League of liars by Astrid Scholte

In an interview with #LoveOzYA Astrid Scholte describes League of liars as ‘a crime fantasy mashup, and it's set in a world where magic can be lured from any shadow to alter time.’ Readers are in for a suspenseful time as Cayder Broduck becomes an apprentice under a public defender in a country that is riddled with magic. He is not prepared for the three young criminals that he is supposed to help defend. One is supposed to be the instigator of the deaths of a whole community, and two other teens have been accused of murder. All three are incarcerated in Vardean, the deadly prison where the most notorious prisoners are kept by the Regency. All have been involved in the illegal use of a strange magic centring around shadows that appear from a tear in the veil in another dimension.

The story is told in alternating short chapters from four points of view, that of Cayder, his sister Leta, Jey and Princess Elenora. Each has a distinct voice, and the reader is drawn to their different characters and plights. Then their stories begin to overlap and as Cayder gets to know more about their cases, he is confronted with disparities and similarities in the evidence that has been collected. Leta has described a giant winged creature, beautifully illustrated in the book, and this description tallies with others that have been discounted. Princess Elenora believes that her brother just disappeared and that she has been unjustly accused of his murder, while Jey is prepared to confess to the murder of his father.

There are twists and turns as the reader tries to work out what is happening, with many surprises on the way. Suspense builds up to a wonderful and unexpected climax when all is revealed, leaving the reading satisfied with the love, courage, and determination that the four teenagers have demonstrated.

Readers who enjoy a thrilling crime fantasy with some enticing illustrations, or who liked Scholte’s previous two books, Four dead queens and The vanishing deep, are in for a treat. Teacher's notes, A Special Message to Teachers and Librarians from the Author and a book trailer are all available from the publisher.

Themes: Trials, Magic, Fantasy, Crime.

Pat Pledger