I was so excited to read this arc. And now, I’m just really disappointed.

2 Stars

The concept was there, the idea was quite interesting, but the execution just didn’t happen for me.

An Academy for Liars follows our main character, Lennon. At the beginning of the book, Lennon experiences something that causes her to want to end her life. She reaches out, asking for something to make her reconsider. In an eerie parking lot, a phone booth covered in ivy starts to ring. She answers the phone, and is told to head to Ogden, Utah for her interview for Drayton College the very next morning. She goes (who on earth would drive to a stranger’s house lol) and ultimately gets accepted into Drayton College, where she will learn the art of persuasion and influencing one’s will.

This concept of persuasion was very intriguing to me, but I personally did not appreciate how it was executed. The book was very fast paced and confusing at times, and we never really stopped to explain things. I think this had potential to have excellent worldbuilding, but there wasn’t much given. I was hoping for a very atmospheric, dark academia novel.

I also didn’t necessarily find this to be “dark academia”, which is the whole reason I wanted to read this! It wasn’t moody or atmospheric; it was really weird, grotesque, and more horror-esque at times.

This book definitely recycles its words often. I’d find the same unique word used multiple times within a few pages, and then there would be a new word that stuck out. This might just be me nitpicking, but it’s something that really takes me out of a story.

I am quite tired of the “I’m not good at anything” trope girl who is shocked when someone is jealous of her and her terrible life.

Also - I know this is an arc, so hopefully this gets fixed before publication, but the amount of hyphens splitting up words was absurd and very distracting. My review is completely based on the story, but the format was completely jacked up. The wo-rding was li-ke th-is for the entire-ty of the bo-ok.

*Spoilers Ahead*

Lennon - Our FMC is in her mid-twenties and is one of the most powerful persuasionists in awhile, due to her ability to “open gates”. I feel like Lennon made stupid decisions left and right through this book, and it just became infuriating to me. She purposefully overdoses on cocaine to see if it’ll open up gates. And later, we discover she’s quite the murderer. Lennon is incredibly whiny and pick-me throughout the book, and I simply did not like a single thing about her.

Dante - Our mystery man. The thirty-something year old professor who says he can’t get with the younger student, but then one night he magically changes his mind (Sorry, I really hate the professorxstudent trope). Supposed to be morally gray, but not much going for him. We learn he has a dark past, but then we never get to dive into it at all. His character was incredibly one dimensional, and I also had no feelings toward his character.

Lennon and Dante have a weird romance in this book. I feel like it can’t even be classified as a slow burn because there are no sparks between them at all. The chemistry is not there at all - there are no elements available for chemistry to even happen. They get together in Dante’s house in South Carolina, and it was really, really awkward. Here’s a direct quote: “From then on, they did what they did in silence”. They did what they did? And silence? You’re telling me I’m supposed to believe these characters have chemistry!?

I was so disappointed by this book. I wanted the dark academia vibes with some forbidden romance, and I was left empty handed. It didn’t stand out in any way to me, and the whole story felt one dimensional. The potential for an incredible world and story was there, but was poorly executed.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc!

I thoroughly enjoyed An Academy For Liars - a novel that perfectly embodies the Dark Academia genre.

The story starts with introducing us to Lennon just as her life begins to unfurl, before she is whisked away to the mysterious, and seemingly non-existent, Drayton College. Whilst here she learns about developing her ability as a persuasionist and how this new-found power impacts her own nature, her relationships and her strength.

I was gripped from start to finish and absolutely devoured this novel.

It was well written, with just the right amount of world and character building. I think the author managed to perfectly capture the fact that no one is perfect - all the characters were flawed, some more so than others.

The pacing was a bit slow to begin with (probably my only negative) but I still found myself compelled to keep going. The payoff was 100% worth it as the story was fantastic.

This was the first book by Alexis Henderson that I've read, but it won't be the last!

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a darker book, as some of the themes could be a bit heavy. Please check content warnings.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC!

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for a free eARC of "An Academy for Liars" by Alexis Handerson.
A Dark Academia with some Paranormal ellements. Think something between "The Secred History" and "Vita Nostra".
I was so excited to read this, bit I guess I went into it with the wrong expectation. I was hoping for something like "Babel" or "Blood Over Bright Haven", but this was more like "The Secret History" but with more inclusive atmosphere.
My struggle here was that I was not made to care, to get attached. While the main herione is somewhat complex, the setting and everyone else feels muted.
I apreciated the author's prose , so I will try her future works.

As a number one fan of dark academia and secret societies this book was like a warm hug after a long day for me. I loved following Lennon's journey as she tries to deal with her powers in the right way and the setting added even more points to my reading. For me the only flaw was that the book starts a little slowly, making it a little more difficult to immerse yourself in the story but after that the reading flows really well.

Alexis Henderson’s An Academy for Liars is a great entry into the dark academia genre. Henderson wastes no time in getting main character Lennon to Drayton College—a hidden school dedicated to the study of magic. I loved learning about the type of magic at play, which is essentially an enhanced version of persuasion, but there’s far more layers to it than that.

The academic atmosphere was also a strong point and if anything I wish the novel indulged in that atmosphere even more, giving even more detailed descriptions of the classes and the school’s buildings. The same goes for Lennon’s classmates—I liked the characters that we were introduced to, but wish we got more of them!

I will say that the romance in the book doesn’t really work for me, partly because it’s a student-teacher relationship (albeit one that is age appropriate and consensual) and partly because my appetite for romance in fiction is limited.

This was a masterclass in dark academia! So brilliantly crafted that had me hooked from start to end. A completely absorbing world of magic and mystery. Absolutely recommend!

A great addition to the genre of dark academia! Alexis Henderson never disappoints- her writing style is gothic and gorgeous, the protagonist Lennon was intriguing to read about and the story in general was phenomenal. If you are an avid fan of dark academia, or wanting to introduce yourself into the genre- read this book!

I was hooked - it wasn't like anything else I've read. I didn't have to spend forever figuring out the world building and the characters were all likeable/realistic.

Alexis Henderson becomes an auto-buy!

Going into this without really knowing much. Honestly this was a cover pick.
But I ended up loving this.
While the beginning did feel a little slow. It soon picked up enough for me to not want to put this down.
At no point did I really have any theories but at the same time I just wanted to enjoy the ride.
By the end I wanted more. The morally grey characters and world intrigued me. I hope we get more so this world can grow more.

Title: An Academy for Liars

Author: Alexis Henderson

Rating: ★★★★

This novel is a magical mix of mystery, power, and the kind of lessons that change your life outside the classroom.

Lennon Carter’s life is in shambles—until a mysterious phone call changes everything. Invited to take the entrance exam for the elusive Drayton College, a hidden school of magic in Savannah, Lennon discovers her innate gift of persuasion.

Imagine being able to wield your will like a weapon, controlling others and even matter itself!

Passing the entrance exam is just the beginning. Lennon dives into mastering her powerful, yet taxing ability. Drayton College’s enchanting, moss-draped campus and her brilliant peers captivate her, but it’s her enigmatic adviser, Dante, who truly bewitches her. His charm is both intimidating and irresistible, making Lennon's journey even more intense.

As Lennon hones her skills, she unravels the dark, unsettling secrets of Drayton College and her mentor's violent past.

The ultimate challenge? To wield absolute power without falling into corruption—a test that terrifies Lennon to her core.

Lennon’s journey through magic, power, and self-discovery is a thrilling ride that I loved. The plot is a perfect blend of magical education, dark secrets, and moral dilemmas. As Lennon uncovers more about the disquieting history of Drayton College and her mentor’s violent past, the stakes rise, and the tension builds. The ultimate test of wielding absolute power without succumbing to corruption kept me riveted, wondering how Lennon would fare.

Lennon is a complex, relatable protagonist whose struggles and triumphs drew me in immediately. Her journey from a life falling apart to discovering her hidden talents was inspiring. Dante, her charismatic adviser, added an extra layer of intrigue and tension. His mysterious past and magnetic personality kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know more about him and his connection to Drayton College.

If you love secret societies, forbidden knowledge, and the heavy cost of power, this book is for you. It perfectly captures the essence of dark academia, with its blend of intellectual pursuit, hidden agendas, and the haunting consequences of seeking power.

Thank you to The Publisher Bantam, the author Alexis Henderson & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

This was fantastic, I love dark academia so much. This had Ninth House and Atlas six vibes which really drew me in. The magic system is complex and layered which all kinds of potential, it feels like a very sentient thing with its limitations but also extraordinary capabilities. I devoured this book, the connections and betrayals mixed with secrets and chaos were so alluring, I hope there’s another book!

i don’t quite know how to review this one because i didn’t dislike it, but i also didn’t love it.
the beginning is very reminiscent of “Vita Nostra” in regards to the vibe of dark academia and ‘magic’, of the characters learning something they aren’t quite sure yet of what it is but that’s shaping them to become someone powerful.
it was very intriguing, but i wasn’t yet captivated by the characters and that continued until the end. by the middle, the plot fizzled out for me, though it was interesting enough that i wanted to keep reading to discover what was going to happen in the end. it just wasn’t a memorable novel for me.
still, i can see how this book has its own audience and that other people will enjoy it a lot.

a big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this arc!

This was a groundbreaking dark academia read, where the focus of magic is via the power of persuasion.

The average individual at the academy for liars can take and give memories and influence choices, but some can change matter and the rarest can even open doorways to different times and places.

I really enjoyed this book, with an additional forbidden romance between student and teacher there was always something engaging going on. Our main character after discovering her rare affinity is training to support the school and keep it hidden as it has been for years.

Although it was gory at points and there is trigger warnings for stuff such as death it was a great read and a world I would love to return to if given the chance.

as someone who is craving a good and proper dark academia read in newer releases, i was as excited as i was apprehensive about getting into this book. alexis henderson, once again, delivers and manages to blow my expectations. this book was fantastic and so quintessentially dark academia in the way that matters that it got me thinking and feeling so much throughout reading it.

the main academic discussion in this book is philosophical psychology, which i find fascinating since it got me thinking about one's morality and truly delves into how obsession for something greater could corrupt someone. this book have that bit of magic where certain individuals could use their will to persuade others, even matters and reality itself, which is so interesting and baffled me at times at how the author executes this in a way that's enjoyable and still understandable.

the downward spiral that lennon, the fmc, went through is the highlight of this book. she didn't know herself and her worth when she started, she was quick to latch onto any small display of affection even if it was the bare minimum and would do her more harm than good, and then she had to go through a painful journey of realizing that the people around her are selfish and that led her to a somewhat corruption arc where she had to do awful things to survive.

the plot of this book, understandably, started slow, especially during the first half, but then it picked up and then the last 25% was just a rollercoaster experience of so many secrets being unveiled and lennon having to come into her power. i admit, it was a little bit overwhelming trying to follow those last bits, but it was so, so worth it. the last chapter kinda threw me off because i was hoping for a different ending, but it does leave you wondering what might happen next, even though the book works perfectly as a standalone.

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Really unique concept which I enjoyed very much. Its worth a read just for the twist at the end, absolutely nobody saw that coming.

We follow our MC Lennon as she enrols in a hidden college learning to master her art of persuasion. Lennon is a very endearing character, strong willed and beautifully flawed. Dante is her teacher very dark and mysterious with a hidden past and as the reader we are unsure of his motives until the very end.

The concept of persuasion is brilliant, I did find myself wishing for more in depth uses and applications than the book gave. Especially detail on the classes, as a academia setting we didn't see too much of the college learning.

This is full of character development, for me it would benefit from being a slightly longer book to give more context and detail. Hence the 3 stars.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

☆ forbidden romance
★ dark academia
☆ TW: substance misuse, suicide
★ Off-screen only spice

Oh my, what a ride! Alexis Henderson’s books have been on my radar for some time, and I’m so glad I started with "An Academy for Liars" because this novel is simply incredible!

This book belongs to a classic group of dark academia novels with speculative elements but still offers so much more than average. The main character, Lennon, is admitted to a mysterious college where she masters the art of persuasion. At first, the plot looks like a solid but predictable story about a school that teaches enough morally questionable things that something is bound to go wrong. In fact, it quickly becomes apparent that the power of persuasion can easily get out of hand, with serious consequences. However, everything turns out to be much darker than I expected at first, and the situation becomes complicated on many levels. The final twist at the end is a masterstroke; all the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly. I must also mention that the book is very fast-paced—I was never bored for a moment or felt like I was reading a novel that was almost 500 pages long.

In addition to the engaging plot, interesting world-building, and good pacing, what makes this book stand out are the fantastic characters. Not only Lennon, but also her fellow students and faculty, are a group of colorful, multi-dimensional personalities. I appreciate this because it is not easy to write secondary characters in such a way that they do not seem like phantom figures who are merely tools to advance the plot. The book has a lot of "found family vibes," which is great. There's also a romance in it, but I think it's very well written because it's actually relevant to the plot and doesn't overshadow the other elements of the story.

At the end of the day, I had a great time reading this book and I recommend it to all dark academia fans. I think especially those who were disappointed by the "Atlas Six" trilogy should give this one a chance, because "An Academy for Liars" succeeds in exactly those elements where those books failed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was looking for an immersive dark academia esque type novel, and for the first half of this one, I was satiated. I felt the premise was promising; a study in the art of persuasion. Really cool idea, and the author has a natural way of explaining this concept through the character's learning experience which has an authentic energy to it, coupled with a desire from myself, as the audience, to learn more. So there is definitly a talent for narrative in the writing.

So for the first half I was enthralled. It was giving Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (which to say I LOVED is an understatement), and then literally around the 50% mark, it lost me. I assume that this is probably down to the relationship we find unfolding between Lennon (the main character) and Dante (her teacher basically). Maybe as I myself am a university student, the whole teacher x student thing is tired. Why frame it in the "this is bad we shouldn't do this it's so wrong", and then continues to do it anyway, it just reveals a complete lack of conviction. It's old now and I think there are way more interesting ways to explore character dynamics and progression without the teacher finding a student who is just so 'different' they can't help but being attracted to them. It's boring, and so it bored me, and as a result, the rest of the book became a total bore.

So I think the whole teacher x student pulled me out from enjoying it, and from that point onwards I was basically able to pull apart the book with every other part I marginally disliked. Like a knitted jumper being unfurled- that's what I did with this book. And it's not that i'm not interested by romance in dark academia, it's just more enjoyable and substantive when it's not such a tired and frankly irresponsible trope. And I can appreciate a story that includes plot points that I don't agree with, but more than anything I just felt it read like a cop out from any real development and relationships; which I was desperate to see because omg the concept is a cool idea.

There will definitely be a fan base for this book though, fans of the atlas six will flock to it in an instant, but Im just not the audience.

This book made me feel ALL of the feelings, and I couldn’t put it down! I smiled, I laughed, I gasped, I cried, I raged… not necessarily in that order. The writing was beautiful, totally immersive and the world building was really well done. The characters were all interesting, with their own unique backgrounds - they didn’t just feel like a means to an end, like they were there to serve a purpose and that’s all. It really felt like a lot of time and effort was put into making these characters feel like real people. It was also great to see representation for a number of communities in this book, something that is lacking in the fantasy genre as a whole at times. From memory, there are students of numerous ethnicities and backgrounds attending the academy, as well as LGBTQIA+ representation. Our main character, Lennon, showed a lot of growth throughout the story and had me rooting for her the entire time.

The book includes romance, but its main focus is more on the academy and on Lennon learning about her gifts and their applications in the world. There are some really interesting moral discussions about the ethics of using these gifts to have others submit to your will. The arguments on both sides were well thought out and articulated, which I thought really showed how much work the author put into this book as a whole. I also appreciated that some current, real world issues are brought up in this book, but done in a way that feels natural to the story.

I absolutely didn’t see the twist and the ending coming, although maybe I should have given the title of the book. It really took me by surprise, and retrospectively I can see small hints and foreshadowing peppered throughout the book, again in a way that felt natural and at the time didn’t raise any red flags for me until I looked back. The whole thing was done extremely well.

Overall, An Academy for Liars absolutely deserves 5 stars, a well earned rating by the author. Fans of dark academia, and books such as The Secret History, The Scholomance trilogy or The Atlas Six will love this! I can highly recommend this book, and can confidently say you won’t regret picking it up!

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this book. I was expecting a little dark academia, maybe a little magic... and what I got was a genre-bending speculative fiction that wrapped me around it's little finger whilst simultaneously pulling the rug out from underneath my feet. Don't get me wrong, this is set at a college of sorts, 100% full of magic and has the moody dark atmospheric writing we all know and love, but Henderson clearly had a "hold my beer" moment and added gut-wrenching horror elements, an edge of your seat mystery, time bending science fiction, and an infuriating romance. She also introduces us to an entirely morally grey cast of characters and gives us one of the most surprising found family moments I have ever had the joy to read. Honestly, this book was so twisty and unexpected that at about midway I stopped trying to hypothesize on the outcome and conceded to just blindly gobbling up every well-written morsel being laid before me. And I'm so glad I did because boy oh boy, she was a wild ride! Evocative, immersive and absolutely unique, this book took my expectations, flung them out the window and set a new bar for dark academia fantasy. Seriously, well done.

DNF at 26%. I tried this from 12/07/24 to 15/07/24. It just wasn’t for me. I found the writing to be quite flat and I’m just not finding the story stimulating. I liked the first couple of chapters but after that lost interest. This is a personal issue though as I haven’t had the best luck with this author.