Sunday, April 13, 2025

Book Review: Mistress of Lies

Mistress of Lies 
by K.M. Enright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m rounding up… this is like 4.3 stars and I’m rounding up because the concepts, triad, and other blood (vampiric but also not) elements. I want to say it’s perfect, but that would be a lie. It has some minor flaws, but so do many books I rate 5 stars. Usually because they speak to me, connect with me, or are just macabre enough to be my kind of thing. Mistress of Lies is one of those. I’ve read a lot of books, and a lot of paranormal vampire books (as well as even more fantasy books) over the years; but none of those vampiresque books have ever been quite as distinct as Mistress of Lies.

I was having trouble finding reading time at first, and as the book progressed I realized that I loved the dynamic between our three characters so much I was savouring it. Then the last 50 pages was intense, wild, and so great I stayed up to 3am to read it!
In fairness, I may also be obsessed with the lack of focus on sexuality or gender conformity in the bedroom. As a bisexual woman there are just attractive people to me. What pieces they have is not relevant. I love the way Enright quickly portrays this message to readers and keeps it consistent throughout. Our characters don’t ever get hung up on liking a man or a woman, just people, no gender specifics needed. It’s refreshing and a huge boon for me to read characters who think about romantic partners in a way close to how I do.

As for plot, we have a lot of it. I am proud to say I called who the murderer was about halfway through. I didn’t guess the whole set-up; but definitely had a moment when I was sure it was a certain person. A few wrenches thrown in had me doubting myself at times, well played Enright, but in the end being correct when I was tickled me a little bit. (lol) It’s important to note that I didn’t feel cheap having sorted it out early which was really great and a nice change to how I usually feel about murder mystery type plots.

The cake was iced for me when I randomly stumbled upon an Illuminate crate exclusive in my home city for an amazing price! Beautiful sprayed edges, gilded hardcover, and amazing artwork front and back means I now have the perfect copy of this. The ultimate praise I can ever give a book is to add it to my personal physical library, and to add a fancy version is even better.

Who will like this?
Well you need to be okay: with unique romantic arrangement’s, with macabre magic involving blood and/or a sense of sacrifice, with questionable morality, and kings whom are almost likeable even if slightly evil. There’s a lot to unpack here and I just cannot wait for book 2!

Final thought:
If you read the opening two chapters and are turned off by the ceremony the King takes part in the public square then please be forewarned this slightly gothic, fairly bloody (not gory… but blood sacrific-y) book is not likely to be for you. If instead you’re intrigued, and wanting to know more then please read on and enjoy this unique fantasy (almost but not quite) vampire book with flawed characters I think you’ll get caught up in. I know I did!

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

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