I picked up this book for the story. I love fantasy books, and the plot sounds fascinating with the poisons and chemicals, the secrets and treachery, and the fight to protect the Heir and save the city-state.
City of Lies is told through the alternating perspectives of Jovan and Kalina, brother and sister from a family pledged in service to the Chancellor. Their duty is to protect the Chancellor from hidden threats. Jovan is Tain’s proofer, the one who secretly tests his food for poison and his trusted adviser. Kalina is his older sister, who would have taken on the role but for her weak body. Despite everyone’s concern for her weak body, she embarks on a secret mission to save their city-state from attack.
Because the mystery/crime of the former Chancellor’s poisoning play such a large part in this novel, the story is slow to start, but as it gets closer to the climax, there are more adrenaline-pounding action scenes. These take place more so with Jovan’s perspective, which made it more fun to read. Kalina tends to do more spywork while dealing with others’ pressure for her to rest her weak body when all she’s ever wanted is to do something for her city-state.
I like how the characters are imperfect. Jovan seems to fall on the autism spectrum and has compulsions. Kalina has her weak body but a strong will that propels her forward. Tain is too honest and optimistic; he wants to believe the best in everyone and resents that his good friend Jovan risks his life every day to proof his food. While these three friends seem a bit naive for young adults who have been raised to hold important roles in their city-state, I’m willing to stretch my disbelief a little bit given how much was hidden from them. And also because, while Tain is hopelessly idealistic, I can imagine a person with his traits. Fortunately, he has good friends to watch his back. In fact, the childhood friends dynamics was one of my favorite parts of this novel.
There is some romance, but for the most part, it felt out of place in the story. Kalina’s love interests fell more on the men’s parts. They served to show her place in the world as a weak woman seen in need of a man (something that felt overdone but is a part of the world). One love interest played a large role for some of the book but fell out of sight once the action started (where did he go?). Jovan’s romance felt fast paced; while I could see the glimmerings of interest from Jovan’s perspective, it seemed to come out of nowhere on the woman’s end. (She seemed to hate him so much at first. Where did her interest come from?) That said, I do like how the two of them challenge each other.
While not intricate, the world building is simple and given as needed. It’s interesting to see the power that women hold in that bloodlines are passed down through them. I do have some lingering questions, such as – if women are so important, then why do men seem to figure so much more prominently in politics, and what exactly are the roles of “Tashis” (the two of which I’ve seen are male and seem to be the true family heads). I also wish that the e-galley came with a map to reference. Hopefully the print version has one!
A major complaint for me is that Jovin and Kalina’s voices are indistinguishable. Though the chapter headings tell us who is speaking that chapter, I sometimes found myself thinking that I was reading from the other perspective. It doesn’t help that both perspectives are told in first person. Another smaller complaint is that most of the sections given on poisons aren’t relevant to the immediate storyline (if at all), which didn’t give me motivation to read them. A glossary in the back with abridged explanations would have been more helpful to reference as needed. There are also many new terms introduced in the beginning of the novel. A glossary would have also aided here.
All in all, City of Lies is a solid debut novel. While it is the first novel in a series, it has a clear arc and can stand alone, but it has prepped readers for a larger conflict to come. Because so much time is spent on the mystery of who poisoned the last Chancellor with no clear leads, the enemy hasn’t been given much time to be fleshed out. I hope that we’ll see more of the enemy in book two and that more time will be spent with this in future novels. (While a likable protagonist is important, a well-fleshed out villain can add much to a story!)
Content
Strong language
Kissing, making out
Sex (some suggestive scenes)
Homosexuality
“Free love (sex)”
Alcohol
Drug use
Violence
Who would I recommend it to?
I would recommend City of Lies to fantasy readers who enjoy elements of mystery, crime, and war intrigue. Readers who enjoy novels featuring assassins may also enjoy this novel, which features a proofer, who tests for poisons.
Comparable titles: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (war novel, driven female protagonist, 2018 fantasy debut by a female author).
Final Thoughts
City of Lies is a solid debut novel. While I had some problems distinguishing character voices and with the slow pace of the novel until the action picked up, I appreciate the prominent role of siblings in the novel and their good relations with their childhood friend. The world also has potential to be expanded.
Chat with Me
If you could be a warrior or a poison master in a time of war, which would you pick?
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Jared @dabook.club says
WOW! The book sounds really interesting. The poison and chemicals part really has me intrigued, I’ve never really read anything like it, and it makes me want to read something like it! *Adds to Goodreads list* Thanks for making me aware about this book! 🙂
Crystal says
I’m glad to hear that, Jared. I hope you enjoy this one!
Christy LoveOfBooks says
That’s cool about the characters. We definitely need some more diversity like that in books. Hopefully, the next book will be even better.
Crystal says
I agree. It was cool to read this book with its imperfect characters and how obstacles are placed in their way that challenge who they are. I’m really hoping the next book will be even better because the premise of this book is good!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I love the premise for this one with the poison testing and whatnot. And the characters sound great! The romances and undistinguishable POVs sound frustrating though. Still, it sounds like it wasn’t bad overall!
Crystal says
Yeah, it wasn’t bad overall. While there were some frustrating elements, I eventually grew the habit of checking and keeping in mind whose POV I was reading (it helps when they start doing their own thing), and there aren’t many romance scenes (which likely contributed to the problem I had with the romances since they weren’t well fleshed out – but it does mean that most of the novel was focused on the stuff I was interested in – poisons, intrigue, and action).
Kimberly @ Book Swoon says
This sounds like a good start to a series and I find the concept of poisoners fascinating. I’m a fan of imperfect characters as well…will be keeping this one in mind. I would want to be a fierce warrior…lol, I think.
Crystal says
The concept of poisoners is what led me to read this book! I wish I could be a fierce warrior, but I’m pretty sure I’d freak out when the battle starts. I’d probably try to worm my way into the kitchens and help make food for the warriors.
Sophia Rose says
I actually struggle to be in the mood for fantasy alone, but I’ve been on a mystery kick lately so putting them together might work well for me. Thoughtful review, Crystal!
Crystal says
I’ve been seeing a lot of mysteries around the blogosphere. It’s been giving me more of a mystery kick myself. The fantasy elements don’t really play a role until the end of this novel. Until then, it felt like a historical novel set in an out-of-the-way place, so it might work for you. Thanks, Sophia!
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
I love the premise of the potions and poison master.Despite the slow start, it sounds like it was entertaining enough. Great review!
Crystal says
The premise is great. I like how it added to the intrigue and wish that we saw more of it being used to solve the crime. Once I got past the slow start, however, this did provide good entertainment 🙂 Thanks, Kimberly!