The Liar of Red Valley

4.5 out of 5. A really great book, one of the best I read this year! The main character and side characters were interesting, the book was very fast paced, and the plot was gripping and smooth-flowing, so much so that I finished the book in three sittings. That may sound slow, but I am a very slow reader and reading something similar in volume to this may take me a week or two if it is not interesting. The book starts off on a low note, Red Valley feels like any other small town, but as the plot progresses, the book reveals more and more of its secrets to you, and it hooks you to the town and it's people.
This can very well be the start of a new urban fantasy series, and I hope there are sequels planned, as the book felt very short for what it is. I'd really love to read more of this town and its people!
All the good things out of the way, I'll now list some of the shortcomings of this book. Although they are very sparse and spread out too far apart, there are a few pacing issues in the book. Like in one of the scenes, when a huge plot point about the mc is revealed, it doesn't take her very long to come in terms with it, which I felt was unnatural, seeing how her character reacts to other situations. Other than this, and some slight issues I have with character development, I can not find any flaws with this book. It is only issues like these that made me take half a star away from an otherwise great book. This can very well become one of the top urban fantasy books of this year upon release!

Loved it, and the sceptic in me was surprised I did. Extremely well written, and it just flowed. Yes its, fantasy, horror, occult, demonic, all set in the "real" world , but even though that was the case it still felt more realistic than some other books I have read. That is down to the writers ability to paint characters, in particular Sadie, who you just became invested in right from the start. There were a couple of areas I thought could have been further developed, but they didn't distract from my enjoyment of this book. Top marks Mr Goodwater.

This might be my FAVOURITE book of the year so far. Clever, fantastical, creepy, dark... an easy 5 stars for me.

The Liar of Red Valley is mistrusted or disliked by almost everyone in her mysteriously magical hometown. Why? Because for a price, she can take people's lies and make the whole world believe that they are true. When Sadie's mother passes away unexpectedly, she inherits the Liar title - and a whole other host of dangerous problems and secrets with it...

I. LOVED. This. Book. It's a mystical and dark modern fantasy, and I absolutely tore through it. As the story develops it only gets better, and the way Goodwater used different characters and aspects of the book and the town was so, so clever. The twists were unpredictable and reminded me very much of Frances Hardinge's stories (which is a huge positive for me as Hardinge is my favourite author and has written several of my favourite books) but for an older audience.

There's a huge range of diverse characters, with mlm and wlw representation as well as POC rep, all of which are significant characters throughout the book. In turn, the book deals with sexism, homophobia, and racism (as well as police brutality) in a way that seamlessly and realistically blends into the story. Goodwater's characterisation and writing was witty and thoughtful, and I absolutely loved it.

I want to say again that this book is CLEVER. Authors who can pull off such clever twists and weave events together so well always leave me in awe, and I've not discovered many yet other than Hardinge who can do this so effectively. Goodwater pleasantly surprised me again and again with his unique concept and twists.

The writing and descriptions themselves are nothing particularly special, but the story itself makes up for it. This additionally means that the book is fast-paced and a nice quick read. I thought it was perfect for the story Goodwater was telling.

I would urge any fantasy fan to pick up this book AS SOON as it comes out. Please. Please read this book. I adored it and I need someone to rant to it about!!

Sadie's mom is The Liar. Sadie knows a bit about what her mom does, but when Sadie finds she's inherited the title after her mother's death, she finds she has a lot to learn. A lot to learn about being the Liar, about the King, about her mother, and about herself.
The Liar of Red Valley is a great mix of horror, suspense, monsters, magic...and friendship. It had me hooked from the beginning! It's a real page-turner.

#TheLiarofRedValley #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.

This is, without a doubt, the most creative book I’ve read all year. There’s magic, a King, and a Liar, but there’s also a town in California that’s set in the modern day. This book will send you on a rollercoaster ride that’s a mixture of horror and fantasy. One of this year’s truly great books.
I loved the lore and magic in it. And I especially loved the main character, Sadie. She has fire and is a force to be reckoned with. The plot is rich and the villains and side characters are wonderful to read about. Definitely recommend.

I was sent a copy of this book for an honest review.

I found that I wanted to read this book continuously. Just as well I'm not working at the moment, because it really was very good! It has a very interesting story, and the characters are good. I loved how it flowed, and it was so different to anything else I've read of late. Really good!

#TheLiarOfRedValley #Netgalley

Do not trust the Liar.
Do not go in the River.
Do not cross the King.

The Liar of Red Valley is about a town protected by a King, harassed by a River, and full of secrets kept by a Liar. The book opens with the Liar dying. Her daughter Sadie will become the new Liar. That's how it works. The King will keep the peace. Or will he? And, man, that undersherrif is an annoying dude, right? And what secret is kept in the Liar's ledger that everyone wants?

I freakin' ate this book alive! I read it in two sittings and I couldn't wait to get to the end to see what happened. Walter Goodwater knows how to spin a tale. The world-building was wonderful, the story was great, there were a couple of times where he hit me with a twist that made me exclaim out loud.

There were so many small details about this book that I loved. That's the real secret to building an captivating world- the little pieces of true things that you add up in your head to build your own image of the place you're reading about.

This book was fun, scary, funny, and poignant in places. The story moves at a good pace and keeps you wanting more. All in all, this was a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes spooky stuff!

»A Lie can do lots of things, but it can't make cancer go away.«

Imagine you had to power to bring a lie to life. To make it true (for a certain definition of true).
Real or not, the Lies work. Doesn't matter if they're real, they're real enough.
Find out more about it in this contemporary fantasy gothic story, with a slight twist of horror, some very absurd (and fun to read) ideas and creatures and a lot of twists.

This book is set to be published in September, ready for fall, the season where we cuddle up with a cup of hot beverage and a good book. And while the days will be getting shorter, you won't even notice the shadows growing larger before your window and your hot beverage turning into a cold beverage because you won't be able to put this book aside. Yes, it's that good.

I've heard this work called lovecraftian, but I disagree. Not everything that involves dark powers is automatically this subgenre, and comparing it to Lovecraft is not giving Walter Goodwater the credits he is due: He has created this world with fresh ideas, and it is not a mere copy of some cthulhian stories. Instead, he blends magical elements (like Mexican Brujos) with fantastical creatures and philosophical ideas into a delightful concoction.

This book is about Sadie, who inherits the title of Liar of the Red Valley after her mother dies. She also gets a clear idea about the power of lies, and the limits to that power on that day when she discovers her mother had cancer for a while but lied about being healthy. The lie holds truth until the very last moment - and I think that's a statement to ponder about. After all, »A Lie can do lots of things, but it can't make cancer go away«.

Well, there always was a liar in the red valley, like there always was the king. Who is the King, and why did he create the Liar?

You'll find answers (and more lies) on Sadie's journey through the fantastical, mythical and kind of scaring Red Valley. Before the end of this journey, talking to the dead and a house stepping in and out of time will be the least of your worries. And when you think that in all this fast paced action you finally have a slight grasp of what's going on, then Walter will hit you with one in the final plot twist I've had the pleasure to read in a long, long time.

Of course I was trying to picture what the great Lie that Sadie's Mom had told at the end of her life would be, and I had a few ideas cursing through my head. But wow, did I ever not expect that.

And no, I'm not going to spoiler that for you. Just read the book, will ya? And remember, your cup is getting cold.


Submitted to Goodreads and Amazon (Amazon review still pending)

In Red Valley, the rules were simple: Do not cross the King. Never, ever go in the river. Don’t trust the liar.

After tragedy strikes, Sadie finds herself the new Liar of Red Valley. As the keeper of the town’s secrets, she has powers that even she does not understand. She must learn who to trust, who is lying, and eventually has to learn to use her powers to save her town.

This is an American Gothic style horror novel that will have you hooked from the very beginning. There is the perfect balance of reality and paranormal that creates a believable and somewhat realistic world. The writing style is easy to follow and the story line is very fast paced.

There is a good mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. There are also some truth bombs dropped that seriously almost made me yeet my Kindle across the room. This style of book is out of my comfort zone and I am so glad I picked it up. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a one sitting read but I did finish it in a day because I was not able to put this down.

People believe things they know ain’t true every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

This story is full of lovable and relatable characters as well as villains and juicy conflict. It is a nail-biter for sure and will leave you wanting more until the very last page.

Positives- well written, easy to follow, relatable characters, interesting plot line

Negatives- There are times when the narrator switches to a different character with like zero warning and this took a bit of getting use to. Majority of the book is in Sadie’s perspective but there are some switches that can throw you off.

First book i have read in a month, and this was the perfect book for me to read to get back into reading.
It was hard for me to put the book down and stop reading it, and right now i already want to read it again.

Definitely the best book I've read so far in 2021

This book is about Sadie who's the daughter of the Liar, and when The Liar dies, that's when troubles begins.

Sadie inherits the powers that was gifted to her family in the 1800's by the King of Red Valley.

And in red valley there are three rules just must follow if you want to stay alive

Don’t trust the Liar.

Don’t go in the River.

Do not cross the King.


This book has a bit of everything, Creepy beasts called The laughing boys, an annoying new under-sheriff who disapprove of the king (not annoying because he disapproves, he's just annoying and a jerk), a time traveling gay couple (whom i adore), and great friendship

The Liar of Red Valley is my kind of book!

Supernatural fantasy with a little twist of horror. Sadie is a great character, she is moody and grumpy but very much human. There is a twist near the end that I did not see coming at all, but I loved it so much!

Thank you to the author, publishers Rebellion Publishing and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Fantastic world building delivers a wholly engrossing fantasy adventure which will appeal to fans of horror, magical realism, dystopian thrillers and more.

Sadie’s mum is the Liar. Within the borders of the town of Red Valley whatever lie she writes in her ledger instantly becomes true. Sadie knows what her mum is, but she doesn’t know she has cancer, not until the hospital calls to say Sadie’s mum has hours to live.

Now everyone seems to expect Sadie to be the new Liar, particularly the King of Red Valley - a being of immense power who lives under the town and grants protection to those who live within the borders from the monsters in the world.

In this epic adventure Sadie has to discover the power of a lie and keeping other people’s secrets.

I loved this book. There is some truly epic world building to create the context in which Sadie lives and how her powers work, but it never gets in the way of the plot. Sadie herself is a really engaging character and it’s easy to be on her side and cheer her on as she faces down demons and monsters and deals with traumatic revelations about her own life.

As far as I can tell this is intended to be a standalone and not part of a series, which is a shame. I’d love to read more about Sadie and her friends. While this is an entirely satisfying self-enclosed story I’d happily travel back to Red Valley anytime.

4.5 out of 5. A really great book, one of the best I read this year! The main character and side characters were interesting, the book was very fast paced, and the plot was gripping and smooth-flowing, so much so that I finished the book in three sittings. That may sound slow, but I am a very slow reader and reading something similar in volume to this may take me a week or two if it is not interesting. The book starts off on a low note, Red Valley feels like any other small town, but as the plot progresses, the book reveals more and more of its secrets to you, and it hooks you to the town and it's people.
This can very well be the start of a new urban fantasy series, and I hope there are sequels planned, as the book felt very short for what it is. I'd really love to read more of this town and its people!
All the good things out of the way, I'll now list some of the shortcomings of this book. Although they are very sparse and spread out too far apart, there are a few pacing issues in the book. Like in one of the scenes, when a huge plot point about the mc is revealed, it doesn't take her very long to come in terms with it, which I felt was unnatural, seeing how her character reacts to other situations. Other than this, and some slight issues I have with character development, I can not find any flaws with this book. It is only issues like these that made me take half a star away from an otherwise great book. This can very well become one of the top urban fantasy books of this year upon release!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book.

This is, without a doubt, the most creative book I’ve read all year. There’s magic, a King, and a Liar, but there’s also a town in California that’s set in the modern day. This book will send you on a rollercoaster ride that’s a mixture of horror and fantasy. One of this year’s truly great books.
I loved the lore and magic in it. And I especially loved the main character, Sadie. She has fire and is a force to be reckoned with. The plot is rich and the villains and side characters are wonderful to read about. Definitely recommend.

“Do not trust the Liar, Do not go in the River, and do not cross the King." This was one of the better genre-splicing horror/fantasy novels I've read recently. The story is addictive and I loved the way this mysterious, fantastical story moves in unexpected, bizarre directions while retaining a link to the real world.. There were creepy moments, like the Laughing Boys, witty parts, and some political commentary that didn't feel forced, just fresh.
Perhaps some of the character development could've been a little deeper, but really, it's the plot and it's many twists that made this such an enjoyable read. Great fun all around!

Someone hold my purse; I am in shock: this book is so good that I am shaking. Seriously, I loved this so much.

Before I give my detailed review, I'd just like to mention that English is NOT my first language, therefore I apologize in advance for any typo, grammar error or any kind of mistake in my writing. But as the book is not yet planned to be translated in my language (I think), I have the solemn duty to convince English-speaking people to read this book, talk about this book and love this book, so one day my country will want it too. Because I sure need this book in Portuguese.

Anyway. About the book: I took an interest for it because I thought it was a dystopian fantasy, maybe even sci-fi. I was NOT expecting it to be what it is. But that's not a bad thing, I love it when books are not what I expect, because expectations are ordinary. Surprises are nice. As soon as I started reading it, I felt like I was reading one of those reaaaaaally good creepy pastas. The ones that send creeps down your spine and make you shudder at every gush of air. The ones that make you feel scared to leave your room after sundown.

That's Red Valley. That's what Red Valley made me feel while reading. I felt anxious, but in a good way, and I felt scared, but also in a good way. The writing and the main character make you feel like you're there, right by her side, watching her go about her mission, talking to these people, fighting the evil ones and slapping that damned sheriff and anyone who tries to get in her way.

The Laughing Boys have me the real creeps, more than any other creature. The dudes at the bar too. There was something about them. And River... wow. I want so much to know more about them all, but at the same time, what makes them so special is how little we know about them. It's what makes them scary. The more we know about things that scare us, the less we feel scared, right?

The plot twists were... wow. I cursed at least twice. Out loud. I was- I don't even have words for what I was. But I was so shocked at them. I really did NOT see them coming. And the ending was amazing. That lady, that entity... I have a feeling about her, but I shall not share it.

Man, there was never a moment of boredom in this book. Things just kept happening. And I didn't feel like it was rushed, either. It was just the right pacing to make us feel like Sadie - like there was never a moment of peace -, while at the same time we could digest the things happening.

I loved this book so much. I loved Sadie, but most of all, I loved Beto. I know, there are a lot of great characters in there, but Beto was IT for me. That dude deserves a spin-off.

I'm not sure my review helped, since I mostly said only good things. But if I found any bad stuff while reading, I didn't bother to take notes, because all the good things are just way bigger. In the great scheme of things, this book is pure and simply GREAT. I do not give 5 stars lightly, but man did I give them to this one as fast as light.

Thank you so much, Rebellion and Net Galley, for the opportunity to read this. And thank you, Walter Woodwater, for writing this.

p.s.: On my blog and social media, I shall post a translated version of this very same review, somewhere in August. If you don't mind.

Let me start by saying that this is my first adult horror book. Actually... aside from the few Goosebumps books I read as a kid that gave me nightmares for week, I'm fairly positive this is my first horror book EVER. (If you're wondering, yes I was scarred from the 2008 animated movie Monster House, and yes, I did make my mom leave the theatre with me 30 minutes in to Paranormal Activity 4. I was 14.) So I went in to reading this with A LOT of apprehension. Usually people stick to the genre they love, but I was so caught by the cover and synopsis that I decided it was time for me to venture out and culture myself of the adult horror genre at the ripe age of 21.

Well, I gotta give a hats off to Walter Goodwater, because he blew my expectations (and hesitations) completely away. I think the reason why I enjoyed it so much is because it read more of a sci-fi adventure, where I was so invested into figuring out the big mystery of Red Valley and tearing apart the characters true intentions. Like any unexpecting heroin, Sadie is thrown into a position she doesn't necessarily want; even though it comes with the power of dominating her entire town. Unlike other characters I've read, where it takes me a moment to connect or even root for them, I found the opposite happening with Sadie. I liked her right from the get go, and she often reminded me of a 21st century Nancy Drew (if Nancy were in the Supernatural universe).

The ONLY reason I couldn't give it five stars is because I felt some areas lagged in the book. I found the plot wasn't evenly spread out, or didn't keep me going from devouring this book. At parts, I felt I was reading a filler chapter, which is definitely okay; I think I just expected more of fast paced action from adult horror. BUT that might also be my pre-determined opinions about the genre and my VERY novice experience in it. Overall, I truly enjoyed The Liar of Red Valley, and I've already recommended it to several of my friends who are totally into this type of genre.

It's hard to find words how good this book is! The writing style is perfect, the story flows and you won't even notice when a few hours passed and you're finishing the book.

Sadie's mum was a Liar, her power was created by a King who runs Red Valley even though no one ever saw him. She would help people by writing a lie in her book, and even though the lies have a price - time taken from people's lives, customers kept coming. For generations Liars family told thousands of lies. A small ones, and a dangerous ones. Some people were ready to kill to protect their lies...

Sadie is lost, not only her mother didn't pass any Liar's knowledge to her, but she also died unexpectedly never telling Sadie that she has cancer. The girls' world is turned by 180' overnight, from having a relatively normal life to talking with her dead for hundreds of years ancestors, fighting with a crazy police undersheriff on a crusade, and running away from demons.

I loved the characters. I'd love to see them on the big screen. The bear-killers, Laughing and Crying Boys, the King himself, they're all fantastic creations.

The story flows, I couldn't stop reading it and if I've started during the weekend, I'm certain I'd finish it in one sitting. Extremely engaging and very entertaining. It has a great heroine, a fantasy, a horror and a mystery. I couldn't ask for more in a book.

Well deserved 5 stars and I can't wait to read more books by the author.

This book was bloody amazing! HP Lovecraft meets Neil Gaiman meets Stephen King. So frigging good! Less than 25% of the way in, I was looking up the publisher and was thrilled to get to buy a signed hardcover copy with sprayed edges. Hell yes!

The things that made this book hard to put down: the sweet main character Sadie (when I say sweet, I mean sweet as in cool, gnarly, hella good, dope, Gucci, GOAT, POG, lit, phat, radical...), DARK THINGS, the plot twists. I just had to find out what was going to happen. The ending was a very nice mirror to the beginning.

If I could offer any bit of regret, it would be that it didn't quite get dark enough for my tastes.

Do not trust the Liar.

Do not go in the River.

Do not cross the King.

If you live in Red Valley, California these are the rules you grow up knowing to follow in order to live, to survive. But suddenly for Sadie, these rules are not enough. Her mother passes away unexpectedly. But aside from the shock of losing her mother, she then realises she has inherited her mother's mantle as the Liar of Red Valley. For years the Liar has kept and created the town's secrets. The only problem is that her mother never trained her to take over, so Sadie needs to learn on the job, and fast. Because things are happening in Red Valley, that even for their town, are weird. Wrong. Even more dangerous than usual. The monsters are getting more brazen. The King of Red Valley is losing his grip. If Sadie can’t figure out how to fix all of this, then more than just a few people will die - the entire town will be lost.

This book gripped me from the very beginning. A fantastic mix of horror, fantasy and thriller, all combining to make something special. Magic, creatures, horrors of the night. They all feature, and more. It was creepy, it was emotional, it had you vested in the town's survival, in Sadie, and other pertinent supporting roles from the beginning. The book is fast paced, you really feel like you are running to keep up with Sadies desperate struggle for survival for not only herself, but also for all she cares about.

There was a brilliant mix of characters, some fantastic plot twists, and some very relevant and current themes explored, in a very clever way. I won’t spoil them here, but I will say - read this book. I would love to see it turned into a series. Could we see more from the Liar? And from Red Valley? I devoured this book, much like I imagine The King would devour an enemy!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

5/5 stars!

I really liked this book! It was a page turner and I ended up finishing it in 2 days.

We follow Sadie in Red Valley, California, a small town where weird things happen. Sadie suddenly becomes the Liar of Red Valley, a position where she holds secrets of the many residents of the small town. But not everyone in the town is human or are happy with the changes in the Valley, yet, the Liar has tremendous power. How does she use that power? Well, you gotta read more and find out! If I say anything else, I’ll be spoiling the book.

I can fit this book into so many different genres, but the top that comes to mind are: fantasy, thriller, and horror. It’s a dark modern fantasy novel, set in the real world. The book starts off slow, giving you the vibe of a small town thriller, but as the plot progresses, it becomes more. We are introduced to several very interesting side characters who actually affect the plot and are necessary in the overarching storyline.

Walter Goodwater develops a brilliant story with a wide range of characters, unexpected twists and turns, that I just couldn't put this book down. There are also many unique concepts that I love. Red Valley is fascinating and you definitely get horror vibes from some of the characters.

One small issue, which isn’t an issue per say, I wanted the book to be longer. I really hope the Liar of Red Valley gets a sequel or more books. Walter Goodwater created this wonderful town and concepts that I would definitely pay money to read more about. If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy book with unique concepts, strong female characters, and great plot, please pick this book up! I need to talk to someone about it! :)

Everyone raised in Red Valley knew the rules. Everyone knew of the King and not to ever cross him or his men. And everyone knew of one of his workers: The Liar.

Sadie’s mom was well known around town as the Liar of Red Valley. People were scared and intrigued by her. When she died, Sadie became the one they feared. Sadie gets thrown into a position she didn’t want or know anything about. Through different encounters, meetings with the King, and all different gods at play for the war of Red Valley, Sadie learns who she really is and what her destiny truly is.

A fantastic ride of psychological, supernatural, thriller, and science fiction aspects that create The Liar of Red Valley. 5/5 stars. Easily one of the best books that has stuck in my memory.

#theliarofredvalley #netgalley

What an absolutely magnificent, unique, beautifully written tale. I don't often stumble across brand new, completely fresh ideas and premises in books but this one is in a league of its own. Full of fascinating magic, vivid characters, dark threats, and a smattering of optimism, this story ultimately is a triumph of hope when all seems lost. Absolutely fantastic read!

Oh this one was wildly entertaining I loved it. I'm not really sure how to describe it - a gothic horror tale with a contemporary twist, featuring more monsters than you can shake a stick at (although I'd recommend running away rather than the whole stick idea) and a main protagonist with a darkly strange gift who may hold the answer to saving a town on the edge of disaster.

Some excellent world building and terrific writing seals the deal, this is clever, immersive and twisted as you like.

Recommended.

This book was absolutely thrilling.

Red Valley is a place infused with magical power that attracted all kind of creatures, good and bad. That's also a place where demons roaming free and can live inside someone's head.
One day something was wrong and Red Valley's fate laid in the hand of a girl named Sadie (TBH, by the moment I opened the first page and saw her name, I was all excited about this book because of personal reason). And so Sadie's adventure began. She was brave, determined, smart, and cunning. In sums: heroine material.
The setting was simple yet brilliant, and very much enjoyable. The pace was somehow felt just right, not too fast or too slow. Overall, I like this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review, and thank you Walter Goodwater for writing this✨

Sadie is the daughter of the Liar of Red Valley. Her mother collects lies in her ledger, lies like that the teller wants to become truth. To do this they must pay a price, sealing the lie in the book with a drop of blood and accepting the price, both financial and to their lives. Sadie knows that it’s going on but not the details and doesn’t really expect to become the liar herself. The book follows her actions when, unexpectedly, she becomes the new Liar.
Red Valley is ruled by a mysterious being called the King whose men keep the Valley safe from outside forces but the under sheriff has decided that the power of the King must be removed and the new Liar must help him. Meanwhile other forces outside are waiting to attack the King, to seek revenge. How will Sadie cope faced by these problems?
The Liar of Red Valley is a story of lies, but also a coming of age novel of a young woman who must face the truth concealed by the lies with the help of her friends. An interesting story with many twists. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Review based on anARC copy of the book supplied by NetGalley.

e-arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"the rules of red valley said not to trust the liar. well, sadie was going to amend that rule: don't fuck with the liar."

i'm not entirely sure what to classify this book as. you've got gothic horror, you've got some fantasy, you've got a few overlapping mysteries and cosmic terror to boot. kind of like night vale, if night vale and every strange creature in it wanted to kill you. a pretty stellar combination, if you ask me.

anyway this book was so good it's ridiculous. there's a twist about every other page, and they get really juicy once you get a look into the previous liars' ledgers. who knew that a town held together by a patchwork of lies could be so secretive wow. the monsters (and other not-quite-ordinary characters) were unlike anything i've seen before, so if you've grown tired of your run-of-the-mill vampires and magicians and what have you, i'd like to introduce you to a few bear-killers and laughing boys and see where that leaves you.

every character was so well crafted they felt like real people i could point out on the street after about two lines of dialogue, but i've got to give a special shout out to thomas and charles. their story was so bittersweet, but they truly embodied the mundane weirdness of red valley and its history. i'd honestly read a spinoff novel about their day-to-decade life.

the life of a liar isn't easy, but i'm glad i got the chance to follow along for a bit. everything from the prose to the imagery was so saturated i didn't want to leave red valley even though, by all accounts, it's a pretty shit town. but there's beauty even in those, isn't there?

Mother of god, this book was shockingly fantastic! I hoped it would be a great small town horror read, and it is, but it FAR exceeded my expectations. I adored the small town, I loved main character Sadie, and I deeply appreciated the way that, despite all of the cosmic/ancient evil that's messing around with this world, one of the major threats remained the white cop. (Content warning for police brutality in addition to parental loss, cancer, gore, extreme violence, monsters, etc.) This book works terrifically on its own terms, but it also works as a really phenomenal allegory for modern times. Also, I deeply hope that this will become a series--I NEED more of this world!!

Book review: The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodman 4/5
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for an honest review* and am so excited I got to read this book before it comes out next month. Because this gives me the opportunity to reccommend you the perfect fall read!

We follow Sadie our main character in Red Valley, a creepy gothic small town in California. That is filled with paranormal vibes. Everyone growing up in the town learns three rules:
- Don't trust the Liar
- Don't go in the river
- Don't cross the king

This sets for a very disturbing atmosphere as you want to find out what it all means!! Sadie's mother is the Liar as the previous women in her family were. This means that people come to her for magical deals with the "devil" (king). She writes the lies for these people in her diary and seals the deal with blood. These lies can be very small things like changing appearances, but also very big disturbing things like forgetting loved ones. And it all comes with a price. However in the end it is still a lie. "A lie can do a lot of things, but it can't make cancer go away".
When Sadie's mother passes away, she becomes the new Liar and is keen on finding out what the three rules mean so she goes confront the king. Who is defenitly not a person, let's keep it at that. On this journey Sadie is being hunted by people and magical creatues (very scary ones) for the Liars' diaries since everyone wants to protect their lies. Luckily she does not have to fight this battle alone since she has her best friend and brujo brother to fight with her for the truth.

This book was amazing I flew through it the author did an amazing job of combining magical elements, with fantastical creatures, philosophical ideas and racisim.
I loved this books so much that I already preordered the limited signed edition with sprayed edges from Rebellion. You should do to!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for an advance copy of this book. Thanks also to Walter Goodwater for writing it. It was a pleasure to read.

The Liar Of Red Valley is a cleverly written horror story with a bit of fantasy thrown in. The lead character is engaging and leads you through the story nicely. There are some unusual characters and plenty of twists. The concept of the Liar is brilliant.

This is an easy read, one of those books where you think, just one more chapter.

I rate the book as 4.5 stars but I rounded it up for the originality. Well done, Mr Goodwater.

Intense, Creepy with many unpredictable twists.
This is fantasy/horror, a genre I'm finding myself more and more drawn too.
Sadie the main character has inherited the title of the Liar of Red Valley. The liar being an extremely gripping character facing many crazy challenges that just kept me turning the pages and the plot twists are fantastic.
This is so well written, the writing just flowed and I was completely addicted.
The whole plot and narration is totally unreliable and I just had to keep turning the page for more, the ending did not disappoint!

I 100% recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!.

#TheLiarofRedValley #NetGalley

I loved this. Totally original with a fantastic premise. Part horror and fantasy, with fantastic pace, characterisation and ultimately completely absorbing.
Set in the dark and somewhat eerie Red Valley of California where things are very different. Nothing much goes on there in that it is run down and poor, but actually so much odd magical stuff happens it is hard to keep track of it all. There are but 3 main rules:

Don’t trust the Liar.
Don’t go in the River.
Do not cross the King.

Sadie suddenly loses her mother and unwittingly becomes the Liar of Red Valley. Completely unprepared she has to fathom out what it means to be the Liar, meet the King whilst feeling very alone. It is full of quirky world building, has a quest and is full of twists and turns that I would never have seen coming.

Sadie is a great character, true, feisty, reflective and intelligent. She continually evolves and surprises herself. She, despite this is warm, yet determined and almost an antihero in the eyes of others. There are scary beasts, demonic esque beings, time travelling Victorians and much more that creates lots of intrigue and action. It is deftly dappled with humour, as well as some endearing self-depreciation. Great escapism; enjoy the journey. It’s a cracker.

Thank you to the publisher for letting me review this book!
I sincerely enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to think when it came to this book and how I was going to enjoy it, but it had a few surprises for me that I didn't see coming!
Characters: I felt that the characters were fleshed out and diverse. Some issues that the side characters were facing I wish were given more time. I honestly wish that the side characters were given more time. I could read a whole book about the Grays to be honest. I want more from them. If the author wanted to write a book about Beto and his powers or even the elderly sisters who could magic, I would pick them up in a heartbeat.
Atmosphere: Walter did such a good job of setting up Red Valley and giving us this small town with lots of secrets vibe. Red Valley felt real and fantastical all at the same time.
Writing: Another strong point. I had no issues with how this book was written other than wanting more time with side characters.
Plot: The plot was very interesting and had me guessing of what's really happening during the whole book. I felt that the hunter at the end should've had a bit more to say and do, but the final battle was fun.
Intrigue: The intrigue about the King was done beautifully. We were given just enough hints spaced out nicely as the story went on. The twist about Sadie had me intrigued of how she works now. The book definitely had me hooked the entire time.
Logic: Not very logical in a real world sense. I would've liked to see some more explanation of the magic in the world. There was some real world issues mentioned in the book but none of them were really expanded on.
Enjoyment: I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to go pre-order a physical copy right now. I can't recommend this enough. The side characters in this book make me want more books set in this world. I will be keeping an eye out for those if Walter ever decides he wants to write them.

What a wonderful book.

I was transported to the magical town of Red Valley where there are only three rules: Do not cross the King; Never, ever go in the River; Don't trust the Liar. During the course of the story, all three rules are broken to disastrous consequences. Oh, but the journey is worth it!

With magical powers passed down through generations, Sadie becomes the new Liar in Red Valley when her mother unexpectedly dies. Not knowing exactly how her magic works, she calls on a long dead ancestor for instruction. She learns that a Liar grants wishes for people through lying for them at a cost of time off of their lives. Thus, she is seen as both necessary and someone not to be trusted or admired in this isolated community. Sadie soon discovers a secret about the King that is potentially devastating to the community.. Pursued for her knowledge, Sadie does the thing Liars are never supposed to do: she reveals a lie granted to the King. This sets off a war of evil creatures against townspeople with Sadie and a few magical of cohorts to hold the line and save Red Valley. They must win, but at what cost?

This is a well-crafted story and has many plot twists that one expects to find in thrillers. The characters are expertly drawn and the magic seemingly realistic. The tension is taut and and seamless. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. The publication date is September 28, 2021.

This book was probably one of the best books I've read this year. With it's fast paced, steady going plot and likeable characters, 'The Liar of Red Valley' brings a hint of fantasy to the horror world. In all honesty, I'd rate this masterpiece a 4.5 out of 5. The ending was kind of disappointing compared to the beginning but overall it was a great book. Red Valley is an interesting town and I still have questions about the plot holes / lies told in this book. The twist at the end was definitely worth waiting for and I'd read any other book by this author again. Props!

Things you need to know: This is a STELLAR urban fantasy. This might now be my favourite standalone in the genre. Thank you so much Netgalley and Rebellion, Solaris for the ARC in exchange for an honest review; I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy come 30th September!

Sadie's mother is The Liar of Red Valley until one day she isn't and the mantle is passed to Sadie herself. She alone is entrusted with the town's secrets and lies; she will will be the one to create them and bring them to life.

I read this in under 24 hours. I could. not. put. it. down. This is an urban fantasy, kind of mixed with a horror - I say kind of a horror because I don't read horror books but this hit the right spot for me. There's also elements of a thriller here and there's just so much to explore. It's hard to believe this book comes in at under 400 pages.

What I liked:
- Sadie is such a well rounded MC. Her life, her friendships and interactions with the towns people
- There's a King. In a small American town, there's a King. It's so implausible and yet it works?! It works so well! The lore around the King and how he came to be in the town is superb.
- The Kings Men kind of gave me Agent vibes from the Matrix franchise and made my skin CRAWL - yes! And don't even get me started on The Laughing Boys.
- At one point I was reading and someone asked me if I was okay because I made a rather rude exclamation at a certain twist/reveal, and I can only applaud a book that makes me do that.

What I didn't like:
- Nothing. I loved this. This book SLAPPED.
- The only thing I'm sad about is that this is intended as a standalone and I think this has the potential to span a series.

Read if you like:
- Urban fantasies - if you liked Lore or liked watching shows like Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer then I think this is for you!
- Strong badass, morally ambiguous female MCs.
- Complex villains.
- Books that make you gasp and cuss because you can't believe THAT really happened.

Will I reread? Didn't you hear? This is 5 stars; I'd pay to reread this.

4.5 stars.
The small, rural town of Red Valley is special. It’s under the protection from the King, who keeps all manner of terrible beings and monsters out of the town. The nearby River is dangerous, and everyone knows to not even get one’s toes wet in it. The King’s men, menacing, quiet types, keep the peace, and protect the safety of the townspeople.
And there’s the Liar. The Liar records all the small and big lies of the townspeople for a price. She lives alone, and is both hated and needed.
Her daughter Sadie loses her mother one day to cancer, and almost immediately, everyone, from the under Sheriff, to the King, to the scary laughing boys (people who have willingly accepted a demon in their heads), want something from Sadie, as she is the new Liar of Red Valley.

Omigoodness, I liked this story so much!
I felt like Lovecraft had been an influence on the crafting of this tale, but this world was its own thing. The atmosphere and setting are so well drawn, from the dusty streets and blistering heat blanketing the California town, to the tree growing right in the middle of the diner Sadie works at, to the menacing river, to the terrifying King’s men, and to the ancient evils outside of the Red Valley, in this alternate version of California.
Then there’s the concept of a Liar, a role essential to the town, allowing people to lie about their dead pets, balding heads, marital difficulties, and recording it all in her ledgers. She’s essential to the town, isolated, and answers to the King, and though not as flashy as a laughing boy, has immense power, as Sadie begins to discover.
The plot moved well with no dull moments. I liked Sadie, and how she stumbled around initially, trying to figure out how to be the new Liar of Red Valley, making mistakes and endangering herself and others. I was entertained, and absolutely loved the two BIG lies Sadie’s mum had tucked away — a left turn in the events and our understanding of everything we’d learned up till then about the Red Valley, and its residents. A clever turn, and an enjoyable book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for this ARC in exchange for a review.

*Copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Liar of Red Valley is one of the most refreshing dark fantasy tales I have read in a long time. Mixing dark tales and monsters with magic and the secrets and fights of a small town, completed with well done plot twists and a main character that deserves praise for not being a cliché, Walter Goodwater built an incredible twisted tale of the lies that break us… and the ones that put us together.

A fast paced novel filled with thrills and emotions, and some of the darkest creatures I ever had the pleasure to meet, with a great heroine and the amazing people that you can find in all the small towns you know; a story of loss and gain, adventure and pain, friends and enemies, and the spaces in between.

Highly recommend and cannot wait to pick up more stories from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Walter Goodwater and Rebellion for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Walter Goodwater has woven a fascinating tale. His world building was spectacular, I was engaged by the magic of his world from the very start. The concept of the Liar of Red Valley was captivating. Sadie is a strong lead character. I was surprised by one of the twists and that does not happen very often.

Highly recommend. I will be reading more Walter Goodwater and would love to go back to Red Valley if he ever chooses to write more about this town.

Don’t trust the Liar.
Don’t go in the River.
Do not cross the King.
In Red Valley, California, you follow the rules if you want to stay alive. But even that isn’t enough to protect Sadie now that she’s unexpectedly become the Liar: the keeper and maker of Red Valley’s many secrets.
In a town like this, friendships are hard-won and bad blood lasts generations, and when not everyone in town is exactly human, it isn’t a safe place to make enemies.
And though the Liar has power—power to remake the world, with just a little blood—what Sadie really needs is answers: Why is the town’s sheriff after her? What does the King want from her? And what is the real purpose of the Liar of Red Valley?

This is an excellent fantasy/horror read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

Best 1st line of 2021!
What a great start to a book. This book has such a new and novel premise. I also really liked the way the story unfolded. There were no info dumps, we just learnt more and more as the book went on and I didn't want to put it down.
Wanting to quickly get back to a book is a great thing and so The Liar of Red Valley has my recommendation.

Links to Socials to come. I did share and promote around publishing day.

I went into this book completely blind and it was not what I was expecting at all but in the best possible way! A must read twisty magical thriller. An American gothic tale that is hard to explain but a must read!

So, Sadie, what are you going to do about it?

Fantasy: 5/5
Gothic: 4.5/5
Horror: 4.5/5
Magical Realism: 5/5

Overall: 4.8/5

Blurb: If you thought a novel with good pace and awesome fantastical plot and a badass heroine who is both naïve and stubborn as hell with amazeballs endings does not exist, I have five words for you THE LIAR OF RED VALLEY. Meet Sadie, who does not know what she is doing but also will not absolutely back down and WILL scream in the middle of the street to get what she want, when she want. With her is a friend who is equally badass and SOOOO supportive that you will want her to be YOUR best friend.

Sadie may not have much, but she had a friend who actually cared about her, and maybe that would be enough. At least for tonight.

Sadie lives in a town called Red Valley, which is as ominous as it sounds. There are THREE RULES; Do not Cross the King, Do not Go into the River and Do not Trust the Liar. Sadie is the daughter of town's Liar, and when she becomes the new Liar after the death of her mom, evil starts following her. She will fight ghouls, demonically possessed boys, Zombified Men, Undersheriff and every supernatural being she comes across. She WILL get down to the bottom of the things and nothing can stop her. Not even the King Himself.

Strength: Amazingly well written plot, with perfect pacing (Neither too rushed nor too laxed). Characters are just lovely, and the twists are typhoony which jabs your jaw out of nowhere. And for ONCE, the protagonist is not DUMB out of her mind. EVERY choice she makes is the best one in the circumstances and it is good. It is so refreshing to not see characters doing stupid things JUST to make the story go a certain way. I can't express how happy I was after reading it.

Weakness. NONE! SHOO! GO AWAY!

Why to read: If you love Magical Realism, that too done right
(Oh how I miss Mitty), love yourself a Gothic Fantasy fiction and love good plot and pacing, then knock yourself out and grab this book. Trust me you will not be disappointed.

Why not to read: If you are not a fan of these genres. But then what are you even doing here? Go...Shoo. This novel is literally the BEST one out there in this genre.

Personal reason to like this book: There was once a time in my life where i was HOOKED on reddit horror rules stories. It is where a new guy is given a night duty in some establishment, like library or Subway station or Mall or School, along with a list of rules. They don't follow it because of course, and then chaos ensues. The three rules underlines here were a direct hook for me then since it resonated with me on personal level. Although the plot is different overall, It was those three rules that grabbed my attention, and I am glad they did.

Do not trust the Liar
Do not go in the River
Do not cross The King

This is a very different type of book for me - it is a fantastical horror - kept me interested and imagining the characters in a film like manner all the way through. It would make for a good film! If you like the kind of books that usually have several books before you get to the end of the story - then this is one for you, but to be able to read in a stand alone book, which for me is a big attraction (this is the main reason I don't usually read this type of story, I prefer not to read several books to get to the conclusion!). I would definitely recommend this book - and would read anther stand alone book by the same author (and to gift it to others for the same reason).