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Magic for Liars
by Gailey, Sarah
Ivy Gamble is a private investigator who drinks too much, smokes too much, and happens to be non-magical in a world where magic is very real. When a gruesome murder occurs at the elite magical academy where her estranged twin sister teaches, Ivy is hired to go undercover. The experience is less about solving a tidy puzzle and more about staring directly into the rot beneath a polished surface. Gailey writes with a sharp, cynical edge that refuses to romanticize the supernatural. The pacing feels like a slow, deliberate trudge through a rainy afternoon, emphasizing Ivy's deep-seated resentment and her complicated, toxic history with her sister. This is for readers who prefer their fantasy grounded in human messiness, moral ambiguity, and the quiet, crushing weight of feeling like an outsider in your own family.
10 Books similar to 'Magic for Liars'
Since you enjoyed the cynical, investigator-led mystery of Ivy Gamble, we curated a list that leans into that specific blend of dark academia and personal disillusionment. These selections focus on the blurred lines between identity and deception, often highlighting the isolation that comes with being an outsider in an insular, magical, or elite environment. Whether you are looking for more of that noir-inspired investigative grit found in Tana French or the unsettling, atmospheric secrets of an isolated school setting, these stories mirror the sharp, melancholic tone that makes Gailey's work so memorable.
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Like Magic for Liars, this novel blends a dark, academic setting with a gritty, noir-inspired mystery. It features a cynical, flawed protagonist navigating a world of secret societies and lethal magic, perfect for readers who enjoyed Ivy Gamble's investigative journey.
by Lev Grossman
This book deconstructs the 'magic school' trope with a cynical, realistic lens, mirroring the way Gailey examines the mundane and messy aspects of magical life. It captures that same feeling of disillusionment and the struggle to find one's place in a world that feels both wondrous and cruel.
by Tana French
Fans of the investigative aspect of Magic for Liars will appreciate French's masterful ability to weave deep character psychology into a gripping mystery. The narrative focus on identity, deception, and the blurred lines between the detective and the subjects is incredibly resonant.
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by Naomi Novik
While the tone is slightly more urgent, this book also features a protagonist who is an outsider in a dangerous, competitive magical school. It explores the darker, unglamorous side of learning magic and the loneliness that comes with being different.
This story weaves together a modern mystery with a historical narrative set in a boarding school, sharing the 'dark academia' aesthetic found in Gailey's work. It explores the consequences of past secrets and the complex, often messy relationships between women.
by Donna Tartt
As the quintessential dark academia novel, it provides the blueprint for the 'elite group with dark secrets' trope that Magic for Liars subverts. Readers who loved the tension and the moral decay of the characters in Gailey's book will find this essential reading.
by Rory Power
This book captures the visceral, body-horror-adjacent discomfort and the intense, claustrophobic atmosphere of a school isolated from the outside world. It focuses heavily on the bonds between girls and the secrets they keep to survive a hostile environment.
McGuire's novella explores the aftermath of magical experiences and the difficulty of reintegrating into the 'real' world, echoing the themes of estrangement and non-belonging present in Ivy's life. It is a poignant look at those who are left behind by magic.
by Tana French
For those who appreciated the noir-detective voice of Ivy Gamble, this book offers a masterclass in the genre. It centers on a detective dealing with personal trauma while trying to solve a bizarre, dark case, creating a similar emotional weight.
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As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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