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Liar of Red Valley
The highly-anticipated paperback release of our lead title for Fall 2021 - a fresh, rich, American Gothic "yarn" with a highly relatable female lead.
Don’t trust the Liar.
Do not cross the King.
Never, ever go in the River.
In Red Valley, California, you follow the rules if you want to stay alive. But they won’t be enough to protect Sadie now that she’s become the Liar, the keeper of the town’s many secrets. Friendships are hard-won here, and it isn’t safe to make enemies.
And though the Liar has power — power to remake the world, with just a little blood—what Sadie really needs is answers: Why is the town’s sheriff after her? What does the King want from her? And what is the real purpose of the Liar of Red Valley?
Don’t trust the Liar.
Do not cross the King.
Never, ever go in the River.
In Red Valley, California, you follow the rules if you want to stay alive. But they won’t be enough to protect Sadie now that she’s become the Liar, the keeper of the town’s many secrets. Friendships are hard-won here, and it isn’t safe to make enemies.
And though the Liar has power — power to remake the world, with just a little blood—what Sadie really needs is answers: Why is the town’s sheriff after her? What does the King want from her? And what is the real purpose of the Liar of Red Valley?
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
19 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
January 27, 2022
Wow! Thanks to the gods of literature to send us a brilliant author! I haven’t read something so original, extremely smart ( those twists fooled me more than two times and triple shame on me! ) so outstanding!
American gothic story dances with magical realism and well balanced paranormal, thriller vibes.
The world building is peculiar. The creepy, haunted town story is well crafted, characters were lovely and relatable. Diverse representation is well executed and the triggering subjects including police brutality, hate crimes, homophobia, racism are boldly approached.
Walter Goodwater finally brought fresh, complex, intelligent soul to the gothic, dark, paranormal universe.
Think about the town centered on three simple rules: “ Do not trust the liar! Do not go in the river! Do not cross the king!” Easier said than done!
I have to admit: this is not reading in one sit kind of fast pacing, heart pounding story. It’s not hard to focus on but it needs your entire attention to absorb the rules of creepy town rules by only the King and the liar whose takes people’s lies and making them believe they come true.
We mostly read the story from the POV of designated new liar a.k.a. Sadie but when the author switch to another POV without warning, we get a little distracted. I honestly turned back to reread a few pages. Writing style was still easy to catch the entire concept but you have to give your full attention.
Sadie inherited her mother’s powers as soon as she passes away, becoming the next liar but she reluctantly accepts her new title, having hard time to learn her new powers and responsibilities and she has still no idea to whom she can truly trust. Now she has ability to create a new world with full of lies but each lie comes with its cost.
As Sadie starts to learn more about her mother’s past, she also learns more about mysterious King and haunted river.
I don’t want to give much away so I have to stop right here.
I can honestly say this book is quiet different, intriguing, clever experience with a lot of unexpected twists, action packed, exciting turn of events and a well executed conclusion which earned my four extremely creative absolutely captivating four stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion/ Solaris for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
American gothic story dances with magical realism and well balanced paranormal, thriller vibes.
The world building is peculiar. The creepy, haunted town story is well crafted, characters were lovely and relatable. Diverse representation is well executed and the triggering subjects including police brutality, hate crimes, homophobia, racism are boldly approached.
Walter Goodwater finally brought fresh, complex, intelligent soul to the gothic, dark, paranormal universe.
Think about the town centered on three simple rules: “ Do not trust the liar! Do not go in the river! Do not cross the king!” Easier said than done!
I have to admit: this is not reading in one sit kind of fast pacing, heart pounding story. It’s not hard to focus on but it needs your entire attention to absorb the rules of creepy town rules by only the King and the liar whose takes people’s lies and making them believe they come true.
We mostly read the story from the POV of designated new liar a.k.a. Sadie but when the author switch to another POV without warning, we get a little distracted. I honestly turned back to reread a few pages. Writing style was still easy to catch the entire concept but you have to give your full attention.
Sadie inherited her mother’s powers as soon as she passes away, becoming the next liar but she reluctantly accepts her new title, having hard time to learn her new powers and responsibilities and she has still no idea to whom she can truly trust. Now she has ability to create a new world with full of lies but each lie comes with its cost.
As Sadie starts to learn more about her mother’s past, she also learns more about mysterious King and haunted river.
I don’t want to give much away so I have to stop right here.
I can honestly say this book is quiet different, intriguing, clever experience with a lot of unexpected twists, action packed, exciting turn of events and a well executed conclusion which earned my four extremely creative absolutely captivating four stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion/ Solaris for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
March 17, 2022
Sadie's mother is the Liar of Red Valley. For a price, she will make almost every lie you can think of come true. Unfortunately, the mother dies of cancer, leaving Sadie with no idea how she is supposed to be the next liar or how to make it work. Even if she gets that far, the town is full of people and beings with supernatural powers, all coming for Sadie mother's journals. In the middle of all this trauma, she learns her mother the liar has been telling some colossal lies herself. The source of all the magic in Red Valley is fading, the town is under attack, and all that stands in the way is a Little Liar named Sadie.
This book is bloody fantastic! There were witches, monsters, killer rivers, and all kinds of madness. The action was relentless. I was literally yelling out loud. Highly recommend.
This book is bloody fantastic! There were witches, monsters, killer rivers, and all kinds of madness. The action was relentless. I was literally yelling out loud. Highly recommend.
November 13, 2021
This held me in suspense from the beginning because you never know where it's going to go, it's unpredictable and filled with twists.
It was a lot different to what I was expecting from this book, I never thought it had anything to do with the supernatural and the monsters in it were really creepy.
Superb world building, complete with a unique plot and Sadie - a loveable main character.
I highly recommend you give this one a try if you're into urban fantasy with horror aspects.
Would be cool to see this adapted into a one season TV series.
It was a lot different to what I was expecting from this book, I never thought it had anything to do with the supernatural and the monsters in it were really creepy.
Superb world building, complete with a unique plot and Sadie - a loveable main character.
I highly recommend you give this one a try if you're into urban fantasy with horror aspects.
Would be cool to see this adapted into a one season TV series.
June 18, 2021
“People spend too much time fearing death when they should fear what comes after.”
The Liar of Red Valley is Rebellion Publishing lead title for fall 2021, so when I got an arc of this book, I was incredibly excited. I haven’t read many ‘American Gothic’ novels, so I did not know what to expect when picking up this book. So what did I think about it?
This book takes place in the mysterious Red Valley, where nothing is as you would expect. Red Valley has for almost 200 years been ruled by The King and The Liar. The Liar has the ability to remake the world, by covering up lies. However, each lie comes at a great cost.
I have been having a difficult time summarising how I feel about this book due to it being absolutely insane, yet so addictive. The Liar of Red Valley follows Sadie, which is the daughter of The Liar. As the story progresses, the reader starts to learn more about the mysterious King, the powerful Liar and the haunting River. Everyone in Red Valley follows three simple rules which are: “Do not trust the Liar, Do Not go in the River and Do not Cross the King.”
The main highlight of this book is the concept of The Liar. It is fascinating to learn about which lies people are covering, and how these lies are shaping people’s future and the history and fate of Red Valley. Moreover, Walter Goodwater blends philosophical ideas, magical realism and fantastical creatures together, making the reading experience truly memorable. Reading this book reminded me of the movie The Cabin in the Woods.
The Liar of Red Valley is at times utterly absurd, but its relentless pace and plot twists will hook the reader. Goodwater creatively uses the concept of The Liar to set up some weird but entertaining plotlines. The Liar of Red Valley is an absurd action-packed work-of-art, with thought-provoking ideas, shocking plot twists and high stakes, making this book a page-turner!
Some readers will find the characters to be lacking depth. Goodwater is clearly prioritising exploring the ideas and concepts in this world. If you are looking for a book with beautiful relationships or complex and fleshed out characters, then you won’t find it in this book. Moreover, the absurdity of Red Valley will probably not be appreciated by all readers.
The Liar of Red Valley is one of my most memorable reads of 2021. It is absurd, fun and addictive, but it is clearly not for everyone. I had a really great time reading this book, which is why I will give this book a high rating. However, I can imagine that this book is a bit like marmite, either you absolutely hate it or you will think it is brilliant.
4 / 5 stars
A special thanks to Rebellion Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Liar of Red Valley is Rebellion Publishing lead title for fall 2021, so when I got an arc of this book, I was incredibly excited. I haven’t read many ‘American Gothic’ novels, so I did not know what to expect when picking up this book. So what did I think about it?
This book takes place in the mysterious Red Valley, where nothing is as you would expect. Red Valley has for almost 200 years been ruled by The King and The Liar. The Liar has the ability to remake the world, by covering up lies. However, each lie comes at a great cost.
I have been having a difficult time summarising how I feel about this book due to it being absolutely insane, yet so addictive. The Liar of Red Valley follows Sadie, which is the daughter of The Liar. As the story progresses, the reader starts to learn more about the mysterious King, the powerful Liar and the haunting River. Everyone in Red Valley follows three simple rules which are: “Do not trust the Liar, Do Not go in the River and Do not Cross the King.”
The main highlight of this book is the concept of The Liar. It is fascinating to learn about which lies people are covering, and how these lies are shaping people’s future and the history and fate of Red Valley. Moreover, Walter Goodwater blends philosophical ideas, magical realism and fantastical creatures together, making the reading experience truly memorable. Reading this book reminded me of the movie The Cabin in the Woods.
The Liar of Red Valley is at times utterly absurd, but its relentless pace and plot twists will hook the reader. Goodwater creatively uses the concept of The Liar to set up some weird but entertaining plotlines. The Liar of Red Valley is an absurd action-packed work-of-art, with thought-provoking ideas, shocking plot twists and high stakes, making this book a page-turner!
Some readers will find the characters to be lacking depth. Goodwater is clearly prioritising exploring the ideas and concepts in this world. If you are looking for a book with beautiful relationships or complex and fleshed out characters, then you won’t find it in this book. Moreover, the absurdity of Red Valley will probably not be appreciated by all readers.
The Liar of Red Valley is one of my most memorable reads of 2021. It is absurd, fun and addictive, but it is clearly not for everyone. I had a really great time reading this book, which is why I will give this book a high rating. However, I can imagine that this book is a bit like marmite, either you absolutely hate it or you will think it is brilliant.
4 / 5 stars
A special thanks to Rebellion Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 2, 2021Unusual and intriguing American Gothic about a middle-of-nowhere US town that has something badly weird about it. The central character Sadie is terrific (don't be put off by what seems rather inconsistent characterisation at first, okay) and the premise is fantastic, littered with good ideas lightly worn. Highly glommable, scary, and ultimately hopeful.
July 31, 2021
»A Lie can do lots of things, but it can't make cancer go away.«
Imagine you had to power to bring a lie to life. To make it true (for a certain definition of true).
Real or not, the Lies work. Doesn't matter if they're real, they're real enough.
Find out more about it in this contemporary fantasy gothic story, with a slight twist of horror, some very absurd (and fun to read) ideas and creatures and a lot of twists.
This book is set to be published in September, ready for fall, the season where we cuddle up with a cup of hot beverage and a good book. And while the days will be getting shorter, you won't even notice the shadows growing larger before your window and your hot beverage turning into a cold beverage because you won't be able to put this book aside. Yes, it's that good.
I've heard this work called lovecraftian, but I disagree. Not everything that involves dark powers is automatically this subgenre, and comparing it to Lovecraft is not giving Walter Goodwater the credits he is due: He has created this world with fresh ideas, and it is not a mere copy of some cthulhian stories. Instead, he blends magical elements (like Mexican Brujos) with fantastical creatures and philosophical ideas into a delightful concoction.
This book is about Sadie, who inherits the title of Liar of the Red Valley after her mother dies. She also gets a clear idea about the power of lies, and the limits to that power on that day when she discovers her mother had cancer for a while but lied about being healthy. The lie holds truth until the very last moment - and I think that's a statement to ponder about. After all, »A Lie can do lots of things, but it can't make cancer go away«.
There are things lurking in the dark in Red Valley
Well, there always was a liar in the red valley, like there always was the king. Who is the King, and why did he create the Liar?
You'll find answers (and more lies) on Sadie's journey through the fantastical, mythical and kind of scaring Red Valley. Before the end of this journey, talking to the dead and a house stepping in and out of time will be the least of your worries. And when you think that in all this fast paced action you finally have a slight grasp of what's going on, then Walter will hit you with one in the final plot twist I've had the pleasure to read in a long, long time.
Of course I was trying to picture what the great Lie that Sadie's Mom had told at the end of her life would be, and I had a few ideas cursing through my head. But wow, did I ever not expect that.
And no, I'm not going to spoiler that for you. Just read the book, will ya? And remember, your cup is getting cold.
Imagine you had to power to bring a lie to life. To make it true (for a certain definition of true).
Real or not, the Lies work. Doesn't matter if they're real, they're real enough.
Find out more about it in this contemporary fantasy gothic story, with a slight twist of horror, some very absurd (and fun to read) ideas and creatures and a lot of twists.
This book is set to be published in September, ready for fall, the season where we cuddle up with a cup of hot beverage and a good book. And while the days will be getting shorter, you won't even notice the shadows growing larger before your window and your hot beverage turning into a cold beverage because you won't be able to put this book aside. Yes, it's that good.
I've heard this work called lovecraftian, but I disagree. Not everything that involves dark powers is automatically this subgenre, and comparing it to Lovecraft is not giving Walter Goodwater the credits he is due: He has created this world with fresh ideas, and it is not a mere copy of some cthulhian stories. Instead, he blends magical elements (like Mexican Brujos) with fantastical creatures and philosophical ideas into a delightful concoction.
This book is about Sadie, who inherits the title of Liar of the Red Valley after her mother dies. She also gets a clear idea about the power of lies, and the limits to that power on that day when she discovers her mother had cancer for a while but lied about being healthy. The lie holds truth until the very last moment - and I think that's a statement to ponder about. After all, »A Lie can do lots of things, but it can't make cancer go away«.
There are things lurking in the dark in Red Valley
Well, there always was a liar in the red valley, like there always was the king. Who is the King, and why did he create the Liar?
You'll find answers (and more lies) on Sadie's journey through the fantastical, mythical and kind of scaring Red Valley. Before the end of this journey, talking to the dead and a house stepping in and out of time will be the least of your worries. And when you think that in all this fast paced action you finally have a slight grasp of what's going on, then Walter will hit you with one in the final plot twist I've had the pleasure to read in a long, long time.
Of course I was trying to picture what the great Lie that Sadie's Mom had told at the end of her life would be, and I had a few ideas cursing through my head. But wow, did I ever not expect that.
And no, I'm not going to spoiler that for you. Just read the book, will ya? And remember, your cup is getting cold.
November 11, 2021
3.0 Stars
This is an incredibly unique Gothic Fantasy novel set in contemporary America. Admittedly, I hope it would be more creepy, but as someone who reads a lot of horror, I found this one more fantastical than gothic.
I always say that I'm looking for unique fantasy and I certainly got that here. Unfortunately I failed to connect with the story and so struggled to stay immersed throughout my reading experience.
Overall, I loved the premise of the story, but the actual narrative and execution did not work for me.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is an incredibly unique Gothic Fantasy novel set in contemporary America. Admittedly, I hope it would be more creepy, but as someone who reads a lot of horror, I found this one more fantastical than gothic.
I always say that I'm looking for unique fantasy and I certainly got that here. Unfortunately I failed to connect with the story and so struggled to stay immersed throughout my reading experience.
Overall, I loved the premise of the story, but the actual narrative and execution did not work for me.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
March 17, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was fun! At the beginning I thought it was gonna be a new favorite, but very early on I realized that I wouldn’t be able to take it seriously. Things were just presented in a way that was like, “this is how things are”, but with little explaining/exposition to the point that it was almost satirical. You know how Welcome To Nightvale? It’s like that but a bit cornier.
Reading this was a bit of a rollercoaster 😂 the character POV instantly resonated with me, but then I was like, oh this is kind of dumb. And then it just got a bit corny/ridiculous, but I still liked the POV and the pacing, so I just decided to not take it seriously and I had fun.
This will make the perfect “no thoughts head empty read”. Just go with the flow and don’t ask too many questions, and I think you’ll like it!!
*one thing that really irked me was the stereotypical way that the latinx characters were written. Take this with a grain of salt, as I haven’t seen any other reviewers comment on it so maybe I’m thinking too much, but it is a thing I noticed.
This was fun! At the beginning I thought it was gonna be a new favorite, but very early on I realized that I wouldn’t be able to take it seriously. Things were just presented in a way that was like, “this is how things are”, but with little explaining/exposition to the point that it was almost satirical. You know how Welcome To Nightvale? It’s like that but a bit cornier.
Reading this was a bit of a rollercoaster 😂 the character POV instantly resonated with me, but then I was like, oh this is kind of dumb. And then it just got a bit corny/ridiculous, but I still liked the POV and the pacing, so I just decided to not take it seriously and I had fun.
This will make the perfect “no thoughts head empty read”. Just go with the flow and don’t ask too many questions, and I think you’ll like it!!
*one thing that really irked me was the stereotypical way that the latinx characters were written. Take this with a grain of salt, as I haven’t seen any other reviewers comment on it so maybe I’m thinking too much, but it is a thing I noticed.
August 11, 2021
Oh this one was wildly entertaining I loved it. I'm not really sure how to describe it - a gothic horror tale with a contemporary twist, featuring more monsters than you can shake a stick at (although I'd recommend running away rather than the whole stick idea) and a main protagonist with a darkly strange gift who may hold the answer to saving a town on the edge of disaster.
Some excellent world building and terrific writing seals the deal, this is clever, immersive and twisted as you like.
Recommended.
Some excellent world building and terrific writing seals the deal, this is clever, immersive and twisted as you like.
Recommended.
August 25, 2021
In Red Valley, you can make any lie become 'true enough' as long as you pay the Liar's price. When Sadie's mother dies, she inherits the role of the Liar of Red Valley and she becomes involved in the war between the King and the law as they fight for the town's control.
And while this dispute is going on and Red Valley wilts and succumbs to other paranormal threats, the town people are kept in place with three simple rules:
Don't trust the Liar
Don't go in the River
Don't cross the King
I have to say this book took me forever to finish because 1) PhDing is hard and 2) reading slumps are not great. But I decided to wake up at 4AM today to finish it and I did it in one sitting (me is currently sad, this was so much fun).
The Liar of Red Valley is fast paced, fun, creepy, and really well written. Non-spoilery list what is good/I loved:
- The characters and Sadie: dang I loved all of them. The King was creepy as hell, yet very likable? The re's a time traveling gay couple that I would die for. And Sadie is just charismatic, sarcastic, and just fun - one of the best main characters I've encountered in ages.
- The atmosphere: this is a contemporary gothic horror tale set in a small town surrounded by a river (or should I say, The River?).
- The twist(s).
- The ending: dang this was a good ending. I am here pleading to Walter Goodwater to continue the story because I just need more Red Valley.
- How it all made sense. I was scared of reading this book because I was not sure I udnerstood what the Liar was supposed to do from the synopsis and the book did a perfect job at explaining the role. World-building was perfect in the sense that everything is kept secret and all the creepyness came of not knowing which threats were approaching or their names (or their shapes!), it really felt like you were one of the towns people somehow and sort of being "well the King better solve this because I don't even know what this is or if this is a thing, thank you".
Anyways, 100000% recommend this book to everyone who's into darker themes and wants to read something fun.
PS. Dear Mr Goodwater, you're not reading this, but if you do, pease write a sequel. Or a prequel. Or whatever. Thank you in advance and have a good life.
*I received this book for free from NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion at all, this book is just this good and deserves more stars than GR lets me give.
And while this dispute is going on and Red Valley wilts and succumbs to other paranormal threats, the town people are kept in place with three simple rules:
Don't trust the Liar
Don't go in the River
Don't cross the King
I have to say this book took me forever to finish because 1) PhDing is hard and 2) reading slumps are not great. But I decided to wake up at 4AM today to finish it and I did it in one sitting (me is currently sad, this was so much fun).
The Liar of Red Valley is fast paced, fun, creepy, and really well written. Non-spoilery list what is good/I loved:
- The characters and Sadie: dang I loved all of them. The King was creepy as hell, yet very likable? The re's a time traveling gay couple that I would die for. And Sadie is just charismatic, sarcastic, and just fun - one of the best main characters I've encountered in ages.
- The atmosphere: this is a contemporary gothic horror tale set in a small town surrounded by a river (or should I say, The River?).
- The twist(s).
- The ending: dang this was a good ending. I am here pleading to Walter Goodwater to continue the story because I just need more Red Valley.
- How it all made sense. I was scared of reading this book because I was not sure I udnerstood what the Liar was supposed to do from the synopsis and the book did a perfect job at explaining the role. World-building was perfect in the sense that everything is kept secret and all the creepyness came of not knowing which threats were approaching or their names (or their shapes!), it really felt like you were one of the towns people somehow and sort of being "well the King better solve this because I don't even know what this is or if this is a thing, thank you".
Anyways, 100000% recommend this book to everyone who's into darker themes and wants to read something fun.
PS. Dear Mr Goodwater, you're not reading this, but if you do, pease write a sequel. Or a prequel. Or whatever. Thank you in advance and have a good life.
*I received this book for free from NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion at all, this book is just this good and deserves more stars than GR lets me give.
August 28, 2021
What a wonderful book.
I was transported to the magical town of Red Valley where there are only three rules: Do not cross the King; Never, ever go in the River; Don't trust the Liar. During the course of the story, all three rules are broken to disastrous consequences. Oh, but the journey is worth it!
With magical powers passed down through generations, Sadie becomes the new Liar in Red Valley when her mother unexpectedly dies. Not knowing exactly how her magic works, she calls on a long dead ancestor for instruction. She learns that a Liar grants wishes for people through lying for them at a cost of time off of their lives. Thus, she is seen as both necessary and someone not to be trusted or admired in this isolated community. Sadie soon discovers a secret about the King that is potentially devastating to the community. Pursued for her knowledge, Sadie does the thing Liars are never supposed to do: she reveals a lie granted to the King. This sets off a war of evil creatures against townspeople with Sadie and a few magical of cohorts to hold the line and save Red Valley. They must win, but at what cost?
This is a well-crafted story and has many plot twists that one expects to find in thrillers. The characters are expertly drawn and the magic seemingly realistic. The tension is taut and and seamless. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. The publication date is September 28, 2021.
I was transported to the magical town of Red Valley where there are only three rules: Do not cross the King; Never, ever go in the River; Don't trust the Liar. During the course of the story, all three rules are broken to disastrous consequences. Oh, but the journey is worth it!
With magical powers passed down through generations, Sadie becomes the new Liar in Red Valley when her mother unexpectedly dies. Not knowing exactly how her magic works, she calls on a long dead ancestor for instruction. She learns that a Liar grants wishes for people through lying for them at a cost of time off of their lives. Thus, she is seen as both necessary and someone not to be trusted or admired in this isolated community. Sadie soon discovers a secret about the King that is potentially devastating to the community. Pursued for her knowledge, Sadie does the thing Liars are never supposed to do: she reveals a lie granted to the King. This sets off a war of evil creatures against townspeople with Sadie and a few magical of cohorts to hold the line and save Red Valley. They must win, but at what cost?
This is a well-crafted story and has many plot twists that one expects to find in thrillers. The characters are expertly drawn and the magic seemingly realistic. The tension is taut and and seamless. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy.
Thank you NetGalley and Solaris for an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. The publication date is September 28, 2021.
May 14, 2021
So, I was in the middle of a reading slump when I received the approval to this book on NetGalley, and THANK GOD I was approved, it save me from my slump!!
I read the entire book in just a couple of days and I loved it.
The story has this magical feeling to it that makes the reading so pleasing, even with this weird sense of "WTF is happening in this little town?".
I did a full portuguese review for this one, it deserves to be know.
I wish this is the start of a series about Red Valley, because is too short of a book to be a one time deal.
Fragment of the review in portuguese: "The book may seem rushed at times. When Sadie finally discovers the big lie that her mother told before she died, it takes no more than a few paragraphs for her to internalize and overcome, continuing her mission. For some readers this may seem rushed, but I was grateful: if it had a hundred pages of her dealing with an existential crisis, I would not have liked the book so much".
I read the entire book in just a couple of days and I loved it.
The story has this magical feeling to it that makes the reading so pleasing, even with this weird sense of "WTF is happening in this little town?".
I did a full portuguese review for this one, it deserves to be know.
I wish this is the start of a series about Red Valley, because is too short of a book to be a one time deal.
Fragment of the review in portuguese: "The book may seem rushed at times. When Sadie finally discovers the big lie that her mother told before she died, it takes no more than a few paragraphs for her to internalize and overcome, continuing her mission. For some readers this may seem rushed, but I was grateful: if it had a hundred pages of her dealing with an existential crisis, I would not have liked the book so much".
May 2, 2022
Stars: 5 out of 5
I absolutely loved this book, y'all! This gave me the same vibes as American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett, only with a much more reliable protagonist.
Sadie's mother was the Liar of Red Valley. A position that gave her a certain power with its inhabitants. They didn't like her, they certainly didn't trust her, but they still came to her and paid for her to tell lies on their behalf. But now she is dead, and Sadie needs to figure out how to become the next Liar. She also needs to find her mom's ledger, keep all the other ledgers safe, oh, and save Red Valley from total destruction. No worries.
As I said, this book is what is often referred to as American weird. The world is very much like our own, but certain things lurk in the shadows that are not human. The people of Red Valley know about them, and they also know the rules that let everybody coexist more or less peacefully. Newcomers though... well, either they learn, or they don't. The things in the shadows have to be fed from time to time too, after all.
I liked the atmosphere of Red Valley. This could be any run-down town in the American heartland. I drove through a lot of those. Closed and boarded up businesses on Main street, a couple cafes and diners barely surviving on local and sometimes tourist traffic, a few jobs supporting the local Walmart, drugs, alcohol, despair for the rest of the residents. The fact that there are some supernatural elements to this setup isn't all that far-fetched. After all, what do we know about those other crumbling town all over our nation? All we see when we drive through are boarded up windows. There might be their own kinds of weird residents staring at us from within.
Most of my enjoyment with this book came from following Sadie. She is a great protagonist right from the start. She is relatable. She is very human, even when faced with hard situations. I loved her and rooted for her from the get go. And I loved her even more once I discovered a few things about her that I won't talk about because I don't want to spoil it.
The book is also well-written. There is plenty of tension and the story moves at a good pace. It's not so fast that the reader doesn't have time to get to know the characters or take a breather between action scenes. It is also not so slow that the reader would get bored. All the information about Red Valley is introduced in measured dozes and exactly when needed, without resorting to the dreaded info-dumps.
All in all, this is one my favorite books I read in 2022 so far and I highly recommend it.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book, y'all! This gave me the same vibes as American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett, only with a much more reliable protagonist.
Sadie's mother was the Liar of Red Valley. A position that gave her a certain power with its inhabitants. They didn't like her, they certainly didn't trust her, but they still came to her and paid for her to tell lies on their behalf. But now she is dead, and Sadie needs to figure out how to become the next Liar. She also needs to find her mom's ledger, keep all the other ledgers safe, oh, and save Red Valley from total destruction. No worries.
As I said, this book is what is often referred to as American weird. The world is very much like our own, but certain things lurk in the shadows that are not human. The people of Red Valley know about them, and they also know the rules that let everybody coexist more or less peacefully. Newcomers though... well, either they learn, or they don't. The things in the shadows have to be fed from time to time too, after all.
I liked the atmosphere of Red Valley. This could be any run-down town in the American heartland. I drove through a lot of those. Closed and boarded up businesses on Main street, a couple cafes and diners barely surviving on local and sometimes tourist traffic, a few jobs supporting the local Walmart, drugs, alcohol, despair for the rest of the residents. The fact that there are some supernatural elements to this setup isn't all that far-fetched. After all, what do we know about those other crumbling town all over our nation? All we see when we drive through are boarded up windows. There might be their own kinds of weird residents staring at us from within.
Most of my enjoyment with this book came from following Sadie. She is a great protagonist right from the start. She is relatable. She is very human, even when faced with hard situations. I loved her and rooted for her from the get go. And I loved her even more once I discovered a few things about her that I won't talk about because I don't want to spoil it.
The book is also well-written. There is plenty of tension and the story moves at a good pace. It's not so fast that the reader doesn't have time to get to know the characters or take a breather between action scenes. It is also not so slow that the reader would get bored. All the information about Red Valley is introduced in measured dozes and exactly when needed, without resorting to the dreaded info-dumps.
All in all, this is one my favorite books I read in 2022 so far and I highly recommend it.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2022
There are only three rules: Don’t trust the Liar. Don’t cross the King. Never, ever go in the river.
Sadie broke the first rule a lot of times, she trusted the liar, after all the liar was her mother. Now her mother is dead and Sadie has to become the new liar and learn to make out who’s a friend and who’s the enemy.
This book took me by surprise, in a lot of ways. The characters were amazing, I loved Sadie with all my heart. She had to grow so much and so fast and she had so many obstacles she had to overcome, it was breathtaking at times.
The book was full of twists I didn’t see coming and it was suspenseful the whole time. I couldn’t put it down and whenever I had to, I ached to pick it up again and start reading. It was just so good.
Sadie broke the first rule a lot of times, she trusted the liar, after all the liar was her mother. Now her mother is dead and Sadie has to become the new liar and learn to make out who’s a friend and who’s the enemy.
This book took me by surprise, in a lot of ways. The characters were amazing, I loved Sadie with all my heart. She had to grow so much and so fast and she had so many obstacles she had to overcome, it was breathtaking at times.
The book was full of twists I didn’t see coming and it was suspenseful the whole time. I couldn’t put it down and whenever I had to, I ached to pick it up again and start reading. It was just so good.
November 7, 2021
The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater is Rebellion Publishing’s leading title for September, marking it the perfect addition to your fall lineup.
Goodwater delivers on all ends by blending together the American Gothic, horror, and fantasy genres. Red Valley is brimming with supernatural creatures and closely guarded secrets that are best left untold.
The story takes place in the mysteriously small town of Red Valley, which has been ruled by the King and the Liar for nearly 200 years. The story is mostly told from the POV of Sadie, Red Valley’s newest Liar who is now able to take people’s lies and remake them into truth, for a price of course. Goodwater has taken this concept and unleashed it through multiple genres, and brilliantly I might add. I loved the various flavors that came together to make it its own. I am by no means a horror reader but the horror didn’t feel too heavy.
From the novelty of the Liar to the chilling presence of characters such as the Laughing Boys, Goodwater succeeded in developing an assortment of horrors and monsters that reminded me of an ingenuity the likes of Neil Gaimain. I found Sadie to be a very relatable female lead and thought her decision making and choices were on brand for her character. The secondary characters were diverse and tightly connected to Sadie’s character arc yet were given the space to become fairly developed themselves.
Some of my favorite character journeys are those following the aftermath of life changing events. Sadie’s journey was one of identity and legacy. It was a wise decision to have Sadie suddenly placed into her new role because it added to the mystery of the Liar. The reader learns as much or as little as Sadie does, and I think that helped set the tone. There is some content that the reader should be aware of beforehand including police brutality, hate crime, racism, and homophobia.
The development of Red Valley is where Goodwater shined. Red Valley felt like its own little isolated pocket of life grounded inside a much larger, realistic setting where supernatural elements are considered normal and part of everyday life for the people of Red Valley. Their best chance at staying alive is by following three vital rules that ideally serve to protect from the supernatural otherthings living outside the protection of Red Valley.
We do not learn much of what’s beyond Red Valley. This is what added to the strangeness and absolutely worked in favor of the plot. I loved wondering what was on the periphery and how life outside of Red Valley worked. The characters are closely tied to Red Valley, and Red Valley is tied closely to the characters. The plot is guided by supernatural elements between the characters and the land which helped the reader explore the smaller details within the social and cultural network of Red Valley.
The magical, supernatural elements were fantastically balanced between some darker influences with lighter, benevolent magic. Eldritch beings were plentiful and took on a life of their own in an otherworldly manner. The way these beings were all initially introduced and came together worked in its favor. I think my only (minor) complaint was that a few things weren’t as satisfyingly concluded as I anticipated considering the buildup, if that makes sense. The pacing felt a bit rushed near the end as everything was coming together. I wanted to spend more time fleshing out some conversations and scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed The Liar of Red Valley and its blending of genres. Special thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion/ Solaris for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Goodwater delivers on all ends by blending together the American Gothic, horror, and fantasy genres. Red Valley is brimming with supernatural creatures and closely guarded secrets that are best left untold.
The story takes place in the mysteriously small town of Red Valley, which has been ruled by the King and the Liar for nearly 200 years. The story is mostly told from the POV of Sadie, Red Valley’s newest Liar who is now able to take people’s lies and remake them into truth, for a price of course. Goodwater has taken this concept and unleashed it through multiple genres, and brilliantly I might add. I loved the various flavors that came together to make it its own. I am by no means a horror reader but the horror didn’t feel too heavy.
From the novelty of the Liar to the chilling presence of characters such as the Laughing Boys, Goodwater succeeded in developing an assortment of horrors and monsters that reminded me of an ingenuity the likes of Neil Gaimain. I found Sadie to be a very relatable female lead and thought her decision making and choices were on brand for her character. The secondary characters were diverse and tightly connected to Sadie’s character arc yet were given the space to become fairly developed themselves.
Some of my favorite character journeys are those following the aftermath of life changing events. Sadie’s journey was one of identity and legacy. It was a wise decision to have Sadie suddenly placed into her new role because it added to the mystery of the Liar. The reader learns as much or as little as Sadie does, and I think that helped set the tone. There is some content that the reader should be aware of beforehand including police brutality, hate crime, racism, and homophobia.
The development of Red Valley is where Goodwater shined. Red Valley felt like its own little isolated pocket of life grounded inside a much larger, realistic setting where supernatural elements are considered normal and part of everyday life for the people of Red Valley. Their best chance at staying alive is by following three vital rules that ideally serve to protect from the supernatural otherthings living outside the protection of Red Valley.
We do not learn much of what’s beyond Red Valley. This is what added to the strangeness and absolutely worked in favor of the plot. I loved wondering what was on the periphery and how life outside of Red Valley worked. The characters are closely tied to Red Valley, and Red Valley is tied closely to the characters. The plot is guided by supernatural elements between the characters and the land which helped the reader explore the smaller details within the social and cultural network of Red Valley.
The magical, supernatural elements were fantastically balanced between some darker influences with lighter, benevolent magic. Eldritch beings were plentiful and took on a life of their own in an otherworldly manner. The way these beings were all initially introduced and came together worked in its favor. I think my only (minor) complaint was that a few things weren’t as satisfyingly concluded as I anticipated considering the buildup, if that makes sense. The pacing felt a bit rushed near the end as everything was coming together. I wanted to spend more time fleshing out some conversations and scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed The Liar of Red Valley and its blending of genres. Special thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion/ Solaris for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
May 4, 2021
Jesús, I loved so much this story. I'm in love with it, it's so amazingly good. I never read something like that. The Red Valley has his King, and his Liar. A Liar must lie and keep secrets from everyone. Sadie's mom, is the Liar for now, but suddenly she dies because of cancer, and now the new Liar must to take her place. So Sadie without knowing anything about her mom's job, must to face all the obstacles and troubles since she became a new Liar. She, suddenly becomes the most searched and requested person in the town. All people want the books of lies, but Sadie needs to protect them and keeps them safe from the others. And this job will turn her life in hell. There are so many twisted plots here, so many I didn't expected at all. The world is amazingly bilded, with all kind of 'magical' characters. People with demons on their head, brujos, shadow thongs. I've loved them all. It was so hard to put the book down. I always needed more and more, and I was a little upset when finished this book. I need more stories about the Liar. Sadie, obviously, is the coolest character I ever meet in the book. She's brave, she's strong, she's smart and she's awesome. Seriously, it was an amazing read. I've enjoyed it so much.I don't want to give this book 5 stars, I want to give it hundreds and hundreds of them. Thank you Netgalley to give me a copy of this book and to Walter Goodwater for his amazing masterpiece
September 26, 2021
4.5/5🌟
"Don’t trust the Liar.
Don’t go in the River.
Do not cross the King."
-----
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 is a rollercoaster ride of magical realism, horror, and fantasy. It's gripping, unique, and twisty!
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
- the world is richly imagined and peculiar. It's set in a creepy town in California where its residents are either human or nonhuman with a terrifying river, menacing King's men, and monsters outside Red Valley yet remain grounded in the real world
- diverse characters and LGBT rep
- well-developed and interesting characters. Sadie, the MC is a strong and independent person. The Laughing Boys are def creepy
- Intriguing magic system. The Liar of Red Valley can take people's lies and weave them into a new world but at a cost, there are also drugs that allow laughing demons to consume the minds of addicts and time travel
- the author's writing style is easy to follow and he has woven magic and realism seamlessly.
- deals with police brutality, homophobia, and racism
Big thanks to Rebellion Publishing/Solaris and Netgalley for the DRC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
"Don’t trust the Liar.
Don’t go in the River.
Do not cross the King."
-----
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 is a rollercoaster ride of magical realism, horror, and fantasy. It's gripping, unique, and twisty!
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
- the world is richly imagined and peculiar. It's set in a creepy town in California where its residents are either human or nonhuman with a terrifying river, menacing King's men, and monsters outside Red Valley yet remain grounded in the real world
- diverse characters and LGBT rep
- well-developed and interesting characters. Sadie, the MC is a strong and independent person. The Laughing Boys are def creepy
- Intriguing magic system. The Liar of Red Valley can take people's lies and weave them into a new world but at a cost, there are also drugs that allow laughing demons to consume the minds of addicts and time travel
- the author's writing style is easy to follow and he has woven magic and realism seamlessly.
- deals with police brutality, homophobia, and racism
Big thanks to Rebellion Publishing/Solaris and Netgalley for the DRC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
May 15, 2021
4.5 out of 5. A really great book, one of the best I read this year! The main character and side characters were interesting, the book was very fast paced, and the plot was gripping and smooth-flowing, so much so that I finished the book in three sittings. That may sound slow, but I am a very slow reader and reading something similar in volume to this may take me a week or two if it is not interesting. The book starts off on a low note, Red Valley feels like any other small town, but as the plot progresses, the book reveals more and more of its secrets to you, and it hooks you to the town and it's people.
This can very well be the start of a new urban fantasy series, and I hope there are sequels planned, as the book felt very short for what it is. I'd really love to read more of this town and its people!
All the good things out of the way, I'll now list some of the shortcomings of this book. Although they are very sparse and spread out too far apart, there are a few pacing issues in the book. Like in one of the scenes, when a huge plot point about the mc is revealed, it doesn't take her very long to come in terms with it, which I felt was unnatural, seeing how her character reacts to other situations. Other than this, and some slight issues I have with character development, I can not find any flaws with this book. It is only issues like these that made me take half a star away from an otherwise great book. This can very well become one of the top urban fantasy books of this year upon release!
This can very well be the start of a new urban fantasy series, and I hope there are sequels planned, as the book felt very short for what it is. I'd really love to read more of this town and its people!
All the good things out of the way, I'll now list some of the shortcomings of this book. Although they are very sparse and spread out too far apart, there are a few pacing issues in the book. Like in one of the scenes, when a huge plot point about the mc is revealed, it doesn't take her very long to come in terms with it, which I felt was unnatural, seeing how her character reacts to other situations. Other than this, and some slight issues I have with character development, I can not find any flaws with this book. It is only issues like these that made me take half a star away from an otherwise great book. This can very well become one of the top urban fantasy books of this year upon release!
June 7, 2021
This book is not what you think it is. You start down one path, and soon you are lost in the forest of twists and turns that leaves you both eager and searching for more. I loved the concept, the easy flowing writing of the author, and the plot as it leads you to its destination. There are many surprises along the way that you just dont see coming.
A great book, I can not wait for more!
A great book, I can not wait for more!
July 27, 2021
Synopsis
Red Valley is real boondock country. There’s a Walmart, a dive bar, a diner with a tree growing through it, and a river. There’s also the King. You don’t cross the King. You never, ever, go in the river. Oh, and you don’t trust the Liar …
The Liar’s powers allow her to turn lies into reality by writing them in her ledger and marking them with blood. Cover up that receding hairline? Sure. Bury a troublesome love affair? No problem. The liar’s price is time taken off your lifespan depending on the gravity of your lie, it’s up to you to determine if you’re willing to pay it.
Sadie grew up in Red Valley and inherits the title of the Liar of Red Valley. Suddenly all of the town’s secrets are Sadie’s, even the dangerous ones people are prepared to kill for. With both human and otherworldly entities all fighting to know her secrets, all Sadie knows is that her mom told a real bad lie before she died and now it’s caught up with her.
Review
Walter Goodwater’s The Liar of Red Valley is Rebellion Publishing’s flagship Autumn title this year and for good reason. It is an American gothic tale with a strong and mystical hook that makes this book a serious page burner. This is testament to Goodwater’s intimate small town setting. Red Valley gives me Under the Dome and Fables vibes as under the town’s deadsville surface is a whole host of ancient power that seeps through the cracks of reality.
Once Sadie becomes the Liar of Red Valley after the passing of her mother, the previous Liar, she has no clue how her new powers work. All she knows is that the ledgers she has inherited are filled with over 100 years of the town’s lies, which are something the crooked town law enforcement and gibbering Laughing Boys (think a gang of chuckling Billies from Stranger Things Season 3) are desperate to get their hands on. The lies also concern the King, an entity who maintains a protective and vigilant hold over the town. The King’s bidding is carried out through the mirrored-glasses of the Kingsmen (often with violence).
When Sadie has no choice but to reveal a compromising lie told about the King by her great-great-great grandmother, also a Liar, the stakes are ramped up to apocalyptic proportions. This is the book’s main strength. Little lies here and there are seemingly nothing to worry about but the snowball effect their power creates leads to several ancient evils descending upon the town in a flurry of demonic violence.
The magic of Red Valley is mysterious and ancient. Mansions disappear and reappear into reality, the tree in the diner regenerates when damaged, spirits can be contacted as they travel the long road in death; the stakes are huge and they all funnel toward the King. I liked the world and I could have happily sunken even more time dedicated to knowing more about the ancient evils and entities the book mentions.
Goodwater doesn’t leave us hanging though. We find out who the King really is, which is why we’re so distracted and surprised when the rug is pulled out from under us in the third act of the book. Yet somehow, we knew something wasn’t right all along. The pacing of the novel was just right. Sadie transforms over the course of the story from a hapless, dead-end protagonist to one who changes the age old rule of “don’t trust the liar” to “don’t fuck with the liar”.
When the book shifts from its The Horror at Camp Jellyjam for adult readers schtick it screams into a real end game that doesn’t disappoint. A solid title that is definitely worthy of the hype it will undoubtedly be receiving over the coming months.
Red Valley is real boondock country. There’s a Walmart, a dive bar, a diner with a tree growing through it, and a river. There’s also the King. You don’t cross the King. You never, ever, go in the river. Oh, and you don’t trust the Liar …
The Liar’s powers allow her to turn lies into reality by writing them in her ledger and marking them with blood. Cover up that receding hairline? Sure. Bury a troublesome love affair? No problem. The liar’s price is time taken off your lifespan depending on the gravity of your lie, it’s up to you to determine if you’re willing to pay it.
Sadie grew up in Red Valley and inherits the title of the Liar of Red Valley. Suddenly all of the town’s secrets are Sadie’s, even the dangerous ones people are prepared to kill for. With both human and otherworldly entities all fighting to know her secrets, all Sadie knows is that her mom told a real bad lie before she died and now it’s caught up with her.
Review
Walter Goodwater’s The Liar of Red Valley is Rebellion Publishing’s flagship Autumn title this year and for good reason. It is an American gothic tale with a strong and mystical hook that makes this book a serious page burner. This is testament to Goodwater’s intimate small town setting. Red Valley gives me Under the Dome and Fables vibes as under the town’s deadsville surface is a whole host of ancient power that seeps through the cracks of reality.
Once Sadie becomes the Liar of Red Valley after the passing of her mother, the previous Liar, she has no clue how her new powers work. All she knows is that the ledgers she has inherited are filled with over 100 years of the town’s lies, which are something the crooked town law enforcement and gibbering Laughing Boys (think a gang of chuckling Billies from Stranger Things Season 3) are desperate to get their hands on. The lies also concern the King, an entity who maintains a protective and vigilant hold over the town. The King’s bidding is carried out through the mirrored-glasses of the Kingsmen (often with violence).
When Sadie has no choice but to reveal a compromising lie told about the King by her great-great-great grandmother, also a Liar, the stakes are ramped up to apocalyptic proportions. This is the book’s main strength. Little lies here and there are seemingly nothing to worry about but the snowball effect their power creates leads to several ancient evils descending upon the town in a flurry of demonic violence.
The magic of Red Valley is mysterious and ancient. Mansions disappear and reappear into reality, the tree in the diner regenerates when damaged, spirits can be contacted as they travel the long road in death; the stakes are huge and they all funnel toward the King. I liked the world and I could have happily sunken even more time dedicated to knowing more about the ancient evils and entities the book mentions.
Goodwater doesn’t leave us hanging though. We find out who the King really is, which is why we’re so distracted and surprised when the rug is pulled out from under us in the third act of the book. Yet somehow, we knew something wasn’t right all along. The pacing of the novel was just right. Sadie transforms over the course of the story from a hapless, dead-end protagonist to one who changes the age old rule of “don’t trust the liar” to “don’t fuck with the liar”.
When the book shifts from its The Horror at Camp Jellyjam for adult readers schtick it screams into a real end game that doesn’t disappoint. A solid title that is definitely worthy of the hype it will undoubtedly be receiving over the coming months.
June 27, 2022
Weird fantastical version of a modern American West town, full of high magic creatures. Great voice for the first person narrative, and I loved the magic setup, that there is a magic user called the liar, who can "sell" lies to clients, by making whatever is written down believed within the scope of that magic-filled valley. I was hooked from the start and this was a very fast read. There is an interesting twist also.
But the progress of the book was kind of a letdown, or at least, it changed to something which was not quite what I expected (unrelated to the twist, which I really enjoyed. Though I do not understand one thing ), it becomes, and I can not think of better words to describe it, high octane action filled, with Hollywood style speeches to town and it was all just not my cup of tea, and the way the plot was resolved just had this odd pace, lots of chapters on relatively irrelevant stuff and then the really truly important things, just snapping fingers.
Still a really interesting story, with a great voice and magic concept.
But the progress of the book was kind of a letdown, or at least, it changed to something which was not quite what I expected (unrelated to the twist, which I really enjoyed. Though I do not understand one thing ), it becomes, and I can not think of better words to describe it, high octane action filled, with Hollywood style speeches to town and it was all just not my cup of tea, and the way the plot was resolved just had this odd pace, lots of chapters on relatively irrelevant stuff and then the really truly important things, just snapping fingers.
Still a really interesting story, with a great voice and magic concept.
September 20, 2021
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Original blend of classic fantasy and magical realism, with a small dose of social commentary. Plenty of action, twists and turns (often shocking ones). Brave, resourceful lead.
Cons: While being nice/relatable, the characters (and their relationships) could have used more depth.
WARNING! Blood, gore and monsters. An instance of police brutality.
Will appeal to: Those who are looking for a supernatural story with a classic feel, yet off the beaten path.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Solaris/Rebellion Publishing for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
HER-STORY IN THE MAKING
The first thing I look for in my books is, go figure, an "offbeat" element - so I supposed that, with a story where the heroine can "remake the world, with just a little blood", I couldn't go wrong. But TLORV turned out to be even more peculiar - and decidedly more surprising - than I anticipated. I was ready for a healthy dose of reality warping, with outrageous but entertaining results...wow, I had no idea.
After her mother's sudden death, Sadie takes over her role as the Liar...too bad she doesn't have a clue how her power is supposed to work. Now, you might wonder why, if Sadie was destined to succeed her mother, she's been kept in the dark about the tricks of her trade - except there's an excellent reason, which also makes for the last and most stunning twist in a book that's got plenty of them. Tension escalates while Sadie uncovers to what extent her mother has been manipulating reality (there's actually a brilliant crescendo about her lies and the way they impact Sadie's present situation) and learns to use her power, plus tries to stay one step ahead of the monsters and humans who are after something her mother left her. That's where most of this book's strength lies for me - in the way the pace increases and the stakes get higher and higher, but even more in the way the twists/reveals gradually redesign our (and Sadie's) perception of what's real, until they pull the rug from under our feet. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Original blend of classic fantasy and magical realism, with a small dose of social commentary. Plenty of action, twists and turns (often shocking ones). Brave, resourceful lead.
Cons: While being nice/relatable, the characters (and their relationships) could have used more depth.
WARNING! Blood, gore and monsters. An instance of police brutality.
Will appeal to: Those who are looking for a supernatural story with a classic feel, yet off the beaten path.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Solaris/Rebellion Publishing for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
HER-STORY IN THE MAKING
The first thing I look for in my books is, go figure, an "offbeat" element - so I supposed that, with a story where the heroine can "remake the world, with just a little blood", I couldn't go wrong. But TLORV turned out to be even more peculiar - and decidedly more surprising - than I anticipated. I was ready for a healthy dose of reality warping, with outrageous but entertaining results...wow, I had no idea.
After her mother's sudden death, Sadie takes over her role as the Liar...too bad she doesn't have a clue how her power is supposed to work. Now, you might wonder why, if Sadie was destined to succeed her mother, she's been kept in the dark about the tricks of her trade - except there's an excellent reason, which also makes for the last and most stunning twist in a book that's got plenty of them. Tension escalates while Sadie uncovers to what extent her mother has been manipulating reality (there's actually a brilliant crescendo about her lies and the way they impact Sadie's present situation) and learns to use her power, plus tries to stay one step ahead of the monsters and humans who are after something her mother left her. That's where most of this book's strength lies for me - in the way the pace increases and the stakes get higher and higher, but even more in the way the twists/reveals gradually redesign our (and Sadie's) perception of what's real, until they pull the rug from under our feet. [...]
Whole review here.
January 28, 2022
4.5 stars.
The small, rural town of Red Valley is special. It’s under the protection from the King, who keeps all manner of terrible beings and monsters out of the town. The nearby River is dangerous, and everyone knows to not even get one’s toes wet in it. The King’s men, menacing, quiet types, keep the peace, and protect the safety of the townspeople.
And there’s the Liar. The Liar records all the small and big lies of the townspeople for a price. She lives alone, and is both hated and needed.
Her daughter Sadie loses her mother one day to cancer, and almost immediately, everyone, from the under Sheriff, to the King, to the scary laughing boys (people who have willingly accepted a demon in their heads), want something from Sadie, as she is the new Liar of Red Valley.
Omigoodness, I liked this story so much!
I felt like Lovecraft had been an influence on the crafting of this tale, but this world was its own thing. The atmosphere and setting are so well drawn, from the dusty streets and blistering heat blanketing the California town, to the tree growing right in the middle of the diner Sadie works at, to the menacing river, to the terrifying King’s men, and to the ancient evils outside of the Red Valley, in this alternate version of California.
Then there’s the concept of a Liar, a role essential to the town, allowing people to lie about their dead pets, balding heads, marital difficulties, and recording it all in her ledgers. She’s essential to the town, isolated, and answers to the King, and though not as flashy as a laughing boy, has immense power, as Sadie begins to discover.
The plot moved well with no dull moments. I liked Sadie, and how she stumbled around initially, trying to figure out how to be the new Liar of Red Valley, making mistakes and endangering herself and others. I was entertained, and absolutely loved the two BIG lies Sadie’s mum had tucked away — a left turn in the events and our understanding of everything we’d learned up till then about the Red Valley, and its residents. A clever turn, and an enjoyable book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for this ARC in exchange for a review.
The small, rural town of Red Valley is special. It’s under the protection from the King, who keeps all manner of terrible beings and monsters out of the town. The nearby River is dangerous, and everyone knows to not even get one’s toes wet in it. The King’s men, menacing, quiet types, keep the peace, and protect the safety of the townspeople.
And there’s the Liar. The Liar records all the small and big lies of the townspeople for a price. She lives alone, and is both hated and needed.
Her daughter Sadie loses her mother one day to cancer, and almost immediately, everyone, from the under Sheriff, to the King, to the scary laughing boys (people who have willingly accepted a demon in their heads), want something from Sadie, as she is the new Liar of Red Valley.
Omigoodness, I liked this story so much!
I felt like Lovecraft had been an influence on the crafting of this tale, but this world was its own thing. The atmosphere and setting are so well drawn, from the dusty streets and blistering heat blanketing the California town, to the tree growing right in the middle of the diner Sadie works at, to the menacing river, to the terrifying King’s men, and to the ancient evils outside of the Red Valley, in this alternate version of California.
Then there’s the concept of a Liar, a role essential to the town, allowing people to lie about their dead pets, balding heads, marital difficulties, and recording it all in her ledgers. She’s essential to the town, isolated, and answers to the King, and though not as flashy as a laughing boy, has immense power, as Sadie begins to discover.
The plot moved well with no dull moments. I liked Sadie, and how she stumbled around initially, trying to figure out how to be the new Liar of Red Valley, making mistakes and endangering herself and others. I was entertained, and absolutely loved the two BIG lies Sadie’s mum had tucked away — a left turn in the events and our understanding of everything we’d learned up till then about the Red Valley, and its residents. A clever turn, and an enjoyable book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris for this ARC in exchange for a review.
July 13, 2023
Reread: as per the first time, this was enjoyable as hell.
First, thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. I have to say that I have a soft spot for the "small town where weird shit happens" trope. So to no-one surprise I really liked this one.
My favortite parts were definitely the more darker aspects of this book, like the creatures across the river, or the knights of the King. But especially the atmosphere that feels even a little claustrophobic sometimes.
Even though Sadie was a good enough character, she didn't shine enough for my taste.
Another minor detail, if you like fast paced books you will love this, but for me I wish it had slowed down a bit, cause sometimes it felt a bit rushed.
For a more extensive review check my wrap up video! October wrap up
First, thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. I have to say that I have a soft spot for the "small town where weird shit happens" trope. So to no-one surprise I really liked this one.
My favortite parts were definitely the more darker aspects of this book, like the creatures across the river, or the knights of the King. But especially the atmosphere that feels even a little claustrophobic sometimes.
Even though Sadie was a good enough character, she didn't shine enough for my taste.
Another minor detail, if you like fast paced books you will love this, but for me I wish it had slowed down a bit, cause sometimes it felt a bit rushed.
For a more extensive review check my wrap up video! October wrap up
May 11, 2021
Wow. This book is mysterious and dark and gorgeous. It seamlessly blends magic and realism into a beautiful piece of horror. I enjoyed Sadie's character and the grim, realistic elements of her life in Red Valley. The fantasy world of Red Valley incorporates parts of real life, including police violence, abuses of power, and doesn't glorify or gloss over the gritty areas.
September 30, 2021
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with an early review copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
CW: blood, violence, gore, death, death of a parent, cancer, police brutality, drug use, abortion
If you’re a fan of suspenseful stories involving strange small towns with secrets and something supernatural then you’ve got to check this book out!
Red Valley, California isn’t like your ordinary small town. Here is a place where magic and monsters make up the society just as much as the people and place. It is an area that has been safeguarded for centuries by an entity known as the King; where an individual known as the Liar has the power to alter reality; where there is a tree that never dies and a house that disappears into time; and most importantly where all is in harmony so long as you follow the rules. However, Sadie’s world starts to unravel when the mantle of the Liar unexpectedly gets passed onto her and all the secrets and lies of the town become hers to keep.
Walter Goodwater has brought something really fresh and fascinating to the contemporary fantasy genre. Though it does have certain horror elements particularly in the form of supernatural, eldritch-esque creatures and a bit of gore I wouldn’t exactly label this book as a horror. I felt more along the lines of a dark fantasy story to me.
The writing seamlessly immerses you into the small town atmosphere which is captured perfectly. Predominantly through Sadie we are introduced to the various magical and quite often uncanny aspects that make Red Valley the place that it is, things that had once been on the periphery of her day to day life that she now has to come face to face with.
The various characters we come across are all equally interesting and I really liked Sadie who has a surprisingly unyielding personality for someone in her situation. I couldn’t help but root for her and quite enjoyed reading her journey of taking up the role of the Liar. The power of the Liar itself and all the lore behind it so original and I don’t think I am going to get over it anytime soon. The same goes for this absolutely brilliant, mind blowing twist that I can guarantee most people won’t even predict!
However, I did feel like the climax of the book was rushed. Though the pacing does well to ramp up the tension and suspense as we move through the story, there was A LOT going on and I think certain plot points were resolved pretty quickly. I also wish more time had been allowed to flesh out some of the side characters and the primary character relationships.
That being said there is a sense of more stories lying in wake from the numerous individuals around the town and hidden around its obscure corners that you can’t help but be curious about. I really hope the author revisits this world in the future and having finished this book in time to catch the RP Bookclub Podcast episode of this month (you should definitely check that out too), Goodwater hinted a potential spin off story with a certain duo and I would be so down for that!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
**I was provided with an early review copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
CW: blood, violence, gore, death, death of a parent, cancer, police brutality, drug use, abortion
If you’re a fan of suspenseful stories involving strange small towns with secrets and something supernatural then you’ve got to check this book out!
Red Valley, California isn’t like your ordinary small town. Here is a place where magic and monsters make up the society just as much as the people and place. It is an area that has been safeguarded for centuries by an entity known as the King; where an individual known as the Liar has the power to alter reality; where there is a tree that never dies and a house that disappears into time; and most importantly where all is in harmony so long as you follow the rules. However, Sadie’s world starts to unravel when the mantle of the Liar unexpectedly gets passed onto her and all the secrets and lies of the town become hers to keep.
Walter Goodwater has brought something really fresh and fascinating to the contemporary fantasy genre. Though it does have certain horror elements particularly in the form of supernatural, eldritch-esque creatures and a bit of gore I wouldn’t exactly label this book as a horror. I felt more along the lines of a dark fantasy story to me.
The writing seamlessly immerses you into the small town atmosphere which is captured perfectly. Predominantly through Sadie we are introduced to the various magical and quite often uncanny aspects that make Red Valley the place that it is, things that had once been on the periphery of her day to day life that she now has to come face to face with.
The various characters we come across are all equally interesting and I really liked Sadie who has a surprisingly unyielding personality for someone in her situation. I couldn’t help but root for her and quite enjoyed reading her journey of taking up the role of the Liar. The power of the Liar itself and all the lore behind it so original and I don’t think I am going to get over it anytime soon. The same goes for this absolutely brilliant, mind blowing twist that I can guarantee most people won’t even predict!
However, I did feel like the climax of the book was rushed. Though the pacing does well to ramp up the tension and suspense as we move through the story, there was A LOT going on and I think certain plot points were resolved pretty quickly. I also wish more time had been allowed to flesh out some of the side characters and the primary character relationships.
That being said there is a sense of more stories lying in wake from the numerous individuals around the town and hidden around its obscure corners that you can’t help but be curious about. I really hope the author revisits this world in the future and having finished this book in time to catch the RP Bookclub Podcast episode of this month (you should definitely check that out too), Goodwater hinted a potential spin off story with a certain duo and I would be so down for that!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
September 18, 2021
Thank you to Rebellion for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. Just wow. I had heard good things about The Liar of Red Valley, but to actually read it for myself was something else. I sat down thinking I'd just start it and then it was many hours later and I'd read the vast majority of the book.
The front of the ARC reads:
Do not trust the liar.
Do not go in the river.
Do not cross the King.
Now if that isn't a shoutline to grab your attention, I don't know what is! The Liar of Red Valley is a phenomenal fantasy that is so secure in its story and its worldbuilding. While we only ever really get to see Red Valley, and we're aware that it is in California, the world outside of Red Valley is a mystery. If monsters and magic exist in Red Valley, do they exist in the wider world? I do not know the answer to this but that isn't a bad thing. Red Valley seems to confidently exist in its own bubble of magic and madness. Goodwaters worldbuilding is incredibly story and he mixes the real world with the fantasy world seamlessly.
The Liar of Red Valley took me on a journey that I didn't expect. It has twists and turns and reveals that in all honestly I didn't expect. I was so swept up in the story that I found it almost impossible to put down. Goodwater draws you in with the mystery of the Liar and spits you out at the end with a completely different view to what you started with. This book is filled with mysteries and Goodwater unpicks them one by one.
Sadie makes for a great central character. She is unexpectedly thrown into the role of the Liar with no training or idea of what is happening, and as the reader you get to discover things at the same pace she does. She is part of the town, yet somehow completely apart from them all. She is the outsider in this story. Her fearlessness and absolute certainty in the world around her really compliments the hard work Goodwater has put into crafting Red Valley.
This is a horror, thriller and fantasy all rolled into one. In just 350 pages it will draw you in and keep you there until it is done.
Wow. Just wow. I had heard good things about The Liar of Red Valley, but to actually read it for myself was something else. I sat down thinking I'd just start it and then it was many hours later and I'd read the vast majority of the book.
The front of the ARC reads:
Do not trust the liar.
Do not go in the river.
Do not cross the King.
Now if that isn't a shoutline to grab your attention, I don't know what is! The Liar of Red Valley is a phenomenal fantasy that is so secure in its story and its worldbuilding. While we only ever really get to see Red Valley, and we're aware that it is in California, the world outside of Red Valley is a mystery. If monsters and magic exist in Red Valley, do they exist in the wider world? I do not know the answer to this but that isn't a bad thing. Red Valley seems to confidently exist in its own bubble of magic and madness. Goodwaters worldbuilding is incredibly story and he mixes the real world with the fantasy world seamlessly.
The Liar of Red Valley took me on a journey that I didn't expect. It has twists and turns and reveals that in all honestly I didn't expect. I was so swept up in the story that I found it almost impossible to put down. Goodwater draws you in with the mystery of the Liar and spits you out at the end with a completely different view to what you started with. This book is filled with mysteries and Goodwater unpicks them one by one.
Sadie makes for a great central character. She is unexpectedly thrown into the role of the Liar with no training or idea of what is happening, and as the reader you get to discover things at the same pace she does. She is part of the town, yet somehow completely apart from them all. She is the outsider in this story. Her fearlessness and absolute certainty in the world around her really compliments the hard work Goodwater has put into crafting Red Valley.
This is a horror, thriller and fantasy all rolled into one. In just 350 pages it will draw you in and keep you there until it is done.
February 25, 2024
Going into The Liar of Red Valley I had certain expectations. Maybe this would be some kind of American gothic Eldritch horror tale about how Sadie, suddenly dealing with gaining this primaeval blood magic, crosses the King, an entity as old and shadowy as the land itself. However, Walter Goodwater has instead crafted a story that refuses to be boxed in by genres, for better or for worse.
Sadie the Liar
Sadie is our protagonist and she doesn’t have too much in life. She lives outside of town with her mother in a broken-down old house, working as a waitress at the diner in town and has one friend, Graciela. I really liked Sadie as a character, she’s spicy. She stands up for herself when she needs to and won’t back down from doing what she perceives to be the right thing, but she will hide when she recognises it’s necessary.
Her mother is the hated and feared Liar, who contains the power to rewrite truth. For instance, changing somebody’s hair colour, taking away a terrible memory, or even bringing back a beloved pet – though all of these things are not real, by giving a little of their blood and paying the Liar’s Price which takes time off their lives for every lie told, everybody in Red Valley believes the lies, they become the truth. It’s tough to describe but it makes sense in the book, trust me.
When Sadie’s mother dies suddenly, she finds herself needing to work out how to be the Liar, and fast, because the ledgers that contain everybody’s lies are wanted by forces that Sadie cannot deal with on her own. She does not want them to fall into the wrong hands, which she fast learns are basically everybody’s but her own. Rightfully so, she is afraid, but also stubborn.
Atmosphere is Everything
My first impressions of The Liar of Red Valley were that it was almost as though Neil Gaiman wrote True Blood, and I think that is still partially true having finished the book. It has a very gothic dark fantasy vibe, and Goodwater has the strange imagination that Gaiman also holds, with just a hint of magic and wonder that I was not expecting. He’s very good at setting a scene and the whole book is very atmospheric.
“Telling a Lie will become easy, with time. Too easy. Never forget that once it is told, there’s no taking it back. Once it escapes from your head into the world, it has a life all its own.”
Of Magic and Monsters
My favourite thing about the novel is how alive Red Valley felt. The town is steeped in strange and ancient magic that makes it feel like another world. Obviously, we see this in the Liar and the King, a presence of fear that nobody has ever seen, who rules over the area, but that’s just the beginning. The King has his King’s Men, his eyes and ears, seemingly undead men who drive around keeping an eye on the town, notarised by their mirrored sunglasses. The diner that Sadie works at is built around an immortal tree that heals itself of any damage. The Laughing Boys are those that allowed demons to latch onto them when the drugs weren’t giving them enough of a high anymore. There are “things” in the dark, most of which we never meet but they’re always there just off to the side, held back by the King’s Peace if you’re on the right side of the River. If you’re on the other side? All bets are off. I loved that aspect of it, taking the good side of town and the bad side of town to a whole new level.
However it isn’t just the monsters and the magic in The Liar of Red Valley we need to concern ourselves with, Undersheriff Hassler also has a mighty bee in his bonnet for all the weird things in town and really seems to have it in for Sadie. He is a bit of a caricature of that “mean cop” trope, but he fits in with the story.
I love how much thought went into creating all of these elements that made Red Valley feel so magical. However, as strange as it may sound, this was probably also my least favourite thing about the novel. As much wonder and darkness as many of these elements added, some of them also felt a little too much at some points as there were so many things being introduced and juggled, I found it a little overwhelming at times.
Too Fast or Just Right?
Add to that the fast pace of the story. For the most part, I found myself enjoying how the story kept moving. It made for a very compelling and hard to put down read, and that is a tough balance to strike.
There were times, however, that I found myself dying for Sadie to have a quiet moment with Graciela, or somebody else. Maybe just a chapter of sitting back, chilling, talking about what’s been happening, the future perhaps. We meet so many cool side characters throughout, after all. There were certainly moments like this but for the most part, it felt to me like Sadie never had the chance to breathe, almost like the story was tripping over itself to get to the ending when it could have slowed down a little, just a smidge, and taken a more atmospheric journey.
Coming to the End (No Spoilerinos)
While I previously criticised The Liar of Red Valley for having too much going on, it has to be said that the way it all came together in the ending was pretty brilliant. There are things so subtly hinted at that you don’t even see the twists coming. Each element seemed to dance around each other like ocean waves in a storm as they crashed and merged and became new waves.
Some of the threads we see wrapped up were super satisfying, while others were somewhat… odd. I didn’t hate the way everything wrapped up, but I didn’t love it either. It’s very tough to put into words without spoiling so I shall leave that there.
Overall, The Liar of Red Valley is a speculative fiction story about breaking the rules, fighting for what is yours, and belonging. While yes, I hold some criticisms of the book, on the whole, I really enjoyed my time reading it. There are a few things that remain mysteries to the end and considering how much gets answered, that can be frustrating but at the same time, I think some things should remain mysterious. That’s part of the magic.
Walter Goodwater has a wonderful imagination and a really solid writing style that made this book a joy to read. If it has you interested, I can recommend it. Just know going in that there is grit to the story. It gets dark, it contains monsters, though it’s more akin to urban fantasy or high fantasy than horror when it comes down to it.
The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater releases through Solaris on 28th September 2021.
Sadie the Liar
Sadie is our protagonist and she doesn’t have too much in life. She lives outside of town with her mother in a broken-down old house, working as a waitress at the diner in town and has one friend, Graciela. I really liked Sadie as a character, she’s spicy. She stands up for herself when she needs to and won’t back down from doing what she perceives to be the right thing, but she will hide when she recognises it’s necessary.
Her mother is the hated and feared Liar, who contains the power to rewrite truth. For instance, changing somebody’s hair colour, taking away a terrible memory, or even bringing back a beloved pet – though all of these things are not real, by giving a little of their blood and paying the Liar’s Price which takes time off their lives for every lie told, everybody in Red Valley believes the lies, they become the truth. It’s tough to describe but it makes sense in the book, trust me.
When Sadie’s mother dies suddenly, she finds herself needing to work out how to be the Liar, and fast, because the ledgers that contain everybody’s lies are wanted by forces that Sadie cannot deal with on her own. She does not want them to fall into the wrong hands, which she fast learns are basically everybody’s but her own. Rightfully so, she is afraid, but also stubborn.
Atmosphere is Everything
My first impressions of The Liar of Red Valley were that it was almost as though Neil Gaiman wrote True Blood, and I think that is still partially true having finished the book. It has a very gothic dark fantasy vibe, and Goodwater has the strange imagination that Gaiman also holds, with just a hint of magic and wonder that I was not expecting. He’s very good at setting a scene and the whole book is very atmospheric.
“Telling a Lie will become easy, with time. Too easy. Never forget that once it is told, there’s no taking it back. Once it escapes from your head into the world, it has a life all its own.”
Of Magic and Monsters
My favourite thing about the novel is how alive Red Valley felt. The town is steeped in strange and ancient magic that makes it feel like another world. Obviously, we see this in the Liar and the King, a presence of fear that nobody has ever seen, who rules over the area, but that’s just the beginning. The King has his King’s Men, his eyes and ears, seemingly undead men who drive around keeping an eye on the town, notarised by their mirrored sunglasses. The diner that Sadie works at is built around an immortal tree that heals itself of any damage. The Laughing Boys are those that allowed demons to latch onto them when the drugs weren’t giving them enough of a high anymore. There are “things” in the dark, most of which we never meet but they’re always there just off to the side, held back by the King’s Peace if you’re on the right side of the River. If you’re on the other side? All bets are off. I loved that aspect of it, taking the good side of town and the bad side of town to a whole new level.
However it isn’t just the monsters and the magic in The Liar of Red Valley we need to concern ourselves with, Undersheriff Hassler also has a mighty bee in his bonnet for all the weird things in town and really seems to have it in for Sadie. He is a bit of a caricature of that “mean cop” trope, but he fits in with the story.
I love how much thought went into creating all of these elements that made Red Valley feel so magical. However, as strange as it may sound, this was probably also my least favourite thing about the novel. As much wonder and darkness as many of these elements added, some of them also felt a little too much at some points as there were so many things being introduced and juggled, I found it a little overwhelming at times.
Too Fast or Just Right?
Add to that the fast pace of the story. For the most part, I found myself enjoying how the story kept moving. It made for a very compelling and hard to put down read, and that is a tough balance to strike.
There were times, however, that I found myself dying for Sadie to have a quiet moment with Graciela, or somebody else. Maybe just a chapter of sitting back, chilling, talking about what’s been happening, the future perhaps. We meet so many cool side characters throughout, after all. There were certainly moments like this but for the most part, it felt to me like Sadie never had the chance to breathe, almost like the story was tripping over itself to get to the ending when it could have slowed down a little, just a smidge, and taken a more atmospheric journey.
Coming to the End (No Spoilerinos)
While I previously criticised The Liar of Red Valley for having too much going on, it has to be said that the way it all came together in the ending was pretty brilliant. There are things so subtly hinted at that you don’t even see the twists coming. Each element seemed to dance around each other like ocean waves in a storm as they crashed and merged and became new waves.
Some of the threads we see wrapped up were super satisfying, while others were somewhat… odd. I didn’t hate the way everything wrapped up, but I didn’t love it either. It’s very tough to put into words without spoiling so I shall leave that there.
Overall, The Liar of Red Valley is a speculative fiction story about breaking the rules, fighting for what is yours, and belonging. While yes, I hold some criticisms of the book, on the whole, I really enjoyed my time reading it. There are a few things that remain mysteries to the end and considering how much gets answered, that can be frustrating but at the same time, I think some things should remain mysterious. That’s part of the magic.
Walter Goodwater has a wonderful imagination and a really solid writing style that made this book a joy to read. If it has you interested, I can recommend it. Just know going in that there is grit to the story. It gets dark, it contains monsters, though it’s more akin to urban fantasy or high fantasy than horror when it comes down to it.
The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater releases through Solaris on 28th September 2021.
August 23, 2021
Book review: The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodman 4/5
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for an honest review* and am so excited I got to read this book before it comes out next month. Because this gives me the opportunity to reccommend you the perfect fall read!
We follow Sadie our main character in Red Valley, a creepy gothic small town in California. That is filled with paranormal vibes. Everyone growing up in the town learns three rules:
- Don't trust the Liar
- Don't go in the river
- Don't cross the king
This sets for a very disturbing atmosphere as you want to find out what it all means!!
Sadie's mother is the Liar as the previous women in her family were. This means that people come to her for magical deals with the "devil" (king). She writes the lies for these people in her diary and seals the deal with blood. These lies can be very small things like changing appearances, but also very big disturbing things like forgetting loved ones. And it all comes with a price. However in the end it is still a lie.
"A lie can do a lot of things, but it can't make cancer go away".
When Sadie's mother passes away, she becomes the new Liar and is keen on finding out what the three rules mean so she goes confront the king. Who is defenitly not a person, let's keep it at that.
On this journey Sadie is being hunted by people and magical creatues (very scary ones) for the Liars' diaries since everyone wants to protect their lies.
Luckily she does not have to fight this battle alone since she has her best friend and brujo brother to fight with her for the truth.
This book was amazing I flew through it the author did an amazing job of combining magical elements, with fantastical creatures, philosophical ideas and racisim.
I loved this books so much that I already preordered the limited signed edition with sprayed edges from Rebellion. You should do to!!
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for an honest review* and am so excited I got to read this book before it comes out next month. Because this gives me the opportunity to reccommend you the perfect fall read!
We follow Sadie our main character in Red Valley, a creepy gothic small town in California. That is filled with paranormal vibes. Everyone growing up in the town learns three rules:
- Don't trust the Liar
- Don't go in the river
- Don't cross the king
This sets for a very disturbing atmosphere as you want to find out what it all means!!
Sadie's mother is the Liar as the previous women in her family were. This means that people come to her for magical deals with the "devil" (king). She writes the lies for these people in her diary and seals the deal with blood. These lies can be very small things like changing appearances, but also very big disturbing things like forgetting loved ones. And it all comes with a price. However in the end it is still a lie.
"A lie can do a lot of things, but it can't make cancer go away".
When Sadie's mother passes away, she becomes the new Liar and is keen on finding out what the three rules mean so she goes confront the king. Who is defenitly not a person, let's keep it at that.
On this journey Sadie is being hunted by people and magical creatues (very scary ones) for the Liars' diaries since everyone wants to protect their lies.
Luckily she does not have to fight this battle alone since she has her best friend and brujo brother to fight with her for the truth.
This book was amazing I flew through it the author did an amazing job of combining magical elements, with fantastical creatures, philosophical ideas and racisim.
I loved this books so much that I already preordered the limited signed edition with sprayed edges from Rebellion. You should do to!!
August 23, 2021
I really liked reading this book. The main character was very relatable and the world building was good too. I really liked how the author blended the real world with magic.
In this book we follow Sadie, a girl who becomes the so called Liar Of the Red Valley when her mother dies. Like she knew from the beginning that her mother was the Liar but she never expected her mother to die so early and leave her with such a huge responsibility. So when you read this book you'll see Sadie and her journey to discover secrets of her ancestors and the truth behind the Liar.
This book has queer characters, and deals with the themes of racism. There's also the theme of people abusing their power just because they can. I loved how Sadie dealt with these types of people. She was the most relatable badass heroine you'll ever want In a book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book.
In this book we follow Sadie, a girl who becomes the so called Liar Of the Red Valley when her mother dies. Like she knew from the beginning that her mother was the Liar but she never expected her mother to die so early and leave her with such a huge responsibility. So when you read this book you'll see Sadie and her journey to discover secrets of her ancestors and the truth behind the Liar.
This book has queer characters, and deals with the themes of racism. There's also the theme of people abusing their power just because they can. I loved how Sadie dealt with these types of people. She was the most relatable badass heroine you'll ever want In a book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews