Liar's Test

March 4, 2024
Fifteen-year-old Bell Silverleaf, a Treesinger, is the only survivor of her grove, which fell to a mysterious sleeping sickness. She now lives among the Risen, worshippers of gods who used to walk among the people. The Risen invaded her land, oppressed her people, and abused her for years, which makes it even more surprising when Bell, along with six other girls, is invited to participate in the Queen’s Test, a series of challenges meant to determine the next queen, who will rule for 25 years. It’s the same outcome every cycle: two girls will die, two will fall into an endless slumber, and two will advise the winner, the next queen. Bell isn’t content with just being one of the survivors: she aims to secure the queenship and use her power to help the remaining Treesingers. But her wits may not be enough to save her when the Risen gods and her own Ancestors arrive to change the stakes of the game. While thoughtful examinations of colonization, heritage, religion, and systemic oppression are occasionally muddled, intriguing and layered worldbuilding that draws on the author’s Australian Indigenous culture steals the show in this serpentine
fantasy adventure by Kwaymullina (The Things She’s Seen). Bell cues as Aboriginal. Ages 12–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary.

April 1, 2024
The latest from Kwaymullina (Palyku) weaves Indigenous Australian culture and experiences into a tale of conquest, resistance, and renewal. Bell Silverleaf, 15, is a Treesinger. Falling Leaves, her community of interconnected humans and trees, is one of six groves created by the Ancestors--"living worlds of green amongst the hard shine of Radiance," the city-kingdom that powerful alien deities forcibly relocated them to. The Risen, the gods' human followers who arrived in Mistfall centuries ago, treat Treesingers as inferiors. After a sickness spread from its Birth tree four years ago, Falling Leaves went dormant. Bell's granny, her grove's Matriarch, sent her to seek a cure, but Bell was captured, brutalized, and confined to the sun-temple. Her only companion is Blue, the bright spark of the spirit of the twilight-god. Lying is Bell's survival skill, keeping her safe. She feigns acceptance when she's chosen to compete against six girls from across the social classes in the deadly Queen's Test that will determine Radiance's next ruler. Bell has support from her Ancestors, Blue, and Tricks, a Traveling, or little flowering branch she wears in her hair who speaks to her in the green language. But to succeed, Bell needs human allies. She knows that "Silverleaf secrets were for Silverleaf women and Silverleaf trees"--yet trust requires reciprocity and honesty. Bell is a smart, scrappy teen with emotional scars and a sense of humor. Tucked into a twisty, fast-paced narrative that explores legacies of colonialism are subtle messages about the ever-changing, symbiotic web of life. Intriguing and imaginative. (Indigenous futurism. 12-18)

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May 15, 2024
Grades 7-12 A captive within the temple of the colonizers' sun god, Treesinger Bell Silverleaf believes that her ability to walk through memories holds the key to curing the sickness affecting her people. Her captivity comes to a surprising end when she is summoned to join a competition to become the next ruler. Thanks to fully anticipated treachery and unexpected allies, Bell knows that the trials will end in either her triumph or death. She's betting on her triumph, though, and she isn't shy about telling the reader exactly that through narration that barely refrains from breaking the fourth wall. This conversational tone helps streamline the world building, which, though beautifully detailed, could easily seem unwieldy. This is ultimately a survival story that tackles huge issues, including the morality of working within a system to subvert that system, while simultaneously existing as a fantasy romp with a main character who is endearingly honest--at least, as far as the reader is concerned.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 14, 2024

Gr 9 Up-In Kwaymullina's thrilling fantasy novel, readers are introduced to Bell Silverleaf, a young Treesinger ripped from her home, family, and culture to be raised as the "blessed ward" of the sun priests and moon sisters. For years, she has endured beatings, interrogations, and indoctrination in her guardians' religion as they attempt to uncover the secrets of her Treesinger powers to "save her people." The catch? Bell doesn't know anything about the Treesinger powers, but she's willing to risk her life to protect her people's mysteries. When the opportunity arises to escape her prison and compete in the Queen's Test trials, Bell eagerly seizes the chance, even if it means potentially losing her life. Along with eight other chosen girls, she must complete three trials to prove her devotion to the sun and moon gods, earn the approval of the three ruling factions, and ultimately be selected as Queen. As Bell navigates this high-stakes competition, she must determine whom she can trust, outsmart her competitors, and unlock the hidden power of her bloodline, all while uncovering long-buried secrets and plotting a better future for her people. VERDICT An exciting fantasy tale of magic, friendship, and self-discovery, with poignant themes of colonization and cultural oppression that will captivate high school readers. Fans of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen and Marissa Meyer's Cinder will be enthralled by this adventure of rebellion and the quest for freedom.-Haley Amendt

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