The Liar’s Crown (Dominions, 1)
Paste Magazine Pick for Best New YA Books of August 2022
“An addictive, action-packed, scorcher of a read!” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël
Some shadows protect you…others will kill you in this dazzling new fantasy series from award-winning author Abigail Owen.
Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.
Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.
As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.
Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.
The Dominions series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 The Liar’s Crown
Book #2 The Stolen Throne
Book #3 The Shadows Rule All
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Community Reviews
Our heroine, Meren (the spare princess with trust issues and a severe lack of personal agency), takes her twin sister’s place yet again only to be kidnapped by a Shadowraith. And not just any Shadowraith—he’s dark, dangerous, and oozing the kind of mysterious charm that makes you question your own life choices. What ensues is a whirlwind of shadowy magic, life-or-death stakes, and a slow-burn romance that occasionally simmers but never quite boils.
The plot starts off strong with murder, intrigue, and a hefty dose of “oops, I wasn’t supposed to be here,” but it quickly becomes a game of Let’s See How Much Trouble Meren Can Get Into While Being Snarky About It. The world-building is solid, albeit heavy-handed at times—cue descriptions of shadows, ice palaces, and ominous warnings about King Eidolon being just the worst. Like, we get it. He’s the villain. Stop trying so hard to convince us.
Now let’s talk about the romance. It’s there. It’s fine. It’s your standard “I hate you, but also, I kind of want to kiss you” fare. The Shadowraith, who definitely owns the title of “Broodiest Man Alive,” spends most of the book flexing his shadow powers and being cryptic. Meren, meanwhile, alternates between swooning and plotting her escape. Their chemistry is decent, but it’s not exactly set-the-pages-on-fire material. More like “smoldering coal that someone forgot to fan.”
The biggest gripe? Meren’s personality. She’s supposed to be clever and capable, but she’s mostly good at getting kidnapped and making impulsive decisions that scream, “I didn’t think this through.” And the dialogue? Let’s just say it leans heavily into dramatic proclamations and angst, with a side of “why are we still talking about shadows?”
That said, this book does have its moments. The shadow magic is intriguing, the pacing keeps things moving, and the ending teases enough to make you wonder what’s next. If you’re into royalty, romance, and a heroine who can’t catch a break, this book delivers—just not without a fair amount of eye-rolling.
A 3-star read for those who like their fantasy with a side of melodrama and a heavy pour of shadowy brooding. It’s entertaining, sure, but don’t expect to crown it your new favorite.
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