While Jovan constantly frets for her well-being, Kalina is tired of being coddled and longs to prove that her weakness should not preclude her from living the life she desires. Although she is the oldest sibling and by rights should have become Etan’s apprentice, she suffers from a chronic illness that makes her too weak to build tolerance to any poisons. While Jovan’s role as Tain’s proofer is a secret from the rest of polite society, Kalina’s training as a diplomat/spy is secret even from Jovan. Jovan and Kalina’s Uncle Etan, known in Silastan culture as their tashi, currently serves as city Chancellor’s proofer. However, Jovan is more than Tain’s friend he has spent his entire life preparing to be Tain’s ‘proofer,’ or food taster. Jovan and Kalina are close friends with the heir to the city, Tain. The story follows the dual POVs of Jovan and Kalina, siblings from one of the most powerful families in the prosperous city-state of Silasta. It’s a good start, with a fun premise that deepens as the story goes. So begins Sam Hawke’s debut novel, CITY OF LIES ( Amazon). “I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me” (p.
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