I had a really hard time getting through this book and did not enjoy it at all to the point I almost DNF’d it at several times throughout the book.

I am not a fan of the writing style at all , I could not connect to the characters and it could not hold my attention to the point I fell asleep several times while trying to read this book in the middle of the day.

The book sounded great but when it came to actually reading it, it was a letdown and did not live up to expectations.

Thank you Netgalley Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends

I seriously loved this book! The characters were dynamic and intriguing, and the pacing was great through the book. It was such a great YA book too and felt like it easily crossed over into being intriguing and popular for adult audiences. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

Thank you to Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really wish that I liked this one more than I did. I liked that it was set in a casino, that there was a mysterious brother love triangle, and a really bright and cunning protagonist at the heart, Unfortunately, this book just kind of fell short of that on all fronts. I wish I enjoyed it more, and I did at times, but it just wasn't all for me.

3.5 stars.

3.5

My favorite part of this book was Lola’s character. I liked how she has physical limitations but overcomes them easily by adapting. I also enjoyed her backstory, the daughter of the most powerful fearsome guy, but she was believed dead. That backstory was definitely dramatic but it gave her a background related and connected to the main story.

The character of the Liar was intriguing and the Thief very suspicious. I also liked their backstory as the brothers and their mysterious origins. My only letdown was that I would’ve like more mystery with their origin. I feel like Lauren having the moonshard should’ve been kept a secret. I’d be more intrigued if I didn’t know for sure who had it. I do see potential in Magnus joining the story, I’m definitely excited to see that big reunion. I would for sure read the next book to find out more about the shard, magnus and lauren. There were other elements in the story that stoop out, like the setting being in a casino and the illusion magic. I still question the woman who attacked Lola and almost won the game. A great part of the story that kept me going was the Lola and Nic scenes, they had good banter and tension.

This was good. This was great! This was fantastic! I had high hopes after seeing the cover (I am but a mere mortal, of course I *occasionally* judge a book by its cover), and had even higher hopes after reading the description. Why wouldn't I be intrigued?? A high-stakes tournament at a casino? Fighting brothers? Do I sense drama?? Anyways, once I started reading, for the first 10 minutes, I admit, I was a bit letdown, thinking, maybe this would be but a paltry four stars, but then, bam! I was hooked. It took around 30 pages and then the only thing I wanted was to keep reading. The stakes, the romance, the plot. All of it. Amazing. If you read this you will definitely see why I gave this 5 stars, please do.

Side note: why why why why why must I wait for book 2 *sob* --> I have zero patience and I must know what happens next.

The Thief or The Liar? Which do you choose and which brother do you trust? The one who you share a heart with or the one whom you share secrets desires.

Olson throws you in the middle of the action from the very beginning and keeps the intensity strong thro the book. I found myself rooting for the Liar throughout the book but I loved the relationship Estrelle and Lola had the most! I liked how even the “side/minor characters” had well developed backgrounds and characters, especially Oliva Legrand and how her tale was woven into the plot.

Can’t wait for book two to find out how Lola continues to play this game that was started by the two brothers and make it her own!!

Den of Liars
⋆.˚Jessica Olson ˖
⋆.˚rating: 3.5 ࣪ ˖
⋆.˚ mvp: none rlly ࣪ ˖

⋆.˚overall thoughts ft. my dumpster fire brain࣪ ˖
okay, this book isn’t rlly my vibe usually but i actually enjoyed it. kinda surprising despite the fact this was an arc(my first actually), i looked up the authors previous books, a little into this one and realized that i dnf one of her other books💀oops- anyways maybe i’ll give it another chance. so when i requested the arc i expected not to get it, but i did. right before that beautiful week when teachers decide it’s a great idea to give all of their last minute hw and tests, right before ap tests. so i was like okay i start it after that and i did. then in my last week of school my darling teacher decided to give us some stupid project that i obviously procrastinated on. anyways that was my extremely long way of saying that i was rlly busy for a good portion of the read. especially cause the book drags for a while. but that could just have been the workload talking. but at about the 50% the story rlly picked up, and i was all like ohh and ‘le gasp’. I wasn’t rlly attached to the characters, and it’s usually the characters that are the make or break for me.

⋆.˚plot ft. my dumpster fire brain pt. 2 ࣪ ˖
this was actually rlly well written and done rlly well. it was creative and engaging, expect for that awkward part between the beginning backstory stuff and the picking up of the plot. But after the 50% mark? omg, the hell? I was at the edge of my seat(not rlly I was reading in bed). I did not see a lot of things coming, which made me feel kinda dumb but most things do so that’s okay. there were a couple of moments that made me wanna scream lowkey, i would go into detail but the book isn’t released yet to it seems rlly disrespectful and wrong to go into detail even with marked spoilers, so I won’t, like i usually do.

⋆.˚characters ft. my opps ࣪ ˖
i didn’t rlly connect with any of the characters, but they weren’t bad or anything. like i could understand the motivations and what made them, them. i just didn’t connect with them. I didn’t have a favorite either, i didn’t passionately hate anyone like i did with Blair from powerless(i don’t care if it’s irrational) or that stupid teacher from i am not jessica chen. they are thoughtfully written tho

⋆.˚closing remarks ࣪ ˖
thank you netgalley and the author for letting me to read this book before the release date. it’s an honor. also bonus shout out ut(won’t say which one so just assume it’s smart people ut), when the orientation got bored i finished this book and wrote the review.

This is also posted on Goodreads:

Providing complete honesty in my review, I did not finish this book. I completed 8 chapters and did not feel the pull to continue reading. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters and understanding the concept of the “shared heart”. I also did not feel a draw to the world building that sparks vivid imagination.

You know when you pick up a book and you read that first sentence or page and just know it's going to be a good one... This is one of those for me.

I was hooked right away and finished within hours! I loved the fantasy, it was different from anything I've read before. The romance, the tension, the magic and the lies.. Ugh so many good things about this book but I don't want to give anything away!!!

I need book 2 ASAP!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Publishing Group for this eARC!

Wow! This book definitely exceeded my expectations! This was a fast paced, action packed fantasy story with great world building and a unique magic system. What happens when everything you thought you knew was a lie? Lola St. James navigates her way between two brothers, The Thief and The Liar - known as The Devious, to find out the truth that affects all 3 of their lives. She must complete a series of tasks when she enters The Liar’s Dice Tournament, where players gamble their deepest secrets. Allegiances change as more of the story unfolds. There are still secrets to be revealed when this story ends on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for book 2!

I love this book so much. Pre-ordered and am super excited for the prints. This book was so magical. If you love stephanie Garber you will love this book. I can't wait for the sequel!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends, and Jessica S. Olson for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I say I devoured this book, I mean I sat down to read it and was genuinely annoyed every time real-life responsibilities forced me to put it down. Den of Liars is absolutely captivating—filled with magic, mystery, and a layered emotional core that pulled me in from the first page.
The magic system in this world is fresh and intriguing. Centered around lies, souls, and dice, it sets the stage for a high-stakes competition that tests more than just magical prowess. The Liar’s Dice tournament is the perfect backdrop for exploring identity, trust, and power dynamics.

Lola is a compelling protagonist—fierce, clever, and morally gray in all the best ways. Her tangled relationships with the two brothers (both deeply fascinating characters in their own right) add emotional tension to the plot without feeling forced. This isn’t just a "love" triangle —it’s a power struggle, a game of manipulation, and a journey of self-discovery.

The dual POV between Lola and the Liar is masterfully handled. Their perspectives overlap just enough to give readers a fuller picture without being repetitive, and I loved the layered insight into both characters’ thoughts and motivations.

The setting is rich and atmospheric. The casino brims with glittering danger, and the detailed magic of the dice—especially the various colors and their uses—feels immersive and well thought out. The lies themselves are beautifully described, often poetic, and they tie the whole tournament together in such a compelling way.

If I had one minor critique, it would be the scattered use of dance as a character detail. It felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the story and wasn’t fully integrated into the plot. However, it was such a small element that it didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment.

My only real complaint? The cliffhanger. I need book two immediately. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor and no one to scream about it with because the book isn’t even released yet. 😭

📅 Den of Liars releases July 1, 2025, so mark your calendars! If you’re a fan of morally complex characters, innovative magic systems, and high-stakes competition in a lush, dangerous world, this book belongs on your radar.

A thrilling dance of deception and desire amongst the glittering backdrop of a casino where the price to get in are the secrets you hold most dear.

“Den of Liars” exploits a bond between the Thief and the daughter of a heiress he had rescued years earlier as they look to find a way to break his curse that requires them to share a heart. Donning a mask of deceit, Lola finds her way into the casino run by the Thief’s brother and upon meeting like recognizes like, and she finds that perhaps there is some truth to what the Liar shares and maybe her rescue was the biggest con of all.

An interesting story making two brothers bare the curse of their respective vices, coming from a father in the church and having the pay harshly for their sins only to grow into the living manifestations of lies and thievery. I loved the differences between the two though I felt, just within the nature of the story, more was given to the Liar making him the strongest and most interesting character within that pair, but I am curious to see if the Thief can steal the attention back in a sequel.

Lola was lovely with a lot given to her as she navigates this tightrope of loyalty and curiosity between the two brothers. Having her come from a life of privilege but lacking in love, or so it seems at least, it was easy to see how she could fall into this world of crime just to stay afloat and cling to the closest person who has shown her kindness and watching her lean on what she has learned and learning to let some of her walls down was very enjoyable.

The game was interesting and I wish more was given to explain how it seemed to have been set up from the beginning with the sole purpose of exposing a long lie with the players involved but ultimately with each new task more of Lola’s history was revealed offering her answers as well as plenty of questions into how and why she ended up in the hot seat. Watching her relationships with both brothers was fun too as it was less triangle and more family vs romance and it will be interesting how that play out at the end.

The tournament's structure, where players gamble with their deepest secrets highlighting the characters' internal struggles and the lies they tell themselves keeps the stakes high, and the consequences of each move more profound, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and I really enjoyed every second of it!

*special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I just know this is going to be the next big book of the year!!!!
This book was so fun and entertaining. I hate comparing books but it gave me the same twisty-turny vibe as Once Upon A Broken Heart or any Stephanie Garber book. It (of course) was very different but it was just as whimsical and fantastical as her books! I love the dynamic between the characters in this story.

4-4.5/5.

I had so much fun with this book. I was intrigued by the book description, but wasn't sure where things would go, so I was pleasantly surprised by the dynamics of Lola, the Liar, and Enzo. The character dynamics were compelling; the stakes were mid but real enough to feel a sense of urgency. I love a book that you can have fun with, and Olson's world-building is great.

One of my top reads of the year; it was so enjoyable.

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

5 stars. Loved it. No notes.

Den of Liars completely pulled me in. It’s basically everything I love in a YA fantasy…high-stakes heist, mind games, and emotional chaos. Y’all I couldn’t put it down.

Lola (aka Astra) is our FMC. She’s a thief trying to prove herself when she’s forced into the Liar’s Dice Tournament.. a brutal competition run by the brother of the man she shares a heart with (yes, it’s as intense as it sounds). As the tournament unfolds, she starts to question everything.. her past, the people she trusts, and even herself.

This world where secrets are currency and trust is a gamble? Obsessed. Throw in morally gray love interests, tension, and a plot full of twists…and you’ve got a story that delivers.

Jessica, ma’am, I hope you’re sitting at your writing desk bc I am so ready for the next book. (No pressure 🤭🫶🏻)

Fun, fresh take on magic systems with a plot that flows easily and a world that is well-built and well-supported!

Den of Liars swept me into a world of glittering danger where secrets are currency, and it left me mildly feral with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger ending. Set in a unique and magical world with a casino where secrets are worth everything, Den of Liars is like a YA fantasy mash-up of a heist movie and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist of emotional complications and just the right amount of morally grey angst.

Lola is a thief with something to prove, a stolen heart, and a part in a deadly tournament where secrets are currency and losing isn’t just risky, it's deadly. Her internal conflict between loyalty and desire, her hunger to belong, her trauma, and her need for control drive her. She’s strong, but also soft in places, and that mix was great. And both brothers, th eLiar and the Thief, are complicated, wounded, frustrating, and fascinating in their own ways. The way they are with each other had major Damon and Stefan (TVD) vibes.

The romantic tension in this book sparks from the moment Lola locks eyes with the Liar. Their dynamic is so gripping in that “I don’t trust you, but I definitely want to kiss you” kind of way, and the fact that his brother, the infamous Thief, happens to be magically bonded to her complicates things beautifully. It's not a love triangle in the traditional sense, but there's a lot of tangled feelings and complex backstory to keep things emotionally layered and filled with conflict and obstacles. And the banter is fantastic!

I also loved how the magic system is woven into the setting. It’s dice-based, tied to secrets, and feels fresh and clever without needing a giant info dump to make sense. The idea of gambling with truths instead of coins is fascinating and a little terrifying, and the tournament was super suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat. The world-building as a whole was immersive and atmospheric, as is the writing style.

Den of Liars is immersive, clever, and addictively romantic. If I’m being picky, I do think the first few chapters are a slower build, but once the tournament starts, the plot kicks into gear and doesn’t let up. I flew through the second half, hooked on every twist, double-cross, and charged glance between Lola and the Liar. If you like high-stakes magic, thieves with hearts of gold (or secrets), intense slow-burns, and a heroine who’s just trying to survive in a world where truth is the most dangerous weapon, roll the dice on this one.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this.

OH. EM. GEE. This was such a fun reading experience. The of Caraval’s magic and trial set up but with a six of crows type heist. The story was fun and the characters were also a great time.

Lola is a thief who shares a heart with Enzo who has the power to become non-corporeal. She is stuck in a tournament ran by Enzo’s brother “The Liar”. Hijinks occurs and it ended with a cliffhanger that will make you want the next one now!

My only qualm is that this book is YA but it got a little risqué like how “A Theory of Drowning” did.

I’m really sad I didn’t like this one more as I love heist stories. Unfortunately I found the world building to be lacking and the magic system was a bit confusing. I also had trouble connecting to the characters. For being a cutthroat competition there was only really one person antagonistic to Lola so that made the stakes feel fairly low. I did like learning about the characters through their memories and I liked the glitzy setting. Overall I enjoyed this one. The cover is great too!