The Lies that Summon the Night

A Novel

By: Tessonja Odette

Narrated by: Christian Leatherman, Samantha Brentmoor

Lies, beauty, and seduction mingle in the first book of an enthralling romantasy series where making art is considered a sin, and the shadows born from it aren't the only danger to the creators—from the bestselling author of Curse of the Wolf King.

“Tessonja Odette has crafted a gorgeous, fast-paced tale of revenge and heartbreak while giving us a spicy, swoony romance that is sure to have you lusting until the very last page.”—Nisha J. Tuli, author of Trial of the Sun Queen

From the art of liars, the monsters came . . .

Ever since art gave life to bloodthirsty shadows, creative works have been forbidden and talented creators sacrificed to the Sinless—the immortal royals who feast on human blood in return for their protection.

Inana’s secret storytelling nearly got her killed once, and she’ll be damned if she’s ever caught again. With a bounty on her head, she keeps to the city’s dark underbelly, where she earns a meager living from thrill-seeking patrons desperate to hear her illicit fiction. Until Dominic, a Shadowbane, catches one of her performances.

Dominic is a half-Sinless monster hunter as fearsome as his prey. But to complete his hunt, he needs an artist to summon the shadows . . . he needs Inana. Dominic delivers an ultimatum: Serve him or he’ll claim her bounty. When survival is all Inana has left, the choice is clear—at least until she can betray him and leave him for dead.

As their tense alliance leads them into the heart of danger, dark secrets unravel—about each other, their world, and the threats they face. But the greatest risk of all is the desire growing between them. There’s something more sinful than lust at play, and it could bring the world to its knees.

Critic reviews

“The Lies that Summon the Night is a darkly seductive thrill ride that will take you through shadowy corners where all your secrets lie. Tessonja Odette has crafted a gorgeous, fast-paced tale of revenge and heartbreak while giving us a spicy, swoony romance that is sure to have you lusting until the very last page.”—Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen

“If I had to choose one word to describe Odette’s new romantasy, it would be ‘scintillating.’ Every element—from the prose to the characters to the romance—glows with life and dazzles with brilliance.”—Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of House of Beating Wings

“The most unique vampire tale I’ve ever read . . . a fresh world steeped in magic and art, and a shadowed romance layered in secrets . . . twisty, dangerous, and divine . . . Tessonja is a master!”—Brittney Arena, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of A Dance of Lies

“Odette has crafted a uniquely creative world with a seductive and sinful twist on vampire lore packed full of enticing secrets that keep you turning pages late into the night. Move over shadow daddies—there’s now a Shadow Zaddy in town, and you will want to let him taste your sins.”—Hazel McBride, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire

“In The Lies That Summon the Night transformation is dangerous, but necessary. In a world eager to label imagination as a threat, Odette’s novel argues for the opposite: that art doesn’t summon darkness. It reveals what’s already there, and shows us how to survive it.”—The Seattle Times

“The fight for survival comes forth in the tense, complex world of the Sinless, enriched with mythical, god-like entities and foes that seek control. Epic romantasy lovers will be drawn to Odette’s world building.”—Booklist

“Tessonja Odette blew me away with The Lies that Summon the Night. This gripping romantasy redefines what it means to be a morally grey shadow daddy, and I couldn’t put it down.”—Elayna R. Gallea, bestselling author of Tethered

“This scintillating romantasy series launch from Odette (Curse of the Wolf King) transports readers. . . . Fans of dark fantasy romance will be all in.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“[A] fast-moving dark romantasy . . . gothic and twisty.”—Library Journal