Dnf around 30%—magic system was interesting but the story didn't grab my attention. I struggled to continue reading & didn't really feel connected to the characters. The world building was a bit confusing for me too.

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson is a thrilling and immersive fantasy that pulls readers into a world of secrets, shifting alliances, and dangerous games. The political intrigue is well-crafted, and the tension builds steadily as Dez, a bold and complicated heroine, fights to uncover the truth while navigating a court full of deception. Olson's writing is vivid and atmospheric, and the moral ambiguity of the characters adds depth to the story. While a few plot points felt slightly rushed, the emotional stakes and clever twists more than make up for it. A strong, engaging read for fans of dark, character-driven fantasy.

16yr old me would have LOVED this story. There's a glittering casino, unique magic, ballroom love scenes, and two feuding brothers.

There are a few plot dumps, some droning MC monologues, and the story doesn't start slotting together until about 60% of the way through, but if you read it for enjoyment, you're in for quite a ride. I liked the magic system, and the tension that was built between the trio. I also think Olson did a good job portraying controlling relationships and the conflict that creates for the FC.

All in all, well worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I devoured this book in basically one sitting. Normally YA is not really my jam but the premise of this sounded compelling so I picked it up. Den of Liars is the kind of dark, twisty fantasy that sinks its claws into you early and doesn’t let go. The court intrigue? So juicy. The betrayals? Sharp enough to leave scars. And the main character? A complete mess in the best, most relatable way. I loved her.

This world is rich with tension, secrets, and power plays, and it all feels so immersive. I found myself second-guessing everyone’s motives, and the ending still managed to punch me in the face (in a good way??).

If you're into morally gray heroines, dangerous romance, and plots layered like a poisoned cake, definitely add this to your TBR. Excited to see where the next book takes us.

I read 53% of this book, but I just wasn’t enjoying the story and some days I didn’t even read it because I wasn’t interested. That’s what made me decide it was time to move on. The idea was really good, just the story was too slow to hold my interest.

Caraval meets Casino Royale! This book had all the whimsy of Caraval and the stakes of Casino Royale. I enjoyed the plot of this book and I felt like it was well-written. I liked that the plot was different than a lot of other books and focused on how lies can affect us and those we lie to. While I did enjoy this book, there were a few issues I had. One of them being the pacing. Sometimes it felt like a lot of was going on. Others I felt a little bored. Additionally, I didn’t understand the purpose for some of the side characters. There was no rhyme or reason as to why they were hurting/helping Lola which bothered me (maybe this will be answered in book 2). Also, Lola was a bit annoying at times and very over the top. It felt like she was ignorant at times but then somehow extremely competent at other times. It felt like her character arc was a bit all over the place for me.

Overall, this was not a bad read and I enjoyed the plot. I’m thinking book 2 will answer a lot of questions that I have and be better than this one.

This was good. Thrilling. Intriguing. But it needed a little polishing

Lola has been the Thief's most trustworthy partner in crime for 4 years--since he rescued her and shared her heart with him. They've been chasing the moonshard to break the Thief's curse, following lead after lead... until they reach a dead end. running out of option, Lola convinced Enzo to let her infiltrate his brother's domain under the pretense of joining a high-stakes annual tournament.
that's hosted by Enzo's brother, the Liar.
the same person who cursed Enzo in the first place.

Lola was so sure that she could finish the job. she's supposed to lay low and avoid the Liar at all cost. but it seemed she immediately caught his attention instead. and as she got to spent more time with the Liar, doubt began to creep into her mind. about a lot of things. and worse, something has sparked between her and the Liar, knowing damn well Enzo would hate her for that.

at it's core, this book is about lies and illusions and secrets. the writing was really good: strong characterizations, naturally engaging dialogues, interesting magic system. the pace was fast, very page-turner. there's 2 POV which constantly gave readers 2 perspective, so we get to know everything while the characters stay unknowing.

if you don't make a habit of scrutinizing everything too closely this would easily be a great read. but unfortunately that's not me... though i still immensely enjoyed this, i felt like there's still room for improvements. all in all I really can't wait for the sequel!! there's still some unanswered questions that i would like to be answered obviously, and i hope the second book brought us to a higher peak plot-wise.

Good gravy, THIS BOOK! *squeals* I'm a huge fan of Jessica S. Olson's work, and this book does not disappoint! Think Caraval meets Six of Crows meets Oceans 11 but set in a glittering casino where you can't trust anyone or anything. Not even your own heart! The story centers around Lola, a thief who gets caught in a dangerous, high stakes game between two devious brothers. If morally gray characters, slow-burn tension, and unique magic systems are your jam, this one is for you! AND OMG THE ELEVATOR SCENE! I will forever be squealing about it! Just TRUST ME! This book is the bee's knees and I can't recommend enough!

One reviewer described this book as “…if Caraval and Six of Crows had a baby…” and I completely agree. Wonderful world building, good character development, and an engaging plot. I liked all the twists and turns especially because I didn’t see all of them coming. Definitely left me wanting more a yearning for the sequel.

Wow! What an exciting read! The magic system - using secrets for power inside the casino - was interesting and wasn't something ever seen before. I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately and sometimes it can be difficult to not predict the next thing, or to be bored with seeing magic systems that resemble others. To be fair, you can only do magic so many ways! But I loved this fresh perspective of being able to use secrets as a wager in the casino. I also enjoyed the morally gray romance and the duality of the brothers. I loved the line "Be wary of my deceits, little thief, for at the Liar's Den, even your heart may make a glamour of truth."

*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
Den of Liars follows Lola St. James, the supposedly dead daughter of a high-profile criminal. After a desperate deal leaves her bonded with the Thief, a legendary, magical thief, she becomes embroiled in his feud with his brother, the Liar. When Lola has to compete in the Liar’s Dice tournament, magic, love, and secrets tangle together. But, will Lola be able to win, can she lie to the Liar?
I absolutely loved this book. The plot, the mysteries, the magic, the games, the romance, everything was *chef’s kiss*. It was very Caraval mixed with Thieves’ Gambit, so if magical thieves and dice games are up your alley, this book is definitely for you. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will keep my review relatively brief and spoiler-free.
First things first, this book is a dual POV. The Liar does not have a ton of chapters, but he does get a chance to be the narrator, and those were my favorite chapters. Seeing his thoughts and knowing what makes the Liar lie was so intriguing, and I loved every word. The Liar was a fantastic character and he is definitely a top-tier MMC. Lola was a strong, entertaining, and lovable FMC. She was witty, engaging, relatable, and fun to read. Watching her and the Liar’s tension-filled relationship full of lies and half-truths develop was amazing and their romance was one of the best parts of the book.
My absolute favorite aspect of this book, though, was the plot. This plot was so entertaining, intriguing, heart-pounding (consults a thesaurus (iykyk)), riveting, and all around amazing to read. The world-building, the mysteries, the magic, everything was perfection and I could not put it down.
Final thoughts, the book does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared. As of the writing of this review, there is no release date for the second book (excuse me while I cry), but I can not wait until the next book is out. This was one of the best books I have read this year, and I cannot express just how amazing it really is. Just go and read it, trust me, you’re gonna love it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author, Jessica S. Olson, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Right from the start, Den of Liars pulled me in. The plot was fast-paced, the world-building was vivid, and the characters were so easy to love—especially with all the secrets and tension. I felt invested in the story and after that ending, I need the next one ASAP!

this was absolutely STUNNING.
one of the best books of all time, most definately.
The world building?
GORGEOUS.
The characters?
KILL ME RIGHT NOW--FANTASTIC.
the magic?
BREATHTAKING.
The vibes??????
THERE.
the romance?
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
the BANTER?
HOLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
The FEMALE MAIN CHARACTER?
IN LOVE. MY NEW BESTIE. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ACTUALLY LOVE HER!! SHE WAS WHAT EVERYONE WANTS IN A FMC. CURVY, INTERESTING, HELLA SMART, NOT PATHETIC, NOT BELOW 5'3. LITERALLY AMAZING. PERFECT.
The PLOT???
BROTHER--IT PLOTTED OKAY!?
ALSO!
THE FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS IN THIS BOOK???

PERFECT
NO NOTES
and our bicoded ICON of a love interest?????
HOTTEST. MAN. EVER.
LITERALLY PERFECT
And their relationship???
Evolved so naturally, and you can UNDERSTAND why they are so drawn to each other, because both are HOTTIES WITH BODDIES OKAY?!??!
ANYWAYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
THIS BOOK HAD ME SCREAMING
GIGGLING
CRYING
WRITING UNHINGED GOODREADS UPDATES
EVERYTHING. A. GIRL. COULD. WANT.
AND THAT ENDING????
QUEEN PLEASE.
TF???????
ALSO
RIGHT AFTER THAT CHARACTER ARC WHERE SHE REDISCOVERS SELF LOVE?????
LIKE????? I PASSED AWAY?????
ANDDDDD
OMG
HOW SHE REALIZED SHE WAS IN A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP????
AND IT WAS JUST A FRIENDSHIP!!!
LIKE IT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED ENOUGH IN BOOKS HOW TOXIC FRIENDSHIPS CAN BE TOO!!!!\

Netgalley, YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS ABSOLUTE GEM.
obviously these thoughts are my own, because who else would want them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Den of Liars is a bold, imaginative YA fantasy that blends magical gambling, hidden identities, and high-stakes secrets in a neon-lit world teeming with deception. Jessica S. Olson delivers an inventive premise with a magic system that feels refreshingly original, set in a richly atmospheric backdrop that stands out from many in the genre.

What I Enjoyed:
A Unique Magic System: The idea of magic tied to gambling, especially through enchanted dice and Nic’s ability to taste lies, was creative and added real intrigue to the story.
Disability Representation: Lola’s lazy eye and her use of glasses were quietly powerful details. It’s rare to see this kind of representation in fantasy, and it added a layer of realism I appreciated.
A Visually Striking Setting: The world evoked a blend of futuristic glitz and glamour with gritty underground danger. It was unlike anything I’ve read before.
Nic’s Perspective: Nic brought levity, charisma, and emotional nuance to the story. His chapters were engaging, and his character felt well-developed.
The Core Theme: With deception at its heart, the story explores how people lie (to others and to themselves) and how trust can be weaponized. That tension kept me reading.

Where I Struggled:
A Dense Introduction: There was a lot of worldbuilding to absorb early on - religions, lore, magic, and politics all at once. While ambitious, I occasionally found myself overwhelmed or confused, especially when it came to the mechanics of Enzo’s magic.
Character Choices: While Lola’s emotional arc makes sense given her circumstances, some of her decisions (particularly how quickly she confided in others) felt a little too fast for the pacing of the story.
Tone & Style: The writing is highly descriptive, which many readers will enjoy, but some repetition and word choices weren’t quite to my personal taste. With some refinement, I think the prose could really shine.
Timing of Key Moments: Several of the romantic or emotional beats happened very quickly, particularly considering the story takes place over just a week. That said, the final act was well-paced and delivered some of the strongest, most compelling moments in the book.

Tropes You’ll Find:
Dystopian fantasy
Magical gambling
Secret identities / hidden motives
Taste-the-lie ability
Found family elements
Morally gray characters
“Everyone’s lying” energy

Final Thoughts:
While Den of Liars didn’t fully click with me, it’s a story with a lot of promise. The world is vivid, the concept is original, and the cliffhanger ending left me curious to see where it all leads. I appreciate the creative risks Olson took, and I’m interested to see how this story develops in the next installment.

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson simply put is a wild ride!

This book is fast paced with plenty of action, plot twists, and of course, my favorite, an amazingly written enemies to lovers! This story follows Lola who is the daughter of a crime mogul who then loses herself in game called Liars Dice- basically a tournament where those that play gamble not with money but their deepest kept secret. So when a rival family goes after Lola, she runs into (is so nicely saved ;)) by Enzo, leader of a different rival. How she has to repay him? By sharing her heart!

Lola then changes absolutely everything about herself and I mean everything! Now known as Astra, a successful thief that grows into perfecting her skills in stealth, deals with her ever growing anger towards her father that never showed care for her disappearance. So of course, Enzo and Astra team up to pull off the ultimate heist at the next Liars Dice Tourney in order to steal an artifact that could be holding clues to the ultimate treasure. But, when Astra is caught by Liar himself-Enzo's brother (?!?!) her world is flipped upside down as she navigates this next twist in her path while fighting her growing attraction to Liar.

Be aware, the cliffhanger ending is enough to make you throw the book across the room and scream because you will be WANTING, NEEDING more. At least, that is what may have happened to me. This book certainly kept me on the edge of me seat, on the tips of my toes with its twists and turns and heart pounding pace and I highly recommend it to any reader looking for an adventure!

📜Quick Summary: Lola St. James is widely known as being a crime mogul’s daughter. And when she has no choice but to save her life and make a deal with Enzo, the leader of the Tentacles, she makes the biggest bet of her life- her heart. Lola has no choice but to become someone else…and that person is Astra. As Astra, she transforms into this mysterious and stealthy thief and in turn, gets sucked into high stakes tournaments, in the middle of Enzo and his brother the Liar’s fights, and even more daring conflicts.

❣️Initial Feels: This took off right from the start and even though it’s YA, I think this is starting off great.

👀Trigger Warnings: fight scenes

🌶️Spice Level: 🌶️

📖Read if you want: face paced story, magical casino world, forbidden romance

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: I loved our main girl Lola. She was fierce and knew what she wanted. At times I felt I was yelling at her through my Kindle, but overall I saw growth in her character and I cannot wait to see what she does in book 2!

🗨️Thoughtful Words: “If you spend your life hiding from the monsters you think live in the dark, you’ll miss the stars every single time.”

“The beauty of living is in the discovery.”

“We’re all making things up as we go. And we’re all scared. Sure, it’s simpler to build a house when you’ve got someone telling you where to lay every brick, but when it’s finished, is that really your house?”

“What about you made you worth the risk?”

“People who have been hurt all their lives sometimes don’t know that’s not love.”

“Truth holds up. You can question it, you can dig at it, and it will continue to be true, no matter how you feel about it.”

💡Final Sentiments: I devoured this book in two days! It was written in such a fast pace that I kept saying one more chapter, even though that was ten chapters ago. I loved the start of the novel with Enzo and Astra running wild. I could picture this part (and truly the whole book) playing out as a movie in my head. We of course “hate” to love the character Nic, but I liked him from the start. You could tell he has a lot going on in that mind of his, and I loved watching his character evolve. It was YA, so not as much smut going around, but it was still a read that you could feel there’s maturity and some angst between the characters. Some parts seemed rushed, while other parts felt slow. I think more development in the fast paced action could have helped strengthen this but overall a great first book in the series! Can’t wait for book two!

🌟Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

🔉Special thanks to Jessica S. Olson, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for this arc of Den of Liars!

📘Grab yourself a copy on July 1, 2025!

What a fabulous and delicious fantasy! A thief must gamble her biggest secret in the Liar’s Dice tournament while things heat up with the Liar, head of the tournament. I loved the characters and the rep for “lazy eye.” I also loved how the stakes were high the entire read! The magical vibes reminded me a lot of Caraval, which was super fun, so I highly recommend for fans of Stephanie Garber!

The Thief took her heart. Now they're connected. Lola, aka Magnolia, was kept a secret her whole life. When her dad loses at the Den of Liars tournament bargaining the secret of her existence , she's kidnapped. The thief shows up to save her, taking her heart in return. Now it's their heart.
The thief is cursed, and to figure out where the magical item that can save him is , Lola enters the Den of Liars tournament. The Thief's brother the Liar hosts. To find his vault of secrets and find out the location of said item.
But what Lola didn't expect was that the Liar is more than she expected, and suddenly she's feeling things she really shouldn't.

Betrayals,  lies, secrets, and some lovey tension. This book was a very interesting read, and I can't wait for more! Are you ready to enter a game of lies and secrets?

This book has an arm octopus , magical dice, drinks that make you feel things, and an amblyobia representation.

As a fellow girl with amblyobia, and the author too, I really enjoyed that aspect I haven't seen represented before.

The premise to this book sounded fantastic, but I can’t quite put my finger on what made it not for me. It seemed almost like a fanfiction written on wattpad - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but can sometimes feel cringy. The names of things in the magic system didn’t match up with the intended gritty, heist-y vibe. Starlight in people’s souls? I didn’t like the use of first person POV and the way each character described their own actions. It was almost… overdone?

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

This is such a fun book! It very much gives heist but mixed with some hunting vibes. I think that the story wove magical realism into this story so well! I thought that the magic system felt unique, and overall I was just entertained the whole time. The love story was fun, but I did not feel like it took up too much of the story. My only regret is that I did not know that this was the start of a series, and now I am eager to read the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my early e-arc.