Liar’s Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina

In a world divided by power, survival may depend on knowing when to tell the truth—and when to lie.

Liar’s Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a gripping Indigenous fantasy filled with deadly trials, political intrigue, ancient magic, and a young woman determined to challenge the system that has controlled her people for generations.

Bell Silverleaf is a Treesinger, part of a people who share a deep connection with the natural world but live under the rule of the powerful Risen. When Bell is chosen to compete in the Queen’s Test, she is taken from her community and thrust into a dangerous contest where the winner will become the next ruler.

But the Test is about far more than proving strength. Bell must navigate deception, shifting alliances, hidden motives, and a society built upon secrets. As she begins uncovering truths about the world she thought she understood, she must decide whom she can trust—and what she is willing to risk to create something better.

Immersive, thoughtful, and fiercely original, Liar’s Test blends fantasy adventure with themes of colonialism, resistance, connection to Country, and the complicated nature of truth and power.

Perfect for readers who love: Indigenous fantasy, deadly competitions, nature-based magic, strong heroines, political intrigue, rebellion, and fantasy worlds with rich cultural and social themes.