Den of Liars is a fast-paced, twisty tale full of secrets, ambition, and betrayal. Jessica S. Olson weaves a dark, glamorous world where power comes at a price, and no one can be fully trusted. With a fierce heroine and plenty of jaw-dropping reveals, this book is perfect for fans of political intrigue, morally gray characters, and high-stakes drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the first page, Den of Liars throws you headfirst into a world where manipulation is survival and trust is a luxury no one can afford. Jessica S. Olson masterfully constructs a tense, intricate tale of deception, power, and identity, led by a protagonist who is as flawed as she is ferocious. The political intrigue is tight, the pacing sharp, and the atmosphere dense with danger.

Olson doesn’t just tell a story—she plays a game, one the reader is not always sure they’re winning. Every twist felt earned, every betrayal hit with weight. This is a book for readers who crave danger cloaked in silk and characters who weaponize their vulnerability. I was hooked from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed the setting and premise of Den of Liars and found the pacing to be perfect. However, I struggled to connect to the characters, especially the love interest. I also thought the twists are fairly predictable. Overall I would recommend Den of Liars to a young adult newer to the fantasy genre.

I did enjoy the narration, especially the MMC's narrator.

I received an ARC and ALC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

thank you netgalley for sharing this arc with me! i enjoyed reading it, but it did have some slower moments that almost lost me. this was a good book, i just don’t think it was a good book for me. it did reminded me a lot of six of crows, the liar definitely gives me “kaz” vibes. i wish this actually had more heists involved and more twists and reveals, i felt like i really wasn’t surprised by anything and just had an “oh, okay” type reaction. this was good enough for me to be interested if there are more books just to see what the hell is going to happen.

I loved the casino setting, the games, and the thrills. It did give vibes of Caraval at times. I thought the main characters and their chemistry was lacking at times and felt forced. Overall it was a good book and I will be reading the second

I did not enjoy this book at all. This might be due in part to the fact that I am a little older than the target audience, but I think a lot of it has to do with the quality of the book.

The biggest problem I had with it was the worldbuilding; nothing really felt fleshed out to me. The setting itself was a source of confusion. It's impossible to tell if this takes place in a historical setting, futuristic setting, retro-futuristic setting, or alternate universe because of how poorly established the world is. At one point a character mentioned televisions and motion pictures and I had to take a beat because it was so at-odds with what the rest of the book had led me to believe. (They also have telegrams and walkie-talkies existing in the same setting and that just did not make sense to me) The slang/character interactions also make it hard to understand what exactly this world is supposed to be. Sometimes they used invented slang, sometimes they used British slang, sometimes they used modern American slang, sometimes they used multiple in the same paragraph they were speaking. Somehow the way the characters spoke felt anachronistic to every time period ever.

Speaking of characters, I also did not like either of the brothers. This might be personal preference because they fall into a certain character archetype that I don't typically like, but it was really hard to sympathize with either of them. (The ‘liar’ character is just cringe, this might be because I’m over the target age for this book, but why does he seem like a horrible character from a film noir satire...)

I feel like the marketing for this book should also be adjusted; little of what goes on in the story has to do with the actual heist. Realistically, it's more about her spying, competing, and learning to become independent from people who have taken advantage of her. Which is fine, but different from what the synopsis would lead you to believe.

There were also some problems with the writing and the things the author chose to focus on. There is a lot more telling than showing. Instead of giving readers a paragraph telling us that something cool or interesting is happening, it would have been better to actually experience the things happening. Same with backstory - a few flashbacks interspersed within the overall framework would have helped things flow better and feel more interesting. [There is a scene where something similar to a flashback happens, and I liked this, but I wish more memories could have been included in the actual page time instead of just being recounted.]

I will say I did like the main character of Lola and how the author gave her a disability that she also has. This made the character more realistic and more interesting. I also feel like Lola's arc of learning how to break free of codependency was really cool and the way in which it was written helps younger readers understand. I just wish that the actual plot and worldbuilding of the story better matched the arc.

I do think this book would be great for people who are not as into fantasy and worldbuilding, or younger readers looking to get into fantasy.

Ah! This book was so good! I read most of this in a day because I couldn’t put it down. The story definitely feels original and like a breathe of fresh air.

Den of Liars is about two brothers who have had a falling out, the Thief and the Liar, and Lola St. James who is kind of thrown into the middle of it. Not everything is how it seems though. As the story goes on, lies begin to unravel and the ending feels like a huge slap in the face for Lola.

This is a dual perspective book, truly one of my favorite writing styles. We get to see things through Lola’s eyes and Nic’s eyes. My only gripe here is that I wanted more of Nic’s perspective! Every time I turned to a new chapter, I hoped it would be through his eyes but sadly (not really because it makes sense), the majority of the book is told through Lola. I just love dual perspectives so much, especially first person dual perspectives like Den of Liars is.

The romance aspect of this is sooooooo good. It’s a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with minimal spice. Heavy make out sessions, but they’re so good. As soon as “I loathe you,” was said, I was down bad for these two. No spoilers here as to who they are, but I feel like they’re perfect for each other. There’s a lot of “I actually see you and you actually see me,” going on and it’s so beautiful. This book is called Den of Liars for a reason. There’s so much deceit and lying going on, and these two find peace in each other because they truly listen to one another. I love it.

Nic is my favorite character. My emotions were smashed against a wall several times because of him. UGGHHHHHHH.

I can’t believe that I have to wait for the next book now. The cliffhanger will have me sitting on the edge of my seat until book two is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan Publishing) for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Two brothers quarreling for years - the Liar and the Thief - one broken, vulnerable girl, caught in the middle, and a game exchanging one's deepest secrets for a chance of freedom.
Astra wants nothing more than to be free. Free of the other heart she's linked to, free of carrying her burdens, free to know the truth of her father and her past. When she hears about the Liar's Dice Tournament, she immediately wants to join. She believes this can be her chance at gaining her freedom. However, when she joins, things aren't as simple as she hoped they would be. Astra quickly needs to figure out what is the truth and what is a lie before she is tied to this bond forever.
This book is incredibly suspenseful, with a steady building climax that will have you holding your breath until the very end. The plot is promising and very enticing. The characters are well-developed, with Astra, of course, being my favorite. I think this book is a 5-star read, all the way up until about 95%. The ending seemed like a major downfall, somewhat of a disappointment, after all the built-up anticipation. I was hoping to get at least one answer to the many questions the author had us developing in our minds. Who is Astra/ Lola? What is Nick's secret? Why does Enzo desire to find the stone so badly? Why was Astra taken? What caused the rift between the brothers? What is Enzo's ulterior motive? The book is great and suspenseful, however, the ending wasn't quite what I was expecting. I feel like the breath I was holding was followed by a sigh instead of the gasp I was waiting for. A solid 4-star read, and of course, I am looking forward to the next book! I (we, the people) need answers! Thank you Jessica S. Olsen. This is an absolutely incredibly remarkable and unforgettable fantasy!
Thank you NetGalley, MacMillian Children's Publishing Group, and Jessica S. Olsen for this intriguing read!

I loved the vibe this book had! It was definitely a YA book, but didnt feel too young. The atmosphere this book had was wonderful. I think it started a bit slow, but it reallt hooks you and you cant put it down!

This book had me side-eyeing everyone—and I loved it. Den of Liars is a deliciously twisty ride full of secrets, scheming, and just the right amount of dark magic. Jessica S. Olson drops you into a world where no one can be trusted, and somehow, that makes it impossible to put down.

The main character’s moral compass? Questionable. The tension? Perfectly simmering. And the plot twists? Let’s just say I screamed… more than once.

If you’re into political intrigue, shadowy romances, and stories where everyone has something to hide, this one’s for you. 4.5 stars—and a healthy dose of trust issues.

3.5 stars. I was really excited about the concept for this book. The beginning was a little slow and very confusing. But once the plot starts to pick up it gets so good. I loved the romance aspect! The magic aspect of the plot was kind of confusing for me to follow- even though im a fantasy reader through and through. It’s also important to keep in mind that this is ya and reads a little younger.

eARC Review: Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC!
I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF THIS BOOK. I could not put it down and I had a smile on my face a majority of time I was reading. The writing and the story were so good and the fantasy world was so fascinating. I loved the banter between Lola and the Liar and their burgeoning love made me giddy. I loved how headstrong and fierce Lola was. She was so unafraid to say how she felt and so earnest in wanting to do the right thing. I connected with her and the Liar so deeply and I felt like I was living the story with them. This is a YA novel but it didn't feel TOO YA so don't let that deter you from reading it because absolutely everyone should read this book. I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out.

This book has such an interesting combination of magical tropes, and I have to shout out this writer for giving our heroine a lazy eye, since I have lived my whole life with this condition and never seen it represented in literature except to indicate sinister villainy. I thought the layers of conspiracy kept the book suspenseful, and I loved watching our girl come into her own. Fans of magical heists and inception-style plot twists will approve of this one.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

✨ARC Review✨

Den of Liars by Jessica Olson
Pub Date: July 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎲disability representation
💜love triangle
✌🏼duology

An adventure of deceit, magic, and love! A main character that shares a heart with a Thief who stole it. A villain who runs a casino and as the Liar can detect secrets and lies. Magical dice that depending on color and the roll can help you tell a lie or uncover lies. Only one will win the contest!

I highly enjoyed this YA story! The magic system was so different and new compared to anything else I’ve ever read. This gave me Ocean’s Eleven vibes for sure - it was so adventurous with the heist to seal a moonstone in attempt to break a curse of the shared heart between the Thief and Lola. The physical glamours and not knowing what you’re seeing is real or not, along with the verbal lies (or truths??) tied in together perfectly with the main competition of the casino for who can be the best liar and keep their own secrets closest to them. 10/10 recommend this book when it debuts soon!!!!

While this is a formally well-written book, I struggled to feel emotionally invested in the story.
I enjoyed the atmosphere — the setting of the casino, the games, the challenges — but I never truly connected with the plot or its characters.

Part of the issue might be that I quickly guessed where things were going with certain characters, so the later “reveals” that were meant to change Lola’s perspective didn’t feel all that surprising or impactful to me.

In addition, there was also a lack of chemistry between her and one of the MMCs, the Liar, despite the story immediately trying to frame an attraction between them. Maybe it’s the fact that he wears a fedora that he actually tips multiple times (!) that killed my interest in their relationship quickly, or perhaps it’s just that I’ve seen his exact character type so many times before that he didn’t feel fresh or interesting to me, which made their relationship fall flat. Whatever it was, it resulted in me not feeling much of a spark between them.

I think the strongest parts of the book were the scenes where Lola actively participated in the Dice Tournament. Those moments were genuinely tense and engaging, and I was fully on board during those challenges.

I also really appreciated the way the author handled Lola’s visual impairment. She has reduced depth perception due to a lazy eye and limited vision in one eye, and I thought this was woven into the story with care. It felt thoughtfully integrated into her experiences during the tournament, and added a unique layer to her as a character.

Still, the characters overall felt a bit one-dimensional. Even though they each had backstories that should have been compelling, especially in a world filled with crime syndicates, a magical casino, and high-stakes games, I just never felt truly drawn in by them or the surrounding storyline and thus my engagement with the story remained overall pretty low.



Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This was a fun start to a new YA fantasy series with casinos, heists, secrets, and magical tournaments. The FMC Lola is the daughter of a crime boss and adopts a new identity after being kidnapped by a rival group and then rescued by a man known as the Thief, who introduces her to a world of magic and conning. She was a very unique MC and I enjoyed how clever and determined she was and the fact that she embraced her disability.

The dynamic between Lola and the two brothers, the Thief and the Liar, was really interesting and all of the lies and secrets between them really kept me on my toes. The magic system was cool with dice that cast different illusions and hold secrets and such. The romance was mild but I’m interested in seeing how it develops. I didn't really pay attention to the fact that this is a series but after the ending I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

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

Den of Liars, by Jessica S. Olson, is the first installment in the author's The Devious duology, which mixes together high-stakes heists, magical intrigue, and a slow-burn romance set against the backdrop of a glittering casino where secrets are the ultimate prize. The story centers on Lola St. James, a young woman living under the alias Astra, who is bound to the Thief, the notorious leader of the Tentacles, by a magical bond that allows them to feel each other’s emotions through a shared heart.

This bond was formed when the Thief rescued her after her father’s devastating loss in the Liar’s Dice Tournament—a high-stakes magical competition where players wager their deepest secrets. Determined to prove herself as a full-fledged Tentacle, Lola embarks on a daring casino heist, but when it goes awry, she’s forced to enter the Liar’s Dice Tournament herself. There, she encounters the Thief’s enigmatic brother, the Liar, who runs the game and challenges her in ways she never expected.

As Lola navigates the tournament’s deadly mind games, she’s torn between her growing attraction to the Liar, her loyalty to the Thief, and the secrets of her past that threaten to unravel everything. Once the tournament begins, the plot accelerates, delivering a relentless series of twists, betrayals, and revelations that keep readers hooked. The heist elements, reminiscent of Ocean’s Eleven, blend seamlessly with the high-stakes magical tournament, creating a narrative that feels both action-packed and emotionally charged.

The novel also incorporates disability representation, with Lola having strabismic amblyopia (a “lazy eye”) and nearsightedness, requiring glasses. Olson, who shares these traits, authentically weaves this aspect into Lola’s character, highlighting her resilience without making it the sole focus of her identity. This representation has been celebrated as a meaningful addition to the fantasy genre, where such portrayals are rare.

The two brothers, the Thief (Enzo) and the Liar (Nic), are equally intriguing, their fraught relationship adding complexity to the story. Enzo, Lola’s best friend and partner, shares an emotional bond with her that feels deep and authentic, though it’s complicated by their shared heart. Nic, the Liar, is a charismatic and morally gray antagonist-turned-love interest, whose banter and tension with Lola spark some of the novel’s most memorable scenes. The dynamic between Lola, Enzo, and Nic forms a unique love triangle—not in the traditional sense, but one rooted in loyalty, betrayal, and competing desires.

This dynamic, combined with the brothers’ “deadly backstory,” keeps readers guessing about their true motives and adds emotional weight to Lola’s choices. With its strong heroine, morally gray brothers, and a cliffhanger that leaves readers scratching their heads, this book is a must-read for fans of Caraval, Kingdom of the Wicked, or The Inheritance Games.

Thank you to Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group for the netgalley arc.

I enjoyed reading this book, but some things were a little confusing. The magic system was super cool, I just wish it would have been developed a little more. Everything else about this book was pretty good, though. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between The Liar and Lola. Even if their arguments seemed repetitive, it was entertaining. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to pick up the next book.

💜 A Young Thief
💰 A Heist
⚔️ Two Waring Brothers
💜 Forbidden Love
🎲 Magic
🤫 Secrets Bargained

Lola & Enzo share a heart. Can she free Enzo & herself?

This was such an interesting read. A game of lies & deceit, secrets bargained, illusions & magical dice. 🎲

*I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest feedback about the book as an avid reader.*

If you want a dash of romance mixed with a high stakes game, this is the book for you!

Huge thank you to the author, & NetGalley for letting me read & review this book. 💜

Available for purchase July 1st, 2025 💜

This book felt like it had both a lot going on and nothing going on at the same time. The magic system with moon shards and soul light was confusing at times, as were the curses that Enzo and Nic had. Things were really convoluted at times and the system of bartering lies and tricks with the dice seemed to be background noise to everything else going on. Mafia, romance, magic, gambling, fantasy… it was a lot and I think it could have been trimmed down for a better story.