Synopsis

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?

Review

This book started off so well, with a great concept. I was really invested in the Liar and the little town where lies could become true. This was the real appeal of the story for me, so I was disappointed that it was quite fleeting and ended up more about fighting demons.

The author seemed to change the story halfway through which was a shame. After so much build-up about the Liar, it would have been much better had there been two parts to it so that Sadie’s huge realisation (the twist is pretty good) ended book one and left readers on a cliff-hanger. Then the battle could have been more intense and exciting in its own book, providing the author with the chance to share more about how the town came into being, who the King was and where the creatures came from.

Sadie was a great character, yet her story seemed to be fraught with peril in ways in which her mum’s (we assume) had not. It would also have been great to hear more about the inhabitants of the old house and their story, as well as Sadie’s mum and her ancestors. There were many questions left unanswered and I felt the book needed more depth and detail.

Despite allegedly being so powerful and intimidating, the King wasn’t particularly interesting and again, more backstory and understanding would’ve helped me to be more invested in his role in the town’s history. As it was, he was disappointing and barely contributed, except in the rushed ending.

A great concept and characters, but the author tried to fit too many ideas into a short book, leaving many questions.

I was provided with an advanced copy by NetGalley. All opinions my own.

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