Den of Liars – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Magical romantic web of deceit.
YA book title: Den of Liars.
YA author: Jessica S. Olsen.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy.
Published by: Hot Key Books.
ISBN: 9781471417382.
Recommended for children aged: 14+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback July 2024.
This YA book is ideal for: KS3 and KS4 students who enjoy fantasy, romance and a fast paced plot.
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Our review:
Lola St. James is kidnapped by her father’s enemies but is perplexingly saved by the Thief, the renowned leader of the Tentacles, a militant group. As great friends, she aims to fulfil his demands in a bid to become one of the great Tentacles, only to find herself drawn into a dangerous game of deceit.
When the Thief asks her to steal the secret of his brother, the legendary Liar, she embraces the challenge willingly but soon finds herself significantly unprepared for the journey ahead and the dangers that await. The Liar is more than she anticipated, and she is left fighting her unexpected feelings and loyalties towards the two brothers. Her self-discovery of both her own secrets and those of the brothers is onerous and demanding, leaving her unravelled and uncertain of her future.
Jessica S. Olsen’s Den of Liars is a captivating thriller that pulls readers into a tangle of deception where truth becomes increasingly elusive. Olsen crafts a world where adolescent social dynamics serve as the perfect backdrop for a more sinister game of manipulation and control.
The novel excels in its exploration of how information becomes currency among teenagers, with Olsen’s protagonist navigating a treacherous landscape where revealing too much, or too little, can have devastating consequences.
Den of Liars enjoys masterful pacing, gradually peeling back layers of deception while introducing new questions that keep readers constantly bewildered and unsure. The characters exist in morally confusing territory, their motivations constantly shifting as alliances form and break throughout the narrative.
The prose is sharp and haunting, capturing both the intensity of adolescent emotion and the calculating coldness that can emerge when secrets become weapons. As the plot moves towards its shocking conclusion, Olsen overthrows expectations with twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. We hope there is a sequel!
Our verdict:
For fans of intriguing narrators, emotional tension, and stories that explore the darker aspects of teenage relationships, Den of Liars offers a reading experience that will leave you questioning everything and everyone until the very last page – and even then, the reader may not get the resolution they are seeking.
Many thanks to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
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