Den of Liars is a YA romantasy with heists, cons, questionable scores, and lots of lies. The stakes are universally high for all characters, and there is no shortage of questions to ponder even after the novel ends set up for a sequel but not on a cliffhanger. I'm going to be upfront: the Liar, our MMC, lacked the mystery and virtually any attractive qualities. He's overly religious and noble despite his lies, and his wardrobe choices of purple, black, and silver with fedoras felt like cheap costumes. I can't ship him with anyone tbh.
Our FMC, Lola (is that really short for Magnolia bc that feels strange) is pretty badass, but I don't really understand her at all still. Like I genuinely wonder if her father just found her in one of his mines or something because all of that was strange. Still, the overall story was fairly compelling, and I would have finished in less than a day of reading if Instagram didn't exist.
This was interesting enough for the YA crowd. I'll likely pick up the next in the series to see where this goes.
Favorite part was the seven-legged octopus who really deserved more page time because she was the most interesting of all.
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for this ARC!

I loved this book ! Keeps you ended from the moment you begin reading all the way to the end ! I loved the witchy aspect that u felt throughout the book ! Definitely adding to my physical bookshelf asap !

Den of Liars is the first installment of a forthcoming series that follows Lola St. James, the daughter of a crime boss in a magical city. Her father has believed her dead for four years, and during that time, she has fallen in with Enzo, otherwise known as ‘the Thief,’ one half of a pair of criminals referred to as ‘the Devious’.

Though they’re good friends and partners in crime, Lola and Enzo are bound to each other by more than work and friendship – they saved each other’s lives by agreeing to share a heart through magical means. In an attempt to separate their hearts, Lola joins the Liar’s Dice Tournament, an annual game of lies held by Enzo’s brother, Nic, or ‘the Liar’. She hopes to win the prize of the tournament and discover where Nic keeps the moonshard that he used to curse Enzo originally. If she’s successful in her quest to locate it, Lola can use its magic to separate her and Enzo’s hearts while keeping them both alive.

However, once she enters the Liar’s Den Casino and begins playing the games in the tournament, Lola realizes everything is not what she once believed. Friends become enemies, enemies become friends, all while she must navigate tasks that test her courage, skills, and morals.

The novel is a great first installment by Olson. Lola is a well-rounded, believable character that I was able to connect with easily. The world is fleshed out and detailed, and the magic is complex while still being easily understandable to the reader. Olson’s prose is compelling and simple, and the plot is well paced, which kept me engaged and suspenseful throughout the course of the novel, especially in the suspenseful heist-focused scenes. I look forward to reading the second novel in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children Publishing for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The magic was super interesting, the story was compelling and the characters were AMAZING. however, I was frustrated by the ending. It felt like a full 180. I am not sure if it is just set up for another book, I hope that is the case.

This was a magical story about the complexities of truth, vulnerability, and trust. Lola is a compelling main character, and I liked seeing her progression throughout as she slowly began to question her worldview and the stories she had been told. I did enjoy the chapters from her perspective more than the Liar's, although both character voices were distinctly written. There were also several compelling background characters who I hope to see again the next book--there are just enough hints to guess at the identity of one of them, and it's an intriguing possibility. I liked the plot balance between the actual game Lola was competing in and her side quests along the way. There are lots of mysteries unsolved and questions to be answered, and I am excited to see how everything plays out in the next book.

I decided to DNF Den of Liars at about 75%. While it’s written as a YA, the interactions between the characters felt overly immature and often unnecessary. The premise was intriguing, but the story itself felt disjointed and never fully came together for me.

The magic system was confusing and never really explained, which made it hard to stay invested. I also felt the characters, world-building, and magic lacked depth overall. There was so much potential here, but everything stayed surface-level.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced copy.

This was unfortunately a bit of a letdown for me. I loved the premise, but it seemed to fall flat in execution. I found the magic system a bit muddy in its execution and I found myself losing interest throughout due to a lack of connection to the characters. I know this is minor, but I also could not get past the fact that Nic constantly wore a fedora???

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Den of Liars is a gripping fantasy full of secrets, romance, and high-stakes twists. Lola is a bold, complex heroine caught between two captivating brothers—the Thief who shares her heart and the Liar who challenges everything she believes. With a daring casino heist, a thrilling tournament, and emotional depth, Jessica S. Olson delivers a story that’s impossible to put down. I really enjoyed the unique magic system and was hooked from the first page to the last!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica S. Olson, and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Den of Liars is a twisty mix of heists, magic, and secrets set against a unique, high-stakes tournament backdrop. The emotional bond between Lola and Enzo added depth, and Nic was the perfect wildcard. Some parts dragged and the ending left me yelling (in the best frustrated way), but the story kept me hooked. Solid start to a new series—I’ll definitely read the next one.

Was a good and fun read. I liked it and it kept me interested until the end. It was quick and the characters and story were interesting

How to describe Den of Liars? To borrow from Churchill: it’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.

Set in a vividly unique world with an unusual magic system, the story is told from dual POVs—Nic (our magnetic, mysterious Liar) and Lola (a tough, beautifully broken heroine with a mission).

Lola’s out to pull off a one-of-a-kind heist under the guise of a high-stakes game for her so-called friend Enzo, but quickly finds herself tangled in the secrets of The Liar’s Den—and the dangerously compelling man at its center.

Fast-paced, twisty, and ending on a cliffhanger that made me yell.

Absolutely loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

when I was selected to receive a proof for den of liars, I was over the moon with excitement! i’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of this book, as I’m a longtime fan of jessica s olsen.

and let me tell you: this book did NOT disappoint! I was hooked from the very beginning. I couldn’t put the book down while simultaneously trying to read it slowly so I could savour every second of it. den of liars is a fantastic combination of heists, a tournament and magic.

the history of each character, their relationships with one another and the romance was all on point!! a girl couldn’t have asked for more!! the banter and dialogue hit so hard.

I gotta say, the ending was frustrating (in a good way). I have to wait for the next book just to find out what happens?!?!

ANYWAY, this book is chefs kiss. I need everyone to drop what they’re doing and go read it. please and thank you.

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson is one of my favorite books so far this year. I couldn't put this one down and can't wait for the next book.

Lola St. James is our fmc and her father is a pretty well-known man but she is his biggest secret...or she should have been. When her father lost the Liar's Dice Tournament, he lost a big secret and this made her a kidnapping target. Just when she thinks she's done for, the Thief (Enzo) shows up and makes a bargain with her. He'll rescue her but he needs her to share her heart with him. She agrees but now after all these years of sharing a heart, they can feel each other's emotions and while sometimes that is helpful, it can also be a challenge for what is coming.

Lola wants to be a full-fledged Tentacle but when a heist doesn't go as planned, the only thing Lola can do is compete in the Liar's Dice Tournament herself. So she changes her name and appearance and enters the tournament. There are so many things Lola has to deal with during this tournament. First, one of the challengers is trying to sabotage her, Second, because of the feelings they share, every time something happens and she reacts strongly, there's the risk that Enzo will show up. But the biggest challenge she faces with this is that the Thief's brother, the Liar, runs the game and he's not what she expected and she can't stop thinking about him or help being attracted to him.

That's about all I want to say because so much happens with in this book and I can't say anything because I don't want to ruin anything. Like I said, I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. The story is engaging, the characters are interesting, and the writing is well-done. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and even though this is a series and you'll have to wait for the next book to come out, I would encourage you to pick this up. I think you'll enjoy it.

There is something about YA fantasy books that just draws me in, and this one is no exception. This book had such a unique magic system that I immediately fell in love with. Add in the romance and you have a good mix of both. I got a very “Caraval”-esqe feel while reading.

While I did like the main characters, I definitely wanted a little more. My favorite part of the story was the casino setting. It was written so incredibly well.

Overall it was an enjoyable read.

A very special Thank You to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lola St. James has lived an anonymous life for four years, since her prominent father lost a high-stakes competition and made her a target. She was kidnapped by thugs and then rescued by the Thief, a young man who has magic that helps him go incorporeal, among other things. Since that time, she has worked closely with him in his thieving, an excellent partner because of the emotions they feel in their shared heart.

When her father didn’t pay her kidnappers and the Thief took her, Lola was considered dead. Since then she’s gone by a pseudonym and hidden away so people won’t discover otherwise. While she considers the Thief her best friend and a special partner, she still wants to become one of his gang the Tentacles.

When an important theft goes awry, she has to compete herself in the same competition her father lost. The Liar’s Dice Tournament is run by the Liar, the Thief’s estranged brother, and competing could expose Lola and the Thief’s plans, but they need information. And being in the Liar’s headquarters could give her time to find out his secrets and free her and the Thief from their need to share a heart.

Even though she’s warned about the Liar and his magic abilities, Lola finds herself attracted to him. She ostensibly gets close to him to discover important information. But as they get to know each other, Lola she realizes the Liar may be just as cursed as his brother, the Thief.

As the days go by in the tournament, the stakes become even higher, and Lola finds herself confused — about her own past, about the two young men, about the magic they wield. Is there any path through this maze of lies and magic that can lead her to the truth?

I was definitely intrigued by the premise of Den of Liars. I love fantasy, magic and heists, mixed with romance. This promised a Caraval-type plot and vibe, so I was all for it. At first, I was a bit nervous it wouldn’t live up to expectations. It felt like it was trying too hard for a little while. But then it (and I) got into the groove and I was all in. An entertaining page-turner. (I’d say it’s a 4.5 stars to Caraval’s five, but that’s pretty great!)

Definitely recommend.

3.5 stars - liked it but I felt like the first half dragged on. The book felt a little too long (which is why it took me so long to finish) and it was repetitive. It felt a little confusing as things jumped from past to present and different POV without notice. I loved Nic's character though, his interactions with Lola were certainly swoony!

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to download this book, I was really looking forward to reading it but I wasn’t able to get it loaded on my kindle to read. I assume it’s a user error although netgalley wasn’t able to help.

This has a lot of great elements in it, a heist, a game of tricks and cunning, and an enemies-to-lovers romance. I thought it was fun and pretty well paced, with a nice amount of romance and deviousness. I also appreciated that there wasn't a love triangle. Though the FMC was torn between the brothers, one relationship was a friend/sibling dynamic and I thought that was refreshing.

I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel and rooting for Lola to come out on top.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Feiwel and Friends and NetGalley for the copy.

A young thief attempting a daring casino heist during a high-stakes tournament is torn between two warring brothers in Den of Liars, a thrilling YA fantasy romance by acclaimed author Jessica S. Olson.

Lola St. James is the world’s best kept secret. When her father’s loss in the Liar’s Dice Tournament–a high-stakes competition where players are forced to gamble with their deepest secrets–made her a target, she was rescued by the Thief, the notorious leader of the Tentacles. But the Thief’s kindness came with a Lola’s heart. In the years that followed, she and the Thief formed a bond like no other, able to feel each other’s emotions because of their shared heart.

Now, living under the pseudonym Astra, she is determined to prove herself and become a full-fledged Tentacle. But when a critical heist goes sideways, the only way forward is for Lola to compete in the Liar’s Dice Tournament herself. Lola is confident in her ability to pull off any heist, but the Thief's mysterious brother, the Liar, runs the game and he turns out to be more than she bargained for. As her attraction for him grows and illusions run wild, she will be forced to confront the secrets of her past, the truth of the brothers’ shared history, and the lies she tells herself.

This was such a fun, twisty read with a cool concept. I liked the world building and the magical casino vibes. That said, I wanted a bit more depth from Lola and felt like her story could have had a stronger resolution. Still, it’s fast-paced and super entertaining perfect if you’re in the mood for a romantasy read.