Secret societies and dark academia are usually right up my alley so I was excited to receive an ARC of this title. While it did hold my attention, I found the plot to be convoluted and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit too much. The dual viewpoints/timelines didn't confuse me as others had noted, and I actually felt it was helpful to the storyline. All in all, this was an easy, fairly enjoyable read but not one that will stick with me.

I honestly can't believe this is Brown's debut novel - I couldn't put this one down and finished it in one sitting! THIS is what I'm looking for when it comes to a strong suspense thriller. I'm fascinated with anything with dark academia/Ivy League/prep school/greek life/secret society (I honestly looked more into the eating clubs after reading this - I had never even heard of them!) and this one didn't disappoint - between the suspenseful writing, quick pacing, and surprising twists, it covered it all. On top of that, "Society of Lies" did an excellent job at touching on important themes like race, injustice, privilege, and social class just enough to feel real and leave an impression without it feeling forced. I thought the alternating POVs between the sisters were unique, especially with being able to see Maya's past and present. I appreciate that Maya and Naomi's stories were based on Brown's own college experiences, making them feel raw and authentic, but I found myself confused as to whose POV I was reading as the voices and experiences of both characters sounded very similar. The ending felt like a bit of a stretch and I wish there were some more clues and foreshadowing along the way, but still had me on the edge of my seat and was entertaining, nonetheless. Thanks so much for reaching out and providing this ARC - I'll be on the lookout for Brown's future works!

I really enjoyed the suspense in this book.. The main characters were well formed and I felt like I knew them. The story was truly believable, as I am sure crazy stuff like this probably happens and we never hear about it. I felt so bad for Maya. She lost everything but her immediate family. the story kept building and building and I could not put the book down.

I love dark academia novels and was thrilled to be given this ARC. For being a debut author, Lauren Ling Brown writes like a pro. Told from alternating POV's, the story is a bit of a slow burn which didn't bother me. I kept thinking I figured out the ending but was surprisingly wrong each and every time which was amazing. I've read a lot of mystery thrillers so, to not see the ending coming is a huge win. I'll be buying a physical copy in August to gift to my reading buddy because I can't wait to discuss this rollercoaster thriller with someone!

I constantly had to work to hard to remember who's POV I was reading - I don't want to work hard- I just want to enjoy a book. I was not a fan im sorry.

This book had a lot of potential, but the execution, especially towards then end, could have been so much better.

2 ⭐️. I struggled to get through this book over the past 3 weeks. I wanted to be true to NetGalley, the author and publisher and power through it to give it a fair shot and open mind. Once I got through the first 20% it picked up a bit but it still ended up a bottom tier book for me. This book follows Maya and her sister Naomi, who was found dead the day before her college graduation. Both sisters attended Princeton and were both a part of a food club and secret society at their school. It unfolds over multiple timelines, Maya’s past, Maya’s present and Naomi’s past leading up to her death. This book had WAY TOO MUCH going on… too many people, it was so confusing, too many time jumps, too many grievances trying to tackle the secret society, race inequalities, social inequalities, the list goes on and on. It tries too hard to be everything and the story ends up a hot mess. I was so confused and not invested in this story in the slightest. The ending is so underwhelming and unbelievable. The premise had so much potential and I am really bummed this didn’t work out for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The book tells about Maya who younger sister Naomi tragically died. Maya believes that her death was not an accident. Inside, there are secrets, lies, and other things. This book shows how, secrets and clues can be revealed. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and review it.

Wonderful debut novel from Laura Ling Brown! Little did Maya know that her acceptance to an exclusive Princeton eating club (and then a secret society for only the most privileged of students) would affect her life in unexpected ways in the years to come. This relatable character makes the reader consider what would they do to reach their goals or achieve their dreams, and how far would one be willing to bend their integrity to accomplish this. Despite her best efforts, her little sister follows in her footsteps to Princeton - and winds up dead the day before graduation. Maya wonders if her little sister’s death and a friend’s death in college are connected…and were they really accidents? Full of corruption and deceit, with plot twists seemingly every chapter, this novel was engaging and shocking. Highly recommend this page turner!

ARC copy provided courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

I love the idea of the book but the execution was clumsy. The two viewpoints was expected but they way they crisscrossed in time was unnecessary and at times confusing. There were not enough signifiers in the text to know what the time period was, the characters repeated themselves and the settings were very similar.

Both sisters have a nearly identical “voice” which made this so much worse; I would have to scroll back to double check who it was telling this part of the story and that I didn’t start reading the next chapter. Everything should be distinct enough that a reader doesn’t have to do that. It made reading the book feel like a chore. It was very muddled.

I felt like the idea and characters had promise but needed a stronger writer and editor to flesh them out.

A solid read for me. Loved the premise, but I lost some steam with the two timelines/dual POVs. An ambitious challenge for a thriller-like book where pacing is key to keeping my interest. I think the places where a page-turning pace was sustained came at the expense of description/setting. It’s a tricky balance for me personally. But I think fans of dark academia suspense will nonetheless really like this. Great rep as well.

I enjoyed the non-linear timeline of this story. Since Maya had two separate timelines, I had to be careful to note if it was past or present that I was reading. I thought the plot and twists were well thought out and enjoyed learning aboht Naomi and Maya through their storylines.

Loved the suspense and the whodunit aspects!

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.
This was a great dark academic story that I hated to end. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this eARC that will be released August 13, 2024!

truly a page turner! i couldn't get enough. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So at first this book was giving “the maidens” but then it got even juicier and I just couldn’t put it down. Maya and Naomi were very different characters which was nice with their POVs and the different timelines. At some times it got a tad confusing but it was good either way I give it 4/5 ⭐️

I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you love a book that:

🔻Murder Mystery
🔻Multiple POV
🔻Flashbacks
🔻Secret Society
🔻Dark Academia

THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book. I love switching up my reads and genres and this was such a great change. Our author gives us a fantastic read that has such great tropes : secret societies, dark academia, multiple POV’s flashbacks/different timelines through the book. This murder mystery thriller was hard to put down. I loved all of the characters, the storyline was wonderful and the ending I never expected. I thought overall this was a great read! I would recommend this to my murder mystery loving book besties for sure.

This was a great academic thriller. Filled with feats, secret societies, and murder. I love how it approached multiracial characters and how they dealt with racism. A very diverse group of characters. The only thing that got confusing for me was the constant switch between not only POV but timeline. Other than that, it was fantastic!!!

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown was a suspenseful dark academia.
What immediately pulled me in was Browns writing. It’s so descriptive and full of life.
The characters and the story totally engrossed me and I found that the entire story was intriguing.
An intriguing debut thriller filled with suspense and marvelous characters.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Bantam for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The plot was solid. The writing did not appeal to me. There was less development of atmosphere. The background. More dialogue that felt just a little off. I wanted to like the book and the author has talent but this one did not resonate with me.

In Lauren Ling Brown’s debut novel, “Society of Lies,” readers are thrust into a suspenseful narrative that unfolds with the mysterious death of a young woman on a college campus. Maya, the protagonist, takes center stage as she navigates through the intricacies of her sister Naomi’s demise, unraveling hidden secrets that hit close to home.

The story kicks off during Maya’s anticipated return to Princeton for Reunions, a momentous occasion tainted by the shocking news of Naomi’s death. Brown masterfully weaves a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning the official narrative surrounding the incident.

Maya’s journey to uncover the truth propels the narrative forward, revealing the dark underbelly of college life and the exclusive Sterling Club, where secrets lurk behind seemingly idyllic facades. As Maya delves into Naomi’s choices, the suspense intensifies, and readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride through the clandestine world of secret societies.

Brown’s storytelling prowess shines as Maya confronts the unsettling reality that her sister’s decisions mirrored her own collegiate experiences. The exploration of the past, coupled with the fear that Naomi’s fate might be linked to Maya’s own buried secrets, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative that keeps readers hooked until the very end.

“Society of Lies” is a gripping page-turner that skillfully blends mystery, suspense, and the intricacies of familial relationships. Brown’s vivid prose brings the characters and settings to life, creating a palpable sense of tension and intrigue. As Maya’s quest for answers unfolds, readers are treated to a compelling exploration of the consequences of hidden truths.

In this thrilling debut, Lauren Ling Brown proves herself as an exciting new voice in the literary world, delivering a narrative that captivates from the first page to the last. “Society of Lies” is a must-read for fans of suspenseful mysteries that delve into the complexities of human connections and the secrets we keep.

Rating: 4/5 stars