Caroline Cusanelli’s A Liar’s Twisted Tongue marks the beginning of The Fated Blood Trilogy, a YA fantasy-romance that thrives on secrets, betrayals, and the perilous seduction of power. With its sequel, A Puppet’s Broken String, on the horizon, the first book lays down an intense, sometimes messy, but undeniably captivating foundation.
A Gritty Opening into a Dangerous World
Unlike many YA fantasies that open with whimsical wonder, this novel starts in the septic slums of Lorucille, where survival is more important than dreams. Through Desdemona Althenia’s eyes, readers are thrust into hunger, violence, and an undercurrent of shame for those born outside noble bloodlines. This stark beginning makes her later entry into Visnatus Academy feel like stepping into another universe—though one no less perilous.
The Academy is not a place of learning in the traditional sense; it is a crucible of manipulation and ambition. Rivalries, betrayals, and blood-soaked secrets drive the narrative, setting the stage for a conflict that feels larger than the walls of the institution itself.
Desdemona and Lucian: Fire and Shadows
At the heart of the story are two characters who carry both the novel’s strengths and its vulnerabilities.
- Desdemona Althenia is a protagonist defined by contradictions. Fire-born, her power threatens to consume her, yet it is also the source of her survival. She is clever, suspicious, and constantly wrestling with guilt over what her magic has already destroyed. Cusanelli renders her not as a simple heroine but as a young woman fractured by trauma and longing.
- Prince Lucian Aibek, heir to a decaying empire, represents the opposite pole. Though raised in privilege, he is trapped in his family’s corruption, yearning for freedom he cannot grasp. His attraction to Desdemona is both a risk and a lifeline.
Their relationship is the novel’s dangerous heartbeat. Instead of sweet innocence, Cusanelli opts for an atmosphere of mistrust, manipulation, and tension. Desire and betrayal walk hand-in-hand, giving their connection a sharp edge that elevates it beyond predictable YA romance.
Themes and Subtext
A Liar’s Twisted Tongue is rich with recurring themes that add depth to its characters and world:
- The Cost of Power – Magic and bloodline privilege promise survival, but they demand sacrifice in return.
- Deception as Survival – Lies are not just tactics here; they are lifelines. Desdemona’s ability to deceive keeps her alive, even as it distances her from those she might love.
- War and Its Echoes – Ancient conflicts simmer beneath the story, foreshadowing larger battles that will likely unfold in later books.
- The Fragility of Trust – Every alliance is temporary, every oath questionable. The novel insists that love itself can be a weapon.
These ideas resonate strongly, giving the novel more weight than its surface-level academy rivalries might suggest.
Strengths That Make the Book Stand Out
- Atmospheric Writing: Cusanelli balances vivid imagery with emotional depth, creating a world that feels both raw and enchanting.
- Complex Romance: The Desdemona–Lucian dynamic is tense, morally ambiguous, and refreshingly far from insta-love.
- World-Building with Teeth: From austec hunts to academy politics, the setting feels alive, layered with both myth and menace.
- Foreshadowing for the Trilogy: The whispers of ancient societies and the shadow of the void tease a far greater conflict ahead.
Where It Struggles
Yet, for all its strengths, the book is not flawless. Its average rating of four stars reflects some common critiques:
- Pacing Inconsistencies: The early survival chapters are riveting, but the middle often lingers too long without driving the story forward.
- Exposition Overload: At times, explanations of magic or history feel heavy-handed, breaking immersion.
- Side Characters Underdeveloped: Figures like Damien, Elliae, and others feel sketched rather than fleshed out, leaving missed opportunities for richer subplots.
- Tropes Repeated: While well executed, the academy setting and forbidden-romance beats occasionally echo familiar territory from other YA fantasies.
These flaws do not derail the novel, but they do keep it from achieving the polish of the most groundbreaking works in the genre.
Writing Style and Tone
Cusanelli’s prose mirrors the volatility of her characters—fiery and unpredictable. Dialogue is sharp, often layered with hidden meaning, reinforcing the motif of deception. Descriptions can veer into the lyrical, and while this often heightens the atmosphere, it sometimes risks slowing momentum. Nevertheless, her style feels confident and distinct, a promising sign for the trilogy’s future.
Series Foreshadowing
As the inaugural book of The Fated Blood Trilogy, A Liar’s Twisted Tongue wisely does not attempt to tie every thread. Instead, it leaves open:
- The mystery of the void and the ancient powers lurking beyond.
- Desdemona’s full mastery—or destruction—by her fire-born gift.
- Lucian’s dangerous position within a collapsing empire.
These seeds almost guarantee that A Puppet’s Broken String will expand the stakes far beyond academy walls.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book will appeal most to readers who:
- Enjoy dark fantasy with romance that feels perilous rather than fluffy.
- Appreciate morally gray characters who straddle survival and self-destruction.
- Want a trilogy that promises to grow into something much larger than a single setting.
Those who prefer fast pacing and neatly resolved plots may find frustrations here, but fans of slow-burn intrigue and atmospheric world-building will feel at home.
Similar Books Worth Exploring
If A Liar’s Twisted Tongue leaves you wanting more, consider:
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
- Air Awakens by Elise Kova
- The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
These works share thematic DNA in their mix of dangerous romance, volatile magic, and morally complex heroines.
Final Thoughts
Caroline Cusanelli’s A Liar’s Twisted Tongue is an ambitious and atmospheric entry into YA fantasy-romance. Its greatest triumphs lie in its dangerous romance, complex protagonists, and textured world-building. Its flaws—uneven pacing, exposition-heavy sections, and underdeveloped side characters—make it imperfect, but not unworthy.
As the first step in The Fated Blood Trilogy, it succeeds in one crucial task: it makes you want more. With A Puppet’s Broken String on the horizon, the stage is set for a darker, broader, and even more dangerous continuation of Desdemona and Lucian’s story.
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