I love an academic setting and secret societies are one of my favorite tropes. I feel like this book went on too long and the twist wasn't unexpected. I enjoyed the back and forth points of view and it helped with the pacing. On the flip side the dual POVs was hard to follow because of the overlap between the characters and places. I felt no real attachment to any of the characters. They all seemed awful in their own ways. As far as themes in the book, I would rather the author had done more showing and less telling.

This wasn't my cup of tea. Unsure if I would read more books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Random House Publishing/ Ballantine/ Bantam for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

DNF @ 5%

I originally soft DNF’d, but after a few months, I realized that I’m not invested in the plot. I like when thrillers hook me from the beginning, but this one did not pique my interest.

Lauren Ling Brown's debut novel "Society of Lies" is a gripping dark academia thriller that expertly blends elements of mystery, sisterhood, and the complexities of privilege within elite institutions. Set against the backdrop of Princeton University, the story follows Maya, a Princeton alumna who returns for her 10-year reunion only to be confronted with the tragic and mysterious death of her younger sister, Naomi.

Brown, drawing from her own experiences as a Princeton graduate, crafts a compelling narrative that alternates between past and present, unraveling the secrets of the exclusive Sterling Club and the shadowy society within it. The author's intimate knowledge of the setting lends authenticity to the portrayal of campus life and the intricacies of social dynamics at an Ivy League institution.

The novel excels in its exploration of themes such as racial identity, the pressure to succeed, and the moral dilemmas that arise when ambition collides with ethics. Brown's multiracial background informs her nuanced depiction of characters navigating complex social landscapes, adding depth to the story beyond its thrilling plot.

While the multiple timelines and perspectives can occasionally feel challenging to follow, they ultimately contribute to the novel's suspenseful atmosphere. The relationship between Maya and Naomi forms the emotional core of the story, driving the narrative forward as Maya delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding her sister's death.

"Society of Lies" has garnered significant attention, becoming a Reese's Book Club pick and a national bestseller. This recognition is well-deserved, as Brown demonstrates skill in crafting tension and delivering unexpected twists that keep readers engaged until the final page.

For fans of the dark academia genre and those who enjoy mysteries set in prestigious academic environments, "Society of Lies" offers a satisfying blend of suspense, social commentary, and emotional depth. Lauren Ling Brown emerges as a promising new voice in the thriller genre, and readers will likely anticipate her future works with enthusiasm.

I appreciate receiving an arc of this book and definitely enjoyed it. Society of Lies is a thrilling and sharp exploration of deception, power, and the consequences of secrets in the dark world of academia. The plot twists and reveals kept me intrigued and wondering until the end. A bit slow paced at times but overall a good read.

Holy moly slow read, Batman!

Maya should be celebrating her sister's graduation from her own alma mater - Princeton, but instead she finds herself investigating Naomi's death. Maya's quest for the truth leads her to the secret societies of Princeton - specifically one that she was involved in while attending. Maya is convinced they hold the secret to who killed Naomi, but getting to the truth is proving both difficult and dangerous.

The dark academic vibes are strong with this one - ivy league school, secret society, murder, rich people acting ABSOLUTELY unhinged - it's all there. We also get dueling points of view - one in the present from Maya and one in the not-so-distant past from Naomi leading up to her murder.

Most of this worked really well. It was very descriptive and atmospheric and I felt like I was in the room standing next to the characters as they moved forward in the plot. However, the pacing was SLOW. Oy. It took some real muscle for me to get through. I also struggled at times to remember who was speaking, Maya or Naomi. Being sisters, it makes sense that their POVs were similar, but there were times where they were TOO similar and made it hard to follow.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown is a gripping dark academia thriller that explores the lengths people will go to in order to belong and the secrets that can destroy lives. Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, hoping to reconnect with old friends and celebrate her sister Naomi’s graduation. But when Naomi is found dead, the celebration turns into a nightmare. The police call it an accident, but Maya suspects something much darker is at play.

As Maya digs deeper into Naomi’s life, she uncovers unsettling truths about the sister she thought she knew. Naomi had joined Sterling Club, an elite social group at Princeton that Maya herself had once been part of. Maya soon realizes that Naomi may have been selected for the secret society within the club, which could have led to her tragic end. The more Maya investigates, the more she becomes convinced that Naomi’s death is connected to the dangerous secrets Maya had buried from her own past.

Brown’s novel is full of tension and suspense, with each revelation bringing Maya closer to uncovering the truth about her sister’s death—and her own dark past. The writing is sharp and atmospheric, capturing the allure and danger of the exclusive world of Princeton's elite. The story keeps readers on edge, blending themes of loyalty, guilt, and ambition with chilling twists and turns.

For fans of dark academia thrillers, Society of Lies is a must-read. It’s a suspenseful and emotionally charged exploration of the lengths people will go to for acceptance and the secrets that can haunt them forever.

This was a good thriller to read when looking for one. It was a captivating read. I will read another by this author.

if you like drama and academic-based mystery thriller then this one is for you! lots of secrets and twist and turns but the pacing was a bit slow

Upon returning to Princeton to attend her sister Naomi's graduation, Maya is unprepared for the startling news awaiting her arrival in “Society of Lies," a compelling academic thriller by Lauren Ling Brown that exposes the darker sides of a prestigious college's secret society through the interconnected perspectives of two sisters in this dual-timeline murder mystery.

Learning that Naomi has drowned, Maya embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth surrounding Naomi's death, campus life, and the exclusive organizations to which she belonged.

"A Society of Lies" is a captivating, atmospheric novel about privilege, entitlement, promises kept, and secrets broken. I highly recommend this dark academia / twisted secret society suspense thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Lauren Ling Brown, and Publisher Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine | Bantam, for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s Copy Electronic Edition to review!
https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1

a tense, atmospheric thriller that delves into the dark side of Ivy League prestige and the lengths people will go to belong. Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, eager to celebrate her sister Naomi’s graduation. But the weekend takes a tragic turn when Naomi is found dead, and Maya is left reeling. Though the police call it an accident, Maya suspects foul play—and her suspicions lead her down a chilling path.

As Maya investigates Naomi's death, she uncovers disturbing truths about the secretive Sterling Club, an exclusive social group both sisters were part of. Maya's own involvement with the club and its hidden society becomes a key part of the mystery, and she starts to wonder if her own past is linked to Naomi’s death in a far more dangerous way than she could have imagined. The novel expertly blends past and present, revealing the dark undercurrents of college life and the brutal cost of power, belonging, and privilege.

The pacing is gripping, and the unraveling mystery kept me hooked. Maya is a deeply sympathetic character, caught between her protective love for Naomi and the guilt she feels about the secrets she’s kept. The tension between Maya’s idealized memories of her college years and the unsettling truths she uncovers adds emotional depth to the plot.

3.5 stars rounding up to 4. I liked this book - the story held my attention and I was surprised by the ending. But I felt like the characters of Maya and Naomi could have been fleshed out a little more and I would have liked more about their relationship.

I was excited to read this book as I really like the genre of Dark Academia. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me. The writing was fine, the premise was interesting. That said, I didn't feel anything for the characters, and the story was wildly implausible. Secret societies are often responsible for some dastardly acts, but this was beyond all credibility. I suspended my belief and enjoyed this for what it is...fiction!

Society of Lies is a thrilling and sharp exploration of deception, power, and the consequences of secrets. The plot twists and reveals are expertly executed, keeping readers hooked until the very end. A fascinating, fast-paced read for fans of suspense and intrigue.

This one was not for me the plot was pretty slow but I had such a hard time keeping the timelines and which characters belonged to what that I quickly lost interest. This book follows two POVs of sisters who went to the same college and ended up in a secret society. After the younger sister ends up dead Mya the older sister begins to try to solve the murder. This book had an ok story but the back and forth kept me so confused. I feel like this was made worse by the short chapters and the characters being the same in both sister’s stories. I often found myself going back to remind myself who and when I was reading from. This is my first book by this author but I would give them another chance. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Love that this book was picked for Reese’s book club! I’m a fan of dark academia books and this was a great fit for me. Suspense, intrigue, mystery that keeps you guessing. Loved it!

Mayas younger sister Naomi is found dead in a lake near Princeton campus, the same school Maya attended 10 years ago. Maya has suspicion's about her sister’s death and unravels secrets at the college.

I didn't get the opportunity to go to college and have always regretted it. But sad stories like this that show the vicious and predatory side of men, women, alcohol, and drugs thrown into a petri dish and stirred make me feel relieved. I'm aware there's a much more positive side to attending college, but that wouldn't make a thrilling read, now, would it? This is a tense and entertaining read.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📝 University
🏛 Secret Societies
🔍 Suspicious Deaths

This book was so good! I really enjoyed the twists & turns & the dual POV stories playing out.

"How often, in the world, is silence what allows horrible people to get away with their crimes?"

I am learning that I absolutely love Secret Society mystery books! This one was very interesting in that one sister had a past in one during her college experience, and the younger sister had her own experience with them during hers. Two sisters with intersecting plot points.

A great dark academia, thriller/mystery book!

Such a good book. I loved the back and forth with the two points of views and with Maya trying to figure out what all else she wasn't remembering. Overall a good story and worth reading!

I was so excited to read this book. I liked the premise of this book and I liked the dynamic of the sister's relationship. I had to look up to see if the eating clubs were a real thing and it turns out they are real. How cool!

I wasn't sure why we had to wait so long to understand how Naomi ended up with a family that wasn't related to them. It made sense later on. I'm just impatient AF. This was a slower-paced book. I’m used to thrillers being fast-paced so it did take me a bit to finish this one.

I chose this book for the book club that I run at my favorite boutique @freckledpoppyboutique where I also got a job this past July. Pinch me because it is still a dream come true. ❤️ The girls loved this book as well. I received a lot of positive feedback from them!🤗