Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by ThoughtsStained
It’s time for another book review, this time over a much overdue read: City of Lies by Sam Hawke. I’d heard a lot about this book online from the community, so it was already on my radar. Then, I spoke with Sam on Twitter on numerous occasions and she’s just plain awesome, so my desire to read this book increased EVEN MORE. But, finances being where they are, I couldn’t get a hold of a copy for my own personal library (yet). So I went to my library, who didn’t have it (which surprised me). But, bless the library gods who are so kind to me. I asked if they could purchase a copy for our library and they DID.
And friends?
It lives up to the hype.
Book Info

Publisher: Tor Books | Release Date: July 2018 | Pages: 559
Age Range: Adult | Genre: Fantasy | Format: Paperback | Source: Borrowed
Poison. Treachery. Ancient spirits. Sieges. The Poison Wars begin now, with City of Lies, a fabulous epic fantasy debut by Sam Hawke
I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me…
Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he’s a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.
But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising…and angry.
On the Page
Referenced
Minor
Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.

Review
Likes
- I mean, I knew from the first line this was going to be a solid read. The levels of political intrigue were just off the charts and I loved how layer after layer got pulled apart and revealed. Of course, I never called any of the reveals (I’m pretty shite at ever figuring out a plot point before it’s revealed to me), so that just made the read that much more enjoyable, becoming as surprised as I was.
- Though I felt the pace in the first third to be a bit on the slower side, the pace in the final third rocked me to the point where I had to hide from my cat so she’d stop laying on my book begging for pets and let me read (honestly, this was a serious problem, I even complained on Twitter about it).
- I loved how Sam never hesitates to pull her punches and she forces the characters to truly deal and feel the reality of their situation–much of which, the blame falls at least partly on their shoulders, just like blame also falls on those they’ve wronged. And I think that was my favorite aspect, how the war–and the reason it began–isn’t so cut and dry as a one-group-felt-this-when-reality-is-simply-this. It’s much more complex, gray instead of black and white, and multilayered in it’s complexity and depth, which I really appreciated. I also loved that, though our characters grew and rose to the occasion they were dealt with, we never lose the sense that they are still children, in many ways, living up to these new roles, and I’m glad that we got to see them struggle and actually SEE their growth into this roles, without losing sight of what they are truly being asked to do.
Dislikes
Rating

The world is riveting, the characters are complicated and three-dimensional, while the political intriguing and layers of betrayal and depth is dripping. City of Lies is a must read political fantasy for anyone in the genre. I’m positively stoked for The Hollow Crown, as well as anything else Sam decides to write.

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LOVED this book. Great review!
Thank you so much! Yes, most definitely a fan here!!
Great review! Definitely picking this up!
Thank you so much, Hannah!! I hope you enjoy it! 😀
Excellent review. I’m really excited about the next book in this series.
This was the first book I ever reviewed for my blog! Such a good read, I like to shout it out whenever I get the chance! I know the sequel is supposed to go beyond the city, excited to see more of the world!
That will be really cool, to see other aspects of this world!! And that’s so amazing it’s the first book you reviewed. It’ll always have that special place!
I love books that challenge the characters in insightful ways, sounds great and thanks for your review!
It truly does! Thanks for checking out the review and I hope you enjoy the book, if you ever decide to read it. <3