Mythology & Folk Tales
![D. L. Soria - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B0BJ11X3FF.jpg)
Thief Liar Lady: A Novel
"Happily Ever After" is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift-until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.
"A dazzlingly magical, thrilling, and inventive take on a beloved classic."-Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch
I'm not who you think I am.
My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen-as the rumors insisted-in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn't meekly help my "evil" stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.
My stepsisters and I had been trained for this-to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we wanted in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.
But there's always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince-the wrong prince-distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I've created . . . and that could prove fatal.
There's so much more riding on this than a crown.
"A dazzlingly magical, thrilling, and inventive take on a beloved classic."-Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch
I'm not who you think I am.
My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen-as the rumors insisted-in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn't meekly help my "evil" stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.
My stepsisters and I had been trained for this-to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we wanted in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.
But there's always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince-the wrong prince-distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I've created . . . and that could prove fatal.
There's so much more riding on this than a crown.
Editorial Reviews
"This amazing retelling of Cinderella presents varied magics, a new view of old enemies and royal rule, magical enchantment, and battles between oppressors and the conquered. What a breathtaking view!"-Tamora Pierce
"Thief Liar Lady is not your mother's Cinderella story! In D. L. Soria's delightful novel, Cinderella takes charge of her own destiny and lets nothing-not her stepmother nor her stepsisters nor even her charming prince-stand in her way. This is a most satisfying read!"-Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
"A fairy tale with a delightful con-artist twist, Thief Liar Lady is Cinderella as you've never seen her before-sly, subversive, and not at all demure."-Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of Damsel
"Full of intrigue and star-crossed romance, Thief Liar Lady takes everyone's favorite girl in glass slippers and transforms her into a spellbinding heroine of legend. This is a twisty, romantic fantasy that is perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi and Alix E. Harrow."-New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston
"D. L. Soria casts a spell of intrigue and romance on every page. By turns sharp and sweet, Thief Liar Lady is a lustrous fairy tale treat."-Alyssa Wees, author of Nocturne and The Waking Forest
"Thief Liar Lady is a dazzlingly magical, thrilling, and inventive take on a beloved classic. You've never seen Cinderella like this before-and you won't be able to look away."-Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch
"Soria's novel will grab readers right from the first page with her strong women characters and unexpected twists on a classic tale, as it alternates between the present and past, slowly revealing the real story and the depth of the ch...
"Thief Liar Lady is not your mother's Cinderella story! In D. L. Soria's delightful novel, Cinderella takes charge of her own destiny and lets nothing-not her stepmother nor her stepsisters nor even her charming prince-stand in her way. This is a most satisfying read!"-Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
"A fairy tale with a delightful con-artist twist, Thief Liar Lady is Cinderella as you've never seen her before-sly, subversive, and not at all demure."-Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of Damsel
"Full of intrigue and star-crossed romance, Thief Liar Lady takes everyone's favorite girl in glass slippers and transforms her into a spellbinding heroine of legend. This is a twisty, romantic fantasy that is perfect for fans of Roshani Chokshi and Alix E. Harrow."-New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston
"D. L. Soria casts a spell of intrigue and romance on every page. By turns sharp and sweet, Thief Liar Lady is a lustrous fairy tale treat."-Alyssa Wees, author of Nocturne and The Waking Forest
"Thief Liar Lady is a dazzlingly magical, thrilling, and inventive take on a beloved classic. You've never seen Cinderella like this before-and you won't be able to look away."-Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback's a Witch
"Soria's novel will grab readers right from the first page with her strong women characters and unexpected twists on a classic tale, as it alternates between the present and past, slowly revealing the real story and the depth of the ch...
Readers Top Reviews
Pirate Patty Reviews
She isn't who you think she is. This is an imaginative retelling of Cinderella. And it was confusing. I wasn't sure about the world-building at all. I constantly felt as if I missed a part somewhere. The magic was confusing as well with no background for that. All in all, I wouldn't plod through it again. NetGalley/ July 11, 2023, RHPG DEL REY
JudyD
This is a creative reimagining of the Cinderella fairy tale. I enjoyed reading this alternative version and it kept me turning the pages. The book is chock full of magic and spells. Of course, there is a handsome prince and a romance too. It was a fun read with some devious plotting going on as well as some manipulative politics. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication is July 11, 2023.
Ellen RatliffPaula
There may not have been a pumpkin carriage or mice footmen, but there is a touch of magic and romance with politics and alliances abound. If you are expecting this to be a retelling, you will be sorely disappointed. This isn't a retelling - more of a "what comes next and the whole fairy tale backstory is just a cute story that is told to the public". Not going to lie, I felt like this dragged and could have been cut down to the same effect. There is a romance, but I wouldn't consider it the main plot. “Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
Short Excerpt Teaser
CHAPTER ONE
I never thought the tale of my daring escape from servitude into the glittering world of the royal palace could be boring, but after the hundredth telling it had begun to lose its shine. I was seriously considering stabbing myself in the leg with a fork as an excuse to leave the dinner party early. The only problem was that I really liked the gown I was wearing, and I knew from experience that removing bloodstains from silk was a pain in the ass.
Instead I had to school my expression while Lord Hollish to my left expounded on the story that the poets were already calling the Romance of the Century. The embellishments being woven into my adventure with every new iteration were reaching the realm of the ludicrous. I couldn't think of a bigger waste of magic than turning a pumpkin into a carriage, although mice into horses was a close second. And apparently my shoes had been made of glass. How impractical.
I curved my lips with a fetchingly sweet smile and cast a glance toward the star-crossed lover of my magical tale, Prince Everett of Solis. He was grinning broadly when he met my eyes, somehow not yet bored by our epic love story. With his charming dimples and warm, open countenance, he was much more dashing than his elder brother, and kinder too, which I'd never stopped being grateful for. As for me, I'd been told by my stepmother on numerous occasions that my genuine smile made me appear less genuine than my fake one did. "Devious" was the exact term that Seraphina had used. Ah well. I was practiced enough at my fake smile that it didn't matter much.
The noblewoman across the table from Lord Hollish clapped her hands together in glee.
"How magical," she said, with too much vim to be entirely sober. She was a regular in the queen's sewing circle, but her name escaped me. Tasia or Tansy or something. "Lady Aislinn, you must tell us how your shoes did not break."
"I'm very light on my feet," I said, my eyes demurely downcast.
"I can attest to that," said Everett, jumping to my rescue. He knew how much I disliked the attention, though the reason was much different than he imagined. "She is grace itself when she dances, like the fey of old."
I didn't have to fake modest embarrassment at his praise; a flush rose in my cheeks. Everett certainly had a way with words. He was thirty-three and a fine statesman. His brother the king was already making good use of him as an ambassador. All the more reason for me to embed myself in these people's hearts as a symbol of everything bright and beautiful, which meant letting the ridiculous tale of my and Everett's whirlwind courtship continue to grow from a starry-eyed story into a legendary romance.
Maybe that's wishful thinking. It's equally possible that I was merely a novelty. A fine topic of gossip until Everett came to his senses and realized that-second-born or not-the royal prince of Solis marrying a nobody was simply untenable. Even if I was technically a blueblood on my father's side.
A burst of laughter at the end of the table caught my attention. Queen Mariana was radiant with a smile as everyone around her laughed uproariously. Her wheat-brown hair was woven with strands of tiny pearls tonight, and her forest-green dress, trimmed with creamy lace appliqué, draped elegantly off her lily-white shoulders. She lifted her wineglass for a sip, and I saw that she'd laid her right hand, gently and unobtrusively, onto her husband's. Whatever the joke had been, King Ryland didn't seem amused, but that was to be expected. The king wasn't known for his levity.
I stared for a moment too long. Ryland's glare locked onto me, and his frown deepened. I dropped my gaze quickly. Out of everyone of consequence in the palace, the king was the only one who had yet to warm to me. I poked at my vegetables with my fork, calculating how much lustre I had left. Only three vials. Possibly enough to soothe Ryland's suspicions of me for a few days, but that was hardly worth it. I would have to meet with Seraphina soon and see about replenishing my stock. My stepmother wouldn't be happy about it, but at this point losing control of the delicate balance I'd created would prove fatal.
"Lady Aislinn, what do you think?" asked Lord Hollish.
I set down my fork and looked up. Everyone at our end of the table was watching me expectantly. Damn it. I needed to get better at scheming and conversing at the same time.
"I beg your pardon." I dabbed my napkin at the corner of my mouth. "I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention."
"That's all right," said Lady Ta-something (what was her name?). "It wasn't terribly interesting."
A good-natured laugh rippled through the guests, but I just took a sip o...
I never thought the tale of my daring escape from servitude into the glittering world of the royal palace could be boring, but after the hundredth telling it had begun to lose its shine. I was seriously considering stabbing myself in the leg with a fork as an excuse to leave the dinner party early. The only problem was that I really liked the gown I was wearing, and I knew from experience that removing bloodstains from silk was a pain in the ass.
Instead I had to school my expression while Lord Hollish to my left expounded on the story that the poets were already calling the Romance of the Century. The embellishments being woven into my adventure with every new iteration were reaching the realm of the ludicrous. I couldn't think of a bigger waste of magic than turning a pumpkin into a carriage, although mice into horses was a close second. And apparently my shoes had been made of glass. How impractical.
I curved my lips with a fetchingly sweet smile and cast a glance toward the star-crossed lover of my magical tale, Prince Everett of Solis. He was grinning broadly when he met my eyes, somehow not yet bored by our epic love story. With his charming dimples and warm, open countenance, he was much more dashing than his elder brother, and kinder too, which I'd never stopped being grateful for. As for me, I'd been told by my stepmother on numerous occasions that my genuine smile made me appear less genuine than my fake one did. "Devious" was the exact term that Seraphina had used. Ah well. I was practiced enough at my fake smile that it didn't matter much.
The noblewoman across the table from Lord Hollish clapped her hands together in glee.
"How magical," she said, with too much vim to be entirely sober. She was a regular in the queen's sewing circle, but her name escaped me. Tasia or Tansy or something. "Lady Aislinn, you must tell us how your shoes did not break."
"I'm very light on my feet," I said, my eyes demurely downcast.
"I can attest to that," said Everett, jumping to my rescue. He knew how much I disliked the attention, though the reason was much different than he imagined. "She is grace itself when she dances, like the fey of old."
I didn't have to fake modest embarrassment at his praise; a flush rose in my cheeks. Everett certainly had a way with words. He was thirty-three and a fine statesman. His brother the king was already making good use of him as an ambassador. All the more reason for me to embed myself in these people's hearts as a symbol of everything bright and beautiful, which meant letting the ridiculous tale of my and Everett's whirlwind courtship continue to grow from a starry-eyed story into a legendary romance.
Maybe that's wishful thinking. It's equally possible that I was merely a novelty. A fine topic of gossip until Everett came to his senses and realized that-second-born or not-the royal prince of Solis marrying a nobody was simply untenable. Even if I was technically a blueblood on my father's side.
A burst of laughter at the end of the table caught my attention. Queen Mariana was radiant with a smile as everyone around her laughed uproariously. Her wheat-brown hair was woven with strands of tiny pearls tonight, and her forest-green dress, trimmed with creamy lace appliqué, draped elegantly off her lily-white shoulders. She lifted her wineglass for a sip, and I saw that she'd laid her right hand, gently and unobtrusively, onto her husband's. Whatever the joke had been, King Ryland didn't seem amused, but that was to be expected. The king wasn't known for his levity.
I stared for a moment too long. Ryland's glare locked onto me, and his frown deepened. I dropped my gaze quickly. Out of everyone of consequence in the palace, the king was the only one who had yet to warm to me. I poked at my vegetables with my fork, calculating how much lustre I had left. Only three vials. Possibly enough to soothe Ryland's suspicions of me for a few days, but that was hardly worth it. I would have to meet with Seraphina soon and see about replenishing my stock. My stepmother wouldn't be happy about it, but at this point losing control of the delicate balance I'd created would prove fatal.
"Lady Aislinn, what do you think?" asked Lord Hollish.
I set down my fork and looked up. Everyone at our end of the table was watching me expectantly. Damn it. I needed to get better at scheming and conversing at the same time.
"I beg your pardon." I dabbed my napkin at the corner of my mouth. "I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention."
"That's all right," said Lady Ta-something (what was her name?). "It wasn't terribly interesting."
A good-natured laugh rippled through the guests, but I just took a sip o...
