While I found the magic system and characters all very interesting, I can't say I exactly liked this book, which I think is something I've felt about all of Alexis Henderson's books.

Very interesting concept--gifted young people tapped to attend a secret school to train their unique abilities, but would like to read a different book with this idea. There was too much bleeding from various head orifaces and crunching of bones. Travel between places and time was very interesting but at times seemed too random. I would like to see a less bloody continuation of the story as Drayton is put back together. there are several loose ends that needed to be resolved.

REVIEW: An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the dark academia book of my dreams and I almost don’t feel smart enough for all the nuances which is kind of the best type of book in this genre. It does, however, make it difficult to write a review about it because this book was genuinely so wild.

You have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit because the world feels somewhat grounded in reality but it goes off the rails quickly. The magic system is persuasion based, some people can unlock their ego/id to convince others to do what they want them to. A college was formed to help those with this ability.

The book actually is dark, I felt like no one was a good person and they all have motivations that they are willing to hurt others to get what they want. This book really centers on desire for power and how seductive that can be. There is a forbidden romance that feels really natural as well, the character interactions are great.

I feel haunted by this book in the best way. The first chapter pulls at you in such an intense way and the rest of the book sends you on a journey that had me on the edge of my seat frequently. I HIGHLY recommend this even if dark academia/fantasy books aren’t in your general wheelhouse, it’s a great book for the upcoming spooky season!

Thank you to @netgalley, @berkleypub, and @acebookspub for the eARC of An Academy of Liars!

Thank you netgalley and Berkley/Ace for my eARC!

I haven't read too many dark academia stories, but this one was pretty cool.

Lennon catches her fiance cheating on her in their home. With nothing left to lose, she takes off with the plan to die by suicide. A strange call interrupts her, telling her she has been accepted to Drayton University, as long as she attends and passes the interview set for the next morning. She didn't even apply to this academy, but curiosity gets the best of her and she impulsively decides to go. What follows is Lennon learning to wield the power of persuasion -- to infiltrate minds and bend others to her will. But it's far more dangerous than she ever imagined, especially as she gets closer to her academic advisor, Dr. Dante Lowe.

An Academy of Liars poses questions like, what would the world be like with the power to manipulate minds? What would the worst of the worst people do with it? To get it? Is it ethical, even if it's used for good?

It was decent pacing for most of the book, then at about 70%, it really ramped up and I could not put it down. I spent a lot of time confused because of lack of information, but since we are following Lennon as she learns everything about this world too, it seems to be intended. As more and more was revealed that I didn't guess, the more I was hooked into the story and needed to know what happened.

However, I didn't really feel the connection between Lennon and Dante. I believe they got close, but I didn't feel the romantic connection between them much.

Lennon did have some growth, but she is very dependent on others' value placed onto her, especially men. I disliked that she had the strength to leave her cheating fiance, just to be infatuated with another man and couldn't establish her own identity without him.

I may be nitpicking here, but it could have used a bit more editing. The word limned was used repeatedly. My kindle app tells me it's only four times in the book, however, when it's an uncommon word, I notice it each time. Another word used repetitively that I can't remember now. Dante's eyes shrank down to pinpoints twice in one chapter. And perhaps the most obvious was the overuse of em dashes.

After finishing, I still have some questions that weren't answered about things occurring then never addressed again, but most things did wrap up.

Although the book is set over multiple seasons, this is a great fall read.

CWs: suicidal ideation and plan, suicide, death, grief, murder, blood, violence, injury details/broken bones, seizures, animal cruelty, drug use, overdose, adult/minor relationship (past), alcoholism, panic attacks, psychiatric hospitalization (past)

Thank you Netgalley and ACE Pub for the eGalley!

AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS gives all the fall vibes that many of us love this time of year. There's dark academia, magic, horror elements, morally grey characters, and a romantic subplot.

See link for my full review on my page.

One-word review: Immersive
Emojis: 🤔🤐🥰😱
Rating: 4.5 🌟s
Tropes:
*Dark Academia
*Forbidden love
*Rivalry

Favorite Quote: “We’re not good people, Lennon. None of us. Not you…Good people don’t wield power like this. We’re all dangerous. You should know that by now.”

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. The romance in this novel is a captivating experience. It kept me on my toes, constantly oscillating between feeling destined and feeling like it was never meant to be. The amount of back-and-forth was truly dizzying!

4. The pacing and thrills in this novel are relentless, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I found myself unable to put it down, even in the dentist's office (for which I do not apologize! Especially since I hope the dental assistant who loves fantasy and stopped to talk to me about it - reads it 😀). The unexpected twists and turns kept me hooked.

3. The only aspect that gave me pause was how Lennon Carter (FMC) would struggle with different skills and couldn't even do them a little bit. Then, a chapter later - suddenly, I had mastered the skill with no in-between progression. This happened more than once and threatened to pull me out of my suspended disbelief each time.

2. The setting of this novel is truly fascinating. As someone who is very familiar with Savannah, Georgia, I was captivated by the idea of a street block in the old town center taken out of time and space. The setting added an intriguing element to the story that I couldn't get enough of.

1. The moral grayness of this novel is a standout feature for me. The academy, the characters, the title, and even the story itself all exist in a morally gray area, and it's incredibly compelling. There's nothing more complex than moral ambiguity, and I absolutely adored the moral grayness of it all.

I’m not being dramatic when I say I was hooked immediately from the first chapter, hell the first few pages! I went in with little to no information about the plot and had only heard good reviews from a friend and I said “say less right now”.

I don’t typically gravitate towards dark academia/ mystery thriller stories but I think that might change all because of this book. I’m still sitting in awe and shock at how much detail is within this story, that it feels like the book is much longer than it originally is but trust me you won’t get bored. Whatever you think is going to happen, something more twisted be revealed and you’ll gasp just like me.

I was captivated throughout Lennon’s journey at Drayton and finding her strength of power. I had no clue who to believe or trust and I loved that so much. Henderson’s writing is so alluring and heavily detailed that you can pretty much visualize it happening around you (this would be an amazing tv show in my opinion). It’s dark and spooky and gave me a lot of anxiety that I was almost too nervous to keep reading, but you couldn’t pry this out of my hands even if you tried!!

And I love Dante soooo much. There were a couple times where I asked myself “should I like him…? Are those red flags green in my eyes?” The answer is yes.

Thank you Berkley/Ace and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review!

Dark Academia • Adult Fantasy • Magical Realism
Publication Date • 17 September 2024

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free finished review copy & ALC #berkleypartner #prhaudiopartner

❦ This was a gem. A dark novel about power and persuasion, belonging and betrayal, with shades of A Secret History and Babel.

Lennon is failing at life, feeling insignificant and “other”, stifled in an unhappy engagement, and contemplating her life choices.

When she answers a mystery call from a phantom phonebooth, Drayton College makes an offer she can’t refuse. It’s her Hogwarts letter. Except Drayton is no lighthearted school of magic. Within these hallowed halls lurks a dangerous secret society, a tiered fraternity like system with viciously ruthless entrance exams where failure to compete can result in lethal consequences.

Aristotle coined the terms Ethos, Logos, and Pathos as the three main tools of persuasion. These are the three dormitories at Drayton College, where magical ability equates to honing your powers of persuasion and bending others to your will. But with great power, comes great responsibility. As well as questions of morality and corruption. There will be feminine rage, tempered by a certain moth tattooed professor who is alluring and dangerous in all the right ways... 🦋

I’m in my dark academia era. I very much enjoyed this one. You’re going to want to add this one to your fall TBR!

Alexis Henderson is a new author for me, but after readying this I hope to read more. I like novels set in an academic setting as well as enjoying paranormal adventures so this book seemed like a great pick to me.

Description:
Lennon Carter’s life is falling apart.

Then she gets a mysterious phone call inviting her to take the entrance exam for Drayton College, a school of magic hidden in a secret pocket of Savannah. Lennon has been chosen because—like everyone else at the school—she has the innate gift of persuasion, the ability to wield her will like a weapon, using it to control others and, in rare cases, matter itself.

After passing the test, Lennon begins to learn how to master her devastating and unsettling power. But despite persuasion’s heavy toll on her body and mind, she is wholly captivated by her studies, by Drayton’s lush, moss-draped campus, and by her brilliant classmates. But even more captivating is her charismatic adviser, Dante, who both intimidates and enthralls her.

As Lennon continues in her studies, her control grows, and she starts to uncover more about the secret world she has entered into, including the disquieting history of Drayton College. She is increasingly disturbed by what she learns, for it seems that the ultimate test is to embrace absolute power without succumbing to corruption...and it’s a test she’s terrified she’s going to fail.

My Thoughts:
This is a dark story that seems more like witchcraft to me than "Liars" as the title suggests. The students all have some paranormal ability, though some more than others. Unfortunately, the magic that built the school has some dark and hidden roots that Lennon gets wrapped up in as he abilities grow and her attachment to her professor deepens. I enjoyed the story, but some of it is certainly creepy. I really liked the elevator time travel aspect. Some of the scenes kept me riveted and tense. Good world-building, good plot, and well written.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group - Ace through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I am still not sure if I liked it, but for some reason I couldn't stop reading it. It felt disturbing, in all the ways it was written to do so, but at a level that activated my central nervous system.

Haunting and mysterious with an engaging pace and high romantic tension, Alexis Henderson's An Academy for Liars is a thrilling dark academia novel that is perfect for ADHD readers.

Lennon is in a desperate place when she receives her invitation to Drayton. She has dropped out of school and is recovering from a traumatic event when she walks in on her fiance with her best friend during their engagement party. She's considering ending her life when she receives a mysterious phone call and an invitation to join a prestigious program for gifted magic weilders in a forgotten part of Savannah. Intrigued and yearning for purpose, she accepts and begins the twisted and dangerous journey to learn the art of persuasion.

There is so much to love about this book. It's everything I love about dark academia - secret plots and political maneuvering, dark magic and deep betrayals - without the pretension and slow pacing that are characteristic of the genre. Henderson captured me right away with her writing style and kept me engaged with the story's momentum and character development.

Lennon endures the strangest and most arbitrary entrance exam for Drayton, and Henderson makes sure that the reader is as confused as Lennon is by this process. The first few chapters are unhinged, and I'm absolutely here for it.

Lennon and Dante have sizzling chemistry from their first scene together, but Henderson makes it clear that Dante values Lennon's education over his attraction to her, and their relationship develops slowly.

If you love dark academia, psychological magic systems, and unhinged plot twists, you'll love An Academy for Liars.

An Academy for Liars publishes September 17, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

The release of this book was one of my most anticipated for the second half of this year and I’m just left in awe. The ending is like a punch to the gut my lord! Lennon and Dante in particular really shined as characters to me and how much they have to endure in this story is mind boggling. Beautiful writing and storytelling throughout, An Academy for Liars is a haunting story that will stay with me for some time.

A million thank yous to Berkley and Ace for approving me for the e-arc of An Academy for Liars! This review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions based of the advance copy I read!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

You know those books that deserve way more than the usual 5 stars we use to rate books? An Academy for Liars would be that book for me. This book gets 100 stars from me. It's phenomenal. Alexis Henderson has landed herself on my auto-buy list because of this book. Why?

1) It usually takes me a few days to get through books because of how severe my ADHD is. I read this book from start to finish in 24 hours. That's how damn good this book is. My severe ADHD didn't have a chance in hell.

2) It gave me the same incredible hangover that Ninth House gave me and I haven't been able to replicate since. God it felt good to get that itch scratched.

3) This book is a stunning example of everything I love about Dark Academia. The secrets, the history, the magic, the horror, the forbidden romance, the atmosphere, the writing. Everything just ticked every single box and left me gasping for more.

Seriously, go read this book.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
☆ Magical Academia for dysfunctional Adults
☆ Unique and detailed Magic System
☆ Chosen One
☆ Forbidden Romance
☆ Secrets galore
☆ Southern Gothic
☆ Gruesome Horror

i’m not gonna lie, this book was weird as all get out. But, it had me hooked and intrigued from the very beginning and I literally couldn’t put it down! It was good, I really enjoyed the unique premise! The only thing that let me down just a little was the ending. Other than that, this book was really, really good!

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This was such a surprisingly fun read! It is dark, captivating, haunting and I had so much fun with it. I love a good dark academia book, and this was exactly that. This is the first book I have read by Henderson, but it definitely will not be my last. Henderson’s writing is so captivating-from the pacing, the character development, the tension building, the blend of horror/fantasy/paranormal, with a splash of forbidden love. This book was so well done, and I loved the characters as well as the atmospheric vibes throughout. After a couple of chapters I was completely engrossed and immersed in the writing and the story. This is by far the BEST dark academia book I have read, and I have read a lot! I loved it so much.


𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦Dark academia books
✦Morally grey characters
✦Unique magic systems
✦Dark, haunting, and captivating vibes
✦Horror/fantasy/paranormal/forbidden romance

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5

This book is the perfect read for spooky season. A dark academia wild ride with a unique magic system that will make you devour this. Don’t forget the dash of a student teacher forbidden romance

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a gifted galley of AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS by Alexis Henderson for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, PRH Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

4.5 / 5

AN ACADEMY FOR LIARS follows Lennon, a young woman who is struggling. She's seeing strange things and walks out on her engagement dinner with very good reason. She's at a loss for what to do next when she gets a call inviting her to sit for an entrance exam into an exclusive, unknown school. It gives her a goal on which to focus and even though the test is nothing less than bizarre she finds herself impressing the powers that be and gaining entrance to Drayton College.

Drayton is a school where those with a unique ability to impress their will onto others are taught to hone their craft. Even more rarely, some are able to use their will to control matter as well. Lennon soon learns that her powers are tremendous. The power the school itself holds is dangerous in the wrong hands and she must navigate the secrets hidden there to figure out who can be trusted.

September has always been back to school season for me and it's still a time of year when I crave all the dark academia reading! This book perfectly fit the bill. I knew I've enjoyed Alexis Henderson's writing in the past, so I went into this with high expectations. Gladly, I can report that those expectations were met.

I really enjoyed Lennon as the main character and getting to follow her on her journey. She knows nothing about the power she holds in the beginning and that allows the reader to learn everything they need to know along with Lennon. She hasn't had the best relationships with her family, friends, or fiancé, so seeing her make friends and develop close bonds was great as well. I did like that there is a bit of romance to the story, but that doesn't overshadow Lennon's personal development as the focus. Not everything ended perfectly happy in a too neat bow, and that gave a more real feel to things.

I really enjoyed my time reading this book and it's one that kept calling me back to keep reading!

Oooh, this is a dark academia treat!

Lennon finds herself at a crossroads when she finds her fiancé cheating on her. After a mysterious call offering her a position at Drayton College, she feels compelled and drives all night to get there. Drayton is a lush school full of dark secrets, societies, and magic. All of a sudden Lennon gets dragged in the middle of a dangerous plot to save the school.

This was a lot of fun, the last 30% of the book was truly a wild ride and I loved how everything came together. Henderson is so great at creating a vivid description that you get completely immersed in her worlds. I thought this was a wonderfully unique take on dark academia and the backstabbing, politics, relationships really gave it that extra oomph!

Pick this up if you're a fan of neat magic systems, morally gray characters, and secret societies!

Moody dark academia and someone messing with your mind and will… sign me up! This book synopsis had me shoving it into my immediate TBR well before other arcs I should have been reading 🙊🙈 (sorry, not sorry).

Short synopsis, the MC finds her finance cheating on her in the first chapter which leads her to escape from the party being held. When a mysterious phone call invites her to an interview the next morning, Lennon feels a pull to find out what this is all about.

This is where the reader lets their minds just “let it happen” because it’s magical and realism mixed together. But it’s the main step into Lennon joining a school of magic.

The book unfolds as Lennon realizes her power. And how to use it …. Just don’t know if she’s giving in to the gift of it for good or using it for corruption.

The book was good. I liked it. The ending I loved… but then it also made me want a sequel… because whatttt… elevator?! 💥 the pacing was fine too. Not a love for me but definitely a like

So happy to get a copy! Thank you Berkley team!
3.5stars

You know those moments when you start reading a book and about 30 pages in, you just know it's going to be amazing? Yeah, that kept happening with this one.

Lennon, married and stuck in a struggling relationship, doing the job everyone expected her to, suddenly finds herself in a phone booth in the middle of nowhere. Next to a motel. Answering a call from a college she never even applied to. Welcome to Drayton College, where secrets have secrets, and persuasion is the name of the game.

This book is twisted. Everyone’s out for themselves, motivations are hidden, morals are questionable, and somehow, it all fits together perfectly. If you love complex characters and were intrigued by Atlas Six—whether you liked the story or not—you’ll probably enjoy this read. It asks for a little trust, with some moments where not everything is laid out in detail, but the way the story comes together as a whole totally makes up for it.

If you’re not into speculative fantasy elements, questionable motives, or narrators you can’t always love, this might not be for you. But if, like me, you love anything fantasy and academic, add this to your TBR—it’s a solid read, especially for this season.

Thank you, Berkeley, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. My review I'll be posted on September 12th.