The promise of connections and security beyond Princeton is what lured Maya to join the Sterling Eating Club and the secret society harbored within it. In an attempt to come from next to nothing and create a future for her younger sister Niaomi, Maya is willing to do nearly anything. Jump ahead ten years and Noami is preparing to graduate from Princeton, but on the cusp of graduation she is found dead. And Maya knows it’s no accident.

This novel is a well written balance of each of the sister’s experiences at Princeton and how their relationship leads to the circumstances surrounding Naomi’s death. There is a healthy dose of dark academia, corruption, secrets and betrayal that keep this mystery and thriller moving right along. The mix of the timelines keeps you on the edge, turning pages to see what comes next. 5 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam and NetGalley. Thank you!

I love a setting of a gothic college campus. This story is filled with mysteries and secret societies and the secrets they must keep. The ending was a good twist! Also love seeing a person of color as the main character.

Society of Lies is a typical thriller for me in terms of the reading experience. It's entertaining and I flew through it in a couple days. This is a story about two sisters: Maya is back on the Princeton campus for her Reunion when her younger sister, Naomi, is a graduating student. Soon after Maya arrives on campus, her sister is found dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya starts to believe there’s more to the story. The first ¾ or so is a slow burn and felt like a campus novel with some suspense, which I loved! I actually didn’t even need the ratchet up at the end. I loved the behind the scenes look into the Princeton eating clubs scene and the secret societies within those eating clubs. There’s a super creepy and unsettling vibe here. We get a view into what it’s like to be a person of color at an Ivy League school, but also an elite eating club and the world of secret societies at elite colleges. There's excellent commentary about power, privilege, and the favor economy. Despite one minor plot hole at the end, Society of Lies is an entertaining thriller with some unique commentary on an intriguing and opaque corner of academia.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

I was immediately intrigued by the cover and synopsis. The Princeton setting was interesting. Unfortunately, the execution of the plot was underwhelming. It felt too long and convoluted. Marta was easily the most interesting character, but I didn't care about anyone else. I needed more tension. I needed to care about the characters in order to invest in their outcomes. This was just okay and largely forgetable.

Maya Banks returns to her alma mater, Princeton University, to see her younger sister graduate and to reunite with old friends. However, Naomi never shows up to meet her and Maya learns her sister has drowned in a nearby lake. Maya cannot accept that this is an accident and is determined to get to the truth, no matter what the cost to others or herself since she is hiding more than one secret from her time at Princeton.

This book alternates between Maya and Naomi's points-of-view and three different timelines. Both Maya and Naomi were involved in the same social club at college as well as a "secret society" that offers lifelong benefits to its exclusive members. However, both women learn that everything comes at a cost. Part of the book examines what people would be willing to do to get the life they've always dreamed of. This issue is even more complicated for Maya and Naomi who are women of color, wanting to fit in among the rich and privileged at Princeton.

The premise is intriguing and the story is suspenseful, in spite of some pacing issues in the middle. The frequent changes in point-of-view (every other chapter) and the similarity in what Maya and Naomi go through makes the story hard to follow. I sometimes had to stop and reread parts to be clear about whose story I was reading. Everyone in the book makes poor decisions, so it was hard finding someone to root for. I was invested in finding out what happened to Naomi and if it was related to a tragic event that occurred when Maya attended college. I was also surprised when the whole truth came out. This is a suspenseful thriller, and I hope to see more from this author in the future.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley, Random House, and Bantam Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and the Lauren Ling Brown for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication.

I can count the number of ARCs I have been provided that I have DNF'd. This being one of them. Since downloading the file back in March, I have tried to read Society of Lies several times and have not gotten past 20-ish percent.

I'm not sure what it is about the book that I haven't been able to connect with, but it has put me in a reading slump each time I've tried.

If there is ever a possibility that it is released as an audio book, I'll be keen to download it and give it a listen and see if that cures whatever is ailing me in terms of actually being able to get through Society of Lies.

Outside of my inability to push through, I was initially pulled in by the synopsis, as it does lend itself to being a great read. Secret societies and murder cover-ups are right up my alley. But alas, I stayed on the street.

I'll be giving this a 3/5 based on the synopsis alone. Hopefully in the future when I can get through it, this will jump to a 5.

A very sincere thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Lauren Ling Brown for the opportunity, again. I wish the book to have a massive success.

Thank you Netgalley & Bantam for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️

The story follows Maya, who returns to her alma mater for her sister Naomi's graduation. But when Naomi turns up dead, Maya's world is shattered.
Determined to uncover the truth, Maya digs into Naomi's life and discovers some shocking secrets. It turns out Naomi was part of a secret society that Maya had warned her against.
As Maya keeps digging, she uncovers a web of lies, hidden histories, and unsolved murders. It's like peeling back the layers of an onion - and it's fascinating.
What Worked♥️
🤩•⁠ ⁠The Princeton setting is incredible
🤩•⁠ ⁠Maya and Naomi's contrasting stories are so compelling
🤩•⁠ ⁠Brown tackles tough topics like race, culture, and belonging
What Didn't🫢
🫢•⁠ ⁠Some chapters end abruptly (what's with that?)
🫢•⁠ ⁠The plot gets a bit far-fetched at times
😶•⁠ ⁠Some loose ends remain untied
The Verdict
Lauren Ling Brown's debut is impressive! Despite some minor flaws, this thriller will keep you hooked.
Rating: 4/5 stars
If You Like
•⁠ ⁠Academic thrillers
•⁠ ⁠Mystery and suspense
•⁠ ⁠Stories exploring social issues

I’m always down for a dark academia thriller but this one was just meh to me. The overall plot was convoluted, there were way too many characters (and many of them felt entirely unneeded), and the ending was rather abrupt.

But I liked the dual POVs and timelines, and thought they both worked well together and were easy to keep straight. The story touched upon some important topics and said some profound things about race and privilege, especially in a college campus setting. And I liked how evocative the writing was - the atmosphere was unsettling and the prose was vivid. I’d definitely be down to check out more from this author, even though on the whole this was a bit of a miss for me story-wise.

Thank you to Bantam Books and Netgalley for this ARC. Society of Lies comes out 10/1!

Society of Lies was so good! It’s about 2 sisters a decade apart who get involved in the eating clubs and secret societies of Princeton. After the younger one dies, the older sister suspects that it wasn’t just an accidental drowning and the story weaves between their two points of view up until the mystery is solved.

Honestly I didn’t guess the killer until it was about a chapter or two from the end of the book. The unique thing Ling Brown did was provide a point of view from one of the victims up until right before her death.

Very good book. Such an intriguing setting (secret societies, who doesn’t want to know more about those?!) incredible job by Ling Brown.

Thank you, Bantam and NetGalley, for my free E-book for review.

When Maya learns of her sister Naomi's death, long-buried secrets she and her closest friends have sworn to keep resurface, haunting her present. Could her sister's tragic demise be intricately connected to the ominous events within the secret society Maya had warned Naomi about?

This captivating narrative unfolds through two distinct points of view, following a linear timeline that expertly guides readers through the events leading to a tragedy that eerily echoes the past. We're granted intimate access to Maya's journey, not just her present self, but also her formative years at Princeton. Paralleling this, we witness Naomi's own path unfold.

Both sisters struggle to find their place as they navigate a world that often fails to see them for who they truly are, owing to their mixed heritage. This poignant theme reverberates throughout the story, touching the lives of secondary characters who face similar injustices, adding depth and relevance to the narrative.

The intricate interweaving of lies and secrets builds a palpable suspense, punctuated by unexpected twists. The author masterfully drops hints and hooks that demand attention, compelling readers to backtrack and reassess their assumptions.

The ending proves to be nothing short of poetic, aligning beautifully with the title. As one lie is exposed, another is left to be buried.

This gripping tale explores the complexities of identity, the weight of secrets, and the far-reaching consequences of our choices, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful plot and richly drawn characters.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this work in exchange for my honest review.

I am a sucker for a dark academia thriller, which seems to be a growing trend in the literary world lately. "Society of Lies" was a well constructed story that kept me engaged. I wasn't wowed by the twists in the book and occasionally grew frustrated by the dual perspectives that often jumped around in time, however, it was still an enjoyable read. I did have to reduce some stars because the pacing was very off throughout the book and honestly, I couldn't make myself like either man character.

This wasn't for me. I tried to get into it and gave up about 20% in. The idea is solid but I didn't care for the delivery. It seemed like it was taking a really long time to get to the point. I may go back to it but at this time, I have moved on. Good effort but poor delivery.

📚: Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
⭐️: 3.5/5 (rounding up on #goodreads)

The gist: It’s Naomi’s graduation weekend at Princeton, and her sister, a fellow alumna, returns to campus to celebrate. The weekend gets derailed when Naomi is found dead, and all signs point to the sisters’ social club, the Sterling Club, having something to do with Naomi’s demise.

The good: This book has dark academia seeping from its pages. From the setting, to the plot, to the cast of characters, this is a dark academia book through and through. It’s an overall strong plot (despite pacing issues), with an ending that surprised me…

The eh: …but also an ending that left me with more than a couple questions and loose threads hanging. This read had its share of pacing issues (for a plot that gripped me, it felt slow), but its biggest issue is the dual POV. I found myself continuously confused which sister and which timeline was happening at a given moment, as not enough set them apart within the narrative.

Big thank you to @randomhouse - Ballantine & Bantam Books via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Society of Lies is out October 1st.

This story starts with what should be a perfect graduation weekend at Princeton University. Except the new graduate, Naomi, isn't at any events and is instead floating, dead, in a nearby river. Her sister, Maya, is devastated and is torn between her grief for her sister, and her flashbacks to her own time at Princeton many years before.

This story is dual told from dual POVs, and also a dual timeline. From my perspective, this made the story hard to follow. You're seeing Naomi, in the months before her death, and Maya in the present day, as well as Maya in her own days at Princeton and the Sterling Club. The characters are sisters and their voices were similar and this added to the convoluted feeling of this story. I feel the author would have been more successful in this if Maya had been reading an old journal vs flashing to another timeline altogether.

Race and past traumatic experiences also come up in this story. Both Maya and Naomi are half-Black and half-Asian. I didn't mind hearing about Maya's past, trying hard to assimilate into the culture at Princeton. But I was struggling to believe Maya wouldn't share some of this with her sister when she decided to go to Princeton. An overall theme is whether Maya's silence gets her sister killed, and that seems major enough to have talked about.

If you enjoy stories that feature dark academia, a slow burn, and family history, you'll enjoy this debut from Lauren Ling Brown.

Maya, a Princeton University alumna, returns to her alma mater for her 10-year reunion and to celebrate her younger sister Naomi's graduation. Tragedy strikes soon after her arrival when Naomi's body is recovered from a nearby lake. Maya doesn't believe that her sister's death was an accident. The story shifts to the days and months leading up to Naomi's death, Maya's time as a student at Princeton, and Maya's current search for the truth behind her sister's death as she's convinced Naomi was murdered. The biracial sisters, with deceased parents - a Chinese mother and Black father, had a strained relationship. While at Princeton, Maya was at first thrilled to be admitted into the university's most exclusive social group and its secret society, typically reserved for the ultra-rich, white students. But once she discovered its secrets, she was in too deep. The same group had also admitted Naomi, fulfilling her need for belonging. She, unlike Maya, would not live to see her graduation day.

In an impressive debut, author Lauren Ling Brown brings her take on dark academia in Society of Lies. Although it took some time to adjust to the frequent shifts in timelines and different points of view, this was a suspenseful story that kept me engaged. More than a mystery, the book delves into the bonds of sisterhood and racial issues. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was a great debut novel. I loved learning about the secret societies at Prnceton. Very good mystery that kept me guessing. Especially one of the last murders. It is multiple POVs so pay attention to the years if the names get you messed up.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4!

This was such a quick and well-paced book, to the point that I finished it in only two sittings. Recently I've been in a slump trying to finish a book so I picked this up as a fun little palette cleanser. I love thrillers in a college/dark academia setting, and I also love secret societies so put that together and I was sold.

I think where this book really shined was with the two characters Naomi and Maya. They felt very fleshed out, and I liked the commentary about being Black and Asian in society, especially when attending a high stress environment like Princeton. The atmosphere felt very rich, and it was a great book to read as the leaves are changing.

I think where this wasn't perfect for me is more with the thriller aspect. I felt like it was very clear where the author was leading us, and I wasn't really shocked which is what I'm truly looking for when I read a thriller. That being said, I think this was a great debut and I would definitely read more from Lauren Ling Brown!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the multiple POV and dual timelines, especially as someone who typically doesn’t read dark academia. I feel like it really worked for the story and helped add to the anticipation. I think this was a solid debut and I’m looking forward to reading more from Lauren Ling Brown!

This book had a lot of tropes that I like: dark academia, mysterious murder, secret societies, and unreliable characters, but this fell a little flat for me. Around the 20% mark this book got very slow and I found myself not wanting to pick it back up. It had dual POV’s, but it was hard to determine who was who because both Naomi and Maya had similar storylines. The cast of characters were a bit bland and did not add too much to the story.

The book picked up a bit after the 60% mark, but not enough for me to really enjoy this one. This also read very YA to me, it was a lot of college kids going to parties and just talking about parties and hooking up. Not really that exciting and it didn’t add any substance or depth to the characters. I didn’t find myself rooting for anyone or even caring what happened to Naomi.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Random House Publishers and NetGalley for an early edition of this title.

In this book you are following the stories of two sisters.
The youngest sister is a college student at Princeton that is a member of a 'eating club' (aka secret society). She is found dead days before her graduation under suspicious circumstances.
The oldest sister, who was also a student at Princeton and a member of a 'eating club' is on campus for the graduation ceremony when her sister is found dead. She suspects something is going on and tries to find out who is responsible for the death of her younger sister.

Unfortunately for me, this book was not a hit. I found the sisters and their storylines WAY too similar. The book felt repetitive because you are switching between POVs of the sisters' experiences as a student at Princeton and they were too similar. I often had to go back and verify which sister I was reading about.

I also didn't feel like the book was a thriller or have the dark academia vibes that were being advertised. The book felt more like a college drama revolving around social clubs.