4.25⭐️s

Thank you to NetGallery and Macmillan Children’s Publishing group for the opportunity of reading this arc.

This was overall a pretty good book, I liked that every character is complicated and y’know I really can’t put fault on any one of them because they’re all kinda villains of themselves. I also found this to be very intriguing and unique. It’s fast-paced and high stakes so if you’re looking for something along those lines, go for this book! But if you prefer romance in fantasies to be a subplot you probably won’t like that aspect of this book. Though actually I’m looking forward to maybe reading the next installment in the series!

Some of my reasoning for deducting stars is that I don’t feel like I got enough from the story to understand what world building and magic system we were given. I also would have loved to just have seen the tension and angst between Lola and Nic instead of their loathing make outs. I love a very long tortured slow burn so for me that’s what I would have preferred, however, I’m not mad at what we got.

Overall it’s pretty good, would highly recommend it!

Thank you again to NetGallery and the publishers!

Gah! Why is this book over?!?!? I’m not ready for it to end! I need to know what happens next right now!

This was a great book. I really enjoyed Lola and Nic and everything they became to each other. I love how Lola came into her own and started living for herself instead of doing what was expected of her. I love how she figured out Nic’s secrets when it was impossible for him to tell her himself.

While there were parts of the book that were frustrating to me, I think it’s more personal opinion than anything. Very enjoyable book and I really hope there’s a continuation of this story so I can see what happens next.

“Everyone lies.” According to doctor House and this book delves into that theory.
White lies
Big lies
Getting caught
Getting away with it
Hurting people
Saving people
Helping them
Helping yourself
What is the cost for the liar and what is the cost for the person being lied to?
Can you ever trust a liar? Since everybody lies, what value is there in saying you trust anyone? Is trust even possible.

This book was heartbreaking in a few different ways, and I really didn’t expect it. The vibes are six of crows, the casino scene in Percy Jackson, Ocean’s Eleven (except everybody’s against each other) and probably Shameless

There are tons of twists and turns and you’re left wanting more!

I literally read this is one sitting. The beginning was a little bit confusing for me but I pushed through and I am so glad I did.
Magnolia St. James was kidnapped and then offered a deal to survive. She took the deal and now her heart is being shared with someone else. She has to take part in a tournament of sorts where you gamble your secrets to win. This YA book has some romance and fantasy aspects that I really enjoyed. I liked having multiple POVs. I do have some unanswered questions that I am hoping will be answered in the next book!!

I loved the descriptions in this book! The details and imagery made everything feel vibrant and real and added to the magic. The characters were addicting and everyone felt like they had chemistry. I was nervous at first about the potential of a love triangle but was happy to find that there was NO LOVE TRIANGLE. I trusted everyone and no one throughout this entire book. It was maddening in the best way. My one critique is I wish we had seen more of Lola using her wits and creativity to guide how she used the magic (or found a way without magic) rather than just throwing the dice and making things happen. Can't wait for book two!

I posted a review for this book that was intended for another Netgalley ARC. I will return and update this review once I have completed the book. Apologies for the inconvenience!

I devoured this book! It is so unlike anything I have read and I can't wait for others to pick this up! This story follows 2 cursed brothers, The Liar and The Thief, and one girl that gets caught in the mix. The FMC finds herself in a magical casino and entering the Liars Den tournament where magical dice are used to lie and deceive others.

I was obsessed with the snarky banter between all of the characters. It reminds me a little of a "YA Phantasma" (less deadly and less smutty though), Caraval setting, and Salvatore brother vibes. The magic system was a little confusing in the beginning, however you aren't meant to understand everything in the beginning. The mystery unravels as you read and it kept me flipping pages.

You'll love this if you love:
🫦Snarky Banter
❤️‍🔥Loathe to Love (enemies to lovers)
🪄Magic/Illusionist
🐍Betrayal/Deceipt
🤫Secrets
🎲Games/Trails
👓Disability representation

This book holds a special place in my heart as the FMC has the same condition that my toddler was diagnosed with recently; strabismic amblyopia. Thank you Jessica and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The seamless integration of romance and magical elements created a truly captivating reading experience. I found the story to be exceptionally well-crafted and highly recommend it.

When Lola meets Enzo, she’s at her lowest—desperate enough to risk everything for a taste of freedom. She becomes a thief, assisting Enzo in his quest to break the curse that’s bound him. Their journey leads them to the one place Enzo can’t follow: the Liars Den, a high-stakes casino run by his estranged brother, Nic—the very one who cursed him. But this isn’t an ordinary casino; here, secrets are the currency.

Lola must face the Den alone, guarding her identity while navigating a web of lies and temptation. Drawn to Nic despite herself, she’s forced to ask: how far is she willing to go to protect her secrets?

Having never read anything by this author before, I was genuinely surprised by how quickly I was pulled into this story. It’s a fast-paced blend of magic, mystery, and romance that kept me turning pages. At first, I wasn’t sure I could connect with the characters, but as the story unfolded, I became invested in their journey. The ending left me wanting more—but in the best way—and sets up the second installment of this duology perfectly.

This book is a great pick for readers who enjoy magical adventures, forced proximity romance, and a twist of intrigue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

🌟 HOLY HEIST, I’M OBSESSED. 🌟

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson is a masterclass in tension, deception, and magical intrigue—and I am not okay (in the best way possible). This book absolutely devoured me. I was sucked in the moment Lola stepped into the Liar’s Dice Tournament, and I swear, I didn’t come up for air until the final page threw me headfirst off a cliff. And now I’m just… spiraling. Flailing. Screaming. Counting down the seconds to the sequel.

Let’s talk about Lola, aka Astra: this girl is sharp and surprisingly unpredictable. She’s been through it, and watching her navigate this maze of secrets, magical dice, and cursed brothers?? Chef’s kiss. She’s bonded to the Thief, emotionally and magically, but then the Liar—his brooding, secret-stuffed, maddeningly magnetic brother—enters the scene and suddenly, we’re all in trouble.

Is it a love triangle? Is it enemies-to-lovers? Is it “I-shouldn’t-want-you-but-I-do” slow-burn angst?? Yes. Yes to everything. The chemistry between Lola and the Liar is 🔥 electric 🔥—full of banter so sharp it could slit your soul and tension so thick you could drown in it. And then there’s the Thief, who has her heart (literally). Every moment is charged, every word drips with subtext and secrets, and the way these characters unravel each other? Exquisite.

And don’t get me started on the setting: a magical casino where they gamble secrets instead of money?? YES PLEASE. The dice magic system is one of the most original I’ve ever read—high-stakes gambling where you’re wagering your own truth?? The concept is as thrilling as it is terrifying. Plus, mirrored starlit floors, secret orchid caves, bioluminescent pools?? I could LIVE in this world.

Olson doesn’t just write a story—she ensnares you in a glittering web of illusions, betrayal, and slow-drip revelations. The pacing is breakneck, but never sacrifices emotional depth. The morally grey cast adds delicious complexity (because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a morally ambiguous thief or a liar with a tragic past?).

I will say, I need more on the Zenithic gods and religious system, but I’m hopeful the next book will dive into that deeper. Because YES, I need the next book. Immediately. Yesterday, actually.

If you crave tension-laced romance, twisty plots, magical heists, and characters who lie as easily as they breathe—Den of Liars is your next obsession.

Final verdict?
🎲 This book didn’t just play the game—it rigged the table, rolled the dice, and stole my heart while I was distracted by the magic. 🎲
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I liked the plot of this book. Being as it's, a YA book the spice is not really there. But even without all the spice I was interested in the book, not all books have to have a lot of spice.

TLDR: it didn’t really spike my interest until like 50-60% but I didn’t want to DNF another arc.

Lola shares a heart with one brother and must find the secrets of the other brother to free her heart. To do so she has to lie and betray.

Conceptually I quite liked the book. I could tell from the beginning this is supposed to be the first book in a series. A bunch of unanswered questions right from the start. The liars dice tournament didn’t feel very creative or interesting to me, which is sad because that’s most of the book. Lola kind of just randomly comes into knowledge with loose speculation sometimes and honestly some things just genuinely don’t make any sense to me. The romance was fine and pretty clean, but so toxic because of Lola tbh. She’s like “you have to tell me the truth!” To the man that’s cursed to only lie ever, meanwhile she herself is lying to him. Idk it feels like there was a theme that was supposed to be there that wasn’t entirely flushed out so really I just feel confused about it. I have no idea what this book was wanting to tell me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review

Overall this was a fun romantasy story. This gave me Caraval with Six of Crows and even a bit of the twists and turns of Once Upon a Broken Heart.

I thought the world building was intriguing, with all the magic sprinkled throughout the world, the lure of the liar’s casino, all the lies and secrets and heists going on among thieves.

I especially loved the magic system in regards to the dice used in the casino—no spoilers, but I thought that was a really unique element. Also in terms of magic, I enjoyed how voratium was used in the story.

Our main characters of Lola, the Thief, and the Liar were interesting to follow. They were all morally gray and/or questionable characters, which I liked as it mostly kept me guessing as to what they would do next. The two brothers certainly lived up to their nicknames.

Speaking of their relationships, I liked that the romance was a slow burn hate to love. It was interesting to explore the dynamic between Lola and the Liar as compared to the dynamic between Lola and the Thief. Both relationships were complicated in their own way. And the sibling relationship between the Liar and the Thief was fun to learn about.

The tension, the chemistry, the vibes—chef's kiss. There’s something about morally gray characters and complicated emotions that just hits right for me. Every time!

The Liar's Dice Tournament has unique premise. I enjoyed the concept of gambling with secrets and memories. It brought a truly unique spin to the typical fantasy heist scenario. The stakes were high, and I was constantly anticipating what would be revealed next.
.
The ending was compelling and sets up nicely for the sequel.

Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this story would feel similar to Six of Crows, but that is not the vibe I got. It had a few good heist moments, but a lot less heist planning and teamwork. It felt like if Six of Crows had made romance the main plot and heists a small subplot. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't already had that comparison in my mind, to be honest. The storyline and competition plot were pretty good, and the characters were unique. The magic system seemed cool, but I wished we learned more about one thing in particular (but I won't spoil that). The prose was strange. It had lines that reminded me of Caraval, which I didn't enjoy. Any weird analogies drag me out of a book, and I feel like they were noticeable and frequent.

"His whisper is a caress along the hollow of my throat, tipping my chin, angling my face so he can watch me bite my lip, watch me tremble."

Yeah, so, that's weird, does anyone else think that's weird? This line, like many others, felt so melodramatic and overdone. But the book still wasn't as bad as some two-star books I've read recently. Overall, it was a decent read in my mind, but not something I need to read again.

I think you would enjoy this book if you enjoyed Caraval, liked Six of Crows but wanted way more romance and way less heist stuff, like fantasy books set in casinos/hotels, or fantasy books with a competition plot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC.

Den of Liars is the perfect Romantasy YA book. This book was a really good travel for me. Personally, I enjoyed the writing and storyline. I enjoyed how this book draws the reader in and takes the reader throughout the storyline of the book. I personally loved how the main characters behaved with each other. This has become one of my favorite YA Romantasy books!

I am a huge fan of this book, and I’m disappointed that I didn't know it was a series until the moment when I hit that cliffhanger at the end.

It's fast paced, hard to put down, with great twists and it is wonderfully executed. The tension and chemistry is 10/10. Highly enjoyed the character growth as well. I couldn't get enough and didn't want it to end. Absolutely cannot wait for the next part!

I absolutely enjoyed this and am dying to get my hands on book 2 - the plot was unique, the characters were engaging and had me turning pages way later into the night than I should have! I don’t know which brother I trust more the thief or the liar even though they both have their faults and issues.

Definitely looking for more from this author asap!

Thanks for the chance to read early

Ok, this one was pretty spell binding! Definitely hard to put down at times! Olson has created a truly unique world, woven with glittering webs of deceit. When every character is an unreliable narrator, ever scene a possible glamor and the game itself a lie, you will be questioning EVERYTHING. If you were a fan of the Caraval series you will most likely love Den of Liars! This book was fast paced and the plot kept me intrigued!

(Now that I’ve sung its praises… is this a safe space to whisper one tiny detail that gave me the ick?… It might be the most random thing that’s ever triggered me in a book… I did not like that Nic was an aerial dancer?! 😂 it just did not meld with the rest of him for me. Even what we know about his childhood, it just doesn’t make sense that that was a hobby he picked up along the way. LOL. - luckily it didn’t play a big enough part of the storyline to truly affect my enjoyment of the book!)

Ehhhh, this one was alright. The plot progressed well, which kept me turning the pages. Content-wise though, a little iffy.

⚠️ a minor character appears to identify as they/them
⚠️ there are several usages of the a-, b-, p-, s-, and d-word
⚠️ "as luxurious as sin" 🤨
⚠️ a minor-ish female character has a "wife"
⚠️ very descriptive kisses and (view spoiler)
⚠️ there's a made-up religious group that appears similar to a cult?

👍 FMC = ballerina thief who wears glasses
👍 very creative concept - a little too much casino vibes for me, though

Not sure if I would want to read the sequel when it comes out.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillion Children's Publishing Group, for giving me an ARC of Den of Liars in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was a vibe. I had no idea what to anticipate coming in, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I would rate it a solid four stars. The pacing lagged in a few places—there were definitely some dull moments—but the story kept me interested.

The Liar's Dice Tournament has a fantastic and unique premise. I enjoyed the concept of gambling with secrets and wonderful memories. It brought a truly unique spin to the typical fantasy heist scenario. The stakes were high, and I was constantly anticipating what would be revealed next.

My favorite part, though? The romantic interest. Absolutely. . The tension, the chemistry, the vibes—I was living for it. There’s something about morally gray characters and complicated emotions that just hits right for me.

And don't get me started on the cliffhanger. It left me looking at the final page, flicking back as if—that's it?! I really need the next book ASAP because I have so many questions.