I always find myself loving her books and this was no exception. I read it in one day because I just could not put it down and I loved the characters and the world building a lot

I didn’t hate this book. In fact, there were parts I genuinely had fun with. but overall I just wasn’t that moved by it.

the description really made it sound like it was going to be something fresh and exciting, and I was on board. but along the way. it’s hard to even pinpoint where my interest started to fade. but the further I got, the less invested I felt.

I couldn’t really connect with the main character, Lola. She felt flat and kind of boring for most of the book. and while I know this is a young adult story, a lot of the plot points and events came off as juvenile and kind of cringe. there are plenty of YA books that pull off complexity and nuance but this didn’t. the almost three stars I’m giving are almost entirely because of Nic, who I really enjoyed. he was the one character that made the story feel alive.

Den of Liars by Jessica Olson
⭐️ 4 Star Review
🎧ALC Review
📅 Release Date: July 1, 2025

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the advanced audio!

Synopsis:
Lola St. James has lived in the shadows ever since her father’s loss in the deadly Liar’s Dice Tournament. Rescued and bound heart-to-heart with the enigmatic Thief, leader of the Tentacles, Lola has spent years hiding under a new name, determined to prove herself.

But when a heist goes wrong, her only option is to enter the tournament herself; facing not just impossible stakes, but also the Thief’s mysterious brother, the Liar. Drawn into dangerous games of secrets, illusions, and forbidden attraction, Lola must decide who to trust before her past…and her heart…consume her.

Tropes:
✨ Found family
✨ Love triangle vibes
✨ High-stakes games/competitions
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Forbidden attraction

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this audiobook!! I read A Forgery of Roses by Jessica Olson a few years back and found it leaned a little more YA than I typically enjoy, so I went into this one a bit skeptical. But this story hooked me right away. The worldbuilding and magic system felt so unique, and I loved the dangerous tension between Lola and the Liar. This was YA that didn’t feel overly “YA,” and I appreciated that balance so much. The pacing and atmosphere kept me hooked, and now I’m already eager for book 2!!

The narrators also did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I especially loved the way they captured the tension and emotion between scenes.

Lola was kidnapped when she was just a Child. And to escape she agreed to share her heart with the thief. 4 years passed and she was one of them. Just not marked. To help Enzo she convinced him to let her compete in the dice competition, when one his brother the lier puts on. She was set on finding that shard that would free her and free Enzo. But there was a twist. She found out his secret. And fell in love with the enemy.

The lier fell in love with her too but to protect her he pushed her away by the only way he knows how. Deception and lies.

“Den of Liars,” by Jessica S. Olson

One of my favorite books I’ve read all year and probably with be on my favorite list of all time forever. Number 1 I loved every single character in this book. I love how they interact with each other and the lack of trust but also the need they all want to trust in somebody, it was so good. Number 2 I loved the magic system and the magic plot; it reminded me a lot of Caraval series (which is one of my favorites too). I really like the mystical god powers with the abundance of dark themes like the gambling den and thieves, etc. Number 3 I seriously adored how the FMC has a disability that wasn’t an easy passing type of disability that you forget about it one page after it being mentioned, literally perfect. Number 4 (lol I’m forgetting which number I’m on because there are too many reasons I loved this book) The plot was so freaking good! It was intricate but not overly complicated for no reason. I loved the mystery and the peril of everything that happened. Number 5 I read the book and also listened to the audiobook, and both were absolutely perfect. I’m glad that I didn’t experience just one of the versions because both brought the story to life in different ways. I wouldn’t change a thing about either of them.

I would say this book is if Caraval and Phantasma had a baby. 5 out of 5 stars, I will be rereading it way more times for sure. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!

-Disability
-Thief
-Immortal Gods
-Hidden Identity
-Dual/Multi POV

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“The beauty of living is in the discovery. Yes, we make mistakes, we get lost, we have our hearts broken a dozen times … but that’s the only way to live with your eyes and your arms and your heart wide open.”

“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?”

“To live is to lie, little thief.”

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.

Having loved Sing Me Forgotten, Jessica S. Olson's debut, I kept an eye on Den of Liars since it's announcement in 2022. And it was worth the wait with great character dynamics, an engaging narrative and well built themes as we experience a casino heist turned gambling tournament with lots of magic.

The characters were very intriguing, with me able to understand all three main characters (Lola, Enzo/The Thief, and The Liar) to understand their motives and goals. Their dynamic was probably one of the best parts of the book. It’s very complex and ever changing. And I consider all three in that morally gray area due to the choices they make.

I like Lola, the main protagonist, the most. She's been doing jobs for "The Thief" aka Enzo, for four years, ever since she made a deal to share a heart with him to save her life. However, she feels like she’s being coddled a bit too much despite her help with heists. Due to a heist gone wrong, she’s caught in a game between Enzo and his brother, The Liar. She does feel a bit sheltered to start, but she has to learn how to break away from that. She also has to examine abuse dynamics, as she’s been through multiple throughout her life. She does have “lazy eye” and it does affect the story.

I understood The Liar more of a tragic anti-villain trying to help humanity. I like that it didn’t take too long for his soft side to emerge and that his character development didn’t fall back on too many cliches. Enzo, The Thief, was the character that surprised me the most throughout the book. I’m not giving much away, but as more of the backstory is revealed and the contest progresses, we figure out that things are not as they seem.

I must apologize that my least favorite parts of the book were the romance, but I think that's mostly personal taste for the "villain romance". Though with the moral grayness to the whole story, it's not that much of a stretch. I know villain romances something a lot of romantasy readers like and I’m in the minority of my dislike, so if you like villain romances, you’ll enjoy this one. There’s not a lot of spice if you’re looking for that (as it should be, it’s still YA).

For the most part, the magic system was built well. However, parts of it felt hard to follow and understand, which made a couple of spots during the story a little confusing. The world itself felt like a fictional version of our world in the mid 20th century, as radio and TV is mentioned in the storyline, almost like an alternate Monaco or Atlantic City setting (or any waterfront gambling city). And I do like how the world’s religion is tied up into all of this.

The plot itself wasn’t super twisty, but that’s fine. There were a few romantasy cliches, but not so much that it felt like it was a cliche storm, and many of them fit. The prose was very vivid and I found myself very intrigued in the storyline. The themes of lies and illusions was done very well and makes the impossible choices to make that much harder.

There's some conclusion to one of the major plot lines, but there's more storylines left hanging than wrapped up. I was hoping for a little more closure than I got, but I understand this is the first book of a series.

The audiobook performance from Emily Ellet and Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick enhanced this story by so much with the intensity and emotion on point. Special note goes to when the Liar (Fitzpatrick) says "You have gambled, you have lied, and you have been eliminated. Goodbye", it feels like The Weakest Link or another mean game show.

I'm really excited to continue The Devious saga and where it will lead for our characters. If you like complex sibling dynamics, and a deep exploration of truth vs lies, this is a book to pick up.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Such a good audiobook! I have been absolutely loving the heist trope lately and this one did not disappoint. If you’re a six of crows fan, try this one!

Rating: 5 stars.

OBSESSED. I was probably 10% into this book and started getting Six of Crows vibes. If you know me at all, you know this is the biggest compliment I can give. The dirty city, the dirty liar that always seems to be running a mark, the danger, the drama. I know this book just came out but I need book 2 STAT.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Den of Liars had me hooked from the first page, and honey, it did NOT disappoint. Jessica S. Olson served up a messy, juicy, and downright addictive cocktail of secrets, sass, and steamy moments that kept me glued to the pages like a caffeine addict at 2AM.

The characters? A gloriously flawed cast of liars, schemers, and truth-twisters who keep you guessing and laughing—because sometimes all you can do is clutch your wine and revel in the chaos. The heroine? Sharp-tongued, no-nonsense, and with a mouth that could roast anyone in three words or less. The hero? Oh, he’s the kind of complicated that makes you roll your eyes and swoon at the same time.

The drama? Deliciously over the top. The romance? Hot enough to melt steel. And the twists? Girl, I never saw them coming.

If you’re here for sharp wit, messy truths, and a story that slaps you with humor and heart, Den of Liars is your new guilty pleasure. Grab your popcorn—and maybe a glass of something strong—because this one’s a wild ride. 🍷🔥💋

Sharp, serpentine, and deliciously twisty—Den of Liars had me suspicious of everyone, and I loved it. The political intrigue, hidden agendas, and dark romance kept me flipping pages. A juicy, dangerous ride.

This book is so addictive and a lot of fun. I can't wait to read the ebook alongside it. The narration fits perfectly and I'm very excited to continue the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC

A big thanks to NetGalley for gifting me both an eARC and advance audio book, and to YABC for providing an advance finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you combine the thrilling heists of Six of Crows and a magic system built on lies, you'll make Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson.

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson is a YA fantasy novel about a young thief attempting a daring casino heist during a high-stakes tournament is torn between two warring brothers. 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.

I'll be the first to admit that Jessica S. Olson's novels have either been a hit or miss for me. I LOVED A Forgery of Roses but wasn't the biggest fan of Sing Me Forgotten. But Den of Liars is superb and overall magically good read. What I liked most about Den of Liars is the fact that most of the time I thought I had the mystery figured out, but in reality I was completely wrong. Olson's presents the reader with a seemingly simple narrative, only to rip the rug out from under our feet with twist after twist. ALL while presenting these adorable characters you can't help but cheer on and overly relate to. I also LOVED just the general moral dilemma that Olson presents in Lola's growing attracting to the Liar, in questioning what all she is willing to sacrifice in the name of love.

What I was the biggest fan of was the general was some of the writing style. Which is the same problem I faced with Sing Me Forgotten, in that Olson builds up this really thing with really pretty prose and it just kinda falls flat. In the sense that she makes something sound really cool and exciting, but it's overall just mundane. Also Enzo in general (sorry not sorry).

Regardless, this is a solid read for anyone wanting to dip their toes into the YA fantasy scene, but don't want to commit to a series or a 500 page standalone. Den of Liars is the perfect blend of magic, heists, and romance.

Romantasy girlies, gather round, because I don’t think DEN OF LIARS is receiving nearly enough attention and you will love it. Romantasy is not the primary genre I read, but I had to snap up this arc when I realized the author was someone I knew slightly in college. Once upon a time, I remember being in awe of @jessicaolson123 because she said she was going to be a writer, and at the time that was something I secretly wished I could do but was afraid to try. Obviously a lot can happen in 15 years, and I loved seeing her knock it out of the park with this one.

DEN OF LIARS is, at its heart, a story about unpeeling layers of deception and false belief to get at the heart of something. As the heroine joins a game at a casino run by the mysterious and powerful Liar with the scheme of pulling off an unprecedented heist, she learns everything she’s been taught is not necessarily what it seems to be.

I’ve read stories about games of intrigue that have left me confused, but DEN OF LIARS pulled me deftly through the intricate world the author has created. I didn’t always know what was around the corner (which is a good thing), but I knew which way was up, if that makes sense. And the heroine, Lola, was fully developed—courageous, passionate, and at times, morally grey. The story left me giddy in moments of romantic tension and reflective at other times, as Lola examines what she’s been told in contrast to her actual experiences. I’m eagerly anticipating the chance to learn more about these characters and what their futures hold when the next book is released.

The audiobook narrators were pleasant to listen to, and I felt that I had a good feel for the characters because of how they were voiced.

I received a copy of DEN OF LIARS from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

After Enzo finds Lola kidnapped, he binds his heart to his. She works with him in his network of criminals, the Tentacles, but she has not yet been deemed one. Enzo is after the moon shard, something that will help him live on, and allow them to unlink hearts. On their hunt, they are led to the Liars casino who is run by Enzo’s estranged brother, the Liar. In order find more information on the location of the moon shard, Lola goes undercover as Astra in the annual game the Liar holds in the casino. If she loses, she risks the world knowing about her an Enzo, especially because she’s supposed to be dead.

I thought this book was a lot of fun, and I really appreciated the unique magic system. I sometimes felt confused about the magic’s origin or how exactly the Devious cane across it. I think a little more backstory or history was necessary. Saying that though, the book did feel a little long. We had a lot of narration from Lola pondering the same things over and over. There definitely could have been more Liar chapters! I liked his. The romance was okay since this is YA. Still, could’ve been a bit more moments between them that weren’t always interrupted.

Overall, an exciting setting, lots of action, lies and deception, and a unique magic system lead to a 3.5. Overuse of repetitive narration, romance lacking (even YA), and not enough Liar chapters is why I rounded down. 💫

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This audiobook? A dark, glittery spiral into secrets, status, and survival—and I ate it up.

Den of Liars is like Gossip Girl met Knives Out at a masquerade and things got twisted. Rich-kid drama, deadly secrets, and power games wrapped in velvet and venom. You’ll be questioning everyone and trusting no one—including the main character. (Which makes it even more fun, tbh.)

Narration? Flawless.
Jennifer Jill Araya absolutely nails the tension. Every line is delivered with just the right edge of suspicion or softness. She pulls you into this cold, calculating world where every whispered word could mean your downfall. Total main-character-energy voice.

Listen if you love:
🎭 morally gray MCs with big “I’ll burn it all down” vibes
💋 dangerous romance and even more dangerous secrets
🗡️ high-stakes betrayal + elite private school chaos
🎙️ a narrator who knows how to build mood

This one is for the girlies who love drama, darkness, and not knowing who’s lying until it’s too late. Put in your earbuds and prepare to spiral.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review!

I wasn't feeling this tbh.... It was pretty good and has a promising heist plot with "trails" included but this just seems like..... more of the same things I've read before.

Also why are the fantasy elements related to secrets, die, and lies? The was one of the most unique things I've read about a fantasy but uhhh it's pretty surfaces level....

But considering I only read a portion.... I assume they speak more to the magic later....

As for the main characters they were pretty ok... somewhat unforgettable but I liked how relatable the FMC was... she just seemed like an "average joe" that was dealt a bad card in life and was doing her best to make her life as normal as possible.

The romance that I witnessed before dnfing seemed pretty promising but I honestly don't care to read about "morally grey" men right now.... They're so over done I'm just tired of reading them....

Overall.... this book was pretty boring but had a promising plot and characters so I'll probably come back to it some other time.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, Feiwel & Friends, and Jessica S. Olson.

I loved this book, for so many reasons. I loved the complex relationships between the brothers. I loved the layer of deceit and trickery that happens. I love the games. I love the setting of the world and the explanation of how it works. And the FMC? I ADORE HER.

But I also loved the disability rep. As someone who's younger sister has the exact eye condition being described that the FMC has, it was so awesome to see it included. NGL, I cried, because the author did such a great job describing it and treating it with respect (I know Olson has the eye condition, so I think that helped her write it so well). The fact that her having a disability is not seen as something that makes her less worthy while also something she has to work around? It was so nice to see that rep.

Also, huge shout out about the lyra reference. As an aerial artist, I loved it

I was an instant fan of Jessica S. Olson after reading her debut, Sing Me Forgotten. I will undoubtedly read anything she writes!

As always, her prose in Den of Liars was devastatingly beautiful. I felt surprisingly invested in a tale about a casino heist, as I just wasn’t sure this particular topic would hold my attention. Olson definitely pulled it off well! I also loved that Astra had a visual disability. It added to her fierce, thoughtful characterization.

But the lusting… it just became unbearably annoying. Every detailed scene made me cringe more and more. This is definitely an issue with me as the reader, and those who enjoy a bit of spice teasing may like it more. However, this component coupled with my dislike of the romantic tone did rob from my satisfaction with the novel as a whole.

Mild spoiler:

So, what else was wrong with the romance? Well, our heroine, Astra, was convinced that The Liar was a terrible person for most of the story. The readers know almost immediately that his intentions are misunderstood, but Astra believes him to be the villain. I don’t care for the enemies to lovers trope, in general, but I especially didn’t like it here. Astra found herself wanting him, despite herself, and I feel the whole swooning for the bad guy thing is problematic, even more so when he is secretly a good guy. I think that communicates a dangerous message to readers (especially young, impressionable adults who are just beginning to make sense of the allure of romantic love).

I still want to read the sequel, though. The story was strong enough in other areas to keep my curiosity piqued and I’d like to know where it will all end up.

I am immensely grateful to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.