Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
Goldie Roth is a trained thief and a skilled liar. Along with her friend Toadspit, she's supposed to be one of the Keepers of the mysterious Museum of Dunt. But although she desperately wants to be a Keeper, she will not leave her sick parents to do so. But when Toadspit's sister Bonnie is stolen, he and Goldie are forced to follow the child-stealers to the neighboring city of Spoke. Along the way, Toadspit too is captured, and Goldie is caught up in the Festival of Lies, where every word she says means something else and no one can be trusted. There, Goldie discovers some dangerous secrets—secrets that the child-stealers will kill to protect. She will need all her skills as a thief and a liar if she is to survive and save her friends.
Is City of Lies appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 12 and up.
Parents should know this book features child kidnapping, a dangerous rescue mission, and a protagonist who uses deception and thievery as survival skills. Violence is present but not graphic, and the story emphasizes cleverness and courage.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include child harm, kidnapping, and deception (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will enjoy this fast-paced adventure about a clever thief-girl who must use all her skills to outsmart dangerous kidnappers and navigate a city where lying is the only way to survive.