Usually, I devour a single-location YA thriller, and while this one isn't the worst I've read, it just wasn't a favourite, either. I didn't find any of the characters truly likeable, and because of this, some of them sort of meshed into one, and I was forgetting who was who and what motive they might have had for wanting to kill off their classmates. That being said, however, I didn't expect the true killers' identity to be who it was after everything that happened. I mean, it kind of makes sense, but their reasoning for wanting revenge wasn't the most morally solid, and you'll know why once you've read this book.

This book surprised me in the best way.
When I first started Circle of Liars, I was a little hesitant. It gave off some strong “group of teens trapped in a creepy place because of a terrible thing they did years ago” vibes, and I thought I knew exactly where it was going. But I was wrong and I’m so glad that I was. What starts off feeling a little cliché quickly finds its own voice and momentum, and by the end, I was hooked. I devoured the entire thing pretty quickly because I had to know what happened.
At its heart, this is a solid YA thriller with a deliciously dark premise: a group of teens are brought together to face the consequences of a fire that killed two of their friends/loved ones. There are strong echoes of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Saw but toned down in a way that makes it more accessible (and palatable) for younger or more sensitive readers. For someone like me, who loves YA but is a bit of a wuss when it comes to fullon thrillers, this was the perfect balance of eerie and addictive.
The multiple POVs, especially from Ana and Ellis, added depth to the story, although I did find some of the extra perspectives a little unnecessary. Two POVs probably would’ve kept the tension tighter and the pacing more intense but that's just me. Still, the added layers gave insight into the relationships and how quickly they unravel when secrets begin to surface.
Speaking of characters: wow. Kate Logan knows how to write characters you feel. Some I rooted for, some I pitied, and one in particular I loathed with every fibre of my being. He’s the kind of character you love to hate: manipulative, cruel, layered, and so well written. Whether he’s redeemable or not is left to interpretation, which makes for some great post-read discussion.

The twists were relentless. Some I guessed, others blindsided me, but the pacing made it all so fun to follow. Every chapter gave you just enough to pull you along and then dropped a little bombshell to keep you on your toes.
There were a few rough edges such as some stereotypical characters, occasional cringe moments, and plot details that felt a bit inferred rather than fully explored but nothing that took away from the experience. It’s a fast-paced, cleverly structured YA thriller that keeps you guessing.

If you’re looking for a thriller that’s dark but digestible, creepy but not overwhelming, with strong characters and non-stop twists Circle of Liars should be on your TBR. It’s a rollercoaster of secrets, guilt, and truth and a standout in the YA thriller genre.

Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me an e-ARC of this book! It did not influence the review below and all opinions are my own.

This book was definitely not what I expected (in a good way). The author portrays the characters in an excellent way, so much so that I found myself hating some of the characters because they were so foul. The creepy mystery element is interesting and fun, and I think YA thriller is difficult to write to kudos to the author! This book was good at keeping the reader on their toes. Sometimes the characters felt very ‘cliche’ and ‘cringe’ at times, as there were some which were very stereotypical, although that may just be because of the genre of the book. I also found it hard to focus at points because certain things were inferred and not fully clarified. But overall, anyone who is into YA and thrillers will love this!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)

I really didn't get along well with this book. The book felt contrived – the whole situation was too unreal. The teen characters were a set of very deliberate stereotypes: the hot but shy musician, the social media influencer and self obsessed girlfriend, the druggie, the trans kid, and the jock/bully. The plot was derivative of the many high school YA mystery books of previous years. I was just so frustrated reading this book, as things became more ridiculous as the book progressed. The big reveal at the end was an anti-climax as it was so unbelievable. I could say I'm not the target audience for this book but I've read plenty of brilliant, original, well written YA books over the years to compare this to.

Circle of Liars by Kate Francis is a gripping YA thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The story revolves around seven high school students who arrive at an abandoned motel for what they believe will be a fun retreat. However, they soon receive a chilling text message: "I know what you did a year ago." Each student harbours a guilty secret about a tragic school fire that claimed the lives of three classmates .

As the students navigate the tense atmosphere, alliances form and break, revealing their true colours. The motel is rigged with CCTV cameras and explosives, turning their stay into a deadly game where only one can survive. The novel explores themes of guilt, friendship, and survival, with dramatic twists and turns that will leave readers guessing until the very end

A school retreat turns into a nightmare when 7 teenagers arrive at an abandoned motel, only to find that somebody knows the part they each played in a disaster that took place the previous year.

A sinister challenge follows - in which they all reluctantly participate - since the alternative is immediate death.

Only one person will make it through. But is there any way of being certain that whoever does is indeed the person who deserves to survive?!

An appealing YA thriller, this will be enjoyed by fans of Ravena Guron and Karen McManus.

With an armful of flawed teens, an abandoned motel, and an anniversary ticking towards their doom, Circle of Liars ratchets up the tension and high emotion, even if the conceit is far from fresh. A couple of audacious twists mostly stick the landing and Circle of Liars closes as a mostly satisfying YA thriller about grief, regret, and amends.

With a name like ‘Circle of liars’, I followed the intriguing title into a tale of deception, betrayal and a deadly game of survival.

It was such a good story and I’m a big fan of teenage ‘you know what you did, here are the consequences’ kind of drama. Exactly a year ago to the day marks the anniversary of a fire which proved fatal. Was it an accident? Arson? Premeditated suicide? All is not as as it seems..

The group of 7 get lured to an old run down motel and find that they can’t leave.. propelled into a deadly game, they must find a way out or die. With a plot like that, how could it not be addicting from the start?

I always looked forward to going back to the book whenever I had to Velcro myself away. I easily read whole chunks of this book in one sitting and towards the end, was rapidly eating up pages to find out what was going to happen. So entertaining! I loved it.

Circle of Liars by Kate Francis is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. Seven teenagers, each carrying a dark secret about a tragic school fire, are invited to a seemingly innocent school retreat. However, when they arrive at an abandoned motel, the fun quickly turns into a nightmare as a sinister text message reveals someone knows the truth about their past.

The group is thrust into a chilling game of survival where they must each face their guilt and decide who among them deserves to live. The rules are simple: each hour, they must choose the “guiltiest” of the group to cross a white line, a line that marks their death. If they fail to make a choice, they will all die. But with each passing moment, their secrets begin to unravel, and the true question becomes not just who deserves to die, but who can be trusted.

The tension in Circle of Liars builds relentlessly as the teens’ complicated relationships, fears, and lies come to light. The suspense is masterfully crafted, and the twists are sharp and unexpected, keeping you guessing until the very end. The psychological depth of the characters makes the story all the more gripping as you are drawn into their individual battles with guilt, morality, and survival.

A fast-paced, gripping, and twisty thriller, Circle of Liars is a captivating read that will have you questioning every character’s motives and wondering how far you would go to save yourself. With a premise that is equal parts thrilling and unsettling, this book is guaranteed to keep you up late into the night. If you're looking for a dark, suspenseful mystery with high stakes and unexpected twists, Circle of Liars is not to be missed.

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