An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson on September 17, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy, Fiction / Fantasy / Historical, Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal
Pages: 464
Format: Hardcover
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
If you’re in the mood for a dark academia story, An Academy for Liars is exactly what you’re looking for. The premise of a hidden school with secret magical abilities? Absolutely intriguing!
Though the book starts off slowly as it builds its world, it soon picks up momentum. We’re introduced to a number of characters, and the setting itself feels like a dark, brooding presence—almost a character in its own right. The protagonist, Lennon Carter, is a bit of a wreck. She’s engaged to a man who’s unfaithful, struggling with her mental health, and has few close friends. Her breaking point comes when she catches her fiancé cheating with her best friend. In a snap decision, she takes his car and drives off.
Lennon finds herself in an empty parking lot, consumed by her thoughts and ready to give up. But then, the phone in an old mall booth starts ringing—urgent and strange. Against all odds, she answers. The call is for her, summoning her to Drayton College, a hidden academy tucked away in a secret pocket of Savannah.
Despite the bizarre circumstances, Lennon drives eight hours to find this mysterious school. Once she arrives, a magical elevator transports her to the school’s administration. There, she meets the captivating Professor Dante—early 30s, tattooed, exuding a mix of intelligence and danger. He immediately becomes her advisor, and there’s an undeniable pull between them.
As Lennon settles into her dorm, she realizes this escape from her old life might be exactly what she needed. She makes new friends (and enemies) and strives to impress Dante. As she starts to discover her magical abilities, it becomes clear that not everything at Drayton College is what it seems. Soon, she’s forced to use her newfound powers to protect the school, all while trying to figure out who she can trust.
This quickly became one of my favorite dark academia reads! The atmosphere is chilling, and the mysterious, creepy school keeps you on edge, wondering what will happen next. Once the plot picks up, it’s impossible to put down. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House will feel right at home with this one.