The Book of Lies

Book Trilogy #1

by James Moloney

The newest boy at Mrs. Timmins's Home for Orphans and Foundlings awakes at first light with no name and no memory. But a strange girl who hides among the shadows of the orphanage tells him that a mysterious wizard's creation, the Book of Lies, holds the answers, and then gives him one "Your name is Marcel." With that knowledge, and the help of three new friends, Marcel begins a quest to find the truth about his real identity—a truth that is hidden in the Book of Lies. As Marcel learns more about his past, he realizes that truth can change at any moment and can be manipulated by anyone, and he begins to wonder if the old book's so-called magical truth might be the greatest lie of all.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Magic, Middle Grade

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

My full name is James Francis Moloney and I was born in Sydney, Australia on 20 September, 1954. When I was seven years old, my family moved to Brisbane and except for the odd year or two, I have lived in Brisbane ever since. At school, I was into every sport going - cricket, footy, swimming - you name it. It's hard to believe now but in High School, I was a champion Long Jumper! After University I became a teacher and then a Teacher Librarian. I moved around from school to school and in 1977-8 found myself in Cunnamulla, a little "outback" town where many Indigenous Australians live. These turned out to be important years for my writing.

In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.

1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.

In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.

Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really nostalgic for me. i first read it when i was nine years old. My mum bought it for me at angus and robertson (rip) in bankstown square (now central) as a reward for passing my ameb grade 4 piano exam (got a C!!). I loved it so much.

Returning to it many years later, it is still so so good. I did not realise just how formative this book was for me. I recognised in the story so many themes and elements i now adore: truth and lies, trying to outrun destiny, hidden selves, terrible prophecies, master manipulators, and a super twisty plot. Perhaps The Book of Lies is where i came upon them for the first time. Maybe this is why i started loving them in the first place.

I felt like my younger self was right there with me during this reread, pointing out the lines she had loved ('bone-crushing roar', 'when lords and ladies quest for fame', 'you're nothing but a threat to us!'). Thank you, child me, for leading me on this adventure :)

[grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it has a lot of twists and turns that I never expected. This is the kind of book I could read over and over and never get tired of.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a nostalgia trip for me and I loved every second of it! I absolutely adored the concept of a Book of Lies, and the way everything was turned on its head.

The first time I read this I couldn’t get over the number of twists and turns the book gave us, and reading it again this time I will still relatively shocked because it’s been so long since my last read.

All in all, I really enjoy this book but I definitely think it’s one for the younger readers unless you are reading it for the nostalgia like I did.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was getting ready to type a review, and I remembered that I really liked this book, but the ending suggested that there was a sequel. I was elated to find that there are at least two more books, but disappointed that my library doesn't carry either. Augh.

Interesting premise. The twists and turns at first are difficult to figure out, but not frustrating, but during the action in the middle of the book, it gets annoying that the main characters haven't figured a few things out yet. The Book of Lies itself seems pretty interesting, as is the wizard who created it.

[Ely]

SECOND READING - MAY 2020 | DNF

I guess this is proof that your reading tastes can change drastically. Since I read this for the first time, I've read and loved a lot more middle-grade fantasy, but I always thought kind of fondly of this book. But rereading it now, I just felt kind of bored by it. I was really enjoying it at the beginning until I hit the first big twist in the book—it just felt so obvious even thought I couldn't remember a single thing about the plot. It's nothing I haven't seen done before in many other MG fantasy books, only it wasn't done well enough to hold my attention this time.

Well, I guess I don't have to pick up the other two books in the series now.

FIRST READING - MARCH 2016 | 4 STARS

The Book of Lies was probably my oldest unread books on my shelves. I bought it in 2009 when James Moloney did a talk at my school. I don’t know why I never picked it up considering I own the other two books in the trilogy, and the first book in another trilogy of his. I guess for a while I didn’t think I’d like it, but I was sorely mistaken.

I don’t read a whole lot of middle grade fantasy—I’ve read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, the first book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series, and a few others. I really loved all the books I remember, so I’m not exactly sure why I don’t read this genre more often—I know I have heaps to catch up on. For the most part, this follows the usual path of the genre—orphan, magic, and a mysterious secret. It might be overdone, but I really like those sorts of stories. Yes, it’s entirely because of HP. I like that this had a little bit of a different focus with the book—who doesn’t love reading books about books?

The characters are pretty stock standard too. There are three main characters—a Harry, Hermione and Ron, if you will. I’m really excited to see how they are going to develop in the next two books because I think they could be really great characters. At the end I could see them starting to grow into even more interesting characters to read about. I’m really excited to see some more of the minor characters too.

Okay, the amount of twists and turns in this book though. I did see some of them coming, but that’s alright because it is a middle grade, but then there were others that blew me away. I have to say, there were a few moments that seemed a bit more YA than middle grade. There wasn’t anything inappropriate, just a few darker moments here and there.

All in all, this was an incredible start to a series, and I can’t wait to read the next book, which I’m about to do right now.

[rachel, x · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I tend to scoff at people that say they're "too old" for certain books. What does age have to do with the ability to appreciate a good story? Well, that used to be my philosophy. Now it seems I'm about to become a hypocrite... because while I enjoyed The Book of Lies, it was far too juvenile for my current tastes. If you had given this to me back in primary school (especially around the time I was obsessed with Inkheart or even Eragon), I would have gobbled this series up. It's an epic fantasy with bookish magic and flying horses - elements that I usually love in a story. However, the writing was so simple and rather plain that, combined with some really underdeveloped characters (and even an underdeveloped world), made the story feel too much like a children's book then I could appreciate. Maybe it more time had been spent building up the characters or if there hadn't been so much heavy foreshadowing in the first part, I might have enjoyed it more but I couldn't say for sure. Predictability for me is a huge no-no and I knew how this story would reveal itself from the get go. Hopefully the next two books will allow me to understand the characters and the world a little more or it'll seem like such wasted potential.

A good story, just too young for my tastes at the moment.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is truth? What is lies? How do you decide between competing claims for legitimacy? Who should be trusted?

This book explores ideas like this and shows how powerful propaganda is, but also shows that missteps and failures to trust by the "good guys" can be deadly.

Some of the plot twists were very predictable to an adult reader, but spun out pretty skilfully and I think for the target audience it would be OK. More disappointing were cliches about class "rightful heirs" and gender (I don't want to put spoilers in here but consider what each of the main characters- Marcel, Bea, Nicola and Fergus were portrayed as "special" for also consider literally the only good thing were are told about Ashlere). Particularly problematic was the portrayal and gendering of vanity without any complexity added at all. I liked Termagant and Gadfly (especially the latter).

I will possibly read the sequels one day because apart from my criticisms it was a well-paced and enjoyable book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a series of three. Mystical, adventurous story of good over evil. The idea of the book of lies from which the title is drawn, brings forward that a person's faith should be in what he/she knows to be true and to value your own judgment; that we are responsible for our own actions and the consequences which result.
Touches of Merlin and 'The Sword in the Stone' in these stories, with the rightful heirs having special powers and guided and protected by magic. Young readers who liked John Flanagan's Rangers Apprentice series (and I have read all of these) will also enjoy this series, which is aimed at a slightly older audience.

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to The Book of Lies as an audio book and I really enjoyed it. It had a captivating plot with many twists and turns so you never knew what was going to happen next.

[Queen Bzyb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, intriguing and imaginative. We listened to this on our family (2 girls 12 &15) road trip and everyone was captured by the story - we are keen to finish the rest of the trilogy.

[Rebecca Pierce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the concept of this book quite intriguing. Honestly, I still do. However, this was yet another example of poorly executed, but fascinating premise.

The book was broken up into three sections,which I thought was distracting and unnecessary. Very rarely should books be chopped up in this manner. The sections were broken up by the current location of the characters. This would have made sense if each section focused on a different character or if it was a book that switched between time-periods. But it was a book about a journey, so the sections severed the seamless quality you would want in that kind of story.

My other issue with the book was its lack of depth. I understand this is book written mainly for children, but they should be given more credit. This was a story that was hinged on the concept of truth versus lies and yet this was barely addressed. The story left an opening for several questions like, "What is truth?" "Is truth relative, or not?" "Is there ever a time where lying could be justified?""Does truth change?" These questions and several others came to my mind, in the sense of wondering how the author would handle it. How was he going to approach these issues? Short answer; he didn't. He simply ignored these questions. I understand he was not writing a moral thesis, but wouldn't the characters be asking some of these questions after what they'd been through? I'm not saying I expect the author to have made some great point about how you define truth, but his characters should have at least considered the subject. Then, instead of indoctrinating children, or assuming they can't understand, you are opening a door for them to ask questions and think independently.

I know I'm starting to rant, so I'll move on. The plot also lacked depth. It was predictable, but interesting. The only problem was the characters were flat and everything was too rushed to be believable. In a story that follows a familiar pattern, the characters have to carry the book along. Unfortunately, they just didn't do that for me.

Rating: PG for mild violence

[Buffy Greentree · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was only after I read this book I found out it was written by a Brisbane writer, which is quite exciting.
However, I have to admit I wasn't particularly enthralled by the book itself. It was an adequate tale aimed at younger readers, and the concept of a book of lies was interesting enough. However, just because a book is for younger readers does not mean it can lack depth and complexity in world building, character motivation, and writing.
I found the use of Greek mythology in a vaguely European medieval fantasy setting lazy, as was the understanding of magic. While the world had magic, only two people in the entire country appear to be able to use it, and then it is very unclear what they can do with it, how or why.
Concerning the characters, it was frustrating watching them not ask obvious questions and fall into even more obvious traps.
Overall, there is no reason not to read the book, but there are much better fantasy out there for younger readers.

[Deneé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had I'd read this book as a kid, I most certainly would have loved it! I really like it now too, with it's simplicity in character and plot descriptions, much different from adult books. This book was very imaginative and seemed to combine elements of Lord of the Rings, The sword in the stone: king arthur, and even a bit of dr. doolittle, haha! If there is a sequel to this book, as the ending might entail, I'd certainly read it. I checked this book out for my little brother to read, and when he never even gave it a try, I decided to read it instead. I wish he would read it, it's great!

[pdarnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts right off with intriguing mystery. There is some creepiness which is later brought out into the open and is then found not to be creepy/scary at all. Several twists and turns, lots of adventure, learning of whom to trust and family is what you make it to be. Friendships are forged and some broken or rather some are not what you think them to be. Great for the younger reading crowd or if your still young at heart and enjoy a good sword and sorcery adventure.

[Charmaine Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Moloney has created a vivid and enticing world within the pages of this novel. I'm glad I read this book on paper rather than the Kindle, it just seemed more magical that way. Enjoyed the lyrical writing, and especially the passages from The Book of Lies (a book within a book). The protagonists were a likable bunch of kids who showed courage, loyalty and determination, even when they trembled with fear. Look forward to the next adventure in book 2.

[Dion Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nan and I read this together when I was young. I really wish it had an audio version x

[Julia Jeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many twists in this book and it was bit confusing at first, but when you read through it again, you realise things that haven't occured to you. Many actions and stuff, too. Sequels: Master of the Books, The Book from Baden Dark.

[Roshni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent children's fantasy book, the storyline could be predicted from the first chapter. Eleanor and her husband's betrayal was obvious, and it was only logical to conclude that the person they depicted as bad was actually good. Very simple to deduce the plot and not many unexpected events.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much excitement in the air and unexpected turns, you keep on turning the page in one go until you finish the book quickly. Would have liked an actual book of the lies, would have made me more enthusiastic to read this book.

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh

[Sol Zivkovic-Kenndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would have to be one of my favourite books of all time! 5 stars!!!

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcel woke up in a home for foundlings in Fallside. Mrs Timmins and her son Albert ran the home. He felt confused, he couldn't remember anything of his previous life.

He believed his name was Robert, but there was something wrong with that. A little girl had told him his name was Marcel. He didn't know she had put wax in his ears so the retelling of his life from the Book of Lies could not be heard. Now he couldn't be anyone else. Lord Alwyn, the ageing, wizard who lived in the tower, told him he would no longer be offered for adoption. He would be hidden away and no one outside the home would know his name.

The rhythm of the work at the orphanage kept him busy. A man nicknamed 'Belch' had him working in the stables. There he met a wild horse called Gadfly. When Fergus, another boy in the home, challenged him to race outside the grounds and into Fallside, where the old wizard warned him not to go. Marcel still went on a wild and exuberant journey and raced his new friend. The other boy called out to him, 'Marcel' when they were in the village. That was enough, he'd been seen and his name heard. Everything would change after that.

Two strangers approached him, a man called Starkey and his weapon-wielding friend Hector. Starkey wanted Marcel to leave with him. The old wizard had threatened Marcel with sending a loud and fearful creature from the tower to recapture him if he moved over the walls. If he trusted these two men, perhaps he would discover who he really was. He was too afraid to find out.

The Book of Lies had cast a spell that gave him a false life. The journey he would take led him into danger, he discovered who his friends were, who his brother and sister were. Once he could believe who his father and mother were, he would discover his destiny, within the Book of Lies.

There is so much about this book that I love. Anyone who loves fantasy will enjoy this story and be carried along by the characters.

[Mara Corduneanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

O recenzie fără spoilere pentru „Cartea Minciunilor” (The Book of Lies) de James Moloney, structurată clar cu plusuri și minusuri:

📖 Recenzie: „Cartea Minciunilor” de James Moloney
„Cartea Minciunilor” este un roman fantasy pentru tineri care explorează teme precum adevărul, identitatea și puterea minciunii într-o lume în care amintirile pot fi furate și realitatea poate fi rescrisă. Povestea urmărește un tânăr fără amintiri, prins între două tabere și forțat să afle cine este cu adevărat.

✅ Plusuri
• Concept original: Ideea unei cărți care poate rescrie adevărul și a unui protagonist lipsit de memorie este intrigantă și plină de potențial filosofic.
• Ritm alert și ușor de citit: Cartea are o acțiune constantă, potrivită pentru cititorii adolescenți și pentru cei care preferă un fantasy accesibil.
• Teme morale interesante: Romanul ridică întrebări despre bine și rău, despre cât de departe poți merge pentru adevăr și cât de periculoasă poate fi o minciună spusă cu intenții bune.
• Atmosferă de mister: Autorul reușește să mențină suspansul și curiozitatea până spre final, fără a lăsa cititorul indiferent.
• Mesaj puternic despre identitate: În centrul poveștii este căutarea sinelui, o temă cu care mulți tineri se pot identifica.

⚠️ Minusuri
• Personaje uneori schematice: Unele figuri secundare par destul de previzibile sau insuficient dezvoltate, mai ales comparativ cu protagonistul.
• Limbaj simplu: Deși face cartea ușor de parcurs, stilul poate părea prea elementar pentru cititorii mai maturi sau pasionați de fantasy complex.
• Explicații rapide: Unele răsturnări și revelații par grăbite, iar lumea construită putea fi explorată mai în profunzime.
• Final relativ previzibil: Deși satisfăcător, nu aduce surprize majore pentru cei obișnuiți cu genul.

„Cartea Minciunilor” este o alegere excelentă pentru adolescenți sau cititori care preferă un fantasy moral și captivant, dar fără complexitatea unor serii epice. Este o poveste despre adevăr, trădare și identitate, spusă într-un ritm care te ține prins până la ultima pagină.

[Tabbys Bookish Realm · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could entirely forget a book just to experience it anew, it would be The Book of Lies, and the rest of the series, too. This book holds a very special place in my heart; it’s the one that ignited my passion for fantasy. I still remember clutching it in the library as a child, hesitating for weeks as I stared at its cover and read that tantalising blurb on the back. The moment I finally dove in, I was utterly hooked.

Moloney crafts a richly imagined world where secrets whisper from every shadow and the line between truth and deception constantly shifts. Protagonist Bren’s journey, torn between loyalty, destiny and the haunting revelations of the Book itself, felt both epic and deeply personal. The pacing is perfect: each twist kept me eagerly turning pages, and the emotional stakes hit me right in the heart.

Reading The Book of Lies was more than an adventure; it felt like discovering a new part of myself. If you love immersive fantasy with clever twists and memorable characters, this series is an absolute must.

5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Devon Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shout out obscure kid's fantasy books I find in the thrift store I love you obscure kid's fantasy books I find in the thrift store <3

Fr though this was fire...... I am a big fantasy girlie but hadn't read any in a while (I'm in my esoteric non-fiction era) & I INHALED this in two days flat. Really unique premise, it very much felt like it existed within its own little world which is hard to achieve with a genre as widespread as kid's fantasy. The first part in particular gave me really strong Fable vibes. Like the video game. It felt like reading Fable.

I also loved the twisty plot/mystery element. I was locked in, & even though there were some things I managed to unravel more swiftly than the protagonists, there were other things that surprised even grown old me. Lowkey gave me flashbacks to Emily Rodda & this is the highest of compliments ~ what is in the water in Australia & can I have some? Now to hunt down these sequels.....

[Gretchen Bernet-Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled on this book by accident and have not read anything by James Maloney before or since, but not because of his style. I loved this book and thoroughly enjoyed the twisty, turny plot with characters who were tricksey; were they good or bad, what's going on with the parents, can they trust Lord Alwyn or Starkey? Great atmosphere and probably the most engaging children's fantasy I have read in a long while, helped by two believable protagonists, Marcel and Bea. The drama isn't shirked, there's evil lurking, and The Book itself will stick in my mind for some time.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I honestly couldn't put it down! The battle was awesome and James Moloney's writing is amazing! I'm glad that I found this book and so sad that I finished it. But I'm really looking forward to the 2nd book when I get my hands on it. The characters are lovable and their history is intriguing. It left me wondering even after I finished it on what was going to happen. War and peace and lies and truths! With it's many twists and turns, who couldn't love this book! I love it!

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It's trajectory is to take the children from niaviety to earned wisdom and it works pretty well. Some of the 'adventure' scenes I found confusing but the characters are strong, and although as an adult the twists were obvious they were handled in ways I'd definitely have enjoyed as a child.

The reason for my 3 is that I don't love destinarian fantasy that emphasises rightful anything.

[Kiki Oletu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly enjoyable fantasy-based easy read. The storyline that captivates the mind through well-crafted mysteries in combination with the great readability makes this novel a book that I struggled to place down. The characters motives were diverse and individually justified, making the storyline smooth and interesting to follow. That said, the ending of the story felt a bit lackluster considering the build-up. Other than that, this book was a great entry to the series. Excited to read the next!

[Julie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Lies is the first in the series series the Book Trilogy.

Why were children arriving in the middle of the night, and why were their memories being erased.
The story unfolds little by little with the children beginning to unravel thy mystery of who they really are and what secrets they hold and why were they kidnapped.