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Magic for Liars
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
"Sarah Gailey is a writer to watch. Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author Sharp, mainstream fantasy meets compelling thrills of investigative noir in this fantasy debut by rising star Sarah Gailey. Ivy Gamble has never wanted to be magic. She is perfectly happy with her life lifeshe has an almost-sustainable career as a private investigator, and an empty apartment, and a slight drinking problem. It's a great life and she doesn't wish she was like her estranged sister, the magically gifted professor Tabitha. But when Ivy is hired to investigate the gruesome murder of a faculty member at Tabithas private academy, the stalwart detective starts to lose herself in the case, the life she could have had, and the answer to the mystery that seems just out of her reach. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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DimeryRene
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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My first book of the #transrightsreadathon 🏳️‍⚧️

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Jadams0877
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

I am going with “pick” because it was a compelling story that kept me entertained. That said, there were definitely some major plot holes and a lot left unresolved with the abrupt ending. Ivy did very little actual investigating, which made her a not very likable character. The clues were dead giveaways to the reader, and somehow Ivy missed them. The explanation as to why the procedure happened in the library made absolutely no sense.

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sebrittainclark
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💫⭐️💛 5mo
31 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

This mystery grabbed me from the beginning. Quiet, strange, and warm. Estranged sisters, a magical boarding school and angsty, complicated teens make for a compelling story that screams for a sequel. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oooo this one sounds interesting!! Stacked!! 10mo
57 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

I loved this and am kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to read it! Sibling (twin) rivalry, magic school a la Harry Potter but queer inclusive and realistic, murder mystery, teen drama, an emotionally damaged hard drinking lady private investigator?? Every aspect was so well done and the writing was excellent and it made me cry and it surprised me! What more could you want? Also: superb #audiobook narration by Xe Sands and a perfect ending.

39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Nalbuque
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Mehso-so

ARE U SERIOUS???? ugh. That end.
The book was good, but took a while to engage. Coulda been shorter or, even better, coulda got more story in there. I almost want to give this a so-so, as I‘m feeling a little underwhelmed after finishing it. But I did enjoy the ride.

As I write this review and think abt it, I will give it a so-so. Some of it is good, but some of it felt pointless as well. Def not bad.

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Hestapleton
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Finished my #bookspin AND my #doublespin already! Making some good progress on my bingo card too. Feels good to read again :)

IndoorDame Ooh I loved the Sundown Motel! Glad you‘re finding some reading time ❤️ 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
Hestapleton @IndoorDame sundown motel gave me the SHIVERS!!! 1y
IndoorDame @Hestapleton all her books do! She‘s my favorite spooky author 1y
37 likes1 stack add5 comments
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K.Wielechowski
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Panpan

Ivy is a private eye & is hired by the magical school her twin teaches at to solve another teacher‘s murder. Ivy is constantly saying how out of her league she is, yet she is able to make brilliant leaps in logic to find clues & solve the case. She &all of the other adults are incredibly irresponsible and nobody seems to care there are actual children in danger.
Too much plot, too many holes, too much telling instead of showing.
Finished 5/17/2022

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Johanna414
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Bailedbailed

I keep trying, but I just can‘t get into this one…

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sebrittainclark
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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A mystery set in a magic boarding school with a very non-magical private investigator. #scarathlondailyprompts

#scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious

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Twainy
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

🎧 I enjoyed the story!!! Plenty of good ideas. Read this book.

It‘s like a non-magical Dresden in a magic college town.

I think the narrator might have given the MC too much of a whiny insecure spin.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Elizabeth2
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Mehso-so

There was so much potential - a non-magical PI is tasked with investigating a murder at a school for magical youth. Her twin sister, who is a mage, is a teacher there. Our MC, while personally a bit of a mess, is supposed to be a successful detective, and yet it seems as if she misses clues repeatedly. The magic, while super interesting, isn‘t really explained well. The novel could have used more world building and character development. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

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Elizabeth2
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Up next! Book club pick! ❤️📚

32 likes1 stack add
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nitalibrarian
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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This morning I put up a new book display at my library. It features books with Liar in the title.

ShyBookOwl I love this Gailey book! 2y
39 likes1 comment
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CaitlinR
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

This started out feeling like a fun read about a school for the instruction of students with magical powers. It morphs into a darker story about the dangers of interfering with non-magical problems through the abuse of theoretical magic. Told through the experiences of Ivy Gamble, a PI with no magic, who is asked to investigate the death of a Professor. Ivy‘s sister is a powerful magician at the Academy; they‘re estranged. An interesting mystery!

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BeeMagical
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Book 40🎧 3⭐️

I like how this book is from the point of view of a non-magical person, wading through a murder in the magical world.

A teacher was murdered at a school for magical children. A PI is brought in. The chosen one is revealed… and a liar is found out.

How far can magic really go? How much can magic really fix? What if a mistake was made?

34 likes1 stack add
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Darklunarose
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Finally finished listening to this one. Really good story and very different from the normal fantasy.

Elizabeth2 It sounds interesting. Stacked! ❤️📚 2y
74 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Darklunarose
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Have not done an audio book in a while so giving this one a shot

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Lucy_Anywhere
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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It‘s arrived! Thank you so much @TheAromaofBooks I‘ve been wanting to read this so so long - it‘s going to go straight on my March TBR list.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! So glad that it arrived safely - I hadn't shipped to your country before and Book Depository wasn't a fan of what I wanted to put in each provided address line 😂 2y
21 likes1 comment
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ICantImReading
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️💫

Engaging, but a few things seemed odd. Ivy spends most of her murder investigation getting drinks, going on dates, and blabbing details about the case with potential suspects. She even admits towards end that she hasn‘t thought much about the victim. I liked how readers learned about magic alongside Ivy, but since it isn‘t explained, it feels elusive and superficial. Her relationship with her sister and personal growth were interesting.🎧

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theliteraryvineyard
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

RATING: 5 / 5

From the moment the book started, I was hooked. We open in a library where someone is hidden among the books. A horrible crime scene, a heart-wrenching tragedy, and magic in the most mundane setting...

I couldn't put this one down and it's high on my would read again list!

#MagicalRealism #Fantasy #Mystery #MagicForLiars #FiveStars #5Stars

BookmarkTavern Sarah Gailey is great! I highly recommend River of Teeth if you haven‘t read it yet! 2y
theliteraryvineyard @ozma.of.oz I'm going to add that to the wishlist right now! 2y
8 likes2 comments
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majkia
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey

Interesting take on magic and those who can wield it. Twins, one magic, one not, reunite when the non-magical sister begins an investigation of a murder at a magical college.

#doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
11 likes1 comment
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kelli7990
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Here‘s my review for another book I listened to. I‘m counting this book for 2 reading challenges.

☑️Read A Book With A School Setting - #tbrknockout
☑️A Dark Academia Book - #popsugarreadingchallenge2021

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peanutnine
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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#QotD What is the most recent book that you have finished and absolutely loved?

I've read a lot of good ones lately, but I'd have to say Magic for Liars. It's been on my mind a lot after the fact, which is always a sign of a great read.

@kathytrithardt Thanks @Ast_Arslan for the tag!

kathytrithardt I really enjoyed Magic for Liars! 3y
Ast_Arslan 😉😘 3y
25 likes2 comments
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monalyisha
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Magic for Liars begins with a body cleaved cleanly in two. It ends with someone messily trying to make themselves more whole. It‘s a story about broken people…and MAGIC, which is my favorite kind of story. I‘ve long wondered if there was a murder mystery that could make me feel like I might enjoy the genre after all. Happy to report: I finally found it!

I lIked this book exactly as much as I hoped to and far more than I thought I ever would. 🖤

monalyisha Thank you, @MatchlessMarie, for gifting this to me in a swap! ✨ 3y
monalyisha I loved The Magicians (the books — NOT the tv show) & was skeptical about the claims that this book had similar vibes to Grossman‘s series. But, guess what?! It really does! 😱😍 3y
Schnoebs Have you read anything else by the author? If so, how does this compare to their others? I‘ve been debating about picking this one up 3y
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monalyisha @Schnoebs I haven‘t. But I think I remember, from doing the #NewYearWhoDis matchups, that @sebrittainclark might have some wisdom to share? 3y
sebrittainclark @Schnoebs @monalyisha yes I've read a few others. I absolutely adored the American Hippo Duology (River of Teeth is the first one). It's an incredible alternative history. 5/5 stars. I also really liked Upright Women Wanted which is Gailey‘s post apocalyptic western and The Echo Wife which is hard to even describe. All their books are so different from each other, but so good. 3y
Hooked_on_books I just loved this one! I also loved The Echo Wife—so good. I didn‘t love Upright Women Wanted and River of Teeth is quite good but I found it too violent to really enjoy it. 3y
MatchlessMarie So glad you liked it! 😊 🪄 3y
76 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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peanutnine
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

I love Sarah Gailey's work, they write such great characters. Ivy is a non magic PI who is hired to investigate a murder at the magic school where her estranged twin sister works. There is a ton of mystery and family dynamics. Ivy's struggle with fitting into this other world is captivating and relatable.

37 likes1 stack add
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monalyisha
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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It‘s a rainy, gray day — & I‘m finally reading this, instead of just toting it back & forth in my beach bag for two whole Summers in a row. 😅🙈

peanutnine I just finished it! I hope you like it as much as I did! 3y
monalyisha @peanutnine Success! 💯 3y
peanutnine @monalyisha yay! What did you think of the ending?? 3y
66 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Moray_Reads
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

There were times I wanted to shake Ivy and say “It's so OBVIOUS!“ when it came to the mystery but overall I enjoyed the book. It was fun, quirky and original.

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deirdrebeecher
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
Pickpick

Overall I really liked this book. I felt it was a really focused story with a strong plot and world. There were times it made me feel uncomfortable. Ivy is such a wreck and her emotional upheavals through the book sometimes set my teeth on edge. I can't quite work out if that is a negative reflection on me, or on the book. Will definitely read more by Gailley.

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Anita
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Compulsively readable and so vivid. I loved the main character so much!

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suvata
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

• Scribd audiobook • Kindle e-book

Everything I want in a book is in this novel:
• a great mystery
• a boarding school setting
• fantastic magic (a bit gruesome)
• family drama
all this AND an excellent ending.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TheKidUpstairs I really enjoyed this one, too! 3y
48 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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sebrittainclark
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

4.5/5

This really got me. I kept changing my mind throughout the book about who the murderer must be as Ivy is forced to sort through truths, lies, and the lies she wishes were truths.

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sebrittainclark
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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1. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey and The Handbook for Bad Days by Eveline Helsinki

2. Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

3. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey, and The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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sebrittainclark
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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1. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey and The Handbooo for Bad Days by Eveline Helsinki

2. Hardcover

3. A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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MeganAnn
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Book 3 #newyearwhodis
This mystery novel is set in a magical school with a non-magic PI investigating the death of a teacher. It was exactly the distraction I needed from work this week. It‘s not perfect, but I enjoyed it immensely. Ivy‘s difficult relationship with her sister and her issues with magic and high school made her a very real character in an unexpected setting. I very much enjoyed it.

BarbaraJean I‘m so glad you enjoyed it! I came across it on a list of “feel-good fantasy” early in the pandemic, and while I don‘t know that it‘s really feel-good, it was certainly absorbing and escapist and a needed distraction for me at that point. I really enjoyed the fantasy + magic school + PI vibe. 3y
mom2bugnbee This was a "pick" for me as well! 3y
monalyisha @BarbaraJean Feel-good?! 😂🙈 Whoever created that list is deeply disturbed. But I just finished reading & I thought it was an *excellent* read! 3y
BarbaraJean @monalyisha I know, right?! 😬 I really enjoyed it, but “feel-good“ is not the descriptor I would have gone for! (edited) 3y
41 likes4 comments
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MeganAnn
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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After a long work week, I finally get to sit down for an afternoon with this book. The kiddo and I are enjoying some dedicated family reading time... and our book covers even match! 😆❤️✨

This is another one off my #newyearwhodis list from @BarbaraJean

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Bookgoil
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Well I‘m out of my slump! Thanks to #anywayyoureadathon and taking some mental health time I‘ve got my reading mojo back. I finished all of these books this weekend. ❤️ @Eggbeater @MidnightBookGirl @kimmypete1

Eggbeater Wow! You go, goil! Nice job! 3y
Soubhiville Nice! Congratulations! 3y
kimmypete1 Awesome!! 3y
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BarkingMadRead
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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StayCurious Great job!! 3y
28 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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My current reads... and a Book Bean. I just finished a shirt story in the bottom one, part of the #adventcalendar for #ouabc #wintergames2020 #teamrednosedreindeer @StayCurious

StayCurious Well, there's a real mountain of a book! Best of luck!! 3y
31 likes1 comment
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BarkingMadRead
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I hope you like it! I've heard good things about it. 3y
39 likes1 comment
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IndoorDame
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

I Miss have read dozens of summaries and promo blurbs about this when it was first released and was surrounded by lots of hype, and while they, and the cover image, made me pretty sure this book would be up my lane, I was just never drawn to it for some reason. BUT I‘m really glad I downloaded it from Libby on a whim a few weeks ago, because this was awesome! It really was like reading a Harry Potter book for grown ups. #votedearlyreadathon

IndoorDame And I can totally see this one of those things I re-read when I need cheering up, even though it doesn‘t exactly end with “and they all lived happily ever after” 3y
58 likes1 comment
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j9brown
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Magic and a murder mystery! I enjoyed this a lot. I thought the main character was very clever but also very relatable, and the story was unique and it kept me guessing. So fun!
And 😍 that cover!

Eyelit I liked this one, too. Sarah Gailey is one of my new go-to authors 😃 3y
j9brown @Eyelit This was my first by her but I can't wait to check out more! I snagged an arc of her newest from BookishFirst, The Echo Wife, it sounds really fun, too. Looks like the release is in February. 3y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
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monalyisha
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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OMG, @MatchlessMarie ! Your package was AMAZING!!! I feel seen — & *SPOILED!* My husband looked over the towering hoard & said, “Wow. This person really gets you.” 4 books, piles of candy (including sour gummy bats!), Ray Bradbury gifts, Buffy swag (x2!), a glittering skull-shaped bath bomb, “Bite Me” socks, a ghost pin, Beetlejuice post-it tabs, & sweet, frosted cookies from a local bakery that brought me RIGHT back to my childhood. I die. 💀🍂🖤

monalyisha It truly feels like Christmas on Halloween. 😍 Thanks, @wanderinglynn , for hosting! This was perfectly executed & perfectly delightful. 💖 3y
KatieDid927 Aah that Buffy shirt! 😍 3y
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wanderinglynn Fantastic box! 🎃🖤🧡☠️ 3y
wanderinglynn And I‘m with @KatieDid927 – that shirt is freaking awesome! 3y
monalyisha @KatieDid927 @wanderinglynn Right?! And it‘s soft, too. I can‘t wait to wear it to bed! 3y
ShelleyBooksie Awesome package! 3y
MatchlessMarie Glad you love it! You were fun to shop for. It was by chance that I came across the bunnies reference because I have never seen a single episode, but now I want to 😂 Happy Halloween! 🧛🏻‍♀️🖤🎃 3y
80 likes8 comments
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Johanna414
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Here‘s my potential books for the upcoming round of #lmpbc - have you read any of them? Are there any your really want to read? Any you do not want to read?
@TheBookKeepers @kellyann28 @Jerdencon
Can‘t wait to read with you all!

See All 11 Comments
kellyann28 I've not read any! The bottom two are on my TBR list! 3y
Jerdencon I‘ve read the book women of troublesome creek - which I loved! Any of the others are good! I like the sound of the ten thousand doors of January. 3y
TheBookKeepers I haven‘t read any! The Shadows Between Us is on my TBR, but any of these are good with me! 3y
Dasquirt8 The shadow between us I really enjoyed! Quick and a stand-alone 3y
Johanna414 @TheBookKeepers @kellyann28 @Jerdencon while sitting through an intensely boring zoom meeting, I may have just ordered all but the book woman... so I think I'll read the 1st chapter of each and see what sticks 3y
kellyann28 Sounds good to me! It will be a true surprise haha! 3y
TheBookKeepers Love your method!! 3y
Jerdencon Great idea! 3y
34 likes11 comments
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Read-y_Picker
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

So this was a solid 3.5🌟 for me. I read through it pretty quickly. It was a good story, very creative. But I really had trouble with the narrator‘s outlook. Overall it was enjoyable, though, and the conclusion was well done. I recommend for some light reading.

That‘s another 15 for #TeamHarkness #scarathlon2020 #Screamathon #October20in4 #OustandingOctober and #bookspinbingo I‘m sure I‘m missing someone lol

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
alisiakae 🎃👻 3y
22 likes3 comments
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Jesstifies
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Mehso-so

3.5/5 ⭐️ Enjoyed the premise of the book for sure and found myself caring about the main character more than I thought I would. Picked it up hoping to feel more of the Magic universe, but found it was a tighter exploration of the characters and their relationships. Have some small complaints, and was surprised by the abrupt ending, but overall enjoyed it.

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ShyBookOwl
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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This was one one of my favourite reads last year. I loved that it gave me a magic school setting, but still had an adult non-magic protagonist to relate to.
#BookHunt #scavengersaturday

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sarahgreatlove
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Detective stories combined with magic and fantasy are my jam. I loved it. I listened on audio, the narration was fantastic. Unpredictable plot, I truly did not know who did it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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mom2bugnbee
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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Pickpick

Finished this one before I posted that I'd started it. 😁

This was fun & a page-turner. While there wasn't, IMO, a gasp-out-loud moment at the reveal, it was compelling enough that it kept me reading quickly.

⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

21 likes1 stack add
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Meaw_catlady
Magic for Liars | Sarah Gailey
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#tarottakeover day 2 is The Four of Cups! The book I ended up choosing is Magic for Liars. Because in this book the character Ivy let‘s childhood bitterness disconnect her from her loved one and causes so much sadness and loneliness in her life.

Erinsuereads Well that isn't what I was expecting 🤣🤣 4y
Meaw_catlady @ErinSueMreads hahahha I was trying to decide and I went with something completely different 4y
TheNeverendingTBR @ErinSueMreads @Meaw_catlady I'm unsure what Four Cups stands for? 😬 4y
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Meaw_catlady @TheNeverendingTBR here‘s a pretty straightforward explanation! 🖤 4y
TheNeverendingTBR @Meaw_catlady Thank you, I'll get on this soon! 🙋‍♂️ 4y
Branwen I love love LOVE this book! What a great choice! 👏💕📚 4y
Meaw_catlady @Branwen it is such a great book !!!!!! So glad to hear you loved it too!! ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
kgriffith I have this deck! Didn‘t love the book, but love that you‘re pairing cards with books 😊 4y
49 likes9 comments