An Academy for Liars | first 20 chapters

[Lala, owner]

For November we're reading the fantasy horror An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson.
This area is for discussing the first 20 chapters, up to page 162.

Have you read from this author before?
What intrigued you with this pick? Is it living up to expectations?
Tell us about the characters we've met so far and how you're enjoying the initial set-up.

[Christina]

I have not read from this author before, and I don’t typically read fantasy, so this was intriguing to me for that reason. I felt like that main character was a bit or a Mary Sue at this point in the book, but I thought the premise of the story was neat and reminded me of Harry Potter.

[Deb]

I haven’t read this author previously. Am enjoying the book but have mixed feelings about the characters. They aren’t lovable but are tolerable.

[Deedra]

Maybe I forgot what this book was supposed to be about, but this book is still listed as horror right? Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally into it, but when are we going to get back to spooky?? (I’m only on chapter 10.)

I love the secret school, the mind-control, mysterious teachers, and even her bad boy hook-up’s…but I really want to know about that creepy reflection from the beginning!

[Lisa]

I've read Henderson before. This is reading to me like Older YA dark academia. It's not my favorite genre. The characters are okay, but the mc seems to make bad decisions, and right now, she is annoying me.

[Gemma-Marie]

I've never read from this author before but I like the writing style and have been intrigued by their other books.
I wouldn't have picked this up of it wasn't for the book club so happy to be out of my comfort zone and try something different.
I enjoyed how quickly we got to the school, but some of the characters are forgettable and every time a name is mentioned I'm trying to remember if they've been introduced already....
Also, was the reflection thing from the beginning just in her mind or part of the magic? hopefully it hasn't been forgotten!

[Tyler]

I haven't read from this author before but a few of her books are on my tbr. I love the atmosphere of the book. I have been to Savannah as it's near where I live. The imagery makes me miss it. There has been a multitude of characters so far and it's hard to keep track of everyone. I am enjoying it but I'm ready for Lennon to hone her persuasion ability. I'm curious to see where the story line with the boy goes too.

[Chloe]

i’m ready for lennon to stop making stupid decisions lmao. but this is my first dark academia and i’m loving the atmosphere

[Nicole]

I’m worried…it’s reminding me of Vita Nostra….and I HATED Vita Nostra…

[Aleesha]

This is my first read from this author. I’ve been trying to get into dark academia, but it may not be for me. I’m reading this one via audiobook and I REALLY have to focus when listening. Idk yet if I’m liking it or not. I want to keep going to figure out what is going on but also I don’t care? It’s very confusing. All the characters suck in their own way, but that doesn’t bother me really. I feel like I need more lore. I’m hoping the aberration makes a return.

[bucket of books]

This is my first book by Alexis Henderson and I only picked it up because of the book club, but I was intrigued because it was a dark academia. (A genre I’ve never read from before.)
The main character is unbelievably unlikable lol. I like some of the others though, there are just too many for me to really care about. But I enjoy the world and it’s clear there are many unknowns and secrets surrounding the school that I hope we learn more about.

[Stina]

This is my first read from this author, and I found the dark academia premise intriguing. I may not make it past the first chapter, though. The conflation of Boulder and Denver is really annoying. Did nobody do any basic fact-checking before sending this thing to press?

[Liz]

This is my first Alexis Henderson because I haven't been super intrigued by the premises of the previous books. This one is very much my vibe though. It's giving Harry Potter (in only good ways), The Atlas Six, and If We Were Villains (two of my favorites) and I'm obsessed. I'm terrified it's going to go downhill because I know a lot of people haven't loved it but it's giving me 5 star energy right now.

[Luca]

I'm finding the audiobook very readable. Despite Lennon making some dumb decisions, I don't dislike her--maybe because her gentle sensibility of justice and how she feels about her rat are endearing to me. She is quite naive, but I don't hate that.

[RennyWest]

Not me binge-reading this right before the live show. Anyway I like the atmosphere, but something seems lacking. Like being presented with a masterfully arranged meal, only to find out it tastes like local fast food. It’s an intriguing book, but not perfect. I’m not vibing with the student-teacher romance we have here. Also I think it’s pretty clear the young boy she keeps seeing is the younger version of Dante, right? btw I’m not entirely sure how to spell anyone’s name - thanks, audiobook.