“Liar’s Blood” by R.L. Newt

Liar’s Blood

R. L. Newt
R. L. Newt LLC (2026)
ISBN: 979-8993951607
Reviewed by A. Crimin for Reader Views (08/2026)

Liar’s Blood is R.L Newt’s epic fantasy debut, and even after 600 pages, I found myself desperate for more. The story dips into many points of view, but is centered around the main character, Fyren. She is an unwilling daughter in a deeply religious compound where men and gods control their lives and the Father’s word goes above all else. When her twin, Rhian, is marked for death, Fyren desperately trades her life for her sister’s. She goes to her death mere moments after seeing her sister doomed to an abusive man, closing her eyes for the last time.

Until she wakes up, magic pulsing in her veins and at the mercy of her rescuers. She is inexplicably intertwined with the man who both saved and changed her: Sarwyn. A king, a brother, a reckless liar, and a man desperate to save his people.

And she is changed. Age cannot touch her, nor can the rot she so feared. She has new weaknesses instead, ones she must learn to circumvent lest they finish what the Father could not. Swept into a world of magic she could never have imagined, she must come to terms with the fact that all is not as the compound swore it was. Her mere continued existence makes her an unknowing piece on the board in the battle that will decide the fate of kingdoms. She must navigate her new body, her new life, and attempt to rescue her sister all while balancing secrets, power, and betrayal.

Liar’s Blood, the first book of the Fringe-Born Saga, has a rich and vibrant world the likes of which will draw readers in and refuse to let them go. Culture, lineage, and history are all learned alongside the sheltered main character, and it’s all too easy to root for her. That said, with the mixed perspectives, it’s easy to want the other characters to succeed, too. Every voice is unique, everyone has individual desires, and those desires can make or break the kingdoms. Even when you don’t agree with characters, you can see what drives them, and it’s absolutely fascinating. The mixed perspectives mesh well with the story, allowing certain characters to know certain information while sharing all of it with the reader. It’s a story that trusts you to follow along, and it’s a breath of fresh air when it comes to epic fantasy.

That said, this is a darker fantasy than the average. The characters are traumatized, the world is messy, and it has excellent representation. While the series is self-described as bleak, and it can be in parts, it’s also intense and high-stakes in a way that will make you loathe to put it down. Much like the characters, the reader becomes invested in standing against that bleakness, and every win shines so much brighter against the darkened backdrop of the world.

If you enjoy complex, queer-normative worlds, fantasy with real bite, and large-scale stories that encompass entire kingdoms, give Liar’s Blood by R. L. Newt a try. And fear not, if you’re uncertain about how dark the story gets, the author has kindly included content warnings — but while it does lean more into the dark side of epic fantasy, nothing felt gratuitous or played for shock value. It all feels gritty and real, and is all the more enticing for it.