Which I did not expect. I was happy with the ending. characters were very good. Plot was very different but pretty much the book lived up to its name.

DNF @ 52%.

I haven’t seen many spins on the classic Cinderella tale (in fact, the only one to date that I can think of is the 2021 movie with Camila Cabello), and I found the premise behind THIEF LIAR LADY to be fascinating. The book presents as a feminist rendering of the beloved tale, but unfortunately, the main character’s motives were unclear. Yes, you know that her grandmother is Elorian and introduced her to the cause, but why does she care? What does Ash want? The author even goes as far to state that Ash does not believe in the religious aspects of it, and therefore, I didn't feel that anything served as a strong enough motivator for her actions. If I am going to read a book about a group of strong-willed females striving to make their own way in the world, I want a more compelling protagonist. Beyond that, the magic system seemed more convenient than well defined. Had the plot moved faster, I may have wanted to continue the story, or if it was truly character driven, I would have loved to have delved deeper into Ash and her psyche.

I am incredibly grateful for the early copy and would not dissuade anyone from reading this. It simply wasn't for me. Thank you, Del Rey and NetGalley!

"Thief Liar Lady" by D. L. Soria is a captivating Sci-Fi & Fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a richly crafted world. With intricate storytelling and vivid descriptions, the author masterfully brings to life a universe filled with intrigue, deception, and unexpected twists. The characters' depth and the immersive setting make this novel a must-read for fans of the genre. D. L. Soria's "Thief Liar Lady" keeps readers hooked from start to finish, making it an enthralling addition to any Sci-Fi & Fantasy enthusiast's bookshelf.

I was a bit disappointed in this one. Normally I adore fairytale retellings, but I had a hard time getting into this book. I think it was because I had a difficult time connecting with Ash, the main character. She was sassy and quick witted, which I love in a character. But I also had a hard time truly believing her motives sometimes. The pacing was also a bit uneven for me. I feel like the beginning was really slow and then the end jumped a little too fast.

That being said, it was still a fun read and an interesting twist on Cinderella. I'm glad I was able to read it.

I've been sitting with this one for a while. I've always been a sucker for the retold fairytale trope (see: Ella Enchanted when I was a kid), so in theory, this should be incredibly up my alley. But this just doesn't hit home for me unfortunately. The idea of Cinderella as a conwoman is actually a pretty neat one, and what drew me in. However, the complex political maneuvering that Soria tries to do against the fairly hand wavy setting doesn't quite sit, and it feels like this was meant to be more of a romance (she's fallen in love with the prince's foster brother!!) than anything else, and I wish that it'd been framed more like that. It feels like a bit rough of a debut, but there's some interesting, solid stuff here (give me more of Cinderella and her relationship with her step sisters!).

This one has to be a DNF for me.

I found the story telling oddly paced - it was all telling, not showing. If this was a movie, it may have worked better, but having the narration as it was felt like I was so far removed from everything.

Additionally, the MC is apparently so well trained, so ready to do what she needs to do for her mission. Then she does something dumb and is like, "my stepmother always said ABC would be my downfall." Except it seems like everything she does falls under ABC and it was becoming frustrating to read.

This was such a disappointment. Hopefully this book finds it audience though, cause it really does sound like fun.

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Del Rey in exchange for an honest review.

Thief, Liar, Lady is an imaginative retelling of the life of Cinderella after she marries the prince or at least moves to the palace. Instead of being a damsel in distress, she uses her magic to weave a spell to liberate and improve the lives of mother people. Ash is supposed to be a princess and sometimes slips up, like when she speaks a language she shouldn't know. The magic in this book is called luster, and I think our Cinderella could have relied on it a bit too much and should have leaned on her strengths more. I found that the plot dragged a lot in places, and I was drawn to more of the story than I should have been. I saw that world-building needed more development; I wanted to know more about the political drama between the two kingdoms that Ash is trying to get back on track for this winter treaty. I felt we lacked much information and were supposed to accept certain things without an explanation.

This one was a little bit of a let down for me. The story was good, but it felt a little long and I was hoping our MC would be a little more cunning.

This was definitely not the book I thought it was going to be, but it was a fun - and very unique - Cinderella retelling. It's full of women who know what they want and are going to do whatever it takes to get it. It has a bit of a slow start, but after the halfway point picks up into an exciting faced-paced read.

One Sentence Summary: This novel reimagines Cinderella as a spy caught between her stepmother’s ambitions and the fate of an entire country.

Growing up, Cinderella was my favorite Disney movie, and I’ve always been a bit obsessed with the story, the idea of a lowly maiden magically winning the heart of a prince. Though I do prefer a lot less mutilation than the Grimm version offers. So, when I came across Thief Liar Lady on NetGalley, bearing a cover that just made me think of the Disney movie, I was quite excited by the idea of Cinderella actually being a spy. It turns out that idea and the stepsisters were the only things I actually enjoyed, though there are some reviews that absolutely loved all the things I hated.

Let’s start with our Cinderella character because this story is told from her perspective and the reader does spend an awful lot of time in her head as she tries to carry out her spy duties, but often tends to act as someone a bit too young and maybe a little too impulsive. Ash doesn’t always think things through. I liked the duality to her, what with her being Ash, the poor girl trying to get away from her evil stepmother, and Lady Aislinn, a dignified young woman worthy of being a princess, while actually being a pretty headstrong spy who let her heart lead her more than it should have. It was actually very easy to tease the three parts of her apart, but that might be because we’re in her head. There were times when the three slipped into each other, and that was fun, but, as a girl who had been so well trained by her stepmother and her grandmother, I felt like she made a few too many slips and just had problems keeping in character and not letting what she wanted take the lead. And things only got worse when she met her true love interest.

I liked Rance, the hostage prince from Eloria, even if he name kept making me think of a more unfortunate word. He grew up in this court, but was never loved or wanted in any way, even if he did call the younger prince, Ash’s betrothed, friend. I actually really liked him, but sometimes he just made me sigh. He has a soft, gentle soul and a razor sharp mind. He plays his chosen role in court to perfection and everything perfectly masks what he’s actually trying to do. He also has a dog he absolutely adores and will do anything for. Their bond was quite lovely. But he’s a little too noble, which tended to come into conflict with Ash’s plans. I think it would have been interesting to get into his head, because I always wondered how much he actually knew about Ash.

I had a lot of problems with their romance. Oh, it was sweet and a fun slow burn, but Ash is engaged to a different prince, Everett, who spends his entire relationship with her being manipulated with magic. Ash makes so clear how much she doesn’t love him and is using him for his status that I felt far more sympathy for him than any other character, so much so that the actual romance really bothered me. He tries so hard with court matters and with taking care of a lady he believed to have been highly abused, which makes her interactions with him sometimes annoying because she felt like she was mad for him believing the wrong thing about her even though that’s the story she gave him. Anyways, Ash and Rance’s romance just didn’t work for me. I could see how they’re kindred spirits and want the same things, but it bothered me because she’s making everyone believe she’s in love with Everett. It just rubbed me the wrong way, so I didn’t care for the way they fell in love as well as how their story ended. It made Ash feel too selfish and kind of mean to me, and it made the ending fall flat with how convenient it all was.

Thief Liar Lady is about more than the romance; it’s about Cinderella actually being a spy. It was fun getting to go back in time and see how she was trained both by her stepmother and her grandmother, but not together. Her stepmother only wants to marry Ash and her own two daughters to men who will essentially hand over control of the country’s resources to her. I actually really liked the stepsisters in this story. They’re not evil or particularly mean; they’re just a little self-interested and raised poorly. I loved their growth by the end, and theirs is a story I really liked. Ash was also trained by her grandmother, who came from the neighboring country, Eloria, that’s basically in tatters. She works with a secret group that’s trying to take back their country and care for their people, and they’re depending on Ash becoming a voice in the court through her marriage to the king’s brother. But Ash has her own interests, and she kind of lost me and my interest in her when she chose the more selfish route. She spent years being trained for all of this, and she just lets it all fall apart because of a guy. I do have to appreciate how steady she was in her decisions, but it made all of her training kind of pointless in some ways. It made the ending quite convenient and a bit anti-climatic. It also made me feel like I was crying for Ash to really use all of her spy training. She was far too unaware of too much for the position she was placed in.

I wanted to love this story, but it really just dragged on and on for me. I didn’t particularly like Ash. The world and politics felt a bit too removed, so I kind of filled in the world with my own imaginings of what it might look like. The magic was interesting at first, but quickly lost its luster after it was used, more or less, about the same way most of the time. The politics were interesting, but Ash kept getting thrust out of it all. I did enjoy some of the twists, but most of it felt fairly predictable, especially by the end.

Thief Liar Lady has a fantastic premise. I love the idea of Cinderella being a spy. Sadly, this story just didn’t do it for me, but is by no means a poor story. I didn’t like several aspects of it, but did absolutely enjoy others. I wish there had been more meat in the world building and less of the sticky web Ash wove for herself that she got mad at despite being its architect. I love Cinderella stories, but this one was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is loosely based off the concept of Cinderella. While this story is completely different retelling there are sprinkles of small things from the original. This is mostly a completely new different story. Ash (Cinderella) is after power and fortune. She is actually working with her stepfamily and step sisters. Like I mentioned this follows a completely different path than the original Cinderella story there are political tensions, the uprisings and rebellions, and a magic kingdoms are willing to wage war to obtain. Ash seems to be a very deep character that we get to really see she is much more than what her stepfamily wants her to be. The last half of the book flew by. It was enchanting. Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a bit of a struggle to get through. The premise of "imagine if Cinderella were actually a rebel spy trying to infiltrate for her country by marrying the prince of the neighboring country" had me hooked... but the execution was less than ideal.

Everything felt like it was going on for far too long, but things that actually needed explanation (why are the countries at war, what are the backgrounds of these countries, how did Ash and Grandma become part of the resistance, etc.) were left high and dry.

Rance was just an okay character, Everett was annoying, and Ash herself was getting to be too much for me to handle by the end of the book. When I got to the final 15 pages, I thought "there is going to have to be a sequel because there is no way this can be resolved by then end"... and I was proved wrong. Fade to black and skip ahead in time, and all troubles can be solved.

It wasn't a bad book, but there's no need to waste your time if you weren't planning on reading it anyways.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Thief Liar Lady by D.L Soria!

Loved the Cinderella vibes of this book, especially the mixed emotions and plot! It was clever to wove magic into the story, made everything much more magical and exciting. I really enjoyed the double identity, court intrigue and all the political side-plots!

Fast paced, entertaining read!