An Academy For Liars by Alexis Henderson | Audiobook Review

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'Saturated with violence, desire, and power. It's a book with blood on its lips, and I loved it completely.' ALIX E. HARROW

'Alexis Henderson is one of the best Gothic writers out there.' HANNAH WHITTEN

'Dark academia stunner infused with Henderson's signature style - it's lush, atmospheric, imaginative and impossible to put down.' RACHEL HARRISON

'A modern-day Anne Rice, Henderson has a gift for creating a world engorged with desire and death.' THE NEW YORK TIMES

Lennon Carter's life is falling apart.

Until she gets a mysterious phone call inviting her to sit the entrance exam for somewhere very few have heard of - Drayton College, a school of magic hidden in a secret pocket of Savannah.

Lennon has been chosen because - like everyone else at the school - she is special. She possesses the innate gift of persuasion: the ability to wield her will like a weapon and to use it to control others and, in rare cases, matter itself.
After passing the gruelling exam, Lennon must now learn how to master this devastating power.
While persuasion takes a heavy toll on her body and her mind, she is captivated by all that surrounds her - her studies, Drayton's lush, moss-draped campus, her brilliant classmates and, most of all, by Dante, the charismatic adviser who both intimidates and enamours her.

But as Lennon becomes more adept at wielding her uncanny abilities, she uncovers more about the unsettling history of Drayton and Dante's tragic and violent past, and is increasingly disturbed by what she finds.

For it seems that the ultimate test is to embrace absolute power without succumbing to corruption and darkness . . . and it's a test she's terrified she is going to fail.

Why Did I Listen To An Academy For Liars by Alexis Henderson?

Having listened to Alexis Henderson’s previous books, I just knew An Academy For Liars would resonate with me. So, I very eagerly gave it a listen the minute it popped up in the PRH Audio app. Also, when I listened to the book, it was spooky season which was the absolute perfect time to listen to this dark academia themed read. 

What’s The Story Here?

An Academy For Liars follows Lennon Carter — who is struggling. You see, her partner ends up cheating on her with I think it was her best friend. So, anyways, she gets invited to sit for an exam for the prestigious Drayton Academy. Lennon does really well – you see she has this power, the power of persuasion. By attending Drayton, she will learn how to harness and use that power. All cool right? Wrong. There’s a sinister secret within Drayton – one that had surprised me when I learned the secret. Also, there is a long, dark history behind Drayton. While Lennon is learning this, she’s also catching feelings for her advisor, Dante. 

How Did I Like An Academy For Liars?

Well, I am just getting caught up on my reviews — so I’ll be honest, a few months later I don’t remember a ton. What I do remember? I like that Alexis Henderson is able to move between genres. She is an absolute talent. I love that her books star Black women. I loved the atmospheric vibes from this book. The pacing was well done — kept me engaged throughout the book. I am not typically a dark academia person, but felt like this book nailed it and actually kept me interested.

How’s The Narration?

The narrator of An Academy For Liars audiobook is Tracie Frank. The audiobook is a quick one – 13 hours 23 minutes unabridged. I thought that Tracie Frank’s vocal stylings worked really well for this book. I’ll admit, I had no complaints. I wasn’t like in dread for when I was listening to this book. If anything, I think this is an excellent read to pick up for spooky season.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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