A review by kevinscorner
City of Lies by Sam Hawke

5.0

City of Lies was fantastic! I went in with zero expectations as I only bought this book because I kept seeing it featured on Bookstagrams even though I actually had no idea what it was about. The storytelling is tight and fast-paced as it is entirely confined in a single city during a siege. It features political intrigue, military strategy, betrayals, and an underlying mystery. I loved the brother/sister duo protagonists who are neurodivergent and outwardly “weak”. Told in alternating POVs, the story weaves together seamlessly and adds enough distinction in the shifting perspectives without interfering with the narrative flow. City of Lies was a delightful surprise and works both as a standalone fantasy or a series opener.