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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well...that was not really what I was expecting. I went in thinking it was going to be a magical heist novel, with action and magic and a morally grey crew. That definitely isn't what this book is, so just know that going in.
I had seen somewhere that this is being marketed as Six of Crows meets How To Get Away With Murder. Much of the book is focused on the trial of Cayder's sister. Which is fine, it just felt like it went on for too long. I wanted more action, more about the magical system, more about the world. And I didn't really get it.
The characters also kind of fell a bit flat for me. I do think they get better by the end, but I honestly didn't really feel much of a connection to any of them. And wiwth that ending, there better be another book. Because what? Such an abrupt, cliff hanger-esque ending. Like, I don't think this story ends there, but there's nothing indicating that there's going to be a second book.
All in all, if you're interested in magical court cases, this is definitely something that you'll enjoy! Just know that it's going to be a bit slower than you might expect.
I had seen somewhere that this is being marketed as Six of Crows meets How To Get Away With Murder. Much of the book is focused on the trial of Cayder's sister. Which is fine, it just felt like it went on for too long. I wanted more action, more about the magical system, more about the world. And I didn't really get it.
The characters also kind of fell a bit flat for me. I do think they get better by the end, but I honestly didn't really feel much of a connection to any of them. And wiwth that ending, there better be another book. Because what? Such an abrupt, cliff hanger-esque ending. Like, I don't think this story ends there, but there's nothing indicating that there's going to be a second book.
All in all, if you're interested in magical court cases, this is definitely something that you'll enjoy! Just know that it's going to be a bit slower than you might expect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
melaniereadsbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for this arc.
When Cayder's sister is arrested for using illegal magic, he has to find a way to save her from life in prison and runs into a bigger conspiracy than he thought he would have to fight.
I really liked the magical aspects of this book; it had a really cool and unique magic system. I loved the ideas behind that system and am excited to be able to learn more about it in future books(?) as what happens with this extradimensional magic is explored more.
The characters were all...fine. I wasn't really attached to any of them and I don't think that character development was one of the strong suits of this book. There is a bit of a "heist" aspect when they break out of prison, but that is really only a small part of the book. Most of it was legal things and background.
The writing style is good, but I just wasn't really invested in the characters.
When Cayder's sister is arrested for using illegal magic, he has to find a way to save her from life in prison and runs into a bigger conspiracy than he thought he would have to fight.
I really liked the magical aspects of this book; it had a really cool and unique magic system. I loved the ideas behind that system and am excited to be able to learn more about it in future books(?) as what happens with this extradimensional magic is explored more.
The characters were all...fine. I wasn't really attached to any of them and I don't think that character development was one of the strong suits of this book. There is a bit of a "heist" aspect when they break out of prison, but that is really only a small part of the book. Most of it was legal things and background.
The writing style is good, but I just wasn't really invested in the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Forced institutionalization, and Violence
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was fun but I think the comparisons to Six of Crows are hurting this book by giving people the wrong impression about this book. There is no heist. And honestly the synopsis has a huge spoiler about the book so... 🙃
League of Liars follows four teenagers: Cayder Broduck, a young man who wants to become a public defender and knows his apprenticeship under one of the premier public defenders can make his dreams come true. The other three main characters are prisoners of Vardean, a high security prison. One of them is Cayder's sister, Leta. Cayder doesn't know how his sister has been accused of mass murder, but he's determined to find out what really happened. As Cayder gets caught up in these three cases, he finds surprising connections and treachery.
I really enjoyed this story. I found all the court politics and trials fascinating. The magic system was kind of confusing but I was curious nonetheless. I really want to know if there will be a sequel because this was 100% set up for one and even ends on a cliffhanger (of sorts) so...powers that be please make it happen.
Cayder was all right. I liked him well enough even though he was quite stubborn. But I really enjoyed his character growth throughout this. He uncovers a shit ton of info throughout this novel and the way his actions change were really amazing. I loved Leta and I always wanted to know more about her character. Even though this book is multi POV with four narrators, Cayder and his journey is the focal point. We get to know Eleanor, Jey and Leta well, but their arcs are not as complete as Cayder's was in this one. Regardless I really came to like them all. Though Cayder's estranged childhood best friend, Kema, was my absolute favorite.
Lastly, I really enjoyed the parallels of discovering how frustrating injustice is and seeing a system you thought worked and was good fall to corruption. The themes in this book definitely parallel 2020-2021 and the things we've seen happen in the US justice system.
Rep: white male cishet MC, white female cishet MC, white female cishet MC (royalty), vegetarian male cishet MC (I think Jey is white but I don't remember), BIPOC sapphic female side character, BIPOC male side character (lawyer).
CWs: Imprisonment, forced institutionalization, corruption of trial process, grief, death of parent, violence. Moderate: fire, mass murder (whole town dies), murder, fascist government regime attempting to take over.
This was fun but I think the comparisons to Six of Crows are hurting this book by giving people the wrong impression about this book. There is no heist. And honestly the synopsis has a huge spoiler about the book so... 🙃
League of Liars follows four teenagers: Cayder Broduck, a young man who wants to become a public defender and knows his apprenticeship under one of the premier public defenders can make his dreams come true. The other three main characters are prisoners of Vardean, a high security prison. One of them is Cayder's sister, Leta. Cayder doesn't know how his sister has been accused of mass murder, but he's determined to find out what really happened. As Cayder gets caught up in these three cases, he finds surprising connections and treachery.
I really enjoyed this story. I found all the court politics and trials fascinating. The magic system was kind of confusing but I was curious nonetheless. I really want to know if there will be a sequel because this was 100% set up for one and even ends on a cliffhanger (of sorts) so...powers that be please make it happen.
Cayder was all right. I liked him well enough even though he was quite stubborn. But I really enjoyed his character growth throughout this. He uncovers a shit ton of info throughout this novel and the way his actions change were really amazing. I loved Leta and I always wanted to know more about her character. Even though this book is multi POV with four narrators, Cayder and his journey is the focal point. We get to know Eleanor, Jey and Leta well, but their arcs are not as complete as Cayder's was in this one. Regardless I really came to like them all. Though Cayder's estranged childhood best friend, Kema, was my absolute favorite.
Lastly, I really enjoyed the parallels of discovering how frustrating injustice is and seeing a system you thought worked and was good fall to corruption. The themes in this book definitely parallel 2020-2021 and the things we've seen happen in the US justice system.
Rep: white male cishet MC, white female cishet MC, white female cishet MC (royalty), vegetarian male cishet MC (I think Jey is white but I don't remember), BIPOC sapphic female side character, BIPOC male side character (lawyer).
CWs: Imprisonment, forced institutionalization, corruption of trial process, grief, death of parent, violence. Moderate: fire, mass murder (whole town dies), murder, fascist government regime attempting to take over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Murder
amivireads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Thank You Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an arc, here is my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
League of Liars is honestly a fun read that had me guessing what would happen next. The best thing about this book is the characters and how they are connected.
A few cons I found with this story is the world building at times was more information dumb, especially at the end. Everything felt like it was happening very fast. I also wished that magic was used more instead of talked about. And though I liked all these characters, there wasn’t much development except for Cayder. Hopefully if this becomes a series we will have more development.
Overall this is a fun read and I’m looking forward to the next book if there is one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
League of Liars is honestly a fun read that had me guessing what would happen next. The best thing about this book is the characters and how they are connected.
A few cons I found with this story is the world building at times was more information dumb, especially at the end. Everything felt like it was happening very fast. I also wished that magic was used more instead of talked about. And though I liked all these characters, there wasn’t much development except for Cayder. Hopefully if this becomes a series we will have more development.
Overall this is a fun read and I’m looking forward to the next book if there is one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
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