If the first line doesn’t make you buy this book, you should turn in your fantasy-lover’s badge. City of Lies got me through sitting seven hours in an airport, and proves that a tale about the one who risks his life to thwart assassins can be as compelling as any assassin’s tale.

City of Lies grips from the first line . . . a compelling fantasy whodunnit - imagine Agatha Christie channelled through Robin Hobb - and a page-turning coming-of-age tale.

A tale of poisoners, deceit and treachery that will surely keep readers entranced. I don’t read many stories as twisty and unpredictable, especially in the latter chapters, as this one, and I loved what Sam Hawke did.

Sibling protagonists anchor this sinuous story of old grievances coming to a boil. Hawke writes with nuance about the loves, loyalties, ambitions and resentments that bind her characters together and threaten to tear them apart.

Sam Hawke does a marvellous job . . . keeping the action tense and the mood fraught, with each plot twist and revelation driving you on to a shocking and satisfying conclusion. City of Lies combines a locked-room mystery with a spy thriller and action-packed fantasy to create an experience that leave you reading late into the night.

Absolutely loved this; the world building is brilliant, the mystery and crime elements merge seamlessly into a fantastical world of poisoners, warrior-guilds and ancient magic. But the heart of the story is the central characters, they’re written with such depth: flawed, human and likeable. City of Lies is a wonderful read and one that I’d highly recommend to all lovers of fantasy.

An enormously enjoyable read, one of the best new fantasies I’ve seen in a long time.

With lush worldbuilding and a tight, twisting plot, City of Lies plants Hawke as a bold new fantasy voice.

Without doubt the best fantasy novel I read this year. With an opening line that resonates and it’s sprawling epic world full of political shenanigans and betrayal it is the very definition of a literary page turner.

City of Lies is one of the standout debuts – and books – of the year, and stands alone while opening the door for sequels already in the works – and which I’ll definitely be reading!

Part murder mystery, part political thriller with a fantastical heart . . . I was utterly engrossed from beginning to end.

A tightly wound and ever escalating plot is complemented by the cast's refreshing nuances . . . even when magic comes into play the story never loses its essentially human and relatable scale, making it stand out from more sprawling, cinematic fare. A well-crafted debut with believable political intrigues, solid world-building, and original characters.

An absolute revelation . . . the book really blew me away when I first read it, evoking subtle shades of Robin Hobb's Farseer books . . . if you haven't checked out Sam's writing, you really need to. She is a shining star in the genre.

'Sam Hawke injects her story with charismatic prose, characters with flair and also has one of the best opening lines that I've ever read in speculative fiction.'

A funny, addictive story that shines with real emotion

A delight . . . Joyful, great fun and with quite a few twists along the way

This book . . . has a touch of real wisdom [and] will satisfy Kinsella diehards as well as new readers.

Fizzingly fresh and can't fail to lift your spirits

What an absolute treat – sheer joy from start to finish.

Fast, furious and fabulous fun

Another heart-warming story from the Queen of feel-good fiction

A joy to read

This fun, super-readable breath of fresh air had us completely hooked

An enjoyable read, funny and moving

A fun, frothy good-hearted read

A tale of long-term love and friendship told with Sophie’s blend of warmth and humour