City of Lies - Sam Hawke

Paperback, 559 pages

Published July 3rd 2018 by Tor Books

Series: Poison Wars #1

Fantasy

Own

My Thoughts

I wish I could have read this one faster, but alas, life with a  toddler does not always make it so. But I did take it with me any chance I could because it was that good!

It is a siege story wrapper in a murder mystery. Thrilling!

The story starts with poison. Soon the country's leader is dead and the city is under siege. The question is now, why are they under attack? Is there something more at play? And who killed the Chancellor?

Jovan was brought up knowing poisons so he could protect the Chancellor the day it came to that. Jovan was honorable and took his work seriously. I did like him.

His sister Kalina is more reckless, but at the same time not. She is sickly and could not take on the poisoner mantle. But she has her own part to play and I liked how she did not let anything hold her back.

And the questions kept on piling up. What is going on with this brutal siege? I really wanted the answer and kept reading faster and faster. I also liked how we did get an ending, but there will be more books so I guess life is not done with these characters yet.

Conclusion:

Great storytelling. More now please.

Cover

Simple and pretty. The details are great 

Blurb

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.