An Academy for Liars

Thank you Ace at Penguin House and Edelweiss for the DRC!! Lennon Carter is not a likeable character on the surface. She is drifting through life, and is only tethered to the real world by inertia. She finally gets her wake-up call in a lonely parking lot payphone. There is a place for her in this world, a place where those who are gifted enough can convince anyone of anything. She is tested to her limits, and has to find a way to use her new skills without letting them consumer her. There are a number of 'magical school' books out there, and I was reluctant to read this one at first. i have been disappointed before. But, this book at last had a plotline I could get behind: Liars run the world and the best liar wins. Lennon's journey was gripping and totally believable. I didn't always agree with her choices, but I understood them, and that's all that matter. I also loved that this story wrapped up in one book. That is actually pretty refreshing these days.

I am a fan of dark academia, yes magic but no rainbows and butterflies. This is nicely dark filled with moths and rats (yes, experiments but taken good care of by Dante and Gregory is awesomely cute!), mind twisting and control and the occasional dark reflection or twisted being that wreaks chaos. It is an interesting magic, mostly called persuasion. the stronger one is, the more they can influence others and the strongest can even influence or change reality (but only a very special few). And they get called by the hidden college of Drayton to be tested and to learn to change the world (if they can make the cut). Lennon was interesting in that she is a kind of a mixture of weakness but also capable of great strength even to the creation of elevators. And as the story progressed and she grew into those powers, she also learned more about herself. I kept reading to see what she would be capable but also what the mystery of Dante is and what his plans are. The first part was interesting with the introduction of Drayton, the middle had a few draggy bits (not quite a fan of the professor/student relationship that popped up) but the ending with the house of cards falling down, it got really thrilling and I too told Lennon to run! I have enjoyed Alexis Henderson's other books which do not shy away from the dark, disturbing, but also kind of magical. I liked this one too and will happily read any other books she publishes.