It’s safe to say that the market has been saturated with fae books these last few years, especially ones with high-spice, low-plot stories. Additionally, we’re seeing an influx of series, where you have to commit to upwards of seven books to get a completed plot (and chances are, the last book isn’t out when you pick up book one).
Liar in the Hollow Court is a standalone fae fantasy, and it avoids all of these cliches. There’s no spice, a plot with some political intrigue, and a fresh, inspired world. Wondering how I felt about it? Let me spoil this: I finished Liar in the Hollow Court in one night.
Let’s jump into this fae world!
Brynn never believed in fairytales… until one stole her mother.
Everyone says she ran off, but Brynn saw the truth. Her mother was taken by something not quite human. When her father and sisters vanish next, dragged into the winter woods by the same strange creatures, Brynn follows and falls head over heels into the Hollow Court: an underground fae kingdom rife with dangerous bargains.
In a realm where fae can’t lie, Brynn’s human ability to do just that becomes her greatest weapon. It gives her leverage when dealing with Soren — a handsome, unreadable fae who offers help in exchange for the power of her words. But there’s always a cost. The more she bargains, the more tangled everything becomes.
World, Character, and Plot
The book doesn’t waste time in the “human world” and the main character, Brynn, immediately is thrown into a land of magic and deception. I loved the world building in Liar in the Hollow Court. The burrows reminded me of hobbit holes and the exploration reminded me of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth in the best way possible. Although the book isn’t classified as cozy fantasy the world of the Hollow Court is certainly one I could picture curling up and reading in during the autumnal months.
Liar in the Hollow Court is advertised as the romance of Pride and Prejudice, and I certainly saw hints of those characters in the cast. Brynn and Soren are Elizabeth and Darcy if they both were willing to break societal conventions every now and then. Soren’s group of friends brought so much warmth to the story, and even the “Wickham character” had a level of interest that made me hope for a book with his redemption arc (name redacted to keep this spoiler-free, haha). Liar in the Hollow Court also introduced a new fairy tale creature, something I wish authors would do more often! I had so much fun learning about them and trying to figure out how they would come into play throughout the main story.
As I mentioned, I read the entire book in one night, so you can guess (correctly, I might add) that the plot is fast-paced, intriguing, and unexpected. The court politics added a layer of intensity that I appreciated. It is because of my interest in these politics that I wished the end was a bit longer. Parts of the conclusion seemed rushed, and I think another chapter or so would’ve given the epic climax some room to breathe.
But perhaps it is this breathless feeling that kept me up reading all night… so I’ll leave this there!
PAGED IN: No language, and no sexual content. A completely clean story!
Conclusion
Liar in the Hollow Court is a fun, fast-paced romp through a unique fae world. Brynn is a strong female lead, Soren is endearing and shy without falling into the trap of being uncommunicative, and the world of the Hollow Court makes me excited to see what Bethany Atazadeh has planned for the next book.
If you’re looking for a cozy beach read, this is it!
You can buy Liar in the Hollow Court here.
Marie
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